cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Natural convection in an enclosed vertical air layer with large horizontal temperature differences

Steady-state two-dimensional results obtained from numerical solutions to the transient Navier-Stokes equations are given for laminar convective motion of a gas in an enclosed vertical slot with large horizontal temperature differences. We present results for air using the ideal-gas law and Sutherland-law transport properties, although the results are also valid for hydrogen. Wide ranges of aspect-ratio, Rayleigh-number and temperature-difference parameters are examined. The results are compared in detail with the exact solution in the conduction and fully developed merged boundary-layer limits for arbitrary temperature difference, and to the well-established Boussinesq limit for small temperature difference. It is found that the static pressure, and temperature and velocity distributions are very sensitive to property variations, even though the average heat flux is not. In addition we observe a net vertical heat flux to be the same as that obtained from the Boussinesq equations. We concentrate on the boundary-layer regime, but we present a rather complete picture of different flow regimes in Rayleigh-number, aspect-ratio and temperaturedifference parameter space. We observe that, with increasing temperature difference, lower critical Rayleigh numbers for stationary and oscillatory instabilities are obtained. In addition we observe that in some cases the physical nature of the instability changes with increasing temperature difference.
Computer Enhancement and Mensuration of Fuel Pin Imagery

Images of a reactor test fuel pin under induced stress, recorded in the first pinhole experiment (PINEX) at the TREAT reactor, were analyzed with image enhancement techniques and mensuration algorithms. Temporal changes in the pin diameter were observed. Signal from materials surrounding the fuel correlated with expectations. Techniques for background removal were examined.
A thermosphere/ionosphere general circulation model with coupled electrodynamics

A new simulation model of upper atmospheric dynamics is presented that includes self-consistent electrodynamic interactions between the thermosphere and ionosphere. This model calculates the dynamo effects of thermospheric winds, and uses the resultant electric fields and currents in calculating the neutral and plasma dynamics. A realistic geomagnetic field geometry is used. Sample simulations for solar maximum equinox conditions illustrate two previously predicted effects of the feedback. Near the magnetic equator, the afternoon uplift of the ionosphere by an eastward electric field reduces ion drag on the neutral wind, so that relatively strong eastward winds can occur in the evening. In addition, a vertical electric field is generated by the low-latitude wind, which produces east-west plasma drifts in the same direction as the wind, further reducing the ion drag and resulting in stronger zonal winds.
Optimal maintenance of a multi-unit system under dependencies

A proposal for an alternative methodology to solve optimal maintenance problems is presented in this paper. Monte Carlo simulation and Response Surface Equations constitute the core of the methodology to enable the rapid processing of optimization without oversimplifying either the input probability distributions or system structure. A numerical study of the Time Limited Dispatch of Full Authority Digital Engine Control is presented to demonstrate how cost-efficient maintenance policies can be established by applying the proposed methodology, while satisfying all pertinent requirements.
Acoustic picoliter droplets for emerging applications in semiconductor industry and biotechnology

This paper presents the theory of operation, fabrication, and experimental results obtained with a new acoustically actuated two-dimensional (2-D) micromachined microdroplet ejector array. Direct droplet based deposition of chemicals used in IC manufacturing such as photoresist and other spin-on materials, low-k and high-k dielectrics by ejector arrays is demonstrated to reduce waste contributing to environmentally benign fabrication and lower production cost. These ejectors are chemically compatible with the materials used in IC manufacturing and do not harm fluids that are heat or pressure sensitive. A focused acoustic beam overcomes the surface tension and releases droplets in air in every actuation cycle. The ejectors were operated most efficiently at 34.7 MHz and generated 28mum diameter droplets in drop-on-demand and continuous modes of operation as predicted by the finite element analysis (FEA). Photoresist, water, isopropanol, ethyl alcohol, and acetone were ejected from a 4times4 2-D micromachined ejector array. Single photoresist droplets were printed onto a silicon wafer by drop-on-demand and continuous modes of operation. Parallel photoresist lines were drawn and a 4-in wafer was coated by Shipley 3612 photoresist by using acoustically actuated 2-D micromachined microdroplet ejector arrays
A Parametric Study of Inter-Track Interference in Bit Patterned Media Recording

We present a parametric study of inter-track interference (ITI) in the context of bit patterned media (BPM) recording channels. Bit error rate (BER) simulation results for optimal bit detection at moderate-to-high signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) show that, in a certain range of ITI levels, increased ITI does not necessarily degrade performance. This observation applies to channels both with and without intersymbol interference (ISI) as well as in the absence and presence of track misregistration (TMR). In the case of no ISI, an exact analysis of the BER performance of optimal bit detection provides a complete explanation of the observed effect of ITI. For channels with ISI, error event analysis of a joint-track maximum-likelihood sequence detector provides insight into the observed impact of varying levels of ITI on BER performance.
GLiMMPS: robust statistical model for regulatory variation of alternative splicing using RNA-seq data

To characterize the genetic variation of alternative splicing, we develop GLiMMPS, a robust statistical method for detecting splicing quantitative trait loci (sQTLs) from RNA-seq data. GLiMMPS takes into account the individual variation in sequencing coverage and the noise prevalent in RNA-seq data. Analyses of simulated and real RNA-seq datasets demonstrate that GLiMMPS outperforms competing statistical models. Quantitative RT-PCR tests of 26 randomly selected GLiMMPS sQTLs yielded a validation rate of 100%. As population-scale RNA-seq studies become increasingly affordable and popular, GLiMMPS provides a useful tool for elucidating the genetic variation of alternative splicing in humans and model organisms.
Role of kinins and nitric oxide in the antihypertrophic effect of ramipril.

We examined the effect of non-antihypertensive doses of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor ramipril, kinins, and/or nitric oxide on left ventricular hypertrophy in rats with aortic coarctation. We investigated the effect of either HOE 140, a specific B2 receptor antagonist, or NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, on the antihypertrophic effect of ramipril at non-antihypertensive doses (10 micrograms/kg per day) failed to alter left ventricular hypertrophy significantly, although a small decrease was obtained. Given at a dose of 1 mg/kg per day for 6 weeks, ramipril prevented increased blood pressure and left ventricular hypertrophy after aortic coarctation. Neither of these effects was blocked by simultaneous administration of HOE 140 (500 micrograms/kg per day). In rats with aortic coarctation treated with L-NAME, blood pressure increased further but left ventricular weight did not. Ramipril (1 mg/kg per day) significantly reduced left ventricular hypertrophy, although blood pressure was still higher than in rats given water alone. The slope of the correlation between left ventricular weight and blood pressure in rats that received L-NAME was significantly lower than in rats that did not (0.52 versus 1.29; P = .008). This suggests that for each 1 mm Hg that the blood pressure increased, the increase in left ventricular weight was less in the L-NAME groups. Thus, only antihypertensive doses of ramipril possessed antihypertrophic activity. Kinins did not participate in the chronic antihypertensive and antihypertrophic effects of ramipril. In hypertension induced or aggravated by chronic nitric oxide synthase, L-NAME partially impaired development of left ventricular hypertrophy for reasons that are unclear.
Das Waringsche Problem

Edward Waring (1734–1798) behauptete, das “jede Zahl dargestellt werden kann als Summe von vier Quadraten, neun Kuben, neunzehn Biquadraten, usw.” (1770).
ANOMALOUS TRANSPORT IN METALS AND SEMICONDUCTORS

According to the Kubo formula, the static uniform electric fields in a metal or semiconductor can induce coherence between band states far from the Fermi energy. This interband coherence response appears to be at odds with the normal view that transport is a Fermi-energy property, and is relatively unfamiliar since it makes a negligibly small contribution to the most commonly studied transport coefficients such as the longitudinal conductivity. It has recently been argued that interband coherence response can dominate the anomalous Hall conductivity of ferromagnetic metals and semiconductors and the spin-Hall conductivity of paramagnetic materials. I will review recent theoretical ideas related to the charge Hall conductivity of ferromagnetic materials and the spin Hall conductivity of paramagnetic materials and their relation to recent and future experiments. Note from Publisher: This article contains the abstract only.
Income and the Environment in Rural India: Is There a Poverty Trap?

We study the relationships between rural income distributions and changes in environmental conditions in southern, western and central India between 1994–95 and 2000–01. Other than the relatively rich, we find that all income strata benefit from an improved environment, and intermediate expenditure households benefit more than the very poor in absolute terms. Higher median consumption expenditures and “richness” are estimated to increase environmental decline, but we do not find a significant impact of income poverty on local environmental health. The results do not support the “poverty trap” conjecture, with environmental degradation driving expenditure reductions that promote offsetting aforestation (which benefits the poor).
In Vitro Release Behavior of Dextran-Methacrylate Hydrogels Using Doxorubicin and other Model Compounds

In vitro drug release behavior of doxorubicin, Alizarin Red S, FITC-dextran from photocross-linked dextran-methacrylate hydrogel was studied. The effects of pH of media, degree of substitution (DS) of dextran-methacrylate hydrogel, and molecular weight of model compounds on their release profiles were investigated. Each model compound was successfully incorporated into dextran-methacrylate hydrogel matrix through photopolymerization of the hydrogel precursor. Delayed release of model compounds was observed with these hydrogels having a higher DS. Doxorubicin and Alizarin Red S showed pH-dependent release behavior because of the presence of ionizable groups in their structure. Different types of ionization of doxorubicin and Alizarin Red S resulted in more release into an acidic or alkaline media. As molecular weights of drugs increased, the total amount of released drug at the end of 240 hrs decreased significantly and reached a minimum level as the MW of drugs reached about 10,000. Release of these three model compounds followed simple Fickian diffusion at an early stage of release, i.e., cumulative release of model compounds was proportional to the square root of time. Dextran-methacrylate hydrogel effectively delayed and controlled the release of anticancer antibiotics, doxorubicin.
Continuous wave terahertz transmission imaging of nonmelanoma skin cancers.

Background and Objective: Continuous wave tera- hertz imaging has the potential to offer a safe, noninva- sive medical imaging modality for delineating human skin cancers. Terahertz pulse imaging (TPI) has already shown that there is contrast between basal cell carcinoma and normal skin. Continuous-wave imaging offers a sim- pler, lower cost alternative to TPI. The goal of this study was to investigate the feasibility of continuous wave tera- hertz imaging for delineating skin cancers by demonstra- ting contrast between cancerous and normal tissue in transmission mode. Materials and Methods: Two CO2 optically pumped far-infrared molecular gas lasers were used for illumina- ting the tissue at two frequencies, 1.39 and 1.63 THz. The transmitted signals were detected using a liquid Helium cooled Silicon bolometer. Fresh skin cancer specimens were obtained from Mohs surgeries. The sam- ples were processed and imaged within 24 hours after surgery. During the imaging experiment the samples were kept in pH-balanced saline to prevent tissue dehy- dration. At both THz frequencies two-dimensional THz transmission images of nonmelanoma skin cancers were acquired with spatial resolution of 0.39 mm at 1.4 THz and 0.49 mm at 1.6 THz. For evaluation purposes, hema- toxylin and eosin (H&E) histology was processed from the imaged tissue. Results: A total of 10 specimens were imaged and it was determined that for both frequencies, the areas of decreased transmission in the THz image correlated well with cancerous areas in the histopathology. Two negative controls were also imaged. The difference in transmission between normal and cancerous tissue was found to be approximately 60% at both frequencies, which suggests that contrast between normal and cancerous tis- sue at these frequencies is dominated by differences in water content. Conclusions: Our results suggest that intraoperative de- lineation of nonmelanoma skin cancers using continuous- wave terahertz imaging is feasible. Lasers Surg. Med. 43:457-462, 2011. 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission: Benefit or Boondoggle?

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has been subject to the criticism of all parties involved in the regulation of the safety of consumer products. This paper evaluates the Commission's performance, examining both the sources of the Commission's regulatory problems and the extent to which recent amendments to the Consumer Product Safety Act will ameliorate these problems. Alternative approaches to the regulation of consumer product safety are suggested.
Microbially mediated CH4 consumption and N2O emission is affected by elevated CO2, soil water content, and composition of semi-arid grassland species

Elevated CO2 affects plant productivity, but also water availability and plant species composition in semi-arid grasslands, thereby potentially causing complex effects on CH4 consumption and N2O emission. We studied the effects of atmospheric CO2 concentration (400 vs 780 μL L−1), water content (15 vs 20% gravimetric soil moisture), and composition of semi-arid grassland species (perennial grasses Bouteloua gracilis, Hesperostipa comata, and Pascopyrum smithii; sub-shrub Artemisia frigida; invasive forb Linaria dalmatica grown in monoculture and all five species together) on CH4 consumption and N2O emission in a full factorial greenhouse experiment. We used a unique method where we measured microbial effects on CH4 consumption and N2O emission in isolation from effects of gas diffusivity. Microbially mediated CH4 consumption was significantly higher under elevated CO2 (by 20%), but was not affected by soil water content or plant species composition. Microbially mediated N2O emission was not significantly affected by elevated CO2, but was significantly higher with high water content (by 67%) and differed significantly among species. Treatment effects on CH4 consumption and N2O emission often could not be explained simply by differences in soil moisture, suggesting that treatment-induced changes in other soil and microbial properties played a role in causing these effects.
Predicting suicide intent: the roles of experiencing or committing violent acts

According to the interpersonal theory of suicide (Joiner, 2005), repeated exposure to painful or provocative experiences is associated with lethal or nearly lethal suicide attempts. However, suicide research often focuses on suicide ideation or attempts, rather than intent. Using data from the Collaborative Psychiatric Epidemiological Surveys, we examined traumatic experiences, with a focus on repeated exposure to traumas, in individuals who described their suicide attempts as a strong intent to die versus a cry for help. Only repeated acts of committing violence were associated with high suicide intent, suggesting that individuals who engage in violence are at heightened risk for suicide.
Plant Succession on Pumice at Mount St. Helens, Washington

Abstract How vegetation develops from a source of potential species remains poorly understood. I explored whether colonizing species assemble randomly, or if local deterministic factors alter species establishment to create consistent vegetation patterns. Early primary successional vegetation in 111 small self-contained depressions (potholes) on Mount St. Helens was sampled. Mean richness was 8.8 species and mean cover was 2.6%. Mean percent similarity (PS) between potholes was 46%. A nearby grid of 100 contiguous 100 m2 quadrats on a level barren plain was sampled for comparison. Barren quadrats had mean richness of 12.2 species, mean cover of 1.4% and mean PS of 63%. Pothole vegetation was much more variable than that of the barrens. Canonical correspondence analysis revealed a slight relationship between environmental factors and pothole vegetation. Species composition, cover and species rank orders were predicted extremely well by a stochastic model based on observed frequencies and random accumulatio...
Butenolide synthesis using acyl cobalt complexes

Abstract Acylcobalt tetracarbonyls react with alkynes to give rise to butenolides in high yields.
Spectroscopic binaries in M 67

We summarize the characteristics of 85 spectroscopic orbits derived from more than two decades of radial-velocity monitoring of stars in the old open cluster M 67, with special emphasis on the blue stragglers and other members that do not fall on the evolutionary tracks expected for isolated single stars.
Traumatic inferior gluteal artery pseudoaneurysm: case report and review of literature

Abstract Inferior gluteal artery pseudoaneurysms are rare, with few cases reported in the recent literature. Such cases often present with a variable time course, mode of injury, and associated symptoms, leading to their misdiagnoses and improper treatment. We report a case of a posttraumatic inferior artery pseudoaneurysm that presented 3 months after the initial injury with a warm, tender, enlarging mass and numbness in the ipsilateral lower extremity. This article highlights the importance of placing a pseudoaneurysm in the differential diagnosis of an indurated, fluctuant, warm, erythematous posttraumatic mass, despite the absence of thrills, bruits, and pulsations.
A study of time limit structures on participation flow in an asynchronous discussion forum

The need for increased instructor involvement and teaching presence in an asynchronous discussion forum has received prominence in the literature. Less known is the influence of the instructor in structuring online forums to facilitate meaningful student participation and interaction. This study explored how the use of time structures established by the instructor moderates the flow of topic discussions in a forum. The study utilized five metrics - density, intensity, latency, responses, and a composite ‘wellness index’ - to compare the patterns of discussion forum activity derived from graduate-level courses offered with two different instructor management approaches. In one set of five courses, the instructor utilized a time-structured style, in which discussion topics were identified at the beginning of the term and students had 21 days to contribute to each topic. In the second set of five courses, the instructor presented the topics gradually during varied time periods of the course of the term and imposed no specific deadlines for students to contribute. Although preliminary, the findings of the study indicate that the instructor's management style of introducing topics in an online course influences the flow of the discussion.
The Republic of Letters: Arab Modernity? [Pt. I]

This reading rewrites the nahḍah, as the other appellation for Arab modernity, and interrogates it through a postcolonial critique. The nahḍah is usually addressed in terms of the encounter with Europe, the indebtedness to and engagement with the Enlightenment discourse at the turn of the last century. I dispute more commonplace negativist readings of the past by nahḍah scholars and direct attention instead to other competing trends that enhanced significant identitarian politics. I also unearth the reasons behind the loudly pronounced negativism, its pitfalls and failure to map out a comprehensive field of an enormous knowledge that unfolded in compendiums, commentaries, lexicons, encyclopedias, along with separate monographs. I apply the term republic of letters to this specifically loaded scholarly interaction, one that preceded and heralded other configurational sites in Europe. A community of scholars over centuries and across the Islamic lands emerged between the twelfth and eighteenth centuries that could have furnished “Enlightened” modernists with some different understanding and critical theoretical approach to the encounter with Europe and the colonial and postcolonial state of affairs.
Seasonal cues of Arctic grayling movement in a small Arctic stream: the importance of surface water connectivity

In Arctic ecosystems, freshwater fish migrate seasonally between productive shallow water habitats that freeze in winter and deep overwinter refuge in rivers and lakes. How these movements relate to seasonal hydrology is not well understood. We used passive integrated transponder tags and stream wide antennae to track 1035 Arctic grayling in Crea Creek, a seasonally flowing beaded stream on the Arctic Coastal Plain, Alaska. Migration of juvenile and adult fish into Crea Creek peaked in June immediately after ice break-up in the stream. Fish that entered the stream during periods of high flow and cold stream temperature traveled farther upstream than those entering during periods of lower flow and warmer temperature. We used generalized linear models to relate migration of adult and juvenile fish out of Crea Creek to hydrology. Most adults migrated in late June – early July, and there was best support (Akaike weight = 0.46; w i ) for a model indicating that the rate of migration increased with decreasing discharge. Juvenile migration occurred in two peaks; the early peak consisted of larger juveniles and coincided with adult migration, while the later peak occurred shortly before freeze-up in September and included smaller juveniles. A model that included discharge, minimum stream temperature, year, season, and mean size of potential migrants was most strongly supported (w i = 0.86). Juvenile migration rate increased sharply as daily minimum stream temperature decreased, suggesting fish respond to impending freeze-up. We found fish movements to be intimately tied to the strong seasonality of discharge and temperature, and demonstrate the importance of small stream connectivity for migratory Arctic grayling during the entire open-water period. The ongoing and anticipated effects of climate change and petroleum development on Arctic hydrology (e.g. reduced stream connectivity, earlier peak flows, increased evapotranspiration) have important implications for Arctic freshwater ecosystems.
Baleen whale abundance and distribution in relation to environmental variables and prey density in the Eastern Bering Sea

Abstract The Bering Sea is one of the most productive marine ecosystems in the world and an important habitat for various marine mammal species. Once abundant in this region, most baleen whale species were severely depleted by commercial whaling in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Since their protection in mid-20th century, baleen whale populations have been recovering and reoccupying their historical habitats. These species can consume large amounts of their prey and thus can modify the local structure of ecosystems. Characterizing the extent to which environmental conditions and prey density influence baleen whale abundance in the Eastern Bering Sea is essential to improve our understanding of ecosystem dynamics and to predict how these species might respond to ecosystem variability associated with climate changes. In this study, physiographic, oceanographic, and biological datasets from 2008 to 2010 were combined to model the habitat characteristics of fin whales, humpback whales, and minke whales in the EBS in early summer (June and July) using generalized additive models (GAMs). The explained deviances of the best-supported models were 54.9%, 20.6%, and 68.3% for minke, fin and humpback whales, respectively. Minke and fin whales had similar distribution patterns in the EBS but their abundance was predicted by different explanatory variables. Euphausiid and pollock biomasses, and depth were important predictors of minke whale numbers, while distance to shore, euphausiid biomass, distance to the 200 m isobath, and chlorophyll- a concentration better explained fin whale abundance. Humpback whales showed a preference for shallow, coastal waters north of the Alaska Peninsula. For this species, sea surface temperature, depth, chlorophyll- a concentration and euphausid biomass were important predictors of abundance. This study is the first to provide a habitat baseline for baleen whales in the EBS based on a quantitative assessment of the relationship between whale abundance, environmental variables, and density of euphausiids and age-1 pollock in early summer. Because this study was conducted during a cold temperature regime in the Bering Sea, additional research is needed to assess how whales respond to environmental variables and prey biomass in years with warm conditions.
Stepping Outside of the Heart: Using Nontraditional Patient Characteristics to Understand and Improve Outcomes

Never before in the history of American health care has there been such momentum for quality improvement. A key impetus and road map for these efforts has been the Institute of Medicine's landmark report, “Crossing the Quality Chasm: A New Health System for the 21st Century” ([1][1]), that has
A survey of government document front-line employees

Abstract In From Red Tape to Results , U.S. Vice President Albert Gore established a three-step process for creating service standards for federal agencies. This article presents the second step of this methodology, known as the front-line employee survey. The author administered this survey to staff of Oklahoma government document collections. The employee survey found that the Oklahoma government document employees are essentially satisfied with their positions; yet, improvement may be needed in services offered and in workplace facilities.
Combined Top-down and Bottom-up Approach to Cooperative Distributed Multi-agent Control with Connectivity Constraints

Abstract We propose a novel framework to synthesize coordination and control strategies for multi-agent systems from team tasks that are in the form of regular languages specifying service requests. The framework incorporates top-down design approaches with bottom-up control schemes: on one hand, a formal approach is applied to distribute the local tasks based on service capabilities of each agent and to synthesize local supervisors associated with each agent to fulfill the local tasks; on the other hand, by modeling the physical motion dynamics of an agent as a single integrator system, a connectivity-preserving controller with only position measurements is designed such that motion behaviors of cooperating agents are subject to communication constraints. The performance of the underlying framework is guaranteed by using a technique that is inspired by compositional verification while the communication constraints can always be obeyed. A motion and mission co-planning example of a robotic system is presented.
Abstract W P98: Activation of α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Reduces Pro-Inflammatory Macrophage and Improves Ischemic Stroke Recovery

Background and Purpose: Inflammation influences stroke recovery. Activation of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAchR) attenuates inflammation. We hypothesize that α7 nAchR agonist treatment reduces pro-inflammatory macrophages (M1) and improves ischemic stroke recovery. Methods: C57BL/6 mice underwent permanent distal middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO). They were randomly assigned to 7 groups: injected intraperitoneally with 0.4 or 0.8 mg/Kg PHA568487 (PHA, α7 nAchR agonist), 4 or 6 mg/Kg methyllycaconitine (MLA, α7 nAchR antagonist), or saline immediately after pMCAO, or with 0.8 mg/Kg PHA or 6 mg/kg MLA immediately and 24 hours after pMCAO. Behavior was assessed by corner and adhesive removal tests at 3, 7, and 14 days after pMCAO (n=12). Atrophic volume (n=7) and the percentage of total (CD68+) and M1 (CD11b+/Iba1+) macrophages (n=6) among total cells in the peri-infarct region were quantified 14 days after pMCAO. The expression of M1 (CD11b and iNOS) and M2 marker (CD206) were quantified using real-time RT-PCR (n=4). Results: Compared to the saline-treated mice, those treated with two doses of 0.8 mg/kg PHA performed better in both behavioral tests at 3 (adhesive: p=0.01, corner: p=0.02) and 7 (adhesive: p=0.005, corner: p=0.03) days, and in the adhesive removal test at 14 days (p=0.004) after pMCAO. They had smaller atrophic volume (16±7 mm3 vs 26±5 mm3, p=0.008), and fewer total (9±2.5% vs 15.8±1.7%, p<0.001) and M1 (14±2.3% vs 20.6±4.2%, p=0.005) macrophages. Mice treated with two doses of 6 mg/kg MLA performed worse in the behavioral tests at all times (p<0.05), had larger atrophic volume (48±20 mm3, p=0.03), and more total (25±4.2%, p=0.0003) and M1 macrophages (28±4.5%, p=0.01). The expression of CD11b and iNOS decreased (p<0.05) in the PHA group, and increased (p=0.01) in the MLA group. CD206 expression increased (p=0.04) in the PHA group and did not change in the MLA group. One-dose treatment had no effect. Conclusions: Activation of α7 nAchR reduces pro-inflammatory macrophages in the peri-infarct region, which is associated with reduction of atrophic volume and improvement of behavioral recovery.
Bayesian Inference for Damage Detection in Unsupervised Structural Health Monitoring

This paper presents a preliminary study on developing a new algorithm for making inference on the unsupervised structural health monitoring problems in a Bayesian framework. The main constraint in such problems, besides their unsupervised nature, is the small size of data set. Secondly, most often, there is no numerical model or enough empirical data for computing an appropriate prior density for Bayesian data analysis. Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) and Kernel Density Estimate (KDE) are the main tools which are used in this paper for density estimation under the constraint on the size of data sets. To solve the second issue, an empirical Bayesian approach is employed for computing a prior density without any model; therefore, this algorithm provides an approximation to the standard Bayesian inference technique. An important aspect of the proposed algorithm is that it provides posterior probabilities for the intact or damaged states of the structure. Such results can be directly used for cost analysis and decision making in such unsupervised problems. The efficacy of the algorithm is experimentally verified by testing a three-story two-bay steel laboratory structure. The results show that the algorithm can effectively detect and localize the damages.
S-Hydrographs and Change of Unit Hydrograph Duration

The S-Hydrograph or S-curve is the hydrograph corresponding to a uniform rainfall of infinite duration. It is used as an intermediate hydrograph in unit hydrography theory to derive from a specified unit hydrograph of a given duration other unit hydrographs of different durations. One common problem in this unit hydrograph derivation is the fluctuation of both the S-hydrograph and the later portion of derived unit hydrographs. A new approach, the Forward-Backward-S-Curve, which minimizes this fluctuation problem, is described.
A distributed dynamical solver for an optimal resource allocation problem over networked systems

In this paper, we consider an optimal resource allocation problem over networked systems where the global cost function is a sum of local convex cost functions of the agents. This optimization problem is subject to an affine equality constraint which represents the demand that the agents should meet through weighted contribution of their cost variables. We propose a novel distributed continuous-time algorithm that solves the problem over networks with connected graph communication topology. We also present an extension of our algorithm to solve allocation problems subject to multiple affine constraints. We demonstrate our results through a numerical example.
Recognition of the disordered p53 transactivation domain by the transcriptional adapter zinc finger domains of CREB-binding protein.

An important component of the activity of p53 as a tumor suppressor is its interaction with the transcriptional coactivators cyclic-AMP response element-binding protein (CREB)-binding protein (CBP) and p300, which activate transcription of p53-regulated stress response genes and stabilize p53 against ubiquitin-mediated degradation. The highest affinity interactions are between the intrinsically disordered N-terminal transactivation domain (TAD) of p53 and the TAZ1 and TAZ2 domains of CBP/p300. The NMR spectra of simple binary complexes of the TAZ1 and TAZ2 domains with the p53TAD suffer from exchange broadening, but innovations in construct design and isotopic labeling have enabled us to obtain high-resolution structures using fusion proteins, uniformly labeled in the case of the TAZ2–p53TAD fusion and segmentally labeled through transintein splicing for the TAZ1–p53TAD fusion. The p53TAD is bipartite, with two interaction motifs, termed AD1 and AD2, which fold to form short amphipathic helices upon binding to TAZ1 and TAZ2 whereas intervening regions of the p53TAD remain flexible. Both the AD1 and AD2 motifs bind to hydrophobic surfaces of the TAZ domains, with AD2 making more extensive hydrophobic contacts consistent with its greater contribution to the binding affinity. Binding of AD1 and AD2 is synergistic, and structural studies performed with isolated motifs can be misleading. The present structures of the full-length p53TAD complexes demonstrate the versatility of the interactions available to an intrinsically disordered domain containing bipartite interaction motifs and provide valuable insights into the structural basis of the affinity changes that occur upon stress-related posttranslational modification.
An update on factorization at Sandia National Laboratories

Since Crypto 83 we have had considerably more experience in factoring large integers. Implementation of various modifications to the quadratic sieve algorith have enabled the factorization of hard 70- digit numbers in times comparable to 50 digits one year ago. These modifications include: 1) Subsequences with large divisors (Special q's). 2) Multipliers to improve quadratic properties. 3) Increased size of prime base using segmented Gaussian Elimination. 4) Optimization of the code with respect to Cray hardware.Using this code in its various stages of development the 10 most wanted numbers from the Cunningham Project have been factored. Details will be published elsewhere.
Niche and Ordination of Weed Communities in Cotton Fields Under the Condition of Drip Irrigation in Northern Slope of Tianshan Mountain

In cotton fields under the condition of drip irrigation in northern slope of Tianshan Mountain,25 random sampling fields in 5 regions under different ecological conditions were surveyed in detail with "seven scales by visualization" of weed dominance to cotton to obtain the weed important value.The 20 main weeds niche breadth and niche overlap were caculated on the basis of the data above.The minimal spanning tree and a two-dimensional scatter polt of DCA ordination revealing weed ecological similiarity were drawed based on niche overlap value.The results show that Convolvulus arvensis、Chenopodium album、Amaranthus retroflexus、Solanum nigrum、Phragmites australis、Setria viridis、Abutilon theophrasti、Hibiscus trionum、Echinochloa crusgalli had bigger niche breadth as compared with those of other species,being the important weed in cotton fields under the condition of drip irrigation in northern slope of Tianshan Mountain,the niche overlaps between Lactuca tatarica、Descurainia sophia,Echinochloa crusgalli、Hibiscus trionum、Amaranthus retroflexus、Abutilon theophrasti,Convolvulus arvensis、Chenopodium album、Solanum nigrum、Setria viridis、Phragmites australis were higher.The minimal spanning tree method based on niche overlap value to reflect similar degree of the ecological needs of the weeds,20 main weeds will be divided into 3 groups.DCA ordination of 20 main weeds comprehensive ecological needs of 25 sampling sites:the vicious weeds all gathered at the central sorting chart,the distinction is obvious with the general weed and the corresponding of DCA ordination chart with minimal spanning tree is better;DCA ordination chart of sampling quadrats of 5 regions:all sampling quadrats of 143 corps and Kuytun intertwine mutually in the ordination chart,it shows:the species and its dominance of weeds in cotton fields is more Similar,but other interzone difference is obvious.The minimal spanning tree by its focus on the results of which show that weeds are the most similar to the ecological requirements,but not be used for the no adjacent species,and no clear that the ecological relationship between them,the DCA sorting can reflect the ecology similar relations between all weeds wholely,though this method will lose a small amount of ecological information through the data conversion.Therefore the two methods will be combined,complementary advantages,the superiority is obvious.
Analysis of Tuberculin Test Among 15,066 Middle School Students in Wancheng District of Nanyang City

Objective To investigate the infection situation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the middle school students of Wancheng District of Nanyang city,and to provide the evidence for the related intervention measures.Methods A total of 15,066 students were randomly selected from 10 middle schools and secondary vocational schools of Wancheng District to conduct tuberculin test,and the data were statistically analyzed.Results There were statistically significant differences in the positive detection rate of tuberculin test between the students from middle schools and secondary vocational schools.No statistically significant difference was found in the positive detection rate and the strong positive detection rate of tuberculin test among the students in the different age groups.Conclusions Surveillance of tuberculin test should be further strengthened in the middle schools for controlling the occurrence and prevalence of tuberculosis among the middle school students.
Prevention and management of neonatal infections.

SUMMARY The risk of nosocomial infection in full term neonates cared for in well-baby nurseries can be minimized if personnel adhere to fun-damental infection control principles. Neonates who require intensive care face a much greater risk of infection, particularly if they have very low birthweights. Such babies have seriously impaired host defenses, require prolonged hospital stays, and are exposed to a variety of invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. They are extremely vulnerable to a wide range of nosocomial pathogens, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses, many of which are frank opportunists. Although it may not be possible to prevent all, or even most of these infections, careful attention to barrier precautions, adequate staffing, sound NICU design, and prompt case identification and cohorting can reduce the risk substantially.
Introduction to Data Analysis for QI Projects

The purpose of this short chapter is to introduce the reader to basic data analysis principles that can be helpful in exploring data, determining the significance of findings, and deriving conclusions.
Biofuel policies and the impact of developing countries’ policy responses to the 2007–2008 food price boom

Economists have been unanimous that developing countries’ policy responses to high food grain prices in 2007–2008 in restricting exports and promoting imports increased both world food grain price levels and volatility. Furthermore, the literature emphasizes the self-defeating aspects of policy responses: world prices increase even further, thereby raising domestic prices in countries imposing policies to protect domestic consumers. We show that because of the crop-biofuel price linkages that took hold in 2007 caused by biofuel policies, developing countries’ policy responses had little impact on world prices in 2008 and maximum impact in reducing domestic price in developing countries. There is little empirical evidence of a policy responses increasing world prices. Instead, the incidence of those developing countries with policy responses were mostly in reducing domestic prices while those countries that did not respond (including all developed countries) faced high world prices locked onto crude oil prices and unaffected by policy responses. Given that most studies on developing countries’ policy response analyze the impacts on poverty in developing countries, this paper has important policy implications, especially food security analysis which now requires understanding how biofuel policies impact food commodity prices.
FRI0267 Mycophenolate Mofetil versus Oral Cyclophosphamide in Scleroderma-Related Interstitial Lung Disease: Scleroderma Lung Study II

Background Progressive Interstitial lung disease (ILD) occurs in ∼ 40% of scleroderma (SSc) patients and is the leading cause of death. Oral CYC for 1 year in SSc-ILD led to modest but significant improvements in lung function and dyspnea vs. placebo (Tashkin, NEJM, 2006) but the benefits were lost over the ensuing year and drug therapy was not extended due to the known toxicity profile of CYC. (Tashkin AJRCCM 2007). Preliminary data from uncontrolled clinical studies suggest that MMF may be an effective and safer immunosuppressive therapy than CYC for SSc-ILD. Objectives A randomized controlled trial was performed to determine the efficacy, safety and tolerability of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) administered for two years compared with CYC administered for one year followed by matching placebo for SSc-ILD. Methods 142 patients with pulmonary function and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) defined SSc-ILD were randomized at 14 centers to receive MMF or CYC. The primary endpoint, change in forced vital capacity (FVC%>predicted) over 24 months, was assessed using a joint longitudinal model (Elashoff, Statist Med 2006). Results 126 patients (63 MMF; 63 CYC) had ≥3 months of outcome data and were included in the primary analysis. A greater number of patients on CYC than on MMF prematurely withdrew from (32 vs 20) and failed treatment (2 vs 0), and the time to stopping treatment was significantly shorter in the CYC arm (p=0.019). At 24-months, the adjusted FVC%>predicted had improved by 2.17 in the MMF arm (95% CI, 0.53–3.84; p Conclusions In this first RCT comparing MMF with CYC in SSc-ILD, both agents appeared to have comparable efficacy but MMF was better tolerated with significantly fewer premature withdrawals from treatment and fewer adverse events. These findings support the increasingly common clinical practice of prescribing MMF for this disease. Acknowledgement Funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health; ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT00883129. Disclosure of Interest None declared
Universal few-body physics and cluster formation

A comprehensive account of the theoretical analyses of the Efimov effect and the universal properties of three-body bound states is provided. Recent experimental studies are reviewed and shown how the few-body analysis also yields insights into many-body phenomena, accessible by the experimental ability to tune the range and strength of the forces between cold atoms.
Jihadi brides and female volunteers: Reading the Islamic State’s war to see gender and agency in conflict dynamics:

Decades ago, Cynthia Enloe called for a research agenda looking for where women are in war and conflict. Enloe recognized that women play active roles in and are affected by wars and conflicts, but...
Association of On-Post and Off-Post Resources With Perception of Residential Neighborhood Quality in U.S. Army Families

This study examined the relationship of on- and off-post resources to perceived residential neighborhood quality in 432 soldiers and their spouses from the four largest U.S. Army installations. Participants completed a questionnaire that measured one important element of perceived neighborhood quality (social cohesion/interrelatedness) and the extent to which community resources met the needs of military families. Higher levels of perceived on- and off-post resources were independently related to greater perceived neighborhood quality. After adjusting for demographics and off-post resources, on-post resources continued to be associated with perceived neighborhood quality (B = .17, p ≤ .01). Access to diverse, high-quality, and readily available community resources, particularly on-post, may enhance perceived neighborhood quality and strengthen military communities.
Exploring ethnic identity perceptions of Hyun-Jin Ryu’s Korean American fans:

The purpose of this study was to understand the lived experiences of Korean American fans of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Korean pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu. Two research questions were developed to guide the...
Appetite-associated responses to central neuropeptide Y injection in quail.

Abstract The appetite-associated effects of neuropeptide Y (NPY) have been extensively studied in mammalian models. Less knowledge exists for other vertebrate species including birds. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of central injection of NPY on feeding behavior and hypothalamic physiology in 7 day-old Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). During the light cycle, intracerebroventricular injection of 1.9 pmol, 0.5, and 1.0 nmol doses of NPY did not affect food intake, 0.031 to 0.13 nmol increased food intake, and 2.0 nmol NPY decreased food intake, in comparison to vehicle injection. Multiple doses of NPY stimulated water intake, but when food was not available, water intake was not affected. When injected during the dark cycle, NPY did not influence food intake. NPY-injected chicks had more c-Fos immunoreactive cells in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (ARC) and greater hypothalamic agouti-related peptide and neuropeptide Y receptors 1 and 2 (NPYR1 and NPYR2, respectively) mRNA than vehicle-injected chicks. Within the ventromedial hypothalamus, NPY-treated chicks expressed less NPYR1 mRNA, within the dorsomedial hypothalamus less NPY mRNA, and in the ARC greater NPYR2 mRNA than vehicle-injected chicks. Lastly, quail injected with NPY increased feeding pecks, escape attempts, and time spent preening, while locomotion, the number of steps, and time spent perching decreased compared to chicks injected with the vehicle. Results demonstrate that NPY stimulates food intake in quail, consistent with mammals and other avian species, but with some unique responses at the molecular level that are not documented in other species.
Subdivision P of \( \mathbb{G}^n \) x (-∞,1]

Beginning with the subdivision Q of \( \mathbb{G}^{n - 1} \) of Section 5 we will construct a subdivision P \( \mathbb{G}^{n - 1} \)(-∞,1] where (-∞,1] ≜{× є G: × ≦ 1}. The subdivision P is an encoarsement of the subdivision V of V = cv×((S × 0) ∪ \( \mathbb{G}^{n - 1} \) × 1)) in Section 15. As a preview of P consider Figure 13.1; each element Pαβ of P is a simplicial cone translated by (0,1).