cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Soil pH and phosphatase activity

Abstract Approximately twenty years before this study, a site that consisted of a mixed oak forest was harvested, cleared, and divided into three treatment areas consisting of approximately 20 acres each. The three areas were planted to oak (forest), grass (grassland) and corn (agricultural) respectively. The influence of pH on the rate of phosphatase activity was determined over a broad range of soil pH in soil sampled from each treatment area. Phosphomonoesterase activities were measured at a pH of 2 through 12 and phosphodiesterase activities determined at a pH of 4 through 12. In the forest soil only a acid phosphomonoesterase was detected whose pH optima was maximal at the measured soil pH of 4.9. A neutral phosphomonoesterase was found in the grassland soil, pH 6.6, with a broad pH optima ranging from 4.6 to 7.0, while the detection of an acid phosphatase and a alkaline phosphatase, with a pH optima of 4.8 and 11.0 respectively, was found associated with the agriculture soil with a measured pH of 7....
The Interaction between Line Force Arrays and Planar Cracks.

Abstract The utility of line force fields in computer simulations of lattice defects is discussed. These fields are shown to provide a facile method for introducing realistic flexible boundary conditions on simulated atomic crystallites. The pertinent elastic fields for line force arrays lying parallel to the tip of a planar crack are presented.
Post-Translational Modification (PTM) Proteomics: Challenges and Perspectives

Copyright: © 2013 Darie CC. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. The genetic revolution ushered in comprehensive understanding of genes; however, proteins are the major gene products. As the effectors of biological products, proteins warrant increased study and attention and thus, a proteomic evolution has begun.
Chandra Observation of A2256: A Cluster at the Early Stage of Merging

We present Chandra observations of the rich cluster of galaxies A2256. In addition to the known cool subcluster, a new structure (we call it the "shoulder" in this paper, based on its morphology) was resolved 2' east of the peak of the main cluster. It is shown as a localized feature embedded in the main cluster. Its position is roughly at the center of a low-brightness radio relic. Spectral analysis shows that the shoulder has a high iron abundance, ~1 (after the decomposition). The gas mass within it is around 2 × 1011 M☉. We suggest that this structure is either another merging component or an internal structure of the main cluster. The previously known subcluster has a low temperature (~4.5 keV) and high iron abundance (~0.6) in the central 150 kpc. The main cluster has a temperature of 7-8 keV and an iron abundance of 0.2-0.3 around the center. The Chandra image shows a relatively sharp brightness gradient at the south of the subcluster peak running south-southeast. A temperature jump was found across the edge, with lower temperature inside the subcluster. This phenomenon is qualitatively similar to the "cold fronts" found in A2142 and A3667. While a simple interpretation is not possible because of the projection, the edge indicates relative motion and contact of the two gas clouds. The Chandra temperature map shows only moderate temperature variations across the cluster, but not as strong as those expected in a major merger. If the shoulder is ignored, the temperature map resembles simulations at the early stage of merging while the subcluster approached the main cluster from somewhere west. The observed temperature map and the edgelike feature near the south of the subcluster imply that the ongoing merger is still at the early stage. The X-ray redshifts of several regions were measured. The results are consistent with a single value and all agree with the optical value. At least three member galaxies, including a radio head-tail galaxy, were found to have corresponding X-ray emission, with X-ray luminosity from several times 1040 to 1041 ergs s-1. We find that the observed characteristics (temperature and iron abundance gradient) of the subcluster are similar to those of some poor clusters. The absence of galaxies around the peak of the subcluster is proposed to be the result of different falling velocities of the galaxies and the core gas.
Suppression of local allergic reactions with hydrocortisone

Abstract In the hyposensitization of patients with allergic contact dermatitis to Rhus plants (poison ivy), the incorporation of 25 mg. of hydrocortisone prevents or ameliorates the occasional adverse local reactions which follow intra-muscular injection of the poison ivy allergen.
A Fringe-modified Notch signal affects specification of mesoderm and endoderm in the sea urchin embryo

Fringe proteins are O-fucose-specific beta-1,3 N-acetylglucosaminyltransferases that glycosylate the extracellular EGF repeats of Notch and enable Notch to be activated by the ligand Delta. In the sea urchin, signaling between Delta and Notch is known to be necessary for specification of secondary mesenchyme cells (SMCs). The Lytechinus variegatus Fringe homologue is expressed in both the signaling and receiving cells during this first Delta-Notch signal. Perturbation of Fringe expression through morpholino antisense oligonucleotide (MO) injection results in fewer SMCs but also causes decreased and delayed archenteron invagination. Partial endoderm specification occurs but expression of some endoderm genes is compromised. The data are consistent with a Fringe-requiring Notch signal as one upstream component of archenteron morphogenesis. Finally, Fringe perturbations result in more severe phenotypes than those previously reported for Notch dominant-negative (LvN(neg)) injections or reported here for Notch MO (NMO) injections. Injecting a combination of LvN(neg) and NMO results in a more severe phenotype than either treatment alone, and this combination phenocopies the fringe MO embryos. Taken together, the results show that Fringe is necessary both for maternal and zygotic Notch signals, and these Notch signals affect specification of mesoderm and endoderm.
Defunctionalization of Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes

Soluble samples of single-wall and multiple-wall carbon nanotubes that are functionalized by lipophilic and hydrophilic dendra can be defunctionalized in homogeneous solutions under base- and acid-catalyzed hydrolysis reaction conditions. The results provide strong evidence for the ester linkages in the functionalization of carbon nanotubes.
Balloon tracheal occlusion for congenital diaphragmatic hernia: experimental studies.

Abstract Purpose: Temporary tracheal occlusion is an effective strategy to enlarge fetal lungs, but the optimal technique to accomplish occlusion is unknown. External clips are effective when applied fetoscopically (Fetendo clip), but require a difficult fetal neck dissection. This study was undertaken to assess the feasibility of intratracheal balloon occlusion, revisiting the internal occlusion strategy. Methods: (1) The internal diameter (ID) of human fetal trachea (53 fetuses; 14 to 41 weeks' gestation) was compared using a computer-assisted image analyzer and sonography, ex vivo. (2) Volume to diameter relationship of the balloon (balloon configuration curve) was defined using an image analyzing computer. (3) Using the trachea of fetal sheep, pressures that break balloon tracheal seal (seal pressure) were investigated. Results: (1) Between 16 and 41 weeks' gestation, tracheal ID (range, 0.7 to 5.4 mm) correlates significantly with gestational age. (2) Balloon volume required to achieve tracheal seal could be determined based on the tracheal growth curve and the balloon configuration curve. (3) Tracheal seal breaking points varied depending on the tracheal specimen tested. Conclusion: Internal tracheal occlusion using a balloon is feasible with minimal tracheal damage if the balloon volume is adjusted to fetal tracheal growth. J Pediatr Surg 35:1566-1570. Copyright © 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company.
Fission-fragment nuclear lasing of Ar(He)-Xe

Nuclear-pumped lasing of Ar-Xe and He-Xe has been demonstrated using (U-235)F6 fission-fragment excitation. Fission fragments were created by absorption of thermal neutrons in a combination of gaseous (U-235)F6 and laser-tube wall coatings formed from UF6 chemical reaction products. At a pressure of 600 torr Ar-(3%)Xe, lasing occurred at 2.65 microns in Xe. Up to 3 torr of gaseous (U-235)F6 was added to 600 torr Ar-Xe before serious laser quenching occurred. With 3 torr of (U-235)F6 added, 38% of the energy deposition came from gaseous UF6 and the remainder from the uranium wall coating. The neutron flux at lasing threshold was found to be 4 x 10 to the 15th n/sq cm sec.
B-type natriuretic peptide as a marker for heart failure in patients with acute stroke.

To determine whether serum N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (N-BNP), a biomarker of myocardial wall stress, is specific to acute heart failure (HF) in patients hospitalized with stroke. Case-control study. Tertiary hospital, Neurosciences Critical Care Unit and Stroke Unit. Consecutive patients with acute ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke who were evaluated for HF. None. Cases and controls were classified, respectively, as patients with or without HF, defined according to modified Framingham criteria. Seventy-two patients were evaluated, 39 with ischemic stroke, 22 with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and 11 with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Thirty-four patients (47%) met criteria for HF, and 47 patients (65%) had systolic or diastolic left ventricular (LV) dysfunction on echocardiogram. Serum N-BNP was measured a median of 48 h following the onset of stroke and was increased (> 900 pg/ml) in 56 patients (78%), with higher levels in non-survivors (11898 ± 12741 vs 4073 ± 5691; p = 0.001). In a multiple regression model, N-BNP elevation was not independently associated with HF (OR 5.4, 95% CI 0.8–36.0, p = 0.084). At a cut-off of 900 pg/ml, the sensitivity of N-BNP for HF was 94%, specificity 37%, positive predictive value (PPV) 57%, and negative predictive value (NPV) 88%. For systolic or diastolic LV dysfunction, the sensitivity of N-BNP was 89%, specificity 44%, PPV 75%, and NPV 69%. These results demonstrate that N-BNP elevation is not specific to HF or LV dysfunction in patients with acute ischemic stroke, SAH, and ICH.
The process of infection with bacteriophage φX174: XXXIX. The structure of a DNA form with restricted binding of intercalating dyes observed during synthesis of φX single-stranded DNA

A DNA form with restricted binding of intercalating dyes (propidium iodide or ethidium bromide) has been found in bacteriophage φX-infected cells during the period of single-stranded DNA synthesis. In the electron microscope, this DNA form is seen to be a double-stranded DNA ring with two single-stranded DNA tails protruding from the same portion of the ring; it is composed of a linear φX DNA strand, longer than one φX genome, and a single-stranded ring complementary to φX DNA. Base-pairing of these two tails in partially complementary regions restricts unwinding of the double-stranded DNA ring and consequently intercalation and binding of the dyes. It is postulated that these molecules originate from a previously reported precursor of φX DNA, namely a double-stranded ring with a single-stranded tail, by branch migration.
Meta-control of an interacting-particle algorithm for global optimization

Abstract A common issue for stochastic global optimization algorithms is how to set the parameters of the sampling distribution (e.g. temperature, mutation/cross-over rates, selection rate, etc.) so that the samplings converge to the optimum effectively and efficiently. We consider an interacting-particle algorithm and develop a meta-control methodology which analytically guides the inverse temperature parameter of the algorithm to achieve desired performance characteristics (e.g. quality of the final outcome, algorithm running time, etc.). The main aspect of our meta-control methodology is to formulate an optimal control problem where the fractional change in the inverse temperature parameter is the control variable. The objectives of the optimal control problem are set according to the desired behavior of the interacting-particle algorithm. The control problem considers particles’ average behavior, rather than treating the behavior of individual particles. The solution to the control problem provides feedback on the inverse temperature parameter of the algorithm.
Number theoretic consequences on the parameters of a symmetric design

Abstract Number theoretic results are used to prove that there exists only a finite number of k, for a given λ, satisfying the equation k(k−1)=λ(ν−1), when ν is of a special form.
Parametric analysis of CO2 geologic sequestration in closed volumes

geologic sequestration has been recognized as a potential greenhouse gas mitigation strategy. Regional geologic storage in deep saline formations will likely involve the injection of to 100 million metric tons (11 to 110 million tons) of per year using a network of to 50 wells over an area covering sq. miles (). Some of the wells will be injecting into closed volumes because of symmetry, thus providing the bounding case in terms of pressurization and brine efflux. This study describes a parametric analysis of the problem using characteristics typical of the Arches Province in the United States Midwest where Paleozoic rocks form broad arch and platform structures. Two-dimensional radial-cylindrical models developed with the numerical simulator STOMP (Subsurface Transport Over Multiple Phases) are utilized to investigate the impact of well spacing, injection depth, and reservoir characteristics of the injection zone (Mount Simon) and cap rock (Eau Claire) on system performance. Multiple linear regression analysis is then used to develop correlation equations between these design variables and performance metrics, such as cumulative -mass injected and -plume extent. The correlations are tested on new synthetic test sites, and are found to predict the performance metrics quite accurately. These results serve as a proxy simulator to quickly evaluate various design options, instead of having to run time-consuming numerical simulations, and can therefore be applied for developing optimal injection strategies for regional storage in the Arches Province.
Genome-wide tissue-specific farnesoid X receptor binding in mouse liver and intestine.

Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is a bile acid-activated transcription factor belonging to the nuclear receptor superfamily. FXR is highly expressed in liver and intestine and crosstalk mediated by FXR in these two organs is critical in maintaining bile acid homeostasis. FXR deficiency has been implicated in many liver and intestine diseases. However, regulation of transcription by FXR at the genomic level is not known. This study analyzed genome-wide FXR binding in liver and intestine of mice treated with a synthetic FXR ligand (GW4064) by chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled to massively parallel sequencing (ChIP-seq). The results showed a large degree of tissue-specific FXR binding, with only 11% of total sites shared between liver and intestine. The sites were widely distributed between intergenic, upstream, intragenic, and downstream of genes, with novel sites identified within even known FXR target genes. Motif analysis revealed a half nuclear receptor binding site, normally bound by a few orphan nuclear receptors, adjacent to the FXR response elements, indicating possible involvement of some orphan nuclear receptors in modulating FXR function. Furthermore, pathway analysis indicated that FXR may be extensively involved in multiple cellular metabolic pathways. Conclusion: This study reports genome-wide FXR binding in vivo and the results clearly demonstrate tissue-specific FXR/gene interaction. In addition, FXR may be involved in regulating broader biological pathways in maintaining hepatic and intestinal homeostasis. (HEPATOLOGY 2010.)
Background Extraction and Vehicle Detection Method Based on Histogram in YCbCr Color Space

In computer vision-based Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), one of the key techniques is to detect the vehicles accurately. In this paper, we propose a background extraction and vehicle detection method based on histogram in YCbCr color space. By using YCbCr color space, the influence of illumination change and shadows is reduced. To solve the problem with change in background itself, we propose a background update method by using the pixel change count and histogram. Experiment results show that the proposed algorithm can effectively extract and update the background information in complicated urban traffic environment. It also improves the accuracy of vehicle detection.
Effects of dopamine D(1-like) and D(2-like) agonists on cocaine self-administration in rhesus monkeys: rapid assessment of cocaine dose-effect functions.

Rationale: The reinforcing effects of cocaine have been most compellingly related to its action as an indirect dopamine agonist. Although it is generally believed that both D1-like and D2-like receptor mechanisms may be involved, recent studies suggest that D1-like and D2-like agonists have differing profiles of cocaine-related actions. Objective: To develop a procedure for rapid assessment of complete dose–effect functions for cocaine self-administration in rhesus monkeys and to compare the effects of D1-like and D2-like agonists on cocaine self-administration using this procedure. Methods: Responding was maintained by various doses of cocaine or by food under a multiple-component schedule [fixed ratio (FR) 30; time out period (TO) 10 s] in 2-h sessions. After responding stabilized, the effects of pretreatment with D1-like and D2-like agonists (administered i.m., 10 min or 30 min prior to the session) were assessed. Results: Complete inverted U-shaped dose–effect functions for cocaine self-administration were obtained in all five rhesus monkeys trained with the rapid assessment procedure. Both the position and shape of the cocaine dose– effect function remained stable in repeated assessments, and levels of responding were controlled by the unit dose of cocaine rather than by other variables (e.g., infusion duration and volume) that were used to vary the cocaine dose. Pretreatment with the D1-like agonists SKF 82958 (0.32–1.8 mg/kg) and R-6-Br-APB (0.1–1.0 mg/kg) produced downward shifts in the cocaine dose–effect function at doses that also markedly decreased food-maintained responding. In contrast, pretreatment with the D2-like agonists quinelorane (0.001–0.01 mg/kg) and 7-OH-DPAT (0.01–0.10 mg/kg) shifted the cocaine dose–effect function to the left. D2-like agonists also increased responding maintained by the cocaine-associated cue lights alone, and moderately decreased food-maintained responding. Conclusions: The results suggest that D1-like and D2-like agonists produce qualitatively different effects on cocaine self-administration that may influence their usefulness for the treatment of cocaine abuse and dependence.
Pericardial Disease: Diagnosis and Management

Pericardial diseases can present clinically as acute pericarditis, pericardial effusion, cardiac tamponade, and constrictive pericarditis. Patients can subsequently develop chronic or recurrent pericarditis. Structural abnormalities including congenitally absent pericardium and pericardial cysts are usually asymptomatic and are uncommon. Clinicians are often faced with several diagnostic and management questions relating to the various pericardial syndromes: What are the diagnostic criteria for the vast array of pericardial diseases? Which diagnostic tools should be used? Who requires hospitalization and who can be treated as an outpatient? Which medical management strategies have the best evidence base? When should corticosteroids be used? When should surgical pericardiectomy be considered? To identify relevant literature, we searched PubMed and MEDLINE using the keywords diagnosis, treatment, management, acute pericarditis, relapsing or recurrent pericarditis, pericardial effusion, cardiac tamponade, constrictive pericarditis, and restrictive cardiomyopathy. Studies were selected on the basis of clinical relevance and the impact on clinical practice. This review represents the currently available evidence and the experiences from the pericardial clinic at our institution to help guide the clinician in answering difficult diagnostic and management questions on pericardial diseases.
Response of Bonded Membrane Retrofit Concrete Masonry Walls to Dynamic Pressure

This paper describes the development of analytical models used to predict the response of bonded membrane retrofit concrete masonry walls subjected to out-of-plane impulse pressure loads. Full scale tests have shown significant improvement in the resistance of unreinforced concrete masonry walls retrofitted by membrane materials. The majority of the membrane retrofit concrete masonry walls survived compared to their unretrofitted counterparts that collapsed. Polymer membrane retrofit materials may be sprayed on, trowled on, or attached with adhesives to the tension face of the wall. Other membrane materials such as thin steel or aluminum sheets may be attached to the tension face of the wall using expansion screws or other structurally sound methods. Resistance functions previously presented by the writers for membrane retrofit concrete masonry walls are used in the development of the response. Single-degree-of-freedom equations are developed to predict the response of these walls to impulse pressure and the results of the analysis are compared with available full-scale tests.
Energy-Constrained Link Adaptation for MIMO OFDM Wireless Communication Systems

We present a link adaptation strategy for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) based wireless communications. Our objective is to choose the optimal mode that will maximize energy efficiency or data throughput subject to a given quality of service (QoS) constraint. We formulate the link adaptation problem as a convex optimization problem and expand the set of parameters under the control of the link adaptation protocol to include: number of spatial streams, number of transmit/receive antennas, use of spatial multiplexing or space time block coding (STBC), constellation size, bandwidth, transmit power and choice of maximum likelihood (ML) or zero-forcing (ZF) for MIMO decoding. Additionally, we increase the fidelity of the energy consumption modeling relative to the prior art. The resulting solution allows us to easily and quickly search the space of possible system parameters to deliver on the QoS with minimal energy consumption. Moreover, it provides us insight into where crossovers occur in the choice of the radio parameters. Application of the results to a generic MIMO-OFDM radio shows that the proposed strategy can provide an order of magnitude improvement in energy efficiency or data throughput relative to a static strategy.
Parametric reconstruction of internal building structures via canonical scattering mechanisms

In this paper, we describe a model-based, non-linear reconstruction method for mapping internal building structures using through-wall radar data. We based the model on canonical geometry constructs that are commonly used in construction practices. These constructs are then formulated as sets of simple scattering mechanisms, which can be estimated from the data. Our non-linear approach employs an iterative, conditional estimation method as a function of the intervening structures between the sensor and the object under consideration. Specific associations of scattering mechanisms are then used to re-create various building structures such as walls, doors, stairs, etc. We discuss some examples of estimating specific scattering mechanisms and a model-based reasoning approach for assembling them to reconstruct the interior structure of a building.
Drug Dependence Treatment within the Department of Veterans Affairs: Emerging Issues

The Department of Veterans Affairs is the largest provider of drug dependence treatment services in the United States. However, a national evaluation of primarily drug-dependent veterans has never been reported. Findings from the Drug Abuse Treatment Services Evaluation Project, a three-year investigation of drug dependence treatment within the Department of Veterans Affairs, are discussed. Demographic and diagnostic data are presented for the population of 46,047 inpatients discharged with drug dependence diagnoses in Fiscal Year 1991. Patient subtypes and clinical issues of growing relevance to the treatment of drug-dependent veterans are discussed.
A Bayesian method for analysing spotted microarray data

In the decade since their invention, spotted microarrays have been undergoing technical advances that have increased the utility, scope and precision of their ability to measure gene expression. At the same time, more researchers are taking advantage of the fundamentally quantitative nature of these tools with refined experimental designs and sophisticated statistical analyses. These new approaches utilise the power of microarrays to estimate differences in gene expression levels, rather than just categorising genes as up- or downregulated, and allow the comparison of expression data across multiple samples. In this review, some of the technical aspects of spotted microarrays that can affect statistical inference are highlighted, and a discussion is provided of how several methods for estimating gene expression level across multiple samples deal with these challenges. The focus is on a Bayesian analysis method, BAGEL, which is easy to implement and produces easily interpreted results.
Extending the method of mathematically controlled comparison to include numerical comparisons.

Motivation: The method of mathematically controlled comparison has been used for some time to determine which of two alternative regulatory designs is better according to specific quantitative criteria for functional effectiveness. In some cases, the results obtained using this technique are general and independent of parameter values and the answers are clear-cut. In others, the result might be general, but the demonstration is difficult and numerical results with specific parameter values can help to clarify the situation. In either case, numerical results with specific parameter values can also provide an answer to the question of how much larger the values might be. In contrast, a more ambiguous result is obtained when either of the alternatives can have the larger value for a given systemic property, depending on the specific values of the parameters. In any case, introduction of specific values for the parameters reduces the generality of the results. Therefore, we have been motivated to develop and apply statistical methods that would permit the use of numerical values for the parameters and yet retain some of the generality that makes mathematically controlled comparison so attractive. Results: We illustrate this new numerical method in a step-by-step application using a very simple didactic example. We also validate the results by comparison with the corresponding results obtained using the previously developed analytical method. The analytical approach is briefly present for reference purposes, since some of the same key concepts are needed to understand the numerical method and the results are needed for comparison. The numerical method confirms the qualitative differences between the systemic behavior of alternative designs obtained from the analytical method. In addition, the numerical method allows for quantification of the differences and it provides results that are general in a statistical sense. For example, the older analytical method showed that overall feedback inhibition in an unbranched pathway makes the system more robust whereas it decreases the stability margin of the steady state. The numerical method shows that the magnitudes of these differences are not comparable. The differences in stability margins (1-2% on average) are small when compared to the differences in robustness (50-100% on average). Furthermore, the numerical method shows that the system with overall feedback responds more quickly to change than the otherwise equivalent system without overall feedback. These results suggest reasons why overall feedback inhibition is such a prevalent regulatory pattern in unbranched biosynthetic pathways.
Modules with the summand intersection property

(1986). Modules with the summand intersection property. Communications in Algebra: Vol. 14, No. 1, pp. 21-38.
Matérn-based nonstationary cross-covariance models for global processes

Abstract Many spatial processes in environmental applications, such as climate variables and climate model errors on a global scale, exhibit complex nonstationary dependence structure, in not only their marginal covariance but also their cross-covariance. Flexible cross-covariance models for processes on a global scale are critical for an accurate description of each spatial process as well as the cross-dependences between them and also for improved predictions. We propose various ways to produce cross-covariance models, based on the Matern covariance model class, that are suitable for describing prominent nonstationary characteristics of the global processes. In particular, we seek nonstationary versions of Matern covariance models whose smoothness parameters vary over space, coupled with a differential operators approach for modeling large-scale nonstationarity. We compare their performance to the performance of some existing models in terms of the aic and spatial predictions in two applications: joint modeling of surface temperature and precipitation, and joint modeling of errors in climate model ensembles.
Diminishing Utility The Effect on Citizen Preferences for Local Growth

In public-choice theories of local growth and development, political elites, business elites, and citizens are all believed to demand growth. Local governments are assumed to maximize self-interest by pursuing high-income individuals and firms. The view that public opinion regarding growth and development is always positive and consensual is challenged in this article. The findings of this study indicate that citizen attitudes are conditioned by the perceived level of growth in the respondent's community.
Low Overhead Time-Multiplexed Online Checking: A Case Study of An H.264 Decoder

To cope with increasing in-field failure rates for cost-sensitive electronic products, a low-overhead online checking methodology -- Time-Multiplexed Online Checking (TMOC) -- was proposed and demonstrated in [1]. In this paper, we study the area overhead required for employing TMOC in an embedded Field Programmable Gate Array (eFPGA) core. The overheads caused by the relatively low logic density of eFPGA and the interface routing between a design module and its TMOC checker are examined in detail. In a case study of an H.264 decoder design [2], TMOC is compared to a dedicated duplication-based online checking scheme [3], which typically incurs more than 100% area overhead. Experimental results show that TMOC provides significant chip area overhead reduction for online checkers. A reduction of 68% is achieved when one checker is shared by 62 design partitions, for example. TMOC can also help reduce dynamic power overhead of online checking by increasing the number of partitions, at the cost of increased fault detection latency in some partitions.
New Genes in Bone Development: What's New in Osteogenesis Imperfecta

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a heritable bone dysplasia characterized by bone fragility and deformity and growth deficiency. Most cases of OI (classical types) have autosomal dominant inheritance and are caused by mutations in the type I collagen genes. During the past several years, a number of noncollagenous genes whose protein products interact with collagen have been identified as the cause(s) of rare forms of OI. This has led to a paradigm shift for OI as a collagen-related condition. The majority of the non-classical OI types have autosomal recessive inheritance and null mutations in their respective genes. The exception is a unique dominant defect in IFITM5, which encodes Bril and leads to hypertrophic callus and interosseous membrane ossification. Three recessive OI types arise from defects in any of the components of the collagen prolyl 3-hydroxylation complex (CRTAP, P3H1, CyPB), which modifies the collagen α1(I)Pro986 residue. Complex dysfunction leads to delayed folding of the procollagen triple helix and increased helical modification. Next, defects in collagen chaperones, HSP47 and FKBP65, lead to improper procollagen folding and deficient collagen cross-linking in matrix, respectively. A form of OI with a mineralization defect is caused by mutations in SERPINF1, whose protein product, PEDF, is a well-known antiangiogenesis factor. Defects in the C-propeptide cleavage enzyme, BMP1, also cause recessive OI. Additional genes, including SP7 and TMEM38B, have been implicated in recessive OI but are as yet unclassified. Elucidating the mechanistic pathways common to dominant and recessive OI may lead to novel therapeutic approaches to improve clinical manifestations.
Early social exposure in wild chimpanzees: mothers with sons are more gregarious than mothers with daughters.

In many mammals, early social experience is critical to developing species-appropriate adult behaviors. Although mother–infant interactions play an undeniably significant role in social development, other individuals in the social milieu may also influence infant outcomes. Additionally, the social skills necessary for adult success may differ between the sexes. In chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), adult males are more gregarious than females and rely on a suite of competitive and cooperative relationships to obtain access to females. In fission–fusion species, including humans and chimpanzees, subgroup composition is labile and individuals can vary the number of individuals with whom they associate. Thus, mothers in these species have a variety of social options. In this study, we investigated whether wild chimpanzee maternal subgrouping patterns differed based on infant sex. Our results show that mothers of sons were more gregarious than mothers of daughters; differences were especially pronounced during the first 6 mo of life, when infant behavior is unlikely to influence maternal subgrouping. Furthermore, mothers with sons spent significantly more time in parties containing males during the first 6 mo. These early differences foreshadow the well-documented sex differences in adult social behavior, and maternal gregariousness may provide sons with important observational learning experiences and social exposure early in life. The presence of these patterns in chimpanzees raises questions concerning the evolutionary history of differential social exposure and its role in shaping sex-typical behavior in humans.
“Anybody Can Do It”: Aesthetic Empowerment, Urban Citizenship, and the Naturalization of Indonesian Graffiti and Street Art

Based on ethnographic fieldwork in the cities of Jakarta and Yogyakarta, this paper investigates the recent surge in the production and circulation of street art through technology and media in post-New Order Indonesia. The global style of street art communicates how public space and the street have become emblematic of changing discourses of individual rights, urban aesthetics, and the practice of citizenship in urban Indonesia. While the history of Western graffiti as a form of defacement and resistance continues to exert a powerful hold on the imagination of Indonesian street artists, I argue that the vernacular meaning of street art and graffiti refuses an easy bifurcation of public and private spaces, while blurring the lines between commercial and cultural urban interventions. [Indonesia, street art, graffiti, media, citizenship]
Gödel’s Theorems and Church’s Thesis:

Godel’s incompleteness theorems and their suite, including the undecidability theorems of Church, have figured essentially in numerous attempts of uneven quality to refute mechanism.1 Most of these attempts have met with various equally uneven criticisms which have in turn stimulated refined, though still inconclusive, further attempts.2 Professor Lucas, who himself is the author of several such attempts, frankly admits that “the application of Godel’s theorem to the problem of minds and machines is difficult” ([52], p. 145). He even concedes, in a rejoinder to my own uneven criticism of his position [82],
The Cadbury Committee, a history

Corporate governance has attracted a lot of attention from the business community and the media in the last three decades. Over the years, a string of high profile corporate scandals and collapses ...
Seasonal size-segregated PM10 and PAH concentrations in a rural area of sugarcane agriculture versus a coastal urban area in Southeastern Florida, USA

Abstract Airborne particulate matter (PM) is of health and environmental concern not only in highly urbanized areas, but also in rural areas that are used for intensive agricultural purposes. In this study, PM size-segregated samples were collected simultaneously for 12 months in a small town (Belle Glade, Florida), which is the center of a vast sugarcane growing area and at Delray Beach, a coastal city in Palm Beach County, Florida. During the winter sampling period, when sugarcane foliage is burned just before harvesting to reduce the amount of plant matter to be handled, PM 10 levels were 50% or higher than otherwise measured, indicating that sugarcane harvesting and processing is a major local source for PM 10 . For the rest of the year, PM 10 levels at both sites are similar, suggesting that ambient PM levels at both sites are impacted by the major urban centers in Southern Florida. During late July and early August, the PM 10 levels at both sites were substantially elevated and revealed the typical red-brownish color of Saharan dust. This has been reported to occur frequently with suitable meteorological conditions over the Atlantic Ocean coupled with a Sahara dust storm event. During the sugarcane harvesting season at Belle Glade, the concentrations of PAHs associated with PM 10 were up to 15 times higher than those measured during the summer growing season, indicating a substantially higher exposure of the rural population to these often mutagenic and carcinogenic compounds.
Visual-search observers for SPECT simulations with clinical backgrounds

The purpose of this work was to test the ability of visual-search (VS) model observers to predict the lesion- detection performance of human observers with hybrid SPECT images. These images consist of clinical back- grounds with simulated abnormalities. The application of existing scanning model observers to hybrid images is complicated by the need for extensive statistical information, whereas VS models based on separate search and analysis processes may operate with reduced knowledge. A localization ROC (LROC) study involved the detection and localization of solitary pulmonary nodules in Tc-99m lung images. The study was aimed at op- timizing the number of iterations and the postfiltering of four rescaled block-iterative reconstruction strategies. These strategies implemented different combinations of attenuation correction, scatter correction, and detector resolution correction. For a VS observer in this study, the search and analysis processes were guided by a single set of base morphological features derived from knowledge of the lesion profile. One base set used difference-of- Gaussian channels while a second base set implemented spatial derivatives in combination with the Burgess eye filter. A feature-adaptive VS observer selected features of interest for a given image set on the basis of training-set performance. A comparison of the feature-adaptive observer results against previously acquired human-observer data is presented.
Lessons Learned and Insights Gained in the Design, Analysis, and Outcomes of the COMPANION Trial

COMPANION (Comparison of Medical Therapy, Pacing and Defibrillation in Heart Failure), the first cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT)-heart failure mortality and morbidity controlled clinical trial planned, conducted, and reported, was a randomized, 3-arm study that compared CRT delivered by a biventricular pacemaker (CRT-P) or a CRT defibrillator device (CRT-D) with optimal pharmacological therapy alone. The patient population had advanced chronic heart failure with QRS interval prolongation ≥120 ms and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (heart failure with reduced ejection fraction). COMPANION had a composite hospitalization and mortality endpoint as the primary outcome measure but was also powered for mortality as the first secondary endpoint. The conduct of COMPANION was challenged by important issues that arose during the trial, the most important of which was U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of CRT devices. Along with other challenges, this issue was appropriately dealt with by the Steering Committee and the Data and Safety Monitoring Committee and did not negatively affect trial results or conclusions. The authors report here updated analyses from the study, which are consistent with previously published results indicating that CRT-P or CRT-D has favorable effects on heart failure morbidity and mortality in a patient population "precision" selected by the surrogate marker of increased QRS interval duration. New analyses indicate that increasing the number of classes of neurohormonal inhibitor concurrent therapy has a positive effect on CRT mortality reduction. Hypothesis-generating new findings are that in patients receiving beta-blocker therapy, the mortality reduction advantage of CRT-D versus CRT-P may be minimized or eliminated and that there may be adverse effects of CRT-D defibrillator shocks on pump failure-related outcomes.
Reliability and responsiveness of gait initiation profiles in those with chronic ankle instability

Individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI) have demonstrated deviations in gait initiation (GI) compared to healthy individuals. However, the intersession reliability of GI measures remains unknown in this population. The objective of this study was to determine the reliability and responsiveness of GI measures between two testing days in those with CAI. Twelve individuals with CAI volunteered. Participants performed barefoot GI on a force plate which captured center of pressure (COP). Data was collected on two separate occasions separated by one week. The GI profile was separated into three phases (S1, S2, and S3). S1 began from the deviation of normal balanced standing to the most posterolateral displacement under the stepping limb. S2 began from the end of S1 to the maximum medial position under the stance foot. S3 began at the end of S2 and continued until the vertical ground reaction force dropped below 100N. COP displacement (cm) was calculated as the sum of resultant vectors of the medial-lateral and anterior-posterior excursions for adjacent COP data points within each phase. The averages of 5 trials were used for analyses. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC(2,5)), standard error of measurement, and minimum detectable change (MDC) were calculated to determine reliability and responsiveness. S1, S2, and S3 displacement values were highly reliable between days (ICC(2,5) ≥0.76) with the exception of anterior-posterior S1 and medial-lateral S3. MDC values were relatively small (0.6-2.2cm). GI can be reliably assessed in those with CAI which is important for identifying interventions to alter GI profiles in these individuals.
Vacations by the Book

While the author of this paper has in the past been frustrated by the lack of students’ knowledge of their own culture, Blackmon (1998) reports that “America is becoming a nation of culture” (p. A1). Americans are buying “serious books,” attending the opera and symphony, foreign and “arts” cinema, and eating at “fine dining” restaurants. High levels of wealth, education, and cultural exposure (sometimes due to high technology) provide the explanations. While certainly marketers at opera companies and theaters are encouraged by this news, other not-so-obvious industries are affected.
Epidemiology of Childbirth Trauma and Associated Pelvic Floor Disorders

Pelvic floor disorders such as urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse and anal incontinence affect women of all ages and are strongly associated with a significant economic burden and detriment to a woman’s quality of life. Clinical and epidemiologic findings indicate that women who undergo vaginal childbirth are at an increased risk of developing pelvic floor disorders. Trauma to the pelvic floor in the process of vaginal childbirth is common, yet symptomatic development of pelvic floor disorders is difficult to predict. Imaging modalities have provided further information as to the mechanism of pelvic floor trauma, yet the effects of mode of delivery and other modifiable risk factors to implement secondary prevention methods need further investigation.
Strategic Molecular Design to Engineer the Electron Affinity of Self-Assembling Organic Semiconductors

iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS v TABLE OF CONTENTS vii LIST OF TABLES ix LIST OF FIGURES x LIST OF SCHEMES xiii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS xiv
Ag–Cu–In–Ga Metal Precursor Thin Films for (Ag,Cu)(In,Ga)Se2 Solar Cells

The Ag-Cu-In-Ga (ACIG) material system has been investigated over a composition range used for reaction to form (Ag,Cu)(In,Ga)Se2 thin films for photovoltaic application. ACIG thin films were sputter deposited from Ag 0.77Ga0.23, Cu0.77Ga0.23, and In targets using different layer sequences with Ag/(Cu + Ag) and (Ag + Cu)/(Ga + In) ratios fixed at 0.25 and 0.90, respectively. The most uniform morphology was achieved with a Ag–Ga layer followed by a layer with co-sputtered Cu–Ga and In. Varying the sputtering sequence for stacked layers resulted in dissimilar morphologies and structural phases. X-ray diffraction analyses revealed that Ag–Ga and In layers intermix to form the ( Ag ,Cu)In2 phase in all Ag-containing samples except one with a Ag–Ga/Cu–Ga/In sequence. In addition, precursors were shown to be unstable during storage at room temperature, where a secondary (Ag,Cu*)In2 phase with higher Cu content formed. Finally, phase composition of the precursors annealed at 300 °C was characterized.
Book Review: Restitution Revisited

This essay reviews Ward Farnsworth's 2015 book "Restitution: Civil Liability for Unjust Enrichment," a thorough yet accessible that serves as a useful guide into this versatile legal area. Restitution, generally speaking, is a legal action to compel the surrender of a benefit obtained through an improper or unjust means to the property's rightful owner. Sometimes termed unjust enrichment, quantum meruit or merely restitution, this cause of action has precise rules and requirements that are often overlooked in legal education and confused by practitioners and judges alike. Farnsworth's clear and concise book makes a valuable contribution to this important field and would be an important addition to any practitioner's bookshelf.