cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modeled salt density for nuclear material estimation in the treatment of spent nuclear fuel

Abstract Spent metallic nuclear fuel is being treated in a pyrometallurgical process that includes electrorefining the uranium metal in molten eutectic LiCl–KCl as the supporting electrolyte. We report a model for determining the density of the molten salt. Material balances account for the net mass of salt and for the mass of actinides present. It was necessary to know the molten salt density, but difficult to measure. It was also decided to model the salt density for the initial treatment operations. The model assumes that volumes are additive for the ideal molten salt solution as a starting point; subsequently, a correction factor for the lanthanides and actinides was developed. After applying the correction factor, the percent difference between the net salt mass in the electrorefiner and the resulting modeled salt mass decreased from more than 4.0% to approximately 0.1%. As a result, there is no need to measure the salt density at 500 °C for inventory operations; the model for the salt density is found to be accurate.
Cavity-QED models of switches for attojoule-scale nanophotonic logic

Quantum optical input-output models are described for a class of optical switches based on cavity quantum electrodynamics (QED) with a single multilevel atom (or comparable bound system of charges) coupled simultaneously to several resonant field modes. A recent limit theorem for quantum stochastic differential equations is used to show that such models converge to a simple scattering matrix in a type of strong-coupling limit that seems natural for nanophotonic systems. Numerical integration is used to show that the behavior of the prelimit model approximates that of the simple scattering matrix in a realistic regime for the physical parameters and that it is possible in the proposed cavity-QED configuration for low-power optical signals to switch higher-power signals at attojoule energy scales.
Mucin-producing carcinoma of the breast. Tissue culture, histochemical and electron microscopic study.

Mucin-producing carcinoma of the female breast was studied by histochemistry, electron microscopy and tissue culture. The tumor cells and lakes of secretion contained strong and weak acidic mucins. Weakly acidic mucins were abundant in areas of adjacent atypical intraductal hyperplasia. Mucin production in the benign atrophic areas was scanty and mainly of the neutral variety. Electron microscopy revealed elaborate organelle morphology as compared to the simple structure of the more common infiltrating duct carcinoma. In cell culture the tumor cells proliferated and produced mucin for 6 weeks through 2 subcultures.
FEEDING BEHAVIOR OF THE ADULT COLORADO POTATO BEETLE, LEPTINOTARSA DECEMLINEATA (SAY), ON SOLANUM BERTHAVLTII HAWKES

The feeding behavior of adult Colorado potato beetles has been studied on leaflets from two clones of Solanum berthaultii Hawkes (PI473340, clones #1726 and #1729) and on S. tuberosum L. var. Norchip leaflets treated with leaf extract from S. berthaultii 1726. Treatment of S. tuberosum leaflet with leaf extract from S. berthaultii 1726 (0.075 mg/cm2 of leaflet) did not modify the behavior of adult Colorado potato beetles even if consumption was reduced. On S. berthaultii 1726, consumption and consumption rate were reduced, the frequency of the “moving” behavior increased, the frequency of the “resting” behavior decreased, and the frequency of the “feeding” behavior did not change compared with S. tuberosum. The antifeedant property of S. berthaultii 1726 probably was perceived during the sampling step of the feeding behavior and prevented continuous feeding.The beetles avoided contact with S. berthaultii 1729 leaflets, less consumption occurred, the frequency of the “feeding” and “resting” behaviors was reduced, and the “moving” frequency increased in most cases. This suggested the presence of deterrents influencing host acceptance and initiation of feeding. On S. berthaultii 1726 and 1729, the frequency of some behaviors changed during the bioassay (2.5 h in duration), probably as a consequence of food deprivation.
Plasma histamine concentrations in allergic diseases.

Abstract Plasma histamine concentration was measured with a sensitive chemical technique in a number of normal subjects and patients with asthma and urticaria. The mean plasma level in normal subjects was 5.6 μg per liter. There was no significant change from the normal levels in patients with asthma and urticaria. The release of histamine into the plasma during cold urticaria has been confirmed.
Ontogeny of sex differences in open field behavior and sensitivity to electric shock in the rat

Abstract Weanling male and female rats did not differ in open-field activity or rearing or in shock thresholds measured with the flinch-jump technique. Sex differences on all measures emerged by 50 days of age and persisted thereafter. Although shock thresholds were positively correlated with body weight, both age and sex affected shock thresholds independent of correlated weight differences.
Assessing dissolved methane patterns in central New York groundwater

Abstract Study region Groundwater in Chenango County (central New York State, USA), which is underlain by Devonian sedimentary bedrock. This region has conventional natural gas wells and is under consideration for future shale gas development using high-volume hydraulic fracturing. Study focus The study examines current patterns of dissolved methane in groundwater, based on 113 samples from homeowner wells in the spring of 2012. Samples were analyzed for methane and other water quality parameters, and each well characterized by its landscape position and geology. Statistical testing and regression modeling was used to identify the primary environmental drivers of observed methane patterns. New hydrological insights for this region There was no significant difference between methane concentrations in valleys versus upslope locations, in water wells less than or greater than 1 km from a conventional gas well, and across different geohydrologic units. Methane concentrations were significantly higher in groundwater dominated by sodium chloride or sodium bicarbonate compared with groundwater dominated by calcium bicarbonate, indicating bedrock interactions and lengthy residence times as controls. A multivariate regression model of dissolved methane using only three variables (sodium, hardness, and barium) explained 77% of methane variability, further emphasizing the dominance of geochemistry and hydrogeology as controls on baseline methane patterns.
Secure and precise location verification using distance bounding and simultaneous multilateration

Due to the widespread adoption of the Global Positioning System (GPS), many systems have been designed to use the location information of participants. When these systems confer rights (such as access rights) based on location, such claim must be securely verified in order to prevent attackers from gaining access to resources that should be restricted. Substantial effort has been made on secure location verification; however, previous work does not address the impact of collusion attacks where adversaries share their private keys nor do they address a possible jamming attack where attackers inject a high amount of noise to prevent successful challenge and response receptions. In this paper, we propose a secure multilateration scheme that provides maximal security achievable by any time-of-flight based system that does not employ other verification methods.
Synthesis and stereochemistry of sarcophytol B: An anticancer cembranoid

Abstract A short (5 step), efficient synthesis of sarcophytol B (1) from farnesal is reported using a low-temperature, titanium-induced pinacol coupling reaction of 1,14-dialdehyde5 as the key step. An X-ray structure determination showed that sarcophytol B has trans diol stereochemistry.
Overview of BioCreAtIvE task 1B: normalized gene lists.

Our goal in BioCreAtIve has been to assess the state of the art in text mining, with emphasis on applications that reflect real biological applications, e.g., the curation process for model organism databases. This paper summarizes the BioCreAtIvE task 1B, the "Normalized Gene List" task, which was inspired by the gene list supplied for each curated paper in a model organism database. The task was to produce the correct list of unique gene identifiers for the genes and gene products mentioned in sets of abstracts from three model organisms (Yeast, Fly, and Mouse). Eight groups fielded systems for three data sets (Yeast, Fly, and Mouse). For Yeast, the top scoring system (out of 15) achieved 0.92 F-measure (harmonic mean of precision and recall); for Mouse and Fly, the task was more difficult, due to larger numbers of genes, more ambiguity in the gene naming conventions (particularly for Fly), and complex gene names (for Mouse). For Fly, the top F-measure was 0.82 out of 11 systems and for Mouse, it was 0.79 out of 16 systems. This assessment demonstrates that multiple groups were able to perform a real biological task across a range of organisms. The performance was dependent on the organism, and specifically on the naming conventions associated with each organism. These results hold out promise that the technology can provide partial automation of the curation process in the near future.
Spatial relationship of resident and migratory birds and canopy openings in diseased ponderosa pine forests

Abstract A method is described for predicting the spatial distribution of individual birds using presence data. The approach is demonstrated using a statistical habitat association model developed for resident and migratory birds on a 12 ha plot of ponderosa pine ( Pinus ponderosa) heavily infested with southwestern ponderosa pine dwarf mistletoe ( Arceuthobium vasinatum subsp. Cryptopodum ( Englemann) Hawksworth and Weins). Bird locations and densiometer readings of canopy opening were recorded on a 5 m×5 m sampling grid. Minimum threshold theory was used to fit a logistic regression model to the presence data as a function of canopy opening. Highest occupancy of birds occurred at 61% canopy density. Higher probability of birds occurred in more dense canopy than less dense. Model validation indicated that the model adequately described the spatial distribution of the presence of individual birds with respect to canopy opening. Such a model could be used to determine stand conditions that are conducive and/or necessary for certain bird species, and to characterize and quantify the likely ecological consequences of changes to stand structure caused by diseases and other small scale disturbances.
A second order virtual node algorithm for Stokes flow problems with interfacial forces, discontinuous material properties and irregular domains

We present numerical methods for the solution of the Stokes equations that handle interfacial discontinuities, discontinuous material properties and irregular domains. The discretization couples a Lagrangian representation of the material interface with Eulerian representations of the fluid velocity and pressure. The methods are efficient, easy to implement and yield discretely divergence-free velocities that are second order accurate in L^~. For the special case of continuous fluid viscosity, we present a method that decouples the Stokes equations into three Poisson interface problems which we use the techniques in Bedrossian (2010) [1] to solve. We also solve a fourth Poisson equation to enforce a discrete divergence free condition in this case. We discretize all equations using an embedded approach on a uniform MAC grid employing virtual nodes and duplicated cells at the interfaces. These additional degrees of freedom allow for accurate resolution of discontinuities in the fluid stress at the material interface. In the case of discontinuous viscosity, we require a Lagrange multiplier term to enforce continuity of the fluid velocity. We provide a novel discretization of this term that accurately resolves constant pressure null modes. We show that the accurate resolution of these modes significantly improves performance. The discrete coupled equations for the velocity, pressure and Lagrange multipliers are in the form of a symmetric KKT system. However, if both fluids have the same viscosity then all four linear systems involved are symmetric positive definite with three of the four having the standard 5-point Laplace stencil everywhere. Numerical results indicate second order accuracy for the velocities and first order accuracy for the pressure in the general case. For the continuous viscosity case, numerical results indicate second order accuracy for both velocities and pressure.
Cadherin structure: a revealing zipper

The crystal structure of the N-terminal domain of neural cadherin provides the first atomic-level picture of interacting cell-adhesion molecules, and suggests a mechanism for assembly and disassembly of intercellular adhesion zones.
Evidence for sub-families of actin genes in Dictyostelium as determined by comparisons of 3' end sequences.

Abstract We have sequenced the 3′ end of five actin genomic clones and three actin complementary DNA clones from Dictyostelium . Comparison of the sequences shows that the protein coding regions are highly conserved, while the region corresponding to the 3′ untranslated regions are divergent. Additional analysis indicates regions of homology in the 3′ untranslated region between sets of actin genes. Southern DNA blot hybridization studies using labeled 3′ ends suggest that there are sub-families of actin genes that are related within the 3′ untranslated regions. No homology is found in the sequences outside the messenger RNA encoding regions. Analysis of the sequence data has shown that the difference in length between the ~1.25 × 10 3 and ~1.35 × 10 3 base actin messenger RNAs is in the lengths of the 3′ untranslated region.
Structural consequences of point mutations in nine human HPRT variants.

Hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) is a purine salvage enzyme responsible for the conversion of hypoxanthine and guanine to IMP and GMP, respectively. A deficiency of HPRT results in two distinct clinical disorders, gout (partial HPRT deficiency) or the Lesch-Nyhan syndrome (complete HPRT deficiency).1, 2
Transient UV Raman Spectroscopy Finds No Crossing Barrier between the Peptide α-Helix and Fully Random Coil Conformation

Transient UV resonance Raman measurements excited within the amide π → π* transitions of a 21 unit α-helical peptide has for the first time determined a lower bound for the unfolding rate of the last α-helical turn to form a fully random coil peptide. A 3 ns T-jump is generated with 1.9 μm laser pulses, which are absorbed by water. Subsequent 3 ns 204 nm UV pulses excite the amide Raman spectra at delay times between 3 ns and 1 ms, to monitor the peptide conformational evolution. We find ∼180 ns relaxation times which result in a rate constant of >5 × 106 s-1 for unfolding of the last α-helical turn. Our data are inconsistent with slow α-helix nuclei melting.
Immanence and Validity

Summary Metatheory may be pursued immanently, i.e., within the object language, or transcendently in metalanguages. Immanently, the hierarchy of metalanguages gives way to a hierarchy of predicates. The immanent approach accentuates the symmetry between Russell's paradox and Cantor's theorem: class shortage versus predicate shortage. Appeal to metatheoretic models, in defining logical truth, gives way to appeal to substitutions of expressions of the object language. Can this be said also of set-theoretic truth, despite predicate shortage? Equivalently: is substitutional quantification unscathed by predicate shortage? Anyway substitutional quantification balks at impredicative cases. Resume Une metatheorie peut etre pratiquee de facon immanente, c'est-a-dire dans le cadre du langa-ge objet ou de facon transcendante dans des metalangages. Dans le mode immanent, la hierarchie des metalangages donne lieu a une hierarchie de predicats. Ľapproche immanente accentue la symetrie entre le paradoxe du Russell et le theoreme de Cantor: insuffisance des classes face a une insuffisance des predicats. Le recours a des modeles metatheoriques donne lieu, en definissant la verite logique, a un recours a la substitution ?expressions du langage objet. Ceci peut-il etre egalement dit de la verite en theorie des ensembles, en depit de ľinsuffisance des predicats? De maniere equivalente: la quantification substitutionnelle reste-t-elle intouchee par ľinsuffisance des predicats? Quoi qu'il en soit, la quantification substitutionnelle ne convient pas pour les cas impredicatifs. Zusammenfassung Eine Metatheorie kann immanent d.h. innerhalb der Objektsprache studiert werden oder transzendent in Metasprachen. Innerhalb einer Objektsprache weicht die Hierarchie der Meta-sprachen einer Hierarchie der Pradikate. Die immanente Behandlungsweise betont die Symmetrie zwischen Russells Paradox un Cantors Theorem: Mangel an Klassen versus Pradikatenmangel. Das Verfahren, logische Wahrheit mittels metatheoretischer Modelle zu definieren, weicht der Ersetzung von Ausdrucken aus der Objektsprache. Kann dies, trotz Knappheit an Pradikaten, ubertragen werden auf mengentheoretische Wahrheit? Anders gefragt, wird substitutionelle Quantifikation verunmoglicht durch Pradikatenmangel? Jedenfalls stOsst die substitutionelle Quantifikation auf Schwierigkeiten bei impradikativen Fallen.
E pluribus, plurima: the synergy of interdisciplinary class groups

Computer science is increasingly becoming interdisciplinary, with applications not only in scientific disciplines, but also in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Training computer scientists to work in diverse application disciplines is imperative for modern departments. We have had success using interdisciplinary groups for this purpose in a computational biology class, Algorithms for Molecular Biology. In this class, carefully-balanced interdisciplinary groups learn to take advantage of each other's abilities, and to communicate effectively with students with a much different background. From this diversity, we get much more (e pluribus, plurima) than would be possible if we tried to train all students to have a more homogeneous blend of multiple disciplinary knowledge. Within a single semester, students go from virtually no understanding of one discipline to completing research projects on a relevant problem that they have defined themselves.
FMR1 CGG allele size and prevalence ascertained through newborn screening in the United States

Population screening for FMR1 mutations has been a topic of considerable discussion since the FMR1 gene was identified in 1991. Advances in understanding the molecular basis of fragile X syndrome (FXS) and in genetic testing methods have led to new, less expensive methodology to use for large screening endeavors. A core criterion for newborn screening is an accurate understanding of the public health burden of a disease, considering both disease severity and prevalence rate. This article addresses this need by reporting prevalence rates observed in a pilot newborn screening study for FXS in the US. Blood spot screening of 14,207 newborns (7,312 males and 6,895 females) was conducted in three birthing hospitals across the United States beginning in November 2008, using a PCR-based approach. The prevalence of gray zone alleles was 1:66 females and 1:112 males, while the prevalence of a premutation was 1:209 females and 1:430 males. Differences in prevalence rates were observed among the various ethnic groups; specifically higher frequency for gray zone alleles in males was observed in the White group compared to the Hispanic and African-American groups. One full mutation male was identified (>200 CGG repeats). The presented pilot study shows that newborn screening in fragile X is technically feasible and provides overall prevalence of the premutation and gray zone alleles in the USA, suggesting that the prevalence of the premutation, particularly in males, is higher than has been previously reported.
Sensitivity of organic liquid scintillators to magnetic fields

Abstract We have measured the scintillation efficiency of organic, mineral-oil-base scintillator (NE 235) as a function of applied magnetic fields smaller than 50 G. Below a threshold of 1 G, this scintillator is insensitive to magnetic fields (less than 10 −5 /G change in scintillation efficiency). Above this threshold, the efficiency of the scintillator rises rapidly, the increase in efficiency reaches 1.5% at 40 G, and saturates around 100 G to a value of 1.8%.
Spatial power spectra of the crustal geomagnetic field and core geomagnetic field

Equations providing numerical values of the geomagnetic field spherical harmonic spatial power spectrum as defined by Lowes (1966, 1974) are obtained and this power spectrum is related to various other power spectra. Equations relating the spherical harmonic spatial power spectrum to average great circle power spectra for components of the vector magnetic field in the radial direction, along the great circle track and perpendicular to the first two directions are derived under the assumption that the sources of the field are internal. A statistical model for the crustal and core geomagnetic fields is proposed and used to derive equations for the expected main and crustal spherical harmonic power spectra. The model equations are then compared with observations to determine a scale factor which is then used to obtain an estimate for the core radius and a great circle power spectrum for the field component perpendicular to the great circle and radial directions which are in good agreement with observations. The predicted spherical harmonic power spectrum for the crustal field is found to be consistent with POGO satellite and aircraft data. Other possible models for the crustal and core geomagnetic fields are also briefly considered.
The MIT IAP radar course: Build a small radar system capable of sensing range, Doppler, and synthetic aperture (SAR) imaging

MIT Lincoln Laboratory sponsored a radar short course at MIT campus during the January 2011 Independent Activities Period (IAP). The objective of this course was to generate student interest in applied electromagnetics, antennas, radio frequency (RF) electronics, analog circuits, and signal processing by building a short-range radar sensor and using it in a series of field tests. Lectures on the fundamentals of radar, modular RF design, antennas, pulse compression and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging were presented. Teams of three students built a radar system from a kit. This kit was developed by the authors and uses a frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) architecture. To save costs, empty metal coffee cans are used for antennas, components are mounted on a wood block, the system uses only six coaxial microwave parts, analog circuitry on a solderless breadboard, and runs on eight AA batteries. Analog data is acquired by the audio input port on a laptop computer. The total cost of each kit was $360 which made this radar technology accessible to students. Of the nine student groups, all succeeded in building their radar, acquiring Doppler vs. time and range vs. time plots, seven succeeded in acquiring SAR imagery, and some groups improved the radar system. By presenting these difficult topics at a high level while at the same time making a radar kit and performing field experiments, students became self motivated to explore these topics and much interest in radar design was generated.
On circumscribed cylinders of convex sets

Two inequalities regarding the average size of circumscribed cylinders of convex sets are proved. These inequalities generalize and supplement an inequality which Knothe has proved for the purpose of deriving a converse of a theorem of Archimedes concerning the surface area of circumscribed cylinders of spheres.
Experiments on a lattice theory of operator mental models

Summary form only given. The importance of mental models in complex control tasks is discussed, and the lattice theory of mental models is described. Plans for a series of experiments using a simulation developed with the Lab View programming language to validate the lattice theory of mental models are reported. >
Atypical axial osteomalacia. report of four cases with two having features of ankylosing spondylitis

Four patients with a clinical syndrome of musculo-skeletal aching associated with coarse trabeculation primarily in the axial skeleton and normal or near-normal biochemical parameters are reported. Two of these patients had a clinical syndrome consistent with the diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis. A genetic link between the two conditions is postulated.
Glycogen synthase kinase3 beta phosphorylates serine 33 of p53 and activates p53's transcriptional activity

Background The p53 protein is activated by genotoxic stress, oncogene expression and during senescence, p53 transcriptionally activates genes involved in growth arrest and apoptosis. p53 activation is regulated by post-translational modification, including phosphorylation of the N-terminal transactivation domain. Here, we have examined how Glycogen Synthase Kinase (GSK3), a protein kinase involved in tumorigenesis, differentiation and apoptosis, phosphorylates and regulates p53.
The Plasmid-Encoded Regulator Activates Factors Conferring Lysozyme Resistance on Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli Strains

We demonstrate that enhanced lysozyme resistance of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli requires the plasmid-encoded regulator, Per, and is mediated by factors outside the locus for enterocyte effacement. EspC, a Per-activated serine protease autotransporter protein, conferred enhanced resistance on nonpathogenic E. coli, and a second Per-regulated, espC-independent lysozyme resistance mechanism was identified.
Discontinuous galerkin spectral element Simulation of quench propagation in Superconducting magnets

In this paper we simulate 1D quench propagation in superconducting magnets using cable-in-conduit conductors (CICC) by a discontinuous Galerkin (DG) spectral element method (SEM) and explicit Runge-Kutta time integration. The supercritical helium flow is considered in the modeling of quench propagation in CICC, which can be expressed by the Euler equations with additional friction and coupled heat transfer between helium and conductor and conduit. Roe's approximate Riemann solver for real gas/fluid is used to compute numerical flux and nonreflecting boundary condition is introduced in the algorithm. The method used here is highly parallelizable. Some numerical results are given and compared with those obtained by another simulation method and experimental data.
The effects of an irrelevant stimulus variable on transposition

On an intermediate size problem, either white cubes were used on both training and test trials, or irrelevant color cues were introduced at the outset of test trials. Analysis of the first test trial data indicated no effect of color on the frequency of transposition responding. Analysis of total test data (18 trials) indicated that color, as a within-trials variable, interfered with transposition.
Ureteropelvic fibrosis in renal transplants: radiographic manifestations

An uncommon cause of late ureteric obstruction in renal transplants is fibrosis involving the allograft pelvis and ureter. Three new cases are reported, emphasizing a characteristic radiographic appearance of marked generalized narrowing of the renal pelvis and ureter with concomitant dilatation and hydronephrosis of the calyceal system. This unique pattern of obstruction is the result of infiltration of the transplant ureter and pelvis by fibrous tissue. Although the exact stimulus that incites this intense fibrotic scarring is unknown, ischemia, rejection episodes, and infection have been implicated. When properly diagnosed, conservative urologic management, with ureteral stenting and dilatation, is usually adequate to maintain transplant function.
The ‘adaptive zone’ – A concept for assessing discomfort glare throughout daylit spaces

Discomfort glare is an underutilized parameter in contemporary architectural design due to uncertainties about the meaning of existing metrics, how they should be applied and what the benefits of such analysis are. Glare is position and view direction-dependent within a space, rendering it difficult to assess compared to conventional illuminance-based metrics. This paper compares simulation results for five glare metrics under 144 clear sky conditions in three spaces in order to investigate the ability of these metrics to predict the occurrence of discomfort glare and to hence support the design of comfortable spaces. The metrics analyzed areDaylight Glare Index, CIE Glare Index, Visual Comfort Probability, Unified Glare Rating and Daylight Glare Probability. It is found that Daylight Glare Probability yields the most plausible results. In an attempt to deal with multiple positions and view directions simultaneously, the concept of an ‘adaptive zone’ is introduced within which building occupants may freel...
Perceived health in lung cancer patients: the role of positive and negative affect.

Purpose To examine the association of affective experience and health-related quality of life in lung cancer patients, we hypothesized that negative affect would be positively, and positive affect would be negatively, associated with perceived health.
Null-Tracking Doppler-Navigation Radar

A Doppler navigation radar is described which can reduce sea-bias errors to a negligible degree. The technique also reduces all other errors which result from asymmetrical distortion of the echo spectrum. Spectrum distortion is caused by modulation effects (altitude holes), by angle-sensitive reflectivity of certain types of terrain, and by asymmetric receiver responses. Error reduction is achieved by the use of monopulse-type antenna patterns, which are directed toward the earth fore and aft of the aircraft velocity vector. The Doppler frequencies corresponding to the null planes of the split beams are tracked. Because the positions of the null planes relative to the aircraft velocity vector are dependent only upon the antenna configuration, and not upon outside factors beyond the control of the radar designer, the system is practically insensitive to the class of errors listed above. A particular system configuration illustrating the null-tracking principle is described. Initial acquisition of the ground track is made by a conventional lobe-tracking system. Rapid switchover between null tracking and conventional tracking is provided in order to permit picking the best mode for the particular conditions encountered. The added complexity required by the null-tracking feature depends somewhat upon the antenna design, but does not appear prohibitive for either lens antennas or planar arrays.
The choice of gender: is elective gender selection, indeed, sexist?

BACKGROUND: Like a number of international organizations before them, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recently issued an ethics opinion, which condemned all indications of elective gender selection as devaluatory to women and sexist and, therefore, given the choice, assumed automatic preference for male gender selection in all populations. This study intended to investigate this notion for accuracy. METHODS: We investigated the desired gender in 92 couples who had undergone between January 2004 and December 2006 first in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles in attempts at gender selection for family balancing purposes. Their choices were then also investigated stratified for the ethnicity of the couple. RESULTS: Among 92 cycles, 36 cycles were selected for female and 56 for male (P = 0.037). An analysis based on the couples' ethnicities revealed, however, considerable differences in gender selection patterns. Especially Chinese (21 out of 22), Arab/Muslim (5 out of 6) and Asian-Indian (5 out of 5) couples primarily selected for males. Other ethnicities, however, actually preferentially selected for female gender (34 female, 25 male selections in 59 cycles). Gender choices thus varied in a statistically significant way between ethnicities (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In an ethnically mixed patient population, elective gender selection for family balancing purposes in most ethnic groups does not represent a discriminatory procedure against female equality. However, cultural biases against females are, indeed, still maintained in some minority populations. Ethics opinions should be considerate of minority opinions, but should be based on prevalent sentiments in a majority of the population.
Is there an error correcting code in the base sequence in DNA

Modern methods of encoding information into digital form include error check digits that are functions of the other information digits. When digital information is transmitted, the values of the error check digits can be computed from the information digits to determine whether the information has been received accurately. These error correcting codes make it possible to detect and correct common errors in transmission. The sequence of bases in DNA is also a digital code consisting of four symbols: A, C, G, and T. Does DNA also contain an error correcting code? Such a code would allow repair enzymes to protect the fidelity of nonreplicating DNA and increase the accuracy of replication. If a linear block error correcting code is present in DNA then some bases would be a linear function of the other bases in each set of bases. We developed an efficient procedure to determine whether such an error correcting code is present in the base sequence. We illustrate the use of this procedure by using it to analyze the lac operon and the gene for cytochrome c. These genes do not appear to contain such a simple error correcting code.
Incremental Placement for Timing Optimization

An incremental timing driven placement algorithm is presented. We introduce a fast path-based analytical approach for timing improvement. Our method achieves timing optimization by reducing the enclosing bounding boxes of selected nets on critical paths. Furthermore, this technique tries to minimize modifications to the initial placement while improving the delay of the circuit incrementally. Two contributions of this work are 1) efficient conversion of a path-based timing minimization problem to a geometric net-constraint problem and 2) minimal modification of a placement to improve timing. Our technique can take an initial placement from any algorithm and improve timing iteratively. The experiments show that the proposed approach is very efficient.
4H-Silicon Carbide p-n Diode for High Temperature (600 °C) Environment Applications

In this work, we demonstrate the stable operation of 4H-silicon carbide (SiC) p-n diodes at temperature up to 600 °C. In-depth study methods of simulation, fabrication and characterization of the 4H-SiC p-n diode are developed. The simulation results indicate that the turn-on voltage of the 4H-SiC p-n diode changes from 2.7 V to 1.45 V as the temperature increases from 17 °C to 600 °C. The turn-on voltages of the fabricated 4H-SiC p-n diode decreases from 2.6 V to 1.3 V when temperature changes from 17 °C to 600 °C. The experimental I-V curves of the 4H-SiC p-n diode from 17 °C to 600 °C agree with the simulation ones. The demonstration of the stable operation of the 4H-SiC p-n diodes at high temperature up to 600 °C brings great potentials for 4H-SiC devices and circuits working in harsh environment electronic and sensing applications.
Macau’s role as a recreation/tourist center in the Pearl River Delta city-region

The return of Macau to Chinese sovereignty in 1999 brought far-reaching change to Macau as a special administrative region (SAR). China’s policy and plans for a revitalized Macau as a key urban node offers an opportunity to conceptualize a leading role for Macau as the pre-eminent recreational and tourist center in the dynamic and globally connected Pearl River Delta city-region. We examine and assess the new policies that have led to Las Vegas-style casinos bringing explosive growth in visitors, gambling revenues, and Macau’s economy. New problems of corruption, crime, and social pathologies have appeared as well owing in part to the secretive VIP gambling centers for high rollers from the mainland. Has Macau met China’s goals and expectations for a great tourist and recreational center? Our findings indicate a mixed record with more challenges emerging in the wake of China’s recent anti-corruption campaign.
Effects of O-GlcNAcylation on insulin signaling on the level of insulin receptor substrate 1 (739.13)

β-O-Linked N-acetylglucosamine(O-GlcNAc) modification (O-GlcNAcylation) is a dynamic posttranslational modification on Ser/Thr residues and increased O-GlcNAc is associated with insulin resistance. Insulin receptor substrate 1(IRS1) acts as an adaptor protein transferring signals from insulin to downstream PI3K and Akt. It is O-GlcNAcylated and highly phosphorylated. Here we mainly focused on how O-GlcNAcylation affects insulin signaling on IRS1 level. We found that insulin signaling is regulated through pharmacologically modifying the two key enzymes’ activity: O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) and O-GlcNAcase (OGA). In addition, we showed phosphorylation status of IRS1 changed accordingly by vertical isoelectrical focusing and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. We are performing Stable Isotopic Labeling by Amino Acids in Cell Culture (SILAC) on 3T3-L1 to detect phosphorylation changes on IRS1 as well as other signaling proteins. In addition, We mapped two O-GlcNAc sites by CID/ETD-MS/MS, Ser635 and Ser1001. ...
Adaptive Environmental Interfaces: Biomimetic Morphologies and Tactical Urbanism

Human social needs, once facilitated by cities are now satisfied through the internet of everything (IoE) and the internet of me (IoMe). Historically, centralized power structures have shaped urban environments to support human interaction. These interactions are now also satisfied through the distributed power structures of the internet; undermining the built environment. Forces of sustainability combined with the grafting of technology onto bodies and buildings are re-shaping urban development – catalyzing the emergence of new urban morphologies. Here stochastic and biomimetic research methods and modeling generate new morphological urban forms. Opportunities are revealed through IoE sensory information and infrastructural systems’ analysis.
Commercial bank locations and “banking deserts”: a statistical analysis of Milwaukee and Buffalo

Although Internet banking is now able to perform many of the functions associated with physical bank branches, these locations still play important roles within their neighborhoods. This is particularly true for low-income, inner-city areas, which often have relatively few traditional banks. This study compares the cases of Milwaukee and Buffalo, both northern “Rust Belt” cities that have experienced manufacturing and population decline. Using both GIS and statistical analysis at the block group level, we confirm the presence of inner-city “cold spots” in both cities using statistical measures. We also find that both bank density and distance are significantly correlated with income and other demographic and economic variables. Statistical tests show that banking “deserts” are poorer and less white than other block groups. Regression analysis shows that for Buffalo, but not Milwaukee, the number of banks in an area is significantly related to income, distance from the CBD, and population density; the vacancy rate is significant while racial makeup is not.
The ‘war on terror’ and extremism: assessing the relevance of the Women, Peace and Security agenda

Recognizing the critique of sexual essentialism in the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda, this article moves beyond this familiar narrative to address the narrowness of conflict frames that have to date been engaged by the WPS agenda. The events of 11 September 2001 brought new urgency and vibrancy to state action in the realm of counterterrorism. This momentum was illustrated both by the response of national legal systems and by more concerted efforts to achieve multilateral and multilevel counterterrorism cooperation on the international level. Notably, terrorism and counterterrorism have long been of only marginal interest to mainstream feminist legal theorists. Until recently concerted analytical feminist scrutiny has been missing in the assessment of terrorism, radicalism and counterterrorism discourses. This article addresses the lack of attention to terrorism, counterterrorism and countering violent extremism (CVE) initiatives in the WPS mandate and its consequences for mainstreaming gender interests in foundational aspects of peace and security practice. Recent normative augmentations including UNSCR 2242 and the amplified mandate of the Counter-Terrorism Committee to include gender considerations are assessed. The article argues that these moves to include gender come late, and on the terms set by security-minded states. The late attention to gender in counterterrorism leaves little capacity to produce an inclusive and reimagined feminist agenda addressing the causes conducive to the production of terrorism and the costs to women of counterterrorism strategies. This pessimistic assessment warns of the pitfalls of exclusion and inclusion in the new security regimes that have been fashioned post 9/11 by states.
Historical and Contemporary Attitudes Toward Homosexuality

Over the past several decades, the shifting social climate has led to a steady increase in legal rights, social acceptance, and visibility for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people. However, there are still marked individual differences in levels of sexual prejudice as well as varying levels of comfort and exposure to the LGBT community. Moreover, the rapid shift in attitudes may lead students to conclude incorrectly that sexual prejudice is a thing of the past. The focus of this article is threefold. First, we emphasize the benefits of teaching about the history of the gay rights movement; when students learn about the past, they gain important insights into the lived experiences of LGBT individuals. Second, we illustrate the ways in which discrimination against LGBTs is still quite evident, including bullying, transgender rights, and employment disparities based on sexual prejudice. Third, we underscore the need to acknowledge heterosexual privilege and to explain why students should con...
A method for the measurement of plasma renin in the rat.

SummaryA simple, sensitive, and accurate method for the routine measurement of plasma renin in the rat is described. It is based on the determination of angiotensin I formed when plasma is incubated with an excess of purified homologous substrate. Plasma angiotensinase activity is inhibited by the combination of EDTA, DFP, and BAL, thus permitting complete recovery of angiotensin and renin.
Repair of the medial canthus following Mohs micrographic surgery.

Background The medial canthus poses unique reconstructive challenges because of its anatomy and contour. The reconstructive goal should be preservation of the natural concavity that defines it because even small alterations can result in perceptible asymmetry. Objective To present the anatomy of this unique cosmetic subunit and review reconstructive options that preserve contour and function. Materials and methods A variety of reconstructive approaches for different subunits of the medial canthus are described and discussed. Technical considerations and complications are discussed. Results The choice of repair will depend on the relative location of the defect on the medial canthus and the proximity to adjacent cosmetic subunits. Conclusion Understanding of the unique contour and anatomy of the medial canthus is essential to choosing the best repair option that preserves contour and symmetry.
Phospholipids Chiral at Phosphorus. 13. Stereochemical Comparison of Phospholipase A2, Lecithin-Cholesterol Acyl Transferase, and Platelet-Activating Factor

Abstract Thiophospholipids and thiophosphate analogs of platelet activating factor were synthesized and used to compare the stereochemical properties in three different biological systems. Phospholipase A2 shows high stereo-specificity, and this has been substantiated by computer graphics. Lecithin-cholesterol acyl transferase shows no stereospecificity. Platelet aggregation shows, preliminarily, a small degree of stereospecificity.
Sediment-Hosted Massive Zinc-Lead Sulfide (SMS) Deposits

This class of Zn-Pb sulfide (±barite±Ag±Cu) deposits constitutes a major global resource of zinc (>50%) and lead (>60%), and contributes 31% and 25%, respectively, of world’s primary production of zinc and lead (Tikkanen 1986). This deposit class has been variously referred to as: Sullivan-type massive sulfide deposits (Sawkins 1976a); subclasses of stratiform sulfides of marine and marine-volcanic association (Stanton 1972); exhalative sedimentary group (Hutchinson 1980); sediment-hosted submarine exhalative deposits (SEDEX) (Large 1980, 1981, Carne and Cathro 1982); sediment-hosted Pb-Zn deposits (Badham 1981); sedimentary-type stratiform ore deposits in flysch basins (Morganti 1981); sediment-hosted stratiform lead-zinc deposits (Lydon 1983); syngenetic and diagenetic lead-zinc deposits in shales and carbonates (Edwards & Atkinson 1986); and shale-hosted deposits of Pb, Zn, and Ba (Maynard 1991b). By analogy with the volcanic-associated massive sulfide (VMS) deposits discussed earlier (Ch. 10), the descriptive term sediment-hosted massive sulfide (SMS) deposits is preferred, because it emphasizes the lithologic association of the deposits and excludes any genetic constraint. Most of the deposits included here are dominantly stratiform (i.e., the deposits are composed of sulfide layers parallel to the bedding of the host sedimentary rocks), but some are not, particularly those that have been highly deformed (McClay 1983). In addition, many deposits either contain, or are associated with, mineralization that is not stratiform. As has been pointed out by Large (1983), the term massive sulfide, which loosely describes mineralization containing more than 50% sulfides, separates this class from other classes of sediment-hosted sulfide deposits, such as the sediment-hosted (stratiform) copper deposits (see Ch. 12) and the Mississippi Valley-type Pb-Zn deposits (see Ch. 13); there are also significant differences in the lithologic association, nature of mineralization, and metal ratios among these three classes of sediment-hosted deposits. Also excluded from the present discussion are sediment-hosted barite deposits without significant base metal enrichment, such as those of the barite districts in Arkansas and Nevada (USA), although both deposit types are regarded as exhalative in origin. In contrast to SMS deposits, which are hosted by basinal elastics in dominantly intracratonic rift settings, barite deposits display geochemical signatures that indicate the influence of oceanic crust and appear to have formed in compressional continental margin settings (Maynard 1991b), perhaps from cooler and shallower hydrothermal systems.
A palm for a rock climbing robot based on dense arrays of micro-spines

We present a new palm design that features a dense array of micro-spines for the JPL Robosimian human-scale climbing robot. A linearly-constrained spine mechanism is introduced and analyzed using adhesion and stiffness models. This mechanism achieves a spine density of 19/cm2 and a mean adhesion of 67N (207kPa) on coarse concrete surfaces. The models are validated on two different surfaces with two sets of experiments. A 120×100mm palm consisting of 12 spine tiles and a pulley differential system for load sharing are designed and tested on 9 different surfaces. The mean shear adhesion goes up to 710N (183kPa) on concrete blocks. Design considerations include scaling efficiency and maximal single-spine force. Desirable properties for load sharing in the palm design are discussed.