cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sensitivity of Vertebral Compressive Strength to Endplate Loading Distribution

The sensitivity of vertebral body strength to the distribution of axial forces along the endplate has not been comprehensively evaluated. Using quantitative computed tomography-based finite element models of 13 vertebral bodies, an optimization analysis was performed to determine the endplate force distributions that minimized (lower bound) and maximized (upper bound) vertebral strength for a given set of externally applied axial compressive loads. Vertebral strength was also evaluated for three generic boundary conditions: uniform displacement, uniform force, and a nonuniform force distribution in which the interior of the endplate was loaded with a force that was 1.5 times greater than the periphery. Our results showed that the relative difference between the upper and lower bounds on vertebral strength was 14.2 +/- 7.0% (mean +/- SD). While there was a weak trend for the magnitude of the strength bounds to be inversely proportional to bone mineral density (R2 = 0.32, p = 0.02), both upper and lower bound vertebral strength measures were well predicted by the strength response under uniform displacement loading conditions (R2 = 0.91 and R2 = 0.99, respectively). All three generic boundary conditions resulted in vertebral strength values that were statistically indistinguishable from the loading condition that resulted in an upper bound on strength. The results of this study indicate that the uncertainty in strength arising from the unknown condition of the disc is dependent on the condition of the bone (whether it is osteoporotic or normal). Although bone mineral density is not a good predictor of strength sensitivity, vertebral strength under generic boundary conditions, i.e., uniform displacement or force, was strongly correlated with the relative magnitude of the strength bounds. Thus, explicit disc modeling may not be necessary.
Developmental regulation of phospholipid methylation in rat brain synaptosomes

Abstract Phospholipid methylation was studied in cortical synaptosomes prepared from 7 and 14 day and adult rat brain. Using varying concentrations of [ 3 H] S-adenosylmethionine, Km and Vmax values were determined for the formation of [ 3 H] phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine (PME), [ 3 H] phosphatidyl-dimethylethanolamine and [ 3 H] phosphatidylcholine (PC). At 25°C, the Km values for the formation of all three products, significantly decreased with development. Increasing the temperature to 37°C increased the Km values in the 14 day and adult but not the 7 day preparation. The Vmax values at 25°C were highest at 7 and 14 days, depending on the product and then decreased in the adult. At 37°C, the Vmax values were highest in the 14 day preparation. The overall results are discussed in terms of the developmentally regulated decrease in both synaptic membrane PC and membrane fluidity.
What makes sales presentations effective – a buyer‐seller perspective

Purpose – This exploratory research aims to examine the commonalities and differences in how buyers and sellers perceive and characterize an effective sales presentation in an attempt to present issues/themes that may help start a dialogue into the theoretical underpinnings of effective sales presentations.Design/methodology/approach – The paper consists of a qualitative study involving both salespeople and buyers.Findings – The study uncovers three common themes of an effective sales presentation – knowledge, adaptability, and trust – but exposes a gap between buyer and seller expectations and perspectives of these themes.Practical implications – The findings provide insight for business‐to‐business (B2B) salespeople and managers as to what buyers and sellers consider characteristic of an effective sales presentation.Originality/value – By focusing on how the two main parties to an exchange – the buyer and seller – define what makes an effective sales presentation, this paper adds knowledge to the area o...
Maximizing Energy Efficiency for Convergecast via Joint Duty Cycle and Route Optimization

The energy efficiency of the widely used convergecast pattern depends substantially on the choice of medium access control (MAC) and routing protocol. In this paper, we formalize the maximization of convergecast energy efficiency with respect to its MAC and routing as a resource constrained optimization problem. We then analytically show that this maximization problem is linear in the context of two prototypical MACs ---a locally synchronized wakeup (as in S-MAC) and a locally staggered wakeup MAC (as in O-MAC)--- assuming low, uniform traffic that is delivered reliably and without interference. With this insight, we present a centralized algorithm, MeeCast, that solves the optimization problem utilizing linear programming techniques. We also design a distributed version of MeeCast, for the case where the traffic is ultra-low, and prove that it achieves optimality as well as fast convergence time. Notably, this version is self-stabilizing, so it autonomically handles changes in traffic load, network topology, loss of coordination and state corruption. In comparison with Dozer, a state-of-the-art convergecast protocol, MeeCast achieves better energy efficiency and application lifetime in the context of S-MAC and identical energy efficiency but better application lifetime in the context of O-MAC.
Radiation-induced nitrite formation from concentrated nitrate solutions

Abstract The γ-radiation-induced decomposition of nitrate solutions to form nitrite was investigated in the concentration range 0·001–5·0 M for a variety of nitrate salts. The nitrite formed was detected by the reduction of cerium(IV) ions present in solution during the irradiation. The enhanced cerium(III) yields were interpreted to be due to the formation of nitrite by direct action. The nitrite yield was found to be (1) independent of cation, (2) dependent upon the nitrate concentration, (3) dependent upon the total energy absorbed by the solution and (4) representable by the equation G(NO2−)−da = 1·22 log [NO3−] + 1·70, where G(NO2−)−da is the direct action formation of nitrite and [NO3−] is the nitrate molarity.
Performance optimization for linear stochastic systems with probabilistic parametric uncertainties

This study discusses the robust performance optimization of controlled systems with probabilistically described parametric uncertainty. Focus is placed on linear, time invariant systems with stochastic disturbances. Incorporation of probabilistic uncertainty in classical control approaches as well as a design based on the concept of the reliability of the system response output are discussed. Analysis and synthesis methodologies based on recently developed stochastic simulation techniques are presented. The design approach is applied in a structural control example. The results illustrate the significance of adopting a probabilistic description for model uncertainty and the existence of differences between the various probabilistic characterizations.
Systematic Adjustments of Hydrographic Sections for Internal Consistency

Abstract A significant legacy of the World Ocean Circulation Experiment (WOCE) is the large number of high quality, high-resolution, full-depth, transoceanic hydrographic sections occupied starting in the mid-1980s. The section data provide an unprecedented survey of World Ocean water properties. Most stations sampled pressure, temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, and nutrients (nitrate, phosphate, and silicic acid) at up to 36 depths. While the WOCE Hydrographic Program (WHP) strenuously advocated employing standardized measurement techniques on all sections, small but significant systematic differences among cruise legs are found. A simple method for adjusting measurements to maximize internal consistency is presented and applied to available WOCE data in the Pacific Basin. First, the sections are broken into distinct cruise legs between port stops. Then, crossovers are identified where two different cruise legs cross or approach each other. Using hydrographic data from each cruise leg near each cro...
Activation of the Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 Receptor Induces Resistance to Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Antagonism in Head and Neck Squamous Carcinoma Cells

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) have poor efficacy in head and neck squamous carcinoma cells (HNSCC). Because the IGF-1 receptor (IGF1R) generates potent prosurvival signals and has been implicated in therapeutic resistance, its ability to induce resistance to EGFR-TKIs was studied in vitro. Five HNSCC cell lines showed reduced sensitivity to the EGFR-TKI gefitinib when the IGF1R was activated. In SCC-25 and Cal27 cells, gefitinib inhibited basal and EGF-stimulated EGFR, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk), and Akt phosphorylation and reduced cell number. This correlated with initiation of apoptosis based on a 4-fold increase in PARP cleavage and a 2.5-fold increase in Annexin V positivity. The apoptotic response and reduction in cell number were blocked by IGF1R activation, which resulted in phosphorylation of both Erk and Akt. In both the cell lines, IGF1R-induced Erk, but not Akt, activation was eliminated by gefitinib. IGF1R-induced gefitinib resistance was unaffected by MAP/Erk kinase inhibition with U0126 but was partially impaired by inhibition of phosphoinositide-3-kinase with LY294002. The IGF1R-TKI PQ401 inhibited growth of SCC-25 and Cal27 cells alone and also acted synergistically with gefitinib. Thus, the IGF1R can make HNSCC cells resistant to EGFR-TKI treatment via a prosurvival mechanism. Of the 8 HNSCC tumor samples studied, all samples expressed the IGF1R and 5 showed detectable IGF1R phosphorylation, suggesting that this receptor may be relevant in vivo, and thus, combined EGFR/IGF1R inhibition may be necessary in some patients for effective targeted molecular therapy.
Global Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology Network (GIDEON): A World Wide Web-Based Program for Diagnosis and Informatics in Infectious Diseases

The Global Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology Network (GIDEON) (http://www.gideononline.com) consists of 4 modules. The first is designed to generate a ranked differential diagnosis list for any infectious diseases scenario in any of 220 countries. The second follows the country-specific epidemiology of 337 individual diseases. The third presents a comprehensive encyclopedia of 308 generic anti-infective drugs and vaccines, including a listing of >9500 trade names. The fourth generates a ranked identification list based on the phenotype of bacteria, mycobacteria, and yeasts. The program performs well and serves as a useful paradigm for World Wide Web-based informatics. GIDEON is an eclectic program that can serve the needs of clinicians, epidemiologists, and microbiologists working in the fields of infectious diseases and geographic medicine.
The LIM Protein Leupaxin Is Enriched in Smooth Muscle and Functions As an Serum Response Factor Cofactor to Induce Smooth Muscle Cell Gene Transcription

Leupaxin is a LIM domain–containing adapter protein belonging to the paxillin family that has been previously reported to be preferentially expressed in hematopoietic cells. Herein, we identified leupaxin in a screen for focal adhesion kinase binding partners in aortic smooth muscle, and we show that leupaxin is enriched in human and mouse vascular smooth muscle and that leupaxin expression is dynamically regulated during development. In addition, our studies reveal that leupaxin can undergo cytoplasmic/nuclear shuttling and functions as an serum response factor cofactor in the nucleus. We found that leupaxin forms a complex with serum response factor and associates with CArG-containing regions of smooth muscle promoters and that ectopic expression of leupaxin induces smooth muscle marker gene expression in both 10T1/2 cells and rat aortic smooth muscle cells. Subsequent studies indicated that enhanced focal adhesion kinase activity (induced by fibronectin or expression of constitutively active focal adhesion kinase) attenuates the nuclear accumulation of leupaxin and limits the ability of leupaxin to enhance serum response factor–dependent gene transcription. Thus, these studies indicate that modulation of the subcellular localization of serum response factor cofactors is 1 mechanism by which extracellular matrix–dependent signals may regulate phenotypic switching of smooth muscle cells.
Stewardship as an Organizational Response: Understanding the Interaction of Institutional and Task Environments and Organizational Contexts on Fund Raising in Professional Schools and Colleges at the University of Michigan

Stewardship, defined in terms of shared beliefs, social structure, and organizational routines, was explored using a comparative case study approach to determine how conditions in the institutional and task environments and internal organizational characteristics influence the nature of the stewardship process in five professional schools at the University of Michigan. Data were collected through interviews, documents, and archival records. Informants in each case study unit included the dean of the school, as well as senior development administrators, major gift officers, and development staff. As theorized, the analysis revealed that resource dependence, uncertainty regarding donor behavior, and interconnectedness are the major influences on stewardship from the task environment. Pressures for legitimacy, efficiency, external legal coercion, and the voluntary diffusion of norms were influential on stewardship from the institutional environment. Organizational factors including centralization, configuration, design and management of tasks, interactions, political process, reputation, and competition were also influential on stewardship. Unanticipated factors that emerged from the data suggesting their influence on stewardship included internal pressures from the institutional environment, diversification and stockpiling from the task environment, and institutional commitment to fund raising through staff and monetary resources from the organizational context.
Gag grouper larvae pathways on the West Florida Shelf

Abstract A numerical circulation model, quantitatively assessed against in situ observations, is used to describe the circulation on the West Florida Continental Shelf during spring 2007 when pre-settlement gag ( Mycteroperca microlepis ) were present in the surf zone near Tampa Bay, Florida. The pre-settlement fish were found to be isotopically distinct from settled juveniles in the area, which is consistent with recent arrival at near shore nursery habitats from offshore spawning grounds. Simulated particle trajectories are employed to test hypotheses relating to either a surface or a near-bottom route of across-shelf transport. The surface-route hypothesis is rejected, whereas the bottom-route hypothesis is found to be consistent with the location of pre-settlement fish and their co-occurrence with macroalgae of offshore, hard-bottom origin. We conclude that gag larvae are transported to the near shore via the bottom Ekman layer and that such transport is facilitated by remote forcing associated with Gulf of Mexico Loop Current interactions with the shelf slope near the Dry Tortugas. Being that such remote forcing occurs inter-annually and not always in phase with the preferred spawning months (late winter through early spring), gag recruitment success should similarly vary with year and location.
Field quality analysis of the next generation IR quadrupole for the LHC

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) is carrying out a conceptual design study of a Nb/sub 3/Sn quadrupole for the next generation LHC Interaction Region (IR). The choice of a gradient of 205 T/m and an increased bore size of 90 mm represents a promising strategy towards increasing the luminosity up to an ultimate goal of 2.3 /spl times/ 10/sup 34/ cm/sup -2/s/sup -1/. At the present time Nb/sub 3/Sn is the only conductor with sufficient current density for this application. Coil designs with either two or four layers are being considered. Previous studies have examined cable and coil parameters, systematic harmonics, support structure and quench protection system. In this paper the issue of field quality is further discussed.
Substance Abuse in Trauma and the Anesthesia Care Provider

The use of alcohol and other mood altering substances dramatically increases the risk that injury will occur, especially when combined with the attempted operation of a motor vehicle. Frequently these injuries are severe enough to require treatment at a trauma center, and when these patients require surgery for their injuries the anesthesia care provider must be able to identify the signs and symptoms of acute intoxication and/or withdrawal and separate these from those related to the patients underlying injury. The acutely intoxicated patient may present as more unstable than would be accounted for based on the severity of his/her injuries. The drugs that they have ingested frequently increase the risks of anesthesia and surgery. The addicted patient may go through withdrawal during the course of hospitalization, and this may be as life-threatening as the injuries. Drugs of abuse have distinct toxidromes and clinical presentations as well as the propensity to interact with anesthetic agents in sometimes unpredictable ways. In the trauma setting, the anesthesia care provider must possess a solid understanding of how recreational drug use by the trauma patient can alter the course of an anesthetic.
The outlook for fuels for internal combustion engines

The demand for transport energy is increasing, but this increase is heavily skewed toward heavier fuels such as diesel and jet fuel while the demand for gasoline might decrease. As spark-ignition engines develop to become more efficient, abnormal combustion such as knock and preignition will become more likely. High antiknock quality fuels, those with high research octane number and preferably low motor octane number, will enable future spark-ignition engines to reach their full potential. Higher fuel antiknock quality is also likely to mitigate “superknock” resulting from preignition—an abnormal combustion problem in turbocharged spark-ignition engines. In many parts of the world, fuel antiknock specifications are set on the assumption that higher motor octane number contributes to increased knock resistance. Specifications for fuel antiknock quality have a great impact on fuels manufacture and will need to be revised as this mismatch between existing specifications and engine requirements widens. The pr...
Caring for the incontinent elder: advanced practice nursing concepts.

Urinary incontinence (UI) in the older adult is a multisystem health problem that has an impact on the lives of millions of older adults. Advanced practice nurses (APNs) specializing in gerontology, family, and adult practice are equipped educationally with the expertise to prevent, assess, and manage this health problem. The emerging emphasis on UI prevention will help guide the practice of APNs in the future. APNs will serve older adults well in prevention and management of UI by capitalizing on their roles as expert clinicians, researchers, consultants, educators, and collaborators with the interdisciplinary teams.
Factor structure and aetiological architecture of the BRIEF: A twin study

Executive function is a broad construct that encompasses various processes involved in goal-directed behaviour in non-routine situations (Banich, 2009). The present study uses a sample of 560 5- to 16-year-old twin pairs (M = 11.14, SD = 2.53): 219 monozygotic twin pairs (114 female; 105 male) and 341 dizygotic twin pairs (136 female, 107 male; 98 opposite sex) to extend prior literature by providing information about the factor structure and the genetic and environmental architecture of the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF; Gioia et al., 2000, Child Neuropsychol., 6, 235; Gioia et al., 2000, Behavior rating inventory of executive function, Lutz, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources), a multifaceted rating scale of everyday executive functions. Phenotypic results revealed a 9-scale, 3-factor model best represents the BRIEF structure within the current sample. Results of the genetically sensitive analyses indicated the presence of rater bias/contrast effects for the Initiate, Working Memory, and Task-Monitor scales. Additive genetic and non-shared environmental influences were present for the Initiate, Plan/Organize, Organization of Materials, Shift, and Monitor and Self-Monitor scales. Influences on Emotional Control were solely environmental. Interestingly, the aetiological architecture observed was similar to that of performance-based measures of executive function. This observed similarity provided additional evidence for the usefulness of the BRIEF as a measure of 'everyday' executive function.
Framing Social Values: An Experimental Study of Culture and Cognition.

How and why does a given social value come to shape the way an individual thinks, feels,and acts in a specific social situation? This study links ideas from Goffman’s frame analysis to other lines of research, proposing that dramatic narratives of variable content, vividness,and language-in-use produce variation in the accessibility of schematic, internal cultural frameworks, and, thereby, variation in the social value frames that gain situational primacy. Hypotheses derived from the argument are experimentally supported, and results encourage further research on the process of social value framing, which operates as a person crosses oundaries in the complex subcultural mosaic.
Symptom monitoring for relapse prevention in schizophrenia

Abstract This article reviews the stress-vulnerability model of schizophrenic relapse, develops an empirically based rationale for symptom monitoring as a component of relapse prevention, and describes techniques for identifying early signs of exacerbation.
The Kansas Revised Limited Liability Company Act

The Limited Liability Company (LLC) form of business organization has become a popular alternative to incorporation because it offers participants limited liability for business obligations; flexibility with regard to ownership and management structure; and classification as a partnership for tax purposes, with resultant conduit treatment of items of income, gain, loss, deduction, or credit. Kansas was the fourth state in the nation to adopt legislation authorizing LLCs when it enacted the Kansas Limited Liability Company Act (KLLCA) in 1990. In 1999, Kansas replaced the KLLCA with completely new legislation, the Kansas Revised Limited Liability Company Act (KRLLCA), effective January 1, 2000. This article explores the new legislation.
Evidence that a Local Refolding Event Triggers Maturation of HK97 Bacteriophage Capsid

Bacteriophage capsids are a striking example of a robust yet dynamic genome delivery vehicle. Like most phages, HK97 undergoes a conformational maturation that converts a metastable Prohead into the mature Head state. In the case of HK97, maturation involves a significant expansion of the capsid and concomitant cross-linking of capsid subunits. The final state, termed Head-II, is a 600 A diameter icosahedral structure with catenated subunit rings. Cryo-EM, small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and biochemical assays were used previously to characterize the initial (Prohead-II) and final states (Head-II) as well as four maturation intermediates. Here we extend the characterization of the acid-induced expansion of HK97 in vitro by monitoring changes in intrinsic fluorescence, circular dichroism (CD), and SAXS. We find that the greatest changes in all observables occur at an early stage of maturation. Upon acidification, fluorescence emissions from HK97 exhibit a blueshift and decrease in intensity. These spectral changes reveal two kinetic phases of the expansion reaction. The early phase exhibits sensitivity to pH, increasing in rate nearly 200-fold when acidification pH is lowered from 4.5 to 3.9. The second, slower phase reported by fluorescence is relatively insensitive to pH. Time-resolved SAXS experiments report an increase in overall particle dimension that parallels the fluorescence changes for the early phase. Native agarose gel assays corroborated this finding. By contrast, probes of CD at far-UV indicate that secondary structural changes precede the early expansion phase reported by SAXS and fluorescence. Based on the crystallographic structure of Head-II and the pseudo-atomic model of Prohead-II, we interpret these changes as reflecting the conversion of subunit N-terminal arms (N-arm) from unstructured polypeptide to the mixture of β-strand and β-turn observed in the Head-II crystal structure. Refolding of the N-arm may thus represent the conformational trigger that initiates the irreversible expansion of the phage capsid.
RNA-Binding Properties and Translation Repression In Vitro by Germ Cell-Specific MSY2 Protein

The large amount of MSY2 protein, a mouse germ cell-specific Y-box protein, in oocytes and its degradation by the late two-cell stage suggest that MSY2 may stabilize and/or regulate the translation of maternal mRNAs. We report here the ability of bacterially expressed recombinant MSY2 protein to bind to mRNA and repress translation in vitro. Although MSY2 displays some sequence specificity in binding to short RNA sequences derived from the 39 untranslated region (UTR) of the protamine 1 (Prm1) mRNA, as determined by both gel shift and filter binding assays, essentially no sequence specificity is observed when full-length Prm1 mRNA is used. The binding of MSY2 is ;10fold greater to the full-length Prm1 mRNA than to a 37-nucleotide sequence derived from the 39 UTR, and gel shift assays indicate that multiple MSY2 molecules bind to a single Prm1 mRNA. MSY2 binding to luciferase mRNA at ratios of protein to mRNA that are likely to exist in the oocyte also leads to a moderate inhibition of protein synthesis in vitro. Given the abundance of MSY2 in mouse oocytes (2% of total oocyte protein), these data suggest that MSY2 packages mRNAs in vivo with relatively little sequence specificity, which may lead to both stabilization and translation repression of maternal mRNAs. developmental biology, gamete biology, gene regulation, oocyte development
Current- and past-use pesticide prevalence in drainage ditches in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley.

BACKGROUND: Pesticide application is common in agriculture and often results in applied pesticides entering adjacent aquatic systems. This study seasonally analyzed a suite of 17 current- and past-use pesticides in both drainage waters and sediments to evaluate the prevalence of pesticides in drainage ditches across the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley (LMAV). RESULTS: There were significantly higher concentrations (P < 0.05) of current-use than past-use pesticides; however, there were consistently high numbers of detections of past-use pesticides in sediments. Sediment pesticide concentrations were an order of magnitude higher (150 – 1035 µ gk g −1 ) than water samples (6 – 20.9 µ gL −1 ). Overall, 87% of all samples analyzed for currentand past-use pesticides were non-detects.p,p � -DDT was detected in 47.5% of all drainage waters and sediments sampled. There were significant correlations (0.372 ≥ r 2 ≤ 0.935) between detected current-use water and sediment concentrations, but no significant correlations between past-use water and sediment concentrations. CONCLUSION: Overall, there was a high percentage (87%) of sediment and water samples that did not contain detectable concentrations above the lower limit of analytical detection for each respective pesticide. This lack of pesticide prevalence highlights the improved conditions in aquatic systems adjacent to agriculture and a potential decrease in toxicity associated with pesticides in agricultural landscapes in the LMAV. c � 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Determinants of relationship quality: An artificial neural network analysis

Abstract Relationship marketing has emerged as a focal point by which a company can succeed in a competitive environment. Understanding the success of methods used to develop long-term relationships with consumers, thus, becomes critical in the process of gaining competitive advantage. This article reviews the relationship quality (an important component of relationship marketing) literature and examines the factors that previous research has shown to be important. The article then presents an analysis of a survey of financial services consumers using a relatively new technique called artificial neural network analysis (ANNA). The technique is used to investigate the potential determinants of relationship quality. Methodologically, ANNA is shown to have a better predictive power than more conventional analytic techniques such as multiple regression.
An analysis and design of an optimal programmable analog CMOS synapse

Reports on a project to develop an optimally sized programmable analog CMOS synapse cell library which is readily available for the construction of a high-density VLSI neural network. A set of optimal design equations is derived from standard CMOS equations. The derivation of the design equations and the evaluation of the size (silicon area) and performance of the synapse cell are discussed. >
Neutralization of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) before or after CG during COS cycles restores ovarian vascular parameters similar to natural menstrual cycles: a pilot study in nonhuman primates

mediate but similar number of dominant follicles than women without OHSS (respectively 12 4.9 and 7.2 5.3, p1⁄40.008; 4.4 4.1 and 4.3 3.7, p1⁄40.89). A multivariable logistic regression revealed that the number of intermediate follicles was the only statistically significant predictor of OHSS occurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Shoview study shows that moderate/severe OHSS incidence after COSwith HP-hMGwas 2.4% in this cohort where 41%of women were considered at high risk of developing OHSS. Although some cases still occurred, risk assessment and COS adaptation allowed satisfactory OHSS risk management. Supported by: Shoview cohort study was sponsored and conducted by Ferring SAS, Gentilly, France.
Fuel Droplets inside the Cylinder of a Spark Ignition Engine with Axial Stratification

Gouttelettes de carburant dans le cylindre d'un moteur a allumage par etincelle a stratification axiale
Large-Scale Image Processing Research Cloud

We have entered the big data era, where massive data are generated each single day. Most of these new generated big data are images and videos. Besides the fast-increasing data size, the image and video processing algorithms become much more complex, which poses great demands to data storage and computation power. Our image processing cloud project aims to support the image processing research by leveraging the cloud computing and big data analysis technology. In this paper, we present our design for image processing cloud architecture, and big data processing engine based on Hadoop. We also report the performance scalability and analysis on the cloud using several widely used image processing algorithms. Keywords–Cloud Computing; Map/Reduce; Hadoop; Image Processing
Monitor 1981

The experimental proton beam line at the Clinton P. Anderson Meson Physics Facility (LAMPF) is maintained remotely (because of high radiation levels) by a specially designed remote-handling system called Monitor. The prototype Monitor unit was placed in service in 1976 to repair highly activated components in the LAMPF beam stop. Since that time, the Monitor system has been continually improved to keep pace with more complex maintenance tasks and ever-increasing radiation levels in the experimental areas. To ensure that the facility can be maintained on a timely basis, a second Monitor unit was commissioned in 1980. The improvements in the monitor system and components have increased the efficiency of LAMPF's remote-maintenance operations by a factor of two. The technology developed has advanced to the state where it can be directly applied to other applications or industries that may potentially compromise health and/or safety of workers.
Quantitative Assay Validation for Oxandrolone in Human Plasma Using LC–MS-MS

A high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) method for the determination of oxandrolone concentration in human plasma (0.5 mL) was developed and validated according to the 2001 FDA Bioanalytical Guidelines. Oxandrolone is an anabolic steroid used to promote weight gain for cachectic patients with severe burn injuries, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C and other wasting syndromes. The assay procedure involved a liquid-liquid extraction of oxandrolone and methyltestosterone (the internal standard, IS) from plasma with n-butyl chloride. The organic layer was clarified by centrifugation and evaporated to dryness under a stream of air. The residue was reconstituted in a solution containing 25% methanol and 75% Milli-Q water, and injected onto a Luna C18 reversed-phase HPLC column (30 mm × 2.0 mm, 2 μm). Separation of oxandrolone and methyltestosterone was achieved with a mobile phase starting composition of 55% methanol and 45% ammonium formate buffer at a flow rate of 0.1 mL/min. The total run time was 21 min per sample. Selected reaction monitoring mode was used for quantifying oxandrolone (m/z 307 → 271) and the IS, methyltestosterone (m/z 301 → 149). To the authors' knowledge, this is the first LC-MS-MS method validated for oxandrolone quantification in human plasma. This method can be used in future pharmacokinetic studies involving oxandrolone.
Effects of group songwriting on motivation and readiness for treatment on patients in detoxification: a randomized wait-list effectiveness study.

Background Songwriting is a commonly utilized music therapy technique for clients in substance abuse rehabilitation. For these patients, motivation and readiness for treatment remain two key treatment areas. Moreover, there is a lack of randomized and controlled music therapy studies systematically investigating how group songwrit-ing can affect patients on a detoxification unit. Objective The purposes of this study were to measure the effects of a single group songwriting session on motivation and readiness for treatment and determine emerging themes from patient-composed songs with patients on a detoxification unit. Methods Participants (N = 99) were randomized to experimental (posttest only) or wait-list control (pretest only) conditions to provide treatment to all participants in an inclusive single-session design. Results There were significant between-group differences in motivation and readiness for treatment, with experimental participants having higher means than control participants. Code categorizations from patients' composed song lyrics concerned "action," "emotions and feelings," "change," "reflection," "admission," and "responsibility." Conclusion From the results of this study, it seems that a single group songwriting session can be an effective intervention concerning motivation and readiness for treatment in patients on a detoxification unit. Implications for clinical practice, suggestions for future research, and limitations are provided.
BANDWIDTH -PERFORMANCE TRADEOFFS FOR A T RANSMISSION WITH CONCURRENT SIGNALS

We consider a bandwidth-efficient transmission scheme, where two signals are sent concurrently. The BER and the achievable minimum distances for the signals’ constellations at the receivers are derived as functions of the signals’ energies and their input probability distributions. Finally, trade-offs between bandwidth, signals’ energies and achievable performances are discussed.
Naked-Eye Coulometric Sensor Using a Longitudinally Oriented Ag Band Electrode in a Microfluidic Channel

In this Article, we report a coulometric sensing platform that is capable of sensing analytes on a working electrode and providing a visual readout of the analyte concentration on a silver (Ag) band counter electrode in a microchannel. The display mechanism relies on the electro-oxidation of metallic Ag as a complementary reaction to the sensing reduction reaction. The Ag band counter electrode is arranged longitudinally in a microchannel while the frontal tip of the band electrode directly faces a gold (Au) working electrode, which lies across the microchannel. The Ag oxidation always occurs at the band electrode’s tip region that faces the working electrode due to the Ohmic potential drop across the solution in the microchannel. The decrement of the Ag electrode, which is clearly measurable with the naked eye, correlates linearly with an analyte concentration (e.g., 0.1–2.5 mM p-benzoquinone) and with an analyte feeding rate (i.e., a sample solution flow rate of 1.0–75.0 μL min–1). The platform design i...
Statistical analysis of ramp rates of solar photovoltaic system connected to grid

Abstract —Penetration of Photovoltaic (PV) power to the grid is increasing very rapidly. Ramp rate (RR) of the PV power is important to determine the capacity of the energy storage for dispatching smoothed PV power to the grid. This paper focuses on determination of ramp RR of the PV generated power due to irradiance and temperature fluctuation. In order to investigate the smoothing effect of geographically distributed PV stations, global horizontal irradiance (GHI) and temperature ( 0 C) with 5 min resolution at four sites across the Colorado State were converted to PV power by proper design of 0.5MW grid-connected PV plant. The ramp rates (RRs) of the stations are calculated by exploiting the moving average. Smoothing effect of geographically distributed PV stations is shown by comparing the histogram of the RRs of the sites. Also the cumulative distribution functions (CDF) are employed for this analysis. The Pearson correlation of PV power of each of the sites increases with geographic proximity of the sites. The analysis shows that the RR and PV power fluctuation is reduced after averaging the generated power of four stations. Also, statistical analysis of RR is advantageous in understanding the extent of variability of PV power.
Platform of information service for industrial chain in agriculture

According to actual situation and needs of agricultural industry in China,correlation analysis of the agricultural industry is carried out,further to integrate the applications between modern software engineering and agricultural industry,business processes of every aspect for industrial chain of agricultural is analyzed,the functions framework and formatted industrial chain information manage-ment system of vegetable is analyzed,including 3 subsystems of agricultural for before,during and post-natal information management,8 function of industrial optimization,market prediction and so on,30 component library of industrial layout,structure planning and so on,assist industries applications of macro-management,resource management,decision-command,market circulation and others,to promote the development in modern agriculture industry.
EVALUATION ON SINGLE WELL WATERFLOOD RESERVE

During the medium -late water cut stage ,it is an important approach blaccurutely to estimate the waterflooding controlling reserve of a single well to studies reservoir residual oil distribution ,and the oil field adjustment measures are foundation .In this paper ,after analyzing the waterdrive characteristics of a single well in detail , we come to the following conclusions that:1.due to formation heterogeneity and different waterdrive intensity,the difference of development behavior among oil wells is significant and so is the waterflooding controlling reserve,2.In the development process of reservoir, reserve would be redistributed ,and some wells would "borrow" reserve from adjacent wells ,which will lead to greater waterflooding controlling reserve than geology reserve in a single well. Therefore, it is of application significance to study waterflooding controlling reserve of a single well.
Relationship between excision repair and the cytotoxic and mutagenic action of chemicals and UV radiation.

We are investigating the mechanisms by which mutations are introduced into the DNA of diploid human fibroblasts following exposure to chemical carcinogens or ultraviolet (UV) radiation. In particular, we have asked, are the mutations induced by these agents introduced during the repair process by misrepair? or are they the result of misreplication during semi-conservative DNA synthesis? Our studies have been facilitated by the existence of excision repair-proficient diploid human cells derived from normal persons and repair-deficient fibroblasts derived from xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) patients. We have compared these fibroblasts for their response to the mutagenic and/or cytotoxic effect of UV radiation, 1–5 of reactive derivatives of a series of aromatic amines6,7 or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons,8–11 hr of nitrosoureas. 12 Cytotoxicity is defined as the inability of a cell to form a colony, i.e., reproductive death. Mutagenicity is defined as an increase in 8-azaguanine or 6-thioguanine resistant cells in the population (resulting from the loss of active hypoxanthine(guanine)phosphorylbosyltransferase). The results of our studies indicate that mutations by these particular agents are not introduced during excision repair but result directly or indirectly from semi-conservative DNA synthesis on a template containing unexcised lesions, i.e., by misreplication or failure to replicate a portion of the DNA.
Turns and averaging as static and dynamic measures of masseter EMG activity

Surface EMG records from human masseter muscles were analyzed at various fractions of the maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). Frequencies of turns, or reversals of signal direction, and integrated or average rectified values were compared as quantitative measures of this type of data. Averaged signals were useful for within-study comparisons or for revealing dynamic changes in EMG during excitation or inhibition. However, averaged values depend strongly on signal amplitude (and thus on electrode characteristics and muscle size), and are not easily transferable between studies. Turns frequencies increased with contraction up to 75% MVC, and were less dependent on signal amplitude than were averages. Turns frequencies may thus be useful for quantitative comparisons between studies or between different muscles.
Smith’s Principles for the Twenty-First Century

Smith wanted his work to provide useful guidance for legislators. Thus, he suggested principles for improving societies. While his specific policy advice may not be applicable today, many of his principles are still applicable: market economy with morality; improving society to increase happiness; justice, liberty, and equality; scientific, evidence-based approach; solutions based on best practices anywhere in the world; and good government.
The Single High-Sensitivity Serum Cardiac Troponin T Level: A Significant Advance for Chest Pain Pathways?

The editorialist discusses his experience with high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T testing and its paradoxical effect on hospital admissions, in light of Pickering and colleagues' study.
Investigation of Seizure-Susceptibility in a Drosophila melanogaster Model of Human Epilepsy with Optogenetic Stimulation.

We examined seizure-susceptibility in a Drosophila model of human epilepsy using optogenetic stimulation of ReaChR (red-activatable channelrhodopsin). Photostimulation of the seizure-sensitive mutant parabss1 causes behavioral paralysis that resembles paralysis caused by mechanical stimulation, in many aspects. Electrophysiology shows that photostimulation evokes abnormal seizure-like neuronal firing in parabss1 followed by a quiescent period resembling synaptic failure and apparently responsible for paralysis. The pattern of neuronal activity concludes with seizure-like activity just prior to recovery. We tentatively identify the mushroom body as one apparent locus of optogenetic seizure initiation. The α/β lobes may be primarily responsible for mushroom body seizure induction.
Deepwater Horizon: Lessons in Corporate Branding

How did the 2016 film Deepwater Horizon affect BP’s corporate brand? How can a company reliably measure and track its brand for strategic planning purposes? This study provides a practical approach for measuring the effect of external events on a firm’s corporate brand. Such a measurement approach requires a consistent set of corporate-brand attributes that should be measured on an ongoing basis. Results show that the film’s release did not have the expected negative impact on corporate brand for Shell and Exxon. The impact was similarly small for BP, though BP’s corporate brand was already lower prior to the movie’s release.
Entrepreneurial Teams in Successful Franchising: Examining the Franchisee and Franchisor Interface

The nature of the franchising business model provides an opportunity for an entrepreneurial interface between franchisee and franchisor. What is widely known as a replicated and standardized world ...
Globalization, Women Factory Workers of Bangladesh and their Autonomy

Feminist literature on globalization has examined the forces that motivate women to stay in factory jobs despite the horrendous pay. Bangladesh is currently the second largest readymade garment manufacturer after China. How does factory work empower women? This question became a central issue in current feminist theorizing, although this question is often absent from the discussion of global factory workers of Bangladesh. This paper expands the body of feminist knowledge by using in-depth interview data of women workers of a Bangladeshi factory . I highlight how women’s income provides them relative autonomy from their family and community and empowers them.
An Optical Surface Inspection and Automatic Classification Technique Using the Rotated Wavelet Transform

This paper discusses a novel optical nondestructive testing and automatic classification technique using customized image processing techniques. In contrast to conventional spatial analyses, which are highly susceptible to noise and human perception, our proposed transform domain approach provides a high degree of robustness and flexibility in feature selection, and hence a better classification efficiency. The presented algorithm classifies the part-under-test (PUT) into two bins of either acceptable or faulty using transform-domain techniques in conjunction with a classifier. Since the classification is critically dependent on the features extracted from stored images, a sophisticated scalable database was created. The initial database contains 100 parts with various degrees of reflectivity and surface conditions. The transformation algorithm relies on the discrete wavelet transform (DWT) and rotated wavelet transform (RWT) for feature extraction, while a K-nearest neighbor (KNN) classifier is employed for PUT classification. The maximum accurate classification efficiency achieved is 80% and more than 93% by DWT and RWT, respectively.
Using Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography to Monitor Disease Progression in Peripheral Ulcerative Keratitis

We report two cases of peripheral ulcerative keratitis (PUK) imaged with anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). The first patient had prolonged nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use, while the second had inflammatory arthritis by laboratory findings without any systemic findings as well as possible concurrent tuberculosis. In both patients, AS-OCT demonstrated corneal thinning at the onset of the disease with improvement six months after initiation of intensive medical therapy. Our cases highlight the need for a multidisciplinary approach and careful monitoring in PUK cases, especially with objective measures such as corneal thickness assessed with AS-OCT.