cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Experimental study of nonfuel hydrocarbons and soot in coflowing partially premixed ethylene/air flames

Abstract Centerline profiles of gas temperature, C1 to C12 nonfuel hydrocarbon concentrations, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) laser-induced fluorescence (LIF), and soot volume fraction are reported for coflowing ethylene nonpremixed and partially premixed flames with primary equivalence ratios ranging from 24 to 3. Concentrations of acetylene and C4 hydrocarbons were lower in nearly all of the partially premixed flames than in the nonpremixed flame, whereas concentrations of methane and C3H4 were larger in all of the partially premixed flames than in the nonpremixed flame. These results indicate that the primary effect of partial premixing is not to uniformly increase the concentrations of pyrolysis products, but to shift the pyrolysis mechanism towards odd-carbon species. The concentration of benzene was larger in several of the richer partially premixed flames than in the nonpremixed flame, probably because the shift in pyrolysis mechanism enhances self-reaction of C3H3 radicals. Increases in soot volume fraction and other aromatics were observed that matched the increases in benzene. Profiles of PAH fluorescence agreed closely with those for specific gas-phase PAH such as naphthalene, and the maximum PAH signals were a good predictor of the eventual maximum soot volume fractions. Concentrations of oxygenated hydrocarbons such as formaldehyde and ketene were dramatically increased in the partially premixed flames; for formaldehyde this trend was confirmed with in situ LIF measurements.
Global observations of ring current dynamics during corotating interaction region–driven geomagnetic storms in 2008

[1] We examine the evolution of the ring current during the main and early recovery phases of three geomagnetic storms driven by corotating interaction regions. The equatorial energy density profiles of 5–30 keV ions are calculated from deconvolved energetic neutral atom images from the Two Wide-Angle Imaging Neutral-Atom Spectrometers mission. The energy density in the ring current is enhanced by almost a factor of 2 and stretches from postmidnight to dusk immediately following injections identified by in situ measurements. The energy density then drops back to preinjection levels within 1–2 h. We also find that there are often two peaks in the energy density following the injection, one at midnight and one close to dusk. We present the spectra for these peaks to show they contain different ion populations. The asymmetry of the ring current observed is found to agree with previous in situ and simulation studies.
A family with Alport syndrome and psychosis

A family is described with a history of both hereditary nephritis (Alport syndrome) and chronic psychosis in multiple family members. Although the disorders do not segregate together in all cases, the finding of this family may provide a clue for the location of a psychosis gene. Alport syndrome has been mapped to the long arm of the X chromosome. Some studies also support a genomic locus on the X chromosome in at least some cases of manic-depressive disorder and schizophrenia.
The endocranial blood vessels of Amblystoma tigrinum

The arterial blood supply of the brain of Amblystoma is essentially similar to that of other urodeles so far as these have been described and is comparable in most respects with that of Anura. Individual variations in the courses of even the major arteries are surprisingly great, and the courses of the veins are even more erratic.
Further studies on the influence of GnRH on the biosynthesis of gonadotropins in female frogs (Rana pipiens).

Abstract To further investigate the action of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) on pituitaries of female frogs ( Rana pipiens ), gonadotropin (Gth) secretion and synthesis was measured following either the in vivo or in vitro exposure to GnRH. Treating frogs with a GnRH-agonist (GnRHa) in vivo for either 2 or 5 days led to an elevation in plasma Gth compared to that of saline-injected controls. In general, the pattern of Gth secretion in vitro paralleled changes observed in their plasma levels. GnRHa-treated frogs also had depressed pituitary content of Gth as compared to controls. Pituitaries from frogs treated with GnRHa for 5 days had higher levels of Gth synthesis than those of controls; however Gth synthesis in females treated with GnRHa for only 2 days was not elevated. After 30 hr of continuous exposure to 100 ng/ml GnRH in vitro , glands from females secreted markedly higher levels of LH and FSH than glands not exposed to the secretagogue. The levels of LH and FSH contained within pituitaries exposed to GnRH were significantly less than those of control glands. Prolonged exposure to GnRH elevated both the secretion of radiolabeled Gth as well as increased the total synthesis of Gth (compared to those of controls). These results indicate that GnRH can stimulate the biosynthesis of Gth in pituitaries of female frogs: however these results differ from those previously obtained with males. It appears that female glands require a much longer duration of GnRH stimulation than males before Gth synthesis is elevated.
A novel niche for Prochlorococcus sp. in low-light suboxic environments in the Arabian Sea and the Eastern Tropical North Pacific

Prochlorococcus marinus is present in all tropical and subtropical oceans, where it is often found throughout the euphotic zone, contributing significantly to phytoplankton biomass and primary production and growing at rates comparable to those of other picoplankters. Clearly, Prochlorococcus and eucaryotic picoplankton share significant niche dimensions in the open ocean. Here we report the discovery of populations of Prochlorococcus in layers below the oxyclines of the oxygen minimum zones of the Arabian Sea and the Eastern Tropical North Pacific off Mexico. The unusual aspects of these populations are that these were at times virtual monoalgal cultures found at a depth of 80 to 140 m, often below the euphotic zone, where irradiance ranged from less than 0.1 to 2% of the surface irradiance (I0). The pigment complement of these deep populations was characterized in detail. The previously unidentified Chl-c-like pigment of Prochlorococcus is Mg-3,8-divinylpheoporphyrin a5 monomethylester. The carotenoid complement of populations in these deep layers was similar to that of cultured Prochlorococcus strains, except for high concentrations of a 7′,8′-dihydro-derivative of zeaxanthin, quite likely parasiloxanthin. Even though cellular concentrations of pigments were very high in these populations, suggesting acclimation to low irradiance, ambient light experienced by these populations in the Arabian Sea, <0.1% I0, may not have been sufficient to support normal photoautotrophic growth. Off Mexico these deep Prochlorococcus populations were located at 0.2 and 2% I0 isolumes, an irradiance likely sufficient for slow growth. Environmental conditions in these layers, except for concentrations of oxygen, are similar to those found at and below the subsurface chlorophyll maxima of the subtropical central gyres. As only Prochlorococcus thrives in these layers but Prochlorococcus and eucaryotic picoplankton coexist in and below subsurface chlorophyll maxima, we conclude that the low oxygen concentrations at the deep Prochlorococcus maxima are the determining factor, but we are not able to identify any specific physiological functions that are affected by low oxygen concentrations in eucaryotes but not Prochlorococcus.
Scaling up visual programming languages

The directness, immediacy, and simplicity of visual programming languages are appealing. The question is, can VPLs be effectively applied to large scale programming problems while retaining these characteristics. In scaling up, the problem is how to expand applicability without sacrificing the goals of better logic expression and understanding. From a size standpoint, scaling up refers to the programmer's ability to apply VPLs in larger programs. Such programs range from those requiring several days' work by a single programmer to programs requiring months of work, large programming teams, and large data structures. From a problem domain standpoint, scaling up refers to suitability for many kinds of problems. These range from visual application domains-such as user interface design or scientific visualization-to general purpose programming in such diverse areas as financial planning, simulations, and real time applications with explicit timing requirements. To illustrate the scaling up problem, we discuss nine major subproblems and describe emerging solutions from existing VPL systems. First, we examine representation issues, including static representation, screen real estate, and documentation. Next, we examine programming language issues-procedural abstraction, interactive visual data abstraction, type checking, persistence, and efficiency. Finally, we look at issues beyond the coding process. >
The Paradox of Suspense Realism

What exactly motivates a theory of suspense?1 Considered at least pre-theoretically, our work-aday lives appear largely suspense-free enterprises. Presumably then, the notion of suspense strikes us as interesting largely because of its significance with respect to our engagements with (fictional) narratives: primarily as a putative emotive descriptor picking out a certain sort of emotional response ("feelings of suspense") that narratives evoke in engaged audiences, and secondarily as a genre descriptor picking out a narrative category comprising those narratives sufficiently disposed to evoke (or being intended to evoke) "feelings of suspense" in a properly engaged audience. For instance, when I indicate a preference for suspense novels, I indicate a preference not only for reading novels with certain narrative structures or content, but also for novels that in virtue of their narrative structure or content, when properly engaged, evoke in the reader a certain sort of emotive response, that is, feelings of suspense. But what exactly is this "state" or "feeling" of suspense? One possible answer is that the relevant feeling in play just is the emotion of suspense. Call this view suspense realism.
Mangrove expansion in the Gulf of Mexico with climate change: Implications for wetland health and resistance to rising sea levels

Abstract Black mangroves (Avicennia spp.) are hypothesized to expand their latitudinal range with global climate change in the 21st century, induced by a reduction in the frequency and severity of coastal freezes, which are known to limit mangrove colony extent and individual tree size. The Gulf of Mexico is a prime candidate for population expansion to occur because it is located at the northward limit of black mangrove habitat. This may come at the expense of existing coastal saline wetlands that are dominantly Spartina spp. marsh grasses. The present study was conducted to focus on the implications of a marsh to mangrove transition in Gulf wetlands, specifically: (1) wetland resistance to accelerating eustatic sea level rise (ESLR) rates; (2) resistance to wave attack in large storms (increased cyclonic storm frequency/intensity is predicted with future climate warming); and (3) organic carbon sequestration and wetland soil geochemistry. Field sites of adjacent and inter-grown Avicennia germinans mangrove and Spartina marsh populations in similar geomorphological setting were selected in back-barrier areas near Port Aransas and Galveston, TX. Elevation surveys in the more mature Port Aransas site indicate mangrove vegetated areas are 4 cm higher in elevation than surrounding marsh on an average regional scale, and 1–2 cm higher at the individual mangrove scale. 210Pb and 137Cs accumulation rates and loss on ignition data indicate that mineral trapping is 4.1 times higher and sediment organics are 1.7 times lower in mangroves at Port Aransas. This additional mineral trapping does not differ in grain size character from marsh accumulation. Elevation change may also be effected by soil displacement of higher root volumes in mangrove cores. Port Aransas porosities are lower in mangrove rooted horizons, with a corresponding increase in sediment strength, suggesting mangrove intervals are more resistant to wave-induced erosion during storm events. Port Aransas mangroves exhibit higher pore water redox potentials and salinities over entire core depths and depressed pH over rooted intervals, suggesting a distinct diagenetic environment exists relative to marsh sites. The rooting network, which introduces oxygen into the sediment and focuses evapo-transpiration and salt exclusion within this zone, may prove advantageous when competing with grasses by elevating salinities to levels that are toxic for Spartina. Trends observed in the more mature systems of Port Aransas are generally absent in Galveston, suggesting the youth and physically shorter stature of these systems means they have not yet established a unique sediment signature.
Numerical simulations of transonic aerodynamic flows based on a hierarchical formulation

In this paper, steady two-dimensional potential flows over airfoils are calculated with and without entropy and vorticity corrections, due to the presence of shock waves and/or laminar boundary layers. The results are in agreement with the corresponding solutions of Euler and Navier–Stokes equations. The present approach is briefly described and some extensions are discussed. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Instrumentation for impact testing of plastics

Abstract Instrumentation suitable for a wide variety of impact testers has been developed. Its use on a falling weight tester is described. The falling weight tester has been used to impact samples not only in the Gardner geometry, but also for Charpy and Izod specimens. However, the instrumentation is equally well suited for instrumentating conventional pendulum testers. The instrumentation consists of an accelerometer attached to the impacting mass. The acceleration signal is recorded on a digital oscilloscope and is used to calculate the velocity of the impacting mass, the force on the sample, the deflection of the sample, and the energy transferred from the impacting mass to the sample. The data evaluation and the reporting of the results (in the form of plots and tables) are handled by a dedicated desk-top computer. The capabilities of the instrumentation are illustrated by a series of Gardner tests on polypropylene sheeting.
Esophagectomy compared with chemoradiation for early stage esophageal cancer in the elderly.

Background—Esophagectomy has been the traditional treatment of choice for early stage esophageal cancer. However, esophagectomy is associated with high mortality and morbidity in the elderly, and these patients often receive chemoradiation instead. We compared outcomes of esophagectomy versus chemoradiation in a population-based sample of elderly patients with early stage esophageal cancer. Methods—We used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare database to identify patients ≥65 years diagnosed with stage 1 or 2 esophageal cancer from 1991–2002. We assessed associations of treatment with esophagectomy or chemoradiation with demographic and clinical variables. We performed survival analyses to compare outcomes with treatment modality, adjusted for potential confounders. Results—We identified 730 patients with stage 1 or 2 esophageal cancer who underwent esophagectomy (n=341; 46.7%) or chemoradiation (n=389, 53.3%). Older age, squamous cell histology, and lower socioeconomic status were associated with increased odds of receipt of chemoradiation. In multivariable analyses, chemoradiation was associated with worse diseasespecific (HR 2.08, 95%CI 1.64–2.64) and overall survival (HR 1.92, 95%CI 1.58–2.34). Receipt of chemoradiation was associated with worse survival for adenocarcinoma (HR 3.01, 95%CI 2.24–4.04), but there was no significant difference for squamous cell (HR 1.33, 95%CI 0.98– 1.80). Conclusion—Compared to chemoradiation, esophagectomy may be associated with improved survival for early stage esophageal cancer in the elderly. The results suggest that there may also be a subset of squamous cell patients for whom chemoradiation is adequate therapy. A randomized trial would be useful to determine optimal treatment for elderly patients with early stage esophageal cancer.
Biologic and physical characteristics of the non-peptidic, non-digitalis-like natriuretic hormone.

Biologic and physical characteristics of the non-peptidic, non-digitalis-like natriuretic hormone. At least three independent groups of natriuretic hormones have been isolated over the past ten years. Two, atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), are proteins and the third is made up of digitalis-like substances (DLS). The present report concerns the isolation, substantial purification and biologic actions of an entirely different natriuretic hormone (NH) which appears to be steroidal in nature and an isomer of cortisone. The source of NH was uremic urine. Purification involved successive chromatographic steps including gel filtration and multiple HPLC runs through C-18 resins. A translucent crystal ultimately was obtained. The product was examined using mass spectroscopy with trimethylsilyl derealization. Only one compound was identifiable. The characteristics of the molecule include: a molecular weight, 360.4; a molecular formula, C 21 H 28 O 5 ; a steroidal nucleus; UV absorption at 220 and 290 nm; and intrinsic fluorescence. The onset of action occurs within minutes both in the rat and, as previously shown, in several in vitro systems including the frog skin, toad bladder, fibroblasts and renal tubular epithelial cells grown in culture and isolated perfused cortical collecting tubules. In contrast to DLS, NH has been previously shown not to cross react with digoxin antibodies. Moreover, when given to intact rats, it produces a profound natriuresis but little or no kaliuresis. In contrast to ANF and BNP the compound is active orally as well as intravenously. It is clearly different from cortisone, based both on its biologic and mass spectroscopic characteristics.
Who's missing from the room

This interactive session will provide a brief overview of the gender diversity situation including directions and potential best practices. Did you ever wonder why there are only 18% women studying computing in the US but 50% in many Middle Eastern countries? Where else are there women in the classroom and do they continue equal representation in the workforce? From the work in the United States; the current studies begun in Brazil; and brief overview of other countries, why are certain places successful in certain levels but not at others? What are the lessons we can learn from our neighbors? It is hoped that the audience will provide information about their particular countries and ask provocative questions to the audience at large.
WORTHY WIDOWS, WELFARE CHEATS Proper Womanhood in Expert Needs Talk about Single Mothers in the United States, 1900 to 1988

Single mothers spark what Nancy Fraser calls “needs talk,” the language for translating daily life into professional practice and social policy. The author analyzes expert needs talk in 709 case vignettes, published in the United States between 1900 and 1988, in which experts turn single mothers into “file persons,” the basic unit of bureaucratic welfare management. The author shows how expert needs talk in these sources determines single mothers' worthiness for philanthropic or government support according to their conformity with historically specific notions of proper womanhood. Demographic, political, institutional, and especially professional changes help explain the observed shifts in expert needs talk and the social construction of single motherhood.
Investigating lyophilization of lipid nanocapsules with fluorescence correlation spectroscopy.

This paper describes characterization of lyophilized lipid nanocapsules loaded with Alexa 488 by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS). Fluorimetry analysis of nanocapsules containing self-quenching concentrations of 5- and 6-carboxyfluorescein was performed to establish a point of reference for FCS. FCS results complemented the results obtained by fluorimetry for a bulk nanocapsule solution and provided additional information about the size and dye retention by individual nanocapsules. Using this method, we determined that nanocapsules composed of the thiol-functionalized lipids showed the best dye retention and the most consistent results. Dye retention, size, and photolysis efficiency of these thiol-functionalized nanocapsules doped with a far-red photosensitizer did not change substantially upon lyophilization and storage at −20 °C for up to 2 months, making lyophilization a suitable method for the long-term storage of nanocapsules with the appropriate lipid composition.
On the Semisupervised Joint Trained Elastic Net

The elastic net (supervised enet henceforth) is a popular and computationally efficient approach for performing the simultaneous tasks of selecting variables, decorrelation, and shrinking the coefficient vector in the linear regression setting. Semisupervised regression, currently unrelated to the supervised enet, uses data with missing response values (unlabeled) along with labeled data to train the estimator. In this article, we propose the joint trained elastic net (jt-enet), which elegantly incorporates the benefits of semisupervised regression with the supervised enet. The supervised enet and other approaches like it rely on shrinking the linear estimator in a way that simultaneously performs variable selection and decorrelates the data. Both the variable selection and decorrelation components of the supervised enet inherently rely on the pairwise correlation structure in the feature data. In circumstances in which the number of variables is high, the feature data are relatively easy to obtain, and t...
Longitudinal Characterization of Acinetobacter baumannii-calcoaceticus Complex, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Colonizing and Infecting Combat Casualties

Drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii-calcoaceticus complex, Klebsiella pneumoniae , and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonize and infect combat casualties from Iraq and Afghanistan. We retrospectively evaluated relatedness, by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and antibiotic susceptibility testing, of isolates colonizing and infecting casualties over 2 years. Colonizing organisms were unrelated to isolates producing later infection in up to 27% of cases; most isolates underwent change in antibiotic susceptibilities. The same is true for serial infecting isolates recovered during hospitalization.
Gated Digital Tomography with a Focal Plane Scanner

A collection and processing system which permits digital tomographic reconstruction of data from a Siemens Gammasonics PHO/CON-192 Multiplane Imager has been modified to permit reconstructions which are controlled by a physiologic trigger signal incorporated into the data. Special cicuitry added to a prototype digital interface connected to the PHO/CON allows collection of data in list mode which incorporates a gate signal. Later processing by computer uses the gate information to produce temporally reconstructed digital images. Phantom studies using a moving radioactive source and patient studies using Tl-201 and Tc-99m pertechnetate demonstrate the effectiveness of gated digital tomography.
Numerical methods for integrating chemical kinetic rate equations

In this paper we present a numerical method which is suitable for the integration of chemical rate equations. These equations are normally extremely stiff due to large differences in the kinetic rate coefficients. The method takes advantage of the fact that the Jacobian matrix is readily obtainable for this type of problem. Stability analysis will also be discussed in a general framework.
Transverse energy gap in 2H-NbSe2

Abstract The transverse energy gap in 2H-NbSe2 has been measured using a Nb flat “point” contact tunneling technique. Its value of 1.15±0.07 milivolt yields a value of 3.78 for the ratio 2Δ(0)/kTc.
TH‐A‐M100J‐01: Characteristics, Performance Evaluation, and Clinical Implementation of LCDs Used for Medical Image Display

Accurate presentation of radiographicimages requires high‐quality electronic displays. Currently, the liquid crystal display(LCD) is the technology of choice for medical image display. This lecture will provide an overview of the technology and characteristics of LCDs as they relate to medical imaging. Fundamental characteristics that will be discussed include the pixel matrix size, optical resolution, spatialnoise, ambient light reflection, influence of viewing angle, color tone, and grayscale response function (DICOM calibration). Assessment of many relevant LCD properties can be performed with a set of test patterns, a photometer, and a trained eye. More advanced measurements can be acquired using custom equipment, including a high‐quality CCD camera. Both standard and advanced display assessment methods will be discussed. Also, the physical and psychophysical influences of environmental lighting conditions will be introduced. LCDs currently used for medical imaging range from consumer‐grade color to “medical imaging grade” color and gray displays. It is important that the display used is appropriate for the clinical task. For example, diagnosis from digital x‐ray images likely has greater display requirements than clinical review of MRI images. Considerations required to match the display to the imaging task will be presented. Finally, routine display maintenance is required to ensure that LCDs used for medical imaging perform at a high level throughout their life cycle. Medical imaging grade displays have software that maintains the luminance output at an acceptable level. All LCDs require on‐site quality control periodically to help ensure performance. Educational Objectives 1. Understand LCD technology. 2. Understand the fundamentals of display quality assessment. 3. Understand imaging requirements to match a display to a modality and task.
Distinct expression patterns of eph receptors and ephrins relate to the structural organization of the adult rat peripheral vestibular system.

Eph receptors and their ligands, termed ephrins, have been implicated in axon guidance, neuron-target interactions, regional compartmentalization, and synaptic functions in nervous systems. These activities of the Eph family molecules prompted us to investigate whether these molecules play roles in the maintenance, regeneration and plasticity in the mature peripheral vestibular system. Using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blot and immunocytochemical analyses, we identified distinct and reciprocal expression patterns of full-length isoforms of EphA5, EphA6, EphA7, EphB1, ephrin-A2 and ephrin-B1 that correlated with structural features of the peripheral vestibular system in adult rats. All of the Eph receptors and ephrins examined were localized in the cell bodies of vestibular ganglion neurons in vivo and in vitro, and were readily detected in their outgrowing neurites in vitro. In the utricle, these molecules were localized in distinct cellular and subcellular compartments corresponding to discrete features of utricular afferent innervation, e.g. defasciculation, branching and synapse formation. Taken together, these results identify the Eph receptors and ephrins as candidate molecular substrates for defining some aspects of the structural organization of the adult peripheral vestibular system.
Predicted Roles of the Uncharacterized Clustered Genes in Aflatoxin Biosynthesis

Biosynthesis of the toxic and carcinogenic aflatoxins (AFs) requires the activity of more than 27 enzymes. The roles in biosynthesis of newly described enzymes are discussed in this review. We suggest that HypC catalyzes the oxidation of norsolorinic acid anthrone; AvfA (AflI), the ring-closure step in formation of hydroxyversicolorone; HypB, the second oxidation step in conversion of O-methylsterigmatocystin to AF; and HypE and NorA (AflE), the final two steps in AFB1 formation. HypD, an integral membrane protein, affects fungal development and lowers AF production while AflJ (AflS), has a partial methyltransferase domain that may be important in its function as a transcriptional co-activator.
The way the wind blows: Implications of modeling nasal airflow

Nasal airflow is important for the many physiological functions of the nose, which include the warming and humidifying of inspired air; the filtration of airborne pollutants; and the sense of smell and nasal pungency. Until recently, airflow properties in the nose could only be understood using qualitative in vitro models of humans or in vivo studies in rodents. Recent advances in constructing three-dimensional geometric models of human nasal passages from CT scans, coupled with computational fluid dynamic modeling, has been a valuable tool for quantifying airflow and transport of gases, heat, particles, and aerosols in the human nose. Additionally, these techniques hold significant promise for evaluating and predicting the impact and successful remediation of a variety of clinical conditions on olfaction and nasal patency and setting guidelines for safe levels of exposure to inhaled materials.
PROBLEMS WITH DETECTING NUTRIENT AVAILABILITY IN EXPERIMENTAL HYDROPONIC SOLUTIONS

Chemical analysis of nutrient solutions used for hydroponic research experiments should show elemental concentrations equal to calculated values. In hydroponic experiments aimed at investigating ammonium toxicity and microelement chemical form and their effect on growing chrysanthemums, water analysis taken before the experiment did not yield elemental concentrations equal to calculated values. Therefore chemical additive and metal recovery experiments were conducted. Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) analysis of nutrient solutions soon after mixing produced concentrations equal to calculated values. After 24 hours of refrigeration, results varied. If microelements were ionic salts, all except copper were overestimated. Solutions with chelates were closer to calculated values. Regardless of microelement form, macroelements were either under or overestimated. Ammonium in the complete solution made phosphorus, potassium, and calcium less detectable, but did not affect magnesium detection until phosphorus was...
CSI closed lab vs. open lab experiment

Recommendations of the ACM/IEEE Joint Curriculum Task Force on the Core of Computer Science and the dissatisfaction with the poor performance of too many CS1 students at Middle Tennessee State University combined to motivate the Computer Science Department to compare the use of closed labs and open labs. A controlled experiment was conducted in the Fall 1992 and Spring 1993 semester of CS1 classes. Some of these classes were chosen for closed lab and others for open lab experiences. ANOVAs of various comparison groups consistently showed significant differences on comprehensive CS1 exams in favor of the students in closed labs.
Impact of electrical degradation on trapping characteristics of GaN high electron mobility transistors

One of the most deleterious effects of electrical degradation of GaN HEMTs is an increase in carrier trapping and subsequent current collapse. In this work, we have investigated the trapping and detrapping characteristics of GaN HEMTs before and after device degradation through a new current transient analysis methodology. We have found that electrical stress beyond a critical voltage significantly enhances trapping behavior inside the AlGaN barrier layer or at the surface. However, trapping in the buffer was found to be intact after device degradation.
New Critical Dimension Uniformity measurement concept based Reticle Inspection Tool

The Critical Dimension Uniformity (CDU) specification on photo-mask is getting increasingly tighter which each successive node. The ITRS roadmap for optical masks indicates that, the CDU (3 sigma) for dense lines for binary or attenuated phase shift mask is 3.4nm for 45nm half-pitch (45HP) node and will go down to 2.4nm for 32HP node. The current variability in mask shop processes results in CDU variation across the photo-mask of ~2-3nm. Hence, we are entering in a phase where the mask CDU specification is approaching the limit of the capability of the current POR (process on record). Hence, mask shops have started exploring more active mechanisms to improve or compensate for the CDU of the masks. A typical application is in feeding back the CDU data to adjust the mask writer dose and compensate for non-uniformity in the CDs, resulting in improved quality of subsequent masks. Another option is to feed the CD uniformity information forward into the wafer FAB and adjust the scanner dose to correct for reticle non-uniformity. For these purposes mask makers prefer a dense measurement of CDs across the reticle in a short time. Mask makers are currently using the CD-SEM tool for data collection. While the resolution of SEM data ensures its position as the industry standard, an output map of CDU from a reticle inspection tool has the advantage of denser sampling over larger areas on the mask. High NA reticle inspection systems scan the entire reticle at high throughput, and are ideally suited for collecting CDU data on a dense grid. In this paper, we describe the basic theory of a new, reticle inspection-based CDU tool, and results on advanced memory masks. We discuss possible applications of CDU maps for optimizing the mask manufacturing and wafer production processes.
Mechanisms of Excited-State Energy-Transfer Gating in Linear versus Branched Multiporphyrin Arrays

We have investigated electrochemical switching of excited-state electronic energy migration in two optoelectronic gates with different architectures. Each gate consists of diarylethyne-linked subunits: a boron-dipyrrin (BDPY) input unit, a Zn-porphyrin transmission unit, a free-base-porphyrin (Fb-porphyrin) output unit, and a Mg-porphyrin redox-switched site connected either to the Fb porphyrin (linear gate) or to the Zn porphyrin (branched, T gate). Both the linear and branched architectures show Fb-porphyrin emission when the Mg porphyrin is neutral and nearly complete quenching when the Mg porphyrin is oxidized to the π-cation radical. To determine the mechanism of gating, we undertook a systematic photophysical study of the gates and their dyad and triad components in neutral and oxidized forms, using static and time-resolved optical spectroscopy. Two types of photoinduced energy-transfer (and/or charge-transfer) processes are involved in gate operation: transfer between adjacent subunits and transf...
Fast and effective wireless handoff scheme using forwarding pointers and hierarchical foreign agents

Mobile IP is used to keep track of location information and make data available to the Mobile Host (MH) anytime, anywhere. In order to maintain uniform connectivity during mobility of the MH from one cell to the next, handoff latency must be minimized. In Mobile IP, when the MH is in a foreign domain far away from its home domain and Home Agent (HA), latency for registrations is high. This latency implies that many data packets could be lost during handoff from one domain to another. Hierarchical mobility management and forwarding pointers are two methods of reducing handoff latency. We propose a mobility management scheme called Hierarchical mobility management with Forwarding Pointers (HFP), that combines the two methods. In HFP, when the MH moves within a foreign domain, registration requests are handled locally. When the MH moves from one foreign domain to another, forwarding pointers between the two domains are used to track the location of the MH and perform smooth handoff. We show that HFP performs better than hierarchical mobility management during inter-domain mobility and better than forwarding pointers during intra-domain mobility. Simulation results that validate the performance improvement are presented and discussed.
Maintenance of the Boreal Forest Rainbelts during Northern Summer

Abstract It is not unreasonable to expect that boreal forests that exist along 60°N in the Eurasian and North American continents were created and are maintained by warm seasonal rainfall. As revealed from satellite observations and various precipitation sources, zonally elongated rainbelts appear along these forests. Previous studies show that a relationship may exist between the frontal zone along the Arctic seaboard and regional patterns of high-latitude precipitation. It was observed by this study that baroclinic zones associated with strong Arctic westerlies coincide with minor storm tracks and boreal forest rainbelts only in eastern Canada. In contrast, this coincidence does not occur in northern Europe, eastern Siberia, and the Alaska–Pacific coast, because boreal forest rainbelts in these regions are located farther south of strong Arctic westerlies and ahead of high-latitude troughs over central Eurasia, the Bering Sea, the Labrador Sea, and the Norwegian Sea. Therefore, instead of baroclinicity ...
Local tumour surgery: The pathologist's point of view

According to the modern concept of surgery based on histology and disease stage, the spectrum of resective curative surgery includes local surgery, i.e. surgery limited to the primary tumour (without removal of regional lymph nodes) as well as local excision, i.e. excision of the primary with limited margins of clearance. The proper selection of patients is critical and depends on clinical and pathological criteria, in particular, reliable tumour histopathological classification (histomorphology, anatomic extent). The role of modern biological and molecular markers in this decision process remains to be established. Curative local excision requires caretul histological assessment of the completeness of tumour removal.
Mercury in Morelet's crocodile eggs from northern Belize.

Recent studies have examined mercury accumulation in crocodilians. However, though most researchers have focused on tissue concentrations, few have examined mercury levels in crocodilian eggs. In July 1995, we analyzed mercury in 31 nonviable Morelet's crocodile (Crocodylus moreletii) eggs collected from eight nests across three localities in northern Belize. All eggs were found to contain mercury. Based on an individual egg basis, mean concentration of mercury for all three localities was among the lowest reported for any crocodilian species. When localities were examined separately, mean concentrations for Laguna Seca and Gold Button Lagoon were comparable to those observed in other studies, and the mean for Sapote Lagoon was the lowest ever reported. Based on mean nest concentrations, mercury in eggs from Laguna Seca was approximately two- and tenfold higher than for Gold Button Lagoon and Sapote Lagoon, respectively. Variability in mercury concentrations among localities is likely the result of site-specific differences in mercury input, bioavailabilty, and bioaccumulation. Mercury concentrations were relatively uniform in eggs from the same nest and among nests from the same localities. The presence of mercury in Morelet's crocodile eggs suggests exposure in adult females, developing embryos, and neonates. However, crocodiles in these areas show no overt signs of mercury toxicity, and no indication of population decline is evident. A paucity of data on the effects of mercury on crocodilians precludes meaningful speculation as to the biological significance of tissue and egg concentrations. Controlled laboratory studies and long-term population monitoring are needed to address these questions.
Support from Parents over the Life Course: The Adult Child's Perspective

While previous research has established that parents in the contemporary U.S. often provide support to their adult children, little is known about how that support changes as both parents and children age over the life course. Using data from the National Survey of Families and Households, we examine how support received from parents changes as the child moves from young adulthood through middle age. Attention is given to several different dimensions of support and to life-course factors of the parent and the child that are related to receipt of support. In general, there is no change or a slight increase in support receivedfrom parents when children are in their 20s. Decline in all forms of support occurs after age 30. However, the pattern of decline varies by type of support, and in no case is the decline linear. We conclude by discussing the family roles played by parents in later life. Throughout childhood and adolescence, almost all children in the U.S. look to their parents for support. By the time individuals are old, e.g., age 70, few receive assistance from their parents. (This is true, of course, because few at this stage of life have living parents.) But, what is the trajectory of the flow of support from parents to children as children age from adolescence to old age? Does parental support only exhibit patterns of decline across the child's adulthood? Or, is the pattern of change bidirectional, for example increasing when a child marries and/or has children, and then declining gradually thereafter? Furthermore, does age-variation in receipt of parental support depend primarily on the child's life situation or that of the parents? Finally, does the age pattern of support differ for various types of assistance? Such questions about age patterns of parental support after childhood have received limited research attention.
Thrombolytics in infectious endocarditis associated myocardial infarction

The use of thrombolytics in the management of acute myocardial infarction in eligible patients is the accepted standard of practice. We present the case of an embolic myocardial infarction in the setting of acute infectious endocarditis, treated with thrombolytics, resulting in a massive intracerebral hemorrhage and the patient's death. Historical and current literature has shown a consistent and significant incidence of concurrent intracerebral mycotic aneurysms in the setting of infectious endocarditis. Despite this, a literature review of contraindications to the use of thrombolytics rarely recognizes endocarditis as a contraindication. It is imperative that the etiology for myocardial infarction be identified; if contraindications to thrombolytic treatment exist, alternative therapeutic interventions must be pursued. This case highlights the importance of the correct etiologic diagnosis of myocardial ischemia, and increases the awareness of the significant risks of intracerebral hemorrhage associated with the use of thrombolytics in the setting of endocarditis.
Histological Marker to Differentiate Organogenic Calli from Non Organogenic Calli of Gloriosa superba L.

A histological study of the indirect organogenesis from internodal cultures of Gloriosa superba L. showed that the callus initiated from the subepidermal cells. The organogenic and non organogenic callii are the result of hormonal variation in the medium. In non organogenic callus cells redifferentiated into xylem elements forming clusters of nest like structures. In organogenic callus, cells redifferen-tiated into nodules of meristemoids which further differentiated into shoot apical meristem. Keywords: His tological marker, Gloriosa superba, Organogenic calli D.O.I. 10.3329/ptcb.v20i1.5957 Plant Tissue Cult. & Biotech. 20 (1): 1-5, 2010 (June)
3D representations of amino acids—applications to protein sequence comparison and classification

The amino acid sequence of a protein is the key to understanding its structure and ultimately its function in the cell. This paper addresses the fundamental issue of encoding amino acids in ways that the representation of such a protein sequence facilitates the decoding of its information content. We show that a feature-based representation in a three-dimensional (3D) space derived from amino acid substitution matrices provides an adequate representation that can be used for direct comparison of protein sequences based on geometry. We measure the performance of such a representation in the context of the protein structural fold prediction problem. We compare the results of classifying different sets of proteins belonging to distinct structural folds against classifications of the same proteins obtained from sequence alone or directly from structural information. We find that sequence alone performs poorly as a structure classifier. We show in contrast that the use of the three dimensional representation of the sequences significantly improves the classification accuracy. We conclude with a discussion of the current limitations of such a representation and with a description of potential improvements.
Anacampsis rhoifructella (Clemens): clarification of its identity and larval biology, and differentiation from a similar species, Anacampsis consonella (Zeller), revised status (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae).

Anacampsis rhoifructella (Clemens) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) was described from individuals reared from larvae collected in fruit racemes of staghorn sumac, Rhus typhina (Anacardiaceae). Rearing efforts in central Illinois, however, have established that A. rhoifructella actually feeds on leaves of Viburnum prunifolium (Caprifoliaceae). Furthermore, a second Anacampsis species also feeds on leaves of V. prunifolium . The second species is very similar to A. rhoifructella in external appearance of the adult and in larval feeding mode but is readily differentiated on basis of larval appearance, phenology, and genital morphology of both genders. Examination of type specimens of Gelechia consonella Zeller, G. quadrimaculella Chambers, and G. ochreocostella Chambers, all of which were previously designated as junior synonyms of A. rhoifructella , revealed that the valid name of the second species is Anacampsis consonella (Zeller, 1873), revised status; G. ochreocostella and G. quadrimaculella are assigned as junior synonyms of A. consonella . We provide descriptions and illustrations of characters that reliably differentiate A. rhoifructella from A. consonella . We conclude that Clemens’ record of A. rhoifructella feeding on fruits of sumac is erroneous, and we offer an explanation of how the error probably occurred.
A 9.2 mW, 4-8 GHz Resistive Feedback CMOS LNA with 24.4 dB Gain, 2 dB Noise Figure, and 21.5 dBm Output IP3

A 9.2 mW resistive feedback CMOS low-noise amplifier with a 3-dB bandwidth of 3.94 GHz (4.04 -7.98 GHz) is presented. At 5.5 GHz, the fully integrated LNA achieves a measured gain above 24 dB, a noise figure of 2 dB, and an output IP3 of 21.5 dBm. The LNA draws 7.7 mA from the 1.2 V supply and utilizes a single compact low-Q on-chip inductor. The LNA is implemented in a 90-nm CMOS process and occupies a die area of only 0.022 mm2.
Geometric distortions in side-scan sonar images: a procedure for their estimation and correction

A procedure is introduced for the estimation and correction of geometric distortions frequently observed in side-scan sonar images as a result of motion instabilities of the sonar towfish. This procedure estimates geometric distortions from the image itself, without requiring navigational or altitude measurements. Estimates of the local degree of geometric distortion are obtained by cross-correlating segments of adjacent lines of the image. A mathematical model for the distortions is derived from the geometry of the problem and is applied to these estimates to reconstruct the sampling pattern on the seabed, under the assumption of a planar bottom. The estimated sampling pattern is then used for resampling the image to correct the geometric distortions. The model parameters may also be used for calculating approximate estimates of the attitude parameters of the towfish. A simulation is employed to evaluate the effectiveness of this technique and examples of its application to high-resolution side-scan sonar images are provided. >
Design and Properties of Multilayered Ceramic Composites

The design of multilayered ceramic composites is reviewed, with the aim of relating the properties that can be achieved to the microstructure of the composite. Limitations on some properties, such as damage tolerance and strength, are discussed. Failure mechanism maps that define some of these limits are given.