cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A collection of non-human primate computed tomography scans housed in MorphoSource, a repository for 3D data.

A dataset of high-resolution microCT scans of primate skulls (crania and mandibles) and certain postcranial elements was collected to address questions about primate skull morphology. The sample consists of 489 scans taken from 431 specimens, representing 59 species of most Primate families. These data have transformative reuse potential as such datasets are necessary for conducting high power research into primate evolution, but require significant time and funding to collect. Similar datasets were previously only available to select research groups across the world. The physical specimens are vouchered at Harvard’s Museum of Comparative Zoology. The data collection took place at the Center for Nanoscale Systems at Harvard. The dataset is archived on MorphoSource.org. Though this is the largest high fidelity comparative dataset yet available, its provisioning on a web archive that allows unlimited researcher contributions promises a future with vastly increased digital collections available at researchers’ finger tips.
Proportional–integral–derivative controller family for pole placement

In this paper, linear time-invariant square systems are considered. A procedure to design infinitely many proportional–integral–derivative controllers, all of them assigning closed-loop poles (or closed-loop eigenvalues), at desired locations fixed in the open left half plane of the complex plane is presented. The formulation accommodates partial pole placement features. The state-space realization of the linear system incorporated with a proportional–integral–derivative controller boils down to the generalized eigenvalue problem. The generalized eigenvalue-eigenvector constraint is transformed into a system of underdetermined linear homogenous set of equations whose unknowns include proportional–integral–derivative parameters. Hence, the proportional–integral–derivative solution sets are infinitely many for the chosen closed-loop eigenvalues in the eigenvalue-eigenvector constraint. The solution set is also useful to reduce the tracking errors and improve the performance. Three examples are illustrated.
Listen to each other: how the building of norms in an elementary science classroom fosters participation and argumentation

The present study explores and documents the process of building social and argumentation norms in a combined third- and fourth-grade science classroom and examines how the processes regulate students' participation patterns, including the students' roles. This study also investigates the positive potential of negotiating norms and taking on intellectual participatory roles for fostering scientific argumentation. The analysis focuses on how one norm, listening to each other, contributes to distributing participation rates and forces students to take more critical audience and intellectual roles. Students also show improvement in argumentation in terms of frequency and epistemic quality.
Monetary Policy as an Instrument of Progress

As production, output and commerce increase in the course of economic development, the supply of money should be increased. The coinage debasements of early modern times, it is suggested by some recent researches, may have answered less to the fiscal requirements of the rising nation states than to the needs of trade for more money.l Fixity in the quantity of money has generally been effectively resisted in periods marked by an economic upsurge. Monetary expansion plays an important role in economic development.
The Use of Influence Tactics and Outcome Valence on Goal Commitment for Assigned Student Team Projects.

Project teams are a mainstay in both organizations and business schools. Despite their popularity, instructors and students often express dissatisfaction regarding assigned student team projects. I...
Lumbar Fusion in Utah Workers' Compensation Patients: Changing Outcomes Across a Decade.

STUDY DESIGN This study was a retrospective-cohort design involving a review of patient medical and cost records and a 2-year postsurgery follow-up outcome survey. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the functional and cost outcomes associated with recent lumbar fusion surgeries in Utah workers and compare these outcomes with a comparable prior study cohort. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Lumbar fusion performed on injured workers has dramatically increased over the past 2 decades and this likely coincided with the increased use of more advanced surgical instrumentation. Considering the recent changes in lumbar fusion surgery, there is a need to identify how patient outcomes have changed among injured workers. MATERIALS AND METHODS Retrospective chart review and 2-year postsurgery follow-up survey of patient outcomes were performed. Postsurgical outcomes for this sample were compared with established norms for back pain patients and a previous cohort of compensated lumbar fusion patients obtained from Workers' Compensation Fund of Utah. RESULTS The current cohort evidenced a solid fusion rate of 89% and significant increase in the use of surgical instrumentation, particularly titanium fusion cages. Despite increased solid fusion rates, injured workers who have undergone lumbar fusion in Utah demonstrated equivalent and in some cases worse outcomes than those documented a decade ago. Specifically, there were significant increases in back pain dysfunction and narcotic medication usage in the current versus the past cohort. Medical and compensation costs for compensated lumbar fusion patients in Utah also significantly increased since the mid-1990s. CONCLUSION Over the past decade, injured workers who have undergone lumbar fusion in Utah showed an increase in solid fusion rates and costs without a corresponding improvement in patient outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 3.
Dehydration resistance and tolerance in the brush-legged wolf spider (Schizocosa ocreata): a comparison of survivorship, critical body water content, and water-loss rates between sexes

Small-bodied terrestrial animals like spiders face challenges maintaining water reserves essential for homeostasis. They may experience dry microclimates and (or) seasonal variation in water availability, so dehydration is a common stressor that may help explain movement, foraging, and other behaviors. This study examines aspects of dehydration resistance and tolerance in the brush-legged wolf spider, Schizocosa ocreata (Hentz, 1844) (Araneae: Lycosidae), commonly found in the leaf litter of eastern deciduous forests of North America. Sexes differ in morphology, physiology, reproductive strategy, and life history, likely resulting in divergent abilities to resist and tolerate dehydration. We used humidity-controlled chambers to examine relative survivorship by sex under varying humidity regimes, water-loss rates, body water content, and critical water mass. Spiders survived significantly longer in higher humidity regimes (≥50% RH). Females had significantly better survivorship overall, lower body-loss rat...
Multifilamentary Nb3Sn by an Improved External Diffusion Method

The external diffusion technique permits easy mechanical fabrication of Nb3Sn-based superconducting multifilamentary composites due to the lower work-hardening rate of Cu compared to Cu-Sn bronze. However, Kirkendall porosity can appear to a disastrous extent in external diffusion composites rather than the lesser degree apparent in internal diffusion products.1 Figure 1 shows a cross section of the extremely fragile material resulting from the application of the external diffusion technique to multi filamentary composites with no precautions taken to suppress Kirkendall porosity. Figure 2 shows the vastly improved cross section resulting from the incorporation of a solution preanneal prior to electroplating in the external diffusion method. This approach was developed in our laboratory2 upon recognition of the heterogeneous nucleation mechanism in the observed Kirkendall porosity. The heterogeneously nucleated voids precipitate from the temporary supersaturation of lattice vacancies caused by the differing diffusion mobilities of copper and tin in the copper matrix. The nucleation substrates are mainly particles of oxide, tarnish, or other foreign matter adherent to the surfaces of the original composite components or included in the copper itself.
Quiet time magnetospheric field depression at 2.3-3.6 earth radii.

Flux gate magnetometer data from OGO 5 are presented that establish the existence of large field depressions under conditions of varying degree of disturbance at distances ranging from 2.3 to 3.6 earth radii at all local times. For this study, flux gate data obtained near perigee during the period of approximately one year from Jan. 21, 1969, to Feb. 23, 1970, were used.
Viral manipulation of the cellular sumoylation machinery

Viruses exploit various cellular processes for their own benefit, including counteracting anti-viral responses and regulating viral replication and propagation. In the past 20 years, protein sumoylation has emerged as an important post-translational modification that is manipulated by viruses to modulate anti-viral responses, viral replication, and viral pathogenesis. The process of sumoylation is a multi-step cascade where a small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) is covalently attached to a conserved ΨKxD/E motif within a target protein, altering the function of the modified protein. Here we review how viruses manipulate the cellular machinery at each step of the sumoylation process to favor viral survival and pathogenesis.
Asymptotic Validity of Batch Means Steady-State Confidence Intervals

The method of batch means is a widely applied procedure for constructing steady-state confidence intervals. The traditional theoretical support for the method of batch means has rested on the assumption of a functional central limit theorem for the underlying process. We establish here that the method of batch means is valid for Harris recurrent Markov processes whenever the associated process satisfies a simple (non–functional) central limit theorem. This weaker condition for validity of the method of batch means is also shown to hold in the setting of one-dependent regenerative processes.
HEMATOLOGIC COMPLICATIONS OF HIV INFECTION

Hematologic complications of HIV disease are commonly encountered by physicians and other health-care workers caring for patients infected with this virus. Ineffective hematopoiesis, infiltrative diseases of the bone marrow, nutritional deficiencies, peripheral destruction of blood cells secondary to splenomegaly or immune dysregulation, and drug effects all contribute to the variety of hematologic abnormalities seen in these patients. This review explores the causes of isolated or trilineage cytopenias and coagulopathies; the utility of bone marrow biopsy examination; and the role of colony-stimulating factors as therapeutic agents in patients with HIV disease.
Stochastic Ion Channels

Ion channels are pore-forming membrane proteins that gate the flow of ions across the cell membrane and the membrane of various intracellular organelles [261, 322]. More than 300 different types of ion channels have been identified across different cell types, which are primarily classified by the nature of their gating and the species of ions passing through the open gates. For example, the opening and closing of voltage-gated ion channels depends on the voltage gradient across the plasma membrane, while ligand-gated ion channels are open or closed by the binding of ligands to the channel. Both types are particularly prominent components of the nervous system, where voltage-gated ion channels underlie the generation of action potentials and ligand-gated (neurotransmitter activated) ion channels mediate conduction across synapses.
Effect of cross-section-change induced advective flow on the primary dendrite array morphology of hypoeutectic Pb-Sb alloys during directional solidification

Abstract The morphology and distribution of primary dendrites have been examined in Pb-2.2, 5.8 and 10.8 wt. pct. Sb alloy samples directionally solidified (DSed) in ampoules shaped like an hour-glass to examine the influence of cross-section change induced advective flow on the cellular/dendritic interface. This sample design increases the advective flow of the melt towards the array tips, as the liquid-solid interface enters the neck of the ampoule, and then decreases it as the interface exits the neck. The warm solute-rich melt flowing towards the growth front suppresses the extent of side-branching, decreases the primary dendrite spacing, and increases the primary dendrite trunk diameter as observed in the Pb-5.8 and 10.8 Sb alloys. The flow appears to suppress the formation of cells. A cellular interface growing in the Pb-2.2Sb alloy became planar as the solidification front entered the neck, becoming cellular again as it exited the neck.
Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles as Biosensors for Monitoring Cellular Uptake and Localization in Normal and Tumor Prostatic Cells

In the present contribution the fabrication and characterization of functionalized gold nanospheres of uniform shape and controlled size is reported. These nano-objects are intended to be used as Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) sensors for in-vitro cellular uptake and localization. Thiophenol was used as molecular reporter and was bound to the Au surface by a chemisorption process in aqueous solution. The obtained colloidal solution was highly stable and no aggregation of the single nanospheres into larger clusters was observed. The nanoparticles were incubated in human prostatic cells with the aim of developing a robust, SERS-based method to differentiate normal and tumor cell lines. SERS imaging experiments showed that tumor cells uptake considerably larger amounts of nanoparticles in comparison to normal cells (up to 950% more); significant differences were also observed in the uptake kinetics. This largely different behaviour might be exploited in diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
Be Fruitful and Multiply: Kinship, Sociality and Non-Reproduction

Aditya Bharadwaj. 2016. Conceptions: Infertility and Procreative Technologies in India. Series: Fertility, reproduction, and sexuality. New York: Berghahn Books. 312 pp. Hardcover $110.00. 2 illus....
The Small GTPase ARF6 Activates PI3K in Melanoma to Induce a Prometastatic State

Melanoma has an unusual capacity to spread in early-stage disease, prompting aggressive clinical intervention in very thin primary tumors. Despite these proactive efforts, patients with low-risk, low-stage disease can still develop metastasis, indicating the presence of permissive cues for distant spread. Here, we show that constitutive activation of the small GTPase ARF6 (ARF6Q67L) is sufficient to accelerate metastasis in mice with BRAFV600E/Cdkn2aNULL melanoma at a similar incidence and severity to Pten loss, a major driver of PI3K activation and melanoma metastasis. ARF6Q67L promoted spontaneous metastasis from significantly smaller primary tumors than PTENNULL, implying an enhanced ability of ARF6-GTP to drive distant spread. ARF6 activation increased lung colonization from circulating melanoma cells, suggesting that the prometastatic function of ARF6 extends to late steps in metastasis. Unexpectedly, ARF6Q67L tumors showed upregulation of Pik3r1 expression, which encodes the p85 regulatory subunit of PI3K. Tumor cells expressing ARF6Q67L displayed increased PI3K protein levels and activity, enhanced PI3K distribution to cellular protrusions, and increased AKT activation in invadopodia. ARF6 is necessary and sufficient for activation of both PI3K and AKT, and PI3K and AKT are necessary for ARF6-mediated invasion. We provide evidence for aberrant ARF6 activation in human melanoma samples, which is associated with reduced survival. Our work reveals a previously unknown ARF6-PI3K-AKT proinvasive pathway, it demonstrates a critical role for ARF6 in multiple steps of the metastatic cascade, and it illuminates how melanoma cells can acquire an early metastatic phenotype in patients. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings reveal a prometastatic role for ARF6 independent of tumor growth, which may help explain how melanoma spreads distantly from thin, early-stage primary tumors.Graphical Abstract: http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/canres/79/11/2892/F1.large.jpg.
Variation in Alcohol Policy Enforcement Across Urban and Nonurban Communities.

Purpose The goal of this study was to assess whether different types of communities (ie, urban, suburban, small town, and rural) vary in the alcohol enforcement activities they conduct. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study using data from a national survey of local law enforcement agencies. Data The survey assessed enforcement of a range of alcohol policies at 1,082 law enforcement agencies. U.S. Census data were used to categorize agencies based on community type. Results Agencies in urban areas conducted more enforcement activities than agencies in other community types. Urban agencies were more likely than rural agencies to conduct underage compliance checks (prevalence ratio [PR]: 0.42; CI: 0.34-0.53), saturation patrols (PR: 0.80; CI: 0.67-0.95), sobriety checkpoints (PR: 0.68; CI: 0.53-0.86), and enforcement aimed at illegal sales to intoxicated patrons (PR: 0.59; CI: 0.42-0.81). Urban agencies were also more likely than small town agencies to do compliance checks (PR: 0.66; CI: 0.56-0.79) and sobriety checkpoints (PR: 0.75; CI: 0.61-0.91), and they were more likely than suburban agencies to do compliance checks (PR: 0.67; CI: 0.57-0.78) and enforcement actions around the sale of alcohol to intoxicated patrons (PR: 0.64; CI: 0.45-0.90), provision of alcohol to minors (PR: 0.77; CI: 0.65-0.92), and consumption by minors (PR: 0.90; CI: 0.82-0.99). Conclusions Enforcement of alcohol laws differs by community type. Future research is needed to identify mechanisms to increase enforcement by agencies in different types of communities.
Fuzzy Logic Approach Based on User behavior Trust in Cloud Security

With cloud computing increasing in popularity by providing a massive number of services such as recourses and data center, the number of attacks on the cloud is increasing. Cloud platform security becomes an important factor in cloud development. Basic security protection such as traditional access control (TAC) is not able to satisfy the security requirements within the expansion of cloud computing. For example, TAC is not able to prevent a malicious user from accessing the cloud. Therefore, in this paper, we propose the fuzzy logic approach based on user behavior trust (FUBT). In this model we consider four types of evidence: login, security, operation, and performance to evaluate the cloud users. We start the model by building a user profile based on user’ history behavior to compare it with current behavior. Moreover, we consider four types of trust: direct, history, indirect and comprehensive trust. We present a fuzzy approach to calculate direct and comprehensive trust values. FUBT is flexible and scalable as consider more evidence to monitor and evaluate user behavior. Finally, the simulation of FUBT shows that the model can effectively evaluate the users.
Exploring the Efficiency of OpenCL Pipe for Hiding Memory Latency on Cloud FPGAs

OpenCL programming ability combined with OpenCL High-Level Synthesis (OpenCL-HLS) tools have made tremendous improvements in the reconfigurable computing field. FPGAs inherent pipelined parallelism capability provides not only faster execution times but also power-efficient solutions when executing massively parallel applications. A major execution bottleneck affecting FPGA performance is the high number of memory stalls exposed to pipelined data-path that hinders the benefits of data-path customization.This paper explores the efficiency of “OpenCL Pipe” to hide memory access latency on cloud FPGAs by decoupling memory access from computation. The Pipe semantic is leveraged to split OpenCL kernels into “read”, “compute” and “write back” sub-kernels which work concurrently to overlap the computation of current threads with the memory access of future threads. For evaluation, we use a mix of seven massively parallel high-performance applications from the Rodinia suite vs. 3.1. All our tests are conducted on the Xilinx VU9FP FPGA platform of Amazon cloud-based AWS EC2 F1 instance. On average, we observe 5.2x speedup with a 2.2x increase in memory bandwidth utilization with about 2.5x increase in FPGA resource utilization over the baseline synthesis (Xilinx OpenCL-HLS).11This work has been funded and supported by the Xilinx University Program (XUP)..
Multivariable Disturbance Observer Based Control with the Experiment on an Active Magnetic Bearing Spindle

Abstract This paper presents a new method of disturbance observer based control (DOBC) for multi-input-multi-output (MIMO) highly-coupled unstable systems based on the game theory and the H-infinity synthesis. First motivated by the Youla parameterization of full order state observer feedback control, a full order state observer (FOSO) based DOBC is proposed for single-input-single-output (SISO) systems. Then inspired by the FOSO based DOBC design, a disturbance decoupling method is proposed for MIMO systems using game theoretic observer design. By using error dynamics from the proposed observers, single-input-multi-output (SIMO) virtual plants are constructed. Inverses of those virtual plants for a certain bandwidth are found by solving the model matching problem using H-infinity solver. The proposed DOBC is applied to an open loop unstable MIMO Active Magnetic Bearing Spindle (AMBS). Simulation and experimental results show that the disturbances are effectively estimated and compensated.
Constructing and Evaluating a Validation Argument for a Next-Generation Alternate Assessment

ABSTRACTAlternate assessments based on alternate achievement standards (AA-AAS) have historically lacked broad validity evidence and an overall evaluation of the extent to which evidence supports i...
A Structural Model of Ionic and Electronic Relaxation in Glass

The a.c. dielectric response of alkali silicate glasses is examined on the basis of a one-dimensional finite chain model. The relaxation modes and relaxation strength for this model are developed. A distribution function related simply to the structural properties of the glass is proposed and used to calculate the dielectric loss of the glass. Theoretical and experimental results are discussed and compared.
Chapter 5 – Intermediate Carboranes: Seven- to Nine-Vertex Clusters

This chapter outlines the preparation, structural studies, and chemistry of the extensively studied closo-2,4-C2B5H7 carborane as well as less-explored mono-, di-, tri-, and tetracarbon 7-9 vertex systems, including closo-CB6H7−, closo-CB7H8−, closo-CB8H9−, arachno-CB7H13, arachno-C2B7H112−, nido-CB8H12, arachno-CB8H14, nido-C2B5H8−, nido-C2B6H82−, closo-C2B6H8, nido-C2B6H10, arachno-C2B6H12, hypho-C2B6H13−, closo-C2B7H9, nido-C2B7H11, arachno-C2B7H13, nido-C3B5H9, hypho-C3B6H13, and nido-C4B4H8.
E-HeaRT BPA: electronic health record telemetry BPA.

Introduction Continuous cardiac monitoring in non-critical care settings is expensive and overutilised. As such, it is an important target of hospital interventions to establish cost-effective, high-quality care. Since inappropriate telemetry use was persistently elevated at our institution, we devised an electronic best practice alert (BPA) and tested it in a randomised controlled fashion. Methods Between 4 March 2018 and 5 July 2018 at our 600-bed academic hospital, all non-critical care patients who had at least one telemetry order were randomised to the control or intervention group. The intervention group received daily BPAs if telemetry was active. Results 275 and 283 patients were randomised to the intervention and control groups, respectively. The intervention group triggered 1042 alerts and trended toward fewer telemetry days (3.8 vs 5.0, p=0.017). The intervention group stopped telemetry 31.7% of the alerted patient-days compared with 23.3% for the control group (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.24 to 1.88, p Conclusions Using a randomised controlled design, we show that BPAs significantly reduce telemetry without negatively affecting patient outcomes. They should have a role in promoting high-value telemetry use.
Identität: Kontinuität und Wandel im Konflikt

An D. Shapiros Theorie der Bedeutung der Identitatsanerkennung anknupfend lege ich dar, wie komplex der Identitatsbegriff ist, und dass in jedem Konflikt je andere Identitatsaspekte eine Rolle spielen. Im Mediationsverfahren ist es zielfuhrend, wenn die relevanten Identitatsanteile zur Sprache gebracht werden.
Understanding Habitat Fragmentation Between a Full Tidal Bay and a Tidally Restricted Urban Lagoon

Structures installed to modify hydrology in waterways such as culverts can cause fragmentation across intertidal and subtidal areas, leading to increased habitat patchiness of previous interconnected habitats. This study aimed to understand the potential impacts of a 268-m culvert on habitat parameters in a large tidal bay and a coastal lagoon in Southern California. We analyzed key habitat characteristics of both sites including water conditions and sediment characteristics as well as biotic communities including zooplankton, benthic macroinvertebrate, and fish communities. As compared to the tidal bay, the lagoon had more extreme temperature differences, decreased dissolved oxygen and salinity, and lower zooplankton abundance. The composition of zooplankton, benthic macroinvertebrates, and small fish communities also differed between the two habitats, suggesting higher habitat heterogeneity than might be expected given their proximity. Removing the culvert that connects these habitats and returning it to an earth-lined open channel would decrease fragmentation between the two habitats and improve trophic quality while retaining the estuarine characteristics of the overall system.
Web 2.0, Social Networks and the Future of Market Research:

Market Research is often accused of failing to provide the insights sought by our clients, and in an increasingly complex society we are challenged to embrace a different model of thinking with different principles at its centre. We believe that a Web 2.0 research platform and a social network approach offers marketing research new tools to meet the challenges of the future. The paper identifies a number of trends that may well provide fertile ground for marketing researchers to develop new approaches. The open source movement will not only affect the way that we think but the very methodologies that we use. The emergence of Web 2.0 offers us an array of collaborative tools with which to develop new research approaches to explore the rapidly changing social and media environment. At the same, the rapid growth of online social networks has fuelled the already rich research literature on the importance of studying humankind in ‘tribes’ or ‘groups’. We argue that the combination of social computing tools and an understanding of social networks will allow us to build new types of research communities, in which respondents interact not only with the researchers but with the clients and most fertilely with each other. Moreover as we examine these types of networks we will become increasingly better able to handle multiple sources of data, and be as comfortable with these new forms of user generated content as we are with the traditional data collection tools of the last fifty years. We believe that these social software tools and trends provide the blueprint for researchers to build new types of ‘participatory panels’ or ‘research communities’ and we describe our experiences in developing such a community.
SU-E-T-272: Direct Verification of a Treatment Planning System Megavoltage Linac Beam Photon Spectra Models, and Analysis of the Effects On Patient Plans

Purpose: For the photon dose calculation Philips Pinnacle Treatment Planning System (TPS) uses collapsed cone convolution algorithm, which relies on energy spectrum of the beam in computing the scatter component. The spectrum is modeled based on Linac’s standard commissioning data and typically is not independently verified. We explored a methodology of using transmission measurements in combination with regularization data processing to unfold Linac spectra. The measured spectra were compared to those modeled by the TPS, and the effect on patient plans was evaluated. Methods: Transmission measurements were conducted in narrow-beam geometry using a standard Farmer ionization chamber. Two attenuating materials and two build -up caps, having different atomic numbers, served to enhance discrimination between absorption of low and high-energy portions of the spectra, thus improving the accuracy of the results. The data was analyzed using a regularization technique implemented through spreadsheet-based calculations. Results: The unfolded spectra were found to deviate from the TPS beam models. The effect of such deviations on treatment planning was evaluated for patient plans through dose distribution calculations with either TPS modeled or measured energy spectra. The differences were reviewed through comparison of isodose distributions, and quantified based on maximum dose values for critical structures. While in most cases no drastic differences in the calculated doses were observed, plans with deviations of 4 to 8% in the maximum dose values for critical structures were discovered. The anatomical sites with large scatter contributions are the most vulnerable to inaccuracies in the modeled spectrum. Conclusion: An independent check of the TPS model spectrum is highly desirable and should be included as part of commissioning of a new Linac. The effect is particularly important for dose calculations in high heterogeneity regions. The developed approach makes acquisition of megavoltage Linac beam spectra achievable in a typical radiation oncology clinic.
From Conception to Design

This chapter discusses displays that sit on the periphery of a user’s attention. Many public displays of information that we encounter are in this category the majority of the time, including clocks, posters, and windows. Computationally enhanced variations on this theme are called peripheral displays. Our work focuses on ambient displays, a subset of peripheral displays that continuously display information to be monitored. Peripheral (and ambient) displays have the peculiar property that they are not meant to be the focus of the user’s attention. Contrast this with desktop applications, which require a user’s attention. In this chapter, we present a case study of two public ambient displays that we developed and evaluated. We present some lessons learned about the design of ambient displays, and conclude with a practical guide to using a modified version of heuristic evaluation that we developed as a result of designing these displays.
A High-Q Low-Sensitivity Twin-T Notch Filter

Twin-T active filters are becoming very popular, especially with the advent of hybrid thin-film integrated circuit technology. In this paper, a twin-T active RC notch filter is discussed, which can realize a high quality factor with low sensitivity. In addition, it uses only a single differential amplifier. The frequency limitations due to the one pole roll-off of the amplifier gain have been derived. A design procedure for use at low as well as high frequencies is also explained.
Airborne Data Processing and Analysis

The practice of conducting quality control and quality assurance in the construction of data sets is often an overlooked and underestimated task of many research projects in the Earth Sciences. The development of software to effectively process and quickly analyze measurements is a critical aspect of a research project. An evolutionary approach has been used at the University of North Dakota to develop and implement software to process and analyze airborne measurements. Development over the past eight years has resulted in a collection of software named the Airborne Data Processing and Analysis (ADPAA) package which has been published as an open source project on Source Forge. The ADPAA package is intended to fully automate data processing while incorporating the concept of missing value codes and levels of data processing. At each data level, ADPAA utilizes a standard ASCII file format to store measurements from individual instruments into separate files. After all data levels have been processed, a summary file containing parameters of scientific interest for the field project is created for each aircraft flight. All project information is organized into a standard directory structure. ADPAA contains several tools that facilitate quality control procedures conducted on instruments during field projects and laboratory testing. Each quality control procedure is designed to ensure proper instrument performance and hence the validity of the instrument's measurement. Data processing by ADPAA allows edit files to be created that are automatically used to insert missing value codes into a time period that had instrument problems. The creation of edit files is typically done after the completion of a field project when scientists are performing quality assurance of the data set. Since data processing is automatic, preliminary data can be created and analyzed within hours of an aircraft flight and a complete field project data set can be reprocessed many times during the quality assurance process. Once a final data set has been created, ADPAA provides several tools for visualization and analysis. In addition to aircraft data, ADPAA can be used on any data set that is based on time series measurements. The concepts illustrated by ADPAA and components of ADPAA, such as the Cplot visualization tool, are applicable to areas of Earth Science that work with time series measurements.
VISUALIZATION AND STATISTICAL COMPARISONS OF MICROBIAL COMMUNITIES USING R PACKAGES ON PHYLOCHIP DATA

This article explains the statistical and computational methodology used to analyze species abundances collected using the LNBL Phylochip in a study of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) in rats. Some tools already available for the analysis of ordinary microarray data are useful in this type of statistical analysis. For instance in correcting for multiple testing we use Family Wise Error rate control and step-down tests (available in the multtest package). Once the most significant species are chosen we use the hypergeometric tests familiar for testing GO categories to test specific phyla and families. We provide examples of normalization, multivariate projections, batch effect detection and integration of phylogenetic covariation, as well as tree equalization and robustification methods.
Gb/s USB: RFI risk analysis and test methodologies

Gb/s speed USB signals running at 5 Gbps or 10 Gbps can radiate and interfere with wireless communication receivers integrated in mobile computer designs. There are several coupling paths for the radiation, including the connectors and cables between the USB hosts and devices. The radiation causes radio frequency interference (RFI) to integrated wireless receivers and can results in degraded wireless performance such as data throughput and poor user experience. Effective shielding of the cables and connectors is critical for reducing the radiation due to the high speed signaling. In this paper, a simple new test fixture and measurement method for characterizing shielding effectiveness of a USB cable which can lead to cost-effective cable designs with optimized shielding are discussed.
Observations of spatial flow patterns at the coral colony scale on a shallow reef flat

[1] Although small-scale spatial flow variability can affect both larger-scale circulation patterns and biological processes on coral reefs, there are few direct measurements of spatial flow patterns across horizontal scales 1), had similar spatial patterns to wakes, while higher-frequency variations (0.05–0.1 Hz, KC < 1) had no observable spatial structure. On the reef flat, both drag and inertial forces exerted by coral colonies could have significant effects on flow, but within different frequency ranges; drag dominates for low-frequency flow variations and inertial forces dominate for higher-frequency variations, including the wave band. Our scaling analyses suggest that spatial flow patterns at colony and patch scales could have important implications for both physical and biological processes at larger reef scales through their effects on forces exerted on the flow, turbulent mixing, and dispersion.
A simple quark model for γp→K+Λ0

Abstract The photoproduction of the Λ 0 and K + from circularly polarized photons on protons is discussed in a simple quark model; we compare the results to experiments.
Selective area epitaxy for photonic integrated circuits and advanced devices

Using metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) selective area epitaxy (SAE) it is possible to grow different layer thicknesses and compositions on different areas of a wafer in a single growth step. This makes possible the integration of discrete devices and enables the fabrication of advanced devices.
A review of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of trabecular bone micro-architecture: contribution to the prediction of biomechanical properties and fracture prevalence

Bone mineral density and three-dimensional trabecular structure play a significant role in predicting bone strength and biomechanical properties. MR is a non-invasive technique for determining trabecular architecture both in vivo and in vitro. In this paper we review the use of magnetic resonance imaging to obtain high resolution images of trabecular bone structure and quantify the three-dimensional architecture of the trabecular bone network. Studies assessing the anisotropy of the trabecular architecture in human cadaveric specimens from the distal and proximal femur, and the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae, are reviewed. The contributions of the MR derived measures of 3D trabecular bone structure to the biomechanical strength of the specimen are presented. In vivo, the relationship between the high resolution MR derived trabecular bone structure parameters in the distal radius and calcaneus in patients with hip fractures, are compared to age matched normal controls. MR derived measures are compared to measures of trabecular bone mineral density (BMD) in the hip using dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).
Does frequent burning affect longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) bark thickness

Bark thickness plays a critical role in protecting a tree’s cambium from damage by fires. Does frequent surface fire stimulate bark production compared with a fire-suppressed control? Based on data from an ongoing, long-term prescribed fire study, we explored differences in bark thickness from 0 to 200 cm above the ground for longleaf pine (Pinus palustris P. Mill.) trees on burned and control sites. Biennial prescribed fires, applied between 1973 (stand age = 14 years) and 2006 (stand age = 47 years), significantly reduced diameter at breast height. After adjusting for differences in diameter at breast height, we found no difference in bark thickness of trees from the burn and control sites, except for bark thickness measured at 0 cm aboveground where control sites had significantly thicker bark than burned sites. Results suggest that frequent burning did not stimulate bark production in longleaf pine.
The Synthesis of Pyrrolidine-Substituted Nicotine Analogs

As part of a program to synthesize nicotine homologs and analogs, the potentially versatile condensation of 3-pyridyl lithium with a 1-pyrroline-1-oxide (cyclic nitrone) has been studied. The product, an N -hydroxynornicotine derivative, was obtained in moderate yield and could be converted by way of the corresponding myosmine and nornicotine compounds to the desired gemdimethylnicotine homolog. Spectral characteristics of these and certain side products are reported.
Prevalence and patterns of executive impairment in community dwelling Mexican Americans: results from the Hispanic EPESE Study

Introduction Little is known about the prevalence of impaired executive control function (ECF) in community dwelling elderly or minority populations. We have determined the prevalence of cognitive impairment and impaired ECF in a community dwelling Mexican American elderly population, and their associations with functional status. Subjects Subjects were 1165 Mexican Americans age 65 and over who were administered CLOX as part of the third wave of the Hispanic Established Population for Epidemiological Study (HEPESE) conducted from 1998 to 1999. Methods ECF was measured by an executive clock-drawing task (CDT) (i.e. CLOX1). Non-executive cognitive function was assessed by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and a non-executive CDT (CLOX2). CLOX scores were combined to estimate the prevalence of global CLOX failure (i.e. ‘Type 1’ cognitive impairment) vs isolated CLOX1 failure (i.e. Type 2 cognitive impairment). Results 59.3% of subjects failed CLOX1. 31.1% failed both CLOX1 and CLOX2 (Type 1 cognitive impairment). 33.3% failed CLOX1 only (Type 2 cognitive impairment). 35.6% passed both measures [no cognitive impairment (NCI)]. Many subjects with CLOX1 impairment at Wave 3 had normal MMSE scores. This was more likely to occur in the context of Type 2 cognitive impairment. Both CLOX defined cognitive impairment groups were associated with functional impairment. Conclusions A large percentage of community dwelling Mexican American elderly suffer cognitive impairment that can be demonstrated through a CDT. Isolated executive impairments appear to be most common. The ability of a CDT to demonstrate ECF impairments potentially offers a rapid, culturally unbiased and cost-effective means of assessing this domain. In contrast, the MMSE is relatively insensitive to ECF assessed by CLOX1. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of sodium dodecyl sulfate on the immunogenic properties of the glial fibrillary acidic protein

Abstract In an attempt to obtain antisera to proteins which are not immunogenic under standard conditions, rabbits were injected with non-degraded human and bovine glial fibrillary acidic (GFA) protein in 1% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). As indicated by double immunodiffusion, immunoelectrophoresis and immunofluorescence, antisera to GFA protein in SDS had the same specificity compared with antisera to degraded or to cyanogen bromide digests of non-degraded protein, both injected without SDS. These results suggest that no additional antigenic sites are revealed by treatment with SDS. They also suggest that antibodies to non-degraded protein (54,000 mol. wt.) and anti-bodies to degraded protein (40,500 mol wot.) or to cyanogen bromide digests of non-degraded protein are directed against the same antigenic determinants. (An immunologically reactive cyanogen bromide peptide in the myoglobin range, 17,200 mol. wt., is common to degraded and non-degraded preparations). A major difference between degraded and non-degraded preparations was seen on immunoelectrophoresis. With both types of antisera, degraded GFA protein formed a discrete arc, while a long precipitin line was seen with non-degraded preparations. This trailing was reduced but not completely abolished by reduction and carboxymethylation.
Prescribed burning effects on soil enzyme activity in a southern Ohio hardwood forest: a landscape-scale analysis

We assessed the effect of a single, dormant season prescribed fire on soil enzyme activity in oak-hickory (Quercus-Carya) forests in southern Ohio, USA. Four enzymes specific for different C sources were chosen for monitoring: acid phosphatase, β-glucosidase, chitinase and phenol oxidase. Postfire acid phosphatase activity was generally reduced by burning and decreased with increasing longterm soil water potential. Postfire β-glucosidase differed little between control and burned plots. Chitinase activity increased after fire in proportion to fire intensity. Phenol oxidase activity was highly variable and did not correlate well with either fire or soil water potential. Enzyme activities tended to vary more between samples taken upslope vs. downslope of a given tree than as the result of fire or landscape position. Overall enzymes whose activities are controlled by microclimatic or edaphic factors were affected more than those controlled primarily by substrate availability. Single, dormant season fires may consume a large proportion of the forest floor and change the apparent character of the surface organic matter complex without having major effects on soil enzyme activity.
Techniques of paediatric modified ultrafiltration: 1996 survey results

In September 1996, perfusionists from 50 paediatric open-heart surgery programmes were contacted to identify centres that are currently using the technique of modified ultrafiltration (MUF). Of the 50 centres contacted, 22 (44%) were utilizing the technique. These centres were surveyed on the following: neonatal circuit description, patient entry criteria, MUF circuit description, conduct of MUF, use of extracorporeal safety devices and/or modifications, and technical complications. All 22 centres used roller pumps and membrane oxygenators. In 19 centres, MUF was utilized exclusively in the arteriovenous mode (86%), while two centres (9%) used the venovenous mode and one centre (5%) used both methods. Most (82%) of the 22 MUF centres used a blood cardioplegia system for myocardial preservation. After cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), these blood cardioplegia systems were often converted for use as MUF circuits in a variety of ways. Other methods of accessing the CPB circuit for MUF included utilizing either a recirculation line or a dedicated port added to the circuit specifically for MUF. Blood flow rates during MUF, pump strategies, haemoconcentrator vacuum levels and endpoints were variable from centre to centre. Technical complications related to MUF were reported by 82% of the surveyed MUF centres. The most common complication, air cavitating into the circuit, was reported by 15 centres. From these data, we propose recommendations on the integration of MUF into CPB circuits, the conduct of perfusion during MUF, and appropriate safety considerations to minimize technical complications.
Gender, Descriptive Language and Scientific Reporting:

Descriptive terms taken from studies reporting gender differences in children's play are examined for the degree to which they are perceived as gender-linked. Fully 30 of the 36 terms presented are rated by subjects as masculine or feminine. It is suggested that such terms are linked to gender as a socially determined classification, exerting an influence upon observation and interpretation of gender-related behaviors.
Survivin overexpression alone does not alter megakaryocyte ploidy nor interfere with erythroid/megakaryocytic lineage development in transgenic mice

The level of survivin was reported to be scarce in mouse megakaryocytes (MKs) compared with erythroid cells. Considering this finding and previously reported in vitro data showing decreased MK ploidy upon retroviral-mediated overexpression of survivin, we sought to examine whether ectopic survivin expression in the MK lineage might alter ploidy level in vivo. Here we report the generation of 2 tissue specific hematopoietic transgenic mouse models, one expressing survivin in both the erythroid and MK lineages and the other expressing survivin solely in the MK lineage. Survivin protein overexpression was confirmed in MKs and erythrocytes. Surprisingly, analysis of both transgenic mouse lines showed no detectable changes in MK number, ploidy level, and platelet and erythrocyte counts, as compared with control mice. We conclude that elevated survivin expression does not alter MK/erythroid lineage development and that elevated survivin, alone, does not interfere with MK ploidy in vivo.