cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Moisture Sorption Kinetics for Water-Soluble Substances I: Theoretical Considerations of Heat Transport Control

Abstract A model based on heat transport control was developed to describe the uptake of water on a deliquescent solid in an atmosphere of pure water vapor. The model assumes the presence of a saturated liquid film on the surface of the solid. The decrease in the vapor pressure of water over the surface, brought about by the colligative effect of solid dissolved in the liquid film, is effectively offset by the increase in temperature of the film (and the solid) caused by the heat released on condensation of the water vapor. The thermal transients die out quickly and a steady-state analysis is valid. At steady state the temperature of the liquid film (and solid) is that temperature at which the vapor pressure of water above the saturated solution is equal to the chamber pressure. Consequently, water uptake occurs at a rate that depends on the heat flux away from the surface. The water uptake rate, W ʹ h, is constant at a given relative humidity and is described by an equation of the form W ʹ h = (C + F) ln (RH i /RH o ), where C and F are conductive and radiative coefficients, RH i the chamber relative humidity, and RH o the relative humidity at and above which continuous water uptake (deliquescence) occurs. The model contains no adjustable parameters and can thus be directly tested against experimental results.
Jury decision-making biases and methods to counter them

Purpose. The objective of this review was to give a broad overview of various biases associated with jury decision making. Specifically we review research on the impact of pretrial publicity, jury instructions, inadmissible evidence, and scientific evidence. This article elucidates various challenges jurors may face across systems around the world and remedies to counter these challenges. Results. After 50 years of scientific research on juries and juror decision making, there are still many gaps in understanding how factors such as pretrial publicity, inadmissible evidence, scientific evidence, and jury instructions influence juries. At the same time the field has developed a level of appreciation for these problems and is making strives toward understanding them. Conclusion. Based on this review some conclusions can be drawn regarding the areas of decision making reviewed. Jury instructions: Research shows that jurors have difficulties in understanding pattern instructions, at the same time we have developed some insights into ways instructions can be rewritten to increase comprehensibility. Inadmissible evidence: We are aware of the cognitive effort involved in attempting to disregard evidence but are at this point unclear on how to eliminate the associated problems. Scientific evidence: Research has illuminated the difficulties jurors have with comprehending scientific evidence. Better education of jurors and judges can help to address this issue. Pretrial publicity: The threats posed by pretrial publicity to the defendant's right to a fair trial are clear. At the same time (save change of venue) there is a need to develop cost-effective remedies to help overcome media-induced biases.
The influence of ddt and γ-chlordane on the metabolism of hexobarbital and zoxazoalamine in two mouse strains

Abstract The effect of pretreatment with two insecticides, γ-chlordane (50 (mg/kg) and DDT (100 mg/kg), on zoxazolamine and hexobarbital disposition has been studied in two strains of male mice. In both Swiss-Webster and CF1 mouse strains, DDT and γ-chlordane stimulated hepatic oxidation of zoxazolamine in vitro and shortened zoxazolamine paralysis time. However, γ-chlordane stimulated metabolism of zoxazolamine to a greater degree than did DDT and shortened zoxazolamine paralysis time to a greater extent than did DDT. γ-Chlordane pretreatment stimulated oxidation of hexobarbital in vitro and shortened hexobarbital sleeping time in both mouse strains. γ-Chlordane also accelerated the rate of disappearance of a hypnotic dose of hexobarbital from the body of Swiss-Webster mice. However, DDT pretreatment affected neither hexobarbital sleeping time nor hexobarbital metabolism in either mouse strain. Upon arousal from hexobarbital-induced “sleep” the total body level of hexobarbital in DDT pretreated mice was the same as that in control mice, but γ-chlordane-pretreated mice awoke at a somewhat higher total body level of hexobarbital than did control or DDT-pretreated mice.
Early fracture fixation may be "just fine" after head injury: no difference in central nervous system outcomes.

BACKGROUND Recent reports suggest that early fracture fixation worsens central nervous system (CNS) outcomes. We compared discharge Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores, CNS complications, and mortality of severely injured adults with head injuries and pelvic/lower extremity fractures treated with early versus delayed fixation. METHODS Using trauma registry data, records meeting preselected inclusion criteria from the years 1991 to 1995 were examined. We identified 171 patients aged 14 to 65 years (mean age, 32.7 years) with head injuries and fractures who underwent early fixation ( 24 hours after admission) (n = 24). RESULTS Patients were severely injured, with a mean admission GCS score of 9.1, Revised Trauma Score of 6.2, Injury Severity Score of 38, median intensive care unit length of stay of 16.5 days, and hospital length of stay of 23 days. No differences between groups were found by age, admission GCS score, Injury Severity Score, Revised Trauma Score, intensive care unit length of stay, hospital length of stay, shock, vasopressors, major nonorthopedic operative procedures, total intravenous fluids or blood products, or mortality rates. In survivors, no differences in discharge GCS scores or CNS complications were found. CONCLUSION We found no evidence to suggest that early fracture fixation negatively influences CNS outcomes or mortality.
The role of religions in the analysis of the ethical issues of human gene therapy.

ABSTRACT Beginning with critical writings of certain theological ethicists in 1965, religious bodies increasingly have been fostering studies of emerging issues implied by genetic technology. While...
Characterization of cellulose and other exopolysaccharides produced from Gluconacetobacter strains

This study characterized the cellulosic and non-cellulosic exopolysaccharides (EPS) produced by four Gluconacetobacter strains. The yields of bacterial cellulose and water-soluble polysaccharides were dependent on both carbon source and Gluconacetobacter strain. The carbon substrate also affected the composition of the free EPS. When galactose served as an exclusive carbon source, Gluconacetobacter xylinus (G. xylinus) ATCC 53524 and ATCC 700178 produced a distinct alkaline stable crystalline product, which influenced the crystallization of cellulose. Gluconacetobacter hansenii (G. hansenii) ATCC 23769 and ATCC 53582, however, did not exhibit any significant change in cellulose crystal properties when galactose was used as the carbon source. Microscopic observation further confirmed significant incorporation of EPS into the cellulose composites. The cellulosic network produced from galactose medium showed distinctive morphological and structural features compared to that from glucose medium.
Photodissolution of ferrihydrite in the presence of oxalic acid: an in situ ATR-FTIR/DFT study.

The photodissolution of the iron oxyhydroxide, ferrihydrite, in the presence of oxalic acid was investigated with vibrational spectroscopy, density functional theory (DFT) calculations, and batch geochemical techniques that determined the composition of the solution phase during the dissolution process. Specifically, in situ attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR- FTIR) was used to determine the structure of the adsorbed layer during the dissolution process at a solution pH of 4.5. DFT based computations were used to interpret the vibrational data associated with the surface monolayer in order to help determine the structure of the adsorbed complexes. Results showed that at pH 4.5, oxalate adsorbed on ferrihydrite adopted a mononuclear bidentate (MNBD) binding geometry. Photodissolution at pH 4.5 exhibited an induction period where the rate of Fe(II) release was limited by a low concentration of adsorbed oxalate due to the site-blocking of carbonate that was intrinsic to ...
Uremic autonomic neuropathy: evaluation of ephedrine sulphate therapy for hemodialysis-induced hypotension.

The hemodynamic responses to ephedrine sulphate were studied in a patient on maintenance hemodialysis therapy with chronic renal failure due to renal amyloidosis. The evaluation (including cardiac catheterization studies) and estimation of responses to Valsalva maneuvers before and after ephedrine administration documented the diagnosis of autonomic insufficiency. Oral ephedrine failed to influence the episodes of severe dialysis-induced hypotension. Also the patient did not benefit from the infusion of Aramine. These studies suggest that catecholamine stores of adrenergic nerves may be depleted in uremic patients with clinical signs of autonomic neuropathy.
Adapting Intergovernmental Management to the New Age of Terrorism

Twentieth century progressivism produced intergovernmental models that do not work in this era of terrorism. Their shortcomings surfaced during the Gulf War, with efforts to involve the National Guard in disaster relief, and are now quite apparent. Four assumptions should guide the adaptation of existing intergovernmental models: (a) recognizing the new linkage between intergovernmental relations and the military; (b) mastering new proactive methods rather than waiting on the slow processes of incremental reform; (c) accepting new values (timeliness, flexibility, and containment of the deadly consequences of terrorism) to constrain 21st century intergovernmental relations; and (d) rebuilding the shattered intergovernmental context.
Malignant testicular neoplasms in immunosuppressed patients

AbstractPurpose: Testicular cancers were studied in patients on immunosuppression.Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was done of testicular cancer in patients on immunosuppression reported on between 1975 and 1995.Results: The management schemes adopted in the immunosuppressed population followed the generally accepted management concepts. No patient with low stage (A to B1) disease died of testis cancer. Only 4 of 66 patients (6.1 percent) with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome died of testis cancer compared to 5 of 20 (25 percent) after transplantation, implying significantly higher cause specific mortality in post-transplant patients (Fisher's exact test, p less than 0.01). The incidence of adverse effect of therapy did not differ from the expected incidence in other patients.Conclusions: Patients on immunosuppression with testicular neoplasms should be treated in the standard fashion as indicated by tumor histology and stage of disease, since most will tolerate therapy and benefit fr...
Improving interface designs to help users choose better passwords

Conventional wisdom seems to have concluded that traditional passwords are inherently insecure. The argument is usually that users choose bad passwords and cannot be expected to remember strong passwords. We feel that these conclusions are premature and that this argument is flawed. At present most password selection mechanisms are not designed according to basic HCI principles and we believe that this is highly responsible for the above conclusions. Our current research is reexamining the problem of password selection and memorability through the exploration of password selection mechanisms with novel interface designs. The goal of this research is develop both principles and designs that help users to choose passwords that are both memorable and secure.
Elevated CO2 increases plant uptake of organic and inorganic N in the desert shrub Larrea tridentata

Resource limitations, such as the availability of soil nitrogen (N), are expected to constrain continued increases in plant productivity under elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). One potential but under-studied N source for supporting increased plant growth under elevated CO2 is soil organic N. In arid ecosystems, there have been no studies examining plant organic N uptake to date. To assess the potential effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 on plant N uptake dynamics, we quantified plant uptake of organic and inorganic N forms in the dominant desert shrub Larrea tridentata under controlled environmental conditions. Seedlings of L. tridentata were grown in the Mojave Desert (NV, USA) soils that had been continuously exposed to ambient or elevated atmospheric CO2 for 8 years at the Nevada Desert FACE Facility. After 6 months of growth in environmentally controlled chambers under ambient (380 μmol mol−1) or elevated (600 μmol mol−1) CO2, pots were injected with stable isotopically labeled sole-N sources (13C-[2]-15N glycine, 15NH4 +, or 15NO3 −) and moved back to their respective chambers for the remainder of the study. Plants were destructively harvested at 0, 2, 10, 24, and 49 days. Plant uptake of soil N derived from glycine, NH4 +, and NO3 − increased under elevated CO2 at days 2 and 10. Further, root uptake of organic N as glycine occurred as intact amino acid within the first hour after N treatment, indicated by ~1:1 M enrichment ratios of 13C:15N. Plant N uptake responses to elevated CO2 are often species-specific and could potentially shift competitive interactions between co-occurring species. Thus, physiological changes in root N uptake dynamics coupled with previously observed changes in the availability of soil N resources could impact plant community structure as well as ecosystem nutrient cycling under increasing atmospheric CO2 levels in the Mojave Desert.
Increasing the relative weight of noncognitive admission criteria improves underrepresented minority admission rates to medical school.

Construct:The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of varying the relative weights of cognitive versus noncognitive admission criteria on the proportion of underrepresented minorities admitted to medical school. It answers the question, “Can medical schools increase the admission rates of underrepresented minority (URM) students by balancing cognitive criteria with the experiences, attributes, and metrics of noncognitive data in the admission process?” Background: U.S. demographics are shifting, and by 2042 ethnic minority groups will make up approximately 50% of the population. Increasing diversity of the U.S. population foreshadows the need to increase the number of physicians from underrepresented minorities to help address healthcare disparities that are on the rise. Approach: A cohort of three medical school applicant classes (2007–2009) was used to model the impact on URM admission rates as the relative weights of cognitive and noncognitive admission criteria were varied. This study us...
A new joint strategy of radio channel allocation and power control for wireless mesh networks

For wireless mesh networks, it is critical to allocate the limited number of radio channels efficiently while mitigating the co-channel inference to improve network performance. For this reason, after extensively reviewing the related work, we present a new joint radio channel allocation (RCA) and power control (PC) strategy for wireless mesh networks. First, we formulate the RCA problem as a multiple objective optimization problem, with the constraints of transmission power and traffic data rates, while effective channel utilization (ECU) is chosen as the target metric for optimization. Second, we incorporate the channel status into the model of MAC protocols, including as signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and transmission power. Consequently, the PC is incorporated into the ECU for channel allocation. Third, we propose to directly maximize the ECU to find both optimal radio channel and transmission power. The resulting strategy is a fully distributed RCA/PC algorithm without relying on a coordination mechanism among mesh routers. Our extensive simulation results have demonstrated that the proposed algorithm significantly outperforms the existing RCA strategies and the standard MAC protocols in performance such as throughput, packet dropping, delay and delay jitter.
Surface and 700 hPa Atmospheric Circulation Patterns for the Great Lakes Basin and Eastern North America and Relationship to Atmospheric Teleconnections

Many studies have identified continental-scale atmospheric circulation regimes, and some have been employed for various regions, but none have involved a regional categorization of circulation around the Great Lakes basin. Such an analysis is important not only because of the economic and recreational importance of the lakes, but in an effort to relate the regional circulation types to the broaderscale modes of atmospheric circulation, such as that forced by El Nino (ENSO). In this study, rotated principal components analysis (RPCA) is performed on the monthly mean sea-level pressure field around the Great Lakes basin, and in a separate analysis, on the mean 700 hPa field in eastern North America. An average-linkage clustering algorithm is applied to the RPCA scores to classify the monthly surface circulation in the Great Lakes region and the 700 hPa circulation over eastern North America. The classification is used to determine whether the various categories of regional circulation patterns are coincident with distinct hemispheric-scale flow regimes. To do this, indices of the modes of variability in some of the most well-known atmospheric teleconnections during months that fall within each circulation mode are subjected to ANOVA tests by cluster. Results suggest that the regional atmosphere over the Great Lakes basin undergoes long-term shifts in preferred modes of circulation. Furthermore, flow variability associated with the 700 hPa North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and Pacific/North American (PNA) teleconnections are more strongly tied to variability in both the Great Lakes regional surface circulation and the 700 mb eastern North American flow regimes than is the ENSO-forced Southern Oscillation.
Historic preservation’s impact on job creation, property values, and environmental sustainability

This study examines the impacts of historic preservation on jobs, property values, and environmentalism in Kentucky and its largest city, Louisville. Kentucky is a national leader in preservation, ranking first in the White House’s Preserve America initiative with 73 recognized communities. Kentucky is an ideal place to study historic preservation and environmentalism. Tax incentive programs have been an effective tool for creating positive changes in historic areas. Historic preservation results in more job creation than most other public investments. In the presence of escalating gas prices and assorted environmental practices, it is shown how neighborhoods containing historic districts have higher increases in median neighborhood housing values than undesignated neighborhoods. This paper also demonstrates the link between environmentalism and historic preservation. Residents of historic urban neighborhoods exhibit more environmentally friendly behavior.
Incorporating podcasting and blogging into a core task for ESOL teacher candidates

Due to innovation and globalization in education, educators of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) are encouraged to use such instructional technologies as podcasting and blogging, but studies on integrating these technologies into assignments are rare. This project revealed how ESOL teacher candidates implement instructional technology skills to help English learners and the teacher candidates' attitudes and processes toward implementing podcasting and blogging as a core assignment. Using qualitative research, five themes emerged: (a) ESOL teacher candidates' attitudes and self-assessments, (b) their implementation of podcasting and blogging, (c) their challenges and rewards, (d) the impact on their professional development, and (e) their own impact on new generations of students, particularly English learners. This discussion highlights ESOL teacher candidates' experiences while learning podcasting and blogging. ESOL teacher candidates, recognizing their future students as a new generation, are highly proactive learners and want very much to be competent and confident in their own teaching.
Spin-Orbit Coupling in the Neutron-Proton Interaction

It is shown that if the nucleon-nucleon interaction is charge-independent, then the $n\ensuremath{-}p$ scattering and polarization data in the energy range 0-310 Mev require the presence of a spin-orbit term in the triplet even-parity potential of the same short range as (but of somewhat less depth than) the spin-orbit term found previously for the triplet odd-parity potential.
Purification and properties of protein methylase II.

Abstract Protein methylase II (S-adenosyl-methionine:protein-carboxyl methyltransferase) from calf thymus was purified approximately 2400-fold with a yield of 7% by incorporating the pH 5.1 treatment and QAE (triethylaminoethyl)-Sephadex column chromatography to the published purification steps ( Kim and Paik (1970) J. Biol. Chem., 245, 1806 ). The enzyme is found stable at pH 10.2, but loses 50% of its activity in 60 min at pH 5. The enzyme activity disappeared in 8 m urea 2.5 m guanidine hydrochloride at pH 8.0. However, about 80% of the activity returned upon dialysis of the mixture. The highly purified enzyme is stable for at least 2 yr in the presence of 50% glycerol at pH 8.0 or in the form of lyophilized powder. Protein methylase II from different tissues exhibits different pI values, determined by isoelectrofocusing; 4.85 with the enzyme preparation isolated from calf thymus, 5.8 from calf spleen, and 5.08 from rat testis. Reinvestigation of the methanol-forming enzyme system from calf posterior pituitary gland by Axelrod and Daly [Science 150, 892 (1965)] indicated that this enzyme is identical with protein methylase II.
Using a hybrid of exact and genetic algorithms to design survivable networks

Abstract Wide-band technology has the capability to carry many services such as voice, video and other web-site technology on one link. Therefore these networks differ significantly from traditional dense copper-based networks. These networks are sparse and tree-like, and there are few disjoint paths (links) between a pair of nodes (space and/or terrestrial stations). Therefore connectivity has become a very important issue for survivability of these networks. Survivable networks are ones which can remain suitably connected after the incapacitation of a node or a link. Finding subgraphs that meet survivability requirements is ( NP ) hard on general graphs. However there are polynomial time algorithms available when these problems are solved on special graphs, including ones known as k -trees. We present a hybrid method for finding approximate optimal solutions for survivable network problems on complete graphs that takes advantage of k -tree solvability. A genetic algorithm generates “good” 3-tree subgraphs of the underlying network, where goodness is measured by the exact optimal survivable subgraph of the given 3-tree. The best such subgraph is taken as an approximate optimum for the full problem. Sufficient conditions for existence of a partial 3-tree optimal solution to the full survivable network problem validate the approach, and some computational experience is reported. Scope and purpose Wide-band technology has the capability to carry many services such as voice, video and other web-site technology on one link. Corresponding networks thus differ significantly from traditionally dense copper-based networks. Wide-band networks are sparse and tree-like, with few disjoint paths between any pair of nodes (space and/or terrestrial stations). Therefore connectivity has become a very important issue for survivability of these networks. We propose and report computational results for a procedure to choose approximately optimal networks in this context where designs are considered survivable if they will remain suitably connected after the incapacitation of a single node or link. The algorithm is hybrid in the sense that it combines efficient algorithms for special cases with a randomized search through a sequence of such cases until a satisfactory design is obtained.
Optimum frame synchronization for preamble-less packet transmission of turbo codes

This paper introduces an optimum maximum a posteriori (MAP) frame synchronization method for packet-based turbo coded communication systems. The synchronizer maximizes the probability of frame synchronization by observing the received signal sequences. This method is based on the low-density parity-check properties of turbo codes and does not require insertion of sync words or preambles.
Oxidation of Silicon Carbide‐Reinforced Oxide‐Matrix Composites at 1375° to 1575°C

Oxidation studies were conducted on Al2O3-SiC and mullite-SiC composites at 1375° to 1575°C in O2 and in Ar-1% O2. The composites were prepared by hot-pressing mixtures of Al2O3 or mullite and SiC powders. The reaction products contained alumina, mullite, an aluminosilicate liquid, and gas bubbles. The parabolic rate constants were about 3 orders of magnitude higher than those expected for the oxidation of SiC. Higher rates are caused by higher oxygen permeabilities through the reaction products than through pure silica. Our results suggest that oxygen permeabilities are comparable in the three condensed phases observed in the reaction products.
Active devices and wiring under chip bond pads: stress simulations and modeling methodology

In the semiconductor industry, cost competitiveness can be significantly improved by maximizing the use of chip real estate. For wire-bonded chips, vacant space under the bond pads can be populated with active devices and wiring known as structures under pads (SUPs). Although this layout strategy can improve productivity, reliability issues concerning stresses from the wire-bonding loads must be resolved before population can occur. The necessary qualification work, including designing, building, and stressing test sites, can become very costly if it attempts to cover all possible SUP layouts. Mechanical simulations using finite element analysis (FEA) software can play a critical role in reducing the cycle time and qualification cost by predicting the wire-bonding stresses for different SUP layouts. Knowledge gained from FEA models can be used throughout the qualification process: early on to design the test site and later on to interpret the test results and bridge them to other technologies or die configurations. To achieve these time and cost savings, a set of simulations must be properly defined and interpreted. This paper discusses mechanical modeling performed in conjunction with an SUP qualification effort at IBM. We describe the modeling methodology as well as the effects of different layout variables on the stress distribution.
Evaluations for service-sire conception rate for heifer and cow inseminations with conventional and sexed semen

Service-sire conception rate (SCR), a phenotypic fertility evaluation based on conventional (nonsexed) inseminations from parities 1 through 5, was implemented for the United States in August 2008. The SCR model contains the categorical fixed effects of parity for lactations 1 to 5; state-year-month of insemination group; 6 standardized milk yield groups; service number for inseminations 1 to 7; cow age; and herd-yearseason-parity-registry status class. Covariate effects for service-sire and mating inbreeding coefficients were linear regressions fit as deviations from the overall mean. Random effects included service-sire age group; AI organization-insemination year group; individual service sire; cow’s genetic ability to conceive; cow’s permanent environmental effect; and residual. Using insemination data from 2005 through 2009, the SCR procedure was applied separately for nulliparous heifer inseminations with conventional semen (SCR(H(conv))), cow inseminations with conventional semen (SCR(C(conv))), nulliparous heifer inseminations with sexed semen (SCR(H(sexed))), and cow inseminations with sexed semen (SCR(C(sexed))). Holstein and Jersey bulls with ≥300 and ≥200 artificial inseminations, respectively, in ≥10 herds and with ≥100 breedings during the 12 mo before evaluation were examined. The number of bulls evaluated for SCR in January 2010 was 270 Holsteins and 16 Jerseys for SCR(H(conv)) 2,309 Holsteins and 214 Jerseys for SCR(C(conv)) 114 Holsteins and 6 Jerseys for SCR(H(sexed)) and 25 Holsteins and 7 Jerseys for SCR(C(sexed)). The mean SCR for each evaluation category was set to 0; Holstein standard deviations were 2.55% for SCR(H(conv)) 2.21% for SCR(C(conv)) 4.29% for SCR(H(sexed)) and 2.39% for SCR(C(sexed)). The mean Holstein reliabilities were 82, 79, 75, and 73%, respectively. Correlations for Holstein SCR between conventional and sexed semen averaged near zero (−0.21 to 0.18). Predicted correlations between true SCR were −0.27 to 0.24. In contrast, correlations between Holstein heifers and cows were high (0.66 to 0.76), and predicted true correlations averaged near 1.0 (0.82 to 1.03). Correlations for Jerseys were often larger, although based on fewer inseminations and service sires compared with Holsteins. Some rankings for SCR could benefit from combining cow and heifer data but should be kept separate for conventional and sexed semen inseminations.
Convexity of the set of feasible injections and revenue adequacy in FTR markets

The feasible set of power injections for the constrained power flow equations is nonconvex when practical transmission capacity and bus voltage limits are imposed. The projection onto the space of active power injections may be "close" to convex, but this is not sufficient to guarantee revenue adequacy for the settlement of financial transmission rights.
A Model for Automatic Data Partitioning

In order to efficiently exploit global parallelism, it is essential to find a good way to distribute data among the processors in distributed-memory parallel computer systems. A formal technique utilizing augmented data access descriptors (ADADs) to determine this distribution is presented. This technique differs from previous approaclies in that it views the problem of finding a good distribution as an extension of data dependence analysis. The importance of this difference is demonstrated through an explanation of how ADADs facilitate interprocedural analysis, directed loop transformations, and incremental analysis, which may lead to improvements in the eficieiicy of both program developn~enta nd the program itself.
Savings as forward payments : Innovations on mobile money platforms

This paper presents a new framework which allows people to manage their diverse payment, cashflow management and commitment savings needs simply and intuitively, from a single account. It builds on the logic of mobile money platforms, which provide customers with the ability to initiate real-time electronic payments from their mobile phone and to keep funds in a store-of-value account. By introducing the notion of forward (or deferred) payments, it is possible to create a much richer set of uses for the basic transactional account which cater to people’s need for commitments and ear-marking of funds for specific goals. It is functionally equivalent to a system where the customer can create multiple sub-accounts, but it is much easier to conceive and manage by the customer since it does not entail multiple account opening or multiple account numbers.
Whose knowledge? What values? The comparative politics of patenting life forms in the United States and Europe

Over the past few decades, a variety of groups have begun to argue that the US and European patent systems do not adequately represent the public interest in their decision making and that they need to undergo fundamental changes to their structure and orientation. These challengers have adopted similar strategies—in terms of the venues chosen and the arguments, evidence, and rhetoric used—in each context. However, they have experienced more success in Europe than in the United States. This paper begins to explain this difference by arguing that the US and European patent policy domains have different “expertise barriers”—formal and informal rules that make it difficult for those without the knowledge that is recognized as relevant and legitimate in that domain to engage as equals.
Glenn-Ht: The NASA Glenn Research Center General Multi-Block Navier Stokes Heat Transfer Code

For the last several years, Glenn-HT, a three-dimensional (3D) Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) computer code for the analysis of gas turbine flow and convective heat transfer has been evolving at the NASA Glenn Research Center. The code is unique in the ability to give a highly detailed representation of the flow field very close to solid surfaces in order to get accurate representation of fluid heat transfer and viscous shear stresses. The code has been validated and used extensively for both internal cooling passage flow and for hot gas path flows, including detailed film cooling calculations and complex tip clearance gap flow and heat transfer. In its current form, this code has a multiblock grid capability and has been validated for a number of turbine configurations. The code has been developed and used primarily as a research tool, but it can be useful for detailed design analysis. In this paper, the code is described and examples of its validation and use for complex flow calculations are presented, emphasizing the applicability to turbomachinery for space launch vehicle propulsion systems.
Arteriographic demonstration of both kinking at the origin and compression between the great vessels of an anomalous right coronary artery arising in common with a left coronary artery from above the left sinus of Valsalva.

Angled angiographic views demonstrated two areas of significant systolic narrowing in an anomalous right coronary artery arising in common with a left coronary artery from above the left sinus of Valsalva: (1) an ostial stenosis due to kinking as the anomalous artery turned sharply to the right after its origin from the aorta; (2) compression of the proximal segment as it coursed between the aorta and pulmonary artery. Appropriate angiographic studies to evaluate the presence of these changes may help to elucidate their significance.
Electrochemical Behavior of the Aluminum Electrode in Molten Salt Electrolytes

Al electrodes in molten salt electrolytes, investigating electrochemical kinetics by polarization measurements
Feasibility of a high-resolution pixellated detector for C-SPECT

We have investigated the feasibility of utilizing high resolution pixellated NaI(Tl) detectors for C-SPECT, a high performance imaging system to be designed for cardiac applications. Conventional 1.5” single-anode PMTs were used as light detection devices. A detector module with 2.9 × 2.9 × 5 mm3 pixels (Saint-Gobain) was evaluated in terms of decoding map quality and energy resolution. Furthermore, two 3.2 × 3.2 × 10 mm3 in-house modules with Teflon and Lumirror were built to investigate higher sensitivity detectors and different reflector materials.
Progressive visual loss and motility deficit

A 63-year-old female with known stage III, low grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma presented with progressive visual loss in the left eye and binocular diplopia in all positions of gaze. The left globe was almost immotile. Two MRI's of the orbit were interpreted as normal. Lumbar puncture did not reveal abnormal cytology. Although orbital apex involvement is uncommon in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, the patient's clinical findings clearly indicated a lesion in this area, which was confirmed by a third MRI. Review of one of the initial films showed evidence of orbital apex involvement. To prevent diagnostic delay and unnecessary repeat imaging, the clinical diagnosis of orbital apex syndrome should be clearly communicated to the radiologist. Prompt recognition of orbital apex syndrome may improve visual outcome.
Diversity of hydraulic traits in nine Cordia species growing in tropical forests with contrasting precipitation

Inter- and intraspecific variation in hydraulic traits was investigated in nine Cordia (Boraginaceae) species growing in three tropical rainforests differing in mean annual precipitation (MAP). Interspecific variation was examined for the different Cordia species found at each site, and intraspecific variation was studied in populations of the widespread species Cordia alliodora across the three sites. Strong intra- and interspecific variation were observed in vulnerability to drought-induced embolism. Species growing at drier sites were more resistant to embolism than those growing at moister sites; the same pattern was observed for populations of C. alliodora. By contrast, traits related to hydraulic capacity, including stem xylem vessel diameter, sapwood specific conductivity (K(s)) and leaf specific conductivity (K(L)), varied strongly but independently of MAP. For C. alliodora, xylem anatomy, K(s), K(L) and Huber value varied little across sites, with K(s) and K(L) being consistently high relative to other Cordia species. A constitutively high hydraulic capacity coupled with plastic or genotypic adjustment in vulnerability to embolism and leaf water relations would contribute to the ability of C. alliodora to establish and compete across a wide precipitation gradient.
Packet information collection and transformation for network intrusion detection and prevention

Data mining and machine learning technology has been extensively applied in network intrusion detection and prevention systems by discovering user behavior patterns from the network traffic data. Some commercial tools for collecting network traffic data exist, such as SNORT. The traffic data collected from the network using these tools, however, usually doesnpsilat fit the format requirement of the input data for data mining systems. Thus transforming the network traffic data into the required format is mandate for a data mining system to induce network intrusion detection rules. In this paper, collecting the network packet information using SNORT is introduced, storing the collected data into the MySql database is presented, and selecting the significant data in the database and transforming them to the format of input data for a data mining system See5 is discussed. The data collection, selection, and transformation approaches illustrated in this paper have been used in the Information Fusion in Sensor Based Intrusion Detection System that is being under development in our Computer Security Research Laboratory. The system framework is briefly introduced and the preliminary results for data collection from multiple resources are illustrated.
The role of visual working memory (VWM) in the control of gaze during visual search

We investigated the interactions among visual working memory (VWM), attention, and gaze control in a visual search task that was performed while a color was held in VWM for a concurrent discrimination task. In the search task, participants were required to foveate a cued item within a circular array of colored objects. During the saccade to the target, the array was sometimes rotated so that the eyes landed midway between the target object and an adjacent distractor object, necessitating a second saccade to foveate the target. When the color of the adjacent distractor matched a color being maintained in VWM, execution of this secondary saccade was impaired, indicating that the current contents of VWM bias saccade targeting mechanisms that direct gaze toward target objects during visual search.
Serum uric acid levels predict the development of albuminuria over 6 years in patients with type 1 diabetes: Findings from the Coronary Artery Calcification in Type 1 Diabetes study

Background. Recent studies suggest that uric acid is a mediator of diabetic nephropathy. We hypothesized that elevated serum uric acid levels are a strong predictor of albuminuria in patients with type 1 diabetes. Methods. We analyzed data from the Coronary Artery Calcification in Type 1 Diabetes study, a prospective observational study. A stepwise logistic regression model was applied to predict the development of micro- or macroalbuminuria after 6 years of follow-up in 324 participants who had no evidence of micro- or macroalbuminuria at baseline. A P-value <0.1 was used as the criteria for entry into and removal from the model. Results. The following factors were selected in the stepwise multivariate model as predictors of micro- or macroalbuminuria at the 6-year follow-up visit: baseline serum uric acid levels, HbA1c and pre-albuminuria. For every 1-mg/dl increase in serum uric acid levels at baseline, there was an 80% increased risk of developing micro- or macroalbuminuria at 6 years (odds ratio 1.8; 95% confidence interval 1.2, 2.8; P = 0.005). Additional covariates considered in the stepwise model were sex, age, duration of diabetes, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin II receptor blocker treatment, waist circumference, waist/hip ratio, body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, smoking, serum creatinine, cystatin C, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides. Conclusion. Elevated serum uric acid levels are a strong predictor of the development of albuminuria in patients with type 1 diabetes.
Hitting the bull's eye: targeting HMGA1 in cancer stem cells

Emerging evidence suggests that when cancer cells hijack normal stem cell properties, they acquire the ability to invade, metastasize to distant sites and evade therapy. Thus, eliminating cancer cells with stem cell properties, or cancer stem cells, is of prime importance for the successful treatment of cancer, regardless of the tissue of origin. Previous efforts to target cancer stem cells (CSCs), however, have been largely unsuccessful. Recent studies led to the discovery of a novel role for the high mobility group A1 (HMGA1) protein as a master regulator in both CSCs and normal embryonic stem cells. Here, we present exciting new work unveiling HMGA1 as a promising target for therapies directed at eradicating CSCs.
The Critical Interaction of Glycoprotein (GP) Ibβ With GPIX—A Genetic Cause of Bernard-Soulier Syndrome

Bernard-Soulier syndrome is an uncommon bleeding disorder caused by a quantitative or qualitative defect in the platelet glycoprotein (GP)Ib/IX complex. The complex is composed of four subunits, GPIb, GPIbβ, GPIX, and GPV. Here we describe the molecular basis of a novel Bernard-Soulier syndrome variant in a patient in whom GPIb and GPIX were undetectable on the platelet surface. DNA sequence analysis showed normal sequence for GPIb, GPIX, and GPV. The GPIbβ gene has been mapped to the 22q11.2 region of chromosome 22 which was deleted from one chromosome of this patient. There was a single nucleotide deletion within the codon for Ala 80 in GPIbβ within the other allele. This mutation causes a translational frame shift that encodes for 86 altered amino acids and predicts a premature stop 15 amino acids short of the length of the wild-type protein. Transient coexpression of the mutant GPIbβ in 293T cells with wild-type GPIb and GPIX resulted in the surface expression of GPIb, but the absence of GPIX. Moreover, when a plasmid encoding the wild-type GPIbβ was transiently transfected into Chinese hamster ovary cells stably expressing GP, which retain the capacity to reexpress GPIX, there was a significant increase in the surface expression of GPIX. In contrast, when the mutant GPIbβ was transiently transfected into these cells, GPIX was not reexpressed on the plasma surface. Thus, a deletion of one copy of GPIbβ and a single nucleotide deletion in the codon for Ala 80 within the remaining GPIbβ allele causes the Bernard-Soulier phenotype through an interaction of GPIbβ with GPIX resulting in the absence of GPIb on the plasma membrane. The interaction of GPIbβ with GPIX is essential for the functional expression of GPIb.
Space-time adaptive approach to variational data assimilation using wavelets

This paper focuses on one of the main challenges of 4-dimensional variational data assimilation, namely the requirement to have a forward solution available when solving the adjoint problem. The issue is addressed by considering the time in the same fashion as the space variables, reformulating the mathematical model in the entire space-time domain, and solving the problem on a near optimal computational mesh that automatically adapts to spatio-temporal structures of the solution. The compressed form of the solution eliminates the need to save or recompute data for every time slice as it is typically done in traditional time marching approaches to 4-dimensional variational data assimilation. The reduction of the required computational degrees of freedom is achieved using the compression properties of multi-dimensional second generation wavelets. The simultaneous space-time discretization of both the forward and the adjoint models makes it possible to solve both models either concurrently or sequentially. In addition, the grid adaptation reduces the amount of saved data to the strict minimum for a given a priori controlled accuracy of the solution. The proposed approach is demonstrated for the advection diffusion problem in two space-time dimensions.
Evidence against nonprostanoid endothelium-derived relaxing factor(s) in trout vessels

Bradykinin (BK)- or acetylcholine (ACh)-mediated vasodilation has only rarely been observed in fish. This suggests that many fish vessels lack the endothelium-dependent relaxing mechanisms recently identified in mammals. To examine this hypothesis, isolated vascular rings were prepared from trout ventral aortas (VA), efferent branchial and celiacomesenteric (CM) arteries, and anterior cardinal veins (CV) and examined for endothelium-mediated responses. A doubly perfused trunk preparation was also used to evaluate the response of the microcirculation. ACh produced dose-dependent contractions in all vascular rings and increased vascular resistance when perfused into the CM but had no affect when perfused into the dorsal aorta. Neither ACh nor BK relaxed precontracted vessels or lowered resting tone. Removal of the endothelium did not affect ACh or BK responses. The calcium ionophore A23187 produced an endothelium-dependent relaxation of precontracted VA, CM, and CV. The A23187 response was abolished by indomethacin, indicating that a prostanoid was involved in the relaxation. ATP contracted and/or relaxed precontracted CM and CV. ATP effects were independent of an intact endothelium. Sodium nitroprusside and atrial natriuretic factor partially or completely relaxed all vessels, indicating the presence of soluble and particulate guanylate cyclases, respectively. These results suggest that nonprostanoid endothelium-derived relaxing factors (EDRFs) or EDRF-like vasodilator mechanisms are not present in trout vessels or, if they are, they are not released by classical agonists.