cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Probabilistic growth of complex fatigue crack shapes: Toward risk based inspection intervals for railroad tank cars

A model for probabilistic growth of complex fatigue crack shapes that will be used to perform sensitivity studies and to optimize inspection intervals for railroad tank cars is presented. In this model, crack growth is based on results from a deterministic crack growth analysis with additional terms to introduce stochastic behavior. The family of complex shapes that cracks grow through is parameterized by a single degree of freedom, which simplifies the probabilistic model. Comparisons between experimental and numerical results suggest that the probabilistic model is capable of representing realistic crack growth using reasonable crack growth parameters, which will enable the sensitivity and optimization studies for which the model is intended.
Highly stable carbon nanoparticles designed for downhole hydrocarbon detection

Sulfated polyvinyl alcohol functionalized carbon black, stable under high temperature and high salinity conditions, efficiently carries a hydrophobic compound through a variety of oil-field rock types and releases the compound when the rock contains hydrocarbons.
In vivo studies of [Me-3H]choline and [1,2-14C2]choline incorporation into lung and liver lecithins.

Abstract A comparison has been made of [Me-3H]choline and [1,2-14C2]choline incorporation in vivo into the lecithins and the sphingomyelin of lung and liver. The data obtained suggest that in liver, but not in lung, (a) there is significant reincoporation of choline methyl groups into arachidonoyllecithin; (b) there is choline incorporation into linoleoyllecithin not involving CDP-choline; (c) and a disproportionate amount of the choline incorporated into sphingomyelin is endogenously synthesized and not derived from the free choline pool.
Synthesis and electrochemical evaluation of an amorphous titanium dioxide derived from a solid state precursor

Abstract Titanium oxides are an important class of lithium–ion battery electrodes owing to their good capacity and stability within the cell environment. Although most Ti(IV) oxides are poor electronic conductors, new methods developed to synthesize nanometer scale primary particles have achieved the higher rate capability needed for modern commercial applications. In this report, the anionic water stable titanium oxalate anion [TiO(C 2 O 4 ) 2 ] 2− was isolated in high yield as the insoluble DABCO (1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane) salt. Powder X-ray diffraction studies show that the titanium dioxide material isolated after annealing in air is initially amorphous, converts to N-doped anatase above 400 °C, then to rutile above 600 °C. Electrochemical studies indicate that the amorphous titanium dioxide phase within a carbon matrix has a stable cycling capacity of ∼350 mAh g −1 . On crystallizing at 400 °C to a carbon-coated anatase the capacity drops to 210 mAh g −1 , and finally upon carbon burn-off to 50 mAh g −1 . Mixtures of the amorphous titanium dioxide and Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 showed a similar electrochemical profile and capacity to Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 but with the addition of a sloping region to the end of the discharge curve that could be advantageous for determining state-of-charge in systems using Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 .
Targeted disruption of the murine dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase gene (Dld) results in perigastrulation lethality

The Dld gene product, known as dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase or the E3 component, catalyzes the oxidation of dihydrolipoyl moieties of four mitochondrial multienzyme complexes: pyruvate dehydrogenase, α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, branched-chain α-ketoacid dehydrogenase, and the glycine cleavage system. Deficiency of E3 activity in humans results in various degrees of neurological dysfunction and organic acidosis caused by accumulation of branched-chain amino acids and lactic acid. In this study, we have introduced a null mutation into the murine Dld gene (Dldtm1mjp). The heterozygous animals are shown to have approximately half of wild-type activity levels for E3 and all affected multienzyme complexes but are phenotypically normal. In contrast, the Dld−/− class dies prenatally with apparent developmental delay at 7.5 days postcoitum followed by resorption by 9.5 days postcoitum. The Dld−/− embryos cease to develop at a time shortly after implantation into the uterine wall when most of the embryos have begun to gastrulate. This null phenotype provides in vivo evidence for the requirement of a mitochondrial oxidative pathway during the perigastrulation period. Furthermore, the early prenatal lethal condition of the complete deficiency state may explain the low incidence of detectable cases of E3 deficiency in humans.
Development of sodium regulation and de novo synthesis of Na+K-activated ATPase in larval brine shrimp, Artemia salina

The development of brine shrimp embryos, A. salina, incubated in media of increasing salinity is delayed as evidenced by decreased emergence and lengthening of the time for excystment. Prehydration of cysts at low temperature (3/sup 0/C) for four to ten hours in distilled water eliminates asynchrony of the population in regard to emergency and hatching times. Internal concentration glycerol, which controls the rate of hydration of the cyst stage, is markedly affected by external salinity. Water balance in the cyst stage is maintained via the trehalose-glycerol mechanism which generates a simple passive diffusional gradient across the chitinous shell allowing water to pass. Non-gaseous solutes, such as sodium and glycerol, do not pass through the chitin-membrane barrier. Rupturing the shell by emergence initiates the onset of the prenaupliar stage; it is accompanied by the appearance of large amounts of free glycerol in the external media, decreasing levels of internal glycerol, increased concentrations of internal sodium and the first detectable levels of the cationic transport enzyme, Na + K-ATPase. Continual loss of free glycerol through the cellular and hatching membranes causes the excysting embryo to convert from a trehalose-glycerol mechanism to a sodium-mediated transport system in order to maintain larval water balance.more » Ontogeny of the sodium regulating mechanism requires formation of Na + K-ATPase. The production of new Na + K-ATPase, as evidenced by incorporation of /sup 14/C-amino acids into polypeptide subunits and density-gradient centrifugation of radioactive membrane vesicles rich in Na + K-ATPase, may play an important role and, if so, it appears to be initiated between E-1 and E-2 stages.« less
Long-term treatment of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in children with cyclosporine given as a single daily dose

Cyclosporine (CsA) has been successfully used for treatment of children with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and nephrotic syndrome (NS) for the last decade. Response rates of 50% to 100% have been reported using twice-daily dosing of 5 to 32 mg/kg/d, achieving trough blood levels of 70 to 500 ng/mL. Treatment has been associated with a high incidence of side effects, including nephrotoxicity, hypertension, gingival hyperplasia, and hirsutism. To determine whether once-daily low-dose CsA could minimize side effects and still induce remission, 21 children with biopsy-proven FSGS and NS, each treated with CsA, 4.6 +/- 0.8 mg/kg/d, with no predetermined target trough blood levels, were studied. Eleven of 21 children (52%) attained complete remission and 5 of 21 children (24%) attained partial remission, for a total response rate of 76%. Mean time to response was 2.8 +/- 0.8 months, and mean duration of therapy was 20.6 +/- 13.7 months. CsA dosage was tapered or stopped in 9 responders; 3 of these patients maintained remission at last follow-up 6 to 13 months later, and 6 patients relapsed at 1.5 to 18.7 months (mean, 8.7 months). Five of these 6 patients responded again when CsA therapy was restarted or the dosage was increased. Twelve of 16 responders were still being administered CsA at last follow-up 11 to 60 months (mean, 24.6 months) later. Five of 21 patients (24%) had no response to CsA during 2 to 27 months of therapy; 4 of these 5 patients developed end-stage renal disease after CsA therapy was stopped. Side effects of CsA therapy were minimal: 1 patient each developed new-onset hypertension or gingival hyperplasia, and no patient had hirsutism or nephrotoxicity. Single daily low-dose CsA appears to be effective for long-term treatment of children with FSGS and NS, with fewer side effects than twice-daily dosing.
Wavefront control in space with MEMS deformable mirrors

United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Space Technology Research Fellowships OCT-NSTRF)
Novel electrocardiographic screening criterion for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in children.

Electrocardiography is often advocated as a screening tool in children for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HC). We sought to establish an electrocardiographic screening tool to identify children with HC. We hypothesized that a pediatric-specific electrocardiographic criterion would perform better than the popular criteria used for screening children for left ventricular hypertrophy and HC. The earliest available electrocardiogram for children (n = 108) with HC (ages 7 to 21 yrs) was reviewed. We sought to compare the diagnostic accuracy of 4 screening algorithms: (1) Sokolow-Lyon criterion (SV 1 + RV 5 /RV 6 >35 mm), (2) Cornell criterion (RaVL + SV 3 >28 mm in men, 20 mm in women), (3) total 12-lead voltage criterion (R wave to the nadir of Q/S wave >175 mm), and (4) pediatric-specific criterion (RaVL + SV 2 >23 mm). The same criteria were applied to a cohort of age-matched and gender-matched controls without cardiac disease. Statistically significant correlations were found between children with HC and positive screen using all 4 criteria. However, comparison of receiver operating characteristic demonstrated an area under the curve of 0.67 for Sokolow-Lyon criterion, 0.70 for Cornell criterion, 0.83 for total 12-lead criterion, and 0.82 for pediatric-specific criterion. Pediatric-specific criterion had superior sensitivity in gene-positive children and superior overall specificity than total 12-lead criterion. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that the pediatric-specific criterion employing leads RaVL + SV 2 is more accurate in identifying children with HC in comparison with other popular screening criteria.
CD8αα homodimer expression and role in CD8 T cell memory generation during influenza virus A infection in mice

While the precise function of CD8alphaalpha homodimer expression on peripheral T cells is uncertain, recent evidence indicates that it facilitates survival and differentiation of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV)-specific memory CD8alphabeta T cell precursors in vivo. Here, we show that the CD8alphaalpha homodimer is also transiently up-regulated on influenza A virus-specific CD8alphabeta T cells after infection in vivo, temporally correlating with increased levels of the memory T cell development- and survival-related molecules IL-7Ralpha and Bcl-2, respectively. Unlike with LCMV, however, deletion of the CD8alphaalpha enhancer I does not abrogate CD8alphaalpha homodimer expression or manifest a significant impact on the generation of virus-specific, functional effector and central memory T cells in influenza A virus infection. These results demonstrate that the role of CD8alphaalpha in the generation of antiviral CD8 T cell memory is complex, presumably because various viral stimuli differentially regulate CD8alphaalpha expression. Further studies are needed to define those ligands that induce CD8alphaalpha on T cells during acute viral infections, and the general relevance of this process to memory T cell formation.
THE COLON FLAP/EXTENSION MALONE ANTEGRADE CONTINENCE ENEMA: AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE MONTI-MALONE ANTEGRADE CONTINENCE ENEMA

ABSTRACT Purpose: In situations where the appendix is not available for the Malone antegrade continence enema (MACE) procedure a Yang-Monti channel or a colon flap conduit can be created. We report our experience with colonic flap conduits used for the MACE. Materials and Methods: A total of 169 MACE procedures were performed between February 1997 and March 2003. In 11 patients 12 colon flaps or cecal extensions were used to construct the MACE conduit. Diagnoses included myelomeningocele (8 patients), caudal regression (1), sacral agenesis (1) and gunshot wound (1). Mean age at creation of MACE was 11.3 years (range 4.4 to 16.9). Seven cecal flaps, 1 descending colon flap and 4 cecal extension flaps were created. Results: Average followup was 22.8 months (range 2.6 to 34.6). Indications for colon flap MACE were appendicovesicostomy (6 patients), short appendix (2), shortened mesentery (1), retrocecal appendix (1), prior appendectomy (1) and right hemicolectomy (1). Initially all patients easily catheterized and flushed the MACE once daily. All 11 patients achieved fecal continence. Complications occurred in 3 cases. One obese patient could not visualize the umbilical stoma and it stenosed, requiring conversion to a spiral Monti-MACE. One patient with a cecal extension had development of a false passage, resulting in complete channel stenosis. One patient had development of stomal leakage, which was successfully treated with dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer injection. Conclusions: A colon flap MACE conduit is a simple technique to provide access to the colon for irrigation. When faced with situations were the appendix is not available for the MACE procedure the colon flap can be a good option.
An adaptive NR filter for spectrum analysis

Abstract An adaptive non-recursive (NR) filter with application to spectrum analysis is presented. The adaptive nature is implemented with a weight adjustment algorithm (LMS) on the filter that performs a steepest descent minimization of mean square error. The difference between an “interference” or coherent representative of it and the raw signal under analysis via its spectral content is defined as the error. A priori knowledge of the disturbances consists of the spectral content of the disturbances without regard to amplitude or phase information. The algorithm is manifest with a digital arithmetic unit using high speed logic in a robust 512 weight digital filter fabricated with current integrated circuit technology. The experimental configuration is described along with improvements currently attainable with advancements in technology. Applications to spectrum analysis, whereby unknown disturbances degrade interpretation of spectrum signatures in bearing studies, acoustic phenomena, and sonar signal analysis, is described. Adaptive filter behavior with stationary as well as non-stationary input signals are presented. It is shown that for some narrowband as well as broadband disturbances the filter tracks and adaptively rejects disturbance in real-time so as to present uncluttered renditions of the spectrum signatures or spectrograms for analysis.
Using the crowd to understand and adapt user interfaces

Engineering user interfaces has long implied careful design carried out using formal methods applied by human experts and automated systems. While these methods have advantages, especially for creating interfaces that have the flexibility to adapt to users and situations, they can also be time consuming, expensive, and there are relatively few experts able to apply them effectively. In particular, many engineering methods require the construction of one or more models, each of which can only be created through many hours of work by an expert. In this keynote, I will explore how social and human computation methods can be applied to reduce the barriers to achieving user interface flexibility and ultimately to using engineering methods. In a first example, I will illustrate how groups of users can work together to modify and improve user interfaces through end-user programming examples from the CoScripter and Highlight projects. I will then discuss some initial work on using a crowd of novice workers to create models of existing user interfaces. I hope this keynote will inspire the engineering community to consider alternate approaches that creatively combine formal methods with the power of crowds.
Influence of Steric and Electronic Perturbations on the Polymerization Activities of α-Iminocarboxamide Nickel Complexes

A series of N,O-bound, neutral nickel complexes containing α-iminocarboxamide, η1-CH2Ph, and PMe3 ligands were synthesized to examine the effect of steric and electronic variations at the site adja...
Kindling of Life Stress in Bipolar Disorder: Comparison of Sensitization and Autonomy Models

Research on life stress in bipolar disorder largely fails to account for the possibility of a dynamic relationship between psychosocial stress and episode initiation. The kindling hypothesis (Post, 1992) states that over the course of recurrent affective disorders, there is a weakening temporal relationship between major life stress and episode initiation that could reflect either a progressive sensitization or progressive autonomy to life stress. The present study involved a comprehensive and precise examination of the kindling hypothesis in 102 participants with bipolar II disorder that allowed for a direct comparison of sensitization and autonomy models. Polarity-specific tests were conducted across the continuum of event severity with respect to impact and frequency of life events. Hypotheses were polarity- and event-valence specific and were based on the stress sensitization model. Results were only partially consistent with the sensitization model: Individuals with more prior mood episodes had an increased frequency of minor negative events before depression and of minor positive events before hypomania. However, the number of past episodes did not moderate relationships between life events and time until prospective onset of mood episodes. These results are more consistent with a sensitization than an autonomy model, but several predictions of the sensitization model were not supported. Methodological strengths, limitations, and implications are discussed regarding putative changes in stress reactivity that may occur with repeated exposure to mood episodes in bipolar II disorder.
MEASUREMENT AND EVALUATION OF INHOMOGENEITY CORRECTIONS AND MONITOR UNIT VERIFICATION FOR TREATMENT PLANNING

Heterogeneous lung and bone phantoms have been constructed for the purpose of testing monitor unit calculations at or near interfaces for different planning systems. Data have been acquired for 2 linear accelerators: a Varian 2300cd (6 and 25 MV) and an Elekta Synergy (6, 10, and 18 MV). We have reviewed Pinnacle and the correction-based, pre-AAA version of Eclipse planning systems with the intent of exploring the limits of these systems with energy and field size. Data were acquired from 2 x 2 to 10 x 10 cm(2) field sizes over the available range of energies. Our measurements confirm that Pinnacle predicts doses mostly to within +/- 5%, even near lung-tissue interfaces over the full range of energies and field sizes tested. The Eclipse-modified Batho and equivalent TMR algorithms overpredicted doses by 10% or more in the lung and near the lung-tissue interfaces if the field size was less than 10 x 10 cm(2) when the energy was 18 MV or higher. At lower energies, the field size had to be at least 6 x 6 cm(2) for calculated doses to be within 10% of measurement. For bone-tissue interfaces, doses were generally underestimated by 5% to 10% or more by all calculation methods over the range of field sizes and energies reviewed. A second goal of this study was to review methods for hand-checking monitor units when heterogeneities are included. We evaluated the range of applicability of 2, one-dimensional (1D) inhomogeneity correction factors: the effective attenuation method and the TMR ratio method. The effective attenuation method for monitor unit checking was within +/- 5% to as small as 6 x 6 cm(2) fields for 6 to 10 MV, usable for 4 x 4 cm(2) fields (within 7%) for 6 MV and close to +/- 5% for 10 x 10 cm(2) fields in the 18- to 25-MV range. The TMR ratio method was not as good, being within about +/- 5% to 7% of measurements only for 6 x 6 to 10 x 10 cm(2) fields at 6 MV and 10 x 10 cm(2) fields at the higher energies. Both simple 1D correction methods performed almost as well as Pinnacle for the bone-soft tissue cases. We recommend that if direct measurement of dose for heterogeneous treatment plans is not practiced, then one of these simple cross checks be performed to assure patient safety.
Objective number theory and the retract chain condition

Abstract In an extensive category satisfying a mild chain condition, the arithmetic of multiplication and addition (cartesian product and coproduct) of objects is shown to be very close to that of natural numbers. Examples of such categories abound, e.g. in algebraic geometry.
Differential effects of tissue processing on tetraploid neurons as compared with diploid neurons and glia.

Abstract Volumes of nucleus, nucleolus and cytoplasm of tetraploid neurons were compared with volumes of the same components in diploid neurons and glia in two types of histologic preparations of rat cerebellum. One preparation utilized rapid freezing of tissue and tissue processing including phase-microscopic examination without tissue thawing. The other preparation utilized ethanol-acetic acid fixation and paraffin embedding (routine tissue processing). Diploid glial and neuronal nuclei show shrink-age of about 50% with routine processing as compared with rapid freezing. The tetraploid Purkinje cell nuclei, however, show no shrinkage with routine tissue processing as compared with rapid freezing. It is concluded that volume measurements on nervous tissue are difficult to interpret in the face of this differential shrinkage of tissue elements. The possible biologic meaning of differential shrinkage of tetraploid as compared with diploid nuclei is discussed.
Evidence for structural relaxation in measurements of hydrogen diffusion in rf-sputtered boron-doped a-Si:H.

H diffusion in boron-doped rf-sputter-deposited hydrogenated amorphous Si (a-Si:H) was measured by secondary ion mass spectrometry profiles of deuterium in annealed a-Si:H/a-Si:(H,D)/a-Si:H multilayers. The exponent \ensuremath{\alpha}=0.7\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.1 of the diffusion constant D(t) =${\mathit{D}}_{00}$(\ensuremath{\omega}t${)}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\alpha}}}$ strongly decreases after annealing for \ensuremath{\sim}50 h at 180 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C and \ensuremath{\sim}35 h at 225 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C. It then increases to \ensuremath{\sim}0.8--1, i.e., the diffusion is nearly quenched, at longer annealing periods extending up to 1100 h. This behavior is believed to result from modifications in the microvoid system related to structural relaxation of the Si network.
The River-Refuge Hypothesis and Other Contributions of Márcio Ayres to Conservation Science

For more than a century, biogeographers have sought to explain the large number of species found in Amazonian forests. The role of rivers as barriers to dispersal was recognized early on and this was the first evolutionary hypothesis to explain Amazonian diversity. Most of the recent debate on speciation in the Amazon has focused on the role of Pleistocene refugia. The methods of refuge biogeography helped shape early conservation priorities in Amazonia, although actual plans did not directly depend on the conceptual strengths or weaknesses of refugia biogeography. These approaches viewed people mostly as threats, though not always explicitly. Based on his work on primate distribution, Marcio Ayres formulated a synthetic speciation theory, the river-refuge hypothesis. The river-refuge model successfully resolved some of the historical and technical challenges of the earlier hypotheses. His work in varzea conservation, informed by this conceptual breakthrough, recognized that the maintenance of processes is at least as important as species numbers in prioritizing action. The work of Marcio Ayres broadened the scope of conservation in Amazonia by moving beyond the model of people-as-threats, and this was as great a conceptual contribution to conservation as anyone could make.
An 85-kilodalton surface antigen gene family of Trypanosoma cruzi encodes polypeptides homologous to bacterial neuraminidases.

Abstract We have determined the sequence of a cDNA (Tt34cl) encoding a Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigote stage-specific 85-kDa surface glycoprotein (gp85). Within the peptide sequence of Tt34cl are two 8-amino acid motifs, Ser-X-Asp-X-Gly-X-Thr-Trp, that are characteristic of bacterial neuraminidases. Analysis of the Tt34cl sequence predicts the presence of an amino-terminal signal sequence and a hydrophobic carboxy-terminus that is probably replaced by a glycosyl phosphatidylinositol membrane anchor. Gp85 is encoded by an extensive multigene family that is distributed throughout the genome and can be divided into subsets on the basis of oligonucleotide hybridisation patterns. By sequencing products of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the 5′ end of trypomastigote gp85 mRNA we show that multiple copies of the gene family are transcribed simultaneously in a trypanosome population. Comparison of the sequence of the PCR clones and another gp85 cDNA showed a highly conserved region 5′ of the first methionine extending 180 nt into the coding sequence. Insertions and point mutations were observable outside these homologous sequences demonstrating the variant nature of the gp85 mRNAs.
Azo compounds for free radical crosslinking of polysiloxane stationary phases

There has been much effort spent in recent years developing the technology for free radical crosslinking of polysiloxane polymers to prepare capillary columns coated with thermally stable and nonextractable stationary phases. Organic peroxides have been used extensively as the free radical initiators for the in situ polymerization of the stationary phases. However, these peroxides adversely affect the phase polarity and column activity. Seven azo compounds were studied for crosslinking efficiency. Azo compounds can be used as free radical initiators to prepare nonextractable stationary phases without the adverse effects caused by peroxides.
Man's impact on shorelines and nearshore environments: a geomorphological perspective

Abstract Man evolved late in terms of geologic history, yet he has become a major geomorphologic agent despite his short tenure on Earth. His ability to alter the materials, processes and forms along the world's shorelines are manifested in a variety of ways. Beginning with the indirect changes that resulted from early agriculture and animal husbandry, he progressed to direct modification through reclamation and harbor construction. Today, in the name of shoreline stabilization, thousands of kilometers of natural shoreline have been modified by the addition of artificial structures.
Applications of prospect theory to political science

Prospect theory is an alternative theory of choice under conditions of risk, and deviates from expected utility theory by positing that people evaluate choices with respect to gains and losses from a reference point. They tend to overweight losses with respect to comparable gains and engage in risk-averse behavior with respect to gains and risk-acceptant behavior with respect to losses. They also respond to probabilities in a non-linear manner. I begin with an overview of prospect theory and some of the evidence upon which it is based, and then consider some of the implications of the theory for American politics, international relations, and the law. I end with a brief discussion of some of the conceptual and methodological problems confronting the application of prospect theory to the study of politics.
Glucocorticoid effects in vitro on ribonuclease-ribonuclease inhibitor systems

Glucocorticoid treatments of liver cytosol fractions in vitro reduced the activity of cytosol RNase inhibitor when tested against the alkaline RNases of liver microsomes and purified bovine pancreatic RNase. Preincubation of cytosol with dexamethasone and 9-α-fluoroprednisolone reduced inhibitor activity by about 50%; estradiol, progesterone and cortisone had no effect. Thymus cytosol also contains potent RNase inhibitor activity against the same alkaline RNases and has an additional factor, not present in liver cytosol, that stimulates acid RNase activity of liver, spleen and lung mitochondria and liver and thymus nuclei. Conditions which reduced inhibitor activity of liver cytosol, had no effect on alkaline RNase inhibitor activity or acid RNase stimulatory factor of thymus cytosol.
Optimal Guidance of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for Emitter Location

Abstract This paper provides a solution to guidance of multiple unmanned aerial vehicles that carry sensors for locating a detected emitter of radio frequency signals. Guidance in this paper refers to updating the state of each vehicle to the most desirable position and velocity, reachable within a given time for the location purpose. The vehicles can then be guided to the updated sensor states for further target data acquisition and processing. This process continues until the target is located within a specified accuracy. Both the guidance criterion and the vehicle state update procedure take the probability of vehicle loss into consideration. Vehicle state update is formulated and solved as an optimization problem. The enhanced location performance under the optimized guidance, and the sensor system tolerance to vehicle loss are shown for a four-sensor system through simulations.
Charge management for gravitational-wave observatories using UV LEDs

Accumulation of electrical charge on the end mirrors of gravitational-wave observatories can become a source of noise limiting the sensitivity of such detectors through electronic couplings to nearby surfaces. Torsion balances provide an ideal means for testing gravitational-wave technologies due to their high sensitivity to small forces. Our torsion pendulum apparatus consists of a movable plate brought near a plate pendulum suspended from a nonconducting quartz fiber. A UV LED located near the pendulum photoejects electrons from the surface, and a UV LED driven electron gun directs photoelectrons towards the pendulum surface. We have demonstrated both charging and discharging of the pendulum with equivalent charging rates of $\ensuremath{\sim}{10}^{5}e/\mathrm{s}$, as well as spectral measurements of the pendulum charge resulting in a white noise level equivalent to $3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{5}e/\sqrt{\mathrm{Hz}}$.
Ultrasound Imaging System Implementation and Ignition Protocol for the Microgravity Smoldering Combustion (MSC) Experiments

The Microgravity Smoldering Combustion (MSC) experiment is a study of the smolder characteristics of porous combustible materials in a microgravity environment. The objective of the study is to provide a better understanding of the controlling mechanisms of smolder, both in microgravity and normal earth gravity. Experiments have been conducted aboard the NASA Space Shuttle in the Get Away Special Canister (GAS-CAN), an apparatus requiring completely remote operation. Future GAS-CAN experiments will utilize an ultrasound imaging system (UIS) which has been incorporated into the MSC experimental apparatus. Thermocouples are currently used to measure temperature and reaction front velocities. A less intrusive method is desirable, however, as smolder is a very weak reaction and it has been found that heat transfer along the thermocouple is sufficient to affect the smolder reaction. It is expected that the UIS system will eventually replace the existing array of thermocouples as a non-intrusive technique without compromising data acquisition. The UIS measures line of sight permeability, providing information about the reaction front position and extent. Additionally, the ignition sequence of the MSC experiments has been optimized from previous experiments to provide longer periods of self-supported smolder. An ignition protocol of a fixed power to the igniter for a fixed time is now implemented. This, rather than a controlled temperature profile ignition protocol at the igniter surface, along with the UIS system, will allow for better study of the effect of gravity on a smolder reaction.
Segmentation of 3-D range images of small industrial-like objects using the histogram of the surface mean curvature

A procedure for the segmentation of 3-D range images of small industrial-like objects is presented. It is based on the idea that at segmentation boundaries, the surface mean curvatures are much higher than the mean curvatures of at least one of the regions which these boundaries separate. The segmentation boundaries arc such as folds or creases, ridge lines and the boundaries between planar and non-planar regions. The jump edges and the object(s) boundaries are obtained separately. The mean curvature at each surface point is calculated and the mean curvature histogram is obtained for the whole image, excluding the jump boundaries. From this histogram a coarse segmentation of the image is obtained. The segmentation boundaries may then be modified by examining the residuals of the fitting planes at each boundary point and its surrounding. Experimental results arc presented with comments.
FISH analysis helps identify low-level mosaicism in Ullrich-Turner syndrome patients.

Purpose: To search for X or Y chromosome mosaicism in 45,X individuals using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). Methods: From our series of 53 Ullrich-Turner syndrome patients, we used interphase FISH to evaluate the 19 who had an apparently nonmosaic 45,X karyotype with G-banding. Results: Of those 19 patients, mosaicism was detected in seven (37%), five patients had an XX line, one had a monocentric isochromosome X, and one had a dicentric isochromosome X. No Y chromosome mosaic was identified. Conclusion: FISH analysis is a sensitive and cost-effective adjunct to karyotype analysis to identify sex chromosome mosaicism in UTS.
Gain Optimization And Saturation Of The Xe III 109 Nm Auger Laser

We describe the construction and operation of a 109 nm, photoionization-pumped, single-pass laser in Xe III. The laser is pumped by soft x-rays emitted from a laser-produced plasma in a traveling-wave geometry. Using a 3.5 J, 300 psec , 1064 nm laser pump pulse, we measure a small-signal gain coefficient of 4.4 cm-1 and a total small signal gain of exp(40). The laser is fully saturated and produces an output energy of 20µJ in a beam with 10 mrad divergence.
Social confrontation "stress" in aggressive fish is associated with an endogenous opioid-mediated suppression of proliferative response to mitogens and nonspecific cytotoxicity.

We have previously shown that social confrontation between aggressive fish (e.g., Tilapia) produces a suppression of several immunological parameters--nonspecific cytotoxicity and mitogen-stimulated proliferation in pronephric leukocytes--in the subordinate fish. By using the opioid antagonist, naltrexone, we now demonstrate indirectly that this immunosuppression is in part mediated by the endogenous opioid system. Evidence is presented that naltrexone-mediated reversal of immunosuppression may be limited to the populations of the cytotoxic and T-cell lineages. The proliferation response to lipopolysaccharide is unaffected by naltrexone. Our data also demonstrate that serum from subordinate (immunosuppressed) fish is immunosuppressive in normal fish--an effect that can be reversed by naltrexone. These results support a link between the neuroendocrine and immune systems in fish, the lowest vertebrate.
Occurrence and Rates of Chemical Biodegradation in Superior Harbor Water

Abstract Microbial degradation of ten industrial chemicals was measured in coarse-filtered Superior harbor water using the standard biochemical oxygen demand technique. The first-order biodegradation rate constants of seven chemicals were between 0.023/day for hexadecane and 0.247/day for phenol. Similarly, chemical half-lives were between 3 days for phenol and 30 days for hexadecane. Chemicals including benzene, N-methylaniline, and naphthalene were not measurably degraded by the native aquatic microbes. All biodegradable chemicals were tested to assess the effect of a reduced level of suspended matter on their bio-oxidation rates. Chemicals were incubated in fine-filtered harbor water containing 2.5 mg/L suspended solids. The rate constants of several soluble chemicals increased by an average of 74% in this filtered water from those in the coarse-filtered water containing 5.6 mg/L particulate matter. Four selected chemicals with half-lives greater than 9 days were tested to evaluate the effect of added nutrients and acclimated microorganisms on their biodegradation rates. Chemicals were incubated in coarse-filtered harbor water amended with 1) a source of nitrogen and phosphorus and/or 2) adapted microbial seeds of wastewater origin. Biodegradation rates of all test chemicals were greater in the water enriched with both supplements than in other test systems.
Classes That Click: Fast, Rich Feedback to Enhance Student Learning and Satisfaction

Background Our goal is to improve student learning in foundation engineering courses. These courses are prerequisite to many higher-level courses and are comprised of critically needed concepts and skills. Purpose (Hypothesis) We hypothesize that learning is improved by providing rapid feedback to students on their understanding of key concepts and skills. Such feedback also provides students with insight into their strategies for learning. Design/Method In two consecutive years, we conducted this study in two sections of a lower-level engineering mechanics course, Statics. One author taught both sections and a crossover design of experiment was used. In a crossover design, one section was randomly chosen to receive feedback with handheld computers (the “treatment” group) while the other received the “control,” which was either a feedback system using flashcards (in year 1) or no feedback (year 2). After a certain period, the two sections swapped the treatment and control. Student performance on a quiz at the end of each treatment period provided the data for comparison using an analysis of variance model with covariates. Results Findings from year 1 showed that there was no significant difference using either rapid-feedback method. In year 2 we found a significant and positive effect when students received feedback. Conclusions This is a noteworthy finding, albeit within the constraints of the environment in which we conducted the study, that provides more evidence for the value of rapid feedback and the currently popular “clickers” that many professors are employing to promote classroom interaction and student engagement.
Algicidal effectiveness of Clearigate, Cutrine-Plus, and copper sulfate and margins of safety associated with their use.

Laboratory studies of algicide toxicity to algal species provide information to improve the efficacy and efficiency of copper-containing algicides in actual field situations. The objectives of this study were (1) to measure the influence of copper form, initial concentration, and duration of exposure on the response of Raphidocelis subcapitata, a planktonic freshwater green alga; (2) to determine the contact time required for these copper-containing algicides (Clearigate®, Cutrine®-Plus, and copper sulfate) and the target species to obtain control; (3) to measure the critical burden of the three algicides required to obtain control of R. subcapitata; (4) to measure the residence time of the copper applied as the algicides in the water column of three waters having different water characteristics (i.e., alkalinity, hardness, pH, and conductivity); and (5) to contrast exposures of copper (as algicides) required to control algae and the lower thresholds causing adverse effects on sensitive nontarget animal species. Algal control (EC100) was accomplished at 55.8, 117.5, and 187.5 μg Cu/L for CuSO4, Cutrine-Plus and Clearigate with a contact time of 3 days in all cases. The critical burdens of copper (concentration sorbed by the algae) were 4.2, 7.3, and 7.9 μg Cu/mg algae (dry weight) for CuSO4, Cutrine-Plus, and Clearigate, respectively. Because algicide toxicity generally decreases as cell density increases, the density of cells in algal blooms may hamper algicide effectiveness even at maximum label application rates. Determinations of critical burdens for algicides and target algal species provide necessary information to forecast the performance of algicide applications in field situations. The margin of safety (i.e., the difference between the concentration where control of algae was obtained and the lower threshold concentration causing adverse effects on nontarget species) was greatest for Cutrine-Plus. However, the margins of safety are minimal (< 0, 12.5, and 82.5 μg Cu/L for Ceriodaphnia dubia exposed to CuSO4, Clearigate, and Cutrine-Plus, respectively) when they are applied according to their labels.
Audience Adaptation in Children's Persuasive Letters

Nine-year-old children wrote persuasive letters to two individuals. In the first part of the study, the letters were analyzed to determine the extent to which subjects adapted them by including context-creating statements, descriptive information, and persuasive appeals. In general, these letters were well adapted to the audiences' needs and characteristics. In the second part of the study, subjects participated in an oral task which provided an index of their competence in listener-adapted communication. This competence was significantly correlated with subjects' use of appeals tailored to characteristics of the two audiences.
Detectable BRAF mutation in serum DNA samples from patients with papillary thyroid carcinomas

Background. An activating point mutation of the BRAF oncogene results in a V600E amino acid missense muta- tion found in a majority of papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC). Methods. In this study, 28 matched tumor and serum sam- ples obtained from patients with both benign and malignant thyroid disorders were analyzed for BRAF mutation using a gap-ligase chain reaction technique. Results. The BRAF mutation was absent in tumor DNA samples obtained from patients with benign adenomas, follicu- lar neoplasms or carcinoma, and thyroid lymphoma. In con- trast, 5 of 14 PTC tumors were positive for the BRAF mutation. Moreover, 3 of 14 patients with PTC were positive for BRAF mutation in serum and tumor. Of these 3 patients, 2 had lymph node metastasis and 2 had PTC in background of the Hashi- moto's thyroiditis. Conclusions. The detection of free circulating mutant BRAF in patients with PTC is possible and future studies are war- ranted to determine its clinical significance. V V C 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 32: 229-234, 2010
Isothermal Oxidation of Physical Vapor-Deposited Partially-Stabilized Zirconia Thermal Barrier Coatings

Thermal barrier coatings (TBCs), consisting of physical vapor deposited (PVD) partially stabilized zirconia (PSZ, 8 wt.%Y2O3) and a diffusion aluminide bond coat, were characterized as a function of time after oxidative isothermal heat treatment at 1373 K in air. The experimental characterizations was conducted by X-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive spectroscopy. During cooling to room temperature, spallation of the PSZ ceramic coatings occurred after 200 and 350 h of isothermal heat treatment. This failure was always sudden and violent, with the TBC popping from the substrate. The monoclinic phase of zirconia was first observed on the bottom surface of the PVD PSZ after 200 h of isothermal heat treatment. The failure of TBCs occurred either in the bond coat oxidation products of αAl2O3 and rutile TiO2 or at the interface between the oxidation products and the diffusion aluminide bond coat or the PSZ coating.
Heterogeneity of coronary blood flow in human coronary artery disease and experimental myocardial infarction.

Abstract Although abnormalities of coronary flow are no doubt importantly related to mechanisms producing sudden death in myocardial infarction, the evaluation of coronary flow in the presence of coronary artery disease is difficult. Ideally one desires an accurate measurement of average flow and a quantitative assessment of the manner in which flow is distributed within the heart. Average coronary flow has been reported to be the same in individuals with and without coronary artery disease. Possible explanations for the lack of a discrepancy include arteriolar dilatation sufficient to maintain normal flow at rest, reductions in volume of areas of low flow and wide variations of flow within individual groups. An equally plausible alternative is that reported measurements of flow in coronary disease are incorrectly high because of limitations of conventional methods for assessing heterogeneous flow. When employing inert gas technics, methods of test gas delivery and blood gas analysis must be adequate for areas of below average flow. When appropriate methods are utilized, areas of below average flow appear to be demonstrable in human coronary artery disease and experimental myocardial infarction. The inclusion of these areas alters the calculation of average flow significantly. Areas of below average flow may be uniquely important in the clinical manifestations of coronary artery disease.
Strategy for extracting DNA from clay soil and detecting a specific target sequence via selective enrichment and real-time (quantitative) PCR amplification

We present a simple strategy for isolating and accurately enumerating target DNA from high-clay-content soils: desorption with buffers, an optional magnetic capture hybridization step, and quantitation via real-time PCR. With the developed technique, μg quantities of DNA were extracted from mg samples of pure kaolinite and a field clay soil.
Design of a MATLAB-based system to aid in the identification and evaluation of breast lesions in mammograms

The purpose of this project is to design and build a MATLAB-based system to aid in the identification and evaluation of breast lesions in mammograms. A graphical user interface will be created using MATLAB and will require user interaction to crop and enhance the mammography images as the user identifies and evaluates a lesion's need for further clinical evaluation. The program will allow a user to choose amongst various options to identify and evaluate a lesion based on its properties. Once the lesion's characteristics are known, the program will output a recommended course of action. To validate that the program is working correctly, test cases have been designed to test all possible combinations of user input. The validation will include mammography images from the McGill University database and from Mercy Medical Center in Springfield, MA. This system could potentially be used as a teaching tool for evaluating mammograms within the Biomedical Engineering Department's medical imaging courses at Western New England College.
Integration Challenges of Nanoporous Low Dielectric Constant Materials

The reliable integration of nanoporous low dielectric constant (k) materials is challenging due to their vulnerability to delamination, cohesive cracking, and diffusion. We review selected reliability issues for the integration of nanoporous low-k dielectrics regarding UV curing, diffusion, and damage evolution. Depth-dependent UV curing by the UV standing wave effect is presented. It is demonstrated that significant enhancement in fracture energies at both interfaces of low-k films can be obtained by tailoring UV curing depth profiles and employing the underlying barrier as an optical spacer. The effects of nonionic surfactants on diffusion and damage evolution in nanoporous low-k films are discussed.