cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An experimental anatomy computer system.

Abstract Future computer systems, to assist the practicing physician, may take many forms. Some may, as independent automata, prepare and present specific diagnoses or identify and recommend specified courses of therapy. Others may assist by augmenting the physician's processes of reasoning to enhance both his diagnostic ability and his therapeutic decisions. Such systems will serve as prosthetic extensions of human cognition and will function as integrated manmachine systems combining the unique features of both the man and machine to the solution of diagnostic and therapeutic problems. This latter type of synergetic automaton must have the ability to answer any question submitted by the physician within its information content. Thus, it must be able to interpret the question and derive the answer in a simulation of the human ability to use knowledge. To achieve this, basic research is needed to develop a general system for the organization of disciplinary information and general programs for its utilization. Such research involves the development of a simulation, suitable for computer application, of the primitive pattern of human objectification and the fundamental processes of organization. This paper presents the first operational stage of a computer system constructed for the study of one aspect of this problem. The study involved the modeling of gross objects of the physical world, their attributes and relationships; the subject area used was human gross anatomy and the object set, a male human body. The output of the computer system is demonstrated, comments are given, the system is described, and plans for subsequent research discussed. The paper is written primarily as a progress report on the first operational stage of an experimental system.
Mechanisms of reaction of aminoxyl (nitroxide), iminoxyl, and imidoxyl radicals with alkenes and evidence that in the presence of lead tetraacetate, N-hydroxyphthalimide reacts with alkenes by both radical and nonradical mechanisms.

1,2-Dideuterio-cyclohexene, 1,2-dideuterio-cyclooctene, and trans-3,4-dideuterio-hex-3-ene were reacted with three >NO• radicals: 4-hydroxyTempo, di-tert-butyliminoxyl, both used as the actual radicals, and phthalimide-N-oxyl (PINO) generated from N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) by its reaction with tert-alkoxyl radicals (t-RO•) and with lead tetraacetate. In all cases, except the NHPI/Pb(OAc)4 system, only mono >NO-substituted alkenes were produced. The 2H NMR spectra imply that 88−92% of monoadducts were formed by the initial abstraction of an allylic H-atom, followed by capture of the allylic radical by a second >NO•, while the remaining 12−8% appear to be formed by an initial addition of >NO• to the double bond followed by H-atom abstraction by a second >NO•. A substantial and sometimes the major product formed with the NHPI/Pb(OAc)4 system has two PINO moieties added across the double bond. Since such diadducts are not formed with the NHPI/t-RO• system, a heterolytic mechanism is proposed, analogous to ...
Demonstration of enhanced absorption in thin film Si solar cells with textured photonic crystal back reflector

Herein the authors report the experimental application of a powerful light trapping scheme, the textured photonic crystal (TPC) backside reflector, to thin film Si solar cells. TPC combines a one-dimensional photonic crystal as a distributed Bragg reflector with a diffraction grating. Light absorption is strongly enhanced by high reflectivity and large angle diffraction, as designed with scattering matrix analysis. 5 μm thick monocrystalline thin film Si solar cells integrated with TPC were fabricated through an active layer transfer technique. Measured short circuit current density Jsc was increased by 19%, compared to a theoretical prediction of 28%.
Evolutionary Computing Applied to Design Optimization

Inspired by Darwin’s theory of evolution, the genetic algorithm (GA) method is part of evolutionary computing. It is a search technique used to find solutions and optimize them. This method has found application in different fields, such as computer science, engineering, chemistry, economics, physics, and mathematics. In the present study, GA is used to optimize airfoil geometry for high lift in the low-speed subsonic regime. The variable to be optimized is the set of coordinates of several points along the airfoil surface, which constructs its geometry. We seek a geometrical design that maximizes the fitness function (also called objective function), which is chosen to be the lift coefficient. The process is done in successive cycles, until a satisfactory design is achieved. At the end of each cycle, a group (or a generation) of candidate designs, is generated using stochastic searching. The method involves binary encoding-decoding and mutating as well. An aerodynamic flow solver is augmented in the GA procedure; it evaluates the fitness function at each cycle. A special procedure in evaluating the fitness function is used so that impractical geometrical designs are eliminated automatically.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Epidemiologic surveillance of Clostridium difficile diarrhea in a freestanding pediatric hospital and a pediatric hospital at a university medical center.

Abstract To describe the epidemiology of Clostridium difficile in children, we cultured stool specimens from patients at the Children's Hospital Central California, Madera, CA (CHCC, n = 676) and at the University of California Davis Medical Center Pediatric Hospital, Sacramento, CA (UCDMC-PH, n = 301) for C. difficile , and toxins A and B genes and strain identity of the isolates were determined by polymerase chain reaction assays. A higher percentage of patients from UCDMC-PH were culture positive (148/301, 49%) and colonized with toxigenic strains (45/301, 15%) compared with CHCC (colonized = 178/676, 26%; toxigenic=96/676, 14%, P ≤ .001). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed decreased colonization with inpatient status (odds ratio [OR] = 0.64; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.46, 0.89; P = .007) and use of H-2 antagonists (OR = 0.55; 95% CI=0.36, 0.84; P = .006), whereas underlying conditions (colonization: OR=1.42; 95% CI=1.02, 1.96; P = .04; toxin positive: OR=1.60; 95% CI=1.04, 2.44; P = .03) and exposure to ≥2 antiinfectives (colonization: OR=1.56; 95% CI=1.10, 2.20; P = .01; toxin positive: OR=1.71; 95% CI=1.10, 2.66; P = .02) increased colonization. Most isolates appear to be community acquired, although molecular analysis suggests some nosocomial transmission at UCDMC-PH. These data suggest that the epidemiology of colonization with C. difficile in children is different than previously reported.
Wavelength dependent photoisomerization of bicyclo[3.1.0]hexenones

Abstract The unusual wavelength dependent product selectivity observed upon irradiation of a substituted 2,5-cyclohexadien-1-one is shown to result from wavelength dependent quantum yields for rearrangement of the primary photoproduct bicyclo[3.1.0]hexenones. Reaction selectivity can be optimized by careful choice of irradiation wavelength and length of irradiation time.
The world according to pat: The telepolitical celebrity as purveyor of political medicine

The study examines Pat Robertson's use of The 700 Club television program to establish and sustain celebrity status and in turn to promote partisan politics through seemingly objective news accounts. The findings indicate that The 700 Club news segments consistently rely on narrative techniques that mask Robertson's intensely partisan content and provide what Kenneth Burke terms symbolic medicine for his particular audience.
Constructions of Race among Religiously Conservative College Students

The “Whites as victims” motif in conversations about race has been well documented in recent decades. When discussing affirmative action hiring policies, a common belief expressed by Whites is that people of color have been permitted to progress unfairly at the expense of harder working Whites. Whites using this discourse see themselves as victims of a political process that ignores individual responsibility and caters to people of color who are not willing to work toward their own success. Using students’ Blackboard discussion forum postings, the author analyzes ideas about race expressed by students in education classes at a small denominational Christian college in the northeastern United States, and compares these students’ constructions of race to those analyzed in previous research using Whites as subjects in both religious and non-religious settings. The author argues that these students do not differ in their constructions of race and racism from other Whites in non-religious settings. Further, wi...
Fine-Grained Analysis of Motionese: Eye Gaze, Object Exchanges, and Action Units in Infant-versus Adult-Directed Action.

Abstract Mothers modify their actions when demonstrating objects to infants versus adults. Such modifications have been called infant-directed action (IDA) or motionese (Brand, Baldwin, & Ashburn, 2002). We investigated the IDA features of interactiveness and simplification by quantifying eye gaze, object exchanges, and action units enacted between exchanges in 42 mothers’ demonstrations of novel objects to infants (6–8 months or 11–13 months) or adults. We found more eye gaze, more object exchanges, and fewer action types per turn in demonstrations to infants relative to adults. Unlike prior research using global measurements, we detected differences in behavior directed at infants of different ages: Shorter, more frequent gazes and more exchanges characterized demonstrations to older versus younger infants. These findings indicate the fruitfulness of fine-grained analysis of IDA, and further clarify how adults may support infants’ processing of human motion.
New strategies for treating AIDS

To date, the effective management of HIV-1 infection by anti-retroviral drugs has proved remarkably difficult to achieve. This is primarily due to the ease with which HIV-1 becomes resistant to drugs which initially may be very effective at blocking viral replication. In a recent issue of Science, two promising new AIDS treatments were reported. The first described the use of retroviral-type zinc finger structures found in the HIV-1 nucleocapsid protein as targets for anti-retroviral drugs(1). The second demonstrated the feasibility of the reverse transcriptase inhibitor (R)-9-(2-phosphonylmethoxypropyl) adenine as a postexposure prophylaxis in blocking HIV-1 infection(2).
Sharing and Comparing Award-Winning Picture Books of English-Language Nations.

Presentation to children of stories from other countries can spur interest in the people, culture, and language of different areas. This paper reports on genre comparisons (folklore, modern fantasy, nonfiction, realistic fiction, biography, poetry) in awardwinning picture books from the four large English‐speaking nations of Australia, Canada, Great Britain and the United States. These award‐winning books were found to be overwhelmingly from the genres of folklore and modern fantasy.
DNA synthesis, cell division and specific cytodifferentiation in cultured pea root cortical explants.

Abstract Pea root segments cut 10–11 mm behind the tip of germinating seedlings were prepared by removal of the central cylinders with a tissue punch. These cortical explants were cultured aseptically on nutrient medium containing auxin with and without added cytokinin. In the absence of kinetin, the cortical cells enlarged and separated but failed to show DNA synthesis, mitosis, cell division or subsequent cytodifferentiation. In the presence of 1 ppm kinetin, cortical nuclei showed 3H-thymidine incorporation beginning between 24 and 32 hr; mitoses began about 48 hr, reaching a maximum of 6% at 60 hr. From an initial number of 8000 cells per segment, the cell count increased to 37,000 by day 7 and 140,000 by day 21. At the outset all mitoses were tetraploid; with time the proportion of tetraploid mitotic cells decreased and an octaploid population increased. A frequency of less than 10% diploid mitoses was observed after day 5. Only 25% of the cortical cells showed initial labeling. Beginning on day 7 tracheary elements differentiated from cortical derivatives. By day 14 about 25% and by day 21 about 35% of the total cell population had formed tracheary elements. As a system for analysis in biochemical and cytological terms, pea cortical explants represent an excellent system for the study of cytodifferentiation.
Display Processing of Computed Tomography Images

In this paper, we review some of the possibilities for digital enhancement of Computed Tomography (CT) images. The basic hypothesis is that the array of computed x-ray absorbtion values obtained in CT contains more information than the unaided eye can generally grasp. Examples of novel contrast enhancement and noise smoothing algorithms are included to support this hypothesis. Particular attention is paid to properties of the human visual system which we consider an element of the overall information processing loop.
Fiber Bragg grating multi-functional chemical sensor

A promising new fiber optic sensor is under development that combines fiber Bragg gratings coated with polymer materials for sensitive and rapid detection and identification of chemical and/or biological agents. Volumetric expansion of the polymer coating transfers characteristic strain to the Bragg grating, modifying directly its grating period rather than sensing through a change of effective guide index of refraction. The optical interrogation of the sensor element utilizes a sensitive transmission spectroscopy technique with a balanced receiver that minimizes polarization and laser intensity noise problems. A compact, rugged, all-solid-state laser at 1550 nm is being adapted for rapid tuning between discrete preset locked wavelengths. To accompany use of this laser at these few discrete wavelengths, a sampled (superstructure) fiber Bragg grating is being designed using coupled mode theory. Hence, the need for a continuously tunable laser, often with moving mechanical optical elements, and its attendant reference etalon will be avoided entirely. This process exploits a novel vernier effect between the discrete laser wavelengths and the sampled grating responses to create 'signatures' for an artificial neural network. Therefore, the total spectral response pattern of strain can constitute a unique fingerprint used to identify and quantify chemical agents or biomarkers. The sensor is intended for applications requiring multi-functionality, sensitivity, speed, mobility and remote operability in vibrational, electromagnetic, and explosive environments.
Three-dimensional Identification and Reconstruction of Galaxy Systems within Flux-limited Redshift Surveys

We have developed a new geometrical method for identifying and reconstructing a homogeneous and highly complete set of galaxy groups within flux-limited redshift surveys. Our method combines information from the three-dimensional Voronoi diagram and its dual, the Delaunay triangulation, to obtain group and cluster catalogs that are remarkably robust over wide ranges in redshift and degree of density enhancement. As free by-products, this Voronoi-Delaunay method (VDM) provides a nonparametric measurement of the galaxy density around each object observed and a quantitative measure of the distribution of cosmological voids in the survey volume. In this paper, we describe the VDM algorithm in detail and test its effectiveness using a family of mock catalogs that simulate the Deep Extragalactic Evolutionary Probe (DEEP2) Redshift Survey, which should present at least as much challenge to cluster reconstruction methods as any other near-future survey that is capable of resolving their velocity dispersions. Using these mock DEEP2 catalogs, we demonstrate that the VDM algorithm can be used to identify a homogeneous set of groups in a magnitude-limited sample throughout the survey redshift window 0.7 < z < 1.2. The actual group membership can be effectively reconstructed even in the distorted redshift space environment for systems with line-of-sight velocity dispersion σlos greater than ≈200 km s-1. By applying the sampling rate and the instrument-imposed target selection biases expected for DEEP2, we show that even in a worst-case scenario our VDM method can construct a homogeneous sample of systems that reproduces major properties of the "real" cluster parent population down to ≈200 km s-1 for systems with at least five members (and down to ≈400 km s-1 for clusters as a whole). In a Λ cold dark matter cosmology, that limit translates into an identification rate of ~270 systems per square degree with 0.7 < z < 1.2 and a total of more than 1000 groups within the full DEEP2 survey volume. By comparing the galaxy cluster catalogs derived from mock observations to the underlying distribution of clusters as found in real space with much fainter galaxies included (which should more closely trace mass in the cluster), we can assess completeness in velocity dispersion directly. We conclude that if our VDM algorithm is used, the recovered DEEP2 group and cluster sample should be statistically complete for σlos 400 km s-1. Finally, we argue that the bivariate distribution of systems as a function of redshift and velocity dispersion reconstructed with these techniques reproduces with high fidelity the underlying real space distribution and can thus be used robustly to constrain cosmological parameters. We expect that the VDM algorithm, which has performed so well when faced with the challenges posed by the DEEP2 survey, should only be more effective when applied to the better sampled, larger surveys of the local universe now underway.
Practical Modeling of Heterogeneous Bundles of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes for Adsorption Applications: Estimating the Fraction of Open-Ended Nanotubes in Samples

A practical approach for adsorption modeling of heterogeneity of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) bundles has been developed. The method integrates experimental analysis with grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulation of a small probe molecule, such as nitrogen at 77 K. Using this method, it is possible for one to separately estimate adsorption inside the nanotubes, adsorption on the external surface of the bundles, and adsorptive contributions from the impurities present in samples. By introducing a scaling parameter for adsorption in the internal porous volume of the bundles, the predicted adsorption isotherm results in a near replication of the experimental N2 adsorption isotherm. We refer to this parameter as the volume fraction of open-ended nanotubes. Our GCMC-assisted experimental characterization method has been applied successfully to several commercial samples obtained from different suppliers, such as MER Corp., Carbon Nanotechnologies Inc., Carbon Solutions Inc., Carbolex Inc., and Buck...
Plasma-enhanced CVD of high quality insulating films

Abstract A modified plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition process (He-PECVD) is described, and used to deposit high quality silicon-based insulators at low substrate temperature (≤ 350°C). This process utilizes very high levels of helium dilution of the reactive gases to eliminate many of the problems normally associated with plasma deposition. SiO 2 films deposited by He-PECVD approach the standards of high quality thermally grown oxide and very thin films (≤ 100 A) with excellent electrical integrity can be deposited over large areas routinely. MOSFET's incorporating deposited gate oxides highlight the fundamental difference between deposition and growth by revealing a strong correlation between the ultimate device performance and pre-deposition silicon surface treatment. By minimizing the extent of process-induced surface damage, good quality deposited oxide FET's can be fabricated without the need for additional high temperature annealing. The He-PECVD process can also be applied to the deposition of Si 3 N 4 films, also with marked improvements in film quality.
Variations in adult cortical bone mass as measured by a panoramic mandibular index

This study defines a new radiomorphometric index of mandibular cortical bone mass, the panoramic mandibular index (PMI). Differences in the index in a population of 353 adult subjects, equally divided by sex, age (30 through 79 years), and racial group (black, Hispanic, white), were evaluated. The data were analyzed with respect to side, racial group, sex, age, and combinations of these variables. Blacks were found to have a greater mean PMI than Hispanics or whites, who were statistically similar. Age-related changes comparing younger and older age groups within each sex and racial group indicated a significant decrease in mean PMI with increasing age in black and Hispanic women. The mean PMI in white men increased with advancing age.
Micromotion-induced dynamic effects from a neuron probe and brain tissue interface

Brain cells interfaced with electrical neural implants are utilized to gain a better understanding of the functionality of our nervous system. One main problem that exists with these neural implants is the potential to cause injury to surrounding neural cells due to a discrepancy in stiffness values between the implant and surrounding brain tissue when subjected to mechanical micromotion of the brain. To evaluate the effects of the mechanical mismatch, a series of dynamic simulations are conducted to better understand the design enhancements required to improve the feasibility of the neuron probe. In addition, the brain tissue deformation near the interface of the neuron probe can give insight on the extent of injury to the brain due to relative micromotion. The simulations use a nonlinear transient explicit finite element code, LS-DYNA. A three-dimensional quarter-symmetry finite element model is utilized for the transient analysis to capture the time-dependent dynamic deformations on the brain tissue from the implant as a function of different frequency shapes and stiffness values.
Spectral approximation to advection-diffusion problems by the fictitious interface method

Abstract In this work we face the numerical approximation by spectral methods of advection-diffusion equations for convective dominated regimes. For either boundary and internal layer problems, it has been recently pointed out that effective methods can be based on dropping the viscous terms far from the thin layer. This yields a problem that couples two different model equations (one of hyperbolic type, the other one of parabolic type) through suitable matching conditions at subdomain interfaces. An extensive theory has been developed and effective algorithms have been derived. Here we apply this theory to spectral approximations to two-dimensional steady problems. In particular, we investigate the issues of stability and convergence, and we propose effective algebraic solvers to face both the hyperbolic and elliptic problems.
A novel technique for measurement of the mode indexes of channel waveguides

An accurate technique for measurement of small differences in the mode indexes of channel waveguides is presented and compared with the prism coupler. It has a distinct advantage over the prism coupler method since it allows measurements in buried waveguides as well. The absolute mode index of an individual guide can also be obtained provided a guide near the mode cutoff is available on the same substrate. The technique is expected to be useful with waveguides of high index materials, especially when the prism coupler monitoring the uniformity of optical fibers or measuring the waveguide birefringence. >
An evaluation of atmospheric rivers over the North Pacific in CMIP5 and their response to warming under RCP 8.5

Author(s): Payne, AE; Magnusdottir, G | Abstract: Landfalling atmospheric rivers over the North Pacific are evaluated in historical (1980-2005) simulations from 28 models participating in the fifth phase of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) and compared to the Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications and ERA-Interim reanalyses. Landfalling dates are identified as having spatially elongated high wind and moisture features in physical proximity to the coastline. Model performance relative to reanalysis is found to be quite variable. The majority can resolve the spatial structure of landfalling events, but few correctly resolve the frequency distribution, interannual variability in number and amplitude of moisture flux, and median landfalling latitude. The response of a subset of high-performing models to projected warming at the end of the 21st century is investigated using Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 8.5 (2070-2100) projections. Selected models show a broadening of the frequency distribution, with the largest increase in frequency occurring equatorward of peak historical frequency. While there is a robust increase in AR-related moisture transport compared to the historical period, this increase is not linked to more extreme AR events within the context of the projected future climate. The occurrence of years with many AR dates is greater at the end of the 21st century than during the historical period. The equatorward increase in peak historical frequency is colocated with increases in the 850 and 250 hPa zonal winds. The response in moisture flux to warming is mostly thermodynamic, but equatorward of its peak distribution, it is dominated by a dynamic response. Key Points CMIP5 model performance is variable in resolving landfalling ARs In RCP 8.5, AR frequency broadens equatorward of peak historical frequency Equatorward increase in moisture flux dominated by dynamical response.
Job Seeking patterns of Female and Male Ph.D. Recipients

A questionnaire survey of female and male Ph.D's was undertaken to examine sex differences in job seeking, job attainment, and factors influencing career advancement. Women and men held generally s...
Energy efficient D-TLB and data cache using semantic-aware multilateral partitioning

The memory subsystem, including address translations and cache accesses, consumes a major portion of the overall energy on a processor. In this paper, we address the memory energy issues by using a streamlined architectural partitioning technique that effectively reduces energy consumption in the memory subsystem without compromising performance. It is achieved by decoupling the d-TLB lookups and the data cache accesses, based on the semantic regions defined by programming languages and software convention, into discrete reference substreams --- stack, global static, and heap. Their unique access behaviors and locality characteristics are analyzed and exploited for power reduction. Our results show that an average of 35% energy can be reduced in the d-TLB and the data cache. Furthermore, an average of 46% energy can be saved by selectively multi-porting the semantic-aware d-TLBs and data caches against their monolithic counterparts.
GHMI: a general hypertext data model supporting integration of hypertext and information systems

We present a general hypertext data model supporting the integration (GHMI) of hypertext and information systems. The information systems benefit from hypertext functionality while preserving their computation capabilities. Although systems supporting integration of hypertext and display-oriented information systems do exist, no model or system effectively supports integrating hypertext and computation-oriented information systems (COISs). In COISs, content is generated and mapped dynamically at run-time. Based on the widely-recognized Dexter hypertext model, GHMI makes major contributions by significantly extending the Dexter model in the storage layer. GHMI divides its storage layer into two sublayers: a hypertext database and a hypertext knowledge base. The hypertext database extends the original Dexter storage layer regarding component classes, typed links, composite structures, typed anchors, and navigation structures. In the hypertext knowledge base, GHMI models domain mapping rules between hypertext and information systems called bridge laws.
Rotational muscle flaps to treat localized prosthetic graft infection: long-term follow-up.

Abstract Purpose: The conventional management of prosthetic graft infection (PGI), including graft excision and extraanatomic revascularization, continues to be associated with substantial morbidity. Rotational muscle flap (RMF) closure of the infected wound, with preservation of the graft, is an alternative, albeit controversial, approach. Methods: Over the last 7 years, 22, RMF procedures have been performed to close 19 wounds in 18 patients, ranging in age from 39 to 79 (mean 63.7) years, with PGI. Twenty-one grafts constructed of Dacron (13) or polytetrafluoroethylene (8) were covered in the groin (16), neck (2), or chest (1). The clinical presentations included abscess or purulent drainage in 14 grafts, hemorrhage in three, and infected false aneurysm in two wounds; positive bacterial culture results were obtained in each case. Results: There was one (5.6%) operative death. Healing was achieved in the 18 wounds of the 17 operative survivors. No patients have been lost to follow-up. Three (17.6%) of these 17 patients had recurrent infection, including one patient who underwent a secondary RMF procedure with graft salvage, one who underwent excision of an occluded graft, and one who underwent excision and extraanatomic bypass and died. Four other patients died 1 to 6 (mean 3) months after RMF closure with healed wounds. Eleven (92%) of the 12 survivors have healed wounds and intact grafts with follow-up ranging from 8 to 83 (mean 39) months. For the entire series 15 (88%) of these 17 patients had healed wounds and intact grafts, with a mean follow-up of 30 months. Conclusions: These results suggest that RMF procedures are well tolerated and can achieve acceptable long-term graft salvage in selected patients with PGI. (J VASC SURG 1993;18:358-65.)
Anorexia and impaired glucose metabolism in mice with hypothalamic ablation of Glut4 neurons

The central nervous system (CNS) uses glucose independent of insulin. Nonetheless, insulin receptors and insulin-responsive glucose transporters (Glut4) often colocalize in neurons (Glut4 neurons) in anatomically and functionally distinct areas of the CNS. The apparent heterogeneity of Glut4 neurons has thus far thwarted attempts to understand their function. To answer this question, we used Cre-dependent, diphtheria toxin–mediated cell ablation to selectively remove basal hypothalamic Glut4 neurons and investigate the resulting phenotypes. After Glut4 neuron ablation, mice demonstrate altered hormone and nutrient signaling in the CNS. Accordingly, they exhibit negative energy balance phenotype characterized by reduced food intake and increased energy expenditure, without locomotor deficits or gross neuronal abnormalities. Glut4 neuron ablation affects orexigenic melanin-concentrating hormone neurons but has limited effect on neuropeptide Y/agouti-related protein and proopiomelanocortin neurons. The food intake phenotype can be partially normalized by GABA administration, suggesting that it arises from defective GABAergic transmission. Glut4 neuron–ablated mice show peripheral metabolic defects, including fasting hyperglycemia and glucose intolerance, decreased insulin levels, and elevated hepatic gluconeogenic genes. We conclude that Glut4 neurons integrate hormonal and nutritional cues and mediate CNS actions of insulin on energy balance and peripheral metabolism.
The Business Value of IT: A Conceptual Model for Selecting Valuation Methods

The relation between IT and value is a complex and disputed one. Many studies are not decisive in their results. This paper presents an overview of approaches to the ‘quest for value’ and identifies the qualities of and issues with each approach. It adds several new insights, including what’s missing from most approaches: taking into account the nature of the investment. From this notion a conceptual model to select the most appropriate valuation approach is developed.
DPCM system design for diversity systems with applications to packetized speech

Speech quality in packetized speech systems can degrade substantially when packets are lost. We consider the problem of DPCM system design for packetized speech systems. The problem is formulated as a multiple description problem and the problem of optimal selection of the encoder and decoder filters is addressed. We show that significant improvements in performance are obtained as compared to an earlier system proposed by Jayant and Christensen (1981). Further, we show that for a first-order Gauss-Markov source significant performance improvements can be obtained by using a second-order predictor instead of a first-order predictor. >
Violence Against Women in a Multiethnic Church

Domestic violence affects the lives of millions of women and children around the world; in fact, according to a new report from the World Health Organization (2013) physical or sexual violence affects 35 % of women globally. However, very little of the literature on domestic violence addresses the unique context of culturally diverse women (Rasche 1988; Riviera 1994). For that reason, we decided to study the women of a multiethnic church community. This chapter looks at abuse experienced or observed by eleven women, all attenders of a multiethnic church in a major metro area in the Midwest. The women come from diverse ethnicities, socioeconomic levels, and neighborhoods. Some are first- or second-generation immigrants from Africa, some are white, and some are women of color. In this chapter they discuss their experiences and views of domestic violence: giving examples, discussing perceptions of abuse in their families and communities, identifying factors that impact abuse, and articulating the role of faith in their healing and restoration. Two focus groups, four interviews, and a questionnaire provided both qualitative and quantitative data, which were analyzed for thematic content.
Distributing State Children's Health Insurance Program funds: a critical review of the design and implementation of the funding formula

The development of formulas to distribute federal funds to states based on demographic data continues to challenge data and policy analysts. Analysts must forward the best objective statistical analysis and data inputs to formula specifications while acknowledging the politics of the legislative process that authorizes federal funding formulas. This article evaluates the federal funding formula for the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) using key formula components of need, effort, capacity, and performance. We also examine the operationalization and measure of the target population in the SCHIP funding formula. Legislative decisions on formulas are, by nature, based on compromises that balance competing policy objectives. The analyst's role is to continually review current research standards, data quality, and relevant formula inputs and make recommendations to refine federal funding formulas to better target resources to their intended populations.
Genetic stability in a population of a plant pathogenic fungus over time

Collections of the plant pathogenic fungus Mycosphaerella graminicola were made from the same field of wheat over a 3-year period. The field was planted with small plots containing four varieties of wheat grown in pure stand and in all possible two-, three- and four-way mixtures. In each year, the wheat field was recolonized by a local source of inoculum of unknown origin. Allele frequencies at 10 RFLP loci were compared at two different times within a growing season and over the 3-year period. No significant differences in allele frequencies were found for any of the RFLP loci over any of the time periods. DNA fingerprints were used to identify clones produced by asexual reproduction. Genotypic diversity based on the frequency of each clone was compared for each collection. No significant changes in genotypic diversity were found within a year or between years. Identical genotypes were found in the field at different times within a season, but no clones were conserved between years. No clone existed in a high frequency in any year, suggesting that selection for particular asexual lineages was weak. The founding population each year probably originated from wind-borne ascospores of the teleomorph, which may exist as an indigenous population on alternative hosts, such as Poa annua (annual bluegrass).
Effect of GLUT1 Glucose Transporter Overexpression on the Stimulation of Glucose Transport in Response to Inhibition of Oxidative Phosphorylation

Glucose transport is markedly stimulated in response to inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation by cyanide or azide in Clone 9 cells, a rat liver cell line in which only the GLUT1 isoform of glucose transporters is expressed. Here, we examine the possibility that the stimulation of glucose transport by azide is similarly observed in cells exhibiting high basal rates of glucose transport. We stably transfected Clone 9 cells with an expression plasmid containing full-length rat GLUT1 cDNA; nontransfected cells and cells transfected with plasmid alone served as controls. Two clones of cells transfected with the GLUT1-cDNA-containing insert, labeled A and B, respectively, expressed 8- and 20-fold higher levels of GLUT1 mRNA, contained 11- and 23-fold higher levels of GLUT1, and manifested 11- and 17-fold higher rates of glucose transport in the basal state. Upon incubation with 5 mM azide for 2 h, the rate of glucose transport was markedly stimulated in both clones. Moreover, the transient fall in cell ATP content following exposure to azide did not correlate with the magnitude of the glucose transport response. We conclude that in GLUT1-overexpressing Clone 9 cells (i) GLUT1 content and glucose transport parallel cellular GLUT1 mRNA content, suggesting no major translational or posttranslational control of GLUT1 expression and function in the basal state, and (ii) the rate of glucose transport in cells overexpressing GLUT1 is markedly stimulated by exposure to azide. These results indicate that the stimulation of glucose transport in response to inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation is maintained in cells with very high basal rates of glucose transport.
Location Verification for VANETs Routing

Inter-vehicle communication among great deals of vehicles plays an important role in providing a high level of safety and convenience to drivers. Geographic routing protocol has been identified to be suited as a result of the special nature of vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs), such as high dynamic mobility and large network size. Although there is considerable functional research about geographic routing, the security aspects have not been vastly concentrated on so far. While selecting every hop, the performance and security can be impacted severely by false position, because of the position information importance for geographic routing. Through taking advantages of directional antennas, we propose a novel detection mechanism capable of recognizing nodes faking about their positions in beacon message. By checking through which antenna (f-antenna or b-antenna) beacons are received, ones' neighborhood can be easily divided into two groups. In addition, compared with the detection rules, a node can efficiently detect the malicious nodes after exchanging neighbors grouping information with other vehicles. As the evaluation based on simulations shows, our position verification system can detect malicious nodes successfully and can prevent attacks on geographic routing by false position.
Conceptual Building Blocks in Developing a Pharmacodynamic Model for a Muscle Relaxant

A pharmacodynamic model for any drug is an artificial construct intended to simulate the course of action of that drug over time. We present the concepts involved in building such a model for nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents using physiologic and pharmacologic principles. The advantages of this model are: (i) simplicity, (ii) the possibility to apply the model to any nondepolarizing muscle relaxant, and (iii) clarity in understanding each individual parameter used in the model.
Life History Traits of The Tennessee Dace (Phoxinus Tennesseensis) in Northeast Tennessee

ABSTRACT We examined life history traits of Phoxinus tennesseensis (Tennessee dace), a globally vulnerable (G3) upper Tennessee River drainage endemic, in 2 populations in Northeast Tennessee. The spawning season lasted from Apr. to Jun. Spawning occurred over the nests of Semotilus atromaculatus (creek chub) and Campostoma anomalum (central stoneroller), where large spawning aggregations of dace gathered over host species nests. Phoxinus tennesseensis populations have 4 size classes that are indicators of age classes. The mean life span of P. tennesseensis is about 2 y with 1st y fish constituting a majority of the population. Fecundity samples indicate that females produce 398 to 721 ova that were 0.9 to 1.5 mm in diameter. Phoxinus tennesseensis has the lowest fecundity when compared to closely related congeners and inhabits the smallest headwater streams that frequently experience reduced or no-flow conditions. These characteristics probably contribute to its very limited distribution and small popula...
The use and limits of scientific names in biological informatics

Scientific names serve to label biodiversity information: information related to species. Names, and their underlying taxonomic definitions, however, are unstable and ambiguous. This negatively impacts the utility of names as identifiers and as effective indexing tools in biological informatics where names are commonly utilized for searching, retrieving and integrating information about species. Semiotics provides a general model for describing the relationship between taxon names and taxon concepts. It distinguishes syntactics, which governs relationships among names, from semantics, which represents the relations between those labels and the taxa to which they refer. In the semiotic context, changes in semantics (i.e., taxonomic circumscription) do not consistently result in a corresponding and reflective change in syntax. Further, when syntactic changes do occur, they may be in response to semantic changes or in response to syntactic rules. This lack of consistency in the cardinal relationship between names and taxa places limits on how scientific names may be used in biological informatics in initially anchoring, and in the subsequent retrieval and integration, of relevant biodiversity information. Precision and recall are two measures of relevance. In biological taxonomy, recall is negatively impacted by changes or ambiguity in syntax while precision is negatively impacted when there are changes or ambiguity in semantics. Because changes in syntax are not correlated with changes in semantics, scientific names may be used, singly or conflated into synonymous sets, to improve recall in pattern recognition or search and retrieval. Names cannot be used, however, to improve precision. This is because changes in syntax do not uniquely identify changes in circumscription. These observations place limits on the utility of scientific names within biological informatics applications that rely on names as identifiers for taxa. Taxonomic systems and services used to organize and integrate information about taxa must accommodate the inherent semantic ambiguity of scientific names. The capture and articulation of circumscription differences (i.e., multiple taxon concepts) within such systems must be accompanied with distinct concept identifiers that can be employed in association with, or in replacement of, traditional scientific names.
Positron and Positronium Momentum Spectroscopy in Solids: An Overview

After a brief introduction to the experimental techniques used in positron annihilation spectroscopy and an outline of the underlying theory, we describe the applications of the angular correlation of annihilation radiation method to the study of the momentum density of electrons in solids, and in particular of the Fermi surfaces of some pure metals and alloys. The use of low energy positron beams for surface studies will also be briefly discussed, with emphasis on the newly developed angle-resolved positronium emission spectroscopy.
Relative Information Contributions of Consumer Purchase Intentions and Management Judgment as Explanators of Sales

The author compares the information content from intention surveys with management's judgmental estimates of consumers’ intentions. Results indicate that both consumer data and judgmental estimates...
Photochemical Water Oxidation by Crystalline Polymorphs of Manganese Oxides: Structural Requirements for Catalysis

Manganese oxides occur naturally as minerals in at least 30 different crystal structures, providing a rigorous test system to explore the significance of atomic positions on the catalytic efficiency of water oxidation. In this study, we chose to systematically compare eight synthetic oxide structures containing Mn(III) and Mn(IV) only, with particular emphasis on the five known structural polymorphs of MnO2. We have adapted literature synthesis methods to obtain pure polymorphs and validated their homogeneity and crystallinity by powder X-ray diffraction and both transmission and scanning electron microscopies. Measurement of water oxidation rate by oxygen evolution in aqueous solution was conducted with dispersed nanoparticulate manganese oxides and a standard ruthenium dye photo-oxidant system. No Ru was absorbed on the catalyst surface as observed by XPS and EDX. The post reaction atomic structure was completely preserved with no amorphization, as observed by HRTEM. Catalytic activities, normalized to ...
Myosin 1b Regulates Amino Acid Transport by Associating Transporters with the Apical Plasma Membrane of Kidney Cells

Amino acid transporters (AATers) in the brush border of the apical plasma membrane (APM) of renal proximal tubule (PT) cells mediate amino acid transport (AAT). We found that the membrane-associated class I myosin myosin 1b (Myo1b) localized at the apical brush border membrane of PTs. In opossum kidney (OK) 3B/2 epithelial cells, which are derived from PTs, expressed rat Myo1b-GFP colocalized in patched microvilli with expressed mouse V5-tagged SIT1 (SIT1-V5), which mediates neutral amino acid transport in OK cells. Lentivirus-mediated delivery of opossum Myo1b-specific shRNA resulted in knockdown (kd) of Myo1b expression, less SIT1-V5 at the APM as determined by localization studies, and a decrease in neutral AAT as determined by radioactive uptake assays. Myo1b kd had no effect on Pi transport or noticeable change in microvilli structure as determined by rhodamine phalloidin staining. The studies are the first to define a physiological role for Myo1b, that of regulating renal AAT by modulating the association of AATers with the APM.
Characteristics of late-onset sepsis in the NICU: does occupancy impact risk of infection?

OBJECTIVE Infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) are vulnerable to a variety of infections, and occupancy in the unit may correlate with risk of infection. STUDY DESIGN A retrospective cohort of infants admitted to the NICUs between 1997 and 2014. Survival analysis was used to model the relative hazard of sepsis infection in relation to two measures of occupancy: 1) the average census and 2) proportion of infants <32 weeks gestation in the unit. RESULT There were 446 (2.3%) lab-confirmed cases of bacterial or fungal sepsis, which steadily declined over time. For each additional percentage of infants <32 weeks gestation, there was an increased hazard of 2% (hazard ratio 1.02, 95% confidence interval: 1.00, 1.03) over their NICU hospitalization. Census was not associated with risk for infection. CONCLUSION During times of a greater proportion of infants <32 weeks gestation in the NICU, enhanced infection-control interventions may be beneficial to further reduce the incidence of infections.