cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Foaming Properties of Proteins

The property of proteins to form stable foams is important in the production of a variety of foods. Foam can be defined as a two-phase system consisting of air cells separated by a thin continuous liquid layer called the lamellar phase. Food foams are usually very complex systems, including a mixture of gases, liquids, solids, and surfactants. The size distribution of air bubbles in foam influences the foam product’s appearance and textural properties; foams with a uniform distribution of small air bubbles imparts body, smoothness, and lightness to the food. Proteins in foams contribute to the uniform distribution of fine air cells in the structure of foods. Body and smoothness of food foams is related to the formation of air bubbles that allow volatilization of flavors with enhanced palatability of the foods.
Some managerial considerations of project management methodology

Project management is frequently cited as an important management strategy for software development and other product development activities. Articles and textbooks are readily available to help managers to understand the essentials of project management technique, but most publications emphasize the logic of project management or the manipulation of the software that supports decision making in project management. Few publications address the context and human relations of project management. The author offers a basic introduction and some insights to better technique that supplement the usual presentation. He particularly emphasizes some considerations that increase employee motivation and enhance managerial effectiveness.
Predicting Reading Difficulty in First Grade Using Dynamic Assessment of Decoding in Early Kindergarten A Large-Scale Longitudinal Study

The purpose of this study was to examine and compare the classification accuracy of early static prereading measures and early dynamic assessment reading measures administered to 600 kindergarten students. At the beginning of kindergarten, all of the participants were administered two commonly used static prereading measures. The participants were then administered either a dynamic assessment featuring an onset-rime decoding strategy or a dynamic assessment featuring a sound-by-sound strategy. At the end of first grade, those same participants' reading ability was assessed using multiple reading measures. Results indicated that the dynamic assessments yielded significantly higher classification accuracy over the static measures, but that the classification accuracy of the two dynamic assessments did not differ significantly. Sensitivity for the static measures was less than 80%, and specificity ranged from 33% to 51%. The sensitivity and specificity for the dynamic assessments was greater than 80% for all children, with the exception of specificity for the Hispanic children, which was at or greater than 70%. Results also indicated that the combination of static and dynamic measures did not improve the classification accuracy over the dynamic assessments alone. Dynamic assessment appears to be a promising approach to classifying young children at risk for future reading difficulty.
Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and asthma: the role of continuous positive airway pressure treatment.

Objective To review the concept of a possible link between asthma and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and the impact on asthma symptoms of treatment of OSAS with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in patients with both conditions. Data Sources The Ovid, MEDLINE, and PubMed databases from 1950 to the present were searched for relevant articles regarding a possible relationship between asthma and OSAS and the effectiveness of CPAP in treating OSAS. Study Selection Articles describing pathophysiologic conditions occurring in OSAS that may be linked to asthma pathogenesis were used for this review. Results The data suggest that OSAS is an independent risk factor for asthma exacerbations. CPAP has been shown in prospective clinical studies to have a positive impact on asthma outcome in patients with concomitant OSAS. Ameliorative mechanisms of treatment with CPAP include mechanical and neuromechanical effects, gastroesophageal acid reflux suppression, local and systemic anti-inflammatory effects (including suppression of increased serum levels of inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and vascular endothelial growth factor), cardiac function improvements, leptin level suppression, weight reduction, and sleep restoration. Conclusions Asthma and OSAS are increasingly troublesome public health issues. Mounting evidence implicates OSAS as a risk factor for asthma exacerbations, thereby linking these 2 major epidemics. We describe potential mechanisms whereby CPAP, the first line of therapy for OSAS, might modify airway smooth muscle function and asthma control in patients with both disorders. Despite the ever-increasing population of patients with both disorders, large, prospective, randomized controlled studies are necessary to more fully evaluate CPAP and asthma outcomes.
Electron dynamics at polyacene/Au(111) interfaces.

Two-photon photoemission (2PPE) spectroscopy is used to examine the excited electronic structure and dynamics at polyacene/Au(111) interfaces. Image resonances are observed in all cases (benzene, naphthalene, anthrathene, tetracene, and pentacene), as evidenced by the free-electron like dispersions in the surface plane and the dependences of these resonances on the adsorption of nonane overlayers. The binding energies and lifetimes of these resonances are similar for the five interfaces. Adsorption of nonane on top of these films pushes the electron density in the image resonance away from the metal surface, resulting in a decrease in the binding energy (−0.3 eV) and an increase in the lifetime (from <20 to ∼110 fs). The insensitivity of the image resonances to the size of polyacene molecules and the absence of photoinduced electron transfer from the metal substrate to molecular states both suggest that the unoccupied molecular orbitals are not strongly coupled to the delocalized metal states or image pot...
Sensitivity analysis of an implantable LC Based passive sensor

A versatile implantable pressure sensor that consists of a LC resonator and a radio-frequency probe with two orthogonal coils was developed for implementable medical applications [1][2]. The MEMS technology makes it possible have a miniature, biocompatible and highly sensitive LC based passive sensor. Though a successful design was demonstrated [1], the development of an analytical model will enable further performance optimization. In this paper, first, the sensitivity of the entire sensor system is derived based on an equivalent circuit model. Then, an apriori design method of a miniaturized, single-layer circular MEMS inductor is proposed to optimize the sensitivity of the sensor system. The proposed design method is also verified using the ADS-Momentum.
CHARACTERIZATION OF RUBBER ISOLATOR NONLINEARITIES IN THE CONTEXT OF SINGLE- AND MULTI-DEGREE-OF-FREEDOM EXPERIMENTAL SYSTEMS

Abstract Key non-linear stiffness characterization issues of rubber isolators are clarified, and a process is proposed that includes experiments in single- and multi-degree-of-freedom configurations while different types of excitations are applied. Consequently, important characteristics, via experimental and analytical studies of three isolators, emerge that might not have been revealed in traditional non-resonant testing methods. First, static stiffness experiments are conducted to measure time-invariant load–deflection curves and influences from rubber durometer, isolator geometry and non-linear behavior on the dynamic-to-static stiffness ratio are illustrated. Next, dynamic excitations under random, frequency-sweep and fixed-frequency are employed to investigate how the behavior of each isolator is influenced by type of excitation. Also, the non-linear dynamic stiffness of each isolator is quantified in both single- and multi-degree-of-freedom configurations. Effects of isolator non-linearities on the effective vibration modes of the multi-degree-of-freedom (m.d.o.f.) experimental configuration are shown to be distributed differently for each isolator, yet some correlation is found with the single-degree-of-freedom (s.d.o.f.) experiment. For analytical characterization, the continuous system theory is used to develop a quasi-linear representation of the m.d.o.f. experimental configuration. Isolator dynamic properties determined from the s.d.o.f. experiment are used in this model. Finally, a discrete non-linear model consisting of a non-linear elastic force term is constructed. After execution of a procedure based upon numerical simulation, optimum parameters for this model are found. The characterization studies conducted here form an essential first step for the identification techniques that are improved by a priori knowledge of the types of non-linearities present.
Tissue distribution and elimination of DDD and DDT following oral administration to dogs and rats.

Conclusions1. DDD and DDT when administered orally are stored in the tissues of the dog, the greatest storage appearing in the fat.2. Similarly DDD and DDT are both stored in the fat of the rat.3. Both DDD and DDT are transported across the placental barrier in the dog.4. In the dog, a small proportion of orally administered DDD or DDT is excreted in the feces. Of the 2, DDD appears in greater amount.5. When administered orally to the dog, neither DDD nor DDT are excreted as such in the urine. DDA is a urinary end-product common to both DDD and DDT, appearing in greater amount following DDD administration.We wish to extend our thanks to Dr. E. L. Stanley of the Rohm and Haas Company for performing the analytical procedures connected with this study.
"Look for the Label"- The International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union Label Campaign, 1959-1975:

In 1958, the ILGWU and New York dress manufacturers signed an historic contract which mandated the manufacturers' insertion of the union's label and the union's sponsorship of a two million dollar campaign to promote labeled products. Between 1959 and 1975, the ILGWU used multiple media to promote its label, focusing on television advertising after that period. This study determined the rationale for ILGWU's promotional targeting of retailers and consumers between 1959 and 1975, as well as messages designed for these audiences and means used to reach them. Primary sources used included materials in ILGWU Archives, union documents, and contemporary periodicals. The union advertised in local newspapers, consumer magazines and Women's Wear Daily, and produced and distributed booklets, films and varied press aids about apparel. Two themes dominated the campaign: (a) the ILGWU's contributions to American society and (b) the excitement of American fashion.
Adenylate Kinase of Escherichia coli, a Component of the Phage T4 dNTP Synthetase Complex

Adenylate kinase, which catalyzes the reversible ATP-dependent phosphorylation of AMP to ADP and dAMP to dADP, can also catalyze the conversion of nucleoside diphosphates to the corresponding triphosphates. Lu and Inouye (Lu, Q., and Inouye, M. (1996) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 93, 5720-5725) showed that an Escherichia coli ndk mutant, lacking nucleoside diphosphate kinase, can use adenylate kinase as an alternative source of nucleoside triphosphates. Bacteriophage T4 can reproduce in an Escherichia coli ndk mutant, implying that adenylate kinase can meet a demand for deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates that increases by up to 10-fold as a result of T4 infection. In terms of kinetic linkage and specific protein-protein associations, NDP kinase is an integral component of T4 dNTP synthetase, a multienzyme complex containing phage-coded enzymes, which facilitates the synthesis of dNTPs and their flow into DNA. Here we asked whether, by similar criteria, adenylate kinase of the host cell is also a specific component of the complex. Experiments involving protein affinity chromatography, immunoprecipitation, optical biosensor measurements, and glutathione S-transferase pulldowns demonstrated direct interactions between adenylate kinase and several phage-coded enzymes, as well as E. coli nucleoside diphosphate kinase. These results identify adenylate kinase as a specific component of the complex. The rate of DNA synthesis after infection of an ndk mutant was found to be about 40% of the rate seen in wild-type infection, implying that complementation of the missing NDP kinase function by adenylate kinase is fairly efficient, but that adenylate kinase becomes rate-limiting for DNA synthesis when it is the sole source of dNTPs.
Comparison of Topas cyclic olefin copolymers to BK7 glass in night vision goggle objectives

The objective of this study was to determine the suitability of Topas cyclic olefin copolymers (COC) as an optical plastic for use in military-grade night vision goggle (NVG) lens objectives. Test objective lenses that could include either a Topas COC window element or BK7 glass window element were manufactured. The test objectives were evaluated for low light resolution, MTF, off-axis veiling glare, and on-axis stray light. Additionally, the spectral transmittance of the individual windows elements was measured. This paper compares the evaluation results of test objectives containing Topas COC with test objectives containing BK7 glass.
Switching Impulse Strength of Compacted Transmission Line Flat and Delta Configurations

Five transmission line phase configurations suitable for phase compaction were simulated and tested in a large portal testing tower to establish phase-to-phase and phase-to-tower switching surge insulation requirements for 765 kV systems. Using these results and other data available from the literature, clearances for 345, 500, and 1100 kV systems also were developed.
Enhanced gel mobility shift assay for DNA-binding factors.

Abstract Gel mobility shift assays are commonly used to study DNA-binding factors involved in the regulation of constitutive, tissue-specific, and inducible genes. We found that addition of 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethyiammonio]-propanesulfonate (Chaps, a zwitterionic detergent) at relatively high concentration (2.5% or more) to DNA-binding reactions for four different factors (AP1, S1, GATA-1, and interferon α-regulated factor ISGF3) assayed in cell extracts greatly enhanced the signal for DNA-protein complexes (up to about 20-fold). The amplified signal for DNA-protein complexes so obtained was (at least in part) due to increased binding efficiency, as revealed by greatly reduced amounts of the free probes in the gels. The binding specificity, however, was not compromised. The fact that DNA-protein complex formation with four different factors was stimulated by Chaps suggests that the enhancing effect of Chaps may be more general and not limited to certain types of DNA-binding factors. The results provide the basis for a highly sensitive assay for DNA-binding factors, which may be useful in several types of studies on such factors. Among other detergents tested, Chapso (another zwitterionic detergent), NP-40, and octylglucopyranoside (nonionic detergents) were found also to enhance the complex formation as tested for AP1 binding, whereas sodium cholate and deoxycholate showed strong inhibition.
Antenna exciton trapping kinetics as a probe of primary electron transfer heterogeneity in the photosynthetic reaction center

The multipicosecond nonexponential decay of the electronically excited primary electron donor, P∗, observed in isolated photosynthetic reaction centers, is just as readily explained by multistep homogeneous electron transfer as by single-step heterogeneous transfer. With the aid of a one-antenna-site hopping model, it is shown here that the exciton trapping kinetics in the associated core antenna theoretically can be used to distinguish homogeneous from heterogeneous mechanisms of primary electron transfer in the reaction center.
Analysis of multiple-view Bayesian classification for SAR ATR

Classification of targets in high-resolution synthetic aperture radar imagery is a challenging problem in practice, due to extended operating conditions such as obscuration, articulation, varied configurations and a host of camouflage, concealment and deception tactics. Due to radar cross-section variability, the ability to discriminate between targets also varies greatly with target aspect. Potential space-borne and air-borne sensor systems may eventually be exploited to provide products to the warfighter at tactically relevant timelines. With such potential systems in place, multiple views of a given target area may be available to support targeting. In this paper, we examine the aspect dependence of SAR target classification and develop a Bayesian classification approach that exploits multiple incoherent views of a target. We further examine several practical issues in the design of such a classifier and consider sensitivities and their implications for sensor planning. Experimental results indicating the benefits of aspect diversity for improving performance under extended operating conditions are shown using publicly released 1-foot SAR data from DARPA's MSTAR program.
Current trends in power aware design

This paper outlines the state-of-the-art of recently published papers on the subject of power aware design in various industrial applications. First, the basic concept of power aware design is given and then current trends are summarized. A summary is given of a wide variety of techniques and applications of power awareness.
On a bayesian analysis of the virtue of unification

In three recent papers, Wayne Myrvold (1996, 2003) and Timothy McGrew (2003) have developed Bayesian accounts of the virtue of unification. In his account, McGrew demonstrates that, ceteris paribus, a hypothesis that unifies its evidence will have a higher posterior probability than a hypothesis that does not. Myrvold, on the other hand, offers a specific measure of unification that can be applied to individual hypotheses. He argues that one must account for this measure in order to calculate correctly the degree of confirmation that a hypothesis receives from its evidence. Using the probability calculus, I prove that the two accounts of unification require the same underlying inequality; thus, McGrew and Myrvold have accounted for unification in fundamentally identical probabilistic terms. I then evaluate five putative counterexamples to this account and show that these examples, far from disqualifying it, serve to clarify our notion of unification by disentangling it from a host of other concepts.
Some tests of constitutive equations for entangled polymers based on planar-extension flow histories in a periodically constricted channel

Stress and velocity were determined locally by birefringence measurements and laser Doppler velocimetry for a mildly entangled polystyrene solution flowing at steady state in a rectangular channel with sinusoidally varying wall spacing. Having measured both the velocity and stress fields, we were able to test constitutive equations locally, i.e., without solving the equations of motion for the entire flow. Four were examined for the periodic planar extensions on the channel centerplane: the Newtonian model, the Lodge network model, the Doi-Edwards tube model, and the Wagner-Schaeffer modification of Doi-Edwards. High enough Weissenberg and Deborah numbers were reached to produce sizable departures from the Newtonian predictions. The Doi-Edwards model underpredicted the stress, as did Wagner-Schaeffer, although to a lesser extent. Predictions of the Lodge model were best of all, a surprising result in view of its inadequacy for simple shear deformations. The predictions of the Lodge model, without parameter adjustment, agreed remarkably well with the planar extension data over the accessible range for our apparatus: Deborah numbers up to 2.0, extensional Weissenberg numbers up to 6.5, and a maximum extension ratio of about 2.3.
Effects of memory reactivation treatments on postdiscrimination generalization performance in pigeons

In Experiment 1, it was shown that generalization testing following successive discrimination training between two closely spaced wavelengths results in a sharp gradient with a peak of responding shifted from S+ so as to be further removed from S−. Testing after a 24-h delay resulted in a flatter gradient with greater peak (and area) shift. A 5-min pretest exposure to S+, reinforced or unreinforced, or to S− (unreinforced) reinstated immediate test performance; free reinforcement with no discriminative stimulus present had no such effect. Experiment 2 replicated the flattening of generalization gradients and enhanced peak shift in delayed testing. Free feeding in a pretest treatment with a distinctive food uniquely associated with the wavelength discrimination problem failed to reinstate immediate test performance. Experiment 3 tested the hypothesis that free feeding failed as a reactivation treatment because it did not engender keypecking. Subjects were trained to peck a vertical line stimulus before being given wavelength discrimination training. Again, the enhanced peak shift and greater flattening with delayed wavelength generalization testing was found. A pretest exposure to the vertical line stimulus elicited pecking but had no effect on subsequent wavelength generalization. Thus, only a reactivation treatment that included one of the discrimination training stimuli was effective in producing delayed test performance comparable to that obtained in an immediate test.
IGNITION DELAY OF DROPLET CLOUDS: RESULTS FROM GROUP COMBUSTION THEORY

Abstract The ignition and evaporation of spherical cloud of droplets in a hot quiescent atmosphere is examined numerically using transient group combustion analysis. Ignition delay times are calculated as a function of cloud radius, ambient temperature, drop size and droplet number density. The ignition temperature for a cloud of drops was found to be less than that obtained from a single drop. The results indicated an interaction between chemical and physical effects resulting in the possibility of an optimal interdrop spacing for ignition of a fuel with a high boiling point. The model results indicate that for interdrop spacing to radius ratio of less than 5, the ignition and evaporation of a cloud of drops is confined to a thin layer at the surface of the cloud. For drops spaced farther apart thermal penetration from the hot ambient is possible resulting in vaporization within the cloud.
The role of personalized medicine in identifying appropriate candidates for menopausal estrogen therapy.

Abstract Menopausal estrogen therapy has a complex balance of benefits and risks and is no longer routinely recommended for the majority of women during or after the transition to menopause. Recent findings from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) and other studies suggest that a woman's clinical and biological characteristics may modify her health outcomes on hormone therapy (HT) and that some women may be more appropriate candidates for therapy than others. An emerging body of evidence suggests that it may be possible to identify women who are more likely to have favorable outcomes and less likely to have adverse events on HT, as well as to tailor the optimal dose, formulation, and route of delivery of treatment, by the use of individual risk stratification and a personalized approach. Several clinical characteristics that have been proposed for this purpose include a woman's age, time since menopause, symptom severity, baseline vascular health, risk for breast cancer, biomarker levels, and genetic predisposition. The underlying rationale for personalized medicine, that each person has a unique biologic profile that can help to guide the choice of therapy, applies well to HT decision making and holds promise for improved treatment efficacy and safety. This report, which focuses on vascular health, reviews the evidence on the role of such markers in tailoring the use of hormone therapy to appropriate candidates, with the ultimate goal of developing a personalized risk:benefit prediction model that takes into account clinical and genetic factors, “patient-centered” outcomes including sense of well being and quality of life, and other variables. The proposed personalized approach to HT decision making has the potential to improve the quality of health care.
Clinical outcomes associated with the implementation of a cost-efficient programme for radical retropubic prostatectomy

Objective To develop and analyse a cost-containment programme for radical retropubic prostatectomy. Patients and methods An in-depth analysis of the hospital charges associated with radical retropubic prostatectomy was conducted and a standard programme developed to control patient costs using a collaborative pathway method. The development of this programme and the outcomes of the first 50 patients who underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy while on the collaborative care pathway system are summarized. Results The programme reduced both overall hospital charges per patient and the duration of hospital stay by 44%. In addition, there was a significant reduction in the duration of surgery, intra-operative blood loss and the need for transfusion. Implementation of this programme had no apparent adverse effects on the rates of major or minor complications or hospital re-admissions, and was accepted well by the patients. Conclusion The collaborative care pathway developed for radical prostatectomy provides a system to deliver high quality, cost-efficient care in an environment which is highly acceptable to patients and which allows continued refinements in the care delivered.
Thermomechanical Characterization of NiTiNb Shape Memory Alloy for Concrete Active Confinement Applications

Despite growing interest in the use of shape memory alloys (SMAs) in civil structures, much is still to be understood about their behavior in real loading environments. This experimental work focuses on characterizing the thermomechanical behavior of a thermally prestressed NiTiNb SMA under thermal and loading conditions pertinent to civil structural applications. The work aims at exploring the feasibility of using this type of alloy in developing seismic retrofitting spirals that could be used to actively confine vulnerable reinforced concrete columns, to improve their flexural ductility and shear strength under earthquake loading. Differential scanning calorimetry tests are conducted to determine the transformation temperatures of the used alloy. A testing program is carried out on 2-mm-diameter NiTiNb wires to examine the recovery stress of prestrained wires and the monotonic and cyclic behaviors of thermally prestressed wires under various testing durations and ambient temperatures. A thermal chamber is used to induce a realistic range of ambient temperature (−10°C to 55°C) during testing. The results show that the recovery stress is quite stable within the studied range of temperature. The prestressed NiTiNb alloy exhibits nonlinear behavior with a modulus that is highly dependent on ambient temperature.
Quaint and Obsolete: The ‘War on Terror’ and the Right to Legal Personality

In the “war on terror,” the Bush administration sought to delegitimize international human rights law (IHRL), international humanitarian law (IHL), and customary law by claiming that they were “quaint” and “obsolete” in the face of the threat from al Qaeda. On this view terrorist suspects fell into a legal “black hole” and could be deprived of the most basic rights, such as the right to recognition as persons before the law. International law supporters reacted by reconsidering fundamental questions, like the degree to which human rights may be restricted in states of emergency, and the clarity of the civilian/combatant distinction in IHL. In response to the black hole theory, the “full coverage” and “evolutionary” theories identified four principles within IHL and IHRL that enable existing law to address terrorist threats: the principles of complementarity, maximal extension, restricted derogation, and regulated detention. The Obama administration has so far enacted the “evolutionary” approach.
Callus initiation, growth, and organogenesis in sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.)

Summary Using a broad spectrum tissue culture approach, callus was initiated from cotyledons, hypocotyls, and embryos of sugarbeet. The callus was formed under a regime of differing concentrations of several organic constituents, including growth regulators. Casein hydrolysate, GA, and vitamins were found to inhibit or have no reliable affect on callus initiation from cotyledon and hypocotyl tissues. Initiation in response to auxins and cytokinins was complex due to strong interactions between these two classes of growth regulators. In general, high concentrations (10–25 mg/litre) of auxins promoted callus initiation best. However, 2,4-D was an exception, showing inhibitory effects at concentrations greater than 1 mg/litre. The effects of cytokinins were more variable, depending upon the auxin used in combination with them. Cotyledon and hypocotyl tissues either failed to exhibit an effect due to differing concentrations of cytokinins, or showed maximal callus initiation at moderate concentrations (1–10 mg/litre). High concentrations (10–25 mg/litre) of cytokinins were, in almost all cases, inhibitory. Subsequent growth of subcultured callus was tested under a similar regime of growth regulators. Once again, the results were complex; but growth was generally favored by moderate concentrations (.5–5 mg/litre) of cytokinins in conjunction with low concentrations (.05–.5 mg/litre) of auxins. Bud initiation in cotyledon and hypocotyl callus was promoted by 6-BAP at a concentration of 5 mg/litre in combination with TIBA at .5–5 mg/litre.
Contracting processes and structures for systems-of-systems acquisition

Acquisition of a system-of-systems can be an all new acquisition of multiple systems that are intended to operate together as a system-of-systems. Much more common in the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) is acquisition of one or more new systems that are intended to interoperate with existing systems as a system of systems (SoS) with new capabilities. In either case, successful SoS acquisition necessarily depends on effective contracting structures and processes for SoS acquisition. In this paper, a set of issues that need to be addressed in SoS acquisition are identified, and the current findings discussed. The findings suggest maintaining an extensive systems engineering effort within the SoS acquisition and changes to the existing contracting processes, structures, and organizational structures to maximize the probability of SoS acquisition success. The resulting changes are recommended to current and future DoD SoS acquisitions. ©2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng 15 © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Numerical study of conductance fluctuations in disordered metals.

The results of a numerical study of conductance fluctuations in weakly disordered one- and two-dimensional metals are presented and compared with recent perturbative calculations. Two models are considered: the usual Anderson tight-binding model with a uniform distribution of site energies, and a second tight-binding model in which the site energies of a given concentration of ``impurities'' are \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}\ensuremath{\Delta}E. For the Anderson model we calculate the fluctuations of the conductance among members of an ensemble of statistically similar samples (i.e., samples with the same amount of disorder, etc.). We find that the magnitude of these fluctuations agrees fairly well with the ``universal'' value predicted by the perturbative calculations, even for systems as small as a few lattice spacings on a side. For the second model, we calculate the conductance fluctuations which occur when only a single impurity is moved, and our results are in reasonable agreement with the analytic results for this case.
Factors in the Variability of Response in Enumerative Studies

THERE ARE SEVERAL sources of error in enumerative studies. The error that arises in sampling is well recognized, but other sources, which may be more important, are often overlooked, even though they are present as much in complete coverages as in samples. For instance, there is a variability of response to be reckoned with even within the framework of well defined schedule concepts and well trained enumerators. Poorly worded schedule questions and inadequate training of enumerators not only intensify this variability, but are the cause of unreliability in the sense of biases. However, in the absence of a standard operation, which by definition would yield no error and would enable one to differentiate correct from incorrect results, and thus to recognize biases, it is perhaps better to speak of variability of response merely as a source of difference between the results of two or more coverages of the same universe, rather than to speak of a bias in one or both coverages. The purpose of this paper is to present some results on variability of response.' Relatively little is known about the degree of variability of response for different types of information or its relationship to other conditions of enumeration because the opportunity to measure it is limited to studies in which two sets of interviews requesting the same information for the same persons for the same period of time have been made. Relatively high costs have discouraged this kind of enumerative study while unfortunately, at the same time, differences in the results from applications of parallel techniques to the same universe for measuring the same phenomenon, without adequate explanation of the causes of these differences, have led to public confusion. As a consequence, doubt has been cast on the results of enumerative studies, yet these are the
Hierarchically Organized Bayesian Networks for Distributed Sensor Networks

As sensor hardware becomes more sophisticated, smaller in size and increasingly affordable, use of large scale sensor networks is bound to become a reality in several application domains, such as vehicle condition monitoring, environmental sensing and security assessment. The ability to incorporate communication and decision capabilities in individual or groups of sensors, opens new opportunities for distributed sensor networks to monitor complex engineering systems. In such large scale sensor networks, the ability to integrate observations or inferences made by distributed sensors into a single hypothesis about the state of the system is critical. This paper addresses the sensor integration issue in hierarchically organized sensor networks. We propose a multi-agent architecture for distributed sensor networks. We present a new formalism to represent causal relations and prior beliefs of hierarchies of sensors, called Hierarchically Organized Bayesian Networks (HOBN), which is a semantic extension of Multiply Sectioned Bayesian Networks (MSBN). This formalism allows a sensor to reason about the integrity of a sensed signal or the integrity of neighboring sensors. Furthermore, we can also evaluate the consistency of local observations with respect to the knowledge of the system gathered up to that point.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Stabilizing Effect of Fructose on Aqueous Solutions of Hydrocortisone

Abstract □ Accelerated stability studies (37°, 47°, and 57°) were conducted on buffered aqueous solutions (pH7.4, 8.4, and 9.4) of hydrocortisone in the presence of various molar ratios of D-fructose. First-order degradation was observed. Significant improvement in hydrocortisone stability was seen in those solutions containing a 25 M excess of D-fructose. Hydrocortisone solutions containing dextrose, lactose, sucrose, sorbitol, propylene glycol, or glycerin in the same molar ratio were not stabilized.
Fourier transform spin-echo spectroscopy

Abstract A general density-matrix formalism is given for computing effects of transverse nuclear relaxation in Carr-Purcell spin-echo experiments on multispin systems. Redfield's equations of motion are recast in operator form so that motion of the spectral magnetizations can be computed in any desired representation. The Fourier transform of a modulated spin-echo envelope yields a multiline spin-echo spectrum, and general expressions are given for the line frequencies, intensities, and widths. The results are applied to the case of two coupled spins relaxing by intramolecular dipole-dipole interactions and by interaction with a randomly fluctuating external field. It is shown that selective rf pulse experiments are superior to nonselective pulse experiments for separate determination of the contributions of each mechanism to overall relaxation in this system.
Sperry Automatic Landing Radar Altimeter

A new low altitude radar altimeter is being developed by Sperry Phoenix Company for use in all-weather landing of aircraft. Known as the SPA-10 landing altimeter, it is unique among low altitude altimeters. It uses only a single antenna. A combination of low noise FM-CW techniques and a novel integrated microwave assembly enables operation to zero altitude. The SPA-10 operates in the 4300 megacycle band, and is resistant to interference from either companion installation or that arising from external sources.
Neonatal lead toxicity and in vitro lipid peroxidation of rat brain.

Neonatal rats were given aqueous lead acetate intragastrically from d 2--20 of life at doses of 0, 25, 75, and 225 mg Pb/kg.d. Blood Pb concentrations on d 21 were (mean +/- SE) 27 +/- 4 (control), 150 +/- 26, 263 +/- 63, and 518 +/- 97 microgram/100 ml, respectively. Growth was significantly depressed only in animals given the highest dose of Pb (225 mg/kg.d). Hematocrits were significantly decreased by d21 at all doses of Pb. Malondialdehyde (MDA) formation in 750 x g (10 min) brain supernatants induced spontaneously by aerobic incubation at 37 degrees C was not altered by Pb on d 7 and 14, but a slight decrease was observed on d 21. The extent of MDA formation induced by enzymatically generated superoxide anion was not altered by Pb toxicity during the first 21 d of life. Addition of Pb to 750 x g (10 min) brain supernatants in vitro significantly decreased MDA formation at Pb concentrations of 10(-5) M and higher. These results show that the central nervous system toxicity of Pb in neonatal rats is not associated with accelerated in vitro lipid peroxidation of brain tissue.
ElasticCore: enabling dynamic heterogeneity with joint core and voltage/frequency scaling

Heterogeneous architectures have emerged as a promising solution to enhance energy-efficiency by allowing each application to run on a core that matches resource needs more closely than a one-size-fits-all core. In this paper, an ElasticCore platform is described where core resources along with the operating voltage and frequency settings are scaled to match the application behavior at run-time. Furthermore, a linear regression model for power and performance prediction is used to guide the scaling of the core size and the operating voltage and frequency to maximize efficiency. Circuit considerations that further optimize the power efficiency of ElasticCore are also considered. Specifically, the efficiency of both off-chip and on-chip voltage regulators is analyzed for the heterogeneous architecture where the required load current changes dynamically at run-time. A distributed on-chip voltage regulator topology is proposed to accommodate the heterogeneous nature of the ElasticCore. The results indicate that ElasticCore on average achieves close to a 96% efficiency as compared to an architecture implementing the Oracle predictor where the application behavior is perfectly matched at run-time. Moreover, the proposed architecture is 30% more energy-efficient as compared to the BigLitte architecture.
Comment on the Lau Basin Cobb Mountain records by Abrahamsen and Sager

Abstract The Cobb Mountain Subchron is one of the few short polarity intervals for which transition records have been obtained both from a wide geographical distribution and from different types of paleomagnetic recorders. These records exhibit VGP paths that are remarkably similar. Given the wide geographic distribution of these sites, the similarity in VGP paths is most simply interpreted as the presence of very large scale, if not dipolar, symmetries in the transitional fields. Only the records from western California and the Lau Basin exhibit VGP paths that are markedly different from the others. New dates for the Punaruu lavas suggest that they recorded a new geomagnetic cryptochron rather than the Cobb Mountain [Singer, B.S., Hoffman, K.A., Chauvin, A., Coe, R.S., 1999. Dating transitionally magnetized lavas of the late Matuyama Chron: Toward a new 40 Ar / 39 Ar timescale of reversals and events. J. Geophys. Res. 104, 679–693]. This new age indicates a revised correlation of some of the other California records whose ages agree better with the Punaruu cryptochron. A re-examination of the Lau Basin records reveals that much of the difference between these and the other records results from a bias introduced when the paleomagnetic data were smoothed. Reanalysis of these records shows that the Lau Basin VGP paths are very similar to those obtained from western Pacific, and the North Atlantic.
Antiepileptic Drugs for the Treatment of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disruptive, chronic, and relatively common disorder that is often difficult to treat. Many patients with PTSD are unresponsive, have only moderate or marginal responses, or have troubling side effects to first-line serotonin reuptake inhibitor treatment. Studies suggest that antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) may be an effective treatment alternative or adjunctive treatment for the symptoms of PTSD. Recent results from case reports and open and controlled studies on the efficacy and tolerability of AEDs in PTSD are reviewed here, and their methodological limitations are discussed when relevant. AEDs shown to be effective in double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of PTSD include lamotrigine, topiramate, and tiagabine. Other AEDs that appear promising in open-label trials of PTSD include carbamazepine, valproate, gabapentin, vigabatrin, phenytoin, and levetiracetam. Stress-activated limbic kindling may be involved in the pathogenesis of PTSD. The possibility that AEDs may be effective in the treatment of PTSD due to their antikindling effect is discussed, and suggestions for future research are made.
Atomic Force Microscopy and X-ray Reflectivity Studies of Albumin Adsorbed onto Self-Assembled Monolayers of Hexadecyltrichlorosilane

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray reflectivity (XR) have been used together to provide a detailed and direct look at the structure of human serum albumin protein adsorbed onto well-characterized self-assembled monolayer (SAM) surfaces at several protein concentrations. The duration of SAM deposition was also varied to investigate the influence of the density of hydrocarbon chains in the SAM on protein binding tenacity. Concurrent study of adsorption to bare silicon wafers with native oxide surfaces provided a comparison with a hydrophilic surface similar to widely studied glass and quartz surfaces. Both AFM and XR measurements showed that after adsorption, rinsing, and drying, the surfaces of all substrates were covered with no more than a single layer of adsorbed protein. Thin dense protein layers were seen for the substrates exposed to protein concentrations of 0.1 and 0.5 mg/mL. Partial surface coverage by protein aggregates having larger thicknesses was seen for substrates exposed to lower conce...
An Approach for Investigating Adaptive Control Strategies to Improve Combustion Stability Under Dilute Operating Conditions

Dilute operation of internal combustion engines through lean fueling and/or high levels of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) is frequently employed to increase fuel efficiency, reduce NOx emissions, and promote enhanced combustion modes such as HCCI. The maximum level of dilution is limited by the development of combustion instabilities that produce unacceptable levels of cycle-to-cycle combustion variability. These combustion instabilities are frequently stimulated by the nonlinear feedback associated with the residual and recirculated exhaust gases exchanged between successive cycles. However, with the application of adaptive control, it is possible to limit the severity of the combustion variability and regain efficiency and emission reduction benefits that would otherwise be lost. In order to better characterize the benefits of adaptive control, we have employed a two-zone phenomenological combustion model to simulate the onset of combustion instabilities under dilute operating conditions and illustrate the impact of these instabilities on emissions and fuel efficiency. The two-zone in-cylinder combustion model is coupled to a WAVE engine-simulation code, allowing rapid simulation of several hundred successive engine cycles with many external engine parametric effects included. By applying adaptive feedback control to the WAVE model, we demonstrate how mitigation of the extreme combustion events can result in improved efficiency and reduced emissions levels. We expect that this approach can be used to estimate the potential benefits of implementing adaptive control strategies on specific engine platforms to achieve further efficiency and emission-reduction gains.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Memories of Mike

The article offers insights of various members of the Southern Communication Association on Michael Leff of the communication department at the University of Memphis. It notes that the 2010 convention of the association in Memphis, Tennessee was saddened of Leff. It says that during the convention, brief speeches were offered reflecting on Leff's professional and personal. Michael Osborn reveals that Leff was an accomplished scholar, an effective communication leader, and a consummate teacher.
The Surprising Nature of the Reaction Time Task

At one level, the scientific enterprise engaged in by Guy Van Orden was about how to analyze reaction time data. At another level it was an attempt to understand the kind of system that one is dealing with in a reaction time (RT) experiment—the system that accords with the instructions that the experimenter gives, produces the responses to the particular class of stimuli that the experimenter presents, at latencies that the experimenter measures and analyzes. That there can be any question about the essential nature of the system under study is perhaps surprising given the long and influential history of RT research and the relative simplicity and transparency of the RT task. In this brief note we hope to show that the question is deserved and that on close inspection the nature of the RT task is, indeed, surprising.