cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract P392: Exome Sequencing From Extreme Responders to Aspirin Identifies a Novel Variant Associated With Platelet Aggregation

Platelet dysregulation is integral in the formation of thrombi, and abnormal thrombus formation may ultimately lead to myocardial infarctions or stroke. Thus platelets, and more specifically platelet activation and aggregation pathways, are prime targets for intervention. Aspirin or Dual Anti-Platelet Therapy with Aspirin and Clopidogrel (DAPT) is often prescribed for primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular events, however, these treatments often fail to significantly reduce thrombi formation in a large percentage of patients. Recent studies indicate that platelet aggregation response is highly heritable. To identify novel variants that may have a significant impact on platelet aggregation, we conducted whole exome sequencing and follow-up DNA genotyping on a cohort of Old Order Amish subjects with well tracked family histories and platelet response phenotypes. 30 individuals from the extremes of collagen-mediated platelet aggregation response to aspirin were analyzed to identify variants enriched in the high or low responders. One of the top hits in this analysis was rs17834991, a synonymous variant in the SVIL gene enriched in the high aspirin response group that has not previously been associated with platelet aggregation. The SVIL gene encodes two proteins: a muscle-specific isoform, Archvillin, as well as a ubiquitous form, Supervillin, that is expressed in platelets. In a previous study, mutations in SVIL were found to be associated with inhibition of platelet aggregation under shear stress conditions. To follow up our initial findings, we genotyped rs17834991 in 851 healthy Amish individuals with platelet aggregation measured before and after a two-week 81mg/day Aspirin intervention from our HAPI dataset. An additional 661 Amish subjects with platelet aggregation measured before and after 1 week of Clopidogrel treatment, and following one 81mg dose of Aspirin plus Clopidogrel from our PAPI cohort were genotyped. We then conducted a multivariable linear regression controlling for age, sex, BMI, and two known effectors of platelet aggregation: CYP2C19*2 and rs12041331. Our findings indicate that rs17834991 is significantly associated with change in collagen-mediated aggregation with aspirin in whole blood (p=4.8x10-4), as well as lag time until maximum aggregation with collagen post aspirin (1.6x10-3) in whole blood. Additional associations were identified with collagen mediated aggregation in PRP, the strongest being change in lag time in post DAPT vs post Clopidogrel-alone samples (6.59x10-5). These findings suggest that SVIL variant rs17834991 significantly alters platelet response following Aspirin and DAPT treatment. Taken with previous findings, SVIL may not only play a role in platelet function but may also impact anti-platelet intervention. Further studies are warranted to elucidate its potential impact on cardiovascular disease.
Ion-cyclotron wave heating of heavy ions in the equatorial magnetosphere - A numerical simulation theory

A 1-2/2 dimensional hybrid numerical simulation code is used to study the heating of cold H(+) ions and heavy ions by electromagnetic ion-cyclotron waves (ICWs) in the ring current region of the equatorial magnetosphere. Consideration is given to a plasma consisting of electrons, hot H(+) ions, and cold heavy ions in which the ICWs are driven by the temperature anisotropy of the hot protons. For large-amplitude ICWs, it is found that the cold H(+) ions are preferentially heated over the heavy ions although the cold H(+) ions are heated by a three-step process.
How Public Schools Can Constitutionally Halt Cyberbullying: A Model Cyberbullying Policy that Survives First Amendment, Fourth Amendment, and Due Process Challenges

There have been all too many recent cases where children are taking their lives because of cyberbullying. One hearbreaking case involved Tyler Clementi, a Rutgers University freshman, who leaped to his death after his roommate secretly taped him having a “sexual encounter” with another young man and posted it on the Internet. Schools, courts, and legislatures are struggling with how to deal with such tragedies. Imagine two public school students, Joe and Jane. Joe punches Jane during class. The school is certainly within its legal rights to discipline Joe. Assume, instead, Joe punches Jane while both are walking home from school. The school cannot discipline Joe because the act took place off-campus. Now, assume instead, that Joe, while at home and using his own laptop, creates a website about Jane stating that he wished she were dead and inviting other students to join in with him to punch Jane. Over one hundred students log on to and blog about Joe’s website. Jane finds out about it and is too scared to attend school. If no assault of Jane takes place at school, can the school do anything? Can the school discipline Joe for his off-campus behavior? If the school does take action, would that violate Joe’s First Amendment right to free speech? Can the school search Joe’s personal laptop when he brings it to school, or would that violate Joe’s Fourth Amendment right not to be subjected to unreasonable searches and seizures? Indeed, should the school do anything at all?These are the questions facing legislatures, courts and public schools, and there are no laws or cases that give succinct answers. This article analyzes current precedent and provides guidance on how these issues can be approached. It tackles three of the biggest constitutional challenges: how to create a public school cyberbullying policy that ensures schools are safe without trampling on students’ First Amendment, due process, and Fourth Amendment rights. This article proposes a novel analysis concerning the First Amendment issue. In order to protect students’ right to free speech, courts and school officials should first consider the reach of a public school’s jurisdiction to regulate speech that occurs off-campus. Even if jurisdiction is proper, the school must also analyze whether it can regulate the substance of the speech. Next the article tackles the due process issues and problems with vague and overbroad constitutional challenges. Finally, the article addresses when school officials can search a student’s personal electronic device when there is suspicion of cyberbullying. No other article has fully addressed this set of constitutional issues.As part of this analysis, I have drafted a proposed cyberbullying policy that would likely survive constitutional scrutiny.
The Content of a Modern Program of Physical and Health Education

(1933). The Content of a Modern Program of Physical and Health Education. The Journal of Health and Physical Education: Vol. 4, No. 3, pp. 46-73.
Cohesive Use of Commercial Tools in a Classroom

This paper presents a set of integrated commercial tools (both software and hardware), for use in courses on real- time systems and software engineering. A background for adopting such a set of tools is given and team projects, in which these tools have been used, are also outlined.
Peering into the Gift Horse: Is It Ethical to Accept Gifts from Patients?

Although the giving of gifts by patients to their physicians has been a long-standing and common practice, it has received scant attention in the bioethics literature in comparison to gifts to physicians from industry, and only very recently has it received attention in professional codes of ethics [1–3]. In addition, a high profile case involving the dying Beatles singer George Harrison and his radiation oncologist also brought the issue to the forefront in the press [4]. This chapter will address the question of whether and under what circumstances it is ethical for physicians to accept gifts from patients.
Expression of the chemokine receptor CXCR2 in normal and neoplastic neuroendocrine cells.

Abstract Background.—Chemokines effect their proinflammatory and growth regulatory roles through interaction with serpentine receptors. One such receptor, CXCR2, binds multiple CXC chemokines, incl...
Evaluation of normalization methods for cDNA microarray data by k-NN classification

Non-biological factors give rise to unwanted variations in cDNA microarray data. There are many normalization methods designed to remove such variations. However, to date there have been few published systematic evaluations of these techniques for removing variations arising from dye biases in the context of downstream, higher-order analytical tasks such as classification.
The Development of Spelling and Punctuation

Our understanding of how children learn to spell and punctuate has undergone a major transformation in the past twenty-five years, as theory and research have illuminated the ways in which such learning is an acquisition of complex linguistic and conceptual systems rather than a compilation of discrete words and rules. Work has focused on general developmental progressions in spelling and punctuation, children’s growing understanding of the nature and components of the systems they are learning, and the processes by which that learning occurs, both consciously and tacitly. This review will first discuss those factors for spelling (including the learning that takes place before spelling as such can begin), and then offer a briefer overview of punctuation.
Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitors as Anticancer Therapeutics

Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) have been considered promising drug targets for a number of years, but most CDK inhibitors have failed rigorous clinical testing. Recent studies demonstrating clear anticancer efficacy and reduced toxicity of CDK4/6 inhibitors such as palbociclib and multi-CDK inhibitors such as dinaciclib have rejuvenated the field. Favorable results with palbociclib and its recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval demonstrate that CDK inhibitors with narrow selectivity profiles can have clinical utility for therapy based on individual tumor genetics. A brief overview of results obtained with ATP-competitive inhibitors such as palbociclib and dinaciclib is presented, followed by a compilation of new avenues that have been pursued toward the development of novel, non–ATP-competitive CDK inhibitors. These creative ways to develop CDK inhibitors are presented along with crystal structures of these agents complexed with CDK2 to highlight differences in their binding sites and mechanisms of action. The recent successes of CDK inhibitors in the clinic, combined with the potential for structure-based routes to the development of non–ATP-competitive CDK inhibitors, and evidence that CDK inhibitors may have use in suppressing chromosomal instability and in synthetic lethal drug combinations inspire optimism that CDK inhibitors will become important weapons in the fight against cancer.
Dexterous manipulation with underactuated fingers: Flip-and-pinch task

This video demonstrates the use of an underactuated robotic hand modified for the flip-and-pinch task to pick up thin objects from a table surface. Though well-suited for power-grasping, underactuated hands have difficulty with pinch-grasping and precision motions. We introduce a repeatable and robust method by which an underactuated hand flips thin objects off the table into a stable pinch grasp. We explain why this task is quasi-static and robust for a wide range of object dimensions.
Metastable He2- and its autodetachment spectra: An accurate coupled-cluster study

The unusual autodetachment spectrum of metastable He{sub 2}{sup {minus}} is studied theoretically, using high-level coupled-cluster methods and hybrid numerical and Slater orbital basis sets. By obtaining accurate curves for the repulsive wall of the ground He{sub 2}({ital X} {sup 1}{Sigma}{sub {ital g}}{sup +}) state, the excited He{sub 2}({ital a} {sup 3}{Sigma}{sub u}{sup +}) state, and the metastable He{sub 2}{sup {minus}}({sup 4}{Pi}{sub g}) state, we are able to provide an alternative explanation for the experimental observations, which had cast doubt on the veracity of the accepted curve for the repulsive part of the He{sub 2}({ital X}{sup 1}{Sigma}{sub g}{sup +}) potential. We attribute the experimental peak at 15.78{plus minus}0.13 eV to transitions of vibrationally excited states ({nu}=2 and higher) of He{sub 2}{sup {minus}} to the He{sub 2}(X {sup 1}{Sigma}{sub {ital g}}{sup +}) continuum, since the {ital v}=0 transition would have a value 1 eV less. An error of this size is considered to be far outside the error bars for highly accurate correlated {ital ab} {ital initio} calculations. The electron affinity of the {sup 4}{Pi}{sub g} state of the anion (measured relative to {ital a} {sup 3}{Sigma}{sub u}{sup +}) is computed to be 0.201 and 0.212 eV for different basis sets, comparedmore » to an experimental value of 0.175{plus minus}0.032 eV.« less
Growth hormone secretory patterns in children with short stature

To assess whether growth-retarded children with a stimulated growth hormone (GH) level >10 ng/mL have an abnormality in spontaneous GH secretion, we measured GH levels every half hour for 24 hours in 50 children 2.7 to 17 years of age. Growth rate was subnormal in all. Mean 24-hour GH concentration ranged from 1.2 to 7.7 ng/mL, and was significantly greater in pubertal than in prepubertal children (P
In vitro growth environment produces lipidomic and electron transport chain abnormalities in mitochondria from non-tumorigenic astrocytes and brain tumours

The mitochondrial lipidome influences ETC (electron transport chain) and cellular bioenergetic efficiency. Brain tumours are largely dependent on glycolysis for energy due to defects in mitochondria and oxidative phosphorylation. In the present study, we used shotgun lipidomics to compare the lipidome in highly purified mitochondria isolated from normal brain, from brain tumour tissue, from cultured tumour cells and from non-tumorigenic astrocytes. The tumours included the CT-2A astrocytoma and an EPEN (ependymoblastoma), both syngeneic with the C57BL/6J (B6) mouse strain. The mitochondrial lipidome in cultured CT-2A and EPEN tumour cells were compared with those in cultured astrocytes and in solid tumours grown in vivo. Major differences were found between normal tissue and tumour tissue and between in vivo and in vitro growth environments for the content or composition of ethanolamine glycerophospholipids, phosphatidylglycerol and cardiolipin. The mitochondrial lipid abnormalities in solid tumours and in cultured cells were associated with reductions in multiple ETC activities, especially Complex I. The in vitro growth environment produced lipid and ETC abnormalities in cultured non-tumorigenic astrocytes that were similar to those associated with tumorigenicity. It appears that the culture environment obscures the boundaries of the Crabtree and the Warburg effects. These results indicate that in vitro growth environments can produce abnormalities in mitochondrial lipids and ETC activities, thus contributing to a dependency on glycolysis for ATP production.
Fiscal outcomes and tax impacts from stadium financing strategies in Arlington, Texas

This paper addresses the case of Arlington, Texas and its strategy of using a sales tax increase to fund the construction of its sports stadiums. While Arlington exported a large portion of the tax increase to nearby areas—and increased its monthly sales and use tax collections by nearly $1.7 million—the net outcome with respect to economic activity may not justify its use due to relatively large losses in taxable spending within the city. While certain industry sectors may be prime taxation targets due to unique characteristics of a given area, public managers must be aware of the potential to avoid these taxes due to how municipal boundaries are drawn.The financing lessons provided will be applicable to any tax increase implementation for facilities with temporary tenants or any other publicly-funded project, for example the Olympic Games and World Cup.
Early history of soil–structure interaction

Abstract Soil–structure interaction is an interdisciplinary field of endeavor which lies at the intersection of soil and structural mechanics, soil and structural dynamics, earthquake engineering, geophysics and geomechanics, material science, computational and numerical methods, and diverse other technical disciplines. Its origins trace back to the late 19th century, evolved and matured gradually in the ensuing decades and during the first half of the 20th century, and progressed rapidly in the second half stimulated mainly by the needs of the nuclear power and offshore industries, by the debut of powerful computers and simulation tools such as finite elements, and by the needs for improvements in seismic safety. The pages that follow provide a concise review of some of the leading developments that paved the way for the state of the art as it is known today. Inasmuch as static foundation stiffnesses are also widely used in engineering analyses and code formulas for SSI effects, this work includes a brief survey of such static solutions.
Implications of rising groundwater level on structural integrity of underground structures – investigations and retrofit of a large building complex

Purpose – Groundwater levels (GWL) are rising in many cities in the world. The purpose of this study is to present the multi‐faceted approach adopted for examining the impact of a 3 m rise in GWL on the durability, stability and strength of the structural components of a building complex with 40,000 m2 basement. It also reports on the retrofit measures adopted to remedy the situation.Design/methodology/approach – The overall stability of the building complex was examined for the revised loading conditions as well as the need to strengthen the structurally deficient components to satisfy owner's requirement of a dry and operational basement without the dewatering operation. Structural conditions of the basement walls and a slab of the building complex were assessed based on code guidelines, visual observations, site investigations, analytical finite element model (FEM) studies and sound engineering judgement.Findings – About 25 percent of the existing basement slab was found to be structrally deficient to ...
Resonance spins and Regge residues

Abstract The diffractive component of the slopes of elastic differential cross sections at intermediate energies is examined in the context of a strong coupling multiperipheral cluster resonance model. The crucial ingredient is the incorporation of resonance spins. Qualitative agreement with πp, Kp, and pp scattering is obtained. We also conjecture a mechanism whereby s-channel helicity can be approximately conserved in elastic but not in certain quasi-elastic diffractive processes. The problem of the extension to NAL-ISR energies is briefly discussed.
Determination of Displacement From an Image Sequence Based on Time-Reversal Invariance

This paper addresses the under-constrained issue for displacement determination in an image sequence to propose a fully constrained system of equations. The differentiation between the under-constrained issue and the issue of motion tracking by featureless morphologies (aperture problem) is clarified based on the refinements of logic for this particular physical system. This system is found to be time-reversal invariant because the motion can be observed from two frame images regardless of the order of the two images. A fully constrained system is derived based only on the brightness constancy constraint without any approximation, additional constraint, or assumption. The system includes the time-reversal invariance of displacement or average velocity equations and brightness constancy constraint equations for optical or heat flow computation. A unified adaptive framework proposed in the author's previous works is employed for solving the nonlinear system of equations. The fully constrained system cannot be used to derive motion vectors in featureless regions (aperture problem), and it is also proved theoretically that there is no solution to the fully constrained system of equations in a featureless region. It confirms that the under-constrained issue is different from and independent from the aperture problem. The goal of this paper is to infer motion vectors consistent with physical observation (actually tracked motion) by optimizing both forward and backward motion-compensated predictions rather than to find physical motion in featureless regions. A series of simulation images and real-world thermal images is used to examine and demonstrate the performance of the fully constrained system.
Vapor-liquid-liquid equilibrium (VLLE) and vapor pressure data for the systems 2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane (2MD) + water and 2,4-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane (24DMD) + water

Vapor−liquid−liquid equilibrium data for the binary systems 2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane + water and 2,4-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane + water were collected by using a modified Othmer still vessel at 1 atm of pressure. The UNIQUAC equation of state was fitted to the experimental T−x−x−y data to generate the coefficients of the binary interaction parameters for each system. Vapor pressures for pure 2,4-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane and 2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane were also measured and used to calculate the constants in Antoine's equation and pure component parameters for each dioxolane. The enthalpy of vaporization calculated from vapor pressure data via the Clausius−Clapeyron equation was in good agreement with the literature value.
Termination of midterm pregnancy in mares using intra-allantoic dexamethasone

Abstract Elective termination of midterm pregnancy was successful in four mares using a single intra-allantoic infusion of dexamethasone solution. Duration of gestation in the experimental animals ranged from 167 to 174 d. All mares responded within 72 h, with a mean of 53.5 h from treatment to abortion. Fetal death occurred in utero probably 24 h before abortion. All mares exhibited estrus by Day 16 post treatment and were bred with three mares conceiving at this estrus.
A Template for Stabilization of a Peptide α-Helix: Synthesis and Evaluation of Conformational Effects by Circular Dichroism and NMR

The bicyclic diacid 1 was designed as a semi-rigid template for the hydrogen-bonding pattern of a peptide α-helix. The protected precursor 7 was synthesized in eight steps from tert-butyl 3,5-dimet...
Optimization of equipment sizes and intermediate surge capacity in industrial minerals processing plants

Abstract Two important items must be considered in the early stages of design of a processing plant which contains a cyclic element such as a scaling crystallizer, a filter, a fixed bed adsorber, etc. They are the influence of cycle length on the size of all equipment elements in the process, and the effect of available storage capacity of feed to the cyclic element on process economics. These considerations are particularly important in the development of equipment sizes for industrial minerals processing plants, many of which contain scaling crystallizers. The problem of determining cycle time for an item of equipment of fixed capacity to either maximize total production, or to minimize operating costs has been discussed previously. The present work examines a constrained version of this classical problem. It addresses the problem of determining the cycle time that minimizes annual operating costs after the annual plant production rate has been fixed. First, a generalized material balance is developed for a model processing plant which contains scaling and non-scaling elements. Second, a generalized equation which represents rate of scale formation is used in conjunction with the material balance equation to relate equipment design capacity and the required amount of storage capacity with cycle time. Third, a generalized cost equation is developed which can be used to determine optimum cycle time, optimum equipment sizes and required storage capacity. An example is given.
Genotypic and Cultural Effects on Condensed Tannin Concentration of Cotton Leaves

Condensed tannins reportedly act as feeding deterrents to bollworm [Helicoverpa zea (Boddie)], tobacco budworm [Heliothis virescens (F.)], and twospotted spider mite [Tetranychus urticae (Koch)] in cotton [Gossypium hirsutum L.]. This study was conducted to determine the effects of planting date, plant density, growth stage, and leaf age on the condensed tannin concentration of six cotton genotypes planted at College Station, TX, in 1988 and 1989. Planting commenced on 25 April in both years and consisted of three plantings at approximately 2-wk intervals (.)
Noninvasive ergonovine maleate provocative testing for coronary artery spasm: The need for routine thallium‐201 imaging

We administered ergonovine and used both electrocardiographic monitoring and thallium-201 [201Tl] imaging to detect reversible ischemia in 100 patients. Patients already established as having coronary artery spasm and those with nonbypassed, proximal, high-grade coronary artery stenosis were excluded. No complication occurred in any patient. The use of thallium imaging in addition to electrocardiographic monitoring resulted in a higher degree of sensitivity than did ECG monitoring alone. Fourteen patients demonstrated evidence of coronary artery spasm as documented by 201Tl imaging but of the 14, significant ECG changes occurred in only 50%, and classic ST segment elevation in 21%. Thus, in carefully selected patients the noninvasive provocation of coronary spasm can be accomplished safely, but ECG monitoring must be combined with thallium-201 imaging to achieve an acceptable degree of sensitivity.
Contrast agent electrostatic attraction rather than repulsion to glycosaminoglycans affords a greater contrast uptake ratio and improved quantitative CT imaging in cartilage.

Summary Purpose The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of contrast agent charge on the contrast agent uptake ratio (CUR) in cartilage and to image the naturally occurring variations in glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content present in bovine articular cartilage. Methods In an ex vivo bovine osteochondral plug model, we utilized three charged contrast agents (Gadopentetate/Magnevist [−2], Ioxaglate/Hexabrix [−1], and CA4+ [+4]) and μCT to image cartilage. The X-ray attenuation of the cartilage tissue after equilibration in each contrast agent was also related to the initial X-ray attenuation of each contrast agent in solution to compute the uptake of the respective contrast agent (i.e., the CUR). Results Use of the cationic contrast agent resulted in significantly higher equilibrium X-ray attenuations in cartilage ECM than either of the anionic contrast agents (Gadopentetate [−2] and Ioxaglate [−1]). The CUR (Mean±SD) as computed in this study was 2.38 (±0.26) for the cationic contrast agent indicating a 2.38 fold increase in computed tomography (CT) attenuation of the cartilage. For the anionic contrast agents, the CUR was 0.62 (±0.26) for Ioxaglate [−1] and 0.52 (±0.17) for Gadopentetate [−2], indicating exclusion of 38% Ioxaglate and 48% Gadopentetate from the cartilage extracellular matrix. The cationic contrast agent exhibited significant correlations between CT attenuation and GAG content whereas Ioxaglate and Gadopentetate did not ( R 2 =0.83 for CA4+, R 2 =0.20 for Ioxaglate, and R 2 =0.22 for Gadopentetate). Conclusion Electrostatic attraction of CA4+ allowed effective imaging of the GAG components of articular cartilage at 50% lower molar concentration than Ioxaglate and 20-fold lower molar concentration than Gadopentetate. The CA4+ contrast agent exhibited a significant correlation between CT attenuation and GAG content in ex vivo bovine osteochondral plugs.
A collaborative telerobotics network framework with hand gesture interface and conflict prevention

Hand gesture control is an efficient modality for telerobot control because of gesture expressiveness and naturalness. This paper discusses a collaborative cybernetic system, where telerobots are controlled simultaneously by a group of distributed operators over the network to accomplish a task. Computer vision algorithms for hand gesture recognition are introduced to facilitate the human–robot interface. The gestures are converted into commands that are delivered to robots for dexterous task completion. Commands from multiple operators are aggregated by a collaboration protocol into a single control stream. The aggregation is updated according to operators’ performance. A distributed conflict and error detection–prediction network is designed and applied to a case study of collaborative control for a robotic nuclear decommissioning task. Operators use hand gestures to command telerobots to disassemble facilities in a contaminated area. The hypothesis is tested that collaborative control is more effective...
The effect of shredding and test apparatus size on compressibility and strength parameters of degraded municipal solid waste.

In many situations, MSW components are processed and shredded before use in laboratory experiments using conventional soil testing apparatus. However, shredding MSW material may affect the target property to be measured. The objective of this study is to contribute to the understanding of the effect of shredding of MSW on the measured compressibility and strength properties. It is hypothesized that measured properties can be correlated to an R-value, the ratio of waste particle size to apparatus size. Results from oedometer tests, conducted on 63.5 mm, 100 mm, 200 mm diameter apparatus, indicated the dependency of the compressibility parameters on R-value. The compressibility parameters are similar for the same R-value even though the apparatus size varies. The results using same apparatus size with variable R-values indicated that shredding of MSW mainly affects initial compression. Creep and biological strain rate of the tested MSW are not significantly affected by R-value. The shear strength is affected by shredding as the light-weight reinforcing materials are shredded into smaller pieces during specimen preparation. For example, the measured friction angles are 32° and 27° for maximum particle sizes of 50 mm and 25 mm, respectively. The larger MSW components in the specimen provide better reinforcing contribution. This conclusion is however dependent on comparing specimen at the same level of degradation since shear strength is also a function of extent of degradation.
Imaginative resistance without conflict

I examine a range of popular solutions to the puzzle of imaginative resistance. According to each solution in this range, imaginative resistance occurs only when we are asked to imagine something that conflicts with what we believe. I show that imaginative resistance can occur without this sort of conflict, and so that every solution in the range under consideration fails. I end by suggesting a new explanation for imaginative resistance—the Import Solution—which succeeds where the other solutions considered fail.
Regularized image registration with line search optimization

Image registration is normally solved as a regularized optimization problem. The line search procedure is commonly employed in unconstrained nonlinear optimization. At each iteration step the procedure computes a step size that achieves adequate reduction in the objective function at minimal cost.In this paper we extend the constrained line search procedure with different regularization terms so as to improve convergence. The extension is addressed in the context of constrained optimization to solve a regularized image registration problem. Specifically, the displacement field between the registered image pair is modeled as the sum of weighted Discrete Cosine Transform basis functions. A Taylor series expansion is applied to the objective function for deriving a Gauss-Newton solution. We consider two regularization terms added to the objective function. A Tikhonov regularization term constrains the magnitude of the solution and a bending energy term constrains the bending energy of the deformation field. We modify both the sufficient and curvature conditions of the Wolfe conditions to accommodate the additional regularization terms. The proposed extension is evaluated by generated test collection with known deformation. The experimental evaluation results show that a solution obtained with bending energy regularization and Wolfe condition line search achieves the smallest mean deformation field error among 100 registration pairs. This solution shows in addition an improvement in overcoming local minima.
Consumer views of self-service technologies

This study examined how customers perceived and classified a set of 12 self-service technologies (SSTs) based on multidimensional scaling. The authors describe first, how the classifications developed by Lovelock are perceived by consumers and then, how the individual SSTs map onto those classifications. Results of the study show that 67% of the variance in classification is explained by two dimensions of customization/standardization and separability/inseparability. The authors also propose a typology for the SSTs based on their groupings in the classification framework. The authors discuss the managerial implications of the findings and suggest directions for future academic research.
Finite isospin density probe for conformality

A new method of employing an isospin chemical potential for QCD-like theories with different number of colors, number of fermion flavors, and in different fermion representations is proposed. The isospin chemical potential, which can be simulated on the lattice due to its positive definite determinant gives a means to probe both confining theories and IR conformal theories without adjusting the lattice spacing and size. As the quark mass is reduced, the isospin chemical potential provides an avenue to extract the chiral condensate in confining theories through the resulting pseudoscalar condensate. For IR conformal theories, the mass anomalous dimension can be extracted in the conformal window through ``finite density'' scaling since the isospin chemical potential is coupled to a conserved current. In both of these approaches, the isospin chemical potential can be continuously varied for each ensemble at comparable costs while maintaining the hierarchy between the lattice size and lattice spacing. In addition to exploring these methods, finite volume and lattice spacing effects are investigated.
A New Sphenacodontid Pelycosaur (Synapsida) from the Wichita Group, Lower Permian of North-Central Texas

ABSTRACT Two specimens collected recently from the middle Wichita Group (Wolfcampian–Leonardian Series, Early Permian) of Baylor and Archer Counties, Texas, represent a new sphenacodontid pelycosaur, Ctenorhachis jacksoni, gen. et sp. nov. The type includes of an articulated column of 31 vertebrae (presumably numbers 4 through 34) and an attached, nearly complete pelvis; the second specimen consists primarily of dorsal vertebrae. The vertebrae are typically sphenacodontid, with well-developed keels in the cervical and anterior dorsal series and pronounced pits on the lateral surface of the neural arch above elongated transverse processes. The pelvis is very similar to, if not indistinguishable from, Dimetrodon. Ctenorhachis is distinguished from all other sphenacodontids by neural spines that are only modestly heightened and uniformly blade-like antero-posteriorly. These spines are more primitive than those of Dimetrodon and Secodotosaurus and possibly more primitive than those of Ctenospondylus. A survey...
Integrated Fault Detection and Fault-Tolerant Control Architectures for Distributed Processes

This paper presents an integrated fault detection (FD) and fault-tolerant control (FTC) architecture for spatially distributed processes described by quasi-linear parabolic partial differential equations (PDEs) with control constraints and control actuator faults. Under full state feedback conditions, the architecture integrates model-based fault detection, spatially distributed feedback, and supervisory control to orchestrate switching between different actuator configurations in the event of faults. The various components are designed on the basis of appropriate reduced-order models that capture the dominant dynamics of the distributed process. The fault detection filter replicates the dynamics of the fault-free reduced-order model and uses its behavioral discrepancy from that of the actual system as a residual for fault detection. Owing to the inherent approximation errors in the reduced-order model, appropriate fault detection and control reconfiguration criteria are derived for the implementation of ...
Atom and Eve.

Debates about nanotechnology and religion have become dominated by the concepts of transhumanism and cyberimmortality, but, argues Chris Toumey, there are more interesting topics to discuss.
Asymmetric inequality for non-homogeneous ternary quadratic forms

Abstract Let Q(x, y, z) be an indefinite ternary quadratic form of determinant D −t(f(t)|D|) 1 3 0 ,y+y 0 ,z+z 0 ) ≤(f(t)|D|) 1 3 . The result is best possible for eight values of t and in particular includes the previous best known results as special cases.
Phase diagrams of lithium transition metal oxides: investigations from first principles

Abstract The thermodynamics and phase transitions in lithium intercalation oxides are discussed. Changes in the host structure can be driven by configurational Li-vacancy interactions, variations in electron count or by changes in the stability of the oxygen packing. The formalism to predict the lithium-vacancy ordered configurations and their free energy is presented and calculations of the phase diagram of LixCoO2 in the spinel and layered structure using this formalism are reviewed. Layered LixCoO2 has the richest phase diagram with ordering and staging transitions, and changes in host structure at low lithium contents. In general we find relatively low order–disorder transitions due to the strong screening of the lithium–lithium interaction by oxygen. From calculating the energy difference between the spinel and layered structure for several transition metal oxides it is found that a driving force for transition to spinel will always exist when a layered lithium transition metal oxide is delithiated. The limitations of current first principles methods in studying electronic transitions are discussed.
Molecule formation and infrared emission in fast interstellar shocks. II - Dissociation speeds for interstellar shock waves

The postshock destruction of molecules is examined, including the processes of (i) collisions with neutral hydrogen atoms and molecules, (ii) electronic collisions, and (iii) neutral chemical reactions with atoms, particularly atomic hydrogen. Using conservative estimates of collisional dissociation rates from individual vibrational states, we find that process (i) leads to the destruction of molecular hydrogen behind shocks with speeds v/sub s/> or approx. =25 km s/sup -1/ if the preshock molecular gas has hydrogen nucleus densities of n/sub 0/> or approx. =10/sup 4/ cm/sup -3/. At lower densities (n/sub 0/approx. =10/sup 2/ cm/sup -3/), destruction occurs for v/sub s/> or approx. =50 km s/sup -1/ and process (ii) dominates. Dissociation of molecules such as CO, H/sub 2/O, and O/sub 2/ follows the destruction of H/sub 2/, as the resultant hydrogen atoms chemically dissociate the metal atoms from their bonds (process iii) in the hot postshock gas. These results demonstrate that many of the observed high-speed interstellar molecules, if shock accelerated, must have dissociated and reformed in the postshock gas.
Photons and diphotons from E706

Abstract We report on recent work concerning the phenomenology of initial-state parton- k T effects in direct-photon production and related processes in hadron collisions. High-mass direct-γ and π 0 pairs are used to explore the impact of parton- k T . We present comparisons of a phenomenological K T model to recent fixed-target and collider inclusive data. Our approach provides a consistent prescription for correcting observed deviations of NLO pQCD calculations from inclusive direct-γ and π 0 data. We also comment on the implications of these results for the extraction of the gluon distribution, G ( x ).
How has confocal microscopy helped us in refractive surgery

Purpose of reviewTo summarize the known uses of in-vivo confocal microscopy in refractive surgery, highlighting the current developments in the field.Recent findingsExamination of the cornea after laser in-situ keratomileusis demonstrated that the keratocyte density within the laser in-situ keratomi
Within-and among-clutch variation of organochlorine residues in eggs of black-crowned night-herons.

Within-clutch variability of DDE and PCB residues in eggs from 62 clutches of black-crowned night-herons (Nycticorax nycticorax) was small (12% and 17%) compared to among-clutch variability (88% and 83%). Significant correlations between concentrations of DDE (median r=0.8885) and of PCBs (median r=0.8244) occurred when 501 correlations were run on two randomly selected eggs from within the same clutch; no significant correlation occurred for either concentrations of DDE (median r=0.0353) or PCBs (median r=−0.0843) when eggs were not restricted to the same clutch but were restricted to the same colony. The probability of finding infrequently detected organochlorine contaminants (e.g., DDT, cis-chlordane) in eggs from the same clutch varied from 43–96% and increased as the chemical became more prevalent and the number of eggs per clutch became smaller. These results further support one of the basic assumptions of the sample egg technique, that the chemical residues in one egg in a clutch accurately reflect residues in the remaining eggs of the clutch.
Biological Reduction of Np(V) and Np(V) Citrate by Metal-Reducing Bacteria

Oxidized actinide species are often more mobile than reduced forms. Bioremediation strategies have been developed to exploit this chemistry and stabilize actinides in subsurface environments. We investigated the ability of metal-reducing bacteria Geobacter metallireducens and Shewanella oneidensis to enzymatically reduce Np(V) and Np(V) citrate, as well as the toxicity of Np(V) to these organisms. A toxic effect was observed for both bacteria at concentrations of ≥4.0 mM Np(V) citrate. Below 2.0 mM Np(V) citrate, no toxic effect was observed and both Fe(III) and Np(V) were reduced. Cell suspensions of S. oneidensis were able to enzymatically reduce unchelated Np(V) to insoluble Np(IV)(s), but cell suspensions of G. metallireducens were unable to reduce Np(V). The addition of citrate enhanced the Np(V) reduction rate by S. oneidensis and enabled Np(V) reduction by G. metallireducens. The reduced form of neptunium remained soluble, presumably as a polycitrate complex. Growth was not observed for either orga...
The oxidation-reduction kinetics involved in the Np(V) + Fe(II) ⇌ Np(IV) + Fe(III) system in nitric acid solutions

Abstract The rate law for the overall reaction Np(V)+Fe(II)⇌Np(IV)+Fe(III) may be expressed as d[Np(V)]/d t = k 2 [Np(IV)][Fe(III)][H + ] −3 − k 1 [Np(V)][Fe(II)] [H + ] 1.38 over the acidity range of 0.8−1.5 M. Values of the forward rate constant, k 1 , and the reverse rate constant, k 2 , are 15.7 M −2.38 min −1 and 1.71 M 2 min −1 , respectively, at 25°C in 1.0 M nitrate solutions with ionic strength equal to 1.5. The proposed reaction mechanism for the forward reaction involves two activated complexes, one of which contains at least two protons. The reverse reaction involves either an activated complex containing three hydroxyl groups or one of its hydroxyoxygenated equivalents. The apparent activation energy of the forward reaction is 10 kcal mole −1 , while that of the reverse reaction is 35 kcal mole −1 . The effects of ionic strength on the specific rate constants are consistent with a Debye-Huckel treatment of the chemical equilibria involved in the formation of activated complexes. The concentration influence of nitrate ion on the specific rate constants can be quantitatively explained by a parallel pathway mechanism after assuming that one of the activated complexes of both the forward and reverse reactions contains a nitrate ion.
Hemoglobin Function of Blood Stored at 4 C in ACD and CPD with Adenine and Inosine

Normal hemoglobin function depends on adequate erythrocyte levels of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG), a compound that is poorly maintained during blood bank storage in acid-citrate-dextrose (ACD). Since 2,3-DPG is better maintained at the higher pH afforded by citrate-phosphate-dextrose (CPD), hemoglobin function was compared during storage in CPD and ACD. Further, hemoglobin function was studied in CPD blood containing adenine and inosine, compounds that provide metabolic energy and thus prolong the shelf-life of blood, because they also effect the levels of 2,3-DPG during storage. Hemoglobin function, expressed as the P50 (the P02 at 50 per cent oxygenation, an inverse but direct measure of oxygen affinity) is considerably better maintained during storage in CPD than in ACD. The hemoglobin function or P50 of blood stored in CPD-adenine is not maintained as well as blood stored in CPD without adenine, but the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curves show only a small difference when compared to the difference between ACD and CPD. Blood stored in CPD-adenine with inosine, present initially or added at day 25, allows higher P50 values late in storage, thus providing better hemoglobin function for more of the storage period.
A Simulation of the Future Economic Impact of Pension Rate Reductions

Pension rate estimates are important because they provide information to the market, and because they are useful in estimating future cash flows or for other analytical purposes. This is especially true now, because the economic environment has deteriorated to a point that many investors perceive increased uncertainty with respect to pension plans and the effect they have on future income. In fact, several authors in the popular financial press have speculated on the impact of such fundamental changes in pension assets, liabilities, and estimates. Often, however, these articles are sensational, and do not appear to appreciate fully the complexities of pension accounting. In order to model the economic impact of pension rate declines, we develop a two‐period analytical model of pension cost, which allows us to simulate future pension expense and its associated earnings impact using a triangular distribution of rate estimates. In addition, we model the incremental cash contributions required under these estimates in order to maintain the ratio of pension assets to liabilities at 100 percent. Our results indicate that while the pension expense effect is large in both periods across firms with small, mid‐sized and large pension plans, firms with large plans show the greatest increase in pension expense. Interestingly, however, the earnings impact is the smallest for firms with large plans in both periods. In addition, all firms face significantly increased cash funding requirements in order to prevent funding ratios (plan assets scaled by pension liabilities) from deteriorating. These results suggest not only future earnings reductions from pension rate declines, but also a potentially significant cash flow impact as well.
L-subalgebras, Milnor basis, and cohomology of Eilenberg-MacLane spaces

Abstract We describe mod p cohomology rings of Eilenberg-MacLane spaces in terms of the Milnor basis rather than in terms of admissible monomials of the Steenrod algebra. We give a formula of excess for the Milnor basis elements, correcting Kraines' formula in odd prime case. Using the Milnor basis description, we study and characterize certain polynomial subalgebras generated by elements obtained by applying maximum number of Milnor primitives on mod p fundamental classes of Eilenberg-MacLane spaces. A simple and interesting unstable pattern emerges. These subalgebras are exact images of the BP-Thom map into mod p cohomology rings.