cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimal node scheduling for heterogeneous energy harvesting sensor networks

A fundamental problem in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) is to balance energy and extend network lifetime, whereby the goal is to guarantee a long time monitoring in area-of-interest. To this end, this paper propose a Heterogeneous Energy Harvesting uniform distribution Wireless Sensor Networks (HEH-WSN) to maximize network lifetime by effective scheduling sensor node status whilst ensuring the coverage rate. Firstly, we split the issue of how to extend lifetime in HEH-WSN into two simple problems, how to improve renewable energy utilization and how to determine sensor node status. Then we present a Heterogeneous Energy Harvesting Scheduling (HEHS) strategy to solve the problems, respectively. Based on HEHS, we conclude several judgment rules to judge node status by number of neighbor node. Our results show HEHS has a longer network lifetime than similar algorithm developed for finite battery WSNs, and with the increasing of ξ, network lifetime extends with a ladder shape.
Phase and magnitude perceptual sensitivities in nonredundant complex wavelet representations

The recent development of a nonredundant complex wavelet transform allows a novel framework for image analysis. Work on this representation has recognized that the phase and magnitude of complex coefficients can be related to important geometric properties in images. Existing work on human visual system (HVS) sensitivity offers little guidance in understanding the relative importance of noise (e.g., introduced by lossy coding) in phase components and magnitude components. The distinct geometric significance of the two components would suggest that their respective errors relate to different types of image structure, and thus each would have its own unique HVS sensitivity. In this paper, we extend the study of just-noticeable-differences (JND) to magnitude/phase sensitivities in complex wavelet representations and outline and report on preliminary experiments characterizing them.
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF LINEAR PORTFOLIO REBALANCING STRATEGIES: AN APPLICATION TO HEDGE FUNDS *

This paper applies formal risk management methodologies to optimization of a portfolio of hedge funds (fund of funds). We compare recently developed risk management methodologies: Conditional Value-at-Risk and Conditional Drawdown-at- Risk with more established Mean-Absolute Deviation, Maximum Loss, and Market Neutrality approaches. The common property of considered risk management techniques is that they admit the formulation of a portfolio optimization model as a linear programming (LP) problem. LP formulations allow for implementing efficient and robust portfo lio allocation algorithms, which can successfully handle optimization problems with thousands of instruments and scenarios. The performance of various risk constraints is investigated and discussed in detail for in-sample and out-of-sample testing of the algorithm. The numerical experiments show that imposing risk constraints may improve the "real" performance of a portfolio rebalancing strategy in out -of-sample runs. It is beneficial to combine several types of risk constraints that control different sources of risk.
Cognitive Capabilities of a Parallel System

There has been recent interest in parallel, distributed, associative models as ways of organizing powerful computing systems and of handling noisy and incomplete data. There is no doubt such systems are effective at doing some interesting kinds of computations. Almost certainly they are intrinsically better suited to many kinds of computations than traditional computer architecture.
The Importance of α-Lactalbumin in Infant Nutrition

The ideal "humanization" of milk substitutes should include the creation of an amino acid pattern closely resembling that of human milk. Because the mixture of proteins in human milk is particularly rich in tryptophan and cysteine and low in methionine, this pattern is difficult to achieve with commercially available proteins. Even whey-predominant formulas only approximate human milk. Human milk has a high concentration of whey protein (70% of total protein). Of this, alpha-lactalbumin, a component of the lactase synthetase complex, accounts for 41% of the whey and 28% of the total protein. Only 3% of the protein in bovine milk is alpha-lactalbumin. Human and bovine alpha-lactalbumin share a 72% amino acid sequence homology. Both proteins contain (wt/wt) 6% tryptophan and 5% cysteine but only 0.9% methionine. Thus the differences in the amino acid compositions of bovine and human milks are largely attributable to differences in their alpha-lactalbumin contents. Commercial availability of bovine alpha-lactalbumin would allow the construction of infant formulas with amino acid compositions that are very close to that of human milk. alpha-Lactalbumin would also be a valuable constituent of diets for patients whose protein intake must be restricted.
Selfies|The Selfie and the Other: Consuming Viral Tragedy and Social Media (After)lives

On December 27, 2013, Lebanese teenager Omar Bekdash took a selfie on his smartphone: “‘The guys always take selfies, so this time I decided I would take one,’” Bekdash later told the Daily Mail (Rasmussen, 2014, para. 8). The resulting image is low resolution, a picture of four teenage boys hanging out on a bench on a nondescript street in downtown Beirut. Behind them in the image is a gold SUV that one would not notice had it not been circled in red (see Figure 1). In a matter of moments after the selfie was taken, the SUV exploded, mortally wounding the boy in the red sweatshirt, 16-year-old Mohammad al-Chaar.
Can mammalian cloning combined with embryonic stem cell technologies be used to treat human diseases

Cloning is commonly perceived as a means of generating genetically identical individuals, but it can also be used to obtain genetically matched embryo-derived stem cells, which could potentially be used in the treatment of patients. A recent report offers the first 'proof of principle' of such cloning for therapeutic purposes, referred to as nuclear transplantation to produce stem cells for autologous transplantation.
Induction of antioxidative and antiapoptotic thioredoxin supports neuroprotective hypothesis of estrogen.

The original neuroprotective hypothesis of estrogen was based on the gender difference in brain response to the ischemia-reperfusion injury. Additional clinical reports also suggest that estrogen may improve cognition in patients with Alzheimer disease. 17β-Estradiol is the most potent endogenous ligand of estrogen, which protects against neurodegeneration in both cell and animal models. Estrogen-mediated neuroprotection is probably mediated by both receptor-dependent and -independent mechanisms. Binding of estrogen such as 17β-estradiol to estrogen receptors (ERs) activates the homodimers of ER-DNA and its binding to estrogen response elements in the promoter region of genes such as neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS1) for regulating gene expression in target brain cells. In addition to the induction of NOS1, estrogen increases the expression of antiapoptotic protein such as bcl-2. Furthermore, our recent observations provide new molecular biologic and pharmacologic evidence suggesting that physiologic concentrations of 17β-estradiol ( ERα) and upregulate a cyclic guanosine 5′-monophosphate (cGMP)-dependent thioredoxin (Trx) and MnSOD expression following the induction of NOS1 in human brain-derived SH-SY5Y cells. We thus proposed that the estrogen-mediated gene induction of Trx plays a pivotal role in the promotion of neuroprotection because Trx is a multifunctional antioxidative and antiapoptotic protein. For managing progressive neurodegeneration such as Alzheimer dementia, our estrogen proposal of the signaling pathway of cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) in mediating estrogen-induced cytoprotective genes thus fosters research and development of the new estrogen ligands devoid of female hormonal side effects such as carcinogenesis.
Measurement of particle size distribution and volume fraction from frequency-domain measurements of photon migration

Multi-wavelength, frequency-domain measurements of phase-shift provides a self-calibrating measure of isotropic scattering coefficients. From these measurements we reconstruct particle size distribution and volume fraction for three latex suspensions that are concentrated, yet non-interacting. Extrapolation of the technique to non-spherical particles, such as titanium dioxide, illustrates preliminary success of the approach.
Multiresolution analysis as an approach for tool path planning in NC machining

Abstract Wavelets permit multiresolution analysis of curves and surfaces. A complex curve can be decomposed using wavelet theory into lower resolution curves. The low-resolution (coarse) curves are similar to rough-cuts and high-resolution (fine) curves to finish cuts in NC machining. In this paper, we investigate the applicability of multiresolution analysis using B-spline wavelets to NC machining of contoured 2D objects. High-resolution curves are used close to the object boundary similar to conventional offsetting while lower resolution curves are used farther away from the object boundary. Experimental results indicate that wavelet-based tool path planning improves machining efficiency. Tool path length is reduced, sharp corners are smoothed out thereby reducing uncut areas and larger tools can be selected for rough-cuts.
Projectile spectroscopy in a cooler ring

Abstract The fairly broad interest in extending spectroscopy further into the domain of highly charged ions is demonstrated by the variety of contributions to this workshop. At the same time, the needed technologies are advancing, making formerly remote possibilities either presently or soon to be in reach. An asymptotic, though difficult case involves exploitation of high energy heavy ion cooler ring (with deceleration) as a light source. Such a ring is currently under construction at GSI in Darmstadt, West Germany. It will be capable of accumulating and cooling space charge limited beams of heavy ions up to and including uranium. Some features of a spectroscopy program to exploit this unique source are discussed in the report.
Simultaneous determination of steviol and steviol glycosides by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

A direct, versatile method for the determination of steviol and nine steviol glycosides in food products has been developed by using electrospray ionisation liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry in the negative-ion mode. Ten stevia compounds were readily separated on an amino column by using a gradient separation. Data for analyte quantification were collected in the selected ion monitoring mode, giving the method limit of detection of 0.01-0.34 µg g⁻¹ and repeatability at the limit of quantitation of 2%-15% relative standard deviation. Thirty-four commercially available food products were tested by using the optimised method, and in these products rebaudioside A and stevioside comprised 52%-100% of the total steviol glycosides. Multiple reaction monitoring data were collected to provide analyte confirmation. Stability data for rebaudioside A stored at room temperature, 40°C and 60°C over a period of 1-14 days are shown.
Tribological properties of alkylsilane self-assembled monolayers.

In this study, we perform molecular dynamics simulations of adhesive contact and friction between alkylsilane Si(OH)3(CX2)10CX3 and alkoxylsilane Si(OH)2(CX2)10CX3 (where X = H or F) self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on an amorphous silica substrate. The alkylsilane SAMs are primarily hydrogen-bonded or physisorbed to the surface. The alkoxylsilane SAMs are covalently bonded or chemisorbed to the surface. Previously, we studied the chemisorbed systems. In this work, we study the physisorbed systems and compare the tribological properties with the chemisorbed systems. Furthermore, we examine how water at the interface of the SAMs and substrate affects the tribological properties of the physisorbed systems. When less than a third of a monolayer is present, very little difference in the microscopic friction coefficient μ or shear stresses is observed. For increasing amounts of water, the values of μ and the shear stresses decrease; this effect is somewhat more pronounced for fluorocarbon alkylsilane SAMs than...
Renewal after the extinction of free operant behavior

Four experiments were performed to explore the role of context in operant extinction. In all experiments, leverpressing in rats was first reinforced with food pellets on a variable interval 30-s schedule, then extinguished, and finally tested in the same and a different physical context. The experiments demonstrated a clear ABA renewal effect, a recovery of extinguished responding when conditioning, extinction, and testing occurred in contexts A, B, and A, respectively. They also demonstrated ABC renewal (where conditioning extinction and testing occurred in contexts A, B, and C) and, for the first time in operant conditioning, AAB renewal (where conditioning, extinction, and testing occurred in contexts A, A, and B). The latter two phenomena indicate that tests outside the extinction context are sufficient to cause a recovery of extinguished operant behavior and, thus, that operant extinction, like Pavlovian extinction, is relatively specific to the context in which it is learned. AAB renewal was not weakened by tripling the amount of extinction training. ABA renewal was stronger than AAB, but not merely because of context A’s direct association with the reinforcer.
Quantitative UV-Visible Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy of Solid Powders

Abstract In spite of difficulties in attaining high resolution, the determination of UV-VIS-NIR spectra via diffuse reflectance spectro-scopic measurements on solid powders; provides several advantages. Compounds which are difficult to obtain as suitable single crystals, or are found to be unstable or insoluble in liquid solution, can only be studied by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. Also, since no solvents are required, any effects due to solvation are eliminated. However, it is not possible to resolve the observed spectrum into its anisotropic components, as in the case of single crystal spectra.
Idiopathic chylopericardium treated by percutaneous thoracic duct embolization after failed surgical thoracic duct ligation

Chylopericardium rarely occurs in pediatric patients, but when it does it is most often a result of lymphatic injury during cardiothoracic surgery. Primary idiopathic chylopericardium is especially rare, with few cases in the pediatric literature. We report a 10-year-old boy who presented with primary idiopathic chylopericardium after unsuccessful initial treatment with surgical lymphatic ligation and creation of a pericardial window. Following readmission to the hospital for a right-side chylothorax resulting from the effluent from the pericardial window, he had successful treatment by interventional radiology with percutaneous thoracic duct embolization. This case illustrates the utility of thoracic duct embolization as a less-invasive alternative to surgical thoracic duct ligation, or as a salvage procedure when surgical ligation fails.
A model of the roles of essential kinases in the induction and expression of late long-term potentiation.

The induction of late long-term potentiation (L-LTP) involves complex interactions among second-messenger cascades. To gain insights into these interactions, a mathematical model was developed for L-LTP induction in the CA1 region of the hippocampus. The differential equation-based model represents actions of protein kinase A (PKA), MAP kinase (MAPK), and CaM kinase II (CAMKII) in the vicinity of the synapse, and activation of transcription by CaM kinase IV (CAMKIV) and MAPK. L-LTP is represented by increases in a synaptic weight. Simulations suggest that steep, supralinear stimulus-response relationships between stimuli (e.g., elevations in [Ca2+]) and kinase activation are essential for translating brief stimuli into long-lasting gene activation and synaptic weight increases. Convergence of multiple kinase activities to induce L-LTP helps to generate a threshold whereby the amount of L-LTP varies steeply with the number of brief (tetanic) electrical stimuli. The model simulates tetanic, θ-burst, pairing-induced, and chemical L-LTP, as well as L-LTP due to synaptic tagging. The model also simulates inhibition of L-LTP by inhibition of MAPK, CAMKII, PKA, or CAMKIV. The model predicts results of experiments to delineate mechanisms underlying L-LTP induction and expression. For example, the cAMP antagonist RpcAMPs, which inhibits L-LTP induction, is predicted to inhibit ERK activation. The model also appears useful to clarify similarities and differences between hippocampal L-LTP and long-term synaptic strengthening in other systems.
General strain theory and the development of stressors and substance use over time: An empirical examination

Abstract Little research has examined whether General Strain Theory (GST) can account for continuity in illicit behavior over their time. The current study fills this void by testing the ability of GST to account for the association between adolescent and adult substance use. Four mechanisms that Agnew argues lead to behavioral continuity—a direct effect of negative emotionality and low constraint on substance use, evocative and active selection, passive selection, and stressor amplification—are examined using structural equation modeling. Drawing from the broader stress literature, an additional pathway—stress proliferation—is also tested. This research uses two unique datasets, which together provide information on the lives of high risk individuals from birth through adulthood. Support for GST explanations of continuity is mixed. The direct and moderating effects of negative emotionality and low constraint as well as the more dynamic aspects of the stress process, like proliferation and amplification, received the most empirical support. It is argued that more attention should be directed to exploring the social processes through which stressors develop over time.
The spread of health services and fertility transition.

We use detailed measures of social change over time, increased availability of various health services, and couples’ fertility behaviors to document the independent effects of health services on fertility limitation. Our investigation focuses on a setting in rural Nepal that experienced a transition from virtually no use of birth control in 1945 to the widespread use of birth control by 1995 to limit fertility. Changes in the availability of many different dimensions of health services provide the means to evaluate their independent influences on contraceptive use to limit childbearing. Findings show that family planning as well as maternal and child health services have independent effects on the rate of ending childbearing. For example, the provision of child immunization services increases the rate of contraceptive use to limit fertility independently of family planning services. Additionally, new Geographic Information System (GIS)-based measures also allow us to test many alternative models of the spatial distribution of services. These tests reveal that complex, geographically defined measures of all health service providers outperform more simple measures. These results provide new information about the consequences of maternal and child health services and the importance of these services in shaping fertility transitions.
Use of antimicrobial susceptibility testing of bacterial pathogens isolated from the milk of dairy cows with clinical mastitis to predict response to treatment with cephapirin and oxytetracycline.

Objective—To determine whether results of antimicrobial susceptibility testing of bacterial pathogens isolated from the milk of dairy cows with clinical mastitis were associated with duration of clinical signs or bacteriologic cure rate following treatment with cephapirin and oxytetracycline. Design—Observational study on a convenience sample. Animals—58 dairy cows with 121 episodes of clinical mastitis. Procedure—Cows that only had abnormal glandular secretions were treated with cephapirin alone. Cows with an inflamed gland and abnormal glandular secretions were treated with oxytetracycline and cephapirin. Cows with systemic signs of illness, an inflamed gland, and abnormal glandular secretions were treated with oxytetracycline and flunixin meglumine and frequent stripping of the affected glands. The Kirby-Bauer method was used for antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and current guidelines were used to categorize causative bacteria as susceptible or resistant to the treatment regimen. Results—Median du...
Forecasting Wave Amplitudes after the Arrival of a Tsunami

The destructive Pacific Ocean tsunami generated off the east coast of Honshu, Japan, on 11 March 2011 prompted the West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center (WCATWC) to issue a tsunami warning and advisory for the coastal regions of Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and California. Estimating the length of time the warning or advisory would remain in effect proved difficult. To address this problem, the WCATWC developed a technique to estimate the amplitude decay of a tsunami recorded at tide stations within the Warning Center’s Area of Responsibly (AOR). At many sites along the West Coast of North America, the tsunami wave amplitudes will decay exponentially following the arrival of the maximum wave (Mofjeld et al., Nat Hazards 22:71–89, 2000). To estimate the time it will take before wave amplitudes drop to safe levels, the real-time tide gauge data are filtered to remove the effects of tidal variations. The analytic envelope is computed and a 2 h sequence of amplitude values following the tsunami peak is used to obtain a least squares fit to an exponential function. This yields a decay curve which is then combined with an average West Coast decay function to provide an initial tsunami amplitude-duration forecast. This information may then be provided to emergency managers to assist with response planning.
The Refractive Index of Sodium Vapor and the Width of the D Lines in Absorption

Employing classical methods, a theoretical relation is developed between the refractivity of sodium vapor near the $D$ lines and their observed width in absorption. A preliminary experimental test of this relation is described. The method involved observation of the wave-lengths of interference fringes produced by sodium vapor when a Michelson interferometer was used in conjunction with a spectroscope and a source of white light. This is a convenient means of determining refractivity in cases where it varies rapidly with wave-length. The approximate observations verify the classical theory, and serve to give a determination of $\frac{{e}^{2}}{m{c}^{2}}$ which is correct in order of magnitude. As regards the scattering of radiation, therefore, sodium atoms may be considered as behaving in a manner analogous to Hertzian oscillators. Further experimental study is planned.
The Fracture of Glassy Polymers

The fracture of glassy polymers starts with the separation of molecule bundles which then form a craze; this is followed by the fracture or rupture of the craze by sliding of the molecule bundles. The first process has the approximate characteristics of brittle fracture, the second those of viscous flow; at low velocities, therefore, the crack extends by the essentially viscous mechanism in the craze layer, whereas at higher velocity the stress required for this rises so high that either a quasi-brittle fracture occurs between the craze and the adjacent bulk polymer (for example, in polystyrene), or patches of craze arise in the bulk ahead of, and away from, the propagating fracture front, as in cast polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). When the craze wedge ahead of the ‘ viscous ’ crack in the craze layer suddenly peels off the adjacent bulk polymer, either multiple crazes and cracks arise, radiating from its edge, or a new craze wedge is initiated. In either case only one craze wedge propagates, and it drops off the adjacent bulk when the rate of stretching of the craze (normal to its plane) reaches a critical magnitude. The repetition of this process results in the well known striation of the surface of fracture in polystyrene and other polymers. Since the fracture mechanism includes an essentially velocity-dependent viscous process, the Griffith theory cannot be applied to glassy polymers even as an approximation. The work of fracture oscillates by orders of magnitude within microseconds in the region of striations.
Trends in floods and low flows in the United States: impact of spatial correlation

Trends in flood and low flows in the US were evaluated using a regional average Kendall's S trend test at two spatial scales and over two timeframes. Field significance was assessed using a bootstrap methodology to account for the observed regional cross-correlation of streamflows. Using a 5% significance level, we found no evidence of trends in flood flows but did find evidence of upward trends in low flows at the larger scale in the Midwest and at the smaller scale in the Ohio, the north central and the upper Midwest regions. A dramatically different interpretation would have been achieved if regional cross-correlation had been ignored. In that case, statistically significant trends would have been found in all but two of the low flow analyses and in two-thirds of the flood flow analyses. We show that the cross-correlation of flow records dramatically reduces the effective number of samples available for trend assessment. We also found that low flow time series exhibit significant temporal persistence. Even when the serial correlation was removed from the time series, significant trends in low flow series were apparent, though the number of significant trends decreased.
Cost accounting in plateletpheresis: comparison of two techniques.

Cost comparison of two comparably effective techniques of plateletpheresis, a manual method and an automated discontinuous flow centrifugation technique, is presented using a hypothetical model. The former procedure costs $62.48 per pheresis for disposables and labour as opposed to $78.32 per pheresis for disposables and labour for the latter. The annual volume of plateletpheresis at which the accumulated costs equal the total charges, i.e. the 'break-even' point, is calculated and found to be 63.7 for the automated technique and 10.9 for the manual method, if the charge for each is $200.00. For the manual method at a current charge of $80.00, the break even point is 85.8. The assumptions underlying this hypothetical model are examined, and the effects of deviation from these assumptions are analyzed in terms of the break even point. Cost accounting of plateletpheresis is shown to be dependent upon the choice of approach to allocation of costs, the assumptions of the cost accounting model, and the selection of an appropriate charge.
Reproductive Ultrasound of the Bitch and Queen

Ultrasonographic evaluation of the reproductive tract is an important component in the evaluation of the bitch and queen. Information is obtained concerning normal events involving the reproductive system (eg, ovulation, pregnancy) as well as pathologic conditions (eg, ovarian cysts, metritis). The appearance of the female reproductive tract normally changes with phases of the cycle; these changes need to be interpreted with knowledge of the ovarian cycle. Serial ultrasonographic evaluation of the diseased reproductive tract can be very helpful in evaluating response to therapy.
Influence of Glass Additions on Particle‐Size‐Distribution Effects in Tape Casting of BaTiO3

In earlier work it was shown that, by mixing a narrow-particle-size-distribution BaTi03 powder and a wide-distribution BaTiO3 powder, lower slurry viscosities and higher green densities were obtained. In the present work, the particle size distribution of a narrow-distribution BaTiO3 powder was broadened by adding a bismuth borate glass phase. This broadened distribution resulted in lower slurry viscosities and higher tape green densities.
Interaction of vanadate and iodate oxyanions with adenylyl cyclase of ciliary processes.

Abstract Vanadate (VO 3 − ) was found to activate adenylyl cyclase (AC) in ocular ciliary process membrane. This response was additive to that of isoproterenol (ISO) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), but it was potentiative with forskolin (FSK) and also with Ca 2+ /calmodulin activation of AC activity. The potentiated response of FSK in the presence of VO 3 − was due to an increase in V max without a change in the apparent affinity of FSK or VO 3 − , and therefore differs froin the potentiated response of activated G-protein (G s ) and FSK, where the affinity of FSK was increased by 1–2 orders of magnitude. Potentiation occurred at low Mg 2+ and was not observed at free [Mg 2+ ] > 3 mM. Iodate (IO 3 − ) inhibited the FSK, ISO, and VO 3 − activations of AC in ciliary process membranes ( ic 50 , 0.3 mM). In vivo topical treatment of the rabbit eye with 50μL of 5% NaIO 3 had no effect alone but completely blocked the intraocular pressure response to a 50-μL topical dose of 1% FSK and partially blocked the response to a 50-μL dose of 0.001% ISO. These findings indicate that some AC enzymes may have a binding site for oxyanions which can directly regulate enzyme activity.
Study of the compressible flow in a diffusing S-duct

Benchmark aerodynamic data are presented for compressible flow through a representative S-duct configuration. Measurements of the three-dimensional velocity field, total pressures, and static pressures were obtained in five cross-sectional planes. Surface static pressure and surface flow visualization data were also acquired. All reported tests were conducted with an inlet centerline Mach number of 0.6. The Reynolds number, based on the inlet centerline velocity and duct inlet diameter, was 2.6 x 10 6. Thin inlet turbulent boundary layers existed. The collected data should be beneficial to aircraft inlet designers and are suitable for the validation of computational codes. The results show that a region of streamwise flow separation occurred within the duct. Measurements indicate that the duct curvature induced strong pressure-driven secondary flows. The crossflows evolved into counter-rotating vortices. These vortices convected low momentum fluid of the boundary layer toward the center of the duct, degrading both the uniformity and magnitude of the total pressure profile.
Temporary Artery Occlusion in Ruptured Aneurysms

hen faced with a potentially catastrophic intraoperative rupture while clipping an aneurysm, the W unprepared surgeon has only one option—suction and temporary artery occlusion (TAO). More options, which demand a greater degree of involvement with the anesthesia team, are available to the well-prepared surgeon (6). The incidence of intraoperative rupture ranges from 7%e35% in various published reports and depends on aneurysm location, morphology, previous or recent rupture, surgical technique, and surgeon experience (2, 9, 12, 17, 18, 29). The occurrence of an intraoperative rupture does not always result in a poor prognosis, but lack of preparation, inadequate management, and panic during surgery make a poor outcome more likely (2, 29).
Substantial recovery of a masked visual target and its theoretical interpretation

Previous demonstrations of the perceptual recovery of a retroactively masked visual target by a subsequent masking stimulus have not yet been alluded to in theories of backward masking, perhaps because such data seem inconsistent with current theory and because the effects reported so far have been relatively small. We report here a set of conditions that yield substantial recovery and also suggest an account of recovery derived from an inter- pretation of the masking theory of Breitmeyer and Ganz.
Variation in genomic methylation in natural populations of chinese white poplar.

Background It is thought that methylcytosine can be inherited through meiosis and mitosis, and that epigenetic variation may be under genetic control or correlation may be caused by neutral drift. However, DNA methylation also varies with tissue, developmental stage, and environmental factors. Eliminating these factors, we analyzed the levels and patterns, diversity and structure of genomic methylcytosine in the xylem of nine natural populations of Chinese white poplar.
Guardrail Need: Embankments and Culverts

A cost-effectiveness analysis was used to study safety-treatment options for embankments and culverts on resurfacing, restoration, and rehabilitation (3R) projects. An examination of the need for cable and W-beam guardrails to shield traffic from roadside embankments and roadside culverts, respectively, was made. Average embankment and culvert accident severities were estimated using Highway Safety Information System data from Utah and Michigan. Average accident severities were calibrated through computer simulations of ran-off-road accidents. Simplified design charts were developed to allow highway engineers to quickly determine the need for cable guardrail on 3R projects.
Epidemiology of echinocandin resistance in Candida.

Echinocandins are the newest antifungal agents approved for use in treating Candida infections in the USA. They act by interfering with 1,3-β-d-glucan synthase and therefore disrupt cell wall production and lead to Candida cell death. There is no intrinsic resistance to echinocandins among Candida species, and isolates from historic collections archived before the release of the echinocandins show no resistance. Resistance to the echinocandins remains low among most Candida species and ranges overall from 0 to 1 %. Among isolates of Candida glabrata, the proportion of resistant isolates is higher and has been reported to be as high as 13.5 % in at least one hospital. Antifungal resistance is due to specific amino acid mutations in the Fksp subunit(s) of the 1,3-β-d-glucan synthase which are localized to one of two hot spots. These mutations are being recognized in isolates from patients who have failed echinocandin therapy and often lead to a poor outcome. While the future looks bright for the echinocandins against most Candida species, C. glabrata remains a species of concern and resistance rates of C. glabrata to the echinocandins should be monitored closely.
Effect of Sirolimus Treatment on Gene Expression in Renal Transplant Patients

Background: Sirolimus (rapamycin), a strong immunosuppressive agent, is administered to renal transplant patients to prevent rejection. The rapamycin signaling pathway [mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)] has been implicated in transcriptional regulation. Methods: We used high-density oligonucleotide human microarrays to evaluate the effects of sirolimus treatment on gene expression in renal transplant patients. With this technique, we assessed selected genes in the rapamycin signaling, immunosuppression, insulin signaling, and triglyceride metabolism pathways. Results: Filtered data from both treated and untreated patients showed variability within each group. Significant fold changes were observed in genes from the immunosuppression and insulin signaling pathways but not the rapamycin signaling pathway. The triglyceride metabolism pathway revealed a significant reduction of message levels in lipoprotein and triglyceride synthesis genes. Conclusions: These results show that using oligonucleotide microarrays to analyze the effects of sirolimus treatment in patients with renal transplant is an effective way to evaluate gene message levels in multiple pathways.
On the scintillation efficiency of carborane-loaded liquid scintillators for thermal neutron detection

Abstract The scintillation efficiency in response to thermal neutrons was studied by loading different concentrations of carborane (0–8.5 wt%) and naphthalene (0 and 100 g/L) in five liquid organic scintillators. The sample was characterized in Pb and Cd shields under the irradiation of the thermal neutrons from a 252Cf source. A method was developed to extract the net neutron response from the pulse-height spectra. It was found that the order of scintillation efficiencies for both γ-rays and thermal neutrons is as follows: diisopropylnaphthalene>toluene (concentrated solutes)>toluene~pseudocumene~m-xylene. The quench constants, obtained by fitting the Stern–Volmer model to the plots of light output versus carborane concentration, are in the range of 0.35–1.4 M−1 for all the scintillators. The Birks factors, estimated using the specific energy loss profiles of the incident particles, are in the range of 9.3–14 mg cm−2 MeV−1 for all the samples. The light outputs are in the range of 63–86 keV electron equivalents (keVee) in response to thermal neutrons. Loading naphthalene generally promotes the scintillation efficiency of the scintillator with a benzene derivative solvent. Among all the scintillators tested, the diisopropylnaphthalene-based scintillator shows the highest scintillation efficiency, lowest Birks factor, and smallest quench constants. These properties are primarily attributed to the double fused benzene-ring structure of the solvent, which is more efficient to populate to the excited singlet state under ionizing radiation and to transfer the excitation energy to the fluorescent solutes.
Steady-state, pre-steady-state, and single-turnover kinetic measurement for DNA glycosylase activity.

Human 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase (OGG1) excises the mutagenic oxidative DNA lesion 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine (8-oxoG) from DNA. Kinetic characterization of OGG1 is undertaken to measure the rates of 8-oxoG excision and product release. When the OGG1 concentration is lower than substrate DNA, time courses of product formation are biphasic; a rapid exponential phase (i.e. burst) of product formation is followed by a linear steady-state phase. The initial burst of product formation corresponds to the concentration of enzyme properly engaged on the substrate, and the burst amplitude depends on the concentration of enzyme. The first-order rate constant of the burst corresponds to the intrinsic rate of 8-oxoG excision and the slower steady-state rate measures the rate of product release (product DNA dissociation rate constant, koff). Here, we describe steady-state, pre-steady-state, and single-turnover approaches to isolate and measure specific steps during OGG1 catalytic cycling. A fluorescent labeled lesion-containing oligonucleotide and purified OGG1 are used to facilitate precise kinetic measurements. Since low enzyme concentrations are used to make steady-state measurements, manual mixing of reagents and quenching of the reaction can be performed to ascertain the steady-state rate (koff). Additionally, extrapolation of the steady-state rate to a point on the ordinate at zero time indicates that a burst of product formation occurred during the first turnover (i.e. y-intercept is positive). The first-order rate constant of the exponential burst phase can be measured using a rapid mixing and quenching technique that examines the amount of product formed at short time intervals ( S). These approaches can measure elementary rate constants that influence the efficiency of removal of a DNA lesion.
The role of adiabaticity in alkali atom-fine structure mixing

Fine-structure mixing cross-sections for the alkalis in collisions with the rare gases are reviewed. Included in the review are all the rare gases in collisions with all of the first excited state of the alkalis, the second excited state for K, Rb and Cs and the third excited state for Rb and Cs. The cross-sections are converted to probabilities for energy transfer using a quantum-defect calculated cross-section and are then presented as a function of adiabaticity. The data shows a clear decreasing trend with adiabaticity but secondary factors prevent the probabilities from decreasing as quickly as expected. Polarizability is introduced as a proxy for the secondary influences on the data as it increases with both rare gas partner and alkali excited state. The polarizability is shown to cause the probability of fine structure transition to be higher than expected. An empirical model is introduced and fit to the data. Future work will develop a model using time-independent perturbation theory in order to further develop a physical rational for the dependence of fine structure cross sections on adiabaticity and to further understand the secondary influences on the probability for fine structure transition.
Apparent superluminality and the generalized Hartman effect in double-barrier tunneling.

Recent papers suggest that tunneling wave packets traverse the region of allowed propagation between two potential barriers with superluminal group velocity and in a time independent of barrier separation. This phenomenon has been termed the ``generalized Hartman effect'' and extended to multiple barriers. Here we show that this delay time is not a transit time but a cavity lifetime. It does not imply superluminal velocity. Reported experimental verifications of this effect are reinterpreted.
Combustion characteristics of hydroretorted Alabama oil shale

Pressurized fluidized bed hydroretorting of beneficiated eastern USA oil shale leaves sufficient carbon (15–27 wt%) in the retorted shale to warrant utilization of that calorific value by combustion. A sample of hydroretorted shale from a bench scale unit test (oil yield was 233% of Fischer Assay) was used as a feedstock for combustion tests using air. The tests were conducted at 815–1080 °C, 0.1–7 MPa and residence times from 1 to 30 min in a thermobalance unit and a continuous (0.5 kg h−1) fluidized bed laboratory scale unit. Thermobalance tests indicate that combustion of the shale begins at 260–315 °C depending on the oxygen partial pressure used. Carbon conversions up to 100%, with greater than 99.5% recovery, of the gross calorific value of the shale were achieved.
Airborne imagery of a disintegrating Sargassum drift line

Abstract Airborne hyperspectral and thermal infrared imagery collected over the Florida Current provide a view of the disintegration of a Sargassum drift line in 5 m s −1 winds. The drift line consists mostly of rafts 20–80 m 2 in size, though aggregations larger than 1000 m 2 also occur. Rafts tend to be elongated, curved in the upwind direction, and 0.1–0.5 °C warmer than the surrounding ocean surface. Long weed ‘trails’ extending upwind from the rafts are evidence of plants dropping out and being left behind more rapidly drifting rafts. The raft line may be a remnant of an earlier Sargassum frontal band, which is detectible as an upwind thermal front and areas of submerged weed. Issues are identified that require future field measurements.
On the Interpretation of Digital Trace Data in Communication and Social Computing Research

The widespread availability of analytical tools for Big Data offers enormous opportunities and challenges for communication researchers. In contrast to user-generated texts, digital trace data (evidence of online user activities such as hyperlinks and retweets) represent a new methodological frontier for the field. However, interpretive strategies remain scattered and ad hoc with few best practices to guide them. To help remedy this situation, this article reviews recent scholarship in both communication and social computing research that has incorporated three common types of trace data: hyperlinks, Twitter followers, and retweets. It finds that while researchers in both fields have interpreted each trace in a variety of ways, they have largely declined to explain the validity of their interpretations.
Multifractal structure of attractors at the quasiperiodic transition to chaos for electron-hole plasma instability in Ge

The scaling structure of attractors at the transition from quasiperiodicity to chaos is studied for an electron-hole plasma instability in a Ge crystal. The scaling function f(..cap alpha..) spectrum calculated from the time series of the plasma current oscillation at the onset of chaos is in good agreement with that of a circle-map model. The experimental power spectrum also confirms that the transition to chaos is well described by the circle map. The extrinsic noise effect on the f(..cap alpha..) spectrum is discussed by using the circle map.
Copper toxicity to sperm, embryos and larvae of topsmelt atherinops affinis, with notes on induced spawning

Abstract Topsmelt, Atherinops affinis, were induced to spawn repeatedly in the laboratory using a combination of environmental cues. Temperature ‘spikes’ appeared to be the most important factor to induce spawning. Egg production peaked four days after a 2°C increase in water temperature, and declined thereafter. A series of static toxicity tests compared the relative sensitivity of topsmelt sperm, embryos, and larvae to copper chloride. Of the three developmental stages compared, sperm were more sensitive than embryos, and embryos were more sensitive than larvae. The mean EC50 from four separate 48-h fertilization experiments was 109 μg copper liter−1. The mean EC50 from three, 12-day embryo development tests was 142–147 μg copper liter−1, depending on the endpoint used. The mean LC50 from three, 96-h larval mortality tests was 238 μg copper liter−1. Topsmelt are amenable to laboratory culture and are a promising eastern Pacific toxicity test species.
Pseudo turbulence in PIV breaking-wave measurements

The particle image velocimetry (PIV) technique was employed to measure the instantaneous velocity distribution under nonbreaking and breaking water waves. The corresponding turbulence intensity was calculated by the ensemble average of repeated measurements. The pseudo turbulence found was large enough to affect the accuracy of the turbulence measurements. We follow Prasad et al.'s (1992) approach to demonstrate that the pseudo turbulence is related to the bias error, which is the discrepancy between the true position of the particle image and the position calculated from the pixel array data with inadequate pixel resolution. To reduce the bias error (or the pseudo turbulence), we first calculate it from a turbulence-free flow with the same experimental set-up as that used for the targeted experiments (i.e., we use the same size of field of view, seeding particles, seeding density, lens aperture, and laser wavelength in both experiments). Then we minimize the bias error from the turbulence measurements in the actual experiments. To demonstrate the procedure, the evolution of a breaking wave is investigated.
Using Mobile Technology to Observe Student Study Behaviors and Track Library Space Usage

Libraries have become increasingly interested in studying the use of spaces within their buildings. Traditional methods for tracking library building use, such as gate counts, provide little information on what patrons do once they are in the library; therefore, new methods for studying space usage are being developed. Particularly promising are mobile technologies, which make it possible to directly observe and track user behaviors throughout library spaces. We found that observation combined with mobile technologies enabled the library to assess user study behaviors and space usage patterns anywhere in the library. Observations were tracked using an iPad with two different types of mobile apps, CloudOn and Counter+. The results were compared to the more traditional statistics gathered by the study room reservation system. The findings showed that the mobile observations more accurately reflected actual library usage and provided additional details on specific study behaviors such as studying in groups a...
Depository libraries in the 1990s : whither, or wither depositories?

Abstract This article discusses the viability of federal depositories in dealing with electronic information. It reviews the literature that has discussed the issues of electronic information within depository libraries. It also presents the result of a survey conducted of ARL institutions to assess the degree of support provided for such access; to discover the level of innovation occurring at those libraries; and to examine the perceptions of depository librarians and library directors concerning the broad issues involved in providing this type of government information.