cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Discrete and Continuous-Time Soft-Thresholding for Dynamic Signal Recovery

There exist many well-established techniques to recover sparse signals from compressed measurements with known performance guarantees in the static case. More recently, new methods have been proposed to tackle the recovery of time-varying signals, but few benefit from a theoretical analysis. In this paper, we give theoretical guarantees for the Iterative Soft-Thresholding Algorithm (ISTA) and its continuous-time analogue the Locally Competitive Algorithm (LCA) to perform this tracking in real time. ISTA is a well-known digital solver for static sparse recovery, whose iteration is a first-order discretization of the LCA differential equation. Our analysis is based on the Restricted Isometry Property (RIP) and shows that the outputs of both algorithms can track a time-varying signal while compressed measurements are streaming, even when no convergence criterion is imposed at each time step. The $\ell_{2}$ -distance between the target signal and the outputs of both discrete- and continuous-time solvers is shown to decay to a bound that is essentially optimal. Our analysis is supported by simulations on both synthetic and real data.
Effect of acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) on bone collagen in children

Abstract The administration of 100 mg/kg weight of acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) to 9 healthy children aged 5–7 years, resulted in a decrease of total hydroxyproline (HOP) excretion in the urine. Two weeks after the discontinuation of aspirin, the amount of HOP excreted in the urine returned to the pretreatment levels. We consider these results as indicating that new collagen formation was impeded, and probably the prolonged administration of aspirin may cause osteoporosis and/or inhibition of growth in children.
Direct observation of an extended complex stacking fault in the γ′ phase of a Ni-base superalloy

A creep deformation mechanism in a polycrystalline nickel-base superalloy (Rene 88 DT) has been examined using crystallographic analysis and comparison between simulated and experimental high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) images. Confirmation of the magnitude of the Burgers vector of the partial dislocations involved in the creep deformation was critical in conclusively determining its nature. A new approach to determining a complex stacking fault was developed using superlattice image contrast from an experimental HRTEM image.
Effect of vibration on solid-to-liquid transition in small granular systems under shear

The effect of vibration on the solid-to-liquid-like transition of a dense granular assembly under planar shear is studied numerically using soft particle molecular dynamics simulations in two dimensions. We focus on small systems in a thin planar Couette cell, examining the bistable region while increasing shear, with varying amounts of vertical vibration, and determine statistics of the shear required for fluidization. In the absence of vibration, the threshold value of the shear stress depends on the preparation of the system and has a broad distribution. However, adding periodic vibration both lowers the mean fluidization threshold value of the shear stress and decreased its variability. A previous study performed similar simulations using random noise; the results from these two studies exhibit excellent agreement with proper normalization over appropriate ranges of parameters.
Multivariate statistical analysis of three-dimensional cross-bridge motifs in insect flight muscle

Multivariate statistical analysis has been applied to the problem of identifying similar 3-D motifs within tomograms of insect flight muscle. The method is an extension of the widely used application of this technique to 2-D images. The additional degrees of freedom that the 3-D case imposes has been reduced to a translational alignment and a 180° rotation about the filament axis because of the very regular motif arrangement in the filament lattice. The problem of finding unbiased references for the alignment has been addressed by using derived functions for the multivariate statistical analysis that are invariant to the alignment parameters. Hierarchical ascendant classification has been explored as an unsupervised classification method. The results show improved signal to noise ratio in the class averages with retention of density distributions consistent with the known numbers of myosin heads and actin monomers present within the filament lattice.
An Options Approach to Setting Risk Adjusted Hurdle Rates

Abstract This paper presents an analogy which indicates chat real investment opportunities can be valued by using generally available formulas for the valuation of securities option. The analogy also indicates that the decision of when to undertake a real investment opportunity is analogous to the decision to exercise an option. Just as option should not be exercised as soon as they are “in the money”, real investment opportunities should be deferred until they show a sufficiently high net present value or excess return. Optimal hurdle rates are derived from formulas for the valuation of securities options.
Dissolved and particulate DNA dynamics during a spring bloom in the Antarctic Peninsula region, 1986–1987

Abstract Dissolved and particulate DNA (D-DNA and P-DNA, respectively) concentrations were measured at 69 stations in a 25,000 km 2 section of Bransfield Strait, during the austral summer period (December 1986 to March 1987). During the development of the seasonal spring bloom of phytoplankton (December and January), surface water P-DNA (0.2–202μm) exhibited an order-of-magnitude concentration gradient, from values of ≥25 μg DNA I −1 in the productive coastal water near the northern end of Gerlache Strait to ≥4 μg DNA l −1 in the more oligotrophic waters of Drake Passage. P-DNA concentrations were highly correlated with other biochemical indices of microbial biomass (e.g. chlorophyll α and ATP). A majority (≥50%) of the P-DNA was contained in the 0.2–20 μm size category. Estimates derived from DNA:ATP ratios and from direct measurements of bacterial cell abundance suggest that most of the P-DNA during the spring bloom period was associated with living phytoplankton cells, with little, if any, non-living, P-DNA. In contrast to these characteristics of the spring bloom period. P-DNA during post-bloom conditions (March) was low (4–6 μg DNA l −1 ) and nearly constant throughout our study area, was nearly exclusively (≥80%) contained in the 0.2–20 μm size category, and was nearly exclusively (≥90%) comprised of non-living DNA. D-DNA was ubiquitously distributed in the near-surface waters throughout the RACER study area in December, with concentrations ranging from 6 to 16 μg DNA l −1 . However, there was no spatial correlation with either microbial biomass or microbial productivity. By January, surface water D-DNA concentrations had decreased to values ≤10% of the December values (≤1 μg DNA l −1 and by the February to March sampling periods, D-DNA was undectetable throughout our study areas (≤0.1 μg DNA l −1 ). The dynamics of the D-DNA pools were not well correlated with microbial biomass and production. Rather, the seasonal D-DNA distributions appeared to be controlled by the advection of D-DNA enriched water masses across our study area in December, followed by replacement with D-DNA depleted waters. We hypothesize that the early season D-DNA may be derived from microbial communities in melting ice or from diagenesis in shallow benthic habitats. The results of a box model calculation of P-DNA and D-DNA inventories and fluxes in Bransfield Strait suggest that the northern Gerlache Strait is a major exporter of P-DNA, either as a result of horizontal advection or active transport of macrozooplankton populations.
Plasma oscillations of a two-dimensional electron gas in a strong magnetic field

The quantum-mechanical response of a two-dimensional electron gas in the presence of a strong dc magnetic field is calculated in the random-phase approximation. The results are used to discuss the magnetoplasma oscillations of a two-dimensional electron gas. The general dispersion relation is derived, and numerical results are presented for both long and short wavelengths.
Lithium metaborate flux in silicate analysis

Abstract Lithium metaborate is an effective flux for silicates and other rock-forming minerals. The glass resulting from fusion is mechanically strong, reasonably nonhygroscopic, and is readily soluble in dilute acids. These characteristics lead to its use in X-ray spectrography and in methods which require whole-rock solutions, such as atomic absorption and emission spectrometry. Difficulties have been encountered in the use of such techniques : a high-quality reagent has been difficult to obtain ; fusion conditions must be rather closely controlled; graphite crucibles used in the fusions need special treatment. Methods for overcoming these difficulties are outlined. Selected procedures for various instrumental methods of analysis are described.
Spatial and temporal dependence of interspark interactions in femtosecond-nanosecond dual-pulse laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy.

A femtosecond air spark has recently been combined with a nanosecond ablative pulse in order to map the spatial and temporal interactions of the two plasmas in femtosecond–nanosecond orthogonal preablation spark dual-pulse laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). Good spatial and temporal correlation was found for reduced atomic emission from atmospheric species (nitrogen and oxygen) and increased atomic emission from ablated species (copper and aluminum) in the femtosecond–nanosecond plasma, suggesting a potential role for atmospheric pressure or nitrogen/oxygen concentration reduction following air spark formation in generating atomic emission enhancements in dual-pulse LIBS.
Negotiation and Noncooperation: Debating Michigan's Conditional Land Transfer Agreement:

Local governments in Michigan have at their disposal a mechanism for cooperation on land transfer. Through the Conditional Land Transfer Act (P.A. 42 5 of 1984), local governments negotiate shared jurisdiction for a piece of property for a set period of time for the purpose of econom ic development (Taylor, Harvey, and Shields 2004; Bassett 2006; Harvey and Qui?ones 1996). Like annexation, conditional land trans fer agreements, popularly known as P.A. 425 agreements, can be used to permanently transfer land from one jurisdiction to another. Unlike in annexation, jurisdictions negotiate conditions for "sharing" the property, includ ing property tax sharing and negotiated provi sion of urban services. Michigan has a strong tradition of township government (Browne and VerBurg 1995, 300; Stephens 1989), and township officials often resist annexation ef forts. Townships are frequently cast as the "losers" in annexation battles while cities gain territory, expand their tax bases, and impose their land-use preferences. Conditional land transfer agreements provide an opportunity for cities and townships to negotiate these tensions. Understanding the negotiation of conditional land transfers is important because the use of these agreements has increased over time (Taylor, Harvey, and Shields 2004). This study asks two questions about the negotia tion process: Do existing intergovernmental connections in other policy areas foster the development of conditional land transfers, and is land use identified as a critical point of discussion in successful and unsuccessful
New Paris No. 2: A Pennsylvania Cave Site Revisited

An association of man and extirpated fauna brought to light almost forty years ago in southern Pennsylvania is reconsidered. Originally investigated by the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, the New Paris sinkholes are well-known for their extensive Pleistocene cave fauna and are most often associated with the dedicated work of the late Dr. John Guilday. The initial find in sinkhole #2 of an adult bull elk skeleton with an arrowhead embedded in its neck vertebrae had long been forgotten. In the pre-Libby era of scientific research, the elk was assessed as Holocene in age and the stone arrowhead as probable evidence of an early Colonial period Amerindian hunting event. Recent review of this discovery and radiocarbon analysis of a portion of the elk skeleton suggests a somewhat greater age and significance.
Frequency and coding responses in verbal discrimination learning

Ss were given a verbal discrimination task where correct and incorrect stimuli appeared in one, two. or four different pairs in a within-Ss design. For a group tested with the usual anticipation procedure, correct repetitions helped and incorrect repetitions hurt performance. The pattern of results suggested that frequency is a salient cue in verbal discrimination learning but that coding or paired-associate processing may occur at the same time. Data from a second group of Ss for which frequency was a less salient cue gave more direct evidence for coding.
Hydrogen sulfide in the atmosphere of the northern equatorial Atlantic Ocean and its relation to the global sulfur cycle

Abstract Concentrations of hydrogen sulfide were measured in remote marine atmospheres of tropical and sub-tropical regions. The gas was collected on filters impregnated with silver nitrate and analyzed fluorometrically. Average measured background concentrations ranged from 5 to 50 pptr (1 part in 10 12 parts of the air) by volume. These concentrations are between four and forty times lower than previously accepted values and indicate that the atmospheric lifetime of hydrogen sulfide may be as short as a few hours. The results generally support current estimates of the extent of hydrogen sulfide production by the oceans. Nonetheless, it is concluded that more precise estimates of atmospheric residence times are required before firm estimates of production rates can be made.
Random magnetic anisotropy in thin films of amorphous Mn48B52.

While crystalline MnB is a ferromagnet ({ital T}{sub {ital c}}=573 K), rf diode-sputtered thin films of composition Mn{sub 48}B{sub 52} are amorphous as ascertained by x-ray scattering and exhibit a low-field, hysteretic, static magnetization peak characteristic of a spin glass. High-field (up to 44 kG) static magnetization data at temperatures ranging between 6 and 200 K are analyzed within the random anisotropy model of Chudnovsky, Saslow, and Serota (Phys. Rev. B 33, 251 (1986)). In this model, the field-dependent magnetization at a given temperature is expressed as {ital M}({ital H})={ital M}(0)(1{minus}{ital CH}{sup {minus}1/2})+{chi}{prime}H, where the lead term follows from the analysis of a ferromagnet with a wandering axis (FWA) and the second term accounts for contributions from induced moments. The {ital T}{sup 3/2} dependence of the saturation magnetization of the FWA contribution, {ital M}(0), at low temperatures is suggestive of spin-wave excitations, while the temperature dependence of the fitting parameters {ital C} and {chi}{prime} consistently identify several characteristic temperatures associated with the magnetic behavior of {ital a}-Mn{sub 48}B{sub 52}, including the low-field spin-glass transition temperature and Curie temperature and the curvature crossover temperature (established from a classical Arrott plot) that separates the FWA state and a pseudoparamagnetic limit.
Nitric oxide decreases activity and levels of the 11S proteasome activator PA28 in the vasculature.

Abstract The 11S proteasome activator (PA28) binds to the 20S proteasome and increases its ability to degrade small peptides. Expression of PA28 subunits (α, β, γ) is induced by interferon-γ stimulation. Inflammation plays a role in the development of neointimal hyperplasia, and we have previously shown that nitric oxide (NO) reduces neointimal hyperplasia in animal models and 26S proteasome activity in rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMC). Here, we show that PA28 increased 26S proteasome activity in RASMC, as measured by a fluorogenic assay, and the NO donor S-nitroso N-acetylpenicillamine significantly inhibits this activation. This effect was abrogated by the reducing agents dithiothreitol and HgCl 2 , suggesting that NO affects the activity of PA28 through S-nitrosylation. NO did not appear to affect PA28 levels or intracellular localization in RASMC in vitro . Three days following rat carotid artery balloon injury, levels of PA28α, β and γ subunits were decreased compared to uninjured control arteries ( n = 3/group) in vivo . The NO donor proline NONOate further decreased PA28α, β and γ levels by 1.9-, 2.3- and 3.4-fold, respectively, compared to uninjured control arteries. Fourteen days following arterial injury, levels of PA28α, β and γ subunits were increased throughout the arterial wall compared to uninjured control arteries, but were greatest for the α and β subunits. NO continued to decrease the levels of all three PA28 subunits throughout the arterial wall at this time point. Since the PA28 subunits are involved in the breakdown of peptides during inflammation, PA28 inhibition may be one mechanism by which NO inhibits neointimal hyperplasia.
Modifiable Factors That Influence Colon Cancer Lymph Node Sampling and Examination

Abstract Introduction Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common malignancy in the United States. Its single most important prognostic factor is lymph node involvement. Multiple guidelines recommend sampling a minimum of 12 nodes, to ensure accurate staging and treatment. However, this standard of care is not always achieved. The objective of this study was to identify potential modifiable factors that may explain this inadequacy between the optimal approach and routine practice. Patients and Methods The medical charts of all patients treated for colorectal cancer stages I-III at the Albert Einstein Medical Center from 1999-2007 were reviewed. Associations between multiple surgical and pathologic variables and the presence of ≥ 12 lymph nodes in the final pathology report were examined. Results In total, 337 patients were included in this study. The mean number of nodes reported was 12.7 (standard deviation, ± 7.6), and 173 patients (51%) had ≥ 12 lymph nodes. Regarding patients' demographic characteristics, 78% were more than 60 years of age; 47.8% were male; and 27% were white, 67% were African American, and 6% were of other ethnic groups. Using a univariate analysis, several variables were statistically associated with the ≥ 12 lymph nodes reported: colon length (Pearson r = 0.384; P Conclusion This study showed that multiple factors influence the number of lymph nodes sampled. The roles of the surgeon, the pathologist, and especially the pathologist's assistant comprise significant variables that could be modified with appropriate education.
Ligation of CD40 on Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Mediates Loss of Interstitial Collagen via Matrix Metalloproteinase Activity

Interstitial collagen constitutes the predominant structural component of the fibrous cap of atherosclerotic plaque. The balance between synthesis and degradation of this extracellular matrix protein probably determines plaque stability and hence the tendency for plaque rupture. The CD40/CD40L signaling dyad has been implicated as an important regulatory pathway of collagen-degrading activity in atherosclerosis via the induction of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). However, the role of CD40 signaling in the synthesis of interstitial collagen and thus in the overall rate of collagen turnover has remained unknown. We demonstrate here that CD40 ligation on cultured human vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) diminishes the detectable content of de novo synthesized interstitial procollagens. Notably, the loss of collagen is not accompanied by a reduction in collagen transcript expression but can be prevented by MMP inhibition. These data demonstrate that CD40 signaling in human vascular SMC shifts interstitial collagen turnover towards the loss of this extracellular matrix protein by accelerating its degradation without concomitantly diminishing its synthesis. Thus, CD40/CD40L interactions might play a key role in rendering atheromatous lesions prone to rupture.
Examination of the Blood-to-Brain Transfer of α-Aminoisobutyric Acid and Horseradish Peroxidase: Regional Alterations in Blood—Brain Barrier Function following Acute Hypertension:

Blood–brain barrier (BBB) alterations following acute hypertension were studied in rats, employing as tracers in each animal both horseradish peroxidase (HRP) (MW 40,000) and [14C]α-aminoisobutyric acid ([14C]AIB) (MW 104). Eighteen animals were subjected to acute hypertension induced by the intravenous infusion of norepinephrine bitartrate (NE) (Levophed). Five animals injected with both tracers but not infused with NE served as controls. The brain of each animal was serially sectioned with adjacent sections processed either for macroautoradiography or for light microscopic visualization of HRP reaction product via histochemical reaction with tetramethylbenzidine. Quantitative blood-to-brain transfer constants for AIB were determined in each of 14 brain regions. Qualitative comparisons were also made between the AIB and HRP blood-to-brain extravasation patterns in each group. Acute hypertension increased cerebrovascular permeability to both AIB and HRP in most animals. Topographically, the sites of the m...
A negative element in SMN2 exon 7 inhibits splicing in spinal muscular atrophy.

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a relatively common neurodegenerative disease caused by homozygous loss of the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene1. Humans possess a linked, nearly identical gene, SMN2, which produces a functional SMN protein but at levels insufficient to compensate for loss of SMN1 (refs. 1,2). A C/T transition at position +6 in exon 7 is all that differentiates the two genes, but this is sufficient to prevent efficient exon 7 splicing in SMN2 (refs. 2,3). Here we show that the C/T transition functions not to disrupt an exonic splicing enhancer (ESE) in SMN1 (ref. 4), as previously suggested, but rather to create an exonic splicing silencer (ESS) in SMN2. We show that this ESS functions as a binding site for a known repressor protein, hnRNP A1, which binds to SMN2 but not SMN1 exon 7 RNA. We establish the physiological importance of these results by using small interfering RNAs to reduce hnRNP A protein levels in living cells and show that this results in efficient SMN2 exon 7 splicing. Our findings not only define a new mechanism underlying the inefficient splicing of SMN2 exon 7 but also illustrate more generally the remarkable sensitivity and precision that characterizes control of mRNA splicing.
Influence of particulate trap oxidizers on emission of mutagenic compounds by diesel automobiles.

Diesel exhaust particles are known to contain mutagenic and carcinogenic chemicals. The aim of this study was to determine whether, and to what extent, catalytic particulate trap oxidizers on light-duty diesel engines may reduce the emission of particle-associated mutagenic chemicals into the environment. Exhaust particles were collected from Mercedes Benz and Volkswagen diesel automobiles, equipped with or without the manufacturer's exhaust traps, while running on a chassis dynamometer under specified load conditions. Exhaust particles were collected from a dilution tunnel onto 20″ × 20″ Teflon®-coated fiberglass filters. Mutagenesis tests of dichloromethane (DCM) extracts of the particles were conducted using the Ames Salmonella bacterial test system. The mutation rate was calculated in terms of histidine revertants per mile of travel during a set of standard test cycles. With both vehicles the traps produced an 87–92% reduction in the total amount of particulate material collected by the filters. There was no significant change in the specific mutagenic activity (revertants per microgram of DCM particle extract) with or without the traps. These studies support the notion that installation of exhaust traps which reduce particulate emission on diesel-powered vehicles will also reduce the emission of particle-associated mutagenic and carcinogenic materials into the environment.
Probing near extremal black holes with D -branes

We calculate the one loop effective action for $D$-brane probes moving in the presence of near Bogomol'nyi-Prasad-Sommerfield $D$-branes. The ${v}^{2}$ term agrees with supergravity in all cases and the static force agrees for a five-dimensional black hole with two large charges. It also agrees qualitatively in all the other cases. We make some comments on the $M(\mathrm{atrix})$ theory interpretation of these results.
EDL-360: A Potential Novel Antiglioma Agent

Glioma is a brain tumor that arises from glial cells or glial progenitor cells, and represents 80% of malignant brain tumor incidence in the United States. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive primary brain tumor malignancy with fewer than 8% of patients with GBM surviving for more than 3 years. Over the past 10 years, despite improvement in diagnosis and therapies for cancer, the survival rate for high-grade glioma patients remains dismal. The main focus of our research is to identify potent novel antiglioma small molecules. We previously showed that EDL-360, a tetrahydroisoquinoline (THIQ) analog, as being highly cytotoxic to human glioma cell cultures. Here we show that EDL-360 significantly induced apoptosis in human glioma cell lines (U87 and LN18). However, in normal astrocytic cells, EDL-360 induced a modest G0/G1 cell cycle arrest but did not induce apoptosis. In an attempt to enhance EDL-360 induced cell death, we tested simultaneous treatment with EDLâ360 and embelin (an inhibitor of the anti-apoptotic protein, XIAP). We found that, glioma cells had significant lower viability when EDLâ360 and embelin were used in combination when compared to EDL-360 alone. We also used combination treatment of EDL-360 with decylubiquinone (dUb), a caspase-9 inhibitor, and found that the combination treatment induced a significant cell death when compared to treatment with EDL-360 alone. This is the first report that suggests that dUb has anticancer activity, and perhaps acts as a XIAP inhibitor. Finally, our in vivo data showed that EDL-360 treatment induced a partial regression in glioma tumorigenesis and induced cell death in the treated tumors as shown by H&E staining. Taken together these data suggests that EDL-360 has a potential therapeutic application for treating glioma, especially when combined with XIAP inhibitors.
A 160-femtosecond optical image processor based on a conjugated polymer.

Degenerate ground-state conjugated polymers exhibit large third-order nonlinear optical susceptibilities, including substantial two-photon absorption. With the use of a machine architecture suited to these material properties, ultrafast optical processors are possible. A four-wave mixing optical correlator was built with an air-stable, processable, degenerate ground-state conjugated polymer, poly(1,6-heptadiester). The continuously updatable processor correlates two 5000-pixel images in less than 160 femtoseconds, achieving peak processing rates of 3 x 1016 operations per second.
Effect of the Tolman Surface Tension Correction on Nucleation in Chemically Reacting Systems

This paper considers the effect of the Tolman surface tension correction on aerosol nucleation and growth in chemically reacting systems. The classical Becker-Doring-Zeldovich(BDZ) theory for homogeneous nucleation rates is modified to include the Tolman correction for the surface tension of small droplets. The modified expression for the nucleation rate is used to simulate aerosol nucleation and growth using the integral model of Friedlander. The Tolman correction is also incorporated into the discrete-sectional numerical algorithm of Rao and McMurry. It is shown that the nucleation rate is substantially increased when the Tolman correction is accounted for. The increase in nucleation rates is especially large for substances with large surface energies and large molecular volumes. Using reasonable values for δ, the Tolman coefficient, good agreement is obtained between theory and data for sulfuric acid number concentrations and size distributions in experiments involving SO2 photooxidation. While the agr...
Anomalous Birefringence in Annealed Si-Rich Silicon Dioxide

We have observed a large birefringence of 0.039 in annealed Si-rich SiO2 thin films deposited on silica substrates. The birefringence is correlated with the light emission and structural properties of the films.
Effects of phosphorus mining wastes on the growth of phytoplankton in the Pamlico River Estuary

To test the effects of phosphorus mining waste water (SPW) and domestic sewage on the growth of phytoplankton in the Pamlico River estuary, six 1400 m3 artificial estuaries and eight 15 m3 plastic pools were constructed. Measurements of phytoplankton biomass and abundance of blue-green algae were made at regular intervals in estuaries and pools that contained various concentrations of SPW and artificial sewage. Concentration (excluding controls) of SPW in the pools was 1% and in the estuaries ranged from 2% to 8% of the total water volume. The concentration of an artificial sewage mix in the pools was 0.1% v/v. The present-day concentration of SPW in the lower Pamlico River is about 0.7% v/v and is expected to rise as other companies begin mining operations. Two experiments were carried out, one (44 days long) in the estuaries and one (36 days long) in the plastic pools.
Global development and the future of the protected area strategy

Abstract Land protection has become increasingly common, and global land protection is now greater than 12%. Prediction of future protected area expansion are uncertain, and depend on understanding the factors that have to date explained the historical pattern and geographic variation in protected area (PA) establishment. We test four major perspectives on factors limiting or facilitating PA creation, differentiating between strict PAs and multiple-use PAs where some resource extraction is permitted. Richer countries had a greater amount of land protection and were more likely to create strict PAs, supporting the view of land protection as an economic amenity, although the magnitude of this effect declines in recent decades. There are also significant differences in amount of protection by political structure, with independent countries tending to protect more land, and education, with countries with high levels of primary education tending to protect more. However, countries with substantial previous protection tend to do less protection and create proportionally fewer strict and more multiple-use PAs. Scenarios of future socioeconomic and political conditions suggest that on balance the amount of protection should increase in many countries, driven by economic prosperity, and by 2030 global land protection is forecast to reach 15–29%. The limiting factor in land protection varies among countries, and sub-Saharan African countries in particular will remain a very hard place for land protection because of low per-capita GDP. Overall, however, more land protection may occur in the next 20 years than has occurred in the previous 20 years.
Robust Vehicle Detection for Highway Surveillance via Rear-view Monitoring

Vision-based highway monitoring systems play an important role in transportation management and services owing to their powerful ability to extract a variety of information. Detection accuracy of vision-based systems is however sensitive to environmental factors such as lighting, shadow and weather conditions, and it is still a challenging problem to maintain detection robustness at all time. In this research, we present a novel method to enhance detection and tracking accuracy at the nighttime based on rear-view monitoring. In the meanwhile, a method is proposed to improve the background detection and extraction, which usually serves as the first step to moving object region detection. Finally, the effectiveness of the rear-view technique will be analyzed. We compare the tracking accuracy between the front-view and the rear-view techniques, and show that the proposed system can achieve higher detection accuracy at nighttime.
Raman spectroscopic analysis of Dutch Belt rabbit erythrocyte ghosts.

Abstract Dutch Belt rabbit erythrocyte ghosts have been examined by Raman spectroscopy. An unusually high signal-to-noise spectrum was obtained which enabled assessment of vibrations within 300 cm −1 of the exciting radiation. Assignment of the observed bands to specific vibrations yielded information concerning membrane fluidity, the conformations of the peptide backbones and disulfide bonds of membrane proteins, and the configurations of lipid unsaturated hydrocarbon side chains.
The Modern Racist Ideology and its Reproduction in “Pseudo-Argument”:

A discourse analysis of conversations between American undergraduate students discussing issues of race on a university campus reveals a well-defined speech activity which shares many features in common with argumentative discourse. However, the data are quite distinct from ordinary argumentative discourse on structural and functional grounds. The kind of discourse involved in the data is called “pseudoargument” because participants employ features of ordinary argumentation in order to shield themselves against potential negative attributions, and thus, by making their talk appear argumentative, participants are able to appear rational, unbiased, and nonracist in what is essentially a onesided discussion in which controversial beliefs and attitudes are continuously put forward and go unchallenged. Pseudo-argument is a collaborative activity in which participants jointly construct arguments (in the sense of to “make” an argument), and also simulate arguments (in the sense of to “have” an argument) in which...
Connecting reality with theory — An approach for creating integrative industry case studies in the software engineering curriculum

Case studies have been successfully integrated into a wide variety of educational contexts and disciplines. Today, case studies are increasingly accepted as valuable teaching tools in science and engineering curriculums to complement the underlying theory of the field. Well-articulated cases can reinforce abstract concepts, demonstrate the nature of real client interactions, and showcase the relevance of soft skills to students that lack significant practical experience. However, assembling and delivering quality case studies to students requires a great deal of practical disciplinary knowledge, and a careful alignment of the case content and delivery style with curricular objectives, course learning outcomes, and the overarching institutional format. In this paper, we summarize our experience with an approach for constructing case study teaching materials that are integrative and deep in content, but also carefully aligned to the core principles and format of a senior-level software engineering course. Our approach ensures that the cases are complex enough to retain their realism and intrinsic appeal, while mirroring the format and objectives of the course such that the cases reinforce key points in a familiar and consistent fashion to the students.
Influence of Sub- Versus Top-irrigation and Surfactants in a Recirculating System on Disease Incidence Caused by Phytophthora spp. in Potted Pepper Plants

Zoospores of Phytophthora capsici spread from inoculated source plants to healthy potted pepper plants located on separate ebb-and-flow benches when the recycled nutrient solution originated from a common reservoir. Amending the recirculating nutrient solution with a surfactant, which selectively kills zoospores, resulted in 100% control of the spread of the pathogen in an ebb-and-flow and a top-irrigated cultural system. Without a surfactant in the recirculating nutrient solution, all plants in an ebb-and-flow cultural system died within 6 weeks. In contrast, all plants in a top-irrigated cultural system died within 2 weeks after inoculation of source plants. These results suggest that the use of recycled irrigation water in an ebb-and-flow cultural system is less conducive to pathogen spread than its use in a top-irrigated cultural system, but may still serve as efficient means of inoculum movement in the absence of control measures.
Laser therapy for malignant esophageal strictures

Laser therapy was the predominant form of endoscopic treatment for esophageal cancer in the 1980s and early 1990s. More recently, self-expanding metal stents are used more commonly for palliation. Laser treatment can be used as an adjunct to stent placement (to open the lumen to allow stent placement or to debride obstructed stents) or in some cases as primary treatment. The clinical results and technical details are discussed.
Prosthetic valve endocarditis: clinicopathological correlates in 122 surgical specimens from 116 patients (1985-2004).

Abstract Background Few studies have documented the clinicopathological features of prosthetic valve endocarditis independently of native valve endocarditis. Study Design Retrospective analysis of patients undergoing cardiac surgery for prosthetic valve endocarditis at our institution (1985–2004). Methods Medical records and microscopic slides were reviewed from 116 patients for demographics, infecting organisms, comorbidities, and pathologic features. Results Patients were 12–86 years old (mean, 59 years). Among 122 valves, 64% were from men and 67% were purely regurgitant. Aortic prosthetic valve endocarditis frequently affected men (76%); mitral prosthetic valve endocarditis often affected women (62%). Embolization occurred in 35% and heart failure in 32%. Prevalent predisposing conditions were the prosthetic valve alone (43%) and diabetes mellitus (20%). Prosthetic valve endocarditis was aortic or mitral in 98% and was active in 70%. Annular abscess or paravalvular leak affected mechanical valves more frequently than bioprosthetic (89% vs. 65%; P=.001). Causative organisms (n=116) included Staphylococcus aureus (30%), coagulase-negative staphylococcus (22%), viridans streptococci (18%), enterococci (10%), other streptococci (8%), and other organisms (12%). S. aureus was the most prevalent cause of early-onset (38%) and late-onset (30%) prosthetic valve endocarditis. Coagulase-negative staphylococcus caused early-onset (31%) and most intermediate-onset (40%) disease and had a shorter median implantation-to-infection time than other organisms (6.5 vs. 61.3 months; P Conclusions Cocci accounted for 83% of infections. Early-onset prosthetic valve endocarditis was primarily staphylococcal, and late-onset prosthetic valve endocarditis resembled native valve endocarditis. Both Gram and Grocott methenamine silver stains were necessary to reliably identify organisms microscopically.
Analog of small Holstein polaron in hydrogen-bonded amide systems.

Determination d'une classe d'excitations du mode de valence C=0 d'amides et de leurs contributions a la fonction spectrale de l'absorption IR, a l'aide de l'hamiltonien de Davydov, pour un traitement quantique a temperature finie. Interpretation du comportement anormal de l'acetanilide, observe par Careri et al.: l'excitation localisee responsable est l'analogue vibronique du petit polaron de Holstein
Computational Modeling of Steel Stud Wall Systems for Applications to Blast-Resistant Design

AbstractPast research has shown that blast-loaded steel stud walls exhibit a range of different failure mechanisms depending on the stud and track section properties, connection details, and sheathing characteristics. To date, few studies have addressed the computational modeling of these systems. Because large-scale blast tests are expensive and logistically difficult, computational models are needed to evaluate different design options prior to carrying out full-scale experiments. In this paper, the authors present finite-element models that capture the peak load and deformation capacity of steel stud wall systems, accounting for the failure modes observed in past testing. The proposed models strike a balance between level of refinement and computational efficiency. These models were validated against data collected from an extensive laboratory testing program. Based on observations from both the lab tests and computational simulations, recommendations are given for improving the large-deformation respo...
Experiments on the effect of initial diameter in spherically symmetric droplet combustion of sooting fuels

The effect of initial droplet diameter on the burning rate of sooting fuels (n-heptane and 1-chloro-octane) is studied experimentally at low gravity. A 1.2 s drop tower provided a low gravity environment to minimize buoyancy and achieve spherically symmetric flames for stationary droplets. Free-floating and fiber supported droplets were burned, and both methods gave matching results for droplets of similar initial diameter.
Altered hemodynamics controls matrix metalloproteinase activity and tenascin-C expression in neonatal pig lung

Tenascin-C (TN-C) expression and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity are induced within remodeling pulmonary arteries (PAs), where they promote cell growth. Because pulmonary vascular disease in children with congenital heart defects is commonly associated with changes in pulmonary hemodynamics, we hypothesized that changes in pulmonary blood flow regulate TN-C and MMPs. To test this, we ligated the left PAs of neonatal pigs. After 12 wk, we evaluated the levels of TN-C and MMPs in control and ligated lung tissue. Modifying pulmonary hemodynamics increased TN-C mRNA and protein expression, MMP activity, and the DNA-binding activity of Egr-1, a transcription factor that has been shown to activate TN-C expression. To link MMP-mediated remodeling of the extracellular matrix to increased TN-C expression and Egr-1 activity, porcine PA smooth muscle cells were cultivated either on denatured type I collagen, which supported TN-C expression and Egr-1 activity, or on native collagen, which had the opposite effect. These data provide a framework for understanding how changes in pulmonary blood flow in the neonate modify the tissue microenvironment and cell behavior.
Cooperativity in enzyme function: equilibrium and kinetic aspects.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the practical aspects of analyzing and interpreting data— namely, various ways of measuring and quantitating cooperativity, statistical fitting, and evaluation of data and interpretation of such data in terms of simple and complex models that have been proposed to explain the cooperativity of enzymes. The term cooperativity is widely used in biochemical systems to refer to a variety of interactions with a common feature. Cooperativity has been used more recently to describe the association of macromolecular subunits, particularly proteins, into oligomeric structures, in which the initial association of two or more subunits gives rise to an increased affinity, so that succeeding steps in the association occur more readily. The most common usage of the term cooperativity in biochemical processes is with respect to enzyme kinetics and ligand binding to the macromolecules. Cooperativity in ligand binding to a protein can either lead to an enhanced binding of succeeding molecules and a steeper saturation curve than would be expected from non-cooperative binding or lead to a decreased ability of the protein to bind the ligand and a flatter, less-steep saturation curve. It deals primarily with the consequences and causes of spatial interactions on the cooperativity of oligomeric enzymes.
Assessing Effective Teaching of Psychology: A Meta-Analytic Integration of Learning Outcomes

Teaching researchers can assess learning outcome effectiveness as a function of students' graded performance or changes in knowledge, skills and behaviors, or attitudes. We meta-analyzed 197 studies to determine the effectiveness of teaching activities in Teaching of Psychology (ToP) both overall and also as a function of type of learning outcome assessment. We found that, on average, studies evidenced a medium effect size across types of learning outcomes. Given the effectiveness of ToP teaching activities, researchers should address the (a) potential confounding role of teacher rapport, immediacy, and alliance in evaluating teaching effectiveness; (b) ethics of teaching activity development; and (c) appropriateness of using course grades to assess teaching activity effectiveness.
Multivariate tests for multiple endpoints in clinical trials

Clinical trials frequently lack a single definitive endpoint that completely describes treatment efficacy. When a treatment affects a disease in a multitude of ways, several endpoints are necessary to describe efficacy. There is a variety of statistical procedures to provide a single p-value when a treatment affects several endpoints. This paper reviews several procedures including Hotelling's T2 test, an approximate likelihood ratio test (Tang et al.), the weighted version of O'Brien's test, tests involving the maximum of several test statistics, and a test based on the average of the maximum of several endpoints (Wittes). I propose a risk score test whose rejection boundary corresponds to a contour of constant risk. Calculations and simulation studies help to compare the different tests with an emphasis on the effect of non-standard alternatives, and on identifying settings where some tests may lack clinical relevance.
Modeling the Birth and Death of Cartels with an Application to Evaluating Competition Policy

One of the primary challenges to measuring the impact of antitrust policy on collusion is that the cartel population is unobservable; we observe only the population of discovered cartels. To address this challenge, a model of cartel creation and dissolution is developed to endogenously derive the populations of cartels and discovered cartels. It is then shown how one can infer the impact of antitrust policy on the population of cartels by measuring its impact on the population of discovered cartels. In particular, the change in the distribution on the duration of discovered cartels could be informative in assessing whether a new antitrust policy is reducing the latent rate of cartels.
Multistage detection of DS-CDMA signals with threshold level comparisons

Multiuser detection has been extensively researched as a method of decreasing the interference that occurs when many users simultaneously transmit in a direct sequence code division multiple access (DS-CDMA) system. The multistage detector attempts to estimate the interference that each user causes to every other user. The interference estimate is subtracted from all other signals. This method is computationally complex when there are many users present on the channel. In this paper we propose a multistage detector which only attempts to eliminate the multiple access interference (MAI) from a user's signal if the decision variable falls below a certain threshold level. It is shown that this reduces the computational complexity and improves bit error rate performance compared to the conventional multistage detector.