cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sustainability in Construction Education

It is widely recognized that sustainability should be incorporated into engineering education. To prepare students with sustainability knowledge and techniques, engineering educators need to develop appropriate class contents and effective teaching techniques. Based on experience from developing and teaching a sustainability course within the construction management program in the civil engineering department, this paper discusses the process of identifying sustainability knowledge areas, course planning, and lessons learned from the class. The paper also includes main class topics as well as students’ feedbacks, both of which may serve as a starting point for continuous improvement of sustainability education in construction.
Meta-trees: grafting for a global perspective

Assembling phylogenetic trees for groups of organisms with thousands of taxa is problematic because of the large amount of data and trees that must be generated and analyzed. Several attempts have been made to develop a better way to handle the problems of large trees. Meta-trees (Meta Supertrees) are suggested as a way to generate a phylogeny for groups where you have many different data sets of overlapping but not identical sets of taxa and without a common set of markers. Meta-trees graft phylogenies onto a fixed base tree and avoid the problems of missing or redundant data and misplaced taxa that plague other types of supertrees.
Lifetime Risk of Venous Thromboembolism in Two Cohort Studies

Abstract Background Greater public awareness of venous thromboembolism may be an important next step for optimizing venous thromboembolism prevention and treatment. "Lifetime risk" is an easily interpretable way of presenting risk information. Therefore, we sought to calculate the lifetime risk of venous thromboembolism (deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism) using data from 2 large, prospective cohort studies: the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS) and the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. Methods We followed participants aged 45-64 years in ARIC (n = 14,185) and ≥65 in CHS (n = 5414) at baseline visits (1987-1989 in ARIC, 1989-1990 and 1992-1993 in CHS) for incident venous thromboembolism (n = 728 in ARIC through 2011 and n = 172 in CHS through 2001). We estimated lifetime risks and 95% confidence intervals of incident venous thromboembolism using a modified Kaplan-Meier method, accounting for the competing risk of death from other causes. Results At age 45 years, the remaining lifetime risk of venous thromboembolism in ARIC was 8.1% (95% confidence interval, 7.1-8.7). High-risk groups were African Americans (11.5% lifetime risk), those with obesity (10.9%), heterozygous for the factor V Leiden (17.1%), or with sickle cell trait or disease (18.2%). Lifetime risk estimates differed by cohort; these differences were explained by differences in time period of venous thromboembolism ascertainment. Conclusions At least 1 in 12 middle-aged adults will develop venous thromboembolism in their remaining lifetime. This estimate of lifetime risk may be useful to promote awareness of venous thromboembolism and guide decisions at both clinical and policy levels.
A multiobjective decision support system for multiresource forest management

A multiobjective and/or multiperson decision support system for analyzing multiresource forest management problems is developed in this paper. The procedure includes formulating the problem in a multiobjective and group decision making framework, and solving it using two solution techniques which consist of a distance-based compromise programming (CP) and a cooperative game theoretic approach of the Nash equilibrium type. The problem consists of five forest resources management objective functions to be maximized. Solving the problem using the two solution techniques enables determining a satisfactory compromise solution of the five forest resource management objectives. Sensitivity analysis of the two techniques shows compromise programming to be more sensitive to changes in the weight and the p-parameter of the technique while the cooperative game theoretic approach is relatively robust with respect to changes in the worst utility set.
The Data Swarm: A Next Step for Distributed Data Analytics

The traditional data warehouse model is no longer able to keep up with the evolution and changing requirements of the data analytic world. As we see the concept of a logical data warehouse gain momentum, there's a resulting need to drive a portion of the analytics closer to where the data is actually created and used. This paper uses the concept of swarm intelligence as a basis for simple, distributed analytics architecture to help address this need. It illustrates this with an example based on a chain of retail stores and demonstrates how this model could simplify the architecture and, at the same time, and increase data availability while decreasing cost.
Impact of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome on Immunity

Obesity is associated with metabolic disturbances that cause tissue stress and dysfunction. Obese individuals are at a greater risk for chronic disease and often present with clinical parameters of metabolic syndrome (MetS), insulin resistance, and systemic markers of chronic low-grade inflammation. It has been well established that cells of the immune system play an important role in the pathogenesis of obesity- and MetS-related chronic diseases, as evidenced by leukocyte activation and dysfunction in metabolic tissues such as adipose tissue, liver, pancreas, and the vasculature. However, recent findings have highlighted the substantial impact that obesity and MetS parameters have on immunity and pathogen defense, including the disruption of lymphoid tissue integrity; alterations in leukocyte development, phenotypes, and activity; and the coordination of innate and adaptive immune responses. These changes are associated with an overall negative impact on chronic disease progression, immunity from infection, and vaccine efficacy. This review presents an overview of the impact that obesity and MetS parameters have on immune system function.
Newton after three centuries

(1942). Newton after Three Centuries. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 49, No. 9, pp. 553-575.
An Analysis of Obesity and Asthma Morbidity in Patients Managed at the Children's Hospital at Montefiore's Asthma Center.

S A T U R D A Y Gary K. Soffer, MD, Jennifer Toh, MD, Sunit P. Jariwala, MD, Deepa Rastogi, MD; Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, Bronx, NY, Albert Einstein/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, Division of Pulmonology, Children’s Hospital at Montefiore. RATIONALE: Previous studies suggest a relationship between obesity and childhood asthma. We investigated the impact of body weight and clinic visit compliance on asthma morbidity. METHODS: We reviewed 45 charts of children with moderate to severe persistent asthma seen at the Montefiore Asthma Center (MAC), a multidisciplinary center comprised of Allergy, Pulmonary, and Asthma Education services. Patients had 1 or more asthma-related emergency department (ED) visit or hospitalization or 3 ormore steroid courses within 12months of their first visit. Patients were categorized as obese/overweight (n524) and normal-weight (n521), based on CDC guidelines. Betweengroup comparisons were done for compliance with MAC appointments, asthma-related hospitalizations, and ED visits one year following the patient’s last visit. Compliance was defined as 3 MAC visits. RESULTS: Most patients lived in the Bronx (82%), were of minority ethnicities (37% Latino, 35% African-American) and were obese/overweight (53%). Visit compliance was similar between both groups (50% obese/overweight vs 48% normal-weight.). However, more obese/overweight patients (45%)were hospitalized the year following their last visit than normal-weight children (28%) with more hospitalizations than normal-weight children (12 vs 2, p50.05). Similarly, 50% of obese/ overweight patients had asthma-related ED visits the year following their last visit compared to 23% of normal-weight children with more ED visits than normal-weight children (30 vs 10, p 5 0.045). CONCLUSIONS: In spite of being compliant with asthma center evaluations, obese and overweight patients had more asthma-related ED visits and hospitalizations, suggesting continued higher asthma morbidity. This relationship requires further investigation as it may imply that obesity interventions might play a substantive role in asthma management.
Microcomputer-Based Monitoring and Data Acquisition System for a Mosquito Flight Mill

The combination of a microcomputer and a mosquito flight mill system, containing up to 16 flight mills, is described. The microcomputer provides CRT screen monitoring, log reports, and summary reports. Each log report contains the distance (meters) and duration (seconds) of each flight by each mosquito. Summary reports include group assignments, total number of flights, distance (meters), duration (seconds), initial speed (speed of the initial flight in meters per second) and average speed (meters per second). High-speed data processing by the microcomputer eliminates the inordinate number of hours previously required to process flight mill data.
A New Look at the Determinants of the Management Advisory Service Purchase Decision

This research examines firm need determinants of Management Advisory Service (MAS) acquisition from the incumbent auditor. Prior research has examined the effects of industry, exchange membership, auditor specialization as a provider of MAS services, and selected agency variables on MAS acquisition. The authors of this paper believe that it is also important to investigate the effects of firm activity on the MAS purchase decision. Accordingly, information on firm activities, events surrounding the firms, MAS purchase of 216 companies, and other information was collected. The results support the importance of knowing industry membership, auditor identity, and firm ownership structure in predicting such purchase. This study's major contribution lies in demonstrating the importance of having information about realized or potential activities of the firm in predicting MAS purchase. This knowledge is important because it suggests that MAS provision may strengthen the auditor's hand in dealing with the client.
Increased Platelet Cytosolic Calcium Responses to Low Density Lipoprotein in Type II Diabetes With and Without Hypertension

Non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and hypertension are common diseases which are independently associated with insulin resistance/hyperinsulinemia, dyslysidemia, abnormalities of platelet function, and accelerated atherogenesis. The interaction of these independent risk factors is poorly understood. Recently, low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors have been described, in platelets, and LDL elevates [Ca2+]i in these cells. In this study we have evaluated platelet [Ca2+]i responsiveness to LDL and arginine vasopressin (AVP) in NIDDM patients with (n = 28) and without (n = 13) concomitant hypertension, as well as in normal nondiabetic controls (n = 13). Platelet [Ca2+]i concentration-response curves to LDL for both NIDDM and hypertensive NIDDM were shifted significantly to the left when compared to the normotensive, nondiabetic controls. By contrast, no differences were seen in [Ca2+]i responses to 10 mumol/L AVP among any of the groups. To determine the possible role of hyperinsulinemia in this accentuated [Ca2+]i response to LDL, we measured basal and LDL-stimulated [Ca2+]i in platelets of normal volunteers after insulin treatment (0-100 mU/mL for 30 and 90 min). Insulin did not alter baseline or LDL-stimulated (150 mg/mL) platelet [Ca2+]i. Thus, an enhanced platelet [Ca2+]i response to LDL is characteristic of diabetes, independently of blood pressure. As such, it may also help to explain the enhanced platelet aggregation, endothelial dysfunction, and accelerated atherosclerosis of NIDDM.
The DSD and Conventional State/Parameter Estimation

The DSD (Dynamic System Doctor) is system independent, stateIparameter estimation software that can be used for both point and interval estimation. The DSD also yields useful information for risk informed regulation and risk monitoring of nuclear power plants. The relationship of DSD to some conventional estimation techniques is described and illustrated using a linearized model for the on-line calibration of the constant temperature power sensor, recently proposed for direct core power density distribution measurement in Generation IV reactors.
Tuning Biocompatible Block Copolymer Micelles by Varying Solvent Composition: Core/Corona Structure and Solvent Uptake

Block copolymer micelles enable the formation of widely tunable self-assembled structures in liquid phases, with applications ranging from drug delivery to personal care products to nanoreactors. In order to understand fundamental aspects of micelle assembly and dynamics, the structural properties and solvent uptake of biocompatible poly(ethylene oxide-b-e-caprolactone) (PEO–PCL) diblock copolymers in deuterated water (D2O)/tetrahydrofuran (THF-d8) mixtures were investigated with a combination of small-angle neutron scattering, nuclear magnetic resonance, and transmission electron microscopy. PEO–PCL block copolymers, of varying molecular weight yet constant block ratio, formed spherical micelles through a wide range of solvent compositions. Varying the solvent composition from 10 to 60 vol % THF-d8 in D2O/THF-d8 mixtures was a convenient means of varying the core–corona interfacial tension in the micelle system. An increase in THF-d8 content in the bulk solvent increased the solvent uptake within the mic...
Domain Learning and Opportunity Development in a High-Tech Context

This study draws from learning and opportunity development theories to develop and test a conceptual model of opportunity development. Using a sample of technology entrepreneurs in university incub...
Discrepant HPV/cytology cotesting results: Are there differences between cytology-negative versus HPV-negative cervical intraepithelial neoplasia?

BACKGROUND The objective of this study was to compare cervical high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions subcategorized as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia-3 (CIN-3)–positive after a negative cytology result but positive for high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) testing to those with a negative HR-HPV test but positive cytology (atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance [ASCUS]-positive/HPV-negative) and to assess reasons for discrepancies. METHODS The authors retrospectively analyzed women who underwent screening with cytology and HPV testing from 2010 through 2013. After a review of surgical specimens and cytology, discrepancies were classified as sampling or interpretation error. Clinical and pathologic findings were compared. RESULTS In total, 15,173 women (age range, 25-95 years; 7.1% were aged < 30 years) underwent both HPV and cytologic testing, and 1184 (8.4%) underwent biopsy. Cytology was positive in 19.4% of specimens, and HPV was positive in 14.5%. Eighty-four CIN-3–positive specimens were detected, including 55 that tested ASCUS-positive/HPV-positive, 11 that tested negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy (NILM)/HPV-positive, 10 that tested ASCUS-positive/HPV-negative, 3 that tested NILM/HPV-negative, and 5 tests that were unsatisfactory. There was no significant difference between NILM/HPV-positive and ASCUS-positive/HPV-negative CIN-3 in terms of size, time to occurrence, the presence of a cytopathic effect, screening history, race, or age. Six of 11 NILM/HPV-positive cases were reclassified as ASCUS, indicating an interpreting error of 55% and a sampling error of 45%. No ASCUS-positive/HPV-negative cases were reclassified. Seven cases of CIN-3 with positive cytology were HPV-negative. CONCLUSIONS There are no significant clinical or pathologic differences between NILM/HPV-positive and ASCUS-positive/HPV-negative CIN-3–positive specimens. Cytologic sampling or interpretation remains the main reason for discrepancies. However, HPV-negative CIN-3 with positive cytology exists and may be missed by primary HPV screening. Cancer Cytopathol 2017;125:795-805. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Cross‐range target response analysis for extreme high‐squint synthetic aperture radar

We propose a formulation for predicting the cross-range characteristics of the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) point-spread function (PSF) for extremely high squints based on the concept of phased array factors. We demonstrate the validity of this approach by comparing theoretical predictions to PSF dimensions extracted from SAR images. The results show that the proposed approach is more robust than the conventional theory for extreme high-squint scenarios.
Sleepwalking into Bad Opportunities: Sleep and Entrepreneur Opportunity Evaluation

In spite of vigorous debates, extant research on entrepreneurial action continues to emphasize trait-based abilities that are either innate (e.g., an entrepreneur’s personality) or very slow to cha...
Higher-order accurate finite volume discretization of Helmholtz equations with Pollution Effects Reductions

Higher-order accurate finite volume schemes are developed for Helmholtz equations in two dimensions. Through minimizations of local equation error expansions for the flux integral formulation of the equation, we determine quadrature weights for the discretization of the equation. Collocations of local expansions of the solution and the source terms are utilized to formulate weighted quadratures of all local compact fluxes to describe the equation error expansion within the computational domain. In using the source term distribution to account for fluxes along all compact directions about each grid point as the centroid of a local control volume, the right minimizing quadrature weights are determined and optimized for stability and uniform higher-order convergence. As a result, the resulting local residuals form more complete descriptions of the wave number k and the complexities of the associated pollution effects. The leading terms of the residual errors are optimized for pollution effects reductions to ensure stability and robust convergence of the resulting schemes. Numerical results and analysis of the schemes demonstrate the effectiveness of the methodology.
Autistic Recovery? An Analysis and Critique of the Empirical Evidence on the Early Intervention Project

The Early Intervention Project (EIP) is a discrete-trial treatment program for young, high-functioning children with autism that claims to provide recovery of normal functioning in almost one half ...
Efficacy and mechanisms of combined aerobic exercise and cognitive training in mild cognitive impairment: study protocol of the ACT trial

Developing non-pharmacological interventions with strong potential to prevent or delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in high-risk populations is critical. Aerobic exercise and cognitive training are two promising interventions. Aerobic exercise increases aerobic fitness, which in turn improves brain structure and function, while cognitive training improves selective brain function intensively. Hence, combined aerobic exercise and cognitive training may have a synergistic effect on cognition by complementary strengthening of different neural functions. Few studies have tested the effects of such a combined intervention, and the findings have been discrepant, largely due to varying doses and formats of the interventions. The purpose of this single-blinded, 2 × 2 factorial phase II randomized controlled trial is to test the efficacy and synergistic effects of a 6-month combined cycling and speed of processing training intervention on cognition and relevant mechanisms (aerobic fitness, cortical thickness, and functional connectivity in the default mode network) in older adults with amnestic mild cognitive impairment. This trial will randomize 128 participants equally to four arms: cycling and speed of processing, cycling only, speed of processing only, or attention control for 6 months, and then follow them for another 12 months. Cognition and aerobic fitness will be assessed at baseline and at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months; cortical thickness and functional connectivity at baseline and at 6, 12, and 18 months; Alzheimer’s disease (AD) conversion at 6, 12, and 18 months. The specific aims are to (1) determine the efficacy and synergistic effects of the combined intervention on cognition over 6 months, (2) examine the underlying mechanisms of the combined intervention, and (3) calculate the long-term effect sizes of the combined intervention on cognition and AD conversion. The analysis will use intention-to-treat and linear mixed-effects modeling. This trial will be among the first to test the synergistic effects on cognition and mechanisms (relevant to Alzheimer’s-associated neurodegeneration) of a uniquely conceptualized and rigorously designed aerobic exercise and cognitive training intervention in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. It will advance Alzheimer’s prevention research by providing precise effect-size estimates of the combined intervention. ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03313895 . Registered on 18 October 2017.
Making National Participatory Institutions Work: Bureaucrats, Activists, and AIDS Policy in Brazil

What are the conditions under which participatory institutions increase the voice of marginalized groups in policymaking? Existing studies of local participatory institutions highlight the role of leftist politicians and a strong civil society in determining outcomes, yet they fail to explain significant variation among participatory institutions at the national level. Examining the case of Brazil’s AIDS policy sector, this article argues that to fully understand the dynamics of national participatory governance, we must consider the role of bureaucrats. As studies of state-society synergy have shown, bureaucrats may seek outside political support from civil society when other actors inside the state prevent them from advancing their policy preferences. National bureaucrats may create new participatory institutions, and even help civil society delegates coordinate their engagement in such institutions, as strategies to strengthen their policy alliances with civil society.
Questions from Newbies—Facilitating Communication and Professional Development: A Case Study

For new collection managers, it may be intimidating to ask questions about processes that seem to be common knowledge for their more experienced colleagues. To help with this issue, the Collections...
Metabolic compounds within the porcine uterine environment are unique to the type of conceptus present during the early stages of blastocyst elongation

The objective of this study was to identify metabolites within the porcine uterine milieu during the early stages of blastocyst elongation. At Days 9, 10, or 11 of gestation, reproductive tracts of White cross-bred gilts (n = 38) were collected immediately following harvest and flushed with Roswell Park Memorial Institute-1640 medium. Conceptus morphologies were assessed from each pregnancy and corresponding uterine flushings were assigned to one of five treatment groups based on these morphologies: (a) uniform spherical (n = 8); (b) heterogeneous spherical and ovoid (n = 8); (c) uniform ovoid (n = 8); (d) heterogeneous ovoid and tubular (n = 8); and (e) uniform tubular (n = 6). Uterine flushings from these pregnancies were submitted for nontargeted profiling by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC)-MS techniques. Unsupervised multivariate principal component analysis (PCA) was performed using pcaMethods and univariate analysis of variance was performed in R with false discovery rate (FDR) adjustment. PCA analysis of the GC-MS and UPLC-MS data identified 153 and 104 metabolites, respectively. After FDR adjustment of the GC-MS and UPLC-MS data, 38 and 59 metabolites, respectively, differed (p < .05) in uterine flushings from pregnancies across the five conceptus stages. Some metabolites were greater (p < .05) in abundance for uterine flushings containing earlier stage conceptuses (i.e., spherical), such as uric acid, tryptophan, and tyrosine. In contrast, some metabolites were greater (p < .05) in abundance for uterine flushings containing later stage conceptuses (i.e., tubular), such as creatinine, serine, and urea. These data illustrate several putative metabolites that change within the uterine milieu during early porcine blastocyst elongation.
The Cut and Conjugate Loci, and Synge’s Theorem

In this chapter, the following assumptions are made throughout: •The Finsler structure F is positively (but perhaps not absolutely) homogeneous of degree one. Consequently, the associated metric distance function d may not be symmetric. • The Finsler manifold (M, F) is forward geodesically com plete. That is, all geodesics, parametrized to have constant Finslerian speed, are indefinitely forward extendible. By the Hopf-Rinow theorem, this is equivalent to saying that all forward Cauchy se quences are convergent. See Theorem 6.6.1 and §6.2D. Also, accord ing to Exercise 6.6.4, the completeness hypothesis is automatically satisfied whenever M is compact. • Unless we specify otherwise, all geodesics are parametrized to have unit Finslerian speed.
Treason, Agency, and Sexuality

This chapter examines the specific crime of treason and the ways in which homosexuality in particular has long been understood as a security threat. We examine more closely the relationship between sexuality, secrecy, trust, and betrayal, as it has traditionally been understood within the intelligence community. We also consider another type of spy—specifically the double agent. We also consider the ways in which new attitudes within the United States about queer people, including the acceptance of queer employees at intelligence organizations like the CIA, have in some instances led to the cooptation of the queer within the national security apparatus. Drawing upon the work of Jasbir Puar, we consider what it means for this to occur. I also briefly introduce the debate about whether “passing” as queer helps one to “pass” as a spy or whether it is instead a factor which affects one’s productivity and serves as a distraction.
Nuclear sizER in Early Development

In this issue of Developmental Cell, Mukherjee et al. (2020) investigate control of nuclear growth by live imaging of early embryogenesis, perturbations of blastomere dimensions, and reconstitution in vitro. The authors uncover new mechanisms of nuclear size scaling by the amount of inherited perinuclear ER and duration of interphase.
Effect of Body Mass Index on Mortality In Patients with Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction Receiving Sacubitril/ Valsartan

Introduction The post-hoc study of Valsartan Heart Failure Trial (Val-He-FT) evaluated the effect of body mass index (BMI) on clinical outcomes in patients with HFrEF receiving valsartan. It showed a decrease in mortality rate with increasing BMI. However, limited data is available for the effect of BMI on mortality rate in patients with HFrEF receiving sacubitril/valsartan. The aim of the project is to assess the relationship between BMI and clinical outcomes in patients with HFrEF receiving sacubitril/valsartan. Methods Patients receiving sacubitril/valsartan diagnosed as HFrEF from July 2015 to December 2019 were included in this retrospective cohort study. Patients receiving sacubitril/valsartan less than 1 year and receiving dialysis were excluded. The whole cohort was divided into three groups based on BMI: normal weight group (BMI greater than or equal to 24.9), overweight group (25 greater than or equal to BMI less than or equal to 29.9) and obese group (30 greater than or equal to BMI). The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. The follow-up period was up to 3.5 years after sacubitril/valsartan initiation. Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted with hazard ratios and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Prespecified variables included age, brain natriuretic peptide, creatinine, ejection fraction, gender, sacubitril/valsartan dose, systolic blood pressure, and prior angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) use. The significant level was set at 0.05. Results A total of 66 patients in the normal-weight group, 92 patients in the overweight group and 162 patients in the obese group was included in this preliminary analysis. There were no significant differences in mortality rates between normal weight and obese groups (24.24 vs. 18.52%; HR 1.57; 95% CI 0.85-2.88), and overweight and obese groups (18.48 vs. 18.52%; HR 1.10; 95% CI 0.61-1.99). After controlling for the pre-specified variables, no significant difference in mortality rate was retained between normal weight and obese groups (HR 0.19; 95% CI 0.02-1.55), and overweight and obese groups (HR 0.49; 95% CI 0.10-2.36). Conclusions This preliminary analysis shows that no association exists between BMI and mortality rate in patients with HFrEF receiving sacubitril/valsartan. The final analysis with a larger sample size will be needed for further investigation.
An overview on the use of antivirals for the treatment of patients with COVID19 disease.

Introduction: There is an urgent need for safe and efficacious antiviral drugs to improve outcomes for COVID-19 patients. Understanding SARS-CoV-2 virology can elucidate potential drug targets for ...
How Local Industry R&D Shapes Academic Research: Evidence from the Agricultural Biotechnology Revolution

This paper investigates how industry research and development (R&D) may shape the rate and direction of research at geographically proximate universities and explores the mechanisms leading to such...
Illuminance Constrained Emission Pattern Optimization in Indoor VLC Networks

We investigate the problem of visible light communication (VLC) network deployment considering a novel optimization that jointly observes access point (AP) emission pattern and transmit power. This is achieved while maintaining illuminance within the standard 300-500 lux range, with a predefined probability at the working surface of an office space while considering first-order reflections. The proposed technique is flexible, allowing illuminance to be tuned according to the needs of lighting design and provisioning. We study the constrained dual-variable optimization problem and how illuminance limits the feasible set of optimal emission pattern and transmitted power solutions. We also describe how the problem differs when infrared sources are used. Finally, we simulate different environments to show the optimal minimum received power and the resultant illuminance cumulative distribution function (CDF). Results indicate that the minimum received power can decrease to 55-72% of the optimal value if the illuminance constraint is not considered during the design and provisioning phase.
Endothelial microparticles induce formation of platelet aggregates via a von Willebrand factor/ristocetin dependent pathway, rendering them resistant to dissociation

Endothelial microparticles (EMP) released from activated or apoptotic endothelial cells (EC) are emerging as useful markers for detection of EC dysfunction. Our recent observation that EMP carry von Willebrand factor (vWf) led us to investigate their interaction with platelets. EMP were incubated with normal washed platelets in the presence or absence of ristocetin, then platelet aggregates were measured by flow cytometry. In the absence of ristocetin, negligible EMP conjugated with platelets (< 5%) but in the presence of ristocetin (1 mg mL(-1)), EMP induced up to 95% of platelets to aggregate. EMP-platelet interaction was 80% blocked by anti-CD42b, or by 0.1 microm filtration to remove EMP. Platelet aggregates induced by normal plasma or high molecular weight vWf (Humate-P) dissociated 50% within 15-25 min following 1:20 dilution. In contrast, aggregates formed with EMP persisted two- to threefold longer with the same treatment, indicating greater stability. A similar degree of prolongation of dissociation was observed using plasma from thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) patients compared with normal plasma. Addition of EMP to plasma from severe von Willebrand disease restored his ristocetin-induced platelet aggregation. Multimer analysis of vWf on EMP showed unusually large vWf (ULvWf). In summary, EMP carries ULvWf multimers, promote platelet aggregates, and increase the stability of the aggregates thus formed.
A Topology of Mineralization and Its Meaning for Prospecting

Epigenetic mineral deposits are universal members of an orderly spatial and temporal arrangement of igneous rocks, endomorphic rocks, and hydrothermally altered rocks. The association and sequence of these rocks is invariant whereas the metric relations and configurations of the properties of these rocks are unlimited in variety. This characterization satisfies the doctrines of topology. Metric relations are statistical, and their modes are among the better guides to optimal areas for exploration. Metric configurations are graphically irregular and unpredictable mathematical surfaces like mountain topography. Each mineral edifice must be mapped to locate its mineral deposits. All measurements and observations are only positive or neutral for the occurrence of a mineral deposit. Effective prospecting is based on an increasing density of positive data with proximity to the mineral deposit. This means sampling for maximal numbers of positive data, pragmatically the highest ore-element assays at each site, by selecting rock showing maximal development of lode attributes.
Lignans of Ulmus thomasii heartwood—I : Thomasic acid☆

Abstract The compound principally responsible for the vivid yellow-green fluorescence of basified aqueous extracts of Ulmus thomasii Sarg. heartwood is an unsaturated lignan in the free acid form with syringyl patterns of substitution. Spectral and degradative studies have shown that it is the 1,2-dihydro-1-phenylnaphthalene it has been named thomasic acid.
Classification of breast mass abnormalities using denseness and architectural distortion

This paper presents an electronic second opinion system for the classification of mass abnormalities in mammograms into benign and malignant categories. This system is designed to help radiologists to reduce the number of benign breast cancer biopsies. Once a mass abnormality is detected and marked on a mammogram by a radiologist, two textural features, named denseness and architectural distortion, are extracted from the marked area. The denseness feature provides a measure of radiographic denseness of the marked area, whereas the architectural distortion feature provides a measure of its irregularity. These features are then fed into a neural network classifier. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was conducted to evaluate the system performance. The area under the ROC curve reached 0.90 for the DDSM database consisting of 404 biopsy proven masses. A sensitivity analysis was also performed to examine the robustness of the introduced texture features to variations in sizes of abnormality markings.
Translation of rights expressions

Digital Rights Management (DRM) is concerned with the controlled distribution and usage of digital works in order to prevent unauthorized usage of digital content. A significant component of a DRM system is a well-defined language for expressing the rights which a user/device has been granted. Such a language is known as a Rights Expression Lanugage (REL).Various technical communities have developed alternative rights expression languages. It is expected that in the marketplace different rights expression languages will be used as determined by the business needs and constraints of content and service providers. From such market fragmentation arises the need to move content between different DRM schemes, and so there is a need to translate rights expressions between RELs.In this paper, we examine the challenges that must be addressed when developing a rights expression translation and then present several approaches to rights expression translation.
A radiation-tolerant 8-bit flash A/D converter implemented in silicon-on-sapphire

The use of silicon-on-sapphire processing to solve high-performance analog-to-digital conversion challenges provides the potential for radiation hardness as well. An eight-bit flash converter is described along with total dose radiation results. >
Challenging Rape Culture

Abstract This study builds on the growing body of literature pertaining to the effects of rape prevention education on college students. Interviews and focus groups were used to explore college students' experiences of undergoing intensive semester-long rape prevention training. The findings of the current study suggest that college student participants developed rape consciousness, and that this shift involved cognitive, emotional and behavioral changes that are similar to those involved in the development of feminist identity. The authors conclude that intensive, sustained rape education efforts play a vital role in dismantling rape supportive culture.
A least‐squares approach for uniform strain triangular and tetrahedral finite elements

A least-squares approach is presented for implementing uniform strain triangular and tetrahedral finite elements. The basis for the method is a weighted least-squares formulation in which a linear displacement field is fit to an element's nodal displacements. By including a greater number of nodes on the element boundary than is required to define the linear displacement field, it is possible to eliminate volumetric locking common to fully integrated lower-order elements. Such results can also be obtained using selective or reduced integration schemes, but the present approach is fundamentally different from those. The method is computationally efficient and can be used to distribute surface loads on an element edge or face in a continuously varying manner between vertex, mid-edge and mid-face nodes. Example problems in two- and three-dimensional linear elasticity are presented. Element types considered in the examples include a six-node triangle, eight-node tetrahedron, and ten-node tetrahedron. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Towards secure multi-sited transactional revision control systems

Version control systems play a very important role in maintaining the revision history of software and facilitating software evolution. As the software development process is gradually taking the form of a collaborative effort among several teams hosted over widely dispersed sites, centralized version control systems are gradually giving way to multi-sited version control systems. Ensuring the integrity and consistency of versioned objects in a environment that supports concurrent access, is a difficult problem. The problem is further aggravated by the need to ensure confidentiality of versioned data as well as non-repudiability of origin. In this paper, we identify the security deficiencies of current revision control systems and propose a model for secure multi-sited version control. Then we develop a transaction management system for revision control based on the new secure multi-sited version control system model.
Melting in the deep crust and upper mantle and the nature of the low velocity layer

It is possible that there are minor amounts of water in the upper mantle. This water could significantly lower melting temperatures and may give rise to melts of different composition to those formed by melting under anhydrous conditions. This paper summarizes our experimental study of the influence of water on phase relations in natural gabbro and tonalite samples at pressures from 10 to 25 kb. Our results are used in conjunction with recently published data for other rock-water systems to discuss melting in the upper mantle and lower continental crust. It is suggested that the low velocity zone in the upper mantle could be a layer of peridotite containing interstitial melt, which may be overlain by a layer of peridotite containing interstitial “water”. The minimum possible temperatures for the generation of andesite and basalt liquids are discussed, and it is noted that the initial melt formed from wet peridotite may be andesitic. Finally, granulite facies metamorphism in the lower continental crust and the generation of “granites” are considered.
Technical Note-Alternative Model Formulations in Nonlinear Programming-Some Disastrous Results

This paper describes some experiments with two alternative formulations of a nonlinear programming model. One apparently suitable formulation proves to be numerically disastrous for several algorithms. The paper discusses the reasons for this behavior and argues that solution systems need to be strengthened so that they can cope with alternative model formulations. As argued in the paper, it would be desirable to improve the numerical algorithms themselves, or to develop computerized modeling systems that can reformulate models into the form most suitable for a particular existing algorithm.
“Thinking” the Domestic Interior in Postcolonial South Asia: The Home of Geoffrey Bawa in Sri Lanka, 1960 to 1998

ABSTRACTThis paper discusses the domestic interior of the architect Geoffrey Bawa at 33rd Lane, Colombo, Sri Lanka, created between c. 1960 and 1998. This interior will be assessed in relation to the intellectual technique of “bricolage,” a term applied here to conceptualize the furnishing of the home as something that structures space, thereby making it meaningful. Previously, no sustained or critically engaged attempt has been made to assess his interior spaces as locations to “think” a way of living appropriate to the newly independent Ceylon/Sri Lanka. His later domestic interiors, such as his own home, combine “antique” colonial furniture with International Style furniture and contemporary Sri Lankan artworks. Through bricolage, Bawa evolved a new mode of interior design for the island that allowed for the articulation of different narratives, although these narratives were not progressive in the modernist sense–Bawa simply re-arranged what was already there. The interior of Bawa's home is both atavi...
Frequency of the decay mode Σ+→p+γ

We have searched for events which could be attributed to the rare mode of decay Σ+→p+γ. These events in nuclear emulsion will give a proton of unique range 3045 µm. We have found four events consistent with this interpretation in a sample which contained 264 normal decays Σ+→p+π0. Taking into account background which could come from Σ− one-prong stars or decays in flight of very slow Σ+ in the normal way, we estimate the frequency of Σ+→p+γ to be about 1% that of Σ+→p+π0.
Ribonuclease L, a 2-5A-Dependent Enzyme: Purification to Homogeneity and Assays for 2-5A Binding and Catalytic Activity☆

Abstract RNase L is a latent endonuclease found in reptiles, birds, and mammals. It is activated by the 2′,5′-phosphodiester-linked oligoadenylates called 2-5A and has been implicated in the mechanism of action of interferon, as well as in a variety of other biological phenomena such as apoptosis. Covalent linkage of 2-5A to antisense oligonucleotides permits recruitment of RNase L for enhancement of antisense action. The purification of RNase L described herein and the assays for its detection and activation will help to provide further mechanistic details on how this unique nuclease functions and what its biochemical roles may be. In addition, such assays will facilitate the screening of 2-5A–antisense congeners for exploration of the potential therapeutic applications of RNase L.
Second malignancy after treatment of childhood acute myeloid leukemia

To investigate the cumulative incidence of second malignancy and the competing risk of death due to any other cause in patients who were treated for childhood acute myeloid leukemia (AML), we analyzed the outcomes in a cohort of 501 patients who were treated at St Jude Children's Research Hospital between 1970 and 1996. Five patients developed a second cancer (two carcinomas of the parotid gland, one non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, one supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumor, one acute lymphoblastic leukemia) as compared with 0.47 expected in the general population (standardized incidence ratio, 10.64; 95% confidence interval, 3.28 to 22.34). A third neoplasm (meningioma) developed in one patient. At 15 years after the diagnosis of AML, the estimated cumulative incidence of second malignancy was 1.34% +/- 0.61%, whereas the cumulative incidence of death due to any other cause was 72.96% +/- 2.14%. We concluded that although a more than 10-fold increased risk of development of cancer was found in survivors of childhood AML as compared to the general population, the risk of this late complication is small when compared to the much larger risk of death because of the primary leukemia or the early complications of its treatment. Future studies should focus on improving treatments for primary AML while preventing second malignancies.
On African easterly waves that impacted two tropical cyclones in 2004

[1] The U. S. Navy Operational Global Atmospheric Prediction System (NOGAPS) daily analysis fields are used to study the African easterly waves to show how they impacted two tropical cyclones. Danielle and Earl (2004) formed approximately at the same time in the Atlantic. A three to eight day band-pass filter is applied to the daily global analysis fields to reveal the characteristics of the African easterly waves related to the two cyclones. The time-filtered 850 mb vorticity shows that African easterly waves reaching the formation locations of Danielle and Earl on and about 14 August 2004 bear similar structures, indicating a unique situation in which one train of the easterly wave is responsible for the genesis of two tropical cyclones located one-wavelength apart. In addition, using piecewise time-filtered analysis for different latitude bands, it is demonstrated that the movements of both cyclones are significantly modulated by the propagation of the easterly waves, even during Danielle's poleward movement for more than ten-degrees latitude.
Anti-angiogenic effect of high-dose resveratrol in a swine model of metabolic syndrome.

Background Resveratrol has been reported to induce angiogenesis in ischemic tissue. We hypothesized that high-dose resveratrol would improve native angiogenesis in a swine model of metabolic syndrome and chronic myocardial ischemia. Methods Yorkshire swine were fed a normal diet (Control, n = 7), hypercholesterolemic diet (HCD, n = 7), or hypercholesterolemic diet with supplemental resveratrol (100 mg/kg/day orally, HCD-R; n = 7) beginning 1 month prior to surgery. Chronic ischemia was created by placing an ameroid constrictor on the left circumflex coronary artery. After 7 weeks, swine underwent functional MRI, coronary angiography, and serum and heart tissue harvest for analysis. Results HCD-R animals had lower body mass index (P Conclusion Supplemental resveratrol positively modified cardiovascular risk factors including body mass index, cholesterol, glucose tolerance, and systolic blood pressure. However, it did not increase native collateral formation in the ischemic myocardium. This may be a result of increased angiostatin and thrombospondin leading to decreased expression of VE-cadherin and other pro-angiogenic factors.