cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Robust human detection, tracking, and recognition in crowded urban areas

In this paper, we present algorithms we recently developed to support an automated security surveillance system for very crowded urban areas. In our approach for human detection, the color features are obtained by taking the difference of R, G, B spectrum and converting R, G, B to HSV (Hue, Saturation, Value) space. Morphological patch filtering and regional minimum and maximum segmentation on the extracted features are applied for target detection. The human tracking process approach includes: 1) Color and intensity feature matching track candidate selection; 2) Separate three parallel trackers for color, bright (above mean intensity), and dim (below mean intensity) detections, respectively; 3) Adaptive track gate size selection for reducing false tracking probability; and 4) Forward position prediction based on previous moving speed and direction for continuing tracking even when detections are missed from frame to frame. The Human target recognition is improved with a Super-Resolution Image Enhancement (SRIE) process. This process can improve target resolution by 3-5 times and can simultaneously process many targets that are tracked. Our approach can project tracks from one camera to another camera with a different perspective viewing angle to obtain additional biometric features from different perspective angles, and to continue tracking the same person from the 2nd camera even though the person moved out of the Field of View (FOV) of the 1st camera with ‘Tracking Relay’. Finally, the multiple cameras at different view poses have been geo-rectified to nadir view plane and geo-registered with Google- Earth (or other GIS) to obtain accurate positions (latitude, longitude, and altitude) of the tracked human for pin-point targeting and for a large area total human motion activity top-view. Preliminary tests of our algorithms indicate than high probability of detection can be achieved for both moving and stationary humans. Our algorithms can simultaneously track more than 100 human targets with averaged tracking period (time length) longer than the performance of the current state-of-the-art.
Genome Sequences of 28 Bordetella pertussis U.S. Outbreak Strains Dating from 2010 to 2012.

ABSTRACT Despite the availability of highly effective vaccines, Bordetella pertussis incidence has been rapidly rising in highly vaccinated populations. Recent outbreaks have received media attention, feeding concerns about the emergence of dangerous new strains with increased virulence or that escape vaccine-induced immunity. To accelerate the study of this reemerging pathogen, we sequenced the genomes of 28 B. pertussis strains isolated during outbreaks from 2010 through 2012, making both strains and sequence data available to the scientific community.
Energy digestibility of giant pandas on bamboo-only and on supplemented diets.

Endangered giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) are bears (Family Ursidae), within the order Carnivora. They specialize on an herbivorous diet of bamboo yet retain a gastrointestinal tract typical of their carnivorous ancestry. The evolutionary constraints of their digestive tract result in a low extraction efficiency from bamboo (<40% in reported studies). The goal of this study was to determine the energy digestibility of bamboo by giant pandas used in digestibility trials and through subsequent analyses with bomb calorimetry. Seven digestibility trials were conducted (three with bamboo-only diets and four with supplemental diets). Energy digestibilities ranged from 7.5–38.9% for mixed diets and 9.2–34.0% for bamboo-only diets. The bamboo-only trials summarized here represent, to our knowledge, the first empirical data available for energy digestibility on a bamboo diet for giant pandas. Zoo Biol 30:121–133, 2011. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
THE DETERMINATION OF COMPENSATORY DAMAGES: A VALUATION FRAMEWORK

In cases of personal Injury resulting in death or the permanent disability of an individual to produce income, there is a need to assess the damages claimed by the plaintiff. Since 1916,' the estimate of the victim's lost earnings has been reduced to present value and the proceeds usually distributed as a lump sum award.' The lump sum approach has been favored over the periodic payment approaches. By awarding a single lump sum to the plaintiff, there has been a significant savings of the expenses of administration which would be incurred if the judiciary monitored periodic payments made by defendants to plaintiffs. Ideally, with an appropriate investment strategy' for the lump sum, withdrawals could be made over the lost work life period.
Social support, social problem-solving abilities, and adjustment of family caregivers of stroke survivors.

Abstract Grant JS, Elliott TR, Weaver M, Glandon GL, Raper JL, Giger JN. Social support, social problem-solving abilities, and adjustment of family caregivers of stroke survivors. Objective To determine contributions of social support and social problem-solving abilities in prediction of adjustment of family caregivers of stroke survivors. Design Descriptive. Setting Two rehabilitation facilities (1 private, 1 state) in the southeastern United States. Participants Fifty-two family caregivers (46 women, 6 men) of stroke survivors (28 women, 24 men). Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Predictor variables were social support and social problem-solving abilities. Outcome measures of caregiver adjustment were depressive symptomatology, well-being, and general health. Participants completed these measures 1 to 2 days before discharge from inpatient rehabilitation and at 5, 9, and 13 weeks postdischarge in the home. Results Trajectory analysis indicated higher levels of social support were associated with lower levels of caregiver depressive symptomatology and higher levels of well-being and general health, independent of social problem solving. A greater negative problem orientation was associated with higher levels of depressive symptomatology and lower levels of well-being. A more positive problem orientation was associated with greater increases in general health. The strength or slope of this positive relation lessened over time. Conclusions Social support and the emotion-focused component of social problem solving, problem orientation, independently contribute to caregiver adjustment. Interventions that provide social support and assist caregivers to develop more adaptive abilities toward problem solving may be beneficial.
Atomic Force Microscopy-Based Detection of Binding and Cleavage Site of Matrix Metalloproteinase on Individual Type II Collagen Helices

Type II tropocollagen molecules were reacted with matrix metalloproteinase 8 (MMP-8) and the binding sites as well as the cleavage site of MMP-8 were detected on individual molecules using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Approximately 300-nm-long coiled-coil tropocollagen molecules were straightened and immobilized on an atomically flat surface for detection by AFM. The direct visualization of individual collagen molecules revealed heterogeneous characteristics of MMP-8:collagen complexes. We observed that there existed multiple MMP-8 nonspecific binding sites on the collagen molecules, but cleavage always took place at a unique site. When collagen molecules, straightened and immobilized on the surface, were reacted with MMP-8, a site of cleavage appeared as a gap in stretched molecules. This is the first report to visually show direct collagenase:collagen interactions using AFM. The described AFM-based analysis has potential as a protein analysis tool for understanding a complex mechanism of enzyme:substrate interactions.
Smoking processes, panic, and depressive symptoms among treatment-seeking smokers.

Objectives: The present study evaluated the relative contribution of panic and depressive symptoms in relation to past cessation difficulties and smoking motives among treatment-seeking daily smokers. Methods: The sample included 392 treatment-seeking daily smokers (47.07% female; Mage = 35.48; SD = 13.56), who reported smoking an average of 10 or more cigarettes daily for at least one year. Results: Findings indicated that panic and depressive symptoms were significantly associated with quit problems as well as addictive and negative affect motives for smoking. However, depressive symptoms were not associated with habitual smoking motives. Conclusions: Differential patterns of associations with smoking-based processes imply that although panic and depression are related, there are important distinctions. Such data highlight the need for additional research to examine the putative role of panic and depressive symptoms in relation to smoking behaviors to further elucidate the mechanisms through which panic...
Processing and Superconducting Properties of YBa2Cu3O7-X + Ag2O Microcomposite for Fabrication of High Tc, Flexible Wire

Summary A fabrication technique for producing flexible high temperature superconducting win by warm extrusion and warm rolling of a composite of yttrium-barium-copper oxide and silver oxide (YBa2Cu3O7-X + Ag2O) is reported. The unique roll played by nascent silver generated from the Ag2O precursor during warm compaction as well as sintering of the powder mix is illustrated with the help of light optical microscopy. It is understood that the microstructure primarily consists of asa brittle (superconducting ceramic) phase dispersed in a metal (Ag) matrix which forms as a result of decomposition of the Ag2O during sintering operation. Ductile metallic phase binds the ceramic particles together and thus imparts toughness to the microcomposite. The nonpoisoning behavior of Ag2O is of significant technical importance. Magnetic measurements on the extruded wins show an onset temperature of 91 K. Resistivity measurements indicate that the electrical resistance of the wire essentially vanishes at liquid nitrogen temperature. The interface boundary features in wire samples are studied in details using a Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM).
Water wars: designing a civic game about water scarcity

There has been growing interest in recent years in computer games that not only entertain, but also address pressing social issues. In this paper, we introduce "civic games" as a class of socially-engaged games whose intent is to involve citizens in public affairs and democratic processes. We present several underlying principles that characterize civic games, and show how they inform design the design of Water Wars, a new civic game about water scarcity and environmental policy.
Inhibition of Nematocyst Discharge correlated with Feeding in a Sea Anemone, Calliactis tricolor (Leseur)

IN spite of much work1 neither the mechanism nor the nature of control of the discharge of nematocysts is well understood. These stinging capsules, characteristic of coelenterates, have generally been assumed to be independent effectors2,3, their discharge depending solely on external stimuli, with the animal exerting no control. Some coelenterates, however, seem to be able to modify nematocyst discharge4–8, and we feel that nematocysts should therefore not be considered true independent effectors. Working with the Florida sea anemone, Calliactis tricolor, we have observed a sharp decrease in the number of nematocysts discharged with increased feeding.
Prostaglandin F2α-induced stimulation of estrone and estradiol-17β secretion in cattle

Abstract Four of 5 Holstein heifers given intra-ovarian injections of 300 μg of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) showed transient, but statistically significant, depressions in plasma progesterone levels which returned to near normal levels within 24 hr. The same 4 animals also exhibited significant elevations in plasma estrone and estradiol-17β levels during the initial 24 hr. period following treatment, although no animals were observed in estrus during this time. Plasma levels of progesterone, estrone, estradiol-17β and PGF showed little change in control heifers receiving intra-ovarian injections of the buffer solution used as a vehicle for PGF2α. It is concluded that PGF2α stimulates estrogen secretion, presumably by follicular elements of the ovary.
MEASURED ATMOSPHERIC NEW PARTICLE FORMATION RATES: IMPLICATIONS FOR NUCLEATION MECHANISMS

Measured production rates of tropospheric ultrafine particles (˜3nm diameter) are reported for the first time and are shown to be orders of magnitude greater than nucleation rates predicted by the binary theory of homogeneous nucleation for sulfuric acid and water. Furthermore, the functional dependence of observed particle formation rates on sulfuric acid vapor concentrations is much weaker than predicted by binary theory. We present arguments to show that these discrepancies might be due to the participation of a species such as ammonia which could stabilize subcritical clusters, thereby enhancing nucleation rates. The data suggest that atmospheric nucleation may occur by a collision-limited process, rather than by a condensation/evaporation controlled process as is assumed in the classical theory.
Characterization of the sperm receptor on the surface of eggs of Strongylocentrotus purpuratus

Eggs of the sea urchins Strongylocentrotus purpuratus and Arbacia punctulata bind sperm with a high degree of species specificity. By use of an in vitro assay that utilizes bindin (the protein from sperm that mediates sperm-egg binding) egg surface-derived glycoconjugates that function as receptors in this adhesion process have been identified and purified. These glycoconjugates are of extraordinarily high molecular weight and exhibit some properties expected for a proteoglycan. The isolated receptors from both species bind to sperm and inhibit fertilization species specifically. Both receptors contain active carbohydrate-rich fragments that can be liberated by proteolytic digestion. The carbohydrate-rich receptor fragment from S. purpuratus is a very high-molecular-weight (greater than 10(6)), negatively charged glycosaminoglycan-like polymer containing fucose, galactosamine, iduronic acid, and sulfate esters. By contrast, the carbohydrate-rich fragment derived from the A. punctulata receptor is of defined molecular weight (6000) and has no net charge. Incubation of acrosome-reacted sperm with nanomolar amounts of the carbohydrate-rich fragments from either species results in inhibition of fertilization, indicating that these receptor fragments retain sperm binding activity. However, studies utilizing heterologous gametes show that the carbohydrate-rich receptor fragments are not species specific in binding. Thus, it appears that although the carbohydrate chains of the receptor are an adhesive element of the receptor, the intact glycoconjugate is required for species-specific binding.
Energy Storage and Conversion Efficiency in a Hydraulic/Gas-Turbine Hybrid

An energy storage system having a limited capacity is employed for the purposes of (a) removing the burden of acceleration from the vehicle prime mover in typical urban driving situation and (b) providing an efficient regenerative braking system to significantly increase fuel economy over stop-start driving schedules. Energy is stored in a hydraulic accumulator which is designed to be an integral part of a hydraulic transmission. Data from laboratory tests are presented to indicate achievable energy conversion efficiencies. Computer simulation of various size vehicles being driven over typical urban-suburban driving schedules is used to estimate the reduction in vehicular emissions and energy consumption resulting from the energy storage capability.Copyright © 1974 by ASME
Conservation Laws in Linear Elastodynamics.

Noether's theorem on variational principles invariant under a group of infinitesimal transformations is used to obtain a class of conservation laws associated with linear elastodynamics. These laws represent dynamical generalizations of certain path-independent integrals in elastostatics which have been of considerable recent interest. It is shown that the conservation laws obtained here are the only ones obtainable by Noether's theorem from invariance under a reasonably general group of infinitesimal transformations.
Compatibility of tire elastomers using derivative heat flow traces in the glass transition region

Derivative heat flow curves give much more information about the phase heterogeneity of binary blends composed of NR, SBR and BR elastomers thanT g. In blend compositions, the areas under the derivative heat flow curves appear to be an additive function of the concentration of elastomers in the case of incompatible blends (NR/BR, NR/SBR). They are less than additive for either a partially compatible blend (uncured SBR/BR) or a compatible blend (covulcanized SBR/BR). In the case of 60/40 SBR/BR blends, a DSC (T 0.5) reveals a singleT g, in conformity with the earlier investigators, whereas the derivative heat flow curve shows two peaks (T p) indicating incomplete homogenization of the phases. This is a new observation not mentioned in the published literature. Thus, derivative heat flow traces are likely to provide a unique tool to determine compatibility of elastomers. The study also reveals the importance of sample contact with the DSC pan in quantitative determinations.
Targeting the mycobacterial envelope for tuberculosis drug development

The bacterium that causes tuberculosis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, possesses a rather unique outer membrane composed largely of lipids that possess long-chain and branched fatty acids, called mycolic acids. These lipids form a permeability barrier that prevents entry of many environmental solutes, thereby making these bacteria acid-fast and able to survive extremely hostile surroundings. Antitubercular drugs must penetrate this layer to reach their target. This review highlights drug development efforts that have added to the slowly growing tuberculosis drug pipeline, identified new enzyme activities to target with drugs and increased the understanding of important biosynthetic pathways for mycobacterial outer membrane and cell wall core assembly. In addition, a portion of this review looks at discovery efforts aimed at weakening this barrier to decrease mycobacterial virulence, decrease fitness in the host or enhance the efficacy of the current drug repertoire by disrupting the permeability barrier.
Predicting well-being among breast cancer survivors.

Predicting well-being among breast cancer survivors The purpose of this descriptive study was to test a conceptual model that predicts well-being among women who have survived breast cancer. The model was derived from empirical research findings that identified health care orientation, uncertainty, social support, resourcefulness and self-esteem as significant predictors of well-being in persons diagnosed with cancer. The convenience sample was of 84 women who had completed primary treatment for breast cancer and were currently disease-free. After informed consent was obtained each woman completed six questionnaires which measured the study variables. Multiple regression techniques were used to empirically test the predicted conceptual relationships and to estimate predictive validity for the model. Findings indicated that uncertainty and social support were significant predictors of resourcefulness and explained 12% of the variance in resourcefulness. Resourcefulness and social support were significant predictors of self-esteem and explained 33% of the variance in self-esteem. In combination, social support, resourcefulness, and self-esteem were significant predictors of well-being and explained 42% of the variance in well-being. Health care orientation was not a significant variable. This study confirmed hypotheses and provided insight into the variables that significantly influence well-being in women who have survived breast cancer. Recommendations for practice are given with suggestions made for further research.
Dermatology in a besieged community.

In Lebanon, which has been in the throes of civil war since 1975, several studies were undertaken by the Faculty of Health Sciences at the American University of Beirut to characterize mental attitudes, disease patterns, and disease outcome in the country. This report focuses mainly on the situation in Lebanon based on a decade of personal experience. It could also serve as the prototype of similar situations in other strife-ridden countries
Clinical assessment of blood leukocytes, serum cytokines, and serum immunoglobulins as responses to sleep deprivation in laboratory rats

The specific systems and mechanisms affected by sleep deprivation that may perpetuate disease processes in humans still are speculative. In laboratory rats, prolonged sleep deprivation induces a st...
SodaConstructing Knowledge through Exploratoids.

In this article, we describe a preliminary study that integrates research on engineering design activities for K-12 students with work on microworlds as learning tools. Here, we extend these bodies of research by exploring whether—and how—authentic recreations of engineering practices can help students develop conceptual understanding of physics. We focus on the design-build-test (DBT) cycle used by professional engineers in simulation-based rapid modeling. In this experiment, middle-school students worked for 10 hr during a single weekend to solve engineering design challenges using SodaConstructor, a Java-based microworld, as a simulation environment. As a result of the experiment, students learned about center of mass. Our data further suggest that in the process of simulation-based modeling, rapid iterations of the DBT cycle progressively linked students' interest in the design activities and understanding of the concept of center of mass. We suggest that these rapid iterations of the DBT cycle functioned as exploratoids: short fragments of exploratory action in a microworld that cumulatively develop interest in and understanding of important scientific concepts. 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 44: 133-153, 2007 Children are born engineers. Everything they see, they want to change. They want to remake their world ... . They want to move dirt and pile sand. They want to build dams and make lakes. They want to launch ships of sticks. They want to stack blocks and cans and boxes. They want to build towers and bridges. Henry Petroski (2003, p. 206) Petroski (2003) argued that young people are ''born engineers'' because of their natural tendencies to explore, build, and create. Though their thinking does not use the mathematical formalisms associated with traditional engineering practice, children enjoy engaging in the essential activity of professional engineers: the design of useful artifacts. Previous studies have
Analysis and simulation of payment cost minimization and bid cost minimization with strategic bidders

Presently, Independent System Operators (ISOs) in deregulated electricity markets in the U.S. use an auction method that minimizes the total bid cost when determining units to be on and their generation levels (Bid Cost Minimization or BCM). It has recently been shown that this method of auction does not provide minimal consumer payment costs for a given set of bids under the Market Clearing Price (MCP)-based or congestion-dependent Locational Marginal Price (LMP) scheme. Instead, an alternative auction method that directly minimizes the total consumer payment (Payment Cost Minimization or PCM) provides the payment-minimizing auction selection. Though the use of PCM minimizes consumer payments for a given set of bids for a day, it has not been fully illustrated that PCM minimizes payments over a longer time period with intelligent bidders that can adjust to the new auction mechanism. To address this important economic issue, a novel discrete game theoretic method of bidder behavior is used to model the competitive nature of generating companies in the day-ahead market. Numerical testing results show that PCM significantly reduces consumer payments with intelligent bidders. Simulation using a market simulator is also presented with similar results. Finally, insight into the potential benefits of PCM is briefly presented.
Enhancing the security of corporate Wi-Fi networks using DAIR

We present a framework for monitoring enterprise wireless networks using desktop infrastructure. The framework is called DAIR, which is short for Dense Array of Inexpensive Radios. We demonstrate that the DAIR framework is useful for detecting rogue wireless devices (e.g., access points) attached to corporate networks, as well as for detecting Denial of Service attacks on Wi-Fi networks.Prior proposals in this area include monitoring the network via a combination of access points (APs), mobile clients, and dedicated sensor nodes. We show that a dense deployment of sensors is necessary to effectively monitor Wi-Fi networks for certain types of threats, and one can not accomplish this using access points alone. An ordinary, single-radio AP can not monitor multiple channels effectively, without adversely impacting the associated clients. Moreover, we show that a typical deployment of access points is not sufficiently dense to detect the presence of rogue wireless devices. Due to power constraints, mobile devices can provide only limited assistance in monitoring wireless networks. Deploying a dense array of dedicated sensor nodes is an expensive proposition.Our solution is based on two simple observations. First, in most enterprise environments, one finds plenty of desktop machines with good wired connectivity, and spare CPU and disk resources. Second, inexpensive USB-based wireless adapters are commonly available. By attaching these adapters to desktop machines, and dedicating the adapters to the task of monitoring the wireless network, we create a low cost management infrastructure.
EbfC (YbaB) Is a New Type of Bacterial Nucleoid-Associated Protein and a Global Regulator of Gene Expression in the Lyme Disease Spirochete

Nearly every known species of Eubacteria encodes a homolog of the Borrelia burgdorferi EbfC DNA-binding protein. We now demonstrate that fluorescently tagged EbfC associates with B. burgdorferi nucleoids in vivo and that chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) of wild-type EbfC showed it to bind in vivo to sites throughout the genome, two hallmarks of nucleoid-associated proteins. Comparative RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) of a mutant B. burgdorferi strain that overexpresses EbfC indicated that approximately 4.5% of borrelial genes are significantly impacted by EbfC. The ebfC gene was highly expressed in rapidly growing bacteria, but ebfC mRNA was undetectable in stationary phase. Combined with previous data showing that EbfC induces bends in DNA, these results demonstrate that EbfC is a nucleoid-associated protein and lead to the hypothesis that B. burgdorferi utilizes cellular fluctuations in EbfC levels to globally control transcription of numerous genes. The ubiquity of EbfC proteins in Eubacteria suggests that these results apply to a wide range of pathogens and other bacteria.
The efficacy of automated intermittent boluses for continuous femoral nerve block: a prospective, randomized comparison to continuous infusions.

Abstract Study Objective To determine whether an automated intermittent bolus technique provides enhanced analgesia compared with a continuous infusion for femoral nerve block. Design Prospective, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01226927). Setting Perioperative areas and orthopedic surgical ward of a university hospital. Patients 45 ASA physical status 1, 2, and 3 patients undergoing unilateral primary total knee arthroplasty. Interventions All patients received single-injection sciatic and femoral nerve blocks plus femoral nerve catheter placement for postoperative analgesia. Patients were randomly assigned to an automated intermittent bolus (5 mL every 30 min with 0.1 mL/hr basal rate) or a continuous infusion (10.1 mL/hr) delivery method of 0.2% ropivacaine. Measurements Consumption of intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA) and visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores were assessed postoperatively at set intervals until the morning of postoperative day (POD) 2. Main Results The mean (SEM) cumulative IV-PCA dose (mg of hydromorphone) for the 36-hour postoperative interval measured was 12.9 ± 2.32 in the continuous infusion rate group (n = 20) and 7.8 ± 1.02 in the intermittent bolus group [n = 21, t(39) = 2.04, P = 0.048; a 39 ± 14% difference in total usage]. Pain scores were statistically significantly lower in the intermittent bolus group in the afternoon of POD 1 (t(39) = 2.47, P = 0.018), but were otherwise similar. Conclusions An automated intermittent bolus infusion technique for femoral nerve catheters is associated with clinically and statistically significantly less IV-PCA use (ie, an opioid-sparing effect) than a continuous infusion technique.
The importance of sediment gravity flow to sediment transport and sorting in a glacial marine environment: Eastern Weddell Sea, Antarctica

Offshore sediment transport on the eastern Weddell Sea continental margin cannot be modeled after examples from nonglaciated margins. Transport of terrigenous material to the marine environment is accomplished by floating or grounded ice instead of fluvial processes. There is no coastal zone where sediments are washed as they enter the marine environment, and, because the average shelf depth is 400 m, wind- or wave-generated currents have little, if any, influence on sediments. Texturally immature glacial sediment on the continental shelf and slope remains unsorted, except by processes of sediment gravity flow. Piston core coverage demonstrates that downslope transitions between slumps, debris flows, and turbidity currents are active on the unstable intercanyon slope areas and on the glacially scoured continental shelf. Sediment textural analyses indicate that size sorting and mineralogic maturity are achieved within sediment gravity flow transitions and that lithic (>40% lithics) glacial sediment is transformed into sorted, arkosic sand (< 3% lithics) over distances of less than 10 km on the upper continental slope and shelf. Arkosic or quartz sand thus generated is often interbedded with diamictons, which are either glacial or nonglacial (slumps and debris flows) in origin. Therefore, such associations in ancient sequences do not rule out a glacial origin for diamictites (or mixtites), nor do they mandate deep-water sedimentation. Canyon systems are at present isolated from major sediment input; however, an extensive (∼ 662,000 km2) abyssal submarine fan complex containing glaciogenic sands implies canyon activity since initial glaciation of the region. Sediment may have been supplied to canyons in the past by subglacial meltwater discharge at times of maximum ice grounding. Sand may also have been generated directly at canyon heads by strong contour currents impinging on the shelf break, as typically occurs elsewhere around the Antarctic margin today. This focus of current energy at the shelf break does not exist in the eastern Weddell Sea today. Thus, given the great depth of the continental shelf, eustasy is far less important than glacial and oceanographic conditions (that is, the position of the ice sheet grounding line relative to the shelf break and the level and intensity of contour currents) in regulating sediment supply to submarine canyons. In the absence of major canyon activity, intercanyon sediment transport appears to be the most significant source of slope and abyssal sands.
Staged simulation for improving scale and performance of wireless network simulations

This paper describes staged simulation, a technique for improving the run time performance and scale of discrete event simulators. Typical wireless network simulations are limited in speed and scale due to redundant computations, both within a single simulation run and between successive runs. Staged simulation proposes to reduce the amount of redundant computation within a simulation by restructuring discrete event simulators to operate in stages that precompute, cache, and reuse partial results. This paper presents a general and flexible framework for staging, and identifies the advantages and trade-offs of its application to wireless network simulations. Experience with applying staged simulation to the ns2 simulator shows that it can improve execution time by an order of magnitude in typical scenarios and make feasible the simulation of large scale wireless networks.
Isoform- and tissue-specific regulation of the Ca2+-sensitive transcription factor NFAT in cardiac myocytes and heart failure

Nuclear factors of activated T cells (NFATs) are Ca2+-sensitive transcription factors that have been implicated in hypertrophy, heart failure (HF), and arrhythmias. Cytosolic NFAT is activated by dephosphorylation by the Ca2+-sensitive phosphatase calcineurin, resulting in translocation to the nucleus, which is opposed by kinase activity, rephosphorylation, and nuclear export. Four different NFAT isoforms are expressed in the heart. The activation and regulation of NFAT in adult cardiac myocytes, which may depend on the NFAT isoform and cell type, are not fully understood. This study compared basal localization, import, and export of NFATc1 and NFATc3 in adult atrial and ventricular myocytes to identify isoform- and tissue-specific regulatory mechanisms of NFAT activation under physiological conditions and in HF. NFAT-green fluorescent protein fusion proteins and NFAT immunocytochemistry were used to analyze NFAT regulation in adult cat and rabbit myocytes. NFATc1 displayed basal nuclear localization in atrial and ventricular myocytes, an effect that was attenuated by reducing intracellular Ca2+ concentration and inhibiting calcineurin, and enhanced by the inhibition of nuclear export. In contrast, NFATc3 was localized to the cytoplasm but could be driven to the nucleus by angiotensin II and endothelin-1 stimulation in atrial, but not ventricular, cells. Inhibition of nuclear export (by leptomycin B) facilitated nuclear localization in both cell types. Ventricular myocytes from HF rabbits showed increased basal nuclear localization of endogenous NFATc3 and reduced responsiveness of NFAT translocation to phenylephrine stimulation. In control myocytes, Ca2+ overload, leading to spontaneous Ca2+ waves, induced substantial translocation of NFATc3 to the nucleus. We conclude that the activation of NFAT in adult cardiomyocytes is isoform and tissue specific and is tightly controlled by nuclear export. NFAT is activated in myocytes from HF animals and may be secondary to Ca2+ overload.
High spatial resolution models of time-dependent , layered mantle convection

Time-dependent models of Boussinesq convection are analyzed in order to determine the potential existence of the transient phase of multiple layered convection initially described by Ross and Sacks (1982, 1984). The initial thermal profile for subsolidus mantle convection is examined in terms of an adiabatic or a conductive profile. The effects of varied spatial resolution, aspect ratio, Rayleigh number, initial buoyancy, and supersolidus temperature cutoffs on mantle convection are investigated. It is observed that the data supports the existence of the transient phase of multiple layered convection.
Cerebral volumetric analysis over time in children with malformations of cortical development: a quantitative investigation.

Malformations of cortical development are common neurological disorders characterized by disruptions in the normal development of cerebral gray and white matter during fetal life. We performed a quantitative, partly longitudinal investigation of cerebral volumes in a cohort of children with cortical malformations to investigate how their anatomical abnormalities change over time. Cortical malformation subjects showed volumetric curves that were comparable with those reported for healthy individuals, and reached peak cerebral volume, gray matter volume, and white matter volume at ages similar to those reported for healthy children. Volumes of heterotopic gray matter, however, demonstrated increases that were out of proportion to changes in cortical volume or caudate nucleus volume, suggesting that misplaced gray matter can have a unique pattern of maturation. Our findings demonstrate that overall brain growth in children with cortical malformations appears to mirror that of the healthy population, although...
Adult identity mentoring: Reducing sexual risk for African-American seventh grade students

Purpose: This study was undertaken to determine whether the Adult Identity Mentoring (AIM) project successfully promotes abstinence, delays initiation of sex, and decreases intention to engage in sex. Methods: Twenty middle school classes of African-American seventh graders were randomly assigned to receive either the AIM intervention or a standard health education control curriculum. The AIM is a 10-session curriculum based on the theory of possible selves. Class exercises encourage students to articulate a possible future self-identity and to develop self-promotion skills. Surveys about sexual activity were conducted before the intervention, 19 weeks after baseline, and again at 1 year after the intervention. Results: Hierarchical logistic regression analyses showed significant effects for the intervention on sexual intentions, abstinence, and a trend toward fewer virgins initiating intercourse for the first time, 19 weeks after baseline. Specifically, students who received the intervention showed decreased intention to engage in sex and increased abstinence compared with students not receiving the intervention. Effects for 1-year follow-up, with smaller sample size, showed only that AIM male participants maintained the significant abstinence effect. Conclusions: A new intervention, AIM was evaluated among African-American seventh graders. This program, by focusing students on positive future selves, effectively modified sexual risk without directly providing instruction on sexually explicit topics. © 2005 Society for Adolescent Medicine. All rights reserved.
A computational model of the Limulus eye on the connection machine.

We describe a computational model of the Limulus lateral eye to investigate the relationship between the neural coding of the retina and the visual performance of the animal. The network model, implemented on the massively parallel Connection Machine, computes the firing rates of optic-nerve fibers for simulated visual scenes. Intensity-response functions computed for individual nerve fibers that project to the brain agree with experimental measurements. Responses computed for the entire array of retinal neurons show that moving targets enhance the modulation of optic-nerve activity.
Evaluation of Career Guidance Programs

This chapter focuses on the evaluation of career guidance programs, which is an important endeavour for practitioners as stakeholders often want information on the effectiveness of career guidance interventions. The authors first examine previous research related to the effects of career guidance programs or interventions with a discussion of the effectiveness of career guidance programs, which modalities are preferable in providing career guidance, which clients benefit from these interventions, and outcome measures that are typically used in the evaluation of career guidance programs. Second, the authors provide a summary of how to conduct an evaluation of a career guidance program. This overview utilizes the six-step process for evaluating career counselling programs proposed by Whiston and Brecheisen (Evaluating the effectiveness of adult career development programs. In: Niles SG (ed) Adult career development: concepts, issues, and practices, 3rd ed. National Career Development Association, Alexandria, pp 367–384, 2002). These six steps are (1) identify the focus of the evaluation; (2) formulate the evaluation design and procedures; (3) determine evaluation or outcome measures; (4) gather information; (5) data analyses and interpretation; and (6) methods for using the information.
Different crystallization mechanisms in polypropylene–nanoclay nanocomposite with different weight percentage of nanoclay additives

Polypropylene–clay (Cloisite Na+) composites with clay contents in weight percentage (wt%) ranging from 1 to 15% were characterized for crystallization mechanism and kinetics. Combination of differential scanning calorimetry, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and polarized light microscopy was used to investigate the crystallization behavior. Different crystallization mechanisms were observed in the matrix with 1–5 wt% nanoclay compared to the matrix with 10 and 15 wt% of nanoclay additive. TEM micrographs revealed intercalated and flocculated morphology for all the concentrates. At lower wt%, well-dispersed clay platelets acted as antinucleating agent and reduced polymer chain mobility. At high wt%, nucleation rate overcomes the slow diffusion rate. In the case of samples with higher wt% of nanoclay additives, segregation and precipitation of clay was observed in the interspherulite region. On the basis of crystallization kinetics and morphology results, a schematic model of the nanocomposite formation is proposed.
Cyclic changes of cervical mucus enzymes related to the time of ovulation: I. Alkaline phosphatase

The concentration of alkaline phosphatase in cervical mucus was serially determined during a menstrual cycle in five normal ovulatory women and correlated with the time of ovulation as monitored by the basal body temperature and radioimmunoassay of serum lutenizing hormone (LH), progesterone, and estradiol. The activity of alkaline phosphatase decreased significantly at midcycle just prior to the LH surge and began to rise after ovulation. Self-detection of cervical mucus alkaline phosphatase may provide a practical method of ovulation prediction.
Estimates of SPE Radiation Exposures on Mars for Female Astronauts in Hemispherical Habitats

Radiation exposure estimates for female crew members within simple hemispherical habitats constructed of aluminum on the surface of Mars are made for representative radiation environments consisting of solar particle event protons. Females, because of their generally smaller physical stature, have less body self-shielding and are expected to receive larger doses than males for the same incident radiation environments. In this work we use the BRYNTRN radiation transport code, originally developed at NASA Langley Research Center, and the Computerized Anatomical Female human geometry model to estimate exposures for aluminum shield areal densities corresponding to those provided by a spacesuit, a surface lander, and a permanent habitat. Comparisons of the predicted organ exposures with current NASA Permissible Exposure Limits are presented and discussed.
Margaret Newton: Pioneering Cereal Rust Researcher.

Margaret Newton, the daughter of Elizabeth Brown and John Newton, was born on April 20, 1887 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Her father had been educated as a chemist in England, and worked as a laborer on the farm of his father-in-law at Plaisance, Quebec. Margaret’s education began in a one-room schoolhouse at North Nation Mills. Her father later moved the family of five children -Margaret, Robert, John, William, and Dorothy (four were to obtain Ph.D. degrees in agriculture) -and his wife (Fig. 1) to Montreal for a higher paying job at a box manufacturing and lumber firm. Margaret finished middle school and completed two years of high school in Montreal. She finished high school in Plaisance after the family returned there to live. After two additional years at a country school, Margaret taught for one year in the same schoolhouse that she had attended in North Nation Mills. Margaret was not yet fully qualified as a teacher, so she studied for two years at the Collegiate Institute in Vankleek Hill, Ontario, and obtained a teaching degree from the Normal School in Toronto. She taught for three years in Lachine, Quebec, and returned to teach for one year at the school in North Nation Mills. During her teaching stints, Margaret became interested in obtaining a university degree. She initially enrolled in an arts program at McMaster University. During her first year at McMaster she visited her brother who was attending Macdonald College, at Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec, which was the faculty of agriculture of McGill University. Margaret decided to change her field of study, and in 1914 applied for admittance to Macdonald College, with a major in agriculture. She was not immediately accepted, although her academic credentials were excellent. The most likely reason for this Margaret Newton (Photo courtesy Agriculture and AgriFood Canada Cereal Research Center, Winnipeg).
Research on Thermal Decomposition Kinetics and Shelf-Life of 5AT Series of Amorces

The thermal stability,decomposition kinetics and shelf-life of 5AT series of amorces under heating condition were investigated by using thermogravimetry method. Through determining the TG-DTG thermogravimetric curves of 5AT series of amorces in nitrogen atmosphere under different heating rates(β),the data were kinetically treated by separately using four methods,namely Kissinger method,Ozawa method,Coats-Redfern method and shelflife method,to obtain the kinetic parameters of thermal decomposition such as apparent activation energy(E a),preexponential factor(A) and thermal decomposition rate constant( k),etc. The results show that the Ea,A,k resulted from Kissinge method are more credible,using the shelf-life method can preliminarily pre-evaluate the shelf-life of the amorces.
Depressive symptoms, medical illness, and functional status in depressed psychiatric inpatients.

OBJECTIVE: There is evidence that both psychiatric (especially affective) and medical illnesses contribute to physical disability. However, the differential contributions of specific psychiatric disorders and of medical pathology to functional status in psychiatric populations have not been studied. The authors therefore examined the contributions of depressive symptoms and medical illness to functional disability in depressed inpatients. METHOD: This prospective investigation included 109 psychiatric inpatients with DSM-III-R major depression. Regression techniques were used to examine the contribution of demographic variables (age, sex, education), depressive symptom severity (Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression score), psychiatric function (Global Assessment of Functioning Scale score), organ system pathology (Cumulative Illness Rating Scale score), and medical disability (Karnofsky Performance Status Scale score) to overall functional status (Instrumental Activities of Daily Living and Physical Self-Maintenance scores). These relationships were also examined in older and younger subgroups. RESULTS: Greater age, female sex, and illness factors all contributed to poorer functional status. Of the illness factors, psychiatric pathology contributed more to low functional status than did medical illness. The predictive power came specifically from the functionally based measures of psychiatric and medical illness; a quantitative measure of symptoms (Hamilton depression scale) or organ pathology (Cumulative Illness Rating Scale) did not significantly predict overall functional status. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians and researchers should recognize that symptomatic and functional assessments tap related but different domains and that both psychiatric and medical illnesses contribute to overall disability.