cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Wavefront Construction: A Differential Geometry Approach

A ray travel time wavefront represents a mathematical object called a manifold. In particular, paraxial ray theory contains elements that predict the Gaussian curvature of the wavefront surface. There are locations on this wavefront where the curvature is singular; in geometric optics terms, these are the ray caustic regions. These singular points or lines represent virtual sources. As such, the ray density in the neighborhood of these wavefront surface singularities must be large to model such sources. Conversely in regions of small curvature, the ray density can be low and still adequately represent the wavefront shape. These observations lead us to suggest new ray addition criteria for the wavefront construction algorithm: the distance between two neighboring rays must be less than the radius of wavefront curvature between these rays. This paraxial ray approximation insures that the angle between the neighboring ray slowness vectors is bounded and that the paraxial ray travel time estimate is valid for this interval. For velocity models where the projection of the wavefront upon the receiver plane is multi-valued, the paraxial ray method yields an elegant procedure to interpolate the resulting travel time and complex amplitude fields.
Magnetic behavior of halobis(diethyldiselenocarbamato)iron(III): Interactions, anisotropy, and three-dimensional XY ferromagnetism

The chloro, bromo, and iodo derivatives of the complex specified in the title have been examined by M\"ossbauer spectroscopy and by magnetic susceptibility and magnetization measurements. All derivatives have orbital singlet, spin quartet ground states. M\"ossbauer spectra are consistent with positive-$D$ crystal-field parameters in each case. Cooperative transitions are observed in the chloro and bromo derivatives at 3.5\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.05 and 2.7\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.05 K, respectively. Below these temperatures the M\"ossbauer spectrum consists of a magnetic hfs component together with an unsplit quadrupole doublet whose intensity, relative to the magnetic hfs, decreases with decreasing temperature. A table of M\"ossbauer hyperfine parameters is presented. The principal crystal susceptibilities of the chloro and bromo derivatives have been measured over an extended temperature range, and are found to be along the [101], ($\overline{1}01$)-normal, and [010] directions. Temperature- and field-dependent magnetization measurements along these directions are also exhibited. The anisotropy in the susceptibility and the magnetization is very large, and of $\mathrm{XY}$ character. Ferromagnetic ordering occurs at 3.463\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.01 and at 2.690\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.01 K in the chloro and bromo derivatives, respectively. Analysis of the susceptibility data for these two systems leads to a determination of zero-field splitting parameters, $g$ values, mean exchange interactions, and anisotropy fields. An extensive table of results is displayed, and comparison is made with the corresponding series of halobis(diethyldithiocarbamato)iron(III) complexes. The temperature dependence of the reduced magnetization in the chloro and bromo derivatives, as derived from M\"ossbauer and magnetization measurements, is also exhibited. All the available evidence points to the conclusion that these systems are classifiable as three-dimensional $\mathrm{XY}$ ferromagnets, and that they appear to be the first known examples of this type of magnetic model system. Their $\mathrm{XY}$ character is shown to be a logical consequence of the anisotropic ground-state properties following from the observed zero-field splitting parameters. Susceptibility measurements on a powder sample of the iodo derivative reveal significant antiferromagnetic exchange interactions and permit a tentative determination of probable zero-field splitting parameters to be made. Rather curiously, this system does not order down to temperatures as low as 1.3 K. For all systems discussed here, a comparison is made between observed ordering temperatures and those predicted by available theory on the basis of measured exchange and anisotropy parameters. The relative strength of the exchange interactions in the selenocarbamato and the thiocarbamato series is also considered, as are apparent trends in the ligand dependence of the zero-field splitting parameters.
Splitting HTTP requests on two servers

Many techniques are commonly used to increase server availability or for distributing the load among a group of servers. We propose a technique for splitting a single HTTP request that allows a TCP connection to be dynamically split between two Web servers without using a central control. For example, one server can handle connection establishment and closing, while another handles the data transfer. This approach requires no client involvement since the existing connection with the initial server continues to be maintained, and the client is completely unaware of the splitting. We demonstrate the splitting concept in a LAN environment and provide related performance results that highlight several interesting features of splitting. The splitting was done using two bare PC servers with no operating system (OS) or kernel running in the machines. Splitting also works with clients located anywhere on the Internet, although servers have to be located on the same LAN. Our implementation and results indicate the feasibility of splitting TCP connections to transparently redistribute server load without client involvement.
A portable near infrared spectroscopy system for bedside monitoring of newborn brain

Newborns with critical health conditions are monitored in neonatal intensive care units (NICU). In NICU, one of the most important problems that they face is the risk of brain injury. There is a need for continuous monitoring of newborn's brain function to prevent any potential brain injury. This type of monitoring should not interfere with intensive care of the newborn. Therefore, it should be non-invasive and portable. In this paper, a low-cost, battery operated, dual wavelength, continuous wave near infrared spectroscopy system for continuous bedside hemodynamic monitoring of neonatal brain is presented. The system has been designed to optimize SNR by optimizing the wavelength-multiplexing parameters with special emphasis on safety issues concerning burn injuries. SNR improvement by utilizing the entire dynamic range has been satisfied with modifications in analog circuitry. As a result, a shot-limited SNR of 67 dB has been achieved for 10 Hz temporal resolution. The system can operate more than 30 hours without recharging when an off-the-shelf 1850 mAh-7.2 V battery is used. Laboratory tests with optical phantoms and preliminary data recorded in NICU demonstrate the potential of the system as a reliable clinical tool to be employed in the bedside regional monitoring of newborn brain metabolism under intensive care.
AT-hook motifs identified in a wide variety of DNA-binding proteins

The AT-hook is a small DNA-binding protein motif which was first described in the high mobility group non-histone chromosomal protein HMG-I(Y). Since its discovery, this motif has been observed in other DNA-binding proteins from a wide range of organisms. Using pattern searches and position-dependent matrices, we have extracted the AT-hook motifs present in a non-redundant protein sequence database. We have classified these motifs into three types according to their sequence similarity and have found that they are prevalent in many eukaryotic nuclear proteins in single or multiple copies. Furthermore, AT-hook motifs are frequently associated with known functional domains seen in chromatin proteins and in DNA-binding proteins (e.g. histone folds, homeodomains and zinc fingers). In general, it appears that the AT-hook motif is an auxiliary protein motif cooperating with other DNA-binding activities and facilitating changes in the structure of the DNA either as a polypeptide on its own [e.g. HMG-I(Y)] or as part of a multidomain protein [e.g. Swi2p in Saccharomyces cerevisiae or HRX (ALL-1) in Homo sapiens]. It is most interesting that this motif seems to be quite specific to known or predicted chromosomal/DNA-binding proteins, suggesting that it may act as a versatile minor groove tether.
Faxing Structures to the Moon: Freeform Additive Construction System (FACS)

Using the highly articulated All-Terrain Hex-Limbed Extra-Terrestrial Explorer (ATHLETE) robotic mobility system as a precision positioning tool, a variety of print head technologies can be used to 3D print large-scale in-situ structures on planetary surfaces such as the moon or Mars. In effect, in the same way CAD models can be printed in a 3D printer, large-scale structures such as walls, vaults, domes, berms, paving, trench walls, and other insitu derived elements can be FAXed to the planetary surface and built in advance of the arrival of crews, supplementing equipment and materials brought from earth. This paper discusses the ATHLETE system as a mobility / positioning platform, and presents several options for large-scale additive print head technologies, including tunable microwave "sinterator" approaches and in-situ concrete deposition. The paper also discusses potential applications, such as sintered-in-place habitat shells, radiation shielding, road paving, modular bricks, and prefabricated construction components.
Fault and Fracture Hazards

The hazards discussed here are associated mostly with the sensitivity of mud volcanic activity, while the range of geological and tectonical reasons cause the faulting and fracturing is much wider. As was shown in Chapter 1, the unique geological conditions of the South Caspian Basin led to a complex situation, where rising diapirs have an impact on the surrounding sedimentary formations, causing large strain and stress. If the stress factor is strong enough for rock failure, it will cause some of the fracturing and faulting associated with shallow earthquakes. On the other hand, earthquakes alone can cause an eruption of a mud volcano. A small dislocation at the volcano vent will be like opening a “bottle cork”, so if the diapir is charged, then an eruption will start.
Simplifying complex environments using incremental textured depth meshes

We present an incremental algorithm to compute image-based simplifications of a large environment. We use an optimization-based approach to generate samples based on scene visibility, and from each viewpoint create textured depth meshes (TDMs) using sampled range panoramas of the environment. The optimization function minimizes artifacts such as skins and cracks in the reconstruction. We also present an encoding scheme for multiple TDMs that exploits spatial coherence among different viewpoints. The resulting simplifications, incremental textured depth meshes (ITDMs), reduce preprocessing, storage, rendering costs and visible artifacts. Our algorithm has been applied to large, complex synthetic environments comprising millions of primitives. It is able to render them at 20 -- 40 frames a second on a PC with little loss in visual fidelity.
Outcomes in adult congenital heart surgery: analysis of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons database.

Objective Outcomes data for adults undergoing congenital heart surgery are limited. Previous analyses used administrative data or focused on single-center outcomes. We describe the most common operations, patient characteristics, and postoperative outcomes using a multicenter clinical database. Methods The study included adults (aged ≥ 18 years) listed in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database (2000–2009). We describe patient characteristics and morbidity and mortality, and examine congenital procedures in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgery Database to permit consideration of the primary dataset within a broader context. Results A total of 5265 patients (68 centers) from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database were included. Patients' median age was 25 years (interquartile range, 20–35). Common preoperative risk factors included noncardiac abnormalities (17%) and arrhythmia (14%). Overall, in-hospital mortality was 2.1%, 27% had 1 or more complication, and median length of stay was 5 days. Common operations included right ventricular outflow tract procedures (21%) and pacemaker/arrhythmia procedures (20%). We further evaluated cardiopulmonary bypass procedures in more than 100 patients. Mortality ranged from 0% (atrial septal defect repair) to 11% (Fontan revision/conversion). Separate evaluation of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgery Database revealed 39,872 adults undergoing congenital heart operations. Conclusions Most adult congenital heart operations listed in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database are performed in the third to fourth decades of life; approximately half are for right heart pathology or arrhythmia. Many patients have complications, but mortality is low with the exception of those undergoing Fontan revision/conversion. Many more adults undergoing congenital heart surgery are entered into the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgery Database.
Prospect Theory and the Cuban Missile Crisis

This article tests the predictions of expected-utility and prospect theories against the most important dimensions of the Cuban missile crisis. Largely through use of the most recently released information on the crisis from the American and Soviet governments, I attempt to ascertain the anticipated benefits, costs, and probabilities of success associated with each of the major policy choices that the key leaders in both superpowers perceived before each of the major decisions throughout the crisis was made. Using this information and the logic of extensive-form game-theoretic models of choice, I construct a baseline for expected-utility theory that helps us to understand when prospect or expected-utility theory provides the better explanation for a particular decision. Prospect theory predicts that when individuals perceive themselves to be experiencing losses at the time they make a decision, and when their probability estimates associated with their principal policy options are in the moderate to high range, they will tend to make excessively risky, non–value maximizing choices. I find that the evidence for the Cuban missile crisis supports this prediction for the most important decisions made by both Khrushchev and Kennedy.
Population redistribution within metropolitan regions in the 1980s: core, satellite, and exurban growth.

This paper evaluates the hypothesis that the growth experiences of core parts of metropolitan areas [in the United States] tend to predict the growth of satellite exurban and even more distant non-metropolitan areas. Particular attention is paid to evidence of spillover of growth into adjacent smaller metropolises and smaller cities and to the hypothesis that spillover is especially marked in areas of rapid growth growth restrictions and housing price inflation. The hypotheses are supported by 1980-1990 patterns of change as is the continuing attractiveness of exurban and non-metropolitan environmental amenities. (EXCERPT)
Inverted colonic diverticulum: air contrast barium enema findings in six cases.

A polypoid elevation of the colonic wall was identified on air contrast barium enema in six patients. The abnormality in each case was found to be an inverted colonic diverticulum. Inverted diverticula appeared as broad-based, smooth, sessile polyps measuring 1.5-2.0 cm. In five of the six patients a characteristic central umbilication and/or evidence of barium within the polyp could be identified. The diagnosis was confirmed in three patients by demonstrating an everted diverticulum replacing the suspected lesion. In the remaining three patients, two of whom had normal findings on colonoscopy, the diagnosis was strongly suggested by the presence of barium extending into the substance of the mass. Additional radiologic maneuvers or a second study may permit accurate diagnosis if the possibility of inverted diverticulum is considered. However, even when the diverticulum cannot be demonstrated, a central umbilication or barium within a smooth intraluminal projection should suggest inverted diverticulum and ...
Preimplantation B-type natriuretic peptide concentration is an independent predictor of future appropriate implantable defibrillator therapies

Objective: To assess prospectively whether preimplantation B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and C reactive protein (CRP) concentrations predict future appropriate therapies from an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). Design and setting: Prospective cohort study conducted in a tertiary cardiac care centre. Methods: 345 consecutive patients undergoing first time ICD implantation were prospectively studied. Serum BNP and CRP concentrations were obtained the day before ICD implantation. Patients were followed up with device interrogation to assess for appropriate shocks or antitachycardia pacing. Inappropriate therapies were excluded. Mean (SD) follow up was 13 (5) months. Results: Patients had ischaemic (71%), primary dilated (17%), and valvar or other cardiomyopathies (12%). About half (52%) had ICDs implanted for primary prevention. Sixty three (18%) received appropriate ICD therapies. Serum creatinine, β blocker, statin, and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor usage did not differ between therapy and no therapy groups. By univariate comparison, ejection fraction (p = 0.048), not taking amiodarone (p = 0.033), and BNP concentration (p = 0.0003) were risk factors for ICD therapy. However, by Cox regression multivariate analysis, only BNP above the 50th centile was a significant predictor (hazard ratio 2.19, 95% confidence interval 1.07 to 4.71, p = 0.040). Median BNP was 573 ng/l versus 243 ng/l in therapy and no therapy patients, respectively (p = 0.0003). More patients with BNP above the 50th centile (27% v 10%, p = 0.006) received ICD therapies. Conclusions: A single preimplantation BNP concentration determination is independently predictive of ICD therapies in patients with cardiomyopathies undergoing first time ICD implantation. CRP was not independently predictive of ICD therapies when compared with BNP.
Face alignment and adaptive weight assignment for robust face recognition

It is observed that only certain portions of the face images that are affected due to expressions, non uniform lighting and partial occlusions are responsible for the failure of face recognition. A methodology of identifying and reducing the influence of such regions in the recognition process is proposed in this paper. Dense correspondence is established between the probe image and a template face-model using optical flow technique. The face image is divided into modules and the summation of the magnitudes of the flow vectors in each module are used in determining the effectiveness of that module in the overall recognition. A low weightage is assigned to the modules whose summation of magnitudes of the flow vectors within that module is high and vice versa. An eye center location algorithm based on adaptive thresholding is implemented to align the test image with the face model prior to establishing the correspondence. Recognition accuracy has increased considerably for PCA based linear subspace approaches when implemented along with the proposed technique.
Promoting Urban Sustainability: The Case for a Tradable Supplementary Licence System for Vehicle Use:

Many large cities in the world have serious regional air-quality problems, largely the product of vehicular emissions, and one manifestation of the argued insustain ability of current urban growth patterns. These problems are frequently blamed on unrestricted use of private vehicles. This paper applies the concept of sustainability to urban areas by formulating an explicit ecological constraint on airshed capacity in a region within a model of cost-effective emissions control. Solution of the model suggests that restrictions on vehicle use should play a role in achieving regional air-quality targets cost-effectively. A tradable vehicle-use permit system is described for implementing the sustainability constraint, and its relationship to other demand management proposals for constraining vehicle use is discussed, as well as the implications for the form and vitality of urban areas. This control policy would have substantially favourable impacts on air quality, vehicle congestion and uncontrolled suburban d...
Effect of Prior Exercise on Cognitive Performance Tasks by Hyperactive and Normal Young Boys

The 31 hyperactive and 31 normal boys 7 to 10 years old pedaled a bicycle ergometer for 0, 1, 5, and 10 min. then completed the WISC-R Digit Span, Coding B, and ITPA Visual Sequential Memory. Results did not support the inverted-U hypothesis in that prior exercise did not affect cognitive performance.
Visceral adipose tissue: relations between single-slice areas and total volume

Background Visceral adipose tissue (VAT), which is linked with the metabolic consequences of obesity, is usually characterized by measuring VAT area at the L4–L5 vertebral interspace. However, the location of the slice with the strongest relation to VAT volume is not established.
Diurnal light curves and landscape-scale variation in photosynthetic characteristics of Thalassia testudinum in Florida Bay

When using pulse-amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorometry to measure landscape-scale photosynthetic characteristics, diurnal variations in fluorescence during sampling may confound the assessment of the physiological condition. In this study, two photophysiological assessment techniques: Diurnal Yield and Diurnal Rapid Light Curve (RLC) were investigated in an attempt to incorporate the temporal and spatial scales of sampling into a physiological assessment of Thalassia testudinum in Florida Bay. Photosynthesis‐irradiance (P‐E) curves were calculated using both methods and the ability of each to predict the relationship between relative electron transport rates and irradiancewas assessed. Both methods had limitations in providing consistent estimates of photosynthetic efficiency or capacity. The Diurnal Yield method produced unrealistically high predictions of photosynthetic capacity (relative electron transport rate (rETRmax), 417‐1715) and saturation irradiance (Ik, 1045‐ 4681 mmol photons m � 2 s � 1 ). In contrast, the Diurnal RLC method generally produced predictions of rETRmax (100‐200) and Ik (300‐ 500 mmol photons m � 2 s � 1 ) which were similar to average values calculated from each day’s RLCs. The Diurnal RLC method was unable to predict photosynthetic efficiency (a) only when ambient irradiances were continuously >Ik during the sampling period. We believe that with sampling modifications in high-light or shallow environments, such as starting sampling earlier in the morning, extendingsampling later in the day, or using the average afrom each day’s RLCs, that the Diurnal RLC method can produce representative estimates of rETRmax, a, and Ik, providing a method to characterize seagrass photosynthesis at thelandscape-level. The DiurnalRLC method does not negate Diurnal variation but it produces a curve that incorporates the changing ambient light environment into the assessment of seagrass physiological status. # 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
INITIAL ASSESSMENT AND EARLY TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR ANOREXIA NERVOSA AND BULIMIA NERVOSA

This article presents the essential components of a comprehensive evaluation for patients with eating disorders. The primary focus is on patients with full syndromal anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, but special aspects of assessment for patients with subsyndromal eating disorders are also addressed. Special methods for assessing the athlete when an eating disorder is suspected are reviewed. The use of various specialized assessment tools, such as selfreport questionnaires and semistructured interviews, is discussed in terms of their use in particular clinical situations. The essentials of preparing a case formulation are described. The choice of treatment methods is then discussed. Various models have been used to describe the cause and psychopathogenesis of eating disorders. One conceptualization that is useful is the psychosomatic model.@ According to this model, there are predisposing, precipitating, and sustaining factors that contribute to the patient’s initial presentation (Fig. 1). Each of these factors may worsen or ameliorate the development of the eating disorder. Predisposing factors include living in a culture preoccupied with thinness,” 78 family interaction patterns that result in impaired conflict resolution,5o, 67 and obsessive-compulsive or schizoid personality characteristics. Precipitating factors include dieting: teasing about size and and death or illness of a family 58 Another common precipitating factor is the onset of a developmental stage for which the patient is unprepared. Sustaining factors include the development of physiologic consequences of disordered eating, emergence of other psychiatric disorders, and iatrogenic error. A common iatrogenic error in anorexia nervosa patients is to insist on quick weight gain with the threat that, unless this occurs, the patient will be hospitalized. The
Development of a robot-based gonioreflectometer for spectral BRDF measurement

A new gonioreflectometer has been developed at the National Research Council of Canada to measure spectral bidirectional reflectance distribution functions (BRDF). It incorporates a five-axis robot manipulator that holds the sample, and a rotation stage that holds an extended uniform light source of precisely known emitting solid angle. An array spectroradiometer is used to measure the reflected spectral radiance from the sample, which is compared to the spectral radiance of the source itself, allowing the calculation of the BRDF from first principles. The system has been designed in anticipation of a growing demand for traceable spectral BRDF measurements from sectors such as machine vision, remote sensing and color imaging. Capabilities of the system are demonstrated for diffuse reflectance material, vapor-blasted aluminum, and light interference pigments.
Social class and language in Glasgow

A number of studies have shown regular correlation between linguistic variation and social-class differences. Definition and identification of social class in a particular situation, however, still presents problems. The problems are discussed with reference to a study in Glasgow where occupation was used as the sole criterion for social-class membership.
Walking speed and economic outcomes for walking-impaired patients with multiple sclerosis

This article estimates the impact of walking speed (measured using the Timed 25-Foot Walk [T25FW]) on three economic outcomes: productivity (annual earnings), care burden (value per year) and quality of life (utility score). Empirical data are not available to directly measure these relationships. Therefore, this article develops indirect estimates by characterizing the impact of the T25FW on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), and the impact of the EDSS on economic outcomes. Use of the EDSS as a bridge introduces uncertainty, which precludes robust quantification of the relationship between walking speed and economic outcomes. Nonetheless, the analysis provides plausible ranges for the magnitude of these relationships.
Effect of Methylprednisolone on some BCG-Mediated Changes in Rabbit Alveolar Macrophage

The effect of methylprednisolone sodium succinate treatment on Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) immunization was examined in alveolar macrophages of New Zealand White rabbits. Intravenous BCG injection caused a marked increase in cell number and in the hexosemonophosphate shunt activity. There was also a selective augmentation in the activity of acid phosphatase and β-glucuronidase and an increase in lysosomal density. Activity of the lysosomal phospholipases was decreased. Steroid treatment suppressed the BCG-induced increase in cell number, hexosemonophosphate shunt activity, acid phosphatase, and β-glucuronidase, and prevented the increase in lysosomal density. On the other hand, steroid treatment increased the activity of the phospholipases to levels higher than either control values or those obtained with cells from BCG-treated rabbits.
Statin Use and the Risk of Kidney Disease With Long-Term Follow-Up (8.4-Year Study)

Few studies have examined long-term effects of statin therapy on kidney diseases. The objective of this study was to determine the association of statin use with incidence of acute and chronic kidney diseases after prolonged follow-up. In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed data from the San Antonio area military health care system from October 2003 through March 2012. Statin users were propensity score matched to nonusers using 82 baseline characteristics including demographics, co-morbidities, medications, and health care utilization. Study outcomes were acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and nephritis/nephrosis/renal sclerosis. Of the 43,438 subjects included, we propensity score matched 6,342 statin users with 6,342 nonusers. Statin users had greater odds of acute kidney injury (odds ratio [OR] 1.30, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14 to 1.48), CKD (OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.22 to 1.52), and nephritis/nephrosis/renal sclerosis (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.73). In a subset of patients without co-morbidities, the association of statin use with CKD remained significant (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.27 to 1.85). In a secondary analysis, adjusting for diseases/conditions that developed during follow-up weakened this association. In conclusion, statin use is associated with increased incidence of acute and chronic kidney disease. These findings are cautionary and suggest that long-term effects of statins in real-life patients may differ from shorter term effects in selected clinical trial populations.
The Curse of Target Lesion Calcification Still Active After All These Years

At the dawn of interventional cardiology, Andreas Gruntzig remarked that balloon angioplasty was limited by anatomic factors such as fibrotic or calcified stenoses [(1)][1]. Subsequently, in large series of patients undergoing balloon angioplasty, coronary calcification was one of the factors
Cargo trafficking from the trans‐Golgi network towards the endosome

The trans-Golgi network (TGN) is a major sorting, packing and delivering station of newly synthesised proteins and lipids to their final destination. These cargo molecules follow the secretory pathway, which is a vital part of cellular trafficking machinery in all eukaryotic cells. This secretory pathway is well conserved in all eukaryotes from low-level eukaryotes, such as yeast, to higher level eukaryotes like mammals. The molecular mechanisms of protein sorting by adaptor proteins, membrane elongation and transport to the final destinations by motor proteins and the cytoskeleton, and membrane pinching-off by scission proteins must be choreographically managed for efficient cargo delivery, and the understanding of these detailed processes is not yet completed. Functionally, defects in these mechanisms are associated with the pathology of prominent diseases such as acute myeloid leukaemia, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, I-cell disease and Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome. The present review points out the recent advances in our knowledge of the molecular mechanisms involved in the transportation of the cargo from the TGN towards the endosome.
Development of a Flapping Wing Mechanism that Can Produce Lift Greater than Weight

This work is focused on testing multiple versions of flapping wing mechanisms to improve the lift generating capabilities of the mechanisms. Three mechanisms are considered in this work, a traditional four bar linkage version, a four bar mechanism which used ball joints, and a four bar mechanism with a sector and output gear for amplified motion. The traditional four bar version has a wing stroke amplitude of about 55 while the other two mechanisms have an amplitude of nearly 90. The criteria for comparison is the lift force generating capacity of each mechanism. For each mechanism, the forward kinematics are derived for use in a table lookup so that symmetric and asymmetric flapping can be achieved as desired.
Extreme Low-Level Updrafts and Wind Speeds Measured by Dropsondes in Tropical Cyclones

AbstractPrevious studies have found surprisingly strong vertical motions in low levels of some tropical cyclones. In this study, all available dropsondes (12 000) within tropical cyclones during 1997–2013 are examined, in order to create a dataset of the most extreme updrafts (10 m s−1; 169 sondes) and wind speeds (90 m s−1; 64 sondes). It is shown that extreme low-level (0–3 km) updrafts are ubiquitous within intense (category 4 and 5) tropical cyclones, and that few such updrafts have been observed within weaker storms. These extreme updrafts, which are almost exclusively found within the eyewall just inward of the radius of maximum winds, sometimes occur in close association with extreme horizontal wind speeds. Consistent with previous studies, it is suggested that both the extremes in vertical velocity and wind speed are associated with small-scale (1 km) vortices that exist along the eye–eyewall interface. As a substantial number of updrafts are found within a kilometer of the surface, it can be show...
Virtual Student Club Start Up: Learning Together in Virtual Learning Community

The authors of this paper explore the evolution of a virtual student club from an online university into a virtual learning community and as an innovation relevant to the future of higher education. The student club is considered as a means for development and sustainability of academic organizational culture wherein learning, multi-directional mentoring, and ongoing social network development provide a foundation for contributing to student success and alumni engagement The challenges of creating such a club in a virtual environment are examined from faculty, student, and alumni perspectives. Various aspects of learning in a virtual community including, but not limited to whole person learning (Palmer, 1976; Hoover, et al, 2010, 2013), deep smarts (Leonard & Swap, 2004), grit (Pappano, 2013; Kundu, 2014; Kelly, et al, 2014), and knowledge sharing (Allen, et al, 2006; Gibson, 2011; Senge, 2007) are delineated as pertinent to club sustainability Multi-directional mentoring and the development of sustainable social networks are considered as relevant to student success (Kram, 2014). Community development is investigated as an end unto itself using Peckâ€™s (1989) community building model. These community building models are inspected for their relevance to the club as it is and in future developmental stages, as well as related to successful student career development and alumni engagement.
Muslim Portraits: The Anti-Apartheid Struggle, Goolam Vahed : book review

Apartheid fell and the 'rainbow nation' emerged, with the release of Nelson Mandela in February 1990 and the subsequent free, and open, democratic elections across South Africa in 1994; these elections followed multi-party negotiations between multiple political organizations that had recently been decriminalized. Muslims played key roles not only during the formative period of post-apartheid South Africa, but also in the struggle against the apartheid regime. Even today, in the midst of South Africa's re-emergence onto the global scene and against the backdrop of transnational Islamic discourses Muslims - even as minorities - continue to influence the shaping of South Africa. This context provides the frame of reference for Vahed's work, which compiles various narratives and stories of Islamic leaders in the struggle to assert non-racial politics in South Africa.
Campus-wide Information Literacy Assessment: An Opportunity for Library Leadership

This article reports on an exploratory study of the process for the shared rubric creation in information literacy assessment at the university-level for accreditation purposes. This process can be used as an avenue for librarians to provide leadership and engage faculty in critical campus-wide assessment initiatives. Findings support previous research that showed faculty members perceive room for growth in students’ information literacy competency. Furthermore, findings show faculty members see a connection between information literacy and critical thinking, another core competency. This link can be leveraged for more effective integration of information literacy into curriculum (and instruction) and for more efficient assessment of both competencies through overlaps in assessment rubrics. Librarians can be visible leaders in assessment on campus by addressing faculty concerns and providing resources and services to assist faculty, as well as campus administration, in teaching and assessing information literacy.
Wonks and geeks: examining commercial technology stakeholders’ perceptions of and interactions with public policy

This article investigates the challenges that face the intersection of commercial technology and public policy. The authors conducted in-depth interviews with thirty stakeholders—company executives and investors—in the commercial technology community to understand their perceptions of public policy and their current interactions with policymakers and policy analysts. This research focuses on start-up founders, start-up chief executive officers, and the venture capitalists who fund commercial technology start-ups. Given the dearth of research investigating how the commercial technology and policy worlds interact, the study results offer unique insight into the perceptions of commercial technology stakeholders. Conclusions discuss where opportunities may exist for improving engagement with policymakers and analysts.
K-12 Engineering - the Missing Core Discipline

We live in a human-made world. From the moment we wake up until we lie down to sleep, we are immersed in technologies. The faucet we use to wash our face, the toothbrush we use to clean our teeth, the clothes we wear, the car we drive, our office or school, our home, and even the mattress we sleep on are all the results of engineering processes. The water we drink has undergone an engineered purification process. The food we eat is the result of countless engineering technologies. If you are reading this inside a building, take a moment to look around. Imagine how your environment would look without any human-made things. Almost nothing you see or experience would be present – no electricity, no chair, no walls, no book, and maybe no YOU. Without human-made pharmaceuticals and sanitation processes, the life expectancy would be 27 years.
AASRA: An Anchor Alignment-Based Small RNA Annotation Pipeline

SncRNA-Seq has become a routine for sncRNA profiling; however, software packages currently available are either exclusively for miRNA or piRNA annotation (e.g., miRDeep, miRanalyzer, Shortstack, PIANO), or for direct mapping of the sequence reads to the genome (e.g., Bowtie 2, SOAP and BWA), which tend to generate inaccurate counting due to repetitive matches to the genome or sncRNA homologs. Moreover, novel sncRNA variants in the sequencing reads, including those bearing small overhangs or internal insertions, deletions or mutations, are totally excluded from counting by these algorithms, leading to potential quantification bias. To overcome these problems, a comprehensive software package that can annotate all known small RNA species with adjustable tolerance towards small mismatches is needed. AASRA is based on our unique anchor alignment algorithm, which not only avoids repetitive or ambiguous counting, but also distinguishes mature miRNA from precursor miRNA reads. Compared to all existing pipelines for small RNA annotation, AASRA is superior in the following aspects: 1) AASRA can annotate all known sncRNA species simultaneously with the capability of distinguishing mature and precursor miRNAs; 2) AASRA can identify and allow for inclusion of sncRNA variants with small overhangs and/or internal insertions/deletions into the final counts; 3) AASRA is the fastest among all small RNA annotation pipelines tested. AASRA represents an all-in-one sncRNA annotation pipeline, which allows for high-speed, simultaneous annotation of all known sncRNA species with the capability to distinguish mature from precursor miRNAs, and to identify novel sncRNA variants in the sncRNA-Seq sequencing reads.
Outdoors in nature: special spaces for young children’s learning

ABSTRACTOutdoor experiences allow teachers to focus on expanding child learning in different domains. Nature experiences can sharpen child senses, enrich vocabulary, increase spatial understandings, and permit more practice for large muscle skills. As well, teachers can arrange outdoor activities to promote positive peer cooperation and aesthetic enjoyment and appreciation – of birds, flowers, clouds, plants, clouds, rain, and trees. Outdoor environments challenge teachers to create new ways to involve children with disabilities in enjoyable learning opportunities. Caregivers can arrange new ways to enhance children's experiences and insights in activities not possible within the confines of indoor classroom spaces. Helping young children enjoy nature and outdoors, teachers create a lifelong path for them to become conservers of sustainable environments in the future.
Prevention of Central Line–Associated Bloodstream Infections

Central venous catheters (CVCs) are commonly used in critically ill patients and offer several advantages to peripheral intravenous access. However, indwelling CVCs have the potential to lead to bloodstream infections, with the risk increasing with an array of characteristics, such as catheter choice, catheter location, insertion technique, and catheter maintenance. Evidence-based guidelines have led to a significant reduction in the incidence of bloodstream infections associated with CVCs. The combination of guideline implementation and newer technologies has the potential to further reduce morbidity and mortality from infections related to CVCs.
Abstract 466: Protein Phosphatase 2A and c-Myc as Intracellular Messengers in the Natriuretic Renal Dopaminergic System

G protein-coupled receptor kinase 4 (GRK4) is known to negatively regulate the dopamine-1 receptor (D 1 R) in human renal proximal tubule cells (RPTC) leading to reduced sodium excretion. c-Myc is a transcription factor involved in positive regulation of G protein-coupled receptor kinase 4 (GRK4). Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) inhibits c-Myc by dephosphorylating a residue that normally stabilizes c-Myc. We have previously shown that stimulation of the natriuretic D 1 R in RPTC led to an increased ratio of PP2A/c-Myc binding. Treatment with PMA (protein kinase C inhibitor) led to a decreased PP2A/c-Myc ratio and a lack of cAMP accumulation after stimulation with fenoldopam (FEN, D 1 R agonist). We hypothesized that PP2A plays a key role in regulating natriuresis and that perturbation of PP2A would directly have effects on protein levels of c-Myc, the ratio of PP2A/c-Myc, and the accumulation of cAMP. We used normal RPTCs (nRPTC) and RPTCs that have an uncoupled D 1 R that no longer stimulates adenylyl cyclase (uRPTC). Inhibition of PP2A in uRPTCs with okadaic acid (OA, 100nM, 3 hr) caused an increase in c-Myc protein levels (97.8% ± 18.9 SEM; n=6; p 1 R agonist similar to FEN). Activation of PP2A with FTY720 (PP2A activator, 10μM, 3hr) caused a decrease in c-Myc protein levels (- 85.4% ± 2.3 SEM; n=6; p 1 R coupling defect found in uRPTCs was restored through activation of PP2A and inhibition of c-Myc. We conclude that PP2A interacts with c-Myc to regulate the natriuretic effect of the D 1 R providing additional insight into the intracellular regulatory events surrounding sodium excretion.
Family Leisure as a Context to Support Augmentative and Alternative Communication Intervention for Young Children with Complex Communication Needs.

Families are often the most significant communication partners for children who require augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Because family-centered approaches are recommended practice in speech-language pathology, a primary role for speech-language pathologists (SLPs) serving children who require AAC is to support families in integrating communication into highly valued, existing family activities. Family leisure activities can provide a naturally supportive context for AAC, because they provide multiple opportunities for children to interact and practice using AAC with natural communication partners. This article aims to guide SLPs in utilizing family leisure as a context for AAC intervention. We describe the benefits and constraints of engaging in leisure for families with children with disabilities. We define family leisure, which includes two distinct types of leisure activities: core and balance. Finally, we provide a case example of a family that highlights the integration of AAC into both types of leisure activities.
Supporting Decision-Makers: An Expanded Framework

A conceptual framework for Decision Support Systems (DSS) is developed based on the dominant technology component or driver of decision support, the targeted users, the specific purpose of the system and the primary deployment technology. Five generic categories based on the dominant technology component are proposed, including Communications-Driven, Data-Driven, Document-Driven, Knowledge-Driven, and Model-Driven Decision Support Systems. Each generic DSS can be targeted to internal or external stakeholders. DSS can have specific or very general purposes. Finally, the DSS deployment technology may be a mainframe computer, a client/server LAN, or a Web-Based architecture. The goal in proposing this expanded DSS framework is to help people understand how to integrate, evaluate and select appropriate means for supporting and informing
Band offset and electron affinity of MBE-grown SnSe2

SnSe2 is currently considered a potential two-dimensional material that can form a near-broken gap heterojunction in a tunnel field-effect transistor due to its large electron affinity which is experimentally confirmed in this letter. With the results from internal photoemission and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy performed on Al/Al2O3/SnSe2/GaAs and SnSe2/GaAs test structures where SnSe2 is grown on GaAs by molecular beam epitaxy, we ascertain a (5.2 ± 0.1) eV electron affinity of SnSe2. The band offset from the SnSe2 Fermi level to the Al2O3 conduction band minimum is found to be (3.3 ± 0.05) eV and SnSe2 is seen to have a high level of intrinsic electron (n-type) doping with the Fermi level positioned at about 0.2 eV above its conduction band minimum. It is concluded that the electron affinity of SnSe2 is larger than that of most semiconductors and can be combined with other appropriate semiconductors to form near broken-gap heterojunctions for the tunnel field-effect transistor that can potentially achieve high on-currents.