cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Friction stir additive manufacturing for high structural performance through microstructural control in an Mg based WE43 alloy

Abstract Structural performance is a key challenge pertinent to additive manufacturing. A majority of the current techniques employed for metallic materials involve liquid–solid transformation and their performance is limited by solidification microstructures. Depending on the type of metallic alloy, this can be a serious impediment to structural properties. In this regard, solid-state additive manufacturing techniques have lagged behind. This study is focused on friction stir additive manufacturing (FSAM) as a potential technique to attain structurally efficient magnesium alloys. In this study, a multilayered stack of an Mg based WE43 alloy was built using FSAM at two different welding parameters. Formation of defects is sensitive to the heat input. In addition, dynamic recrystallization led to finer grain size (2–3 μm). Such fine grain size coupled with desirable precipitate characteristics culminated in superior mechanical properties. Maximum hardness of 115 HV was obtained in as-fabricated state and increased to 135 HV after aging. These levels are similar to Al 2XXX alloys. In fact, in terms of strength, it translates to 400 MPa and 17% ductility and is significantly higher than the base material subjected to aging. Mechanical properties have been correlated with detailed microstructural observations. Texture is discussed for a higher heat input sample using orientation imaging microscopy.
Lightning triggering and synchronization

Declenchement des decharges atmospheriques par les siffleuses magnetospheriques par l'intermediaire des precipitations de particules
Approximate sequential test for the Behrens-Fisher problem

Abstract A sequential test for the Behrens-Fisher problem is considered in this paper. A sequential probability ratio test (SPRT), based on sequence of approximate t statistics, suitable for practical use is proposed and its properties are investigated by a simulation study. The test is found to be conservative in terms of desired risk levels. Notwithstanding, the test appears to be quite satisfactory in terms of the power and the average sample number (ASN) function, and it is found to be sufficiently more efficient compared to the approximate fixed-sample test. Also studied by the simulation study is the approximate SPRT for slightly different forms of the hypotheses given by Ghosh[6]. The results suggest that the risk levels of the test tend to exceed the fixed levels.
Decoupling of a Disk Resonator From Linear Acceleration Via Mass Matrix Perturbation

Author(s): Schwartz, D; M'Closkey, RT | Abstract: Axisymmetric microelectromechanical (MEM) vibratory rate gyroscopes are designed so the central post which attaches the resonator to the sensor case is a nodal point of the two Coriolis-coupled modes that are exploited for angular rate sensing. This configuration eliminates any coupling of linear acceleration to these modes. When the gyro resonators are fabricated, however, small mass and stiffness asymmetries cause coupling of these modes to linear acceleration of the sensor case. In a resonator postfabrication step, this coupling can be reduced by altering the mass distribution on the resonator so that its center of mass is stationary while the operational modes vibrate. In this paper, a scale model of the disk resonator gyroscope (DRG) is used to develop and test methods that significantly reduce linear acceleration coupling. © 2012 American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
Two modifications of the carbazole reaction of hexuronic acids for the differentiation of polyuronides.

Abstract Two modifications of the carbazole reaction of hexuronic acids are described which differ from the original reaction by the concentration of acid, the temperature, and the duration of heating. The different hexosaminohexuronides show very different extinction coefficients in these two reactions which can be used for the differentiation of these hexuronides, particularly those with the alpha configuration from those with the beta configuration.
Kindling antagonism: interactions of dorsal and ventral entorhinal cortex with the septum during concurrent kindling.

Summary Concurrent kindling of two limbic foci by stimulating them in alternation typically results in a pronounced antagonism of motor seizure development. The present study examined concurrent kindling of hippocampal afferent systems from the septum and entorhinal cortex (EC). An electrode placed in the ventrolateral septal area was stimulated alternately with an electrode placed either in the ventral EC (vEC) or in the dorsal EC (dEC). Concurrent kindling of the dEC and septum produced a typical pattern of antagonism: one site became dominant and progressed to develop generalized seizures, whereas motor seizure development from the alternately stimulated site was suppressed. By contrast, concurrent kindling of vEC and septum yielded no apparent antagonism. Rather, both sites developed consistent generalized convulsions. Furthermore, the data suggested stimulation of the two sites was complementary resulting in a single kindling progression to which each contributed equally. We interpret these findings as follows. The anatomic literature indicates that the hippocampal afferents from both the septum and EC are topographically organized. Relating our electrode positions to this topography suggests that stimulation of the septum and vEC activated common circuits in the ventral hippocampus; whereas, dEC stimulation activated separate circuits in the dorsal hippocampus. These inferences lead to two conclusions. (1) The hippocampus can be kindled via activation of its major afferents from the septum or EC. (2) The degree of overlap of the terminal fields of these afferents during alternate stimulation determines their pattern of interaction: maximal overlap yields cooperativity and a single kindling progression; minimal overlap yields kindling antagonism.
Modified endoscopic medial maxillectomy for recalcitrant chronic maxillary sinusitis

Background: Modified endoscopic medial maxillectomy (MEMM) is an accepted alternative treatment for benign sinonasal neoplasms. Its use as definitive treatment for inflammatory disease of the maxillary sinus has yet to be adequately explored. We evaluate the efficacy of MEMM for chronic maxillary sinusitis and attempt to identify factors that predispose patients for failure. Methods: A retrospective chart review of 46 patients who underwent a total of 61 medial maxillectomies for recurrent chronic maxillary sinusitis from 2003 to 2010 was performed. Data was collected regarding patient demographics, prior therapies, and exudative cultures. Results: Complete resolution of disease was achieved in 37 of 46 patients (80%). Four patients required additional topical medical management prior to resolution of their inflammatory disease. When the culture was negative, resolution of disease was seen in 90% of patient. However if P. aeruginosa was cultured, the rate of disease resolution dropped to 75%. Similarly if S. aureus was culture, only 56% of patient demonstrated complete disease resolution. Of patients who had previous Caldwell-Luc procedures, 73% were successfully salvaged. No revision surgeries were required. The mean follow-up time was 35 months. Conclusion: MEMM is an effective and acceptable alternative treatment for chronic maxillary sinusitis refractory to standard medical treatment and endoscopic surgical treatment. Cultures positive for P. aeruginosa and S. aureus may be associated with worse outcomes. © 2011 ARS-AAOA, LLC.
A stochastic compartmental model for migration of marine shrimp

Abstract This paper demonstrates the application of stochastic compartmental analysis to model migration of a marked population of white shrimp ( Penaeus setiferus ) from an estuarine bay along the Texas coast. We first develop a stochastic continuous time Markov process model, and fit the model to time series data from a mark-recapture field experiment. We then illustrate the use of mean residence times and other related moments derived from the model in providing additional insight into the kinetics of shrimp migration. Finally, we suggest extensions to this approach and discuss the general applicability of the approach to other types of ecological questions dealing with animal movement and mortality.
Updating computer science education

Prepare tomorrow's practitioners to tap the growing volume of Web-available data and complex programs they cannot possibly redevelop from scratch.
Relative capacities of time-gated versus CW imaging to localize tissue embedded vessels with increasing depth

The clinical motivation for our work was to help surgeons see vessels through non-translucent intraoperative tissues during laparoscopic removal of the gallbladder. Our main focus was to answer the question of how CW imaging performs relative to ICCD (Intensified Charge-Coupled Device) based time-gated imaging, which is a lot more costly, under broad Gaussian beam illumination conditions. We have studied the simplified case of an isolated bile duct embedded at different depths within a 2 cm slab of adipose tissue. Monte Carlo simulations were preformed for both reflectance and trans-illumination geometries. The relative performance of CW versus time-gated imaging was compared in terms of spatial resolution and vessel detection sensitivity in the resulting simulated images. Experiments were performed in reflectance geometry to validate simulation results. It was found that time-gated imaging offers superior spatial resolution and vessel detection sensitivity in all cases though CW trans-illumination measurements may also offer satisfactory performance for this tissue geometry at a lower cost.
Comparing Radiation Effects in Gunn and Impatt Diodes

Several Gunn and IMPATT diodes were subjected to neutron and gamma radiation while in oscillation. This provided data which could not be obtained by diode testing after irradiation. Non-passivated IMPATT diodes were most tolerant of neutron fluence effects. Gunn diodes were insignificantly influenced by this radiation flux but failed at lower fluence levels than did the IMPATT diodes.
Kinetics of Porphyrin-catalysed Chemiluminescent Decomposition of Peroxides, and the Mechanism of Photosensitized Oxidation

A RECIPROCAL relation between photochemical and chemiluminescent reactions is to be expected. In one case, absorbed light leads to chemical action, and in the other, chemical processes result in light emission. As part of a study of the mechanism of dye-sensitized photo-oxidations we have therefore investigated the kinetics of the chemiluminescent reaction between certain dyes and organic peroxides which was discovered by Helberger1. For example, magnesium phthalocyanine will catalyse the decomposition of tetralin hydroperoxide in hot hydrocarbon solvents, and this catalysis is accompanied by a bright chemiluminescence1,2. Zinc tetraphenylporphine and chlorophyll will also luminesce in these hot hydrocarbon–peroxide systems2–4.
Colormaps that Improve Perception of High-Resolution Ocean Data

Scientists from the Climate, Ocean and Sea Ice Modeling Team (COSIM) at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) are interested in gaining a deeper understanding of three primary ocean currents: the Gulf Stream, the Kuroshio Current, and the Agulhas Current & Retroflection. To address these needs, visual artist Francesca Samsel teamed up with experts from the areas of computer science, climate science, statistics, and perceptual science. By engaging an artist specializing in color, we created colormaps that provide the ability to see greater detail in these high-resolution datasets. The new colormaps applied to the POP dataset enabled scientists to see areas of interest unclear using standard colormaps. Improvements in the perceptual range of color allowed scientists to highlight structures within specific ocean currents. Work with the COSIM team members drove development of nested colormaps which provide further detail to the scientists.
Detrital record of the early Central American magmatic arc: Petrography of intraoceanic forearc sandstones, Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica

The framework compositions of sand-stones from the Costa Rican forearc provide a compositional norm for detrital modes from basins associated with intraoceanic arcs, a poorly documented tectonic setting. Nicoya Peninsula sandstones are made up of mainly volcanic lithic fragments, plagioclase, sedimentary lithic fragments, and mafic accessory minerals. Modal point counts of 70 samples average Q 3 F 32 L 65 , Qm 2 F 32 Lt 66 , Qp 1 Lvm 72 Lsm 27 , and Qm 6 P 94 K 0 , defining these sand-stones as less quartzose than sandstones from most other tectonic settings and less lithic than most quartz-poor sandstones from intraplate oceanic islands. Four newly defined modal parameters quantify temporal changes in composition. These parameters are (1) Vi/V′, the ratio of volcanic fragments with microlitic or felsitic textures to those with lathwork, microlitic, or felsitic textures; (2) Mh/M, the ratio of hydrous to total mafic silicate mineral grains; (3) Po/P, the ratio of oscillatory-zoned to total plagioclase grains; and (4) Sc/S, the ratio of reworked carbonate detritus to total sedimentary lithic fragments. All four parameters increase from negligible values in the basement unit to moderate or high values in cover units. These increases are followed by generally low values in the youngest (Miocene) sandstones. Significant temporal changes are not revealed by previously defined modal parameters that are commonly used to analyze sandstone composition. Petrography of these sandstones provides strong evidence for the initial construction of an andesitic arc edifice by Campanian time (Late Cretaceous). Increases in Vi/V′, Mh/M, and Po/P ratios through most of the section record increased detrital input from evolved volcanic sources. A parallel increase in Sc/S ratios reflects the progressive construction and erosion of a carbonate-rich sedimentary are apron. The Miocene reversal of these trends reflects subaerial erosion of up-lifted basement rocks at the forearc structural high. Miocene sandstones also contain minor plutonic detritus that includes potassium feldspar, signaling incipient unroofing of the arc. Sandstones of the Nicoya Peninsula thus preserve a relatively complete record of the evolution and erosion of the Upper Cretaceous through Miocene intraoceanic arc of southern Central America.
Preparative isolation and mapping of adenovirus 2 early messenger RNA species.

Five major early messenger RNA species with apparent molecular weights (estimated by formamide gel electrophoresis) of 1·4×10 6 (24 S), 9·4×10 5 (20·5 S), 8·4×10 5 (20 S), 8·4×10 5 (20 S) and 4·2×10 5 (14 S) were isolated from adenovirus 2-infected KB cells. RNA was extracted from the polysomes of cells labelled from 2·5 to 5·5 hours postinfection in the presence of cycloheximide to enhance the synthesis of early viral mRNA, and to prevent the synthesis of late mRNA. DNA was hybridized to and eluted from the DNA restriction fragments generated by endonucleases Eco RI, Sma I, Hind III, and Hpa I. The conventional map of the linear adenovirus 2 DNA genome of 23×10 6 molecular weight is oriented from left to right, map positions 0 to 1·0, with the r strand (rightward transcription) on top and the l strand on the bottom. The following mRNA species were selected: (I) both 24 S and 14 S RNA species from five partially overlapping subfragments of Eco RI-A, representing its left end segment (approximately 24% of the adenovirus 2 genome), Sma I-J (map position 0 to 0·030), Sma I-E/ Hind III-G (0·030 to 0·075), Sma I-E/ Hind III-C (0·075 to 0·11), Hpa I-E (0 to 0·041), and Hpa I-C (0·041 to 0·24); early RNA did not hybridize to Sma I-F (0·12 to 0·18), indicating that the right terminus of this early gene block terminates to the left of map position 0·12; this region is of particular interest since it contains genes for transformation; (2) a 20 S RNA, transcribed from the Eco RI-B fragment (map position 0·59 to 0·72); (3) a 20·5 S RNA from two subfragments of Eco RI-C (0·90 to 1·00), Eco RI-C/ Sma I-C (0·90 to 0·92), and Sma I-G (0·92 to 0·98) (the terminal right Sma I-K (0·98 to 1·0) subfragment did not code for early mRNA); (4) a 20 S RNA, transcribed from Eco RI-D (0·76 to 0·84) and from a very small fraction of Eco RI-E (0·84 to 0·90). Several small viral RNA species were also detected whose significance has not been established. The viral mRNA species transcribed from the Eco RI fragments A, D and E were specific for the adenovirus 2 r strand and the mRNA species of the Eco RI fragments B and C for the adenovirus 2 l strand. Rehybridization experiments indicated that (1) the Eco RI fragment specific RNAs are unique with the exception of the 20 S RNA which eluted from both Eco RI-D and Eco RI-E; (2) two different 14 S RNA species most likely are encoded in the left 11% of the genome, one specific to the Hpa I-E fragment and one to the Hpa I-C fragment; (3) the 24 S and 14 S species from Eco RI-A subfragements share sequences, suggesting the possibility that the small RNa may be derived from the large one by endonucleolytic cleavage.
mTOR: a new therapeutic target for pediatric low-grade glioma?

Pediatric low-grade gliomas (PLGG) represent the most frequent primary brain tumors in children. Despite their low growth rates, a subset may progress or cause substantial morbidity when located in critical brain regions where aggressive surgical resections are not possible. Conventional treatments for young children with unresectable PLGG have avoided radiation therapy due to the significant effects of radiation on the developing brain [1]. Chemotherapy using either carboplatin/vincristine or a lomustine-based regimen is the treatment of choice in the first-line setting [2]. The majority of patients will achieve stable disease or a reduction in tumor size with these low-intensity chemotherapy regimens. A subset of these patients will not have tumor regrowth, probably due to a process of oncogene and chemotherapy-induced senescence [3]. However, approximately 50% of patients will have tumors that start to grow again or are refractory to primary therapy [2], underscoring the need to develop new therapeutic options for patients with PLGG.
Converting neutron stars into strange stars

If strange matter is formed in the interior of a neutron star, it will convert the entire neutron star into a strange star. The proposed mechanisms are reviewed for strange matter seeding and the possible strange matter contamination of neutron star progenitors. The conversion process that follows seeding and the recent calculations of the conversion timescale are discussed.
Teaching Information Literacy to Faculty: An Experiment

Faculty at Southeastern University were required to take an information literacy course designed by the librarians. The author then interviewed faculty regarding their attitudes toward the course and information literacy. Librarians were especially interested in whether taking this course would change the faculty's approach to teaching information literacy in the classroom. Librarians evaluated the course and recommended future changes based on the results of these interviews.
Esophageal clearance patterns in normal older adults as documented with videofluoroscopic esophagram

Normal esophageal bolus transport in asymptomatic healthy older adults has not been well defined, potentially leading to ambiguity in differentiating esophageal swallowing patterns of dysphagic and healthy individuals. This pilot study of 24 young (45–64 years) and old (65
Testosterone's short-term positive effect on luteinizing-hormone secretory-burst mass and its negative effect on secretory-burst frequency are attenuated in middle-aged men.

Background: Testosterone (T) production declines and LH pulses become smaller and more frequent in middle-aged men. The mechanisms underlying these changes are not known. Rationale: Small frequent LH pulses in middle-aged men could reflect impaired feedback by systemic T. Hypothesis: Middle age disrupts negative feedback by T on selected facets of LH secretion. Subjects and Setting: Healthy men were studied at an academic medical center. Methods: The protocol comprised blockade of gonadal steroidogenesis and graded transdermal addback of T doses of 0, 2.5, 5, or 7.5 mg/d designed to span the castrate to physiological range of T concentrations in each of 23 healthy men ages 19–71 yr (interquartile range, 28–53 yr). We quantified 12-h basal and pulsatile LH secretion (92 time series) using a mathematically justified deconvolution method. Results: Stepwise T supplementation from the hypogonadal through the eugonadal range repressed mean (12-h) LH concentrations (P = 0.001). By regression analysis, age attenuated the capabilities of increasing T concentrations to 1) increase LH secretory-burst mass (P < 0.0001); and 2) decrease LH secretory-burst frequency (P = 0.025). Age did not alter T’s feedback on basal LH secretion, interpulse regularity, the waveform of LH secretory bursts, or the slow half-life of LH. Conclusion: Middle age impairs both the positive and negative actions of systemic T on pulsatile LH secretion in healthy men, thus potentially explaining earlier inconsistencies in feedback studies based upon single-sample mean LH concentrations. Longitudinal studies will be required to elucidate the precise age dependence of inferred dual feedback failure.
A Survey of Commercially Available Broilers Marketed as Organic, Free-Range, and Conventional Broilers for Cooked Meat Yields, Meat Composition, and Relative Value

The objective of this survey was to investigate qualitative and quantitative properties of meat from organic, free-range, and conventional broilers as currently provided to consumers. Fifteen broilers from 4 suppliers of each type were evaluated for raw meat yield, cooked meat yield, proximate composition, pH, color, lipid oxidation, fatty acid composition, and sensory attributes. Organic broilers yielded more dark (thigh) meat (P < 0.05) than free-range or conventional, when compared on a raw-meat basis, but conventional and free-range broilers yielded more (P < 0.05) cooked light (breast) meat than organic. Protein content of organic breast and thigh meat was greater (P < 0.05) than conventional in the raw and the cooked meat comparisons. The pH of breast meat from organic broilers was higher (P < 0.05) than free-range or conventional. Organic breast and thigh meat was less yellow (P < 0.05) than free-range or conventional. Fatty acid analysis showed that organic breasts and thighs were lower (P < 0.05) in saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids and higher (P < 0.05) in polyunsaturated fatty acids than free-range and conventional broilers. Shear force measurements were less (P < 0.05) for both breast and thigh meat from conventional broilers relative to free-range and organic broilers. Sensory panel results indicated that thighs from conventional broilers were more tender (P < 0.05) and less chewy (P < 0.05) than thighs from free-range and organic broilers, whereas other sensory properties did not differ. At the time of the study, March through May of 2006, the average retail prices for US broilers were USD 3.19, USD 2.78, and USD 1.29 per pound (USD 7.03, USD 6.13, and USD 2.84/kg) for organic, free-range, and conventional, respectively. Whereas a difference in the fatty acid composition was the largest difference observed between retail broilers in this survey, it is important to note that diets and production environments within the study were not controlled. It is apparent that the market prices for broilers at the time of this study are not fully reflected in the quantitative and qualitative measurements included in this study. It appears that consumers may be placing significant value on more intangible attributes associated with broilers marketed as organic and free-range chicken than on those attributes measured in this study.
Trisomy of chromosome 20

A neonate with ususual facial features and multiple congenital malformations expired at 4 hours of age. An autopsy revealed severe anomalies of the gastrointestinal system and spinal dysplasia. Cytogenetic evaluation of fibroblasts cultured from a lung biopsy revealed a karyotope of 47,XX,+20.
Sex Offender Residential Movement Patterns: A Markov Chain Analysis

This article introduces a new approach to the analysis of changes in sex offender residences over time. Using a Markov chain framework, we analyze residential movement patterns of registered sex offenders in Hamilton County, Ohio, over a three-year period (2005–2007). Results indicate a 46 percent reduction in offenders violating spatial restriction zone policy as compared to a counterfactual case where offenders move as a function of housing distributions. Strong legacy effects are also found as offenders previously in violation of restriction policies move into other restricted zones at a higher rate than offenders who were previously in compliance with the policy. Parcels that previously were home to registered offenders also continue to attract offenders in future periods. Although we find differences in the probabilities of attracting offenders for parcels outside and inside restricted zones that are consistent with offender restrictive policies, these differences are actually significantly smaller t...
Control of Ion Conduction in L-type Ca2+ Channels by the Concerted Action of S5–6 Regions

Voltage-gated L-type Ca2+ channels from cardiac (α1C) and skeletal (α1S) muscle differ from one another in ion selectivity and permeation properties, including unitary conductance. In 110 mM Ba2+, unitary conductance of α1S is approximately half that of α1C. As a step toward understanding the mechanism of rapid ion flux through these highly selective ion channels, we used chimeras constructed between α1C and α1S to identify structural features responsible for the difference in conductance. Combined replacement of the four pore-lining P-loops in α1C with P-loops from α1S reduced unitary conductance to a value intermediate between those of the two parent channels. Combined replacement of four larger regions that include sequences flanking the P-loops (S5 and S6 segments along with the P-loop-containing linker between these segments (S5–6)) conferred α1S-like conductance on α1C. Likewise, substitution of the four S5–6 regions of α1C into α1S conferred α1C-like conductance on α1S. These results indicate that, comparing α1C with α1S, the differences in structure that are responsible for the difference in ion conduction are housed within the S5–6 regions. Moreover, the pattern of unitary conductance values obtained for chimeras in which a single P-loop or single S5–6 region was replaced suggest a concerted action of pore-lining regions in the control of ion conduction.
Accelerating the effects of aging on the reliability of lead free solder joints in a quantitative fashion

The properties of lead free solder joints continue to change over a very long period of time in service before the microstructure becomes stable. The quantitative assessment of long term service life by accelerated testing invariably misses this significant effect, and may thus end up seriously misleading. The long term goal of the present work is to establish a protocol for preconditioning of lead free solder joints before thermal cycling or mechanical testing. For this purpose, the state of a solder joint at any given time was characterized in terms of three different room temperature properties, shear strength, shear fatigue resistance, and micro hardness. These properties were measured before and after aging for different lengths of time at different temperatures. Three common lead free alloys were selected for the present study: 98.5Sn-1.0Ag-0.5Cu (SAC105), 96.5Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu (SAC305), and 95.5Sn-4.0Ag-0.5Cu (SAC405). The present study did not address effects of solder volume, pad size, pad finish or reflow profile, focusing on 30 mil (760µm) diameter solder spheres reflowed onto solder mask defined OSP coated Cu pads with a typical lead free profile. Isothermal aging was conducted for up to 3,000 hours at temperatures of 70°C, 100°C, and 125°C respectively. As expected, the resulting room temperature properties all decreased with aging time, and faster so for higher aging temperatures. Some of the acceleration factors extracted for the evolution of the individual properties did, however, differ greatly for a given alloy. The only way to establish the same microstructure, and thus the same combination of properties, faster by annealing at a higher temperature is thus to fully stabilize it. This takes thousands of hours even at 125°C, i.e. it is not practical for real assemblies.
Evidence-Based Amblyopia Treatment: Results of PEDIG Studies

Retrospective studies without control groups are sometimes useful for suggesting treatment effects and generating hypotheses, but they suffer from bias and confounding. In response to the need for ...
''Decoupling'' constraints on massless composite particles

It is pointed out that the use of the "decoupling" constraints on the spectrum of composite massless particles is not justified without further assumptions. There is an alternative condition, whose use would not be subject to the same criticisms, which would lead to the same constraints as the decoupling condition, and which would lead to other results as well, for instance that the nonchiral global symmetries in quantum chromodynamics (QCD) with n massless flavors can not be spontaneously broken. However, this condition is found to be violated in a specific model. It is still an open possibility that the chiral symmetries of QCD are unbroken for n not a multiple of 3.
Interdisciplinary team learning in a semiconductor processing course

We describe a course in which the traditional "cookbook" approach to laboratory assignments is abandoned in favor of an attempt to experiment "without recipes". In fact, we do use a "recipe" to fabricate electronic devices (PMOS transistors), but simultaneously, experiments in processing science are designed, implemented, and reported on by students. By creating a "start-up company" atmosphere, one where the "employees" (students) are responsible for their own "profits" (learning), a more cooperative environment has been created, where students learn more and strengthen many of the skills needed for industry in addition to gaining the knowledge content of semiconductor processing.
Integrated cellular and gene interaction modelling of pattern formation

Cellular behaviour depends on and also modifies protein concentration and activity. An integrated cellular and gene interaction model is proposed to reveal this relationship. In this model, protein activity varies spatiotemporally with cellular location, gene interaction, and diffusion. In the meanwhile, cellular behaviour can vary spatially, driven by cell-cell signalling and inhomogeneous protein distribution across cells. This model integrates two components. The first component adopts a variation of the reaction-diffusion mechanism at the gene expression level. The second component is a lattice cellular model based on the Differential Adhesion Hypothesis (DAH) for cell sorting at the cellular level. Cell sorting and tumour invasion were simulated to illustrate the model. This model approximates cellular pattern formation more closely than existing models based on cell density.
Trends in blood pressure among adults with hypertension: United States, 2003 to 2012.

The aim of this study is to describe trends in the awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension; mean blood pressure; and the classification of blood pressure among US adults 2003 to 2012. Usi...
Optimizing Multistage Decimation and Interpolation Processing—Part II

We investigate the optimization of the design of multistage decimators or interpolators using finite impulse response (FIR) filters in terms of required storage. We show that the minimization problem may be reduced to one-dimensional root finding, obviating the need for a general high-dimensional optimization procedure. We present explicit analytic expressions and numerical illustrations
Heavy-atom effects on energy transfer from polynucleotides to terbium (III)

Energy transfer in nucleic acids or polynucleotides at room temperature can be studied by using the fluorescence of complexed terbium (III) as a tool. Complexing the heavy atom thallium (I) enhances energy transfer from poly(G) to terbium (III). Thallium has no effect on transfer from GMP to terbium and a small negative effect on the transfer from single-stranded DNA to terbium. Use of the Medinger-Wilkinson model to analyze the poly(G) results provides an estimate of the room-temperature intersystem crossing constant.
Modeling human gastrointestinal inflammatory diseases using microphysiological culture systems

Gastrointestinal illnesses are a significant health burden for the US population, with 40 million office visits each year for gastrointestinal complaints and nearly 250,000 deaths. Acute and chronic inflammations are a common element of many gastrointestinal diseases. Inflammatory processes may be initiated by a chemical injury (acid reflux in the esophagus), an infectious agent (Helicobacter pylori infection in the stomach), autoimmune processes (graft versus host disease after bone marrow transplantation), or idiopathic (as in the case of inflammatory bowel diseases). Inflammation in these settings can contribute to acute complaints (pain, bleeding, obstruction, and diarrhea) as well as chronic sequelae including strictures and cancer. Research into the pathophysiology of these conditions has been limited by the availability of primary human tissues or appropriate animal models that attempt to physiologically model the human disease. With the many recent advances in tissue engineering and primary human cell culture systems, it is conceivable that these approaches can be adapted to develop novel human ex vivo systems that incorporate many human cell types to recapitulate in vivo growth and differentiation in inflammatory microphysiological environments. Such an advance in technology would improve our understanding of human disease progression and enhance our ability to test for disease prevention strategies and novel therapeutics. We will review current models for the inflammatory and immunological aspects of Barrett's esophagus, acute graft versus host disease, and inflammatory bowel disease and explore recent advances in culture methodologies that make these novel microphysiological research systems possible.
Iterative 2D hydrometeor profile retrievals using radar and wideband radiometer observations

By combining active radar and passive radiometers, the opportunities to accurately estimate hydrometeor and cloud characteristics improve. The authors present a retrieval algorithm that determines an appropriate, though not necessarily unique, estimate of the hydrometeor profiles associated with anvil, convective-and quasistratiform clouds whose forward calculations match the observations within specified error thresholds. These thresholds might be reduced with algorithm improvements. The high frequencies help define the frozen particle size distributions.
MHCII glycosylation modulates Bacteroides fragilis carbohydrate antigen presentation

N-linked glycans are thought to protect class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules (MHCII) from proteolytic cleavage and assist in arranging proteins within the immune synapse, but were not thought to directly participate in antigen presentation. Here, we report that antigen-presenting cells (APCs) lacking native complex N-glycans showed reduced MHCII binding and presentation of the T cell activating glycoantigen (GlyAg) polysaccharide A from Bacteroides fragilis but not conventional peptides. APCs lacking native N-glycans also failed to mediate GlyAg-driven T cell activation but activated T cells normally with protein antigen. Mice treated with the mannosidase inhibitor kifunensine to prevent the formation of complex N-glycans were unable to expand GlyAg-specific T cells in vivo upon immunization, yet adoptive transfer of normally glycosylated APCs into these animals overcame this defect. Our findings reveal that MHCII N-glycosylation directly impacts binding and presentation of at least one class of T cell–dependent antigen.
Latino Demographics, Democratic Individuality, and Educational Accountability: A Pragmatist’s View

In an era of heightened teacher and school accountability, what are the implications of standards-based reform for individual Latino children and their democratic self-realization? The educational demography of the fastest-growing and largest ethnic group in the United States suggests that the future of Latino self-realization is in jeopardy. This commentary posits that the true malfeasance of accountability policies is the loss of the individual and the erasure of individuality and that, given the realities of Latino educational trajectory and population growth, the Latinization of America is effectively compromised.
Milk and mortality

Genetic studies could help us interpret a biologically plausible but preliminary association
Chemistry and Biochemistry of Polyvalent Iodine Compunds V: Ionization of Heterocyclic Polyvalent Iodine Compounds

The ionization constants of several polyvalent compounds were determined and found to be consistent with the ionization of an hydroxyl group of polyvalent iodine. The pKa of 1,3-dihydro-1-hydroxy-3-oxo-1,2-benziodoxole is 7.35 ± 0.13, and those of its two immediate higher homologs are 7.54 ± 0.29 and 7.37 ± 0.17, respectively. The behavior of 1,3-dihydro-1-hydroxy-3-oxo-l,2-benziodoxole was studied in varying concentrations of salfuric acid. Two protonation steps seem to occur, with apparent pKa values of -0.58 and - 5.75, on the H 0 scale. The structural implications of these findings on the heterocyclic nature of the benziodoxole ring are discussed.
Optical properties of cooled Rhodamine B in ethanol

The optical properties of an organic laser dye luminophor, Rhodamine B in ethanol, were investigated at both high and low concentrations as a function of temperature. At high concentrations the absorption spectra (extinction coefficient, k) and the refractive index (n) were determined by measuring the reflectivity of parallel-polarized light at the pseudo-Brewster angle at the dye–air interface. The absorption spectra at low concentration were also measured and compared with those at high concentration. It was found that at high concentration, independent of temperature, the dye–dye interaction among neighboring dye molecules contributes to the deviation of the absorption spectra from Beer’s law. The dependence of absorption spectral distribution on concentration becomes more pronounced as the solvent temperature is reduced. This is thought to be mainly due to the mutual interaction of neighboring molecules and also to the formation of higher-order aggregates. At low concentrations, as the temperature is reduced, the absorption spectra show little change and, in contrast to those at high concentration, obey the Beer–Lambert law; i.e., the absorption cross sections are independent of concentration. The absorption intensity of concentrated solutions decreases markedly compared with those at low concentrations.
Computer-Aided Detection of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Operations in Colonoscopy Videos

Colonoscopy is an endoscopic technique that allows a physician to inspect the inside of the human colon and to perform - if deemed necessary - at the same time a number of diagnostic and therapeutic operations. In order to see the inside of the colon, a video signal of the internal mucosa of the colon is generated by a tiny video camera at the tip of the endoscope and displayed on a monitor for real-time analysis by the physician. We have captured and stored these videos in digital format and call these colonoscopy videos. Based on new algorithms for instrument detection and shot segmentation, we introduce new spatio-temporal analysis techniques to automatically identify an operation shot - a segment of visual data in a colonoscopy video that corresponds to a diagnostic or therapeutic operation. Our experiments on real colonoscopy videos demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. The proposed techniques and software are useful for 1) postprocedure review for causes of complications due to diagnostic or therapeutic operations; 2) establishment of an effective content-based retrieval system to facilitate endoscopic research and education; 3) development of a systematic approach to assess and improve the procedural skills of endoscopists.
Robust inventory control systems

Two further developments of the inventory control strategy are studied in this paper. First we use high gain (sliding mode) adaptive control to handle the system uncertainties caused by modelling errors and unmeasured disturbances. It is proved that this control law makes the uncertain system globally stable. The parameters of the resulting controller are easy to tune. Second, inventory control was primarily developed for systems with relative degree equal to one. In this paper we develop an objective-based control strategy which allows application of the inventory control idea to systems with higher relative degree. Several simulation studies illustrate the application of the novel method.
Terminating catalytic asymmetric Heck cyclizations by stereoselective intramolecular capture of η3-allylpalladium intermediates: total synthesis of (−)-spirotryprostatin B and three stereoisomers

A catalytic intramolecular Heck reaction, followed by capture of the resulting η3-allylpalladium intermediate by a tethered diketopiperazine, is the central step in a concise synthetic route to (−)-spirotryprostatin B and three stereoisomers. This study demonstrates that an acyclic, chiral η3-allylpalladium fragment generated in a catalytic asymmetric Heck cyclization can be trapped by even a weakly nucleophilic diketopiperazine more rapidly than it undergoes diastereomeric equilibration.
Skin as a potential source of infectious foot and mouth disease aerosols

This review examines whether exfoliated, virus-infected animal skin cells could be an important source of infectious foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV) aerosols. Infectious material rafting on skin cell aerosols is an established means of transmitting other diseases. The evidence for a similar mechanism for FMDV is: (i) FMDV is trophic for animal skin and FMDV epidermis titres are high, even in macroscopically normal skin; (ii) estimates for FMDV skin cell aerosol emissions appear consistent with measured aerosol emission rates and are orders of magnitude larger than the minimum infectious dose; (iii) the timing of infectious FMDV aerosol emissions is consistent with the timing of high FMDV skin concentrations; (iv) measured FMDV aerosol sizes are consistent with skin cell aerosols; and (v) FMDV stability in natural aerosols is consistent with that expected for skin cell aerosols. While these findings support the hypothesis, this review is insufficient, in and of itself, to prove the hypothesis and specific follow-on experiments are proposed. If this hypothesis is validated, (i) new FMDV detection, management and decontamination approaches could be developed and (ii) the relevance of skin cells to the spread of viral disease may need to be reassessed as skin cells may protect viruses against otherwise adverse environmental conditions.
Identification of 7-carboxymethylguanine in DNA from pancreatic acinar cells exposed to azaserine.

Studies were undertaken to determine the identity of an azaserine:DNA adduct. The most probable adduct, 7-carboxymethylguanine, was synthesized. DNA isolated from pancreatic acinar cells treated in culture with [14C]azaserine was hydrolyzed under neutral conditions to liberate N -alkylated purines. The neutral hydrolysate was subjected to high-performance liquid chromatography along with the synthetic standard. One of the radioactive peaks from the treated DNA was found to cochromatograph with 7-carboxymethylguanine in three systems: reverse phase; anion exchange; and ion pair reverse phase. These results suggest that azaserine metabolism in acinar cells results in carboxymethylation of DNA, supporting previously proposed models of azaserine degradation.
Generation of multiple antagonistic domains along the proximodistal axis during Drosophila leg development

homothorax (hth) is a Drosophila member of the Meis family of homeobox genes. hth function is required for the nuclear localization of the Hox cofactor Extradenticle (EXD). We show here that there is also a post-transcriptional control of HTH by exd: exd activity is required for the apparent stability of the HTH protein. In leg imaginal discs, hth expression is limited to the domain of exd function and this domain is complementary to the domain in which the Wingless (WG) and Decapentaplegic (DPP) signals are active. We demonstrate that WG and DPP act together through their targets Distal-less (Dll) and dachshund (dac) to restrict hth expression, and therefore EXD's nuclear localization, to the most proximal regions of the leg disc. Furthermore, there is a reciprocal repression exerted by HTH on these and other DPP and WG downstream targets that restricts their expression to non-hth-expressing cells. Thus, there exists in the leg disc a set of mutually antagonistic interactions between proximal cells, which we define as those that express hth, and distal cells, or those that do not express hth. In addition, we show that dac negatively regulates Dll. We suggest that these antagonistic relationships help to convert the WG and DPP activity gradients into discreet domains of gene expression along the proximodistal axis.
Factors predisposing to urinary tract infections in children

The normal urinary tract is sterile for many reasons. These include: bacterial eradication by urinary and mucus flow, urothelial bactericidal activity, urinary secretory IgA, and blood group antigens in secretions which interfere with bacterial adherence. Periodic emptying of the bladder should wash bacteria out, but uropathogens grow well in urine and their rapid doubling time might not clear bacteria by voiding at the usual frequency. The ability to colonize the gut, as well as adhere to host squamous and urothelial cells, is due to bacterial adherence, a mechanism by which fluid washout would not be effective. Fimbriae or pili, hair-like surface appendages of Escherichia coli, are the usual adhesins. E. coli with type 1 fimbriae adhere to mucus, and P-fimbriae adhere to glycolipids on mucous membranes and urothelial cells. Other common virulence factors of E. coli include the capsule, which prevents phagocytosis, hemolysin, which damages urothelium, and aerobactin, which sequesters iron. Adherence stimulates the inflammatory response by activation of cytokines such as interleukin-1, -6, and -8. These cytokines stimulate the production of intercellular adhesion molecule, which by leukocyte adhesion causes migration of these cells to the site of infection to counteract it.
Singlet-Triplet Splittings in the Luminescent Excited States of Colloidal Cu(+):CdSe, Cu(+):InP, and CuInS2 Nanocrystals: Charge-Transfer Configurations and Self-Trapped Excitons.

The electronic and magnetic properties of the luminescent excited states of colloidal Cu+:CdSe, Cu+:InP, and CuInS2 nanocrystals were investigated using variable-temperature photoluminescence (PL) and magnetic circularly polarized luminescence (MCPL) spectroscopies. The nanocrystal electronic structures were also investigated by absorption and magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectroscopies. By every spectroscopic measure, the luminescent excited states of all three materials are essentially indistinguishable. All three materials show very similar broad PL line widths and large Stokes shifts. All three materials also show similar temperature dependence of their PL lifetimes and MCPL polarization ratios. Analysis shows that this temperature dependence reflects Boltzmann population distributions between luminescent singlet and triplet excited states with average singlet–triplet splittings of ∼1 meV in each material. These similarities lead to the conclusion that the PL mechanism in CuInS2 NCs is fundamenta...