cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hardware-Efficient and Highly Reconfigurable 4- and 2-Track Fault-Tolerant Designs for Mesh-Connected Arrays

We consider m-track models for constructing fault-tolerant (FT) mesh systems which have one primary and m spare tracks per row and column, switches at the intersection of these tracks, and spare processors at the boundaries. A faulty system is reconfigured by finding for each fault u a reconfiguration path from the fault to a spare in which, starting from the fault u, a processor is replaced or “covered” by the nearest “available” succeeding processor on the path?a processor on the path is not available if it is faulty or is used as a “cover” on some other reconfiguration path. In previous work, a 1-track design that can support any set of node-disjoint straight reconfiguration paths, and a more reliable 3-track design that can support any set of node-disjoint rectilinear reconfiguration paths have been proposed. In this research note, we present: (1) A fundamental result regarding the universality of simple “one-to-one switches” in m-track 2-D mesh designs in terms of their reconfigurabilities. (2) A 4-track mesh design that can support any set of edge-disjoint (a much less restrictive criterion than node-disjointness) rectilinear reconfiguration paths, and that has 34% less switching overhead and significantly higher, actually close-to-optimal, reconfigurability compared to the previously proposed 3-track design. (3) A new 2-track design derived from the above 4-track design that we show can support the same set of reconfiguration paths as the previous 3-track design but with 33% less wiring overhead. (4) Results on the deterministic fault tolerance capabilities (the number of faults guaranteed reconfigurable) of our 4- and 2-track designs, and the previously proposed 1- and 3-track designs.
Long-term results of dermal grafting for the repair of nasal septal perforations

The closure of nasal septal perforations is a significant surgical challenge with a high failure rate. Dermis placed between mucoperichondrial advancement flaps may be an alternative. The usefulness of dermal grafting for the repair of nasal septal perforations was initially investigated in an animal model. Four pigs had 1.5 x 2.5 cm perforations surgically created and closed with either temporalis fascia or dermis placed under a local mucoperichondrial flap. The dermal graft group had an average closure of 80% with histologically normal mucosal surfaces. The temporalis fascia group had no closure. Fourteen patients with chronic nasal septal perforations from iatrogenic causes, trauma, and drug abuse were repaired with dermal grafting. Nine patients had complete closure, 3 patients had partial closures, and 1 patient's graft dislodged on the first postoperative day. Dermal grafts placed between mucoperichondrial flaps are a viable alternative for the closure of nasal septal perforations.
Estimation for Nonlinear Dynamical Systems over Packet-Dropping Networks

Two approaches, extended Kalman filter (EKF) and moving horizon estimation (MHE), are discussed for state estimation for nonlinear dynamical systems over packet-dropping networks. For EKF, we provide sufficient conditions that guarantee a bounded EKF error covariance. For MHE, a natural scheme on organizing the finite horizon window is proposed to handle intermittent observations. A nonlinear programming software package, SNOPT, is employed in MHE and the formulation for constraints is discussed in detail. Examples and simulation results are presented.
How many scientists does it take to change a paradigm? New ideas to explain scientific observations are everywhere—we just need to learn how to see them

The scientific process requires a critical attitude towards existing hypotheses and obvious explanations. Teaching this mindset to students is both important and challenging.
Electrochemical-acoustic time of flight: in operando correlation of physical dynamics with battery charge and health

We demonstrate that a simple acoustic time-of-flight experiment can measure the state of charge and state of health of almost any closed battery. An acoustic conservation law model describing the state of charge of a standard battery is proposed, and experimental acoustic results verify the simulated trends; furthermore, a framework relating changes in sound speed, via density and modulus changes, to state of charge and state of health within a battery is discussed. Regardless of the chemistry, the distribution of density within a battery must change as a function of state of charge and, along with density, the bulk moduli of the anode and cathode changes as well. The shifts in density and modulus also change the acoustic attenuation in a battery. Experimental results indicating both state-of-charge determination and irreversible physical changes are presented for two of the most ubiquitous batteries in the world, the lithium-ion 18650 and the alkaline LR6 (AA). Overall, a one- or two-point acoustic measurement can be related to the interaction of a pressure wave at multiple discrete interfaces within a battery, which in turn provides insights into state of charge, state of health, and mechanical evolution/degradation.
PKA/PrKX activity is a modulator of AAV/adenovirus interaction

Interference between viruses occurs when infection by one virus results in the inhibition of replication of another virus. Adeno-associated virus (AAV2) is a human parvovirus with the unique characteristics of a dependence upon a helper virus for a productive infection and the ability to interfere with the replication of the helper virus. Previously, we demonstrated that AAV2 Rep78 and Rep52 interact and inhibit cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) and its novel homolog PrKX. We hypothesized that modulation of PKA activity by AAV2 may be responsible for inhibition of helper virus replication. In this study we demonstrate that adenovirus replication is sensitive to PKA activity and that AAV2 Rep78/Rep52 proteins contain an inhibitory domain similar to that of the heat-stable PKA inhibitor. This domain, while not directly necessary for AAV2 replication and packaging, is necessary to preserve AAV2 replication fitness during an Ad co-infection. Furthermore, a mutant AAV2 virus lacking this region fails to inhibit adenovirus replication. Thus, inhibition of PKA activity by AAV2 constitutes a novel form of viral interference.
Physiological responses of Festuca arundinacea to fungal endophyte infection

summary Enhanced growth rates of several grass species infected by fungal endophytes are known, but the underlying changes in plant physiology are not. Carbon exchange rates (CER) and leaf conductances (g) of 13 genotypes of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb. var. KY 31) infected by the fungal endophyte Acremomum coenophialum Morgan-Jones and Gams were measured at ambient conditions. Endophyte-free ramets of the same genotypes were also measured. Correlations were calculated between environmental conditions at the time of measurement, and physiological responses. The only differential response of infected and uninfected ramets was to temperature. At low leaf temperatures no difference was seen between infected and uninfected plants. However, at leaf temperatures above 35°C infected tall fescue plants photosynthesized at a significantly greater rate (20–25%) than uninfected plants. This resulted from a decrease in the CER of uninfected plants, not an increase in the rate of infected plants, at high temperature. There were also significant infection × genotype interactions, indicating that the response to infection was specific to a given genotype. These results indicate that physiological responses of host plants to fungal endophyte infection depend both on the physical environment and the genotype of the plants.
What would Veblen say

It has been more than 100 years since Thorstein Veblen published The Theory of the Leisure Class (TLC). The book was a scathing attack on the greedy leisure class of his day and described how people used wealth to elevate their social position in society. Surprisingly, few researchers use this book to understand leisure in contemporary society. TLC remains as relevant today as it did when first published. In this essay I elucidate some of Veblen's ideas and show how they shed light on leisure spending, emulation among birdwatchers, our display of books, boundary maintenance and social distance, and environmental destruction.
Mkks-null mice have a phenotype resembling Bardet–Biedl syndrome

McKusick-Kaufman syndrome (MKS) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by post-axial polydactyly, congenital heart defects and hydrometrocolpos, a congenital structural abnormality of female genitalia. Mutations in the MKKS gene have also been shown to cause some cases of Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) which is characterized by obesity, pigmentary retinopathy, polydactyly, renal abnormalities and hypogenitalism with secondary features of hypertension and diabetes. Although there is overlap in clinical features between MKS and BBS, MKS patients are not obese and do not develop retinopathy or have learning disabilities. To further explore the pathophysiology of BBS and the related disorder MKS, we have developed an Mkks(-/-) mouse model. This model shows that the absence of Mkks leads to retinal degeneration through apoptosis, failure of spermatozoa flagella formation, elevated blood pressure and obesity. The obesity is associated with hyperphagia and decreased activity. In addition, neurological screening reveals deficits in olfaction and social dominance. The mice do not have polydactyly or vaginal abnormalities. The phenotype of the Mkks(-/-) mice closely resembles the phenotype of other mouse models of BBS (Bbs2(-/-) and Bbs4(-/-)). These observations suggest that the complete absence of MKKS leads to BBS while the MKS phenotype is likely to be due to specific mutations.
Teaching Thinking Skills: State Mandates and the K—12 Curriculum

(1989). Teaching Thinking Skills: State Mandates and the K—12 Curriculum. The Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas: Vol. 62, No. 8, pp. 337-341.
Identification of Sequences within the γ-Carboxylase That Represent a Novel Contact Site with Vitamin K-dependent Proteins and That Are Required for Activity

Abstract The vitamin K-dependent (VKD) carboxylase converts clusters of Glu residues to γ-carboxylated Glu residues (Glas) in VKD proteins, which is required for their activity. VKD precursors are targeted to the carboxylase by their carboxylase recognition site, which in most cases is a propeptide. We have identified a second tethering site for carboxylase and VKD proteins that is required for carboxylase activity, called the vitamin K-dependent protein site of interaction (VKS). Several VKD proteins specifically bound an immobilized peptide comprising amino acids 343–355 of the human carboxylase (CVYKRSRGKSGQK) but not a scrambled peptide containing the same residues in a different order. Association with the 343–355 peptide was independent of propeptide binding, because the VKD proteins lacked the propeptide and because the 343–355 peptide did not disrupt association of a propeptide factor IX-carboxylase complex. Analysis with peptides that overlapped amino acids 343–355 indicated that the 343–345 CVY residues were necessary but not sufficient for prothrombin binding. Ionic interactions were also suggested because peptide-VKD protein binding could be disrupted by changes in ionic strength or pH. Mutagenesis of Cys343 to Ser and Tyr345 to Phe resulted in 7–11-fold decreases in vitamin K epoxidation and peptide (EEL) substrate and carboxylase carboxylation, and kinetic analysis showed 5–6-fold increases in K m values for the Glu substrate. These results suggest that Cys343 and Tyr345 are near the catalytic center and affect the active site conformation required for correct positioning of the Glu substrate. The 343–355 VKS peptide had a higher affinity for carboxylated prothrombin (K d = 5 μm) than uncarboxylated prothrombin (K d = 60 μm), and the basic VKS region may also facilitate exiting of the Gla product from the catalytic center by ionic attraction. Tethering of VKD proteins to the carboxylase via the propeptide-binding site and the VKS region has important implications for the mechanism of VKD protein carboxylation, and a model is proposed for how the carboxylase VKS region may be required for efficient and processive VKD protein carboxylation.
Practice makes perfect: the effect of dance training on the aesthetic judge

According to Hume, experience in observing art is one of the prerequisites for being an ideal art critic. But although Hume extols the value of observing art for the art critic, he says little about the value, for the art critic, of executing art. That is, he does not discuss whether ideal aesthetic judges should have practiced creating the form of art they are judging. In this paper, I address this issue. Contrary to some contemporary philosophers who claim that experience in creating art is irrelevant to one’s ability to judge that art form, as well as to some dance critics who see dance training as possibly even detrimental to one’s aesthetic judgment, I suggest that having practiced dancing makes one a better observer of certain aesthetic qualities of dance. Dance training, I argue, can facilitate a kinesthetic experience upon watching dance without which some aesthetic aspects of a dance performance—such as grace, power, and precision, as perceived kinesthetically—may go unnoticed.
Characterizing human perceptual inefficiencies with equivalent internal noise.

A widely used method for characterizing and comparing inefficiencies in perceptual processes is the method of equivalent internal noise—the amount of random internal noise necessary to produce the degree of inefficiency exhibited by the perceptual system in processing [J. Opt. Soc. Am.46, 634 (1956)]. One normally estimates the amount of equivalent internal noise by systematically increasing the amount of external noise added to the signal stimulus and observing how threshold—signal stimulus energy required for an observer to maintain a given performance level—depends on the amount of external noise. In a variety of perceptual tasks, a simple noisy linear amplifier model [ D. Pelli , Ph.D. dissertation (University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK1981)] has been utilized to estimate the equivalent internal noise Ninternal by fitting of the relation between threshold contrast cτ and external noise Next at a single (d′) performance level: cτ2=(d′/β)2(Next2+N internal2). This model makes a strong prediction: Independent of observer and external noise contrast, the ratio between two thresholds at each external noise level is equal to the ratio of the two corresponding d′ values. To our knowledge, this potential test for the internal consistency of the model had never been examined previously. In this study we estimated threshold ratios between multiple performance levels at various external noise contrasts in two different experiments: Gabor orientation identification, and Gabor detection. We found that, in both identification and detection, the observed threshold ratios between different performance levels departed substantially from the d′ ratio predicted by the simple noisy linear amplifier model. An elaborated perceptual template model [Vision Res.38, 1183 (1998)] with nonlinear transducer functions and multiplicative noise in addition to the additive noise in the simple linear amplifier model leads to a substantially better description of the data and suggests a reinterpretation of earlier results that relied on the simple noisy linear amplifier model. The relationship of our model and method to other recent parallel and independent developments [J. Opt. Soc. Am. A14, 2406 (1997)] is discussed.
Information dynamics and uniform substitution

The picture of information acquisition as the elimination of possibilities has proven fruitful in many domains, serving as a foundation for formal models in philosophy, linguistics, computer science, and economics. While the picture appears simple, its formalization in dynamic epistemic logic reveals subtleties: given a valid principle of information dynamics in the language of dynamic epistemic logic, substituting complex epistemic sentences for its atomic sentences may result in an invalid principle. In this article, we explore such failures of uniform substitution. First, we give epistemic examples inspired by Moore, Fitch, and Williamson. Second, we answer affirmatively a question posed by van Benthem: can we effectively decide when every substitution instance of a given dynamic epistemic principle is valid? In technical terms, we prove the decidability of this schematic validity problem for public announcement logic (PAL and PAL-RC) over models for finitely many fully introspective agents, as well as models for infinitely many arbitrary agents. The proof of this result illuminates the reasons for the failure of uniform substitution.
Ethnic identity in post-Soviet Belarus: ethnolinguistic survival as an argument in the political struggle

This article discusses the Belarusian case of post-communist development and the role and status of Belarusian ethnicity in Belarus' nation-formation process. ‘Nationalizing nationalism’ (Brubaker), as realised by the Belarusian state through various social and cultural practices, is aimed at the creation of a Belarusian national entity without reference to the ethnocultural core of Belarusians. As a result of the nationalising practices of the Belarusian state, most Belarusians identify with their nation-state while displaying weak identification with ethnicity. At the same time, the recent dynamic of patterns of self-perception in Belarusian society can be interpreted as the beginning of a gradual ‘heating’ of the ethnocultural vitality of Belarusians, which is occurring under the impact of the agency of elites. Ethnolinguistic survival and vitality in this context can be viewed both as an argument in the struggle between different forces on the political arena and a factor contributing to victory in th...
ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A β-FRUCTOFURANOSIDASE FROM PAPAYA

An invertase in papaya was extracted, partially purified and characterized. Substrate specificity studies showed the enzyme to be a β-fructo-furanosidase. The enzyme has a pH optimum of 4.6 and a temperature optimum of 40° C. The Km of the enzyme, with sucrose as a substrate, was 7.7 mM. Heat inactivation of papaya invertase was biphasic, and the kinetics of both phases were first order. The activation energies for the thermal inactivation of the two phases were 33.5 kcal and 53.6 kcal. The enzyme's apparent molecular weight as determined by gel filtration was 275,000.
INTRODUCING MICHAEL WYSCHOGROD

Michael Wyschogrod is an Orthodox Jewish theologian with an exceptional profile. While committed to rabbinic Judaism, he goes back to the Bible for direct inspiration and authority. His independence and originality are also evident in his unique emphasis on the corporeal election of Israel, his advocacy of theological dialogue, and his sympathetic confrontation with Christian thinkers while maintaining an uncompromising commitment to the integrity of Jewish theology.
Functional and anatomical medical image matching

Robust solutions for correspondence matching of two data sets are prerequisite for many applications, particularly in the medical domain. In this paper, we examine the task of matching images from two Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) acquisitions; cine dynamic sequence that allows studying the contractile function and Delayed Enhancement (DE) acquisition that allows myocardial viability assessment. Detecting the endocardial contour directly on DE images involves a major difficulty owing to the fact that blood and infarcted zone have almost the same grey level intensity.
Policy approaches to energy and resource use in US agriculture.

Improving energy and resource use in US agriculture begins with the soil. Healthy soils improve air and water quality, increase land productivity, help resist the effects of drought and floods, improve energy efficiency and enhance the ability to mitigate climate change. In 1993, the US Board on Agriculture concluded that national policy should seek to: conserve and enhance soil quality as a fundamental first step to improve the environment; increase the efficiency of nutrient, pesticide and irrigation use in farming systems; increase the resistance of farming systems to erosion and runoff; and make greater use of field and landscape buffer zones, all delivered through farm system management plans. Despite their detailed analysis and thoughtful approach, only a few of their recommendations were implemented. But now, calls from the scientific community to improve resource and energy use in agriculture are becoming more urgent in tone and could help drive policy reform. We review the reasons behind this rising sense of urgency, highlight some of the potential policy drivers along with policy ‘game changers’ and offer policy options. We argue to expand our view of agriculture as a source not only of food, fiber, biofuels and renewable energy but also of other critical ecosystem services, like cleaner water, carbon sequestration and wildlife habitat, and to adjust policies to realize this potential on all agricultural lands. We recommend undertaking a second National Agricultural Land Study as a basis to develop a clear national strategy to help US agriculture meet the challenges it will face in the coming decades. For the short term, we offer incremental policies to improve energy and resource use and, for the long term, we offer a vision of what that national strategy might include once the necessary analyses are completed and consensus is reached.
The Value of a Long-Range Weather Forecast for the West African Sahel

Abstract This paper is a study of the political, economic, social, and environmental implications for the West African Sahel of a long-range weather forecast. People representing several disciplines and fields of endeavor were asked what they would have done in October 1972 had they had an accurate forecast in terms of monthly averages of rainfall and temperature for the rainy season in 1973. The paper contains their responses and discusses their recommendations in light of the existing social, political, economic, and environmental constraints existing not only in the Sahelian countries but also in the international community. The author's purpose in submitting the paper to the Bulletin is to share information about the existing societal framework (in, for example, the West African Sahel) into which such weather information would be put. The paper is concerned with the social value of the weather information that will most likely be developed in the scientific communities in the industrialized countries.
MobileWorks: a mobile crowdsourcing platform for workers at the bottom of the pyramid

Existing crowdsourcing markets are often inaccessible to workers living at the bottom of the economic pyramid. We present MobileWorks, a mobile phone-based crowdsourcing platform intended to provide employment to developing world users. MobileWorks provides human optical character recognition (OCR) tasks that can be completed by workers on low-end mobile phones through a web browser. To address the limited screen resolution available on low-end phones, MobileWorks divides documents into many small pieces and sends each piece to a different worker. An initial pilot study with 10 users over a two month period revealed that it is feasible to do basic OCR tasks using a simple mobile web-based application. We find that workers using Mobile Works average 120 tasks per hour at an accuracy rate of 99% using a multiple entry solution. In addition, users had a positive experience with MobileWorks: all study participants would recommend MobileWorks to friends and family.
Regulation of glucose production during exercise at 80% of VO2peak in untrained humans

To determine whether alterations in insulin and/or glucagon secretion play an important role in stimulating glucose production (Ra) during intense but submaximal exercise, we studied six untrained subjects during 30 min of cycling at 80% of peak oxygen uptake on two occasions: once under control conditions and once when alterations in insulin and glucagon secretion were prevented with the use of the pancreatic islet clamp technique. In the latter experiments, glucose was infused during exercise to match glycemia with control levels. Glucose kinetics were measured in both trials using a primed, continuous infusion of [6,6-2H]glucose. In the control trial, glucose Ra rose from 11.9 +/- 0.8 mumol.min-1.kg-1 at rest to 42.5 +/- 4.3 mumol.min-1.kg-1 by the end of exercise. A similar increment was observed in the islet clamp experiments, with endogenous Ra peaking at 37.2 +/- 7.9 mumol.min-1.kg-1. This was true even through glucagon concentration did not change from basal and insulin concentration actually rose (the latter apparently due to a decrease in insulin clearance during intense exercise). Thus neither decrements in insulin or increments in glucagon are apparently required to stimulate glucose Ra under the present conditions. Because epinephrine levels rose only slightly, it appears that either neurally released norepinephrine or some other, as yet unidentified, factor is responsible for stimulating glucose Ra during intense but submaximal exercise.
Toward a Molecular Definition of Leucine-Dependent mTORC1 Activation

The mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) coordinates nutrient availability with cell growth. Recent reports by Sabatini and coworkers (Saxton et al., 2016; Wolfson et al., 2016) characterize a cytoplasmic amino acid receptor that couples the binding of leucine to the activation of mTORC1.
The Generic and Subgeneric Names of Japygidae, with Their Genotypes

The following list is presumed to be complete through 1945, but since the war has disrupted the distribution of scientific journals and the preparation of bibliographic periodicals, its completeness for the most recent literature may be questioned. The list comprises 21 names. In all cases the genotype species has been fixed in connection with the original publication of the name and, except for eight names, the original description of the genotype appears with the generic description.
79 THE EFFECTS OF LOW-DOSE OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS ON HYPERTRIGLYCERIDEMIA.

Background Hypertriglyceridemia is an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). Although lower levels of hypertriglyceridemia increase the risk of CAD, these levels do not attain much clinical attention until they exceed 400 mg/dL. Dietary supplements are attractive options for treating triglyceride levels below 400 mg/dL that do not qualify for drug therapy. Most studies on omega-3 fatty acids (OM-3 FA) and hypertriglyceridemia were performed using a higher dose of OM-3 FA. There are no data on the effects of a low dose of OM-3 FA on hypertriglyceridemia. In this study, we test the effects of 1 g of eicosapentaenoic acid/docosahexaenoic acid (EPA/DHA) taken daily on triglyceride levels. Methods A randomized placebo-controlled trial was conducted at an outpatient community university clinic. Fifty patients with hypertriglyceridemia were randomly selected. Inclusion Criteria: (1) Patients with a triglyceride level above 200 mg/dL, (2) active community patients, (3) any gender, race, or geographic location of residence could be included in the study. Exclusion Criteria: (1) Patients under 18 years of age, (2) patients with a triglyceride level of 500 mg/dL or above, (3) patients for whom, according to the evaluating physician, further drug treatment is required to lower triglyceride level and improve cardiovascular risk, (4) patients who are allergic to fish, (5) patients who are on any triglyceride-lowering drug. The study period was 12 weeks. Baseline and 12-week lipid profile and hs-CRP were obtained. Carlson Lab Inc. provided 50 bottles of softgels. Each bottle contained 180 softgel of 300 mg of EPA and 200 mg of DHA or 180 similar-appearing placebo softgel. Patients were assigned randomly to the treatment or placebo bottles. Results A total of 39 patients met all of the criteria. Eighteen patients received EPA/DHA and 21 received placebo. The mean reduction in the triglyceride level in the treatment arm was 79 mg/dL compared with 49 mg/dL in the placebo arm. There was no statistical difference in triglyceride reduction between the two arms (p = .23). Among all patients (in both arms), there was no significant difference in BMI before and after treatment. Furthermore, compared with placebo, 1 g of OM-3 FA given daily showed no significant reduction in hs-CRP. Conclusion EPA/DHA at 1 g daily does not provide significant reduction of triglyceride level or hs-CRP. Although our study does not add much to the management of hypertriglyceridemia or high-risk cardiovascular patients, this pilot project may lead to other studies addressing the lowest effective dose of OM-3 FA for lipid lowering and overall cardiovascular protection.
A Business Users-Oriented Service Composition Approach in Service Grid

How to establish composite service within the service grid environment in a just-in-time manner and allow business users to configure their applications through easy operations becomes a hot issue in the research area of grid computing.This paper proposes a business users-oriented service composition approach which implements the mapping between Services through 3-level mappings in order to form the relation between user-familiar business services and physical services,implements the formalization from composite business service process to composite physical service process through context-aware computing techniques and through service selection makes the composite physical service meets users' requirements.The research shows that the prototype system of this approach is used well by normal business users which can also improve the effectiveness of formalization of Composite service.
Preparation and Analysis of Endothelial Progenitor Cells Associated with Angiogenesis

Endothelial progenitor cell-based therapy offers great potential to reduce morbidity and mortality in patients with vascular diseases. In animal models of ischemia, circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have been shown to home to sites of active angiogenesis and differentiate into endothelial cells in response to tissue ischemia, vascular trauma, or tumor growth. These studies indicate a thorough understanding of EPCs function and role in angiogenesis as a potential therapeutic target for vascular diseases. In this chapter, we describe the procedures for: (1) isolation of EPCs from circulating blood and bone marrow; (2) culturing these cells; (3) characterization of EPCs by FCAS, DiI-ac-LDL up-taking, and FITC-UEA-1 binding assays; and (4) determination of EPCs' function by examining proliferation, migration, and tube formation in vitro.
Benchmark Calculations of Energetic Properties of Groups 4 and 6 Transition Metal Oxide Nanoclusters Including Comparison to Density Functional Theory.

The heats of formation and the normalized clustering energies (NCEs) for the group 4 and group 6 transition metal oxide (TMO) trimers and tetramers have been calculated by the Feller–Peterson–Dixon (FPD) method. The heats of formation predicted by the FPD method do not differ much from those previously derived from the NCEs at the CCSD(T)/aT level except for the CrO3 nanoclusters. New and improved heats of formation for Cr3O9 and Cr4O12 were obtained using PW91 orbitals instead of Hartree-Fock (HF) orbitals. Diffuse functions are necessary to predict accurate heats of formation. The fluoride affinities (FAs) are calculated with the CCSD(T) method. The relative energies (REs) of different isomers, NCEs, electron affinities (EAs), and FAs of (MO2)n (M = Ti, Zr, Hf, n = 1–4) and (MO3)n (M = Cr, Mo, W, n = 1–3) clusters have been benchmarked with 55 exchange-correlation density functional theory (DFT) functionals including both pure and hybrid types. The absolute errors of the DFT results are mostly less than...
The human ovary in relation to aging. Protein characterization by the "pH signature" technique.

Abstract In a continuing study of aging changes in the human ovary, the “pH signature” technique has been applied. This technique assists in the characterization of proteins. In general the staining reactions reflected previously described morphological changes with aging. Certain specific findings appeared: 1. 1. Mitotic figures in follicle epithelium showed marked affinity for methylene blue in relatively acid ranges. 2. 2. The zona pellucida in Graafian follicles was strongly positive to the periodic acid-Schiff stain, suggesting a polysaccharide component. 3. 3. Fluid in germinal inclusion cysts showed reactions of mucopolysaccharides.
LA COOPERACIÓN: ESTRATEGIA PARA LA SOSTENIBILIDAD DE LOS RECURSOS

Surge una gran inquietud en relacion a cual debe ser el principio de la estructuracion de una organizacion, sino existe una base que subyace los cimientos de la estructura cuyo objetivo sea la sostenibilidad de los recursos. La idea no es simplemente definir la estructura corporativa, sino tambien buscar beneficios mutuos de forma colectiva que facilite la sostenibilidad y la optimizacion de los recursos de la organizacion, a partir de estrategias coherentes, pertinentes, viables y rigurosas. Para ello se plantean los postulados de criticos como Robert Axelrod, Thomas Hobbes, Michael Taylor, Thomas Schelling, Roy Behr y Elinor Ostrom, Garret Hardin, que sirvieron de base para la formulacion teorica de la evolucion en los sistemas de cooperacion relacionados con los recursos. Se exponen y analizan los principios de: definicion de limites, reglas y sanciones para los apropiadores de los recursos, arreglos de eleccion colectiva, y supervision. Producto de los planteamientos expuestos, se infiere que para obtener beneficios relevantes, se hace necesario desarrollar modelos de autoadministracion y autogestion colectiva.
Reversal of Misfortune: Therapeutic Strategies on the Horizon

New therapeutic approaches for progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) will be the challenge for the future. While we now have 10 approved medicines for relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), the major unmet need for RRMS is for predictive biomarkers to enable us to decide for a given individual which of the 10 drugs we should use in a given patient. For the progressive forms of MS, the major need centers on providing therapies to arrest disability. While therapy with monoclonal antibodies targeting B cells and even plasma cells presents promise, other therapies with small molecules, especially those that either cross the blood–brain barrier or those that at least meet the blood–brain barrier, may be attractive new therapeutic entities. Another approach that is worth exploring is the arming of monocytic cells with protective cytokines, while disarming them from release of pathogenic mediators. After all, monocytic cells possess brilliant mechanisms for traversing from the blood to the brain, and these mechanisms might be harnessed for benefit. While much worthy attention has been given to implantation of stem cells in the brain, the exploitation of mechanisms whereby protective immune cells diapedese into brain, may ultimately provide a solution for a disease that is triggered via the transmigration of pathogenic immune cells. This would represent a true reversal of misfortune.
Software-Based Networks: Leveraging High-Performance NFV Platforms to Meet Future Communication Challenges

Communication networks are changing. They are becoming more and more "software-based." The use of Network Function Virtualization (NFV) to run network services in software enables Software Defined Networks (SDN) to create a largely software-based network. To truly achieve the vision of a high-performance software-based network that is flexible, lower- cost, and agile, a fast and carefully designed network function virtualization platform along with a comprehensive SDN control plane is needed.Our high-performance NFV platform, OpenNetVM, enables high bandwidth network functions to operate at near line speed, while taking advantage of the flexibility and customization of low cost commodity servers. OpenNetVM exploits Intel's DPDK libraries to minimize the overhead of packet processing, and to provide high throughput, low latency networking in virtualized environments. OpenNetVM allows true zero-copy delivery of data to VMs, both for packet processing and high-speed inter-VM communication through shared huge pages within a trust boundary. We envision a dynamic and flexible network that can support a smarter data plane than just simple switches that forward packets. We build on our OpenNetVM NFV platform by developing our SDNFV network architecture that supports complex stateful routing of flows where processing by network functions (NFs) can dynamically modify the path taken by flows, without unduly burdening the centralized SDN controller. The tutorial will also briefly touch upon the problem of dynamic placement of network functions and routing of flows through a software based network, exploiting a mixture of centralized SDN control and NFV capabilities in the network. The problem can be formulated as a mixed integer linear programming problem, and heuristics can be used to solve the problem incrementally.As a case study, we examine the growing communication needs of 'Internet-of-Things' (IoT). With 'smart' sensing devices becoming ubiquitous, there is a need to support IoT communication at large scale, especially over cellular networks. The use of NFV platforms for the Evolved Packet Core, we see opportunities for supporting IoT communications at large scale in 5G cellular networks. We will describe potential solutions in this direction.
Substrate Design & Process Optimization of LGA (BT-based) Package

With the trends moving towards smaller packaging technologies, land grid array (LGA) is rapidly becoming the package of choice. BT (bismaleimide triazine) substrate is being used due to its excellent electrical insulation, low CTE and high Tg. Optimized substrate design is essential in ensuring reliable package performance at field. Finite element analysis was performed on two different substrate designs in selecting the most optimized design with the lowest stress level and best performance in assembly process. Process optimization is another important aspect in attaining a robust package. Characterization of two-step wafer sawing has shown to be helpful in minimizing back side chipping for a 6 mils die laminated with non-conductive die attach film. With the use of DAF, die attach is necessary to be done at elevated temperature. Optimized setting of bond force, temperature and cure profile has shown to be crucial in achieving desirable BLT, minimum bleed, void and out-gassing from the adhesive. Wire bond temperature has been demonstrated to be critical to bonding quality with the tradeoff of DAF out-gassing at high temperature. Heater block design coupled with the right setting of pre-heat delay and temperature are necessary in achieving sufficient ball shear strength for BSOB. Plasma cleaning is another area of focus where magazine design, plasma loading capacity and the parameters were shown to be the important factors in ensuring effective cleaning.
Multispectral landsat image classification using fuzzy expert systems

A hierarchical fuzzy expert system is proposed for multispectral Landsat image classification to overcome difficulties with conventional maximum-likelihood classifier (MLC) based on normal distribution and easily incorporate other collateral data, such as vegetation index, digital elevation model, etc. The hierarchical structure is to reduce fuzzy rules to incorporate as many useful data sources as possible. Adaptive-Neural-Network Based Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) is used to build up fuzzy rule based systems to adapt training data. The expert system is tested for the classification on Landsat 7 ETM+ image and results are effective for multispectral image classification.
Definitive proton beam therapy for adenoid cystic carcinoma of the nasopharynx involving the base of skull

Abstract Objectives Management of unresectable adenocystic carcinoma (ACC) of the nasopharynx is challenging given the high dose required for tumor control while respecting dose constraints. We evaluated long-term outcomes and toxicity in patients with unresectable ACC of the nasopharynx treated with definitive proton beam therapy. Methods Between 2000 and 2013, 14 patients with ACC of the nasopharynx were treated. Ninety-three percent had T4 disease. All had involvement of the skull base. Seventy-nine percent and 21% of patients underwent biopsy and endoscopic debulking surgery, respectively. Median dose was 73.8 Gy (RBE). Fifty percent of patients received concurrent chemotherapy. Locoregional control and overall survival probabilities were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Treatment toxicity was scored by the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0. Results Median follow-up of surviving patients was 69 months. There were 3 local, 1 regional, and 4 distant failures. Median time of local failures was 69 months (range: 63–161). All local recurrences were within previous high-dose regions. Four patients developed metastatic disease at a median of 30 months (range: 4–64). Five-year overall survival was 59%. The most common cause of death was due to metastatic disease. There was one acute grade 3 toxicity. No patient required gastrostomy tube or hospitalization. Three patients developed grade 3 or higher late toxicity. Two of these patients received combined modality treatment. With 176 months follow-up, no second cancer was observed. Conclusion Proton beam therapy results in promising local control with acceptable toxicity in patients with unresectable ACC of the nasopharynx. As late recurrence is common, longer follow-up is necessary to confirm our findings.
Chapter 11 – Aluminum Phosphate Ceramics

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses aluminum phosphate ceramics. High alumina ceramics are preferred materials for a number of reasons. Their strength is valuable for high-load bearing applications, and they are resistant to corrosion in high temperature environments such as steam and CO atmospheres. Alumina ceramics are also well known for their low electrical and thermal conductivity. Therefore, they are the most useful materials in refractory bricks and electrical insulating components. Because of their technological importance, their low-temperature processing by chemical bonding has considerable technological significance. Alumina ceramics consist of particles, whose surfaces are coated with berlinite (AlPO4), a crystalline orthophosphate. It forms by boiling a mixture of alumina and phosphoric acid and then pressing the dried powder. When the mixture was boiled, some reaction of alumina must have occurred that produced an intermediate phase of AlH3(PO4)2·H2O, which transformed into a berlinite bonding phase upon curing. The chapter concludes that conversion of alumina needed to form a berlinite bonded alumina ceramic is very small, and therefore, berlinite bonding is possible even when the solubility of alumina is very small.
Feature-based RGB-D camera pose optimization for real-time 3D reconstruction

In this paper we present a novel feature-based RGB-D camera pose optimization algorithm for real-time 3D reconstruction systems. During camera pose estimation, current methods in online systems suffer from fast-scanned RGB-D data, or generate inaccurate relative transformations between consecutive frames. Our approach improves current methods by utilizing matched features across all frames and is robust for RGB-D data with large shifts in consecutive frames. We directly estimate camera pose for each frame by efficiently solving a quadratic minimization problem to maximize the consistency of 3D points in global space across frames corresponding to matched feature points. We have implemented our method within two state-of-the-art online 3D reconstruction platforms. Experimental results testify that our method is efficient and reliable in estimating camera poses for RGB-D data with large shifts.
A Solution to Vitushkin’s Conjecture Modulo Two Difficult Results

From two chapters ago we learned that hitting some rectifiable curve in a set of positive linear Hausdorff measure implies nonremovability (an easy consequence of Theorem 4.27). However, the Joyce–Mo;rters set that concluded that chapter showed that the converse of this result fails in general (Theorem 4.33). We were in a similar situation before in Chapter 2 when we learned that the converse of Painleve’s Theorem (2.7) fails. There we asked if the converse becomes true when the compact set in question is restricted in some suitable way – in that case, restricted to be a subset of a rectifiable curve. The restriction to make in the case now facing us is clear because the Joyce–Mo;rters set, although of Hausdorff dimension one, has non-σ-finite linear Hausdorff measure (Proposition 4.34).
Response to “Comment on ‘Reactivity Feedback Mechanisms in Aqueous Fissile Solutions’”

(1994). Response to “Comment on ‘Reactivity Feedback Mechanisms in Aqueous Fissile Solutions’”. Nuclear Science and Engineering: Vol. 118, No. 2, pp. 130-131.
DLC-1 exerts its suppressive effect through the specific inhibition of Cdc42-mediated cell growth promotion in human NCI-H358 lung adenocarcinoma cell line

1878 The DLC-1 functions as a tumor suppressor gene in human non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and contains three functional domains, which are the sterile alpha motif (SAM), the RhoGTPase activating (GAP) and the steroidogenic acute regulatory-related lipid-transfer (START) domain. RhoA and Cdc42, among the members of Rho GTPase subfamily, were suspected to be the targets of the GAP domain of DLC-1. To determine the involvement of DLC-1’s three functional domains in the suppression of NSCLC cell growth, we performed gene transfection studies using different mutations of DLC-1, which are the deletions of one of the three functional DLC-1 domains, or a point mutation at codon 667, 714 or 718 in the GAP domain, and using NCI-H358, a human NSCLC cell line without intrinsic expression of DLC-1, as the host cell to test the effect of different DLC-1 mutations on tumor cell growth. It was shown that deletion of either the GAP or START domains, but not the SAM domain, significantly reduced the suppressive effect of wild type DLC-1 on in vitro cell growth as well as on in vivo tumorigenicity. Among three point mutations, R718E mutation eliminated the function of wild type DLC-1 in cell growth inhibition, whereas K667E and K714E mutations exhibited smaller effects. To determine the specific target of DLC-1’s GAP domain, a secondary DNA transfection study using RhoA, RhoA-G14V (constitutively activated) and RhoA-T19N (dominant negative) cDNAs, or Cdc42, Cdc42-G12V (constitutively activated) and Cdc42-T17N (dominant negative) cDNAs was performed using different mutated DLC-1 transfected NCI-H358 as host cells and employing a colony formation assay to test the effect of secondary transfection on tumor cell growth. New findings in this study were: 1) Cdc42 or RhoA-T19N promoted growth of parental NCI-H358 cells, but RhoA or Cdc42-T17N dramatically inhibited cell growth; 2) DLC-1 inhibited both Cdc42 and RhoA-T19N in cell growth; 3) SAM domain deletion significantly enhanced inhibitory effect of DLC-1 on Cdc42; 4) GAP domain deletion and point mutations significantly reduced the inhibitory effect of DLC-1 on Cdc42; 5) START domain deletion reduced the inhibitory effect on RhoA-T19N. Taken together, these data suggest that both the GAP and START domains, but not the SAM domain, are directly involved in DLC-1-mediated inhibition of tumor cell growth. RhoA acts as an inhibitory regulator, while Cdc42 behaves as a promoting element in tumor cell growth. The DLC-1 operates as a tumor suppressor gene in NCI-H358 cell line through specifically inhibiting Cdc42 with its RhoGAP domain and enhancing RhoA’s inhibitory effect with its START domain.