cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Beam Position Measurement System at the Fermilab Main Accelerator

The beam position system of the Fermilab Main Ring contains one horizontal and one vertical Electrostatic Beam Pickup in each of the 96 cells of the machine. A pair of 75 ohm cables transmits the induced signal from the machine tunnel to the nearest service building. In each of the 24 service buildings, there is a solid-state multiplexer and a beam position detector which processes the A-B signal pairs to produce an intensity-normalized voltage proportional to beam displacement. This voltage is digitized, read into buffer of the Lockheed MAC A, and in turn transferred to the Xerox 530. Horizontal or vertical orbits can be obtained ih 50 millisec. Orbits are obtained at injection, and at a Main Ring Sample time, if requested, anywhere on the acceleration cycle. Injection orbits can be flattened automatically by a program that sets dipole trim magnets.
Highly efficient regulation of gene expression by tetracycline in a replication-defective herpes simplex viral vector.

Employing the tetracycline repressor tetR and the wild-type hCMV major immediate-early promoter, we have developed a highly sensitive tetracycline-inducible transcription switch in mammalian cells (T-REx™; Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA, USA). In view of the previous difficulty in achieving regulatable gene expression in recombinant HSV vector systems, we constructed a T-REx™-encoding replication-defective HSV-1 recombinant, QR9TO-lacZ, that encodes two copies of the tetR gene controlled by the HSV-1 immediate-early ICP0 promoter and a reporter, the LacZ gene, under the control of the tetO-bearing hCMV major immediate-early promoter. Infection of cells, such as Vero, PC12, and NGF-differentiated PC12 cells, with QR9TO-lacZ led to 300- to 1000-fold tetracycline-regulated gene expression. Moreover, the expression of the LacZ gene by QR9TO-lacZ can be finely controlled by tetracycline in a dose-dependent fashion. Efficiently regulated gene expression can also be achieved in vivo following intracerebral and footpad inoculations in mice. The demonstrated capability of T-REx™ for achieving high levels of sensitively regulated gene expression in the context of the HSV-1 genome will significantly expand the utility of HSV-based vector systems for studying gene function in the nervous system and delivering regulated gene expression in therapeutic applications, particularly in the treatment of CNS diseases.
Terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase from acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells and production of antisera.

Abstract Terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase (nucleosidetriphosphate:DNA deoxynucleotidylexotransferase, EC 2.7.7.31) was purified from blast cells of a patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The purified enzyme had a specific activity of 31 902 units/mg of protein (1 unit equals 1 nmol of Mn2+ dGTP used on dA12–18 initiator in 1 h) and gave a single protein band on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under non-denaturing conditions. In native state the molecular weight of the enzyme is between 32 000 and 34 000 as determined by glycerol gradient centrifugation and by Sephadex G-200 column chromatography. On sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis it gave two bands, one corresponding to a subunit of molecular weight 28 000 and the other to 8500. Antiserum to purified enzyme was prepared in rabbits, using terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase crosslinked to bovine serum albumin and antibody production was detected by immunodiffusion against terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase and neutralization of the enzyme activity. Antibodies to terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase were partially purified by 60% ammonium sulfate precipitation followed by Sephadex G-200 chromatography. This antibody preparation inhibited, in vitro, the activity of the enzyme from the above cells, as well as that from other leukemic cells and calf thymus but it did not inhibit DNA polymerases α, β, and γ from anyone of these sources or reverse transcriptase from Simian sarcoma virus. Thus, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase from calf thymus and human leukemic cells resemble each other in subunit composition and antibody specificity.
Comments on «Wavelets in statistics: A review» by A. Antoniadis

I would like to congratulate Professor Antoniadis for successfully outlining the current state-of-art of wavelet applications in statistics. Since wavelet techniques were introduced to statistics in the early 90’s, the applications of wavelet techniques have mushroomed. There is a vast forest of wavelet theory and techniques in statistics and one can find himself easily lost in the jungle. The review by Antoniadis, ranging from linear wavelets to nonlinear wavelets, addressing both theoretical issues and practical relevance, gives in-depth coverage of the wavelet applications in statistics and guides one entering easily into the realm of wavelets.
On the Economic Structure of Strictly Hierarchical Central Place Systems

A strictly hierarchical central place system is characterized as follows: each city has a well defined rank; to a city of given rank there is assigned a fixed number of cities of the next lower rank; to cities of the lowest rank a rural hinterland is assigned. In this way a city of a given rank has associated with it an economic region consisting of all cities of lower rank and all rural areas assigned to it directly or indirectly. Let the set of economic activities in a city of given rank be a proper subset of the city of higher rank. Assume that production is characterized by constant input coefficients and that demand is described by proportional expenditure functions. The income (or value added) generated by each activity in any city of given rank can then be calculated. From this the income of cities, regions, and the population of cities and regions may be derived.
Evidence for genetic anticipation in the oculodentodigital syndrome

Oculodentodigital syndrome (O.D.) is an autosomal dominant disorder comprising facial anomalies, syndactyly, microcorneae, dental enamel hypoplasia, and leukodystrophy. We describe a four generation family with O.D. in which anomalies such as syndactyly appear congenitally, whereas neurological (i.e., leukodystrophic) signs and symptoms tend to be expressed in a more severe form and/or at an earlier age of onset in successive generations of the kindred. This pattern of phenotypic expression is consistent with the phenomenon of genetic anticipation, and we suggest that O.D. may be a trinucleotide repeat disorder.
Evidence for two distinct retinoic acid response pathways for HOXB1 gene regulation.

Abstract We have recently identified a promoter proximal retinoic acid (RA)-responsive site in the 5' region of the HOXB1 gene. In this report, we have identified the second RA-responsive site in the 3' region of the HOXB1 gene. This site also consists of a DR-2-type target of RA receptor.retinoid X receptor complex (DR-2B) and the binding site for a distinct RA-dependent coactivator termed retinoid-activating protein, which shows a different tissue-specific spectrum from the 5' responsive site. This indicates that the activation of the HOXB1 gene is achieved through two distinct pathways. These data define an unusual regulatory mechanism leading to the establishment of HOXB1 gene expression.
Individual Investors' Perceptions Regarding the Meaning of US and UK Audit Report Terminology: ‘Present Fairly in Conformity with GAAP’ and ‘Give a True and Fair View’

The standard unqualified audit report in the United States contains the phrase ‘present fairly ... in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles’ (PFGAAP), while in the United Kingdom, the corresponding phrase is ‘give a true and fair view’ (TFV). Despite the former phrase existing in audit reports since 1939 and the latter since 1947, there is little agreement as to what the respective phrases represent. Accordingly, this paper examined UK and US individual investors' perceptions towards various dimensions of the meanings of the phrases including whether they imply that the financial statements are not misleading and free from bias. The results indicate that a majority of both groups perceive that the UK phrase precludes misleading financial statements. A smaller percentage of both groups feel that the US terminology achieves this objective. The results are similar as to whether the respective wording implies that the financial statements are free from bias. In general, the respondents awarded a greater level of confidence to the UK ‘true and fair view’ than the US ‘present fairly in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.’ No policy recommendation is drawn from these results, however, since there is also evidence that as long as audit report language is pre-determined by law or some official body, investors will evince indifference as to the kind of language prescribed.
Depression of intramyocardial oxyhemoglobin dissociation by angiographic contrast media

Abstract The effect of the addition of radiographic contrast material (Renografin) to blood on the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve and P50 was measured by a metabolic deoxygenation technique in a strongly buffered red cell suspension. With incubation time constant, increasing doses produced progressive decreases in P50. With incubation time varied at a constant dose, a decrease in P50 was seen after only one minute. In addition, in vivo studies were performed on 11 patients undergoing cardiac catheterization. Simultaneous proximal coronary sinus and aortic samples were drawn as controls, and then at one minute and five minutes after injection of the left coronary artery. In eight patients studies were performed after, and in three prior to left ventriculography. At one minute after left coronary injection there was a significant decrease of coronary sinus as compared to aortic P50 (p The magnitude of these effects in vivo is unknown, but they would be expected to be more severe in areas distal to a critical coronary lesion due to stasis of blood flow and ischemic metabolic changes.
Clinical outcome of deferring angioplasty in patients with normal translesional pressure-flow velocity measurements

Objectives. The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility, safety and outcome of deferring angioplasty in patients with angiographically intermediate lesions that are found not to limit flow, as determined by direct translesional hemodynamic assessment. Background. The clinical importance of some coronary stenoses of intermediate angiographic severity frequently requires noninvasive stress testing. Direct translesional pressure and flow measurements may assist in clinical decision making in patients with such stenoses. Methods. Translesional spectral flow velocity (Doppler guide wire) and pressure data were obtained in 88 patients for 100 lesions (26 single-vessel and 74 multivessel coronary artery lesions) with quantitative angiographic coronary narrowings (mean ± SD diameter narrowing 54 ± 7% [range 40% to 74%]). Target lesion angioplasty was prospectively deferred on the basis of predetermined normal values, defined as a proximal/distal velocity ratio < 1.7 or a pressure gradient <25 mm Hg, or both. Patients were followed up for 9 ± 5 months (range 6 to 30). Results. In the deferred angioplasty group, translesional velocity ratios were similar to those of a normal reference group (mean 1.1 ± 0.32 vs. 1.3 ± 0.55) and significantly lower than those of a reference cohort of patients who had undergone angioplasty (2.27 ± 1.2, p < 0.05). The mean translesional pressure gradient in the deferred angioplasty group was also lower than that in the angioplasty group (10 ± 9 vs. 45 ± 22 mm Hg, p < 0.001). At follow-up in the deferred angioplasty group, four, six, zero and two patients, respectively, had had subsequent angioplasty, coronary artery bypass graft surgery or myocardial infarction or had died. In one patient, death was related to angioplasty of a nontarget artery lesion, and one patient with multivessel disease had a cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation 12 months after lesion assessment. Among the 10 patients requiring later angioplasty or coronary artery bypass grafting, only six procedures were performed on target arteries. No patient had a complication of translesional flow or pressure measurements. Conclusions. These data demonstrate the safety, feasibility and clinical outcome of deferring angioplasty of coronary artery narrowings associated with normal translesional coronary hemodynamic variables. Given the practice of performing angioplasty without ischemic testing or when testing is inconclusive, translesional hemodynamic data obtained at diagnostic catheterization can identify patients in whom it is safe to postpone angioplasty.
Yes, Kakangari is a unique chondrite

The position of the Kakangari chondrite as the representative of a new class of chondrites is considered, taking into account the results of the analysis of a 17.1-mg piece of Kakangari for 20 elements. Elemental concentration data are compared for Kakangari and other meteorite groups. Data for the most similar groups, C2, C3(V), L, and E4 chondrites are represented in a graph along with Kakangari data. It is found that pronounced differences exist between Kakangari and the other meteorite classes.
Encoding Specificity in Second Language Acquisition.

* In the areas of education and psychology, memory has been investigated in terms of the encoding, storage, and retrieval of items such as syllables, words, and sentences. Of specific interest has been the relation between what is encoded (stored) and what is retrieved (remembered). Performance on retention tests indicates the extent to which a recall context duplicates the encoding context. For example, when people recognize someone they see at the mall, they may not be able to remember the person's name because the context-and perhaps the person's clothing-are different from those usually associated with that person. If people can recall the context (e.g., dental office or auto repair shop), they are much more likely to remember the person's name. The abile, T. M (1983). The social psychology of creativity. New York: Springer-Verlag. ar oll,J. B (1990). Cognitive ab lities in foreign languag aptitude: Then and now. T. S. Parry & C. W. Stansfield (Eds.), Language aptitude reconsidered (pp. 11-29). nglewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall Regents. ar oll, J. B. (1993). Human cognitive abilities. Cambr dg : Cambridge University
Dominant and Recessive Solutions of Symmetric Three Term Recurrences

Abstract Dominant and recessive solutions are defined for matrix three term recurrences −K n X n+1 + B n X n − K T n−1 X n−1 =0. Eventual disconjugacy is shown to imply existence of a recessive solution at ∞ and, furthermore, that an associated Riccati equation W n+1 = A n + E −1 n W n (W n + C n−1 ) −1 C n−1 (E T n ) −1 has an eventually minimal solution W−n. Riccati equations of this form with An and Cn positive definite arise in the discrete regulator problem.
Malignant EEG patterns in cardiac arrest patients treated with targeted temperature management who survive to hospital discharge.

Background and purpose Cardiac arrest patients treated with targeted temperature management (TTM) have improved neurological outcomes, however mortality remains high. EEG monitoring improves detection of malignant EEG patterns (MEPs), however their prevalence in patients surviving to hospital discharge is unknown.
The thermodynamic properties of 4,5,9,10-tetrahydropyrene and of 1,2,3,6,7,8-hexahydropyrene

Abstract Measurements leading to the calculation of the ideal-gas thermodynamic properties are reported for 4,5,9,10-tetrahydropyrene (Chemical Abstracts registry number [781-17-9]) and 1,2,3,6,7,8-hexahydropyrene (registry number [1732-13-4]). Experimental methods included combustion calorimetry, adiabatic heat-capacity calorimetry, vibrating-tube densitometry, comparative ebulliometry, inclined-piston gauge manometry, and differential-scanning calorimetry (d.s.c.). Critical properties were estimated for both materials based on the measurements results. Standard entropies, enthalpies, and Gibbs free energies of formation were derived for the gases for selected temperatures between 380 K and 700 K. The property-measurement results reported here for 4,5,9,10-tetrahydropyrene and 1,2,3,6,7,8-hexahydropyrene are the first for these important intermediates in the (pyrene + hydrogen) reaction network.
Personal ultrasound imager: abdominal aortic aneurysm screening.

Abstract Background: Miniaturized ultrasonographic machines (2.5-MHz curved-array transducer connected to a compact 2.6-kg console), termed personal ultrasound imagers (PUIs), may enable detection of occult abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). Objectives: Our goals were to determine whether a PUI is capable of screening for AAAs and to compare the results with an established screening examination with standard echocardiography (SE). Methods: One hundred twenty-five patients (aged >70 years) with hypertension who were referred for transthoracic echocardiography were enrolled. After SE, a focused screening with a PUI examination was performed by a blinded sonographer. An AAA was defined as a focal enlargement of the aorta >30 mm. Results and the length of time to image the aorta were compared for both tests. Results: We studied 64 men and 61 women (aged 76.8 ± 5 years; mean blood pressures: systolic 145.7 ± 18 and diastolic 78.6 ± 10; body surface area 1.9 ± 0.2 m 2 ). The mean time for SE was 2.9 ± 1.5 minutes and for the PUI examination was 4.6 ± 2.3 minutes. By using SE as the gold standard, the sensitivity and specificity of the PUI were 91% and 96%, respectively. The positive predictive value of the PUI was 71%, and the negative predictive value was 99%. Conclusion: A PUI can be used to screen for occult AAAs as an extension of the physical examination. Results are comparable to an established screening strategy that uses more expensive, nonportable echocardiographic equipment. (J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2000;674-9.)
Fundus image mosaic generation for large field of view

Digital fundus images are commonly used for computer aided diagnosis of different eye disease such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, age related macular degeneration. One issue with fundus cameras is that they provide fundus image only for a small field of view (FOV). This paper presents a novel method to increase the FOV by stitching different fundus images from same patient. The proposed system uses ASIFT based descriptors and generates a blended image by combining all available images. The paper also compares the proposed system with corner, SURF and SIFT based descriptors for same application.
Vernal increases in prolactin levels of nonbreeding male and female canvasbacks (Aythya valisineria).

Serum levels of prolactin were determined in nonbreeding male and female canvasbacks (Aythya valisineria) from mid-April to late June to evaluate the temporal changes occurring during spring. During this time interval, serum prolactin levels increased 1.5- to 2-fold in both males and nonlaying females (P < 0.01). Serum prolactin levels of males and females exposed to natural lighting and temperature at Delta, Manitoba (50°11′N, 98°19′W), steadily increased from mid-April when the daylength was 14 hr light and peaked in mid-June when daylength was 16.25 hr light. Administration of exogenous estradiol via slow-release subdermally implanted capsules in females with intact reproductive systems had a marginal effect on reducing the seasonal increase in prolactin. Exogenous testosterone in similar slow-release capsules implanted subdermally in males had no influence on circulating prolactin levels.
Calculation of effective dose-equivalent responses for external exposure from residual photon emitters in soil.

Effective dose-equivalent responses have been calculated for external exposure from residual photon emitters in soil. The calculations are based on the assumption that the receptor is located 1 m above the contaminated ground. A Monte Carlo algorithm was developed to perform the photon transport calculation for the soil/air configuration, in which the soil constituents were assumed to be similar to those of the earth's crust. Photon cross-sections for soil were based on the latest cross-sectional information generated by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology. For every incident photon at the receptor, an estimate of the air-absorbed dose was calculated first and then converted into the effective dose equivalent. The effective dose equivalent is based on the concept of weighted organ doses, as recommended by the ICRP. The ICRP's latest conversion coefficients were used to transform point air-absorbed doses into effective dose equivalents. Baseline effective dose responses were obtained for monoenergetic photon sources assumed to be distributed uniformly in soil for energies ranging from 0.01 to 10 MeV, soil thicknesses from 0 to 5 mean-free-path (mfp) lengths, and soil densities from 1 to 2 g cm-3. On the basis of the calculated dose responses, empirical relationships were obtained formore » correlating the dose responses with the soil depths and densities for each source energy. The derived correlations contain a convenient exponential form that describes the depth-dose relationship for an estimated accuracy within about 15%; soil densities show an inverse relationship with dose responses. Results of the effective dose-equivalent response can be used to calculate effective dose-equivalent responses for gamma-emitting radionuclides that are commonly identified as residual radioactive materials in soil.« less
Vapor Deposited Silanes and other Coupling Agents

Abstract Coupling agents are primarily used to: (a) promote adhesion between the adherends and adherates1 or reinforcing media in the case of composites; (b) maintain improved adhesion as a function of aging; and (c) protect against the deleterious effects of water and corrosive environments. Silanes are the most commonly used coupling agents, and the adhesion of polymers to glass and metals can be significantly improved by applying certain trialkoxysilanes to the adherend surface.2,3
Transmission of MRSA between companion animals and infected human patients presenting to outpatient medical care facilities.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a significant pathogen in both human and veterinary medicine. The importance of companion animals as reservoirs of human infections is currently unknown. The companion animals of 49 MRSA-infected outpatients (cases) were screened for MRSA carriage, and their bacterial isolates were compared with those of the infected patients using Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE). Rates of MRSA among the companion animals of MRSA-infected patients were compared to rates of MRSA among companion animals of pet guardians attending a “veterinary wellness clinic” (controls). MRSA was isolated from at least one companion animal in 4/49 (8.2%) households of MRSA-infected outpatients vs. none of the pets of the 50 uninfected human controls. Using PFGE, patient-pets MRSA isolates were identical for three pairs and discordant for one pair (suggested MRSA inter-specie transmission p-value = 0.1175). These results suggest that companion animals of MRSA-infected patients can be culture-positive for MRSA, representing a potential source of infection or re-infection for humans. Further studies are required to better understand the epidemiology of MRSA human-animal inter-specie transmission.
Rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) exhibit the decoy effect in a perceptual discrimination task.

The asymmetric dominance effect (or decoy effect) is a form of context-dependent choice bias in which the probability of choosing one of two options is impacted by the introduction of a third option, also known as the decoy. Decoy effects are documented widely within the human consumer choice literature, and even extend to preference testing within nonhuman animals. Here, we extended this line of research to a perceptual discrimination task with rhesus monkeys to determine whether decoy stimuli would impact size judgments of rectangular stimuli. In a computerized task, monkeys attempted to choose the larger of two rectangles that varied in size and orientation (horizontally or vertically oriented). In probe trials, a third stimulus (the decoy) was presented that was smaller than the other two rectangles but matched the orientation of one of them. On half of the probe trials, the presented decoy matched the orientation of the larger stimulus, and on the other half, the decoy matched the orientation of the smaller stimulus. Monkeys rarely selected the decoy stimulus. However, their performance (selection of the largest rectangle) increased relative to the baseline trials (with only two choices) when the decoy was congruent in its orientation with the largest rectangle, but decreased relative to baseline when the decoy was incongruent with the largest rectangle. Thus, a decoy stimulus impacted monkeys’ perceptual choice behavior even when it was not a viable choice option itself. These results are explained with regard to comparative evaluation mechanisms.
Reliability of bacterial culture of blood obtained from an umbilical artery catheter.

NEONATAL SEPTICEMIA should be considered in newborn infants with respiratory distress? In small premature infants with respiratory distress, blood cultures from a peripheral vein are often technically difficult to obtain. Although these infants frequently requir e umbilical artery catheterization in the first hours of life for blood gas analysis, the reliability of blood cultures obtained from the umbilical artery catheter has not been documented. We wish to report our experience with neonates on whom paired umbilical artery blood and peripheral blood cultures were obtained during the first nine hours of life.
Anaesthesia induction in children. Ability to predict cooperation

Summary This study identifies some of the preoperative characteristics that may influence a child's cooperation during induction of anaesthesia, and the ability of both resident and staff anaesthetists to predict cooperation. Five hundred unmedicated children aged 2–12 participated in the study. The characteristics that influenced cooperation were identified. Children four years of age or younger cooperated less regardless of race, gender or the technique used. Children who had had prior anaesthetics cooperated significantly less than those who had no previous anaesthesia. The child's response to a previous anaesthetic correlated with cooperation for the current anaesthetic. The child's cooperation during blood drawing correlated with cooperation during induction. Preoperative preparation resulted in improved cooperation ratings. No differences in cooperation were observed for different induction techniques. Success in prediction was correlated with the anaesthetist's training and experience. Anaesthetists had more trouble predicting difficult than smooth inductions.
Constraint Structure and Quantization of a Non-Abelian Gauge Theory by Means of Dirac Brackets

An SO(3) non-Abelian gauge theory is introduced. The Hamiltonian density is determined and the constraint structure of the model is derived. The first-class constraints are obtained and gauge-fixing constraints are introduced into the model. Finally, using the constraints, the Dirac brackets can be determined and a canonical quantization is found using Dirac's procedure.
Electrophysiological phenotyping in genetically engineered mice

Advances in transgene and gene targeting technology have enabled sophisticated manipulation of the mouse genome, providing important insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying cardiac conduction, arrhythmogenesis, and sudden cardiac death. The mouse is currently the principal mammalian model for studying biological processes, particularly related to cardiac pathophysiology. Murine models have been engineered harboring gene mutations leading to inherited structural and electrical disorders of the heart due to transcription factor mutations, connexin protein defects, and G protein and ion channelopathies. These mutations lead to phenotypes reminiscent of human clinical disease states including congenital heart defects, cardiomyopathies, and long-QT syndrome, creating models of human electrophysiological disease. Functional analyses of the underlying molecular mechanisms of resultant phenotypes require appropriate and sophisticated experimental methodology. This paper reviews current in vivo murine electrophysiology study techniques and genetic mouse models pertinent to human arrhythmia disorders.
Evaporation analysis in sintered wick microstructures

Abstract Heat pipes offer passive transport of heat over long distances without incurring a significant drop in temperature. Topological and microstructural details of the wick material embedded in a heat pipe help determine its thermal performance. A good understanding of pore-scale transport phenomena is crucial to enhancing heat pipe performance. In this study, pore-scale analysis of thin-film evaporation through sintered copper wicks is performed. X-ray microtomography is employed to generate geometrically faithful, feature-preserving meshes. Commercial sintered wicks with particle sizes in the range of 45–60 μm, 106–150 μm and 250–355 μm and with approximately 61% porosity are considered. The capillary pressure, characteristic pore radius, percentage thin film area and evaporative mass and heat fluxes are computed using a volume of fluid (VOF) approach. Two different solution strategies are employed to stabilize the numerical solution and to improve convergence. After verifying that these strategies yield the correct solution, the VOF model is used to obtain static meniscus shapes in the pore space of the sintered wick samples. The meniscus shape is then held fixed and steady-state, thin-film evaporation analysis is performed. Liquid–vapor phase change heat transfer is modeled using a modified Schrage equation. Based on the present analysis, the best performing sample (particle size range) is identified along with the optimum contact angle.
Fast and accurate goal-directed motion synthesis for crowds

This paper presents a highly efficient motion synthesis algorithm that is well suited for animating large numbers of characters. Given constraints that require characters to be in specific poses, positions, and orientations in specified time intervals, our algorithm, synthesizes motions that exactly satisfy these constraints while avoiding inter-character collisions and collisions with the environment. We represent the space of possible actions with a motion graph and use search algorithms to generate motion. To provide a good initial guess for the search, we employ a fast path planner based on probabilistic roadmaps to navigate characters through complex environments. Also, unlike existing algorithms, our search process allows for smooth, continual adjustments to position, orientation, and timing. This allows us both to satisfy constraints precisely and to generate motion much faster than would otherwise be possible.
Esterification reactions of lipase in reverse micelles

The activities of lipase from Candida cylindracea and Rhizopus delemar have been investigated in water/AOT/iso-octane reverse micellar media through the use of two esterification reactions: fatty acid-alcohol esterification and glyceride synthesis. Such media promotes the occurrence of these two lipase-catalyzed reactions due to its low water content. The effect of various parameters on the activity of lipase from C. cylindracea in reverse micelles was determined and compared to results where alternate media were employed. It was observed that the structure of the media, as dictated by the type and concentration of the substrates and products and by the water/AOT ratio, w0, had a strong impact on enzyme activity. Strong deactivation of both typase types occurred in reverse micelles, especially in the absence of substrates and for w0 values greater than 3.0. Glyceride synthesis was realized with lipase from R. delemar, but not with that from C. cylindracea; the temperature and concentration of substrates and water strongly dictated the reaction rate and the percent conversion.
INCOME MAINTENANCE IN OLD AGE: WHAT CAN BE LEARNED FROM CROSS-NATIONAL COMPARISONS

The purpose of this paper is to review the recent evidence on the antipoverty effectiveness and other characteristics of income maintenance systems for the elderly in the rich nations of the world. As we move toward Social Security reform in the United States, we do so knowing that a comparatively high fraction of our older population experience, income poverty compared to their counterparts in other nations. Strategies to reduce the future Social Security deficit need to take into account the way that program changes affect poverty and benefit adequacy as well as fiscal soundness. Other nations offer approaches which would help us to achieve lower poverty rates while also providing fiscally responsible solutions to the future public costs of an aging society through reforms to the Social Security system.
A new approach to compute T-stress in functionally graded materials by means of the interaction integral method

Abstract A “non-equilibrium” formulation is developed for evaluating T -stress in functionally graded materials with mixed-mode cracks. The T -stress is evaluated by means of the interaction integral (conservation integral) method in conjunction with the finite element method. The gradation of material properties is integrated into the element stiffness matrix using the so-called “generalized isoparametric formulation”. The types of material gradation considered include exponential, linear, and radially graded exponential functions; however, the present formulation is not limited to specific functions and can be readily extended to micromechanics models. This paper investigates several fracture problems (including both homogeneous and functionally graded materials) to verify the proposed formulation, and also provides numerical solutions to various benchmark problems. The accuracy of numerical results is discussed by comparison with available analytical, semi-analytical, or numerical solutions. The revisited interaction integral method is shown to be an accurate and robust scheme for evaluating T -stress in functionally graded materials.
Defined medium simulating genital tract secretions for growth of vaginal microflora.

Abstract A chemically defined medium that simulates female genital tract secretions was developed for the growth of the vaginal microflora. Qualitative and quantitative studies of the growth of predominant components of the vaginal microflora indicated that all vaginal isolates tested were able to grow in this defined medium.
Emergent Pectus Excavatum Repair After Aortic Root Replacement in Marfan Patient

Chest wall deformities, including pectus excavatum, can complicate cardiac operations by impeding sternal entry and cardiac exposure and by affecting cardiac hemodynamic performance. We describe a patient with Marfan syndrome who underwent elective replacement of an aortic root aneurysm. The patient required a simultaneous, unplanned, emergent repair of her severe pectus excavatum because of hemodynamic instability after sternal closure. The success of this procedure suggests that emergent single-stage repair of pectus excavatum should be considered when median sternotomy closure precipitates hemodynamic instability in such patients.
Jointly Optimal Power Assignment for Multi-Source Multi-Destination Relay Networks

In this paper, the total transmission power of a multi-source multi-destination relay network is minimized under the constraint that the signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR) requirement of each source-destination pair is satisfied. The optimization problem involves $K$ power variables, where $K$ is the number of source-destination pairs in the network, and an exhaustive search is prohibitive for large $K$. In this work, we develop an asymptotically tight approximation of the SINR that allows us to reformulate the original optimization problem to a single-variable optimization problem, which can be easily solved by numerical search of the single variable. Then, the corresponding optimal transmission power at each source and relay can be calculated directly. The proposed optimization scheme is scalable and leads to a power assignment algorithm that exhibits the same optimization complexity for any number ($K$) of source-destination pairs in the network. Moreover, for the special case of transmission over orthogonal channels, we derive analytically the solution to the optimization problem. Extensive numerical studies illustrate our theoretical developments.
Mantle shear-wave tomography and the fate of subducted slabs

A new seismic model of the three–dimensional variation in shear velocity throughout the Earth9s mantle is presented. The model is derived entirely from shear bodywave travel times. Multibounce shear waves, core–reflected waves and SKS and SKKS waves that travel through the core are used in the analysis. A unique aspect of the dataset used in this study is the use of bodywaves that turn at shallow depths in the mantle, some of which are triplicated. The new model is compared with other global shear models. Although competing models show significant variations, several large–scale structures are common to most of the models. The high–velocity anomalies are mostly associated with subduction zones. In some regions the anomalies only extend into the shallow lower mantle, whereas in other regions tabular high–velocity structures seem to extend to the deepest mantle. The base of the mantle shows long–wavelength high–velocity zones also associated with subduction zones. The heterogeneity seen in global tomography models is difficult to interpret in terms of mantle flow due to variations in structure from one subduction zone to another. The simplest interpretation of the seismic images is that slabs in general penetrate to the deepest mantle, although the flow is likely to be sporadic. The interruption in slab sinking is likely to be associated with the 660 km discontinuity.
Risk factors for intimate partner violence initiation and persistence among high psychosocial risk Asian and Pacific Islander women in intact relationships.

Purpose The present study identifies risk factors for intimate partner violence (IPV) initiation and persistence over three years in a high psychosocial risk Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) sample of women with children living in Hawaii.
Significant Enhanced Expression and Solubility of Human Proteins in Escherichia coli by Fusion with Protein S from Myxococcus xanthus

Protein S is a major spore coat protein of Myxococcus xanthus, consisting of two homologous domains, the N-terminal domain (NTD) and the C-terminal domain, both of which contain a Ca(2+)-binding site. Protein S tightly binds to myxospores in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner. Here, we constructed a novel expression vector, pCold-PST, encoding two tandem repeat NTDs (PrS2). By using this vector, a number of human proteins that were expressed at low levels or in insoluble forms by a pET vector were expressed not only at high levels but also in soluble forms. We also demonstrated that an Escherichia coli protein tagged with PrS2 fully retained its function, indicating that it is folded independently from the tag. This technology not only allows simple, one-step protein purification using myxospores, but can also be used for the identification of proteins interacting with a protein of interest and will prove immensely useful for structural studies of proteins which are difficult to produce or are insoluble.
Anergic CD8 + T cells can persist and function in vivo

Using a mouse model system, we demonstrate that anergic CD8 + T cells can persist and retain some functional capabilities in vivo, even after the induction of tolerance. In TCR Vβ5 transgenic mice, mature CD8 + Vβ5 + T cells transit through a CD8 low Vβ5 low deletional intermediate during tolerance induction. CD8 low cells are characterized by an activated phenotype, are functionally compromised in vitro, and are slated for deletion in vivo. We now demonstrate that CD8 low cells derive from a proliferative compartment, but do not divide in vivo. CD8 low cells persist in vivo with a t 1/2 of 3–5 days, in contrast to their in vitro t 1/2 of 0.5–1 day. During this unexpectedly long in vivo life span, CD8 low cells are capable of producing IFN-γ in vivo despite their inability to proliferate or to kill target cells in vitro. CD8 low cells also accumulate at sites of inflammation, where they produce IFN-γ. Therefore, rather than withdrawing from the pool of functional CD8 + T cells, anergic CD8 low cells retain a potential regulatory role despite losing their capacity to proliferate. The ability of anergic cells to persist and function in vivo adds another level of complexity to the process of tolerance induction in the lymphoid periphery.
Demo abstract: Personal building controls

ABSTRACT Buildings are some of the largest energy consumers in the world and yet occupants are regularly dissatisfied with the interior environment in large part due to thermal discomfort [7]. Studies show that given personal control over their environment, occupants are comfortable in a much larger range of ambient temperatures [2]. We present a personalized control smartphone application designed with the dual goals of increasing occupant comfort and achieving building-wide energy savings. The application allows occupants to directly control the lighting and heating/cooling in their vicinity. Using wireless localization combined with data from existing sensors in the building, we estimate room occupancy and use this to dynamically adjust ventilation and air conditioning to save energy in the building.
Electromechanically steerable directional antenna with floating pillar array

An electromechanically steerable directional antenna with a floating pillar array has been demonstrated for 2.4 GHz in-plane communication. A linear array of three floating pillars with a space of 0.06λ each other, a height of 0.38λ, a gap of 0.01λ from ground, and a distance of 0.06λ from the monopole is held in a piece of Styrofoam with a permanent magnet attached. The Styrofoam is rotatable in 360° in-plane scanning range around the monopole with the monopole as a rotating axis, where a permanent magnet integrated motor underneath the substrate is used to move pillars. The antenna shows a 10 dB-bandwidth of 10% and an average gain of 7 dBi with VSWR<2.
Luminescence in terbium activated fluorozirconate glasses

High efficiency luminescence has been observed in fluorozirconate glasses doped with rare-earth ions. In particular terbium-activated fluorozirconate glasses 〈ZrF4-BaF2-ThF4〉: TbF3 at a temperature of 2 K show radiation efficiencies comparable to that of ZnS at 300 K. A range of concentration doping with Tb3+ from 0.1% to 15% was examined. The temperature and concentration dependences of the luminescence from these samples are reported. Lifetime data as a function of rare-earth concentration at room temperature are also presented.
A Note on the Role of Independence in t Statistics Constructed From Linear Statistics in Regression Models

Abstract Some Studentized linear estimates do not follow Student's t distributions because the numerator and denominator are not independent. Recognized in residuals, the problem can occur in other contexts as well. A remedy is easily obtained by adding another predictor variable to the regression model that removes the shared degree of freedom.
Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Transcriptionally Up-Regulates Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Expression in Human Glioblastoma Cells via a Pathway Involving Phosphatidylinositol 3′-Kinase and Distinct from That Induced by Hypoxia

Glioblastomas are highly vascular malignant brain tumors that often overexpress vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). They also frequently overexpress epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and contain regions of hypoxia, both conditions that can induce VEGF. We examined VEGF regulation in U87 MG human glioblastoma cells and in U87/T691 cells, a clonal derivative that contains a truncated erbB2/Neu receptor that interferes with EGFR signaling through the formation of nonfunctional heterodimeric receptor complexes. U87/T691 cells contained approximately one-half as much VEGF mRNA as did U87 MG cells under normoxic conditions (21% oxygen). Pharmacological inhibition of EGFR, Ras, or PI(3) kinase, but not MAP kinase, led to a significant decrease in VEGF mRNA levels in U87 MG cells. VEGF promoter activity in transient transfections was decreased by either pharmacological or genetic inhibition of EGFR, Ras, or phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase [PI(3) kinase]. However, inhibition of PI(3) kinase or EGFR did not completely abolish induction of VEGF mRNA by hypoxia (0.2% oxygen). Likewise, VEGF mRNA expression was induced 3-fold by hypoxia in EGFR-inhibited U87/T691 cells, comparable with the fold induction seen in parental U87 MG cells, although the absolute level of message under hypoxia was higher in U87 MG cells. In transient transfections, a luciferase reporter construct containing a 1.2-kb fragment of the VEGF promoter, lacking the known hypoxic-responsive element (HRE), showed up-regulation after EGF stimulation to the same degree as the full-length, 1.5-kb VEGF promoter construct retaining the HRE. Furthermore, activity of the HRE-deleted, 1.2-kb promoter luciferase reporter was down-regulated by PI(3) kinase inhibition. Therefore, in glioblastoma cells, transcriptional regulation of the VEGF promoter by EGFR appears to involve Ras/PI(3) kinase and to be distinct from signals induced by hypoxia.
Simple Equilibrium Binding

In this chapter we introduce the grand partition function for use in equilibrium binding problems. This method is not needed for the simple problems we consider in this chapter; in fact, the main results are already contained in Eqs. (3.4)–(3.14) and were obtained by thermodynamic methods. However, with the background acquired here, we shall see that the grand partition function approach converts the more complicated and interesting problems in Chapters 4 and 6 into straightforward exercises.
Complications of liver transplantation: imaging and intervention.

Orthotopic liver transplantation is the accepted treatment for end-stage liver disease. Improvements in surgical techniques and medical therapy have resulted in reduced mortality and some types of complications. Patients are, however, still at risk for a variety of vascular, biliary, neoplastic, and other complications, the signs and symptoms of which are often nonspecific. Radiologists can play a key role in diagnosis and management of these complications, as reviewed in this article.
Tumor volume is an independent predictor of survival in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma

Tumor histology and stage are predictors of survival in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). The TNM classification that is widely accepted for MPM has its limitations. Significance of tumor volume, a better representation of tumor burden is not routinely determined. We hypothesized tumor volume is a better predictor of survival and complimentary to T and N stage. Extended pleurectomy and decortication (EPD), a lung sparing procedure, provides an opportunity to measure the tumor volume and pathological stage.
Effects of a Westernized Korean Folk Music Selection on Students’ Music Familiarity and Preference for Its Traditional Version

The purpose of this study was to reveal the effects of Westernized arrangements of traditional Korean folk music on music familiarity and preference. Two separate labs in one intact class were assi...