cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Linear Parameter-Varying Antiwindup Compensation for Active Microgravity Vibration Isolation

In this paper a linear parameter-varying antiwindup approach is examined to provide antiwindup compensation for adaptive active microgravity vibration isolation. For such systems, antiwindup protection is essential because of actuator saturation in response to inertially based forces acting on the isolated platform. For the example presented in this paper, a static antiwindup compensator scheduled based on the measurement of the rack displacement is designed so that it applies a correcting signal only when the control force is saturated. The linear parameter-varying antiwindup scheme is combined with a linear parameter-varying controller that shifts its focus from a soft setting to a stiff setting depending on the need for acceleration minimization or relative displacement reduction to prevent the isolation rack from bumping onto its hard stops. The performance of the overall closed-loop system is validated by extensive simulations that demonstrate the need and benefits of the linear parameter-varying antiwindup compensation.
Diel Distribution Differences in the Sand Crab, Emerita Analoga (Stimpson) (Decapoda, Hippidea)

Sand crabs of the genus Em?rita, which live in intertidal sandy beaches through out the world, are usually not randomly or uniformly distributed, but occur in discrete patches or aggregations (Barnes & Wenner, 1968; Cubit, 1969; Dillery & Knapp, 1969; Efford, 1965; Hedgpeth, 1953; MacGinitie, 1938; Pearse et al., 1942; and others). Efford (1965) and Cubit (1969), among these, have in vestigated factors that may control aggregation in Em?rita an?loga (Stimpson), but came to rather contradictory conclusions. Observing a population of sand crabs (E. an?loga) near the Scripps Institute Pier in La Jolla, California, Efford (1965) concluded that primarily behavioral factors were responsible for the sand crab's aggregated distribution. He further postulated that the crabs gained selective advantage from aggregation via (1) facilitation of mating encounters, and (2) protection from diurnally feeding shore birds.
Heads or Tails: Do Stranded Fish (Mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis) Know Where They Are on a Slope and How to Return to the Water?

Aquatic vertebrates that emerge onto land to spawn, feed, or evade aquatic predators must return to the water to avoid dehydration or asphyxiation. How do such aquatic organisms determine their location on land? Do particular behaviors facilitate a safe return to the aquatic realm? In this study, we asked: will fully-aquatic mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) stranded on a slope modulate locomotor behavior according to body position to facilitate movement back into the water? To address this question, mosquitofish (n = 53) were placed in four positions relative to an artificial slope (30° inclination) and their responses to stranding were recorded, categorized, and quantified. We found that mosquitofish may remain immobile for up to three minutes after being stranded and then initiate either a “roll” or a “leap”. During a roll, mass is destabilized to trigger a downslope tumble; during a leap, the fish jumps up, above the substrate. When mosquitofish are oriented with the long axis of the body at 90° to the slope, they almost always (97%) initiate a roll. A roll is an energetically inexpensive way to move back into the water from a cross-slope body orientation because potential energy is converted back into kinetic energy. When placed with their heads toward the apex of the slope, most mosquitofish (>50%) produce a tail-flip jump to leap into ballistic flight. Because a tail-flip generates a caudually-oriented flight trajectory, this locomotor movement will effectively propel a fish downhill when the head is oriented up-slope. However, because the mass of the body is elevated against gravity, leaps require more mechanical work than rolls. We suggest that mosquitofish use the otolith-vestibular system to sense body position and generate a behavior that is “matched” to their orientation on a slope, thereby increasing the probability of a safe return to the water, relative to the energy expended.
ROLE OF GLUONS IN THE DYNAMICAL ORIGIN OF THE PROTON SPIN

We consider the relation of dressed (or constituent) quarks to bare quarks within a specific model. In this model the bare quark obtains a dynamical mass and is nonpropagating because of its interaction with a gluon condensate. Using this model, we show that a significant part of the spin of the nucleon may be carried by the gluon field. This result may aid in explaining the recent EMC (European Muon Collaboration) data which suggests that the bare quarks carry only a fraction of the proton spin.
Leaf Pigment and Canopy Photosynthetic Response to Early Flower Removal in Cotton

Loss of reproductive organs from cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) often results in compensatory growth that culminates in altered morphologic, physiologic, and photosynthetic patterns. This field study examined the change in leaf chlorophyll (Chl) and anthocyanin (Ant) contents and their relationship to canopy photosynthetic patterns in response to the removal of flowers for the first 2 wk of flowering. Flower removal caused an extended flowering period in all years except 1995 when temperatures were highest. The largest yield differences occurred in 1994, while there were no significant differences in any other year. Differences in canopy photosynthesis occurred on at least one date in each year that measurements were made. In 1997, significant differences were observed on four dates and plants from the removal treatment had 15% larger area under the seasonal photosynthetic curve. Chlorophyll concentrations were higher in leaves from the flower removal treatment after 100 d after planting. Anthocyanin levels were higher in controls during the same period, indicating significant negative relationships between Ant levels and either Chl a/b ratio or Chl concentration. Pigment differences late in plant ontogeny appeared to be associated with delayed senescence of plants from the removal treatment. While pigment levels late in development were associated with canopy photosynthesis, not all treatment differences could be related to Chl loss. In 2 yr, significant differences in canopy photosynthesis occurred prior to differences in Chl concentration, implicating other morphological and physiological adaptations in response to early fruit loss.
On Elasto-plastic waves in laminated composites

Abstract The propagation of elasto-plastic waves in a laminated medium is considered. Based on the assumption of perfectly elastic fiber layers and an elasto-plastic behavior of the matrix layers, a continuum model is deduced for wave motion either parallel to or normal to the direction of layers. The derivation is based on asymptotic expansions in terms of a small parameter given by the ratio of wave velocities of the two constituents. As a result, a system of integro-differential equations is obtained in which microstructure effects appear as a consequence of the “non-locality” in time of the laminated medium. By examining the asymptotic behavior of this system, two differential systems are deduced describing the early and late phases of the motion. It is found that during the early phase, the motion is confined to an O ( l ) boundary-layer where l is a macro-scale, and consists of highly damped waves whereas the behavior during the later phase is predominantly that of a macroscopically homogeneous medium. Considering that pulse attenuation occurs mainly during the early phase, it is concluded that the early phase motion constitutes the critical phase of motion in a laminated medium.
Getting there : the epic struggle between road and rail in the American century

From the glory days of the railroad to today's gridlocked, six-lane highway, Getting There dramatizes America's shift from rail to road transportation, how it has robbed Americans of the choice of travel options enjoyed by Europeans, and why it threatens the nation's economic future. Stephen B. Goddard reveals how government joined automakers and roadbuilders to nearly destroy the rails, and why the 21st century will witness high-tech remedies and a railroad resurgence.
Determinants of Coup d’État Events 1970—90: The Role of Property Rights Protection

Existing research on the political-economic determinants of coup d’etat events has not explored the role of property rights protection in decreasing the likelihood of their global and regional inci...
A prototype system for visualizing time-dependent volume data

This video shows a prototype system for the visualization of time-vary ing volume data of one or several variables as they occur in scientific and engineering applications. It partitions the data dimensions on the client side into a 3D viewer for iso-surfaces and a 2D control plane where each point selects a particular iso-surface in 3D.
7-Substituted 8-aza-7-deazaadenosines for modification of the siRNA major groove

Here we describe the synthesis of new 7-substituted 8-aza-7-deazaadenosine ribonucleoside phosphoramidites and their use in generating major groove-modified duplex RNAs. A 7-ethynyl analog leads to further structural diversification of the RNA via post-automated RNA synthesis azide–alkyne cycloaddition reactions. In addition, we report preliminary studies on the effects of eight different purine 7-position modifications on RNA duplex stability and pairing specificity. Finally, the effect on RNAi activity of this type of modification at eight different positions in an siRNA guide strand has been explored. Analogs were identified with large 7-position substituents that maintain adenosine pairing specificity and are well-tolerated at specific positions in an siRNA guide strand.
Cytotoxicity of hepatocellular carcinoma cells to hyperthermic and ablative temperature exposures: in vitro studies and mathematical modelling.

AbstractPurpose: Image-guided ablative therapies use temperatures greater than 45 °C to kill abnormal cells. There is limited published data of cell survival after ablative temperature exposures, which is of importance to predict ablation zone dimensions. The objective of this study was to determine and mathematically model survival of hepatocellular carcinoma cells following ablative temperature exposures (45–60 °C).Materials and methods: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines were plated in 96-well plates, and heated between 45 and 60 °C for 0–32 min. Heating was applied by a rapid media exchange with heated Hank’s balanced salt solution (HBSS) in a temperature-controlled water bath. Cell viability was determined by MTS assay. Survival data was modelled by the Arrhenius model, and the thermal isoeffective dose (TID) model where kinetic parameters were determined via non-linear optimisation.Results: Results suggest that the thermal dose based on cumulative equivalent minutes and parameters as used for...
Calibration and performance of dual-beam force-measuring optical tweezers

Optical tweezers have broad applications in studies of structures and processes in molecular and cellular biophysics. Use of optical tweezers for quantitative molecular-scale measurement requires careful calibration in physical units. Here we show that DNA molecules may be used as metrology standards for force and length measurements. Analysis of DNA molecules of two specific lengths allows simultaneous determination of all essential measurement parameters. We validate this "biological calibration" method experimentally and with simulated data, and show that precisions in determining length scale factor (~0.2%), length offset (~0.03%), force scale factor (~2%), and compliance of the traps (~3%) are limited only by current measurement variation, much of which arises from polydispersity of the microspheres (~2%). We find this procedure to be simpler and more convenient than previous methods, and suggest that it provides an easily replicated standard that can insure uniformity of measurements made in different laboratories.
Rapid and/or high-throughput genotyping for human red blood cell, platelet and leukocyte antigens, and forensic applications.

Abstract Background Traditionally, transfusion medicine, platelet and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing, and forensic medicine relied on serologic studies. Methods In recent years, molecular testing on nucleic acids has been increasingly applied to these areas. Although conventional molecular diagnostic methods such as PCR-sequence-specific priming, PCR-restriction fragment-length polymorphism, PCR-single-strand conformation polymorphism, sequence-based typing, and DNA fingerprinting have been shown to perform well, their use is limited by long turnaround times, high cost, labor-intensiveness, the need for special technical skills, and/or the high risk of amplicon contamination. With advance of fast and/or high-throughput methods and platforms that often combine amplification and detection, a new era of molecular genotyping is emerging in these fields dominated by serology for a century. As new targets, short tandem repeats, mitochondrial DNA and Y-chromosome sequences were introduced for forensic applications. This article reviews the current status of the application of rapid and/or high-throughput genotyping methods to these areas. Results The results are already promising with real-time PCR, pyrosequencing, microarrays, and mass spectrometry and show high concordance rates with classic serologic and earlier manual molecular diagnostic methods. Exploration of other emerging methodologies will likely further enhance the diagnostic utility of molecular testing in these areas.
Bronchiectasis and its surgical considerations.

Abstract 1. 1. A moderate review of the literature has been made and the importance of bronchographic diagnosis and surgical treatment has been emphasized. 2. 2. The irreversible pathological changes that are a part of the picture of bronchiectasis are outlined, and the high incidence and types of complications are discussed. 3. 3. The experience of various workers is discussed and figures cited relative to medical versus surgical management of the disease. These factors together with the present low fatality rate in the operative procedure appear to support our belief that lobectomy is the treatment of choice in bronchiectasis. 4. 4. Eight cases of bronchiectasis in which lobectomy was done are reported and the technic which was used is outlined.
Digital angiographic impulse response analysis of regional myocardial perfusion. Detection of autoregulatory changes in nonstenotic coronary arteries induced by collateral flow to adjacent stenotic arteries.

BACKGROUND Our study compares the effect of acute proximal stenosis of a coronary artery supplying a myocardial perfusion bed with that of stenosis of an adjacent artery resulting in collateral flow diversion supplied by the same perfusion bed. These alterations in coronary physiology were quantified by digital angiographic impulse response analysis of contrast material mean transit time for the coronary microcirculation, Tmicro, and by flowmeter and microsphere assessment of flow and regional flow distribution. METHODS AND RESULTS In 25 open-chest, anesthetized dogs, progressive circumflex artery stenosis led to a concordant decrease of circumflex artery resting and hyperemic flow, coronary flow reserve, and inverse angiographic mean transit time Tmicro-1 (P CONCLUSIONS Digital angiographic impulse response analysis is a sensitive method to detect the influence of proximal artery stenosis on an artery9s myocardial perfusion bed as well as the changes induced by an adjacent artery stenosis inducing collateral flow diversion from the supplying myocardial perfusion zone.
Novel iodinated carboranes: synthesis of the 8-iodo-7,9-dicarba-nido-undecaborate anion and 2-iodo-1,7-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane

Electrophilic iodination of the 7,9-dicarba-nido-undecaborate anion with molecular iodine in the presence of AlCl3 generated a new carborane anion—8-iodo-7,9-dicarba-nido-undecaborate—in excellent yield. The capping of the new anion with HBCl2 yielded a previously unknown neutral iodinated carborane, 2-iodo-1,7-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane.
1 f Noise from Thermal Fluctuations in Metal Films

The observed dependence of the $\frac{1}{f}$ noise in metal films on the temperature coefficient of resistance and on sample volume, and the observation of frequency-dependent spatial correlations of the noise, suggest the noise is due to a thermal-diffusion mechanism. The assumption of a spectrum for the intrinsic temperature fluctuations with an explicit $\frac{1}{f}$ region, and the condition $〈{(\ensuremath{\Delta}T)}^{2}〉=\frac{k{T}^{2}}{{C}_{V}}$, yield quantitative predictions of the noise power in excellent agreement with experiment.
Numerical solution of non-stationary aero-autoelasticity integro-differential operator equations

The spectral method of G. N. Elnagar, which yields spectral convergence rate for the approximate solutions of Fredholm and Volterra-Hammerstein integral equations, is generalized in order to solve the larger class of integro-differential functional operator equations with spectral accuracy. In order to obtain spectrally accurate solutions, the grids on which the above class of problems is to be solved must also be obtained by spectrally accurate techniques. The proposed method is based on the idea of relating, spectrally constructed, grid points to the structure of projection operators which will be used to approximate the control vector and the associated state vector. These projection operators are spectrally constructed using Chebyshev-Gauss-Lobatto grid points as the collocation points, and Lagrange polynomials as trial functions. Simulation studies demonstrate computational advantages relative to other methods in the literature.
Systematic analysis of short internal indels and their impact on protein folding.

Background Protein sequence insertions/deletions (indels) can be introduced during evolution or through alternative splicing (AS). Alternative splicing is an important biological phenomenon and is considered as the major means of expanding structural and functional diversity in eukaryotes. Knowledge of the structural changes due to indels is critical to our understanding of the evolution of protein structure and function. In addition, it can help us probe the evolution of alternative splicing and the diversity of functional isoforms. However, little is known about the effects of indels, in particular the ones involving core secondary structures, on the folding of protein structures. The long term goal of our study is to accurately predict the protein AS isoform structures. As a first step towards this goal, we performed a systematic analysis on the structural changes caused by short internal indels through mining highly homologous proteins in Protein Data Bank (PDB).
Validating Robust-Parameter-Design Methods

This paper discusses validation of design methods. The challenges and opportunities in validation are illustrated by means of an analogy with medical research and development. Inspired by this analogy, a model-based process is presented for validating robust-parameter-design methods. A hierarchical probability model was used to create a large number of polynomial response surfaces with hierarchy and inheritance properties similar to those of an ensemble of 62 engineering responses from published experiments. Various robust-parameter-design methods were applied to each response surface and the robustness of the resulting designs was assessed. It was shown that crossed array methods are more effective than combined array methods if there is a reasonable probability of three-factor interactions. It is also shown that one-factor-at-time methods provide even greater effectiveness than crossed arrays methods.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
The design and use of the bioethics consultation form.

The emergence of the ethics consultation as a means to resolve moral crises in clinical medicine has revealed the need for a worksheet that would facilitate intake and analysis. The author developed the "Bioethics Consultation Form" as an attempt to remedy this need. The form is arranged in an outline format and is a useful asset to ethics committee discussions and record keeping. The first section covers basic intake data concerning the patient's medical and personal information, advance directives, and values, as well as the values of the physician and family. After the intake section is completed with the above data, the ethics consultant then turns to the analysis section. This second section allows for (1) the discussion of conflicting values, (2) the identifica- tion of priorities, and (3) the elucidation of ethical norms relevant to the case. The Bioethics Consultation Form was adopted by the Patient Care Advisory committee of the Franklin Square Hospital Center in Baltimore, Maryland in 1986. The methodol- ogy in the use of the form will be discussed. Further, the potential spectrum of consulta- tive cases that can be analyzed using the form will be highlighted. The ethics consultation has emerged in the United States as an important means to resolve ethical dilemmas in clinical medicine. However, there is a need for a form that will facilitate the intake and analysis of such consultations, particularly for the sake of ethics committee members who are not trained in clinical bioethics. The Bioethics Consultation Form attempts to address this need by detailing pertinent questions that fulfill basic intake requirements and by assisting the development of an argument of resolution. The simplicity of language and format of the form allows for those educated in basic medical ethics to utilize it, so that it is accessible to all members of an ethics committee, not just to those trained in clinical bioethics. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the organization and function of the Bioethics Consultation Form in the clinical realm.
Effects of inhibitors of DNA synthesis on the stimulation of mouse erythroid cells by erythropoietin.

Abstract In cultures of foetal mouse liver cells the acceleration of haemoglobin synthesis provoked by erythropoietin is inhibited by FUdR, cytosine arabinoside, hydroxyurea and BUdR, even when these have little effect on either the basal rate of DNA synthesis or on the increase which occurs soon after the addition of erythropoietin to the medium. This seems to be correlated with an inhibition of the production of macro-erythroblasts and macrocytes which normally follows treatment of these cells with erythropoielin.
Estimating annual soil carbon loss in agricultural peatland soils using a nitrogen budget approach.

Around the world, peatland degradation and soil subsidence is occurring where these soils have been converted to agriculture. Since initial drainage in the mid-1800s, continuous farming of such soils in the California Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (the Delta) has led to subsidence of up to 8 meters in places, primarily due to soil organic matter (SOM) oxidation and physical compaction. Rice (Oryza sativa) production has been proposed as an alternative cropping system to limit SOM oxidation. Preliminary research on these soils revealed high N uptake by rice in N fertilizer omission plots, which we hypothesized was the result of SOM oxidation releasing N. Testing this hypothesis, we developed a novel N budgeting approach to assess annual soil C and N loss based on plant N uptake and fallow season N mineralization. Through field experiments examining N dynamics during growing season and winter fallow periods, a complete annual N budget was developed. Soil C loss was calculated from SOM-N mineralization using the soil C:N ratio. Surface water and crop residue were negligible in the total N uptake budget (3 – 4 % combined). Shallow groundwater contributed 24 – 33 %, likely representing subsurface SOM-N mineralization. Assuming 6 and 25 kg N ha-1 from atmospheric deposition and biological N2 fixation, respectively, our results suggest 77 – 81 % of plant N uptake (129 – 149 kg N ha-1) was supplied by SOM mineralization. Considering a range of N uptake efficiency from 50 – 70 %, estimated net C loss ranged from 1149 – 2473 kg C ha-1. These findings suggest that rice systems, as currently managed, reduce the rate of C loss from organic delta soils relative to other agricultural practices.
Healing characteristics of intraarterial stented grafts: Effect of intraluminal position on prosthetic graft healing

Background. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of complete intraluminal placement on prosthetic graft healing. Methods. Thirty dogs underwent infrarenal abdominal aorta polytetrafluoroethylene interposition (12) or intraluminal stented (18) grafting. Grafts were removed at 4 and 8 weeks. Length of endothelial ingrowth and intima to media height ratios (IMHRs) were calculated. Perianastomotic endothelial (CD31+, factor VIII [FVIII+]), smooth muscle (actin+), macrophage (CD44+), and proliferating (PCNA+) cell content was determined. Results. In control grafts mean proximal and distal anastomotic endothelial cell ingrowth was 0.42±0.06 and 0.47±0.08 cm at 4 weeks and 1.10±0.24 and 0.94±0.17 cm at 8 weeks. In intraluminal grafts mean proximal and distal anastomotic endothelial cell ingrowth was 1.57±0.09 and 1.54±0.12 cm at 4 weeks and 1.88±0.06 and 2.11±0.25 cm at 8 weeks. Endothelial ingrowth was greater in all stented grafts (p Conclusions. Intraluminal location enhances prosthetic graft reendothelialization and attenuates intimal thickening.
Investigations of Electra KrF laser hibachi foil cooling with small obliquely impinging jets

Electra is a large electron beam pumped KrF laser with transmission foils that separate the vacuum diodes from the laser gas. Active cooling of these foils is important when Electra operates at a rep-rate of 5 Hz because the attenuation of the electron beam by the foil produces a volumetric heating source. A method adopting a large number of locally injected high-speed circular gas jets was explored experimentally and numerically for the purpose of cooling and protecting the hibachi foil with an enhanced convection heat transfer rate. The jets were issued from the openings on two stainless-steel jet tubes parallel to the foil in a fashion such that the two straight lines of jets impinge on the foil obliquely and form a staggered coverage of the foil. CFD simulations were performed to identify the best jet impingement configuration. Bench-top experiments were performed at various jet diameters and jet velocities for a single foil span between two neighboring supporting ribs with a surface heat flux over 20.0 kW/m(2). Heat transfer enhancement of 60-700% over the case with jets turned off was observed depending on jet Reynolds numbers. Experimental Nusselt numbers were well-correlated with jet Reynolds number and the normalized jet-to-foil distance. The study shows, that the impinging jets enhance heat transfer from the surface and offer an improved average cooling for a much larger foil area. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights. reserved.
The copyright permission pages: making a frustrating experience more convenient

Describes a Web‐based service set up for authors and teachers at the library, Wake Forest University. It involves a Web site which facilitates copyright permission requests, thus encouraging the seeking of permission and freeing up library staff time which had previously been spent helping individual patrons through the process.
Myeloperoxidase-derived Reactive Chlorinating Species from Human Monocytes Target Plasmalogens in Low Density Lipoprotein

A role for myeloperoxidase (MPO) in atherosclerosis has received considerable attention recently. To identify potential chlorinated lipid products in human low density lipoprotein (LDL), studies were designed to demonstrate that MPO-derived reactive chlorinating species (RCS) target the plasmalogen pool of LDL isolated from peripheral human blood in vitro. The vinyl ether bond of LDL plasmalogens was targeted by MPO-derived RCS, resulting in the release of the 16- and 18-carbon-containing α-chloro fatty aldehydes, 2-chlorohexadecanal and 2-chlorooctadecanal, respectively, from the plasmalogen glycerol backbone. Targeting of the LDL plasmalogen vinyl ether bond was dependent on the presence of MPO-derived RCS. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometric analysis of MPO-treated LDL demonstrated that a novel population of unsaturated lysophosphatidylcholine molecular species was produced by a phospholipase A2-independent mechanism. Unsaturated lysophosphatidylcholine molecular species elicited cyclic AMP response element binding protein phosphorylation in RAW 264.7 cells. Additionally, MPO-mediated targeting of both monocyte and LDL plasmalogen pools was demonstrated in phorbol myristate acetate-stimulated human monocytes, resulting in the production of both 2-chlorohexadecanal and 2-chlorooctadecanal. In contrast, α-chloro fatty aldehydes were not produced in phorbol myristate acetate-stimulated mouse monocytes. Collectively, the present studies demonstrate a novel MPO-specific mechanism that mediates the production of a novel group of unsaturated lysophosphatidylcholine molecular species and chlorinated aldehydes from both LDL and monocyte plasmalogen pools that may have important effects during inflammatory reactions mediated by monocytes, most notably atherosclerosis.
Comparison of de-novo flower-bud formation in a photoperiodic and a day-neutral tobacco

Regeneration of flower buds in thin tissue layers from pedicels of photoinduced short-day (SD) tobacco, Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Maryland Mammoth, is described. Up to seven flower buds per explant were obtained in a medium containing Murashige and Skoog's macro- and microclements, 100 mg/l myoinositol, 0.1 mg/l thiamine-HCl, 6% glucose, 5 μM N6-benzylaminopurine, and 0.5 μM α-naphthaleneacetic acid. Usually some vegetative buds were also formed in the pedicel thin tissue layers. Thin tissue layers from other positions in the induced SD tobacco regenerated vegetative buds only. A comparative study with a day-neutral (DN) tobacco, Samsun, showed that the capacity to form de-novo flower buds was more localized and less strongly determined in photoperiodic than in the DN tobacco. The differences between the photoperiodic and DN tobaccos in flower-bud regeneration capacity are thus quantitative and not qualitative. The basis for this quantitative difference is not known, but may depend on factors controlling production of floral stimulus (florigen) and competency of cells to respond to florigen, and-or stability of the determined state to form flower buds in vitro.
A comparison of the decision tree approach and the neural-networks-based heuristic dynamic programming approach for subcircuit extraction problem

The applications of non-standard logic device are increasing fast in the industry. Many of these applications require high speed, low power, functionality and flexibility, which cannot be obtained by standard logic device. These special logic cells can be constructed by the topology design strategy automatically or manually. However, the need arises for the topology design verification. The layout versus schematic (LVS) analysis is an essential part of topology design verification, and subcircuit extraction is one of the operations in the LVS testing. In this paper, we first provided an efficient decision tree approach to the graph isomorphism problem, and then effectively applied it to the subcircuit extraction problem based on the solution to the graph isomorphism problem. To evaluate its performance, we compare it with the neural networks based heuristic dynamic programming algorithm (SubHDP) which is by far one of the fastest algorithms for subcircuit extraction problem.
Surface Thermodynamics for Hydrocarbons on Wyodak Coals

Isosteric adsorption enthalpies and dispersive surface tensions have been measured for hydrocarbons interacting with Wyodak coal surfaces. The results show that this coal's intermolecular forces are complex. Saturated (n-alkane) adsorbates experience a low-energy Wyodak coal surface with a dispersive surface tension of ∼25 mJ/m2. Unsaturated (alkene and aromatic) adsorbates have more exothermic interactions with the coal. The interactions of all 1-alkenes studied decrease in exothermicity by ∼1.2 kcal/mol after heating the coal to 200 °C. Citric acid washing or HF−HCl demineralization causes the same increase (∼1.2 kcal/mol) in the 1-alkenes' adsorption heats. These results demonstrate that unsaturated hydrocarbons interact specifically with the Wyodak coal surface. This specific interaction most likely involves the unsaturated portion of the hydrocarbon adsorbate and polar or ionic groups on the coal. Plots of adsorption heat vs polarizability have different slopes for alkenes and alkanes, demonstrating ...
Temporal and regional variation in earnings inequality: urban China in transition between 1988 and 1995

Abstract This paper examines trends in earnings inequality in urban China between 1988 and 1995, focusing on regional variations in earnings determination and economic growth. Specifically, we examine how returns to human capital and political capital changed during this period and how these changes varied across cities experiencing differential rates of economic growth. We find that net returns to schooling almost doubled for both men and women during this period. Returns to party membership, net of other factors, more than doubled. However, these increases in returns to human capital and political capital do not account for a sharp rise in the overall level of inequality. Consistent with earlier research based on cross-sectional data, increases in returns to schooling were depressed in cities experiencing greater levels of economic growth in the intervening period.
Childhood Obesity — The Shape of Things to Come

Dr. David Ludwig writes that if we don't take steps to reverse the course of the obesity epidemic, the children of each successive generation seem destined to be fatter and sicker than their parents. Ludwig discusses four overlapping phases of the epidemic. Dr. David Ludwig discusses the childhood obesity epidemic, its long-term consequences, and nutritional and political approaches to combatting it. Dr. Ludwig is director of the Optimal Weight for Life Program in the Division of Endocrinology, Children's Hospital Boston, and an associate professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School.
Multi-media integrated into CS 2: an interactive children's story as a unifying class project

An interactive children's story is presented as a unifying class project for CS 2. Curricular topics include: data and algorithm abstraction, project dynamics (team work, software engineering and ethics), multi-media techniques, and hypermedia story telling. We encompass alternative learning styles by fostering collaborative team work, and promoting the big picture over esoteric detail. Students receive a detailed design document, extensive code libraries, and graphic, sound and video files. A story board gives them ample room for individual creativity and whimsy. The project is implemented in C++. This paper describes curricular goals, articulates management concerns and summarizes our past experiences.
Nonlinear observer for structure estimation using a paracatadioptric camera

Estimation of the three-dimensional (3D) Euclidean coordinates of points on an object using two-dimensional (2D) image data is required by many robotics and surveillance applications. This paper develops a nonlinear observer to estimate relative Euclidean coordinates of an object viewed by a moving paracatadioptric camera with known motion. The observer exponentially estimates the structure of an object (i.e. Euclidean coordinates of different points on an object) provided sufficient observability conditions are satisfied. Observer gain conditions are derived based on a Lyapunov-analysis, which guarantees convergence, and simulation results illustrate the performance of the observer in the presence of image noise.
Structural and pH dependence of excited state PCET reactions involving reductive quenching of the MLCT excited state of [RuII(bpy)2(bpz)]2+ by hydroquinones.

The proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) reaction between the bpz-based photoexcited 3MLCT state of [RuII(bpy)2(bpz)]2+ (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, bpz = 2,2′-bipyrazine) and a series of substituted...
Jeeps Penetrating a Hostile Desert.

(2009). Jeeps Penetrating a Hostile Desert. The College Mathematics Journal: Vol. 40, No. 3, pp. 182-187.
A Coupled Hydrodynamic–Bottom Boundary Layer Model of Storm and Tidal Flow in the Middle Atlantic Bight of North America

Abstract The effects of increased friction and tides on circulation in the Middle Atlantic Bight (MAB) during the SWADE storm of 25–28 October 1990 have been investigated using a three-dimensional hydrodynamic model coupled to a bottom boundary layer model that calculates combined wave–current bottom drag coefficients. Winds were initially parallel to the coast (downwelling favorable) throughout the MAB, first shifting to offshore within the central MAB and then in the northern MAB, while remaining parallel to the coast within the southern MAB. The wind-driven circulation was approximately alongshore, with an onshore component at the surface and an offshore component at depth associated with downwelling. Compared to model runs with a pure current bottom friction formulation, the additional bottom friction in the coupled model decreased currents uniformly in shallow water and caused slight offshore rotation during downwelling circulation, but the effects were limited because of the persistent stratificatio...
Factors associated with the quality of life of long-term spinal cord injured persons.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to identify issues associated with quality of life after spinal cord injury. The Life Situation Survey, a subjective indicator of life quality developed to address issues in chronic disability, served as the primary assessment tool. Data were collected during personal interviews of 100 persons with spinal cord injuries. Educational level, employment status, income, and a number of social activities were found to be associated with perceived life quality. Most notable was a finding that lower ratings of quality of life were associated with greater severity of disability, which was contrary to conclusions drawn from other studies. A plausible explanation for the inconsistency may lie in the different approaches and instruments used to measure quality of life.
Information Literacy Learning Outcomes and Student Success.

Abstract Information literacy learning outcomes of randomly selected first-year and capstone students were analyzed using an assessment instrument based on the ACRL competency standards. Statistically significant differences between student populations in the selective and relative use of information inform the library instruction program and apply to research and teaching libraries.
Massively parallel direct numerical simulations of forced compressible turbulence: a hybrid MPI/OpenMP approach

A highly scalable simulation code for turbulent flows which solves the fully compressible Navier-Stokes equations is presented. The code, which supports one, two and three dimensional domain decompositions is shown to scale well on up to 262,144 cores. Introducing multiple levels of parallelism based on distributed message passing and shared-memory paradigms results in a reduction of up to 33% of communication time at large core counts. The code has been used to generate a large database of homogeneous isotropic turbulence in a stationary state created by forcing the largest scales in the flow. The scaling of spectra of velocity and density fluctuations are presented. While the former follow classical theories strictly valid for incompressible flows, the latter presents a more complicated behavior. Fluctuations in velocity gradients and derived quantities exhibit extreme though rare fluctuations, a phenomenon known as intermittency. The simulations presented provide data to disentangle Reynolds and Mach number effects.
Responses of motor units during the hind limb flexion withdrawal reflex evoked by noxious skin heating: phasic and prolonged suppression by midbrain stimulation and comparison with simultaneously recorded dorsal horn units

In rats anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital, we quantitatively analyzed descending modulation from the midbrain of a nociceptive flexion withdrawal reflex and responses of associated spinal neurons. We monitored the isometric force of hind limb withdrawal elicited by noxious heat stimuli (42-54 degrees C, 10 sec) on the hind paw. In one series of experiments, single-fiber EMG electrodes recorded responses of single muscle fibers (i.e., motor units) in biceps femoris during the hind limb withdrawal, without and during electrical stimulation in the midbrain periaqueductal gray (PAG) or lateral midbrain reticular formation (LRF). In a second series, responses of single lumbar dorsal horn neurons were also recorded simultaneously. Withdrawal force and associated motor unit responses were suppressed for prolonged periods (4 to greater than 60 min) following the initial episode of PAG or LRF stimulation in 40% of the rats, while they were suppressed phasically (i.e., only during brain stimulation) in the remainder. Motor unit responses increased in a graded fashion with increasing skin stimulus temperature from threshold (45 degrees C) to 54 degrees C. During PAG stimulation, the slope of the rate coding function was reduced with no change in threshold temperature. During LRF stimulation the rate coding function was shifted toward higher temperatures with increased threshold (47 degrees C). In 14 experiments 43 paired recordings were made from a dorsal horn and a motor unit during hind limb withdrawals. Mean latency to onset and peak of the heat-evoked response was shorter for dorsal horn compared to motor units. In 6/14 rats withdrawal force and motor unit responses were significantly suppressed for more than 8 min following mechanical placement of the stimulating electrodes and/or the initial episode of midbrain stimulation, while the simultaneously recorded dorsal horn unit responses remained constant. Following supplemental administration of pentobarbital (10-30 mg/kg i.v.), withdrawals and motor unit responses to heat were suppressed while dorsal horn unit responses were unchanged or enhanced. Also, in 12/42 cases, withdrawals and motor unit responses decremented markedly during the initial 3 trials of heat, while simultaneously recorded dorsal horn unit responses remained stable. These results indicate that the withdrawal reflex and associated motor units can be markedly suppressed in the absence of concomitant changes in responsiveness of dorsal horn neurons, and are discussed in terms of the neurocircuitry of spinal flexor reflexes and their descending modulation.
A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE INTERPRETATION OF BIOCHEMICAL FAILURE IN SURGICALLY TREATED PATIENTS USING THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR THERAPEUTIC RADIATION AND ONCOLOGY CRITERIA

ABSTRACTPurpose: The use of prostate specific antigen (PSA) to indicate biochemical failure has become an accepted procedure to measure the effectiveness of therapy. Because long-term randomized studies comparing radiation modalities to radical prostatectomy are not available, use of biochemical recurrence as a surrogate measure of efficacy is increasing. Unfortunately, the definition of failure is not uniform among therapies. We evaluate how the American Society for Therapeutic Radiation and Oncology (ASTRO) criteria affect the interpretation of failure when applied to radical prostatectomy.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data from 2,691 men who underwent anatomical radical prostatectomy for localized disease between 1985 and 2000. All patients had regular followup visits ranging from 6 months to 15 years (mean 6). No patients were treated with radiation or hormonal therapy preoperatively or postoperatively until clinical recurrence. Biochemical failure was defined as any measurable PS...
Delay/overhead measurements for circuit-emulation tunnels

Due to unique security and communication channel constraints, military communication networks often must send data between serial devices at extremely low data rates. As military networks begin to migrate towards packet-based transport, data from these serial applications will need to be packetized and transferred from sender to receiver in a circuit-emulation tunnel. In addition to packetizing and serializing the data sent across the network, these circuit-emulation tunnels must also remove the jitter caused by packet-based transport. Packetizing/serializing data and removing jitter can result in a significant amount of bandwidth overhead and delay. This paper provides a brief description of various circuit-emulation technologies and a detailed analysis of the bandwidth overhead and delay due to serial-to-packet conversion. An analytical model was developed that predicts bandwidth overhead and delays resulting from the circuit-emulation tunnel as a function of the serial interface speed, packet size, jitter buffering, and control messaging. The analytical model was tested against a series of network emulation experiments using commercial circuit-to-packet devices. Results show a fundamental trade between bandwidth overhead and delay. Circuit-emulation tunnels with small packet sizes have short packetization delays and large bandwidth overhead, while tunnels with large packet sizes have long packetization delays and smaller bandwidth overhead. These trends are more pronounced at the lower data rates because it takes a longer time for the serial data to be packetized. Experimental and theoretical results presented in this paper show similar trends with slight discrepancies due to internal processing effects not included in the analytical model.
Kin groups and trait groups: population structure and epidemic disease selection.

A Monte Carlo simulation based on the population structure of a small-scale human population, the Semai Senoi of Malaysia, has been developed to study the combined effects of group, kin, and individual selection. The population structure resembles D.S. Wilson's structured deme model in that local breeding populations (Semai settlements) are subdivided into trait groups (hamlets) that may be kin-structured and are not themselves demes. Additionally, settlement breeding populations are connected by two-dimensional stepping-stone migration approaching 30% per generation. Group and kin-structured group selection occur among hamlets the survivors of which then disperse to breed within the settlement population. Genetic drift is modeled by the process of hamlet formation; individual selection as a deterministic process, and stepping-stone migration as either random or kin-structured migrant groups. The mechanism for group selection is epidemics of infectious disease that can wipe out small hamlets particularly if most adults become sick and social life collapses. Genetic resistance to a disease is an individual attribute; however, hamlet groups with several resistant adults are less likely to disintegrate and experience high social mortality. A specific human gene, hemoglobin E, which confers resistance to malaria, is studied as an example of the process. The results of the simulations show that high genetic variance among hamlet groups may be generated by moderate degrees of kin-structuring. This strong microdifferentiation provides the potential for group selection. The effect of group selection in this case is rapid increase in gene frequencies among the total set of populations. In fact, group selection in concert with individual selection produced a faster rate of gene frequency increase among a set of 25 populations than the rate within a single unstructured population subject to deterministic individual selection. Such rapid evolution with plausible rates of extinction, individual selection, and migration and a population structure realistic in its general form, has implications for specific human polymorphisms such as hemoglobin variants and for the more general problem of the tempo of evolution as well.