cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Simulation of network traffic at coarse time-scales

Simulation of large-scale networks demands that we model some flows at coarser time-scales than others, simply to keep the execution cost manageable. This paper studies a method for periodically computing traffic at a time-scale larger than that typically used for detailed packet simulations. Applications of this technique include computation of background flows (against which detailed foreground flows are simulated), and simulation of worm propagation in the Internet. Our approach considers aggregated traffic between Internet points of presence, and computes the throughput of each POP-to-POP flow through each router on its path. This problem formulation leads to a non-linear system of equations. We develop means of reducing this system to a smaller set of equations, which are solved using fixed point iteration. We study the convergence behavior, as a function of traffic load, on topologies based on Internet backbone networks. We find that the problem reduction method is very effective, and that convergence is achieved rapidly. We also examine the comparative speedup of the method relative to using pure packet simulation for background flows, and observe speedups of exceeding 5000 using an ordinary PC. We also simulate foreground flows interacting with background flows, and compare the foreground behavior using our solution with that of pure packet flows. We find that these flows behave accurately enough in our approach to justify use of the technique in our motivating application.
Secure communication for mobile agents in an adversarial environment

In this work, a mobility based perspective of jamming is presented, based on our ongoing work related to secure communication in networks of autonomous vehicles. The framework of differential game theory is extended from the classical two-player scenario to multi-player games involving two teams. Necessary conditions satisfied by the optimal trajectories are derived under assumptions of uniqueness and existence of the optimal trajectories. Finally, results are presented for several simulation scenarios involving different numbers of vehicles and their dynamics.
Using Teacher Narratives in the Dissemination of Research-Based Practices

Scientifically based research has been promoted in recent policies and legislation. However, the gap between research and practice in special education has prevented many students with disabilities from receiving the research-based instructional practices they require to achieve their potential. Reports of research-based practices may be incomplete without including data, theory, and narrative accounts. Prominently featuring teachers’ accounts of how they effectively use research-based practices may help to facilitate their acceptance and application among practitioners. This introduction concludes with brief overviews of the four articles in this special issue of Intervention in School and Clinic, which provide narratives regarding the use of four research-based practices (i.e., classwide peer tutoring, mnemonics, functional behavior assessment, and curriculum-based measurement), as well as information regarding the research and theoretical basis for each practice.
New bounds on convolutional code performance over fading channels

New tight upper bounds on the performance or convolutional codes over Rayleigh and Rician fading channels are presented. These bounds can be expressed in terms of the generating function or the convolutional codes and are particularly tight for bit error rates lower than 10/sup -3/. >
Human identification technical challenges

The HumanID program is developing techniques and methods for identifying humans at a distance. Techniques being investigated are face recognition; recognition from body dynamics in video including gait; recognition from infrared, mulitispectral, and hyperspectral imagery. To support these activities a large database of imagery is being collected, and to assess performance advanced statistical methods are being investigated.
Protein import into peroxisomes and biogenesis of the organelle.

INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 446 FUNCTIONS OF PEROXISOMES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ' 447 HUMAN PEROXISOMAL DISORDERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 449 PEROXISOMES AS A MODEL FOR ORGANELLE ASSEMBLY AND DISASSEMBLY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 1 Peroxisome Import and Assembly Mutants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 451 PROTEIN IMPORT INTO PEROXISOMES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 454 Targeting of Matrix Proteins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 455 Conservation of the PTSI Tripeptide Variants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 457 An Amino-Terminal PTS . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . ... . . . . . . . . 458 Other Peroxisomal Matrix Targeting Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 459 Evolutionary Use of Diff erent PTSs by the Same Protein . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 459 Targeting Signals for Peroxisomal Membrane Proteins . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . 460 Receptors for PTSs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 460 Peroxisomal Protein Import Deficiencies in Human Disease . . . . . . . . . . . . . 461 Mutations Responsible for Some Human Peroxisomal Disorders . . . . . . . . . . . 462 APPROACHES USED TO ELUCIDATE THE MECHANISM OF PROTEIN IMPORT INTO PEROXISOMES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 463 In Vitro Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 463 Microinjection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 463 Semi-intact Cells . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . 464 Mechanistic Aspects of Protein Import Into the Peroxisomal Matrix . . . . . . .. 464 DISTINCT STEPS IN PEROXISOME BIOGENESIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . 465 GENERAL PROPERTIES OF PEROXISOME ASSEMBLY/IMPORT MUTANTS . 468 Mutants Affected in Peroxisome Proliferation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , 468 Mutants Affected in Peroxisome Growth . . . . .... . . . ...... . . . . , . . . . 468
Confinement by Design

The configuration space of SU(N) gauge theory is restricted to orbits with vanishing Polyakov loops of non-trivial N-ality. A practical method of constraining to this orbit space C0 is found by implementing a certain axial-type gauge. It is shown that the representative of an orbit in C0 is unique in this gauge up to time independent Abelian gauge transformations. The restricted orbit space does not admit non-Abelian monopoles. As long as C0 is thermodynamically stable, the free energy of the constrained SU(N) gauge model is of order N0 (even in the presence of dynamical quarks) and confinement is manifest for sufficiently large N. With a free energy of order N0 and Polyakov loops that vanish by design, there is no transition that deconfines color charge in such an SU(N) model. However, a proliferation of massless hadronic states of arbitrary spin could lead to a Hagedorn transition[1] if the string tension vanishes at a finite temperature TH. Constraining the orbit space to C0 can be viewed as a particular boundary condition, and TH in general is above the first order deconfinement transition of the full theory at Td. Between Td and TH a superheated confining phase may exist for SU(N > 2). Perturbation theory in C0 is sketched. It does not suffer from the severe IR-divergences observed by Linde[2]for the ordinary high temperature expansion. Correlations of the lowest transverse Abelian Matsubara modes develop a renormalization group invariant pole of second order at vanishing spatial momentum transfer when T = TH. The latter could be associated with linear confinement.
The depth of post-treatment perirectal tissue invasion is a predictor of outcome in patients with clinical T3N1M0 rectal cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by surgical resection.

Abstract Background To determine if patients with clinical stage III rectal cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and surgery have an improved survival when the response to treatment results in a pathologic T3 tumor with a microscopic focus (≤5 mm) compared with a larger (>5 mm) invasion of the perirectal tissue. Methods A retrospective review was conducted of 56 consecutive patients clinically diagnosed as T3N1M0 rectal cancer before treatment, who completed neoadjuvant CRT followed by surgical resection. Those with residual pathologic T3 disease ( n = 28) were analyzed separately. Clinicopathologic data including T stage, lymph node status, k-ras status, and differentiation were reviewed. Results Among all 56 patients, there was no identified predictor of survival following neoadjuvant CRT and surgery. Among those with residual T3 disease, tumors extending >5 mm invasion into the perirectal tissue were associated with a higher risk of recurrence (50% vs 17%) and worse overall survival (4.3 vs 6.8 years, P = .015) when compared to tumors with ≤5 mm invasion into the perirectal tissue. Conclusion The depth of residual T3 tumor invasion into the perirectal tissue correlates with recurrence and overall survival in patients who underwent neoadjuvant therapy followed by surgical resection for clinically staged T3N1M0 rectal cancer.
Preliminary interpretive susceptibility testing criteria for FK-037 with 30-microgram disks.

FK-037, a new parenteral cephalosporin, was tested against 483 organisms from clinical infections to establish preliminary susceptibility testing criteria with 30-micrograms disks. The proposed breakpoint zone diameters were > or = 17 mm (MIC correlate, or = 32 micrograms/ml) for the resistant category. These interpretive guidelines produced no very major (false-susceptible) errors, 2.9% major (false-resistant) errors, and 6.2% minor errors for a total absolute agreement between methods of 90.9%.
Automatic Cluster Remover Setting Affects Milk Yield and Machine-On Time in Dairy Cows

The primary objectives of this study were to examine effects of automatic cluster remover (ACR) settings on milk yield and machine-on time, and to describe variation in cow body weight (BW) associated with day of bovine somatotropin (bST) cycle. Automatic cluster removal settings of 0.48, 0.6, and 0.8 kg/min were used to regulate the end of milk removal. The setting was changed every 2 wk for 12 wk and followed the sequence 0.8, 0.6, 0.48, 0.48, 0.6, and 0.8 kg/min. Milk yield, machine-on time, and BW were measured for 60 Holstein cows at each milking. Milk yield averaged 19.7, 19.9, and 19.3 kg/cow per milking for ACR settings of 0.48, 0.6, and 0.8, respectively. There was a 2.5% reduction in milk yield at the high setting, but yields were similar for the others. Machine-on time was 6.3, 5.9, and 5.6 min for ACR settings of 0.48, 0.6, and 0.8, respectively. There was an 11.1% reduction in milking time between the 0.8- and 0.48-kg/min settings. The middle ACR setting yielded a shorter milking time than the low setting without reducing production. Milk yield and cow BW increased over the 14-d bST cycle, peaking by d 8, and then declining through d 14. Automated collection of milk yield, milking time, and BW at each milking can be used to establish normal patterns for individual animals, which could be useful in making management decisions.
Comparison of disease-specific quality-of-life instruments in the assessment of chronic rhinosinusitis

BACKGROUND Many disease-specific, quality-of-life (QOL) instruments exist for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), producing confusion about the best application and use of each instrument. We hypothesized that the most prevalently utilized instruments do not strongly correlate in all domains, but rather act in complementary fashion for QOL assessment.
Avoiding congestion charges in spatial electricity competition. I. Theoretical formulation

We present a spatial gaming model that can avoid congestion charges to producers in deregulated electricity markets. This is accomplished by letting each flow limit equal the actual flow limit minus a very small positive number /spl epsiv/. As a result, both congestion and congestion charges are avoided. DC power flow equations are included for representing the physical laws of electrical networks. We also establish the mathematical equivalence between the narrow sense (NS) Pareto optimum and a Nash equilibrium and the analysis is based on the Kuhn-Tucker vector optimization theorem and convexity of the problem formulation.
The Coincidence of Reform: Charter School Diversity in a Standards-Based World

ABSTRACT Diversity was and remains a central feature of charter schools, but some question if this is possible in an environment of standards, assessment, and accountability. Using a newly created charter school typology, this article examines charter diversity, measured by new school creation, from 1994 to 2002. Results indicate the charter landscape grew more diverse throughout the 1990s rather than less.
Sensitivity enhancement using coherent heterodyne detection

This paper focuses on some heretofore overlooked advantages of coherent detection (CD) over direct detection (DD) in optical fiber communication systems. The basis for these sensitivity improvements is the fact that the local laser in coherent fiber optic systems adds a large number of photons to the net received optical signal. Under these conditions, the Bohr correspondence principle enables us to treat the photodiode output signal classically. Specifically, the usual CD environment yields a photodiode output that can be regarded as a classical signal disturbed by Gaussian noise (central limit theorem). This detection process has been studied extensively, and there exist many powerful signal processing techniques that may be used to enhance system sensitivity. In particular, we utilize a sum of digitally modulated subcarriers to frequency modulate an optical carrier along with the aid of coherent detection to achieve 11.1 photons/b sensitivity as determined by computer simulation. >
Compact submillimeter-wave receivers made with semiconductor nano-fabrication technologies

Advanced semiconductor nanofabrication techniques are utilized to design, fabricate and demonstrate a super-compact, low-mass (&#60;10 grams) submillimeter-wave heterodyne front-end. RF elements such as waveguides and channels are fabricated in a silicon wafer substrate using deep-reactive ion etching (DRIE). Etched patterns with sidewalls angles controlled with 1° precision are reported, while maintaining a surface roughness of better than 20 nm rms for the etched structures. This approach is being developed to build compact 2-D imaging arrays in the THz frequency range.
Hydrometeor structure of a composite monsoon depression using the TRMM radar

This paper addresses the use of a satellite-based radar for obtaining the composite structure(from several monsoon depressions) of the distribution of precipitation elements in the horizontaland the vertical. This composting is based on the use of a simple elliptical layout ofcoordinates along the major and minor axes of each storm as it passed over north central India.This satellite, called the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM), carries onboard amicrowave instrument known as the Precipitation Radar (PR). The vertical structure ofhydrometeors provided by the radar is somewhat of the same quality as the ground-basedDoppler radar units. The PR could identify many features such as the melting layers, height ofconvection, extent of anvils and types of precipitation over different sections of the compositedmonsoon depression. Furthermore, the asymmetric nature of surface rainfall that intensifiesaround the composited monsoon depression has also been mapped, which could provide severalmore details than was possible from other satellite-based estimates. It is found that the mostintense precipitation occurs in the south-southwest region of the monsoon depression. Thepreponderance of stratiform rain and the coverage of fewer deep convective elements, especiallyover the orographic upslope region, are some other noticeable features obtained using theTRMM PR. The stratiform rain was noted to arise where the melting layers (in the radarreflectivity signatures) were located near 5 km. In those few occasions where tall rain cloudswere discernible, the cloud tops were seen to extend all the way from 12 to 15 km. Rainfallamounts across the composite monsoon depression range from 10 to 100 mm d −1 . The 3–4 dpassage time of one of those disturbances resulted in local rainfall totals of the order of200–300 mm d −1 . DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0870.2002.01330.x
Temporal semantics: An Adaptive Resonance Theory approach

Encoding sensor observations across time is a critical component in the ability to model cognitive processes. All biological cognitive systems receive sensory stimuli as continuous streams of observed data over time. Therefore, the perceptual grounding of all biological cognitive processing is in temporal semantic encodings, where the particular grounding semantics are sensor modalities. We introduce a technique that encodes temporal semantic data as temporally integrated patterns stored in Adaptive Resonance Theory (ART) modules.
Pseudospectra for the wave equation with an absorbing boundary

For systems which can be described by ut = Au, with a highly nonnormal matrix or operator A, the spectrum of A may describe the behavior of the system poorly. One such operator arises from the one-dimensional wave equation on a finite interval with a homogeneous Dirichlet condition at one end and a linear damping condition at the other. In this paper the pseudospectra (norm of the resolvent) of this operator are computed in an energy norm, using analytical techniques and computations with discrete approximations. When the damping condition is perfectly absorbing, the pseudospectra are half-planes parallel to the imaginary axis, and in other cases they are periodic in the imaginary direction and approximate strips of finite thickness. The nonnormality of the operator is related to the behavior of the system and the limitations of spectral analysis.
Regional moment:magnitude relations for earthquakes and explosions

The authors present M[sub o]:m[sub b] relations using m[sub b](P[sub n]) and m[sub b](L[sub g]) for earthquakes and explosions occurring in tectonic and stable areas. The observations for m[sub b](P[sub n]) range from about 3 to 6 and show excellent separation between earthquakes and explosions on M[sub o]:m[sub b] plots, independent of the magnitude. The scatter in M[sub o]:M[sub b] observations for NTS explosions is small compared to the earthquake data. The M[sub o]:m[sub b](L[sub g]) data for Soviet explosions overlay the observations for US explosions. These results, and the small scatter for NTS explosions, suggest weak dependence of M[sub o]:m[sub b] relations on emplacement media. A simple theoretical model is developed which matches all these observations. The model uses scaling similarity and conservation of energy to provide a physical link between seismic moment and a broadband seismic magnitude. Three factors, radiation pattern, material property, and apparent stress, contribute to the separation between earthquakes and explosions. This theoretical separation is independent of broadband magnitude. For US explosions in different media, the material property and apparent stress contributions are shown to compensate for one another, supporting the observations that M[sub o]:M[sub b] is nearly independent of source geology. 19 refs., 2more » figs., 1 tab.« less
The Influence of Predator Sex on Chemically Mediated Antipredator Response in the Wolf Spider Pardosa milvina (Araneae: Lycosidae)

The wolf spider, Pardosa milvina, reduces activityin the presence of chemical cues (silk and excreta) from a larger predatorywolf spider, Hogna helluo. Hogna is sexuallydimorphic in bodysize and males and females differ in their propensityto attack prey. Consequently, each sex may present different levels of risk to Pardosa. We measured predation risk of Pardosa in the presence of male or female Hogna. We also assessed Pardosa antipredator responses and survival in the presence or absence of previouslydeposited chemical cues from male or female Hogna. In the absence of predator chemical cues, Pardosa survived significantly longer in the presence of male Hogna compared with female Hogna. We then assessed Pardosa survival in the presence of chemical cues from each Hogna sex by placing Pardosa in containers previouslyoccupied bya female Hogna, a male Hogna ,o r noHogna (control). We then introduced a female Hogna into each container and measured predation latency. Pardosa survived significantlylonger in the presence of female and male cues compared with the control treatment. Median survival time of Pardosa was over four times longer on substrates with female Hogna cues compared with male cues, but this difference was not statisticallysignificant. We tested Pardosa activitylevels in the presence of chemical cues from male or female Hogna. Both Hogna sexes were maintained in separate containers after which we placed an adult female Pardosa in one of the containers or a blank control container. Pardosa significantlydecreased activityin the presence of chemical cues from either sex relative to the control. Activitywas lowest on substrates with female Hogna cues, but not significantlylower than on substrates with male Hogna cues. Results suggest that chemical information from male or female Hogna significantlyreduces Pardosa activitywhich results in increased survival.
Molecular beam epitaxy regrowth of top reflectors for multiple wavelength vertical cavity laser arrays

Summary form only given. We have fabricated novel multiple wavelength vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) arrays employing molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) regrowth of the top distributed Bragg reflector (DBR). The individual emission wavelength of each laser element in the 2D array is set by anodic oxidation and selective etching of the wafer before regrowth. We obtained record performance devices compared with previously reported multiple wavelength laser arrays. The lasers described here feature submilliamp threshold currents and relatively high single-mode output power. We achieved a 17-nm-wavelength span in a 4/spl times/2 VCSEL array with an arbitrary wavelength distribution.
A Spectrum of Support: Current and Best Practices for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at Community Colleges.

ABSTRACTMore than 50% of all college students with a disability enroll in public 2-year institutions. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a type of disability that affects a growing number of students in postsecondary education. Currently, over 70% of 2-year public institutions enroll students with ASD. In spite of increased awareness, the vast majority of existing ASD research focused on primary and secondary education. Research on practices that support students with disabilities in the community college environment is imperative for promoting student success. The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to explore current and best practices that support students with ASD at 2-year public, postsecondary institutions. A web-based tool was used to survey a nationally representative sample of disability service professionals from 367 2-year, public institutions (35.4% response rate). Our results show reasonable accommodations with an academic focus (e.g., extended exam time) were provided more frequently than...
Assessment of Functional Disorders in Retina Using Transient Changes in Birefringence

In neural diseases such as glaucoma, nerve fibers can lose their functionality before cell death occurs. Hence, measurement of transient changes of nerve fiber birefringence as an indicator of functionality may allow detection of neural diseases at an early stage. A fiber-based phasesensitive optical low coherence reflectometry is proposed for measurement of birefringence change associated with action potential propagation in nerves.
Non-Reflective and Highly Dissipative Acoustic Metamaterials

In this paper, we consider a composite embedded in a homogenous medium and present a method to design the composite’s microstructure so that when it is subjected to an incident acoustic wave, it does not reflect the incoming wave and also dissipates most of it. High dissipation is achieved through a metamaterial design which is naturally characterized by internal resonance. The effective impedance of the metamaterial is evaluated through dynamic homogenization technique and it is used to design a quarter wave transformer to enforce zero reflection at the interface between the metamaterial composite and its surrounding medium. Transfer matrix method is used to calculate the reflection/transmission spectra at the above mentioned interface. Results show that the reflection at the interface is close to zero at the designed frequency and a large fraction of the wave energy which is transmitted across the interface is attenuated.© 2013 ASME
Endoscopic approach to the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic disease.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW The purpose of this review is to examine the recent developments in the use of endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in the management of patients with pancreatic-biliary disease. RECENT FINDINGS The use of ERCP to guide selective placement of pancreatic sphincterotomes, stone extraction balloons, and stents enables clinicians to treat pancreatic sphincteric and ductal disorders. Pancreatic stones are a remediable cause of recurrent pancreatitis and small calculi can be easily removed. The gold standard for the diagnosis of pancreas divisum remains ERCP and sphincterotomy is highly effective in the treatment of relapsing pancreatitis. Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms are the most common pancreatic malignancy and ERCP, as well as EUS can identify and sample the solid and cystic lesions. Mural nodules can be detected and sampled effectively by EUS-fine needle aspiration (FNA). The sensitivity of EUS-FNA for pancreatic adenocarcinoma is excellent (more than 85%). Although cyst fluid carcinoembryonic antigen is a very good marker for the presence of a mucinous cystic lesion, it is not an indicator of malignancy. SUMMARY In summary, ERCP and EUS are important tools for the management of benign and malignant lesions of the pancreas.
Ritual, belief and habituation: Religion and religions from the axial age to the Anthropocene

It is a common complaint that sociology has little regard for history. One important exception to this standard criticism is the sociology of religion of Robert N. Bellah and his ‘revival’ of Karl Jasper’s notion of the axial age. In this article, Bellah’s evolutionary notions of religion are explored within a debate about historical disjunctures and continuities. A significant challenge to the idea of the continuity of axial-age religions comes from the notion of an Anthropocene. Our relationship to nature has fundamentally changed and the possibilities for ‘improving’ the human body create a significant ontological challenge to the continuity/preservation of embodied practice as the underpinning of axial-age religions. The Anthropocene age presents a turning away from the religious legacies of the past, because biotechnical developments change not only our relationship to nature but they presage a radical change to the human body. Can the axial-age religions as our contemporaries survive the constructio...
Flow Management for Hydropower Extirpates Aquatic Insects, Undermining River Food Webs

Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of American Institute of Biological Sciences 2016. This work is written by (a) US Government employee(s) and is in the public domain in the US. The published article can be found at: http://bioscience.oxfordjournals.org/content/66/7/561
INTEGRATED INS/LORAN-C SYSTEM DESIGN

Integrated inertial navigation system(INS)/Loran C systcm can offer an self-contained naviga- tion system which has the ability of removing the characteristic error growth with time and apply to naviga- tion and flight control of military aircraft and precision guided weapons.The state and measurement equation of integration Kalman filter are established and the performance of the navigation system has been evaluated using covariance simulation.The results indicate that a gimbaled INS,based on gyroscopes and acceierometer with the accuracy of the 0.02(°)/h and 1×10~(-4)g respectively,is integrated with standard Loran-C receiver, providing positioning accuracies of 395m,velocity accuracies of 0.6m/s;Nevertheless,positioning accuracies of 195m,velocity accuracies of 0.35m/s are achievable,using advanced digital Loran-c receiver with automat- ic SPF and ASF corrections.In additon,the system can make the estimation and calibration to the inertial in- strument error.
CHAPTER 38 – Vitamin Metabolism

The word vitamin is used to describe any of the heterogeneous group of organic molecules that are required in small quantities for normal growth, reproduction, and homeostasis, which the human body is unable to synthesize in adequate amounts. The group includes the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K, and the water-soluble vitamins B-complex and C. Vitamins are generally needed in catalytic quantities and do not function as structural elements in the cell. In addition to nutritional inadequacy, vitamin deficiency may result from malabsorption, effects of pharmacological agents, and abnormalities of vitamin metabolism or utilization. Thus, in biliary obstruction or pancreatic disease, the fat-soluble vitamins are poorly absorbed despite adequate dietary intake because of steatorrhea. Absorption, transport, activation, and utilization of vitamins require the participation of enzymes or other proteins whose synthesis is under genetic control. Dysfunction or absence of one of these proteins can produce a disease that is clinically indistinguishable from one caused by dietary deficiency. Vitamin D is synthesized in the skin, provided radiant energy is available for the conversion. This pathway is adequate to supply the body's need for vitamin D, provided exposure to sunlight is adequate. Physiological age-related changes in the elderly can affect the nutritional status. Decreased active intestinal transport and atrophic gastritis impair the absorption of vitamins and other nutrients. Reduced exposure to sunlight can lead to decreased vitamin D synthesis and various drugs may impair both appetite and absorption of nutrients. Loss of night vision (nyctalopia) is an early sign of vitamin A deficiency, and clinical features of well-developed deficiency include epidermal lesions, ocular changes, growth retardation, glandular degeneration, increased susceptibility to infection, and sterility.
Landscape assessment for sustainable resettlement of potentially displaced communities in Ghana's emerging northwest gold province

Abstract This study assesses the physical suitability of the local landscape to enhance resettlement of future displaced communities as a result of mining. The study focuses on Ghana's emerging northwest gold province. Landsat images from 1986 to 2014 were used to map land-use/land-cover changes to predict future changes. Participatory mapping and focus group discussions were incorporated, to develop reference points, training sites and land use areas by villages. The results showed that expansion of occupied lands occurred from 25.4% in 1986 to 44.8% in 2014 with associated increasing population densities. Predicted land-use/land-cover changes indicated 52% expansion of occupied lands over a 15 year period. Much of that expansion was from vegetation and waterlogging. The results also showed large patterns of waterlogging in the area. The existing and predicted landscape character in the area indicated unsuitable environments for enhanced resettlement and livelihood to potentially displaced communities as a result of future mining operations.
X-RAY SENSITIVITY OF FIBROBLASTS FROM PATIENTS WITH RETINOBLASTOMA AND WITH ABNORMALITIES OF CHROMOSOME 13

ABSTRACT Fibroblasts from patients with hereditary retinoblastoma appear to be more sensitive to killing by X-rays than do those from sporadic retinoblastoma or normal control patients. One of two D-deletion retinoblastoma strains was highly X-ray sensitive; normal sensitivity was restored when this strain was transformed with SV-40 virus. Preliminary evidence is presented to suggest X-ray sensitivity may be related in this case to a deletion in a specific region of chromosome 13.
The Utilization of Drug Plants

From the very earliest times, plants have provided man with real or supposed means of healing. According to the anthropologist Carleton Coon, the religious practitioner, or shaman, was the first specialist—his is the oldest profession. He performed a medical and religious function, because disease among primitive peoples is usually equated with invasion of the body by evil spirits, and, consequently, religious incantations and rituals would be needed as an accompaniment to the administration of medicine. Without doubt, shamans existed in Late Paleolithic times. Although they accomplished many of their cures by “magical” means, they also had their stocks of herbs, which were used in the preparation of their potions. Medicine men and witch doctors play the same double role with unsophisticated peoples even today.
Incendiary Mother: Antigua and the Postcoloniality of Forgiveness

The immolation of Vivian Tindall by her mother on the island of Antigua in June 2012 occasions a return to the problems of Antillean postcoloniality, forgiveness, and the work of Antigua's most influential child, Jamaica Kincaid. We find the prospects of Antiguan postcoloniality arrested in Kincaid's tropes of ‘small’ and ‘event’ and in a forestalled notion of ‘in the place of forgiveness’ in the Antiguan archive. Kincaid's generalized contempt for the Antiguan maternal enjoins the most limiting of the contested meanings of postcolonial forgiveness. We find in the palaver regarding Vivian's burning a reckoning with the problem of event and an archiving that is grounded not in the ‘love’ against which the genius of Kincaid's work dashes itself, but in a forgiveness: not the colonially self-serving psychogenic forgiveness of Arendt, Kristeva and Derrida, but a forgiveness that takes its meaning and possibilities from the reimagining of Antiguan space and event. Only this forgiveness, which is an indigenous ...
Connections Between Fluvial To Shallow Marine Environments and Submarine Canyons: Implications For Sediment Transfer To Deep Water

Abstract The heads of submarine canyons represent a critical link in the transfer of sediment from terrestrial sources to deep basin sinks. Here we report data on grain size, bathymetry, and geochronology from twenty-five modern submarine canyons that suggest this link to be very sensitive to the distance between the canyon head and the shoreline, and, to a lesser extent, wave energy. These data show the width of this zone filters the caliber of sediment delivered into deep water, which has significant implications for understanding sediment budgets and the distribution of reservoir and seal facies. Data from modern systems show that the river mouths or longshore drift cells must come within about 500 m of the head of the canyon to deliver gravel-size material and within 1 to 5 km to deliver sand-size material to be transported down the canyon into deep water. Clay- and silt-size particles are transported greater distances across the shelf, up to a few tens of km, whereas beyond about 40 km, little sediment makes the connection to the heads of canyons and deposits are dominated by condensed, carbonate-rich sediments. Our data from modern systems are consistent with existing sequence stratigraphic models for sediment delivery to deep water. The significance of our work is to show in more detail how and when connections can occur between fluvial to shallow-water systems and submarine canyons and how these connections regulate the quantity and caliber of sediment that can be transported into deep water. Once the process-based conditions for connection are met, then the geology and climate of the source area control the quantity and caliber of sediment that can be moved to deep water. We hypothesize that connection times, and the resultant fractionation of sediment mass and grain size between shelf and deep-water depocenters, may have varied in a predictable way through geologic history. For example, during greenhouse times when sea level was relatively high, but with inherently low high-frequency variability, longer-lived connections between fluvial to nearshore environments and deep water may have been more likely. This scenario would favor the preferential transfer of sediment, especially sand, into deep water, and the development of thick, laterally extensive sand-rich basin-floor deposits. By contrast, during icehouse periods, high-amplitude sea-level fluctuations and inherently wider continental shelves may have resulted in repeated landward and seaward transits of river mouths and shorelines, shorter connection times between source and sink, especially for sand-size sediment, and preferential sequestration of sediment in shelf to shelf-margin parts of the system. These conditions would have resulted in deep-water deposits that are a mixture of locally thick sands, abundant turbidity-current-derived mud, and thin but basin-wide condensed sections that represent periods of sediment starvation in deep water.
A 800MT/s Multiprocessor Bus Interface With Strobe Centering Architecture

A 65 nm 1.2 V GTL bus interface achieves 800 MT/s 6.4 GB/S data rate in a 3-load multi-processor (MP) environment. To enable a 20% increase in data rate compared to previous design, it utilizes a staged driver, DLL controlled predriver, Tco compensation, data/strobe time shifter, high gain differential amplifier as well as advanced process, voltage and temperature (PVT) compensation design.
MicroRNA Implications in Neurodegenerative Disorders

The importance of non-coding RNAs that regulate cellular processes has become evident in the recent past. The most prominent among this class of RNAs are microRNAs (miRs) that are 20-22-nucleotide long single stranded RNAs. miRs are transcribed from the genome as longer transcripts called primary miRs that are processed sequentially by RNAse III enzymes DROSHA and Dicer to generate the mature form. In the cytoplasm, miRs recruit a protein complex called the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) and mediates downregulation of translation from target mRNAs. miRs are expressed in a tissue, cell-type and developmental stage specific manner. Aberrant expression of miRs therefore contributes to disease pathology as a consequence of dysregulation of target protein levels. In this chapter we review the discovery, biogenesis, mechanism of action of miRs and their role in neuronal function and dysfunction with emphasis on HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders.
Sick Day Management in Type 1 Diabetes in Children Kashyap

New onset of diabetes in a child results a significant psychosocial stress in a family. However, when any illness occurs in someone with diabetes, the potential for either hyperglycemia, hyperglycemia with ketoacidosis or hypoglycemia exists and requires education and treatment to prevent exacerbation or even possible death
Manganese triacetate oxidation of methyl 1-hydroxy-2-naphthalene carboxylates

Abstract Manganese-triacetate mediated oxidation of 1-hydroxy-2-napthalene carboxylates in benzene under anhydrous conditions delivers the dimerized product. However, acetoxylation on the ortho - or para -position, or oxidation to quinones occurs on the 1-hydroxy-3-substituted 2-napthalene carboxylates depending on the nature of the substituents when the reaction is carried out in a mixture of acetic acid/acetonitrile.
Immune Analysis of Radium-223 in Patients With Metastatic Prostate Cancer.

Abstract Background Radium223 (Ra223) delivers high-energy radiation to osteoblastic metastasis of prostate cancer, resulting in irreparable double-stranded DNA damage. The effects of Ra223 on CD8+ T cell subsets in patients with prostate cancer is unknown. Patients and Methods Fifteen men with metastatic prostate cancer with clinical indication for Ra223 without any autoimmune or immune deficiency conditions were enrolled. Patients received a course of Ra223 50 kBq/kg. Concurrent use of prednisone ≤ 10 mg a day was allowed. Peripheral blood samples were collected before and 3 to 4 weeks after the first dose of Ra223 50 kBq/kg. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were purified and analyzed for the phenotypic and functional characteristics of CD8+ T cells using flow cytometry. Results One Ra223 treatment did not result in significant change in the overall frequencies of CD8+ T cells and their subsets including naive, central memory, and effect memory cells. However, the mean frequency of programmed cell death protein 1-expressing EM CD8+ T cells decreased after 1 Ra223 treatment from 20.6% to 14.6% (P = .020), whereas no significant change was observed in the frequencies of CD27-, CD28-, or CTLA4-expressing T cells. One Ra223 treatment was not associated with any significant change in the frequencies of CD8+ T cells producing IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-13. Conclusion One Ra223 treatment is associated with a decreased mean frequency of programmed cell death protein 1-expressing effect memory CD8+ T cell without affecting other immune checkpoint molecules or cytokine production. Further investigations are warranted to elucidate the immunologic and clinical significance of our observations and its long-term effects after multiple treatments.
Repeatability of n-octanol/water partition coefficient values between liquid chromatography measurement methods

The n-octanol/water partition coefficient (KOW) is a physical/chemical property that is extensively used for regulatory and environmental risk and exposure assessments. The KOW value can estimate various chemical properties such as water solubility, bioavailability, and toxicity using quantitative structure-activity relationships which demands an accurate knowledge of this property. The present investigation aims to compare outcomes of three commonly cited methods of KOW measurement in the literature for six hydrophobic chemicals with insecticidal functions as well as highly volatile petroleum constituents. This measurement has been difficult to obtain for the selected pyrethroid insecticides, cypermethrin, and bifenthrin and is a novel measurement for the latter: polycyclic aromatic sulfur heterocycles, dibenzothiophene (DBT), and three of its alkyl derivatives except for DBT. The KOW values were obtained using two liquid chromatographic methods with isocratic and gradient programming, and the slow-stirring method following OECD 117 and 123 guidelines, respectively. The mean log KOW values of bifenthrin, cypermethrin, DBT, methyl-DBT, dimethyl-DBT, and diethyl-DBT were 8.4 ± 0.1, 6.0 ± 0.3, 4.8 ± 0.0, 5.4 ± 0.1, 6.0 ± 0.1, and 6.8 ± 0.0 using the HPLC method with gradient programing. The KOW values were significantly reproducible within a method, however, not between the methods. Results suggest assessing a chemical's property and environmental risk and exposure solely based on the KOW value should be practiced with caution.
Numerical Simulation of the Effect of Gravity on Weld Pool Shape

Understanding the physical phenomena involved in the welding process is of substantial value to improving the weldability of materials. The intense heat and the arc inherent in fusion welding make direct experimental observation of the weld pool behavior rather difficult. Thus numerical models that can predict the processes involved have become an invaluable tool for studying welding.
Do Sanctions Improve Compliance With Public Finance Laws and Regulations

This paper examines how a regime of penalties or sanctions for breaching public financial management (PFM) laws and regulations can be designed to increase compliance with these laws. Financial irregularities can be as high as five to eight percent of GDP or more in some poorly administered countries. If a sanctions regime is to be effective, it should meet the three core principles of impartiality, proportionality, and transparency. An empirical analysis of sanctions regimes and recovery rates in 26 countries suggests that excessive use of “harsh” sanctions could negatively affect the level of compliance. The design of a sanctions regime should include both “soft” and “harsh” measures which are proportionate to the severity of financial irregularities. The paper describes three institutional models (“financial police,” “risk‐based,” and “sanctions coordinator”) that countries have used to implement a sanctions regime. An approach targeting expenditure that is highly vulnerable to irregularities tends to achieve a better recovery rate than a regime based on a “mass investigation, mass sanctions” approach. A tailored approach based on the third model may be appropriate for low‐capacity countries.
Youth say ads for flavored e-liquids are for them.

Abstract Introduction E-cigarettes are the most popular tobacco product among adolescents and young adults (“AYA”) and are available in many flavors. The e-cigarette industry argues that flavors are not meant to appeal to youth, yet no study has asked youth what age group they think ads for flavored e-liquids are targeting. We asked AYA which age group they thought ads for flavored e-liquids targeted. Methods In 2016 as part of a larger survey, a random sample of 255 youth from across California (62.4% female, mean age = 17.5, SD = 1.7) viewed eight ads, presented in randomized order, for fruit-, dessert-, alcohol-, and coffee-flavored e-liquids and indicated the age group they thought the ads targeted: younger, same age, a little older, or much older than them. Population means and 95% confidence intervals were estimated using bootstrapping (100,000 replicate samples). Results Most participants (93.7%) indicated the cupcake man flavor ad targeted an audience of people younger than they. Over half felt ads for smoothy (68.2%), cherry (63.9%), vanilla cupcake (58%), and caramel cappuccino (50.4%) targeted their age and for no flavor ad did most feel the primary target age group was much older. Conclusions Youth believe ads for flavored e-liquids target individuals about their age, not older adults. Findings support the need to regulate flavored e-liquids and associated ads to reduce youth appeal, which ultimately could reduce youth use of e-cigarettes.
The Subversive Power of Survivor Rhetoric: An Innovative Archive of Survivor Discourse in New York Magazine

On July 26, 2015, New York magazine published its cover story, “‘I’m No Longer Afraid’: 35 Women Tell Stories about Being Assaulted by Bill Cosby and the Culture That Wouldn’t Listen,” written by N...
Genetic engineering of microalgae for fuel production : scientific note

Significant progress has been made toward the successful genetic engineering of microalgal species with high potential for fuel production. Foreign DNA has been transferred into a green alga,Chlorella ellipsoidea, and has been successfully expressed in this heterologous system. In addition, electroporation has shown promise as a means of introducing DNA into intact algal cells. We have analyzed the composition of DNA from several algal species and demonstrated the presence of elevated GC contents in several green algal species. These results suggest that homologous selectable markers may be required for the development of stable transformation systems for the algae; the development of nitrate reductase and orotidine-5′-phosphate decarboxylase as homologous selectable markers forMonoraphidium minutum and forCyclotella cryptica is in progress. We have constructed a cDNA expression library forCyclotella cryptica, and are constructing cDNA and genomic libraries for several other algal species. The libraries will be screened with heterologous or homologous probes for nitrate reductase and acetyl-CoA carboxylase in order to clone these genes, which appear to influence lipid accumulation in the algae. This work represents important steps toward the genetic improvement of micro-algae for fuel production.