cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Watch out for those variables in flame testing

Abstract The flammability of plastics systems became a significant consideration for industrial formulators as legislation and fire regulations began coming into prominence in the mid- and late 1960s. As the mass of legislation grew, the number and variety of flame tests increased. Along with the increasing number and complexity of the flame tests, the science of flame testing began to develop.
HIV-1 transactivator protein Tat induces proliferation and TGF beta expression in human articular chondrocytes

The human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) protein Tat binds to cell surface antigens and can regulate cellular responses. Tat has similar immunosuppressive effects as transforming growth factor-beta (TGF beta) and both inhibit lymphocyte proliferation. TGF beta is expressed by primary human articular chondrocytes and is their most potent growth factor. The present study analyzed the interactions of TGF beta and HIV Tat in the regulation of human articular chondrocytes. Synthetic or recombinant full-length Tat (1-86) induced chondrocyte proliferation and this was of similar magnitude as the response to TGF beta. Tat peptides that did not contain the RGD motif had similar chondrocyte stimulatory activity as full-length Tat. Among a series of Tat peptides, peptide 38-62 which contains the basic domain was the only one active, suggesting that this region is responsible for the effects on chondrocyte proliferation. Full-length Tat and peptide 38-62 synergized with TGF beta and induced proliferative responses that were greater than those obtained with any combination of the known chondrocyte growth factors. Further characterization of the interactions between Tat and TGF beta showed that Tat increased synthesis and TGF beta activity and TGF beta 1 mRNA levels. The stimulatory effects of Tat and peptide 38-62 on chondrocyte proliferation were reduced by neutralizing antibodies to TGF beta and by TGF beta antisense oligonucleotides. These results identify a virally encoded protein and a synthetic peptide derived from it as novel and potent chondrocyte growth stimuli which act at least in part through the induction of TGF beta.
Power-efficient time-sensitive mapping in heterogeneous systems

Heterogeneous systems that contain multiple types of resources, such as CPUs and GPUs, are becoming increasingly popular thanks to the potential of achieving high performance and energy efficiency. In such systems, the problem of data mapping and communication for time-sensitive applications while reducing power and energy consumption is more challenging, since applications may have varied data management and computing patterns on different types of resources. In this paper, we propose power-aware maping techniques for CPU/GPU heterogeneous system that are able to meet applications' timing requirements while reducing power and energy consumption by applying DVFS on both CPUs and GPUs. We have implemented the proposed techniques in a real CPU/GPU heterogeneous system. Experimental results with several data analytics workloads show that compared to performance-driven mapping, our power-efficient mapping techniques can often achieve a reduction of more than 20% in power and energy consumption.
Non-Operative Observation of Mammographic Abnormalities: Medical Legal Implications

: Delay in breast cancer diagnosis continues to account for the highest percentage of medical malpractice cases. Two papers were reviewed concerning palpation and mammo-graphic thresholds of detection and prognostic factor analysis for breast cancer. Most tumors were not palpated by experienced clinicians until the masses were larger than 15 mm. Mammograms are misinterpreted at a rate of 1.8%, and 7% of the mammograms are false negative with either palpable cancers or interval cancers developing. In a multivariate regression analysis, lymph node status was the most powerful predictor of disease, free survival (DFS), and tumor size added little to the model. Guidelines for the practicing physician and the medical legal system were offered from the data reviewed.
Characterization of fragmented heavy-ion beams using a three-stage telescope detector: Measurements of 670-MeV/amu 20Ne beams

Measurements of a 670-MeV/amu {sup 20}Ne beam at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory Bevalac heavy-ion accelerator with various thicknesses of water absorber were obtained with the BERKLET. The BERKLET, a simple three-stage solid-state telescope detector, has been described previously. This instrument measures the linear energy transfer (LET) and residual energy of particles, allows the identification of the particle's charge, and provides a means of obtaining LET and energy statistics for the beam, separated by particle charge. The track and dose averaged LET dependence on the amount of water absorber was determined for each species of fragment in the beam. Large numbers of low-LET particles in the fragmented beam were detected. The results of the analysis are presented followed by a discussion of the effects of multiple scattering and secondary fragmentation on the measurements. A brief discussion of the implications of the BERKLET measurements for radiobiology is also presented.
Adsorption of Direct Dyes on Cotton: Kinetics of Dyeing from Finite Baths Based on New Information

Adsorption time curves were determined for cotton fabric dyed with direct dyes under different conditions. A new simple method is described for kinetic analysis of adsorption time curves. Adsorption equilibria, specific rate constants, diffusion coef ficients, diffusion resistance, steady-state equilibrium constants, adsorbent capacities, finite bath exhaustions, activation energies, and reaction enthalpies were determined from the time curves. Specific rate constants and the diffusion coefficients correlated with the chemical structures of direct dyes (number of aromatic rings and ionizable sulfo groups).
Trustworthy Coordination of Web Services Atomic Transactions

The Web Services Atomic Transactions (WS-AT) specification makes it possible for businesses to engage in standard distributed transaction processing over the Internet using Web Services technology. For such business applications, trustworthy coordination of WS-AT is crucial. In this paper, we explain how to render WS-AT coordination trustworthy by applying Byzantine Fault Tolerance (BFT) techniques. More specifically, we show how to protect the core services described in the WS-AT specification, namely, the Activation service, the Registration service, the Completion service and the Coordinator service, against Byzantine faults. The main contribution of this work is that it exploits the semantics of the WS-AT services to minimize the use of Byzantine Agreement (BA), instead of applying BFT techniques naively, which would be prohibitively expensive. We have incorporated our BFT protocols and mechanisms into an open-source framework that implements the WS-AT specification. The resulting BFT framework for WS-AT is useful for business applications that are based on WS-AT and that require a high degree of dependability, security, and trust.
99m-technetium scintiphotography in arthritis. II. Its nonspecificity and clinical and roentgenographic correlations in rheumatoid arthritis.

Technetium-99m scintiphotography of the hands, wrists and knee joints of 24 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) showed abnormal localization of isotope in one or more synovial structures in 96% of hands, in 94% of wrists and in 74% of knees. The results of scintiphotography correlated well with clinical assessment of synovial thickening and tenderness in the proximal interphalangeal and metacarpophalangeal joints of 9 consecutive RA patients. Scintiphotography proved more sensitive than clinical examination only in knee joints; in 2 patients clinical involvement was antedated by positive scintiphotos. Joint visualization after intravenous pertechnetate was nonspecific, and positive scintigrams were obtained in other diseases associated with increased articular or periarticular vascularity. The technic is definitely useful in the serial evaluation of the results of local medical and surgical treatment of arthritis and as an aid in the diagnosis of psychogenic rheumatism.
The number and distribution of detectable luteinizing hormone (LH)-releasing hormone cell bodies changes in association with the preovulatory LH surge in the brains of young but not middle-aged female rats.

The population of LHRH neurons was examined in young and middle-aged female rats at two different time points associated with the LH surge on proestrus. More immunopositive LHRH neurons were detected in the brains of young but not middle-aged females killed on the evening of proestrus (1830-2030 h) compared with those killed earlier in the afternoon (1300-1430 h). To facilitate the investigation of potential regional differences within the population, sections through the basal forebrain were divided into four areas based upon their rostral-caudal position. Whereas no change in detectability was observed in the most rostral subset of LHRH neurons, more LHRH perikarya were observed at the later compared to the earlier time point in the other three areas surveyed in the brains of young females. Only the increase observed in sections through the preoptic area, however, reached statistical significance. Computer assisted three-dimensional reconstruction of all LHRH neurons in sections through the preoptic are...
Detection of non-interference within a mobile polychaete species

Abstract The presence or absence of intraspecific interference was tested in the deposit-feeding, mobile polychaete Armandia sp. (Opheliidae) in the laboratory. The experimental system was constructed on the basis of a mathematical model for the diffusion of mobile animals presented by Shigesada & Teramoto. Given a one-dimensional food gradient, Armandia distributed themselves along the gradient in the same way regardless of differences in the total number of individuals tested. This shows, according to the model, that there is no interference between individuals.
Discriminating contagion : an alternative explanation of contagious currency crises in emerging markets

This paper shows that a country's vulnerability to contagious crises depends on the visible similarities between that country and other countries that are experiencing crises. A country is vulnerable to shifts in investor sentiment if it exhibits weaknesses in the same economic variables as other countries affected by a contagious crisis (particularly the country that started the contagious wave), or if it is located in the same region. The paper uses a sample of 19 emerging markets, and data from the Mexican, Asian, and Russian crises to provide evidence of this discriminating contagion, after controlling for alternative channels of contagion such as trade spillovers and financial linkages.
Evolutionary conservation of the transcriptional network regulating secondary cell wall biosynthesis

The ability to make secondary cell walls was a pivotal step for vascular plants in their conquest of dry land. Here, we review recent molecular and genetic studies that reveal that a group of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) secondary wall-associated NAC domain transcription factors are master switches regulating a cascade of downstream transcription factors, leading to activation of the secondary wall biosynthetic program. Close homologs of the Arabidopsis secondary wall NACs and their downstream transcription factors exist in diverse taxa of vascular plants and some are functional orthologs of their Arabidopsis counterparts. There is evidence to suggest that the secondary wall NAC-mediated transcriptional regulation of secondary wall biosynthesis is a conserved mechanism throughout vascular plants.
Holland's Hexagonal Model Applied to Nontraditional Premedical Students

This study investigated the validity of Holland's Hexagonal Model utilizing data from the Self-directed Search interest inventory given to 57 black and 43 white premedical students enrolled in a medical education preparatory program. The program was designed to increase the number of qualified applicants who are underrepresented in the medical profession. The results produced positive support for Holland's Hexagonal Model. Implications for the practical application of the hexagon are discussed.
Reaction of platinum(II) antitumor agents with sulfhydral compounds and the implications for nephrotoxicity

Abstract Cisplatin, cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II), is a square-planar Pt(II) complex which finds extensive use as an anticancer agent. This use has been limited by toxicity to the kidney. Cisplatin reacts by undergoing nucleophilic substitution of one or both chloride ligands. Water is a ubiquitous nucleophile. Hydrolysis was examined by observing the change in the UV spectrum of solutions of cisplatin and two congeners with less nephrotoxicity, carboplatin and iproplatin. Cisplatin was found to hydrolyze with a half-life of approximately 9 h at room temperature. Hydrolysis was inhibited by 0.1 M NaCl. Neither carboplatin not iproplatin appeared to hydrolyze in 24 h. Since sulfhydral groups are important for renal tubular ion transport, in addition to serving many other functions in the cell, the reactions of Pt(II) compounds with cysteine, glutathione and dithiothreitol were examined by observing the evolution of a broad band in the UV spectrum. Reaction of RSH with cisplatin was approximately an order of magnitude more rapid than with carboplatin; NaCl inhibited the reaction. Iproplatin did not appear to react. It is concluded that the nephrotoxicity found with cisplatin may be related to reaction with renal tubular SH-containing enzymes, that the slower reaction with carboplatin and iproplatin explains their lower toxicity, and that the protective effect of a simultaneous chloruresis with cisplatin administration is explained by Cl− inhibition of hydrolysis and/of reaction with SH.
Extraskeletal osteosarcoma of the hand: the role of marginal excision and adjuvant radiation therapy

Background Extraskeletal osteosarcoma of the hand is rare, and its optimal modality of local control is not currently known.
Production of high specific activity molybdenum-99 for preparation of technetium-99m generators☆

Abstract A chemical procedure based on solvent bis(2-ehtylhexyl)phosphoric acid is described for the recovery and purification of 99Mo from short-lived fission products. Molybdenum-99 is back-extracted from the organic phase with acidic hydrogen peroxide and converted to ammonium molybdate in NH4OH solution. The recovery of 100 Ci quantities of 99Mo having high specific activity (∼20,000 Ci/g) and high radiochemical purity has been demonstrated.
A comparison of 1H8- and 2H8-toluene toxicokinetics in men.

1. To examine the bioequivalence of an isotope-labelled tracer to study toxicant disposition, we conducted 33 controlled human exposures to a mixture of 50 ppm Htoluene and 50 ppm H-toluene for 2h, and measured concentrations in blood and breath, and metabolite levels in urine for 100h post-exposure. 2. A physiologically based kinetic (PBK) model found that compared with H-toluene, H-toluene had a 6.4 13% (mean SD) lower AUC, a 6.5 13% higher systemic clearance (1.46 0.27 versus 1.38 0.25 l h-kg), a 17 22% larger terminal volume of distribution (66.4 14 versus 57.2 10 l kg) and a 9.7 26% longer terminal half-life (38 12 versus 34 10h) (p0.05 for all comparisons). 3. The higher H-toluene clearance may have been due to an increased rate of ring oxidation, consistent with the 17% higher observed fraction of H- versus H-cresol metabolites in urine. 4. The larger terminal volume and half-lives for H-toluene suggested a higher adipose tissue blood partition coefficient. 5. Observed isotope differences were smal...
Effects of internal calcium and sodium on photocurrent kinetics in toad rod photoreceptors

Reducing external calcium from 1.0 to 0.1 mM increased the flash sensitivity and the time-to-peak (tp) of linear responses of rod photoreceptors. The quantitative relation between flash sensitivity and tp was the same as during light adaptation. However, the calcium ionophore A23187 reduced sensitivity without affecting response kinetics. Thus, increasing intracellular calcium did not mimic the effect of steady light on kinetics. An increase in internal sodium might play some role in the increase in tp observed in low external calcium.
Influenza A H5N1 Immigration Is Filtered Out at Some International Borders

BackgroundGeographic spread of highly pathogenic influenza A H5N1, the bird flu strain, appears a necessary condition for accelerating the evolution of a related human-to-human infection. As H5N1 spreads the virus diversifies in response to the variety of socioecological environments encountered, increasing the chance a human infection emerges. Genetic phylogenies have for the most part provided only qualitative evidence that localities differ in H5N1 diversity. For the first time H5N1 variation is quantified across geographic space.Methodology and Principal FindingsWe constructed a statistical phylogeography of 481 H5N1 hemagglutinin genetic sequences from samples collected across 28 Eurasian and African localities through 2006. The MigraPhyla protocol showed southern China was a source of multiple H5N1 strains. Nested clade analysis indicated H5N1 was widely dispersed across southern China by both limited dispersal and long distance colonization. The UniFrac metric, a measure of shared phylogenetic history, grouped H5N1 from Indonesia, Japan, Thailand and Vietnam with those from southeastern Chinese provinces engaged in intensive international trade. Finally, H5N1's accumulative phylogenetic diversity was greatest in southern China and declined beyond. The gradient was interrupted by areas of greater and lesser phylogenetic dispersion, indicating H5N1 migration was restricted at some geopolitical borders. Thailand and Vietnam, just south of China, showed significant phylogenetic clustering, suggesting newly invasive H5N1 strains have been repeatedly filtered out at their northern borders even as both countries suffered recurring outbreaks of endemic strains. In contrast, Japan, while successful in controlling outbreaks, has been subjected to multiple introductions of the virus.ConclusionsThe analysis demonstrates phylogenies can provide local health officials with more than hypotheses about relatedness. Pathogen dispersal, the functional relationships among disease ecologies across localities, and the efficacy of control efforts can also be inferred, all from viral genetic sequences alone.
Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) variation in the endangered Mexican wolf and related canids

We have examined in Mexican wolves and related canids the amount of genetic variation for a class II gene in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), thought to be part of the most important genetic basis for pathogen resistance in vertebrates. In Mexican wolves, descended from only seven founders over three lineages, there were five different alleles. These were in three phylogenetic groups, only one of which was shared between lineages. Using single stand conformation polymorphism (SSCP), we found that in samples of animals from the two polymorphic lineages, the observed heterozygosity was 0.74 and the genotypes were not different statistically from Hardy–Weinberg proportions. The Ghost Ranch lineage of Mexican wolves was monomorphic for the locus, consistent with the lower level of variation found previously for microsatellite loci and predicted from pedigree analysis. Samples of grey wolves, red wolves, and coyotes had 16 additional alleles. One Mexican wolf allele was also found in grey wolves and another allele was shared between grey and red wolves. Most of the nucleotide variation resulted in amino acid variation and there were five different amino acids found at two different positions. Only two of the 21 variable amino acid positions had solely synonymous nucleotide variation. The average heterozygosity for eight individual amino acid positions in the Mexican wolves was greater than 0.4. The estimated rate of nonsynonymous substitution was 2.5 times higher than that for synonymous substitution for the putative antigen binding site positions, indicative of positive selection acting on these positions. Examination of the known dog sequences for this locus showed that one of the Mexican wolf alleles was found in dogs and that the allele found in both grey and red wolves is also found in dogs.
A family of homologous X chromosomal sequences with some members showing evidence of enhancer activity.

ABSTRACT Little is known about either the frequency of occurrence of enhancers or the interrelationships of various enhancers in mammalian genomes. Previous reports described a potent, transcriptional enhancer within the sequence termed "Xrep," a human X chromosomal genomic clone (Riley et al., 1986; Riley, 1989a). Additional Xrep-related sequences reside on the human X chromosome. A probe for the Xrep enhancer hybridized with multiple restriction fragments located on the X chromosome. Two of the fragments cross-hybridizing with the enhancer had identical enhancer-like sequences but dissimilar flanking sequences. However, both of the sequenced enhancers were flanked by poly(GT) repeats strongly implicated in the generation of polymorphisms. A third sequence cross-hybridizing to the enhancer probe was found, in chromatin form, to be extremely DNase I hypersensitive.
THE NUMBER OF GROWING POLYPEPTIDE CHAINS ON RETICULOCYTE POLYRIBOSOMES.

Reticulocyte polyribosomes synthesizing hemoglobin can be separated physically from ribosomes inactive in protein synthesis. After labeling with [ 14 C]leucine or phenylalanine, the specific activity of the polyribosomes was determined. By measuring the intra-cellular specific activity of the amino acids, the number of leucine or phenylalanine residues per ribosome was calculated. The results are consistent with the conclusion that there is a single growing polypeptide chain per ribosome in the polyribosomes. This calculation is based upon the assumption that all of the reticulocyte polyribosomes are active in protein synthesis. Experiments with cell fractionation and varying magnesium ion concentrations support this assumption. The effect of a non-uniform rate of polypeptide chain assembly is discussed.
Growing up in the Kayamandi Township: II. Sport as a setting for the development and transfer of desirable competencies

With calls for increasing accountability in sport programmes, it is critical for researchers to rigorously examine how sport can contribute to the development of young people. This study was designed as an attempt to understand the nature of sport and sport-based youth development in the community of the Kayamandi Township in South Africa. Three topics related to sport-based youth development in a South African Xhosa township were examined: (a) required competencies for young people to develop in order to have a happy and productive life; (b) competencies acquired by young people through sport participation; and (c) transferable competencies from the sport domain into the everyday lives of young people. A phenomenological methodology was used by gathering participants’ perceptions and meanings through semi-structured interviews. Individual interviews were conducted with 10 coaches, 11 community members, and 19 athletes, with the data analysed through independent comprehensive inductive content analysis wi...
Nutrient-Sensing Hypothalamic TXNIP Links Nutrient Excess to Energy Imbalance in Mice

Nutrient excess in obesity and diabetes is emerging as a common putative cause for multiple deleterious effects across diverse cell types, responsible for a variety of metabolic dysfunctions. The hypothalamus is acknowledged as an important regulator of whole-body energy homeostasis, through both detection of nutrient availability and coordination of effectors that determine nutrient intake and utilization, thus preventing cellular and whole-body nutrient excess. However, the mechanisms underlying hypothalamic nutrient detection and its impact on peripheral nutrient utilization remain poorly understood. Recent data suggest a role for thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) as a molecular nutrient sensor important in the regulation of energy metabolism, but the role of hypothalamic TXNIP in the regulation of energy balance has not been evaluated. Here we show in mice that TXNIP is expressed in nutrient-sensing neurons of the mediobasal hypothalamus, responds to hormonal and nutrient signals, and regulates adipose tissue metabolism, fuel partitioning, and glucose homeostasis. Hypothalamic expression of TXNIP is induced by acute nutrient excess and in mouse models of obesity and diabetes, and downregulation of mediobasal hypothalamic TXNIP expression prevents diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance. Thus, mediobasal hypothalamic TXNIP plays a critical role in nutrient sensing and the regulation of fuel utilization.
Characterization of the M protein and nucleoprotein genes of an avian influenza A virus which are involved in host range restriction in monkeys

A reassortant virus possessing RNA segment 7, which codes for the M1 and M2 proteins, of the avian influenza A/Mallard/New York/6750/78 (H2N2) virus and the other seven RNA segments of the human influenza A/Udorn/307/72 (H3N2) virus had been shown previously to be markedly restricted in replication in the respiratory tract of squirrel monkeys. In contrast, a reassortant possessing segment 7 of another avian influenza virus, A/Pintail/Alberta/119/79 (H4N6), and the seven other RNA segments from the A/Udorn/72 virus was not restricted. The nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequence of the RNA segment 7 of each virus was determined to identify the structural basis for the attenuation phenotype specified by RNA segment 7 of the A/Mallard/78 virus. Analysis of the deduced amino acid sequences revealed only two amino acid differences in the M1 protein and one difference in the M2 protein, suggesting that the attenuation phenotype of a reassortant virus possessing segment 7 of the A/Mallard/78 virus may be specified by one to three amino acids. Reassortant viruses possessing RNA segment 6, which codes for the nucleoprotein, of either avian influenza virus and the other seven RNA segments of a human influenza virus were also restricted in replication in squirrel monkeys. A comparison of the deduced amino acid sequences of the two avian nucleopeoteins demonstrated only three amino acid differences indicating that these two avian viruses possess NP genes that are highly related. The high degree of relatedness of both the NP and M proteins of these two avian viruses contrasts with their divergent surface antigens.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Nipple aspirate fluid color is associated with breast cancer.

Abstract Background: Fluid can be non-invasively aspirated from the breast nipple (nipple aspirate fluid, NAF). NAF may have many colors, including clear, white, yellow, green, and red/brown. While bloody spontaneous nipple discharge has been linked with breast cancer, the association of NAF color with cancer is not established. Our hypothesis was that red/brown NAF color was associated with breast cancer. The purpose of this study was to assess (1) if red/brown NAF is associated with the presence and progression of breast cancer, (2) the influence of prior needle or surgical biopsy on NAF color, and (3) if an association between NAF color and breast cancer was found, to develop a cancer predictive model including NAF color and cytology, and clinical information. Methods: Specimens were obtained from 848 breasts between 1999 and 2004 after subjects enrolled in an IRB approved protocol to evaluate biologic markers of breast cancer. Cytologic evaluation was performed on Papanicolaou-stained cytospin preparations of NAF. Results: Red/brown NAF was associated with breast cancer when considering all samples ( p p =0.005). Needle biopsy did not, but surgical biopsy did influence NAF color. For the 327 women with NAF collected from both breasts, there was a significant association between red/brown NAF color and the presence of breast cancer ( p =0.005). Red/brown NAF was more common in breasts with ductal carcinoma in situ than atypical hyperplasia ( p =0.008). The optimal model, included NAF color, cytology, and age, was 92% sensitive and 61% specific in predicting if a woman had breast cancer. Conclusions: NAF color was associated with the presence of breast cancer and the progression from precancer to cancer in a population of women who presented to a breast cancer evaluation clinic. NAF color contributed to a highly predictive breast cancer detection model. Additional studies are warranted to determine the usefulness of NAF color in the assessment of women who present for breast cancer evaluation.
Do all roads lead to Rome? Effect of educational trajectories on educational transitions

Abstract “Non-traditional” educational trajectories are increasingly common among American students. This study assesses the implications of this phenomenon for inequality in educational attainment. A proper account of educational trajectories requires simultaneous consideration of qualitatively different types of destinations within educational transitions, of the timing at which different transitions occur, and of the sequence of events within educational levels. To examine “traditional” and “non-traditional” pathways through post-secondary education, this study relies on detailed educational histories from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979–2002. Findings reveal that deviations from a traditional trajectory are widespread, are more frequent among students who enrolled in less selective colleges, and also among socioeconomically and academically disadvantaged students. Results show that following a “non-traditional” pathway reduces students’ chances to enroll in college and to complete a post-secondary degree. In the case of bachelor's degree completion, most of the observed gap among students from different socioeconomic backgrounds is accounted for the different trajectories students follow. This study demonstrates that a fine-grained analysis of students’ trajectories improves our understanding of the persistent socioeconomic disparities in educational attainment.
Integrated design approach for virtual production line-based reconfigurable manufacturing systems

Reconfigurable manufacturing systems (RMSs) have been recognized as a new manufacturing paradigm. In light of their enhanced flexibility and responsiveness, RMSs are considered to be mostly applicable to the very dynamic and unpredictable marketplaces of the near future. However, systematic approaches to the design and ramp-up of an RMS have not been well addressed. This paper presents a virtual production line-based (VPL) approach to the design and operation of a reconfigurable manufacturing system. Shop floor attributed finite-capacity automaton and VPL attributed finite-capacity automaton are proposed for modelling the control of an RMS, which leads to ease of control software development. Algorithms for balancing VPLs to maximize the productivity of an RMS are discussed. The results of simulation runs of the proposed methodology and algorithms applied to simplified back-end semiconductor manufacturing are provided.
Nutritional and genetic influences on the dentition of "ia" and "pia" rats.

Abstract A fortified laboratory chow diet enriched with corn oil and fat-soluble vitamins caused a marked improvement in the health and reproductive ability of the “ia” strain of rats. These benefits were derived also from a diet composed of fortified chow and the corn oil supplement. When the fat-soluble vitamins were also included in the ration, there was a greater tendency for the incisor and molar teeth to erupt and show morphological and positional variations. Animals with one to four erupted atypical incisors, called “pia” rats, showed some indication that the characteristic was inherited.
Electron diffraction conditions and surface imaging in reflection electron microscopy

Abstract Two resonance conditions responsible for enhancement of the specular reflected beam observed in the RHEED pattern have been characterized as Bragg-channelling reflection and Bragg-Bragg reflection, respectively, in terms of different scattering mechanisms. Under the resonance condition, the tremendous increase of both elastic and inelastic electron scattering results in the intensity enhancement of the specular reflected beam. The total reflectivity does not change considerably with the variation of the diffraction condition. The improvement of the topographical contrast in surface imaging is not simply related to increase in the intensity of the specular reflected beam. The surface image obtained from the Bragg-Bragg reflection condition shows a better image contrast for the surface structure among the varieties of resonance conditions. The appearance of the abnormal double-contour contrast for a single-atom-height step is also closely associated with the Bragg-Bragg reflection condition.
Key attributes of effectiveness in managing project portfolio

Abstract While project portfolio management (PPM) has been practiced, the understanding of PPM effectiveness is still limited. The lack of such an understanding has practitioners continuing with a PPM approach that has not been measured as to its effectiveness and impact on business results. To promote a better understanding of PPM effectiveness, this study investigates PPM practices in real-life business settings to identify key attributes of PPM effectiveness. As a result, six attributes of PPM effectiveness were identified. The strategic attributes are 1) strategic alignment, 2) adaptability to internal and external changes, and 3) the expected value of the portfolio. The operational attributes are 1) project visibility, 2) transparency in portfolio decision making, and 3) predictability of project delivery. Based on these attributes, a definition of PPM effectiveness was purposed. This paper concludes with contributions and implications, including limitations and agenda for future research.
In vitro compaction of germinal vesicle chromatin is beneficial to survival of vitrified cat oocytes.

Contents The immature cat oocyte contains a large-sized germinal vesicle (GV) with decondensed chromatin that is highly susceptible to cryo-damage. The aim of the study was to explore an alternative to conventional cryopreservation by examining the influence of GV chromatin compaction using resveratrol (Res) exposure (a histone deacetylase enhancer) on oocyte survival during vitrification. In Experiment 1, denuded oocytes were exposed to 0, 0.5, 1.0 or 1.5 mmol/l Res for 1.5 h and then evaluated for chromatin structure or cultured to assess oocyte meiotic and developmental competence in vitro. Exposure to 1.0 or 1.5 mmol/l Res induced complete GV chromatin deacetylation and the most significant compaction. Compared to other treatments, the 1.5 mmol/l Res concentration compromised the oocyte ability to achieve metaphase II (MII) or to form a blastocyst. In Experiment 2, denuded oocytes were exposed to Res as in Experiment 1 and cultured in vitro either directly (fresh) or after vitrification. Both oocyte types then were assessed for meiotic competence, fertilizability and ability to form embryos. Vitrification exerted an overall negative influence on oocyte meiotic and developmental competence. However, ability to reach MII, achieve early first cleavage, and develop to an advanced embryo stage (8–16 cells) was improved in vitrified oocytes previously exposed to 1.0 mmol/l Res compared to all counterpart treatments. In summary, results reveal that transient epigenetic modifications associated with GV chromatin compaction induced by Res is fully reversible and beneficial to oocyte survival during vitrification. This approach has allowed the production of the first cat embryos from vitrified immature oocytes.
In situ diffraction of highly dispersed supported platinum nanoparticles

For catalytic metal nanoparticles ( 2 nm) where diffraction patterns of the metallic phase are obtainable in air, we show that on exposure to air the surface is oxidized with a metallic core producing misleading results with respect to particle size and lattice parameter. Results from XRD are cross-correlated with scanning transmission electron microscopy and three other synchrotron X-ray techniques, small angle diffraction (SAXS), pair distribution function (PDF) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), to provide detailed characterization of the structure of very small nanoparticles in the metallic phase.
Mechanosensory Neurite Termination and Tiling Depend on SAX-2 and the SAX-1 Kinase

Mechanosensory neurons provide accurate information about stimulus location by restricting their sensory dendrites to nonoverlapping regions, a pattern called tiling. Here, we show that C. elegans sax-1 and sax-2 regulate mechanosensory tiling by controlling the termination point of sensory dendrites. During development, the posterior PLM mechanosensory dendrite overlaps transiently with the anterior ALM mechanosensory neuron. This overlap is eliminated during a discrete period of paused or slowed PLM process growth, between an early period of rapid outgrowth and a later period of maintenance growth. In sax-2 mutants, the PLM sensory dendrite fails to slow between the active growth and maintenance growth phases, leading to sustained overlap of anterior and posterior mechanosensory processes. sax-2 encodes a large conserved protein with HEAT/Armadillo repeats that functions with sax-1, an NDR cell morphology-regulating kinase. High-level expression of sax-2 leads to premature neurite termination, suggesting that SAX-2 can directly inhibit neurite growth.
Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) profiles as measures of soil microbial community structure

Analysis of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) profiles extracted from soils is a rapid and inexpensive procedure that holds great promise in describing soil microbial community structure without traditional reliance on selective culturing, which seems to severely underestimate community diversity. Interpretation of FAME profiles from environmental samples can be difficult because many fatty acids are common to different microorganisms and many fatty acids are extracted from each soil sample. We used principal components (PCA) and cluster analyses to identify similarities and differences among soil microbial communities described using FAME profiles. We also used PCA to identify particular FAMEs that characterized soil sample clusters. Fatty acids that are found only or primarily in particular microbial taxa — marker fatty acids — were used in conjunction with these analyses. We found that the majority of 162 soil samples taken from a conventionally-tilled corn field had similar FAME profiles but that about 20% of samples seemed to have relatively low, and that about 10% had relatively high, bacterial:fungal ratios. Using semivariance analysis we identified 21:0 iso as a new marker fatty acid. Concurrent use of geostatistical and FAME analyses may be a powerful means of revealing other potential marker FAMEs. When microbial communities from the same samples were cultured on R2A agar and their FAME profiles analyzed, there were many differences between FAME profiles of soil and plated communities, indicating that profiles of FAMEs extracted from soil reveal portions of the microbial community not culturable on R2A. When subjected to PCA, however, a small number of plated communities were found to be distinct due to some of the same profile characteristics (high in 12:0 iso, 15:0 and 17:1 ante A) that identified soil community FAME profiles as distinct. Semivariance analysis indicated that spatial distributions of soil microbial populations are maintained in a portion of the microbial community that is selected on laboratory media. These similarities between whole soil and plated community FAME profiles suggest that plated communities are not solely the result of selection by the growth medium, but reflect the distribution, in situ, of the dominant, culturable soil microbial populations.
A scale-hierarchic ecosystem approach to integrative ecological planning

To think ecologically is to think complexly, recognising that reality is rarely singular, and that there is usually more than just one thing going on at the same time. Additionally, the world is lumpy, in that some few aspects of a phenomenon usually matter much more than others, and so the world is not actually infinitely variable. Besides, the physically tangible world that we care most about is usually shaped by apparently intangible sets of processes and functions. What we see is rarely all that we get. Under these conditions, planning becomes the informative telling of context, and the savvy tracing of consequence. I propose an ecosystem approach to planning, and lay out the parameters of theworldview necessary to take such an approach to an integrative regional planning. Nested scale hierarchic ecosystem ecology, or process-function ecology, provides a pragmatically robust frame from within which to come to know what it means to plan ecologically. The key insights from such a view are: (a) that complex systems are best seen to be organised into nested levels, with purposively named systems emergent from subsystems, and interactively giving rise to suprasystems; (b) that descriptions of such systems are inherently purposive and perspectival, and sowhy we make a description, and wherewe position ourselves to make that description, will significantly influencewhat it is we can come to see; and (c) that such systems can only be known meaningfully if theyare considered to have multiple process-driven boundaries, and are depicted using multiple functionally relevant spatial and temporal scales. I use cases from the interwoven history of ecological science and social theory, habitat conservation planning, heat island mitigation, urban forestry, and impervious surface management to synthesise a description of what it means, pragmatically, to think and plan in an ecologically integrative way. # 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Geometric control of particle manipulation in a two-dimensional fluid

Manipulation of particles suspended in fluids is crucial for many applications, such as precision machining, chemical processes, bio-engineering, and self-feeding of microorganisms. In this paper, we study the problem of particle manipulation by cyclic fluid boundary excitations from a geometric-control viewpoint. We focus on the simplified problem of manipulating a single particle by generating controlled cyclic motion of a circular rigid body in a two-dimensional perfect fluid. We show that the drift in the particle location after one cyclic motion of the body can be interpreted as the geometric phase of a connection induced by the system's hydrodynamics. We then formulate the problem as a control system, and derive a geometric criterion for its nonlinear controllability. Moreover, by exploiting the geometric structure of the system, we explicitly construct a feedback-based gait that results in attraction of the particle towards the rigid body. We argue that our gait is robust and model-independent, and demonstrate it in both perfect fluid and Stokes fluid.
A new time domain voltage source model for an arc furnace using EMTP

This paper presents a new time domain controlled voltage source (CVS) model for an arc furnace using the Electro Magnetic Transients Program (EMTP). The developed model is based on a piecewise linear approximation of the V-I characteristic of the arc furnace load. In addition to this, the novelty of this simulation technique lies in the fact that the active power consumed by the load is also considered in the proposed load model, thus making the proposed load model dependent on the operating conditions of the load. Dynamic variation of the arc is incorporated through sinusoidal and band limited white noise variation of the arc resistance in the V-I characteristic of the arc furnace load. Depending on the variation of the arc resistance, the developed load model accurately represents both static (deterministic) and dynamic (random) arc characteristics. While static arc models are useful for harmonic studies, dynamic models are useful for power quality studies and in particular, the study of voltage flicker. The results are compared with actual voltage measurements taken from a local utility to prove the validity of the proposed load model.
Physicochemical changes in pyrogenic organic matter (biochar) after 15 months of field aging

Abstract. Predicting the effects of pyrogenic organic matter (OM) addition (either natural or intentional as in the case of biochar amendment) on soil chemistry and crop yields has been hampered by a lack of understanding of how pyrogenic OM evolves in the environment over time. This work compared the physicochemical characteristics of newly made and 15-month-field-aged biochars and biochar–soil mixtures. After aging, biochars made by pyrolysis of wood and grass at 250, 400 and 650 °C exhibited 5-fold increases in cation exchange capacity (CEC), on average; appearance of anion exchange capacity (AEC); and significant decreases in pH, ash content and nanopore surface area. Cross polarization 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses indicated relative increases in O-containing functional groups, including substituted aryl, carboxyl and carbonyl C, and losses of O-alkyl groups. Similar chemical trends were observed for soil–biochar mixtures, suggesting the same biochar aging processes occurred in the soil environment. However, there was evidence for a role of soil OM–microbe–biochar interaction during aging. Field aging of soil with biochar resulted in large increases in C and N content (up to 124 and 143%, respectively) and exchange capacity (up to 43%) beyond that calculated by the weighted addition of the properties of biochar and soil aged separately. These beneficial interactive effects varied with soil and biochar type. Scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) images of biochar particles aged with soil showed colonization by microbes and widespread OM coatings. Thus, sorption of both microbially produced and soil OM are likely processes that enhanced biochar aging. Thus, biochar's full beneficial effects on soil properties likely increase over time, and proper assignment of C sequestration credits to biochar users will require consideration of soil–biochar interactions.
Experimentally Determined Neutral Density and Plasma Parameters in a 30cm Ion Engine

range of 1 to 7.9 eV and an electron density range of 4e10 to 1e13 cm-3, throughout the discharge chamber, consistent with the results in the literature [1-2]. Plasma potential estimates, computed from the first derivative of the probe characteristic, indicate potential from 0.5V to 11V above the discharge voltage along the thruster centerline. These values are believed to be excessively high due to poor saturation of the probe IV characteristic in the low-density regions of the plasma. Relative neutral density profiles are also obtained with a fiber optic probe sampling photon flux from the 823.1 nm excited to ground state transition. Plasma parameter measurements and neutral density profiles will be presented as a function of probe location and engine discharge conditions. A discussion of the measured electron energy distribution function will also be presented, with regards to variation from pure maxwellian. It has been found that there is a distinct primary population along the thruster centerline, which causes estimates of electron temperature, electron density, and plasma potential, to err on the high side, due this energetic population. Computation of the energy distribution function of the plasma clearly indicates the presence of primaries, whose presence become less obvious with radial distance from the main discharge plume.