cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Selecting Error Correcting Codes to Minimize Power in Memory Checker Circuits

The approach proposed in this paper reduces power consumption in single-error correcting, double error-detecting checker circuits that perform memory ECC. Power is minimized with little or no impact on area and delay, using the degrees of freedom in selecting the parity check matrix of the error correcting code. The non-linear power optimization problem is solved using two methods, genetic algorithms and simulated annealing. Both the methods are applied to two SEC-DED codes: standard Hamming codes and odd-column-weight Hsiao codes. Experiments on actual memory traces of Spec and MediaBench benchmarks indicate that considering power along with area and delay when selecting the parity check matrix can result in power reductions of up to 27% for Hsiao codes and up to 41% for Hamming codes. Experiments are also performed to motivate the choice of parameters of the non-linear optimization algorithms, using sensitivity analysis of the low-power solutions to the choice of the different parameters of each algorithm.
Patients’ Characteristics Affecting Physician‐Patient Nonverbal Communication

Previous research has reported that nonverbal elements of physician-patient communication influence medical outcomes such as patients’ understanding, compliance, and saris/action with health care delivery. This investigation examined the impact of various patients’ characteristics (age, sex, education, anxiety, and relational history with the physician) on patterns of nonverbal communication exhibited in 41 physician-patient interactions at a family practice clinic. Several findings were noteworthy. First, although they were relatively consistent in their nonverbal responses to different patients, physicians generally reciprocated patient's adjustments in response latency, pauses during speaking turns, body orientation, and interruptions and compensated patient's modifications in turn duration and gestural rates. Second, physicians nonverbally interacted with patients over 30 years of age in a less domineering and more responsive fashion (e.g., comparable turn durations, more vocal back-channels, and more nonverbal behavior reciprocity) than they did when conversing with patients under 30. Third, physicians appeared responsive to patients experiencing various degrees of anxiety. Specifically, relative to their interactions with less worried patients, physicians used less task touch with anxious patients and to a greater degree compensated the worried patients nonverbal responses. Finally, the patients sex, education, and visit (i.e., first versus repeat) had little impact on the structure of physician-patient nonverbal exchanges.
Generating Cycles of Products and Prices

The major features of economic cycles are traceable to three primary laws: (1) the law of the generating cycle of raw materials, which is due to a non-economic cause; (2) the law of demand for raw materials, in consequence of which the generating cycle of products originates a derived cycle of prices for raw materials; and (3) the law of competitive price, according to which the prices of finished goods in an open market tend to correspond with the cost of production. Correlation of crop yields and crop prices, 218. — Generating cycles of products. 224. — The derived cycle of prices, 226. — Cycles in the products of mines, 228. — Cycles in raw materials, 231. — Concluding observations, 233.
A retrospective prospective perspective on agricultural biotechnology ten years on

Since the fi rst biotech crop was commercialised in 1996, these crops have enjoyed a rapid adoption and are now grown commercially by 8.5 million farmers in 21 countries, an 11 per cent increase from 8.25 million in 17 countries in 2004. Research and development is being conducted in another 45. The billionth cumulative acre of biotech crops was grown in 2005. Notably, last year Iran grew its fi rst crop of biotech rice, the fi rst biotech planting of this important food crop globally. The Czech Republic planted biotech maize for the fi rst time, bringing the total number of European Union (EU) countries growing biotech crops to fi ve with Spain, Germany and the Czech Republic being joined by France and Portugal, which resumed planting biotech maize after four and fi ve-year gaps, respectively. This could signal an important trend in the EU. Although North America leads in the research, more than half of the 63 countries engaged in biotech research, development and production are developing countries. The fi rst generation of such crops focused largely on input agronomic traits, the next generation will focus more on value-added output traits. In the next decade, some studies estimate the global value of biotech crops will increase nearly fi ve-fold to $ 210bn.
The influence of the metal (Al, Cr and Co) and the substituents of the porphyrin in controlling the reactions involved in the copolymerization of propylene oxide and cyclic anhydrides by porphyrin metal(III) complexes

Abstract A series of porphyrin metal(III) complexes of general formula LMX (L = tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP), octaethylporphyrin (OEP), tetrakispentafluorophenylporphyrin (TFPP), M = Al, Cr, Co, X = Cl, OH or OEt); has been investigated as catalyst systems for the copolymerization of propylene oxide (PO) and cyclic anhydrides to produce polypropylene carboxylates, with and without a Lewis base cocatalyst: bis(triphenylphosphine)iminium chloride (PPN + Cl − ). The highest rate of copolymerization was observed with 1.0 equiv. cocatalyst and the use of phthalic anhydride (PA) monomer allowed the formation of higher molecular weight polyesters. The terpolymerization of PO, cyclic anhydride and CO 2 produced poly(ester- b -carbonates). With PPN + Cl − cocatalyst, TPPCrCl catalyst system produced two polymer chains per metal. The polymerization processes were followed by 1 H NMR spectroscopy and polymer samples were characterized by GPC, Mass (ESI and MALDI TOF) and NMR ( 1 H, 13 C{ 1 H}) spectroscopy. The observed results are compared with earlier studies of salen and related complexes.
Regional versus inter-regional efficiency in resource allocations

This discussion invest igates the question whether the introduction of compensation payments for resource t ransfe rs between independent regions with unequal endowments of r e sources such as water would lead to an efficient in te r reg iona l allocation and utilization pat tern of these resources . The basic assumption underlying the analysis is that the respect ive regions have e i ther complete or part ial jur isdict ion or ownership r ights over these r e sources so that they themselves could determine or at least substant ially influence existing and future util ization pat terns. Given this c r i t e r i a , the definition "region" would mean a special poli t ical subunit such as an individual water dis t r ic t , it could mean an individual state or province forming part of a l a rge r national unit, or it could r e f e r to a sovereign country such as Canada or the United States. Regional efficiency, then, can be defined as the maximizat ion of net benefits accruing to the region i tself f rom the util ization of the par t icular r e source within or without its own boundaries, whereas in ter regional efficiency r e f e r s to the maximizat ion of total net benefits for all affected regions combined. The analysis will be conducted in t e rms of usual benefi t cost terminology, with net benefits r e f e r r ing to the present value of the sum of public and pr ivate total benefits minus the sum of public and pr ivate total costs. However, such a definition r a i ses three important issues. The f i r s t is the question of the appropriate rate or ra tes of discount, a question which has found much attention in the l i te ra ture without resul t ing in a
Evidence for the spontaneous formation of interspecies hybrid molecules of human, rat and bovine serum albumins.

Abstract Utilizing electrophoretic and gel filtration techniques it was shown that a bovine C-terminal peptic fragment [residues 307–582] spontaneously forms interspecies hybrid molecules with three complementary N-terminal fragments derived from human [residues 1–308; 49–308] and rat [residues 1–308] albumins. The fragments associate with 1:1 stoichiometry to produce an albumin-like complex which has a molecular weight and electrophoretic mobility similar to intact albumin. These data demonstrate, for the first time, that albumin fragments derived from different species associate in a complementary fashion and provide direct evidence that the tertiary structure may be highly conserved.
Higgs mechanism and quark confinement

We discuss a recently proposed mechanism for quark confinement obtained by combining the Higgs mechanism for producing massive gauge mesons with the theory of magnetic monopoles. The theory is mathematically equivalent to the quarks being magnetic monopoles moving in a superconducting vacuum. When the quarks in a hadron are pulled apart, they remain connected by vortices of magnetic flux; consequently, at large interquark distances the energy of the system becomes proportional to the quark separation. At low energies the quarks are closer together than the penetration depth of the superconductor, and thus they appear effectively free.
P values are only an index to evidence: 20th‐ vs. 21st‐century statistical science

Early statistical methods focused on pre-data probability statements (i.e., data as random variables) such as P values; these are not really inferences nor are P values evidential. Statistical science clung to these principles throughout much of the 20th century as a wide variety of methods were developed for special cases. Looking back, it is clear that the underlying paradigm (i.e., testing and P values) was weak. As Kuhn (1970) suggests, new paradigms have taken the place of earlier ones: this is a goal of good science. New methods have been developed and older methods extended and these allow proper measures of strength of evidence and multimodel inference. It is time to move forward with sound theory and practice for the difficult practical problems that lie ahead. Given data the useful foundation shifts to post-data probability statements such as model probabilities (Akaike weights) or related quantities such as odds ratios and likelihood intervals. These new methods allow formal inference from multiple models in the a prior set. These quantities are properly evidential. The past century was aimed at finding the "best" model and making inferences from it. The goal in the 21st century is to base inference on all the models weighted by their model probabilities (model averaging). Estimates of precision can include model selection uncertainty leading to variances conditional on the model set. The 21st century will be about the quantification of information, proper measures of evidence, and multi-model inference. Nelder (1999:261) concludes, "The most important task before us in developing statistical science is to demolish the P-value culture, which has taken root to a frightening extent in many areas of both pure and applied science and technology".
Dynamic game difficulty balancing for backgammon

For video games, matching the game difficulty to the skill level of the player is important for the entertainment, enjoyment and growth of the player. For computer "board games", varying the difficulty has traditionally been left up to the player by providing a fixed number of static difficulty settings. Static skill levels can be problematic for the player: if too many levels are provided, then it can take the user many games to identify the optimal level; if too few levels are provided, then the user can get stuck in between a level that is too easy and a level that is too difficult. In this paper, we examine an approach for dynamically varying the difficulty of the computer opponent during gameplay to better match the skill level of the human player. We provide results for the game of backgammon from tens of thousands of simulated games and show that our dynamic approach better matches the skill level of the opponent than a static approach as measured by a number of metrics.
Prospects for Domesticating Western Huckleberries

Western huckleberries (Vaccinium spp.) are native to the western United States and western Canada. The fruits were important for food and trade among some Native American nations and were popular w...
Nano-Structured Materials to Address Challenges of the Hydrogen Initiative

Since the publication of the 2003 report on Basic Energy Needs for the Hydrogen Economy, many important advances in hydrogen research have occurred, a cadre of enthusiastic researchers has entered the field with great interest shown by students, and private industry has made significant commitment to this technology and investment in its development worldwide. Concurrently, other energy technologies have made major strides forward. These technologies must be evaluated for their scalability, usability, cost and life cycle footprint on the environment. This overview discusses these topics and looks toward the role for the hydrogen economy into our energy future.
Synthesis of d,l-1-13C-methionine

The stable, isotopically labelled amino acid d, 1-113C-methionine, was prepared synthetically from 90% K13CN and 3-(methylthio-propionaldehyde. Chromatographic, infrared and mass spectrometric properties are presented which aid in the identification of this compound in body fluids and tissues.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE PARATHYROID GLANDSAND SEX HORMONES IN TETANY

It is a matter of considerable interest to students of parathyroid tetany that men are very seldom affected by the disease. In a series of 176 cases of post-thyroidectomy tetany that we have seen, only nine occurred in men and of these in only one instance was the tetany at all severe. This is even more remarkable when one reflects that thyroidectomy is performed only four times more frequently in women than in men. In a series of 88 cases of tetany, Boothby, Haines and Pemberton (1) found only one case in a man.
Novel copy-number variants in a population-based investigation of classic heterotaxy.

Heterotaxy is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous disorder. We investigated whether screening cases restricted to a classic phenotype would result in the discovery of novel, potentially causal copy-number variants. We identified 77 cases of classic heterotaxy from all live births in New York State during 1998–2005. DNA extracted from each infant’s newborn dried blood spot was genotyped with a microarray containing 2.5 million single-nucleotide polymorphisms. Copy-number variants were identified with PennCNV and cnvPartition software. Candidates were selected for follow-up if they were absent in unaffected controls, contained 10 or more consecutive probes, and had minimal overlap with variants published in the Database of Genomic Variants. We identified 20 rare copy-number variants including a deletion of BMP2, which has been linked to laterality disorders in mice but not previously reported in humans. We also identified a large, terminal deletion of 10q and a microdeletion at 1q23.1 involving the MNDA gene; both are rare variants suspected to be associated with heterotaxy. Our findings implicate rare copy-number variants in classic heterotaxy and highlight several candidate gene regions for further investigation. We also demonstrate the efficacy of copy-number variant genotyping in blood spots using microarrays. Genet Med 17 5, 348–357.
Technology business incubators: how effective as technology transfer mechanisms?

Abstract Technology business incubators provide a mechanism for technology transfer, promote the concept of growth through innovation and application of technology, support economic development strategies for small business development, and encourage growth from within local economies. This study provides a profile of technology business incubators in the United States, reviews previous research, and reports results of research on the technology transfer activities of technology business incubators. It is not surprising that universities and other research organizations are major developers of technology business incubator programs. The study found that technology business incubators have not had a high incidence of technology transfer despite the fact that many were established with that goal in mind. This finding implies the need to continue investigating the problems that hinder the technology transfer process, especially in light of the fact that most technology incubator programs state as their objective the transfer and commercialization of technology.
Phase-Field Modeling and Simulations of Lipid Membranes Coupling Composition with Membrane Mechanical Properties

The plasma membrane, a lipid bilayer membrane surrounding all mammalian cells, is not homogeneous, but rather contains domains termed ‘rafts,’ defined as regions enriched with cholesterol and saturated lipids. Understanding how and why these rafts form is of great importance to cell biologists and immunologists, since they are involved in many important cell functions and processes including endocytosis, cell adhesion, signaling, protein organization, lipid regulation, and infection by pathogens. These raft structures also show great potential for technological applications, especially in connection with biosensors and drug delivery systems. We examine the formation and evolution of lipid raft-like domains in multicomponent lipid membrane vesicles using a continuum-level simulation method. Our objective is to investigate how various physical parameters input into the model, such as spontaneous curvature, bending rigidity, and phase fraction, affect the dynamics and equilibrium morphological phases formed in two-phase lipid membrane systems. This model is applied to membranes with spherical background geometries, simulating the compositional and shape evolution of lipid vesicles, coupled using a modified Helfrich free energy. The compositional evolution is modeled using a phase-field method and is described by a Cahn-Hilliard-type equation, while the shape changes are described by relaxation dynamics in which the vesicle surface area is conserved. We find that the compositional and morphological evolution are significantly altered when the mechanical coupling is present by comparing the results with those of systems where this coupling is absent. More specifically, we find that the evolution is significantly slowed when the phases have equal and opposite spontaneous curvatures and are present in roughly equal amounts. We also investigate equilibrium shapes formed by completely phase-separated vesicles as a function of spontaneous curvature, bending rigidity, and phase fraction.
Intel enterprise server processor packaging challenge and future trend

Processor package has played significant role during Intel server's historic path. From the early front side bus (FSB) interconnect with north bridge chipset to the current quick path interconnect (QPI), server package architecture and design have met the challenge at each step. This paper summarized what we have done to implement quad core multi-chip package with compatible platform, develop multi-package socket with compressed Hex pattern, implement air core inductor to support Fully Integrated Voltage Regulator (FIVR) and create the Patch on Interposer (PoINT) technology to meet the product need and still maintain the low cost. At the end, future Intel server challenge and trend is discussed.
Rhythmic membrane potential changes in hamster parasympathetic neurons.

Abstract Two types of rhythmic membrane potentials in hamster submandibular neurons: (i) slow oscillations of membrane potential (SOMP); and (ii) spontaneous or caffeine-induced rhythmic hyperpolarizing potentials (C-HPs), have been analyzed. SOMPs occurred spontaneously, roughly in sinusoidal forms, between the subthreshold range and the potassium equilibrium potential (EK, approximately -85 mV). The average amplitude of SOMPs from crest to trough was 12 mV with an average crest to crest interval of 6 min. The largest amplitude of SOMPs was seen when their median membrane potentials were between -65 and -70 mV; values outside this range attenuated the amplitude of SOMPs. SOMPs were hardly discernible at or near EK. The membrane resistance was, in general, higher at the crest than at the trough. In eserine-treated preparations, SOMPs of varying durations following postsynaptic potentials were triggered by preganglionic repetitive stimulation. Reduction of extracellular K+ concentration increased the amplitude of SOMP without changing its frequency. This effect was noted at times before K+-free induced membrane depolarization occurred. The amplitude of the SOMP decreased in Ca2+-free saline with concomitant depolarization; conversely, in saline in which the Ca2+ concentration was doubled the membrane potential (Em) was found to be again stable near the EK level. A transient hyperpolarization occurred following intracellular Ca2+ injection when the Em of the preinjected state was between -45 and -60 mV. Among K+-conductance (GK) blockers (TEA, 3- and 4-aminopyridine, Cs+ and Ba2+ examined, only Ba2+ at 5 mM reduced both amplitude and frequency of C-HPs significantly. All Ca2+-conductance (GCa) blockers (Co2+ and Mn2+ at 5 mM, Cd2+ and La3+ at 1 mM, and D-600 at 0.4 mg/ml) prevented synaptic transmission and abolished spike-induced late hyperpolarizing afterpotential. C-HPs were nearly abolished by these agents in 4 mM Ca2+-containing saline. Mitochondrial inhibitors (DNP, CCCP, KCN, NaN3) in a concentration range between 10−4M and 10−5 M, hyperpolarized the membran before depolarizing and abolishing C-HPs. However, the plasma membrane Na+-pump inhibitor ouabain, at concentrations up to 5 × 10−4 M, did not affect C-HPs during 1 h perfusion in the majority of neurons; no membrane hyperpolarization was induced, although a gradual depolarization did occur. Both ruthenium red (5 mM) and quinine (5 × 10−4 M) abolished C-HPs. It is assumed that the two above types of membrane potential changes are generated by the Ca2+-activated GK increase, which, in turn, is under the control of mitochondrial Ca2+ regulatory activity.
Driving habits in older patients with central vision loss

Objective To determine if central visual loss is associated with driving cessation, driving restriction, or other-driver preference. Design Cross-sectional study. Participants Sixty-four subjects with bilateral visual loss ( Methods Participants self-reported driving habits. Other-driver preference was defined as preferring that another drive when there is more than 1 driver in the car. Subjects reporting 2 or more driving limitations were considered to have restricted their driving. Main Outcome Measures Self-reported driving cessation, other-driver preference, and driving restriction. Results Age-related macular degeneration subjects were older (74.7 vs. 69.7 years), had worse visual acuity (VA; mean better-eye VA, 0.43 vs. 0.08 logarithm of minimum angle of resolution [logMAR]) and contrast sensitivity (CS; 1.4 vs. 1.9 log units of CS [logCS]), and were more likely to be white when compared with controls ( P 0.001 for all). Drivers with AMD-related vision loss were more likely to avoid driving over longer distances, beyond 1 hour, at night, and in unfamiliar conditions ( P P 0.001) and worse binocular CS (OR, 1.36 per 0.1 logCS increment; P = 0.005); however, AMD group status was not associated with driving cessation (OR, 1.9; P = 0.35). Factors predicting driving restriction were AMD (OR, 9.0; P = 0.004), worse vision (OR, 2.5 per line of VA loss; P 0.001), lower CS (OR, 2.2 per 0.1-logCS increment; P 0.001), and female gender (OR, 27.9; P = 0.002). Other-driver preference was more common with worse vision (OR, 1.6 per 0.1-logMAR increment; P = 0.003), female gender (OR, 4.5; P = 0.02), and being married (OR, 3.8; P = 0.04). Conclusions Most patients with AMD-related central vision loss continue to drive, but demonstrate significant driving restrictions, especially with more severe VA and CS loss. Future work should determine which driving adaptations the visually impaired best balance safety and independence.
Lack of inhibition of glutathione reductase by unnitrated derivatives of nitrofurantoin.

Abstract Nitrofurantoin produced greater than 70% inhibition of glutathione reductase (EC 1.6.4.2) from human blood, rat blood and yeast. In contrast, identical concentrations of unnitrated derivatives produced less than 10% inhibition of the enzyme. Both nitrofurantoin and the unnitrated derivatives are equally effective in causing depletion of erythrocyte ATP and reduced glutathione levels. These data suggest that the drug-induced red cell toxicity may not be mediated solely by inhibition of glutathione reductase.
Block copolymers under cylindrical confinement

Microphase-separated block copolymers were introduced as melts into nanoscopic cylindrical pores in alumina membranes via capillary action. The geometric confinement of both lamellar and cylindrical microdomain morphologies of styrene/butadiene block copolymers, PS-b-PBD, was investigated by transmission electron microscopy. Well-developed microphase-separated structures were formed within the resulting nanorods. Polymers that exhibit cylindrical microdomains in the bulk orient with cylindrical microdomains along the nanorod axis due to the preferential segregation of the PBD block to the walls of the pores. The period and packing of the microdomains differ from those observed in the bulk due to an incommensurability between the pore geometry and the natural period and hexagonal packing of the copolymer microdomains. With polymers exhibiting bulk lamellar morphology, confinement forces the formation of concentric cylinders oriented along the nanorod axis. The number of concentric cylinders depends on the ...
Student Services Transformed: Helping Students to Help Themselves

Pima Community College (PCC) successfully centralized operations to ensure consistent, reliable delivery of student services. A new emphasis on self-efficacy lets students learn to do for themselves what was once done for them by staff. Renovated Student Service Centers at each campus place a diverse set of services in one location.
Response of Hard Red Spring Wheat to Copper Fertilization

To achieve optimum production of hard red spring wheat, growers should know if use of copper (Cu) in a fertilizer program is necessary. For this study, copper was broadcast and incorporated before planting in the sulfate or chelate form to supply both 6.7 and 13.4 kg Cu ha−1 at six sites. The soils at the majority of the sites had a loamy fine sand texture with low organic‐matter content. Application of Cu increased grain yield at one site. Grain yield response, however, could not be predicted by amount of Cu extracted from soil by the diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) procedure. Concentrations of Cu in whole plant tissue did not match those reported in the literature. The results of this study do not support the addition of Cu to a fertilizer program for production of hard red spring wheat on mineral soils in the northern Great Plains.
Diagnostic testing for radiation treatment planning of malignant melanoma with special emphasis on ct scanning

Abstract Recent studies have shown that malignant melanomas respond better to large individual radiation doses (400–800 rad) than to conventional fractionation. Since the late effects of such treatment fractions are not well established, limitation of dose to normal tissues is desirable. We have used the CT scanner in radiation treatment planning for melanoma patients to achieve this goal. The value of information obtained by CT scanning as compared to that achieved by conventional radioisotope scans and X-ray studies was reviewed retrospectively. We have observed that the CT scan is most useful in treatment planning of tumors in the abdomen and pelvis. It is also useful for planning accurate reduced fields in the treatment of brain metastasis.
Differential effect of L-threo-3,4-dihydroxyphenylserine in pure autonomic failure and multiple system atrophy with autonomic failure

Treatment with L-threo-3,4-dihydroxyphenylserine (L-threo-dops), a synthetic precursor of norepinephrine, significantly increased upright blood pressure in patients with multiple system atrophy but had no effect on the upright blood pressure of patients with pure autonomic failure. These results suggest that the site of action of L-threo-dops is central and that its pressor effect requires intact peripheral sympathetic neurons.
Oxygen-Glucose Deprivation Induces Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase and Nitrotyrosine Expression in Cerebral Endothelial Cells

Background and Purpose—The cerebral endothelial cells (ECs) are a primary target of hypoxic or ischemic brain insults. EC damage may contribute to postischemic secondary injury. Massive production of NO after inducible NO synthase (iNOS) expression has been implicated in cell death. This study aimed to characterize bovine cerebral EC death in relation to iNOS expression after oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) in vitro. Methods—OGD in bovine cerebral ECs in culture was induced by deleting glucose in the medium and by incubating the cells in a temperature-controlled anaerobic chamber. The extent of cell death was assessed by trypan blue exclusion, MTT assay, and LDH release. ELISA, gel electrophoresis, and staining by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase–mediated dUTP nick end-labeling were used to examine DNA fragmentation. The expression of iNOS mRNA and protein was detected by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting, respectively. Nitrotyrosine expression was confirmed with W...
DISTRIBUTION AND FUNCTION OF T‐ AND B‐CELL SUBPOPULATIONS IN SARCOIDOSIS*

Some in vitro functions of purified T and B cells from PPD- and Candida albicans-negative sarcoidosis patients were analyzed. It appears that in those patients there is: 1) A decrease in the absolute number of T lymphocytes and an increase in the number of B cells; 2) a rather normal response of T lymphocytes to PHA and Con A; 3) a rather normal capacity of T and B cells to produce MIF in vitro; and 4) an ability of T cells from sarcoid patients (but not B cells) to produce LMF. These results suggest that the frequent deficit in cell-mediated immunity observed in sarcoidosis seems to correlate with a quantitative deficit in T cells. The cause of this T-cell deficit is unknown.
Introducing a Science-Based Quality by Design Concept to Analytical Methods Development

Although quality by design (QbD) is widely accepted and put into practice for chemical process and formulation development, little attention has been paid to apply it to the analytical methods development and validation. A proposal of applying a science-based QbD approach to a High Performance Liquid Chromatographic (HPLC) analytical method development is presented in this paper. Using the JMP software for DOE design and data analysis, critical method parameters can be identified and thus proper ranges can be set in order to ensure the robustness of the method. This approach allows the robustness to be built into the method during the step of method development.
On Lyapunov function based decentralized adaptive controllers

Application of the direct Lyapunov method for the design of decentralized adaptive controllers for tracking in nonlinear systems is examined. It is shown how the assumptions made about the nature of the nonlinear interactions influence the adaptation laws. The authors also examine the role of an auxiliary adaptive signal and show how it can be used to improve the convergence rate and the ultimate bound of the tracking error. Simulation results are presented for controlling the joints of a two-link robot using the proposed adaptive schemes. >
Some behavioral aspects of energy descent: how a biophysical psychology might help people transition through the lean times ahead.

We may soon face biophysical limits to perpetual growth. Energy supplies may tighten and then begin a long slow descent while defensive expenditures rise to address problems caused by past resource consumption. The outcome may be significant changes in daily routines at the individual and community level. It is difficult to know when this scenario might begin to unfold but it clearly would constitute a new behavioral context, one that the behavioral sciences least attends to. Even if one posits a less dramatic scenario, people may still need to make many urgent and perhaps unsettling transitions. And while a robust response would be needed, it is not at all clear what should be the details of that response. Since it is likely that no single response will fix things everywhere, for all people or for all time it would be useful to conduct many social experiments. Indeed, a culture of small experiments should be fostered which, at the individual and small group level, can be described as behavioral entrepreneurship. This may have begun, hidden in plain sight, but more social experiments are needed. To be of help, it may be useful to both package behavioral insights in a way that is practitioner-oriented and grounded in biophysical trends and to propose a few key questions that need attention. This paper begins the process of developing a biophysical psychology, incomplete as it is at this early stage.
Adolescents with Learning Disabilities: Perspectives from an Educational Clinic.

In recent years, diagnosis and treatment of LD adolescents have primarily been considered from the public school perspective. This article, however, examines the characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment of LD adolescents from a clinical perspective. Johnson, Blalock, and Nesbitt present data on LD adolescents that have been gathered at the diagnostic-remedial clinic at Northwestern University. Specifically, the following areas are discussed: (a) detailed descriptive data on the characteristics of the populations, (b) diagnostic and data coding strategies, (c) remedial goals, philosophy, and techniques for adolescents, and (d) issues related to programming for older students. This article clearly illustrates the value of studying LD populations in clinical settings as a means of better understanding their characteristics and their responsiveness to intervention procedures.
Summing it up: semantic activation processes in the two hemispheres as revealed by event-related potentials.

The coarse coding hypothesis suggests that semantic activation is broader in the right hemisphere, affording it an advantage over the left hemisphere for the activation of distantly related concepts or multiple meanings of lexically ambiguous words. Behavioral studies investigating coarse coding have yielded mixed results, perhaps in part because such measures sum across multiple processing stages. To more directly tap into the semantic activation processes that are the focus of the coarse coding hypothesis, the current study combined a visual half-field summation-priming paradigm with the measurement of event-related potentials (ERPs). Two primes converged onto a lateralized, unambiguous target (e.g., lion–stripes–tiger) or diverged onto different meanings of a lateralized, ambiguous target (e.g., kidney–piano–organ); in both cases, the primes were related to one another only through the target. In two experiments, participants either made lexical decisions to the targets or made a semantic-relatedness judgment between primes and target. Priming was measured as reductions in the amplitude of the N400, an ERP component that has been specifically linked to meaning activation and that showed semantic-level priming patterns in both of the tasks used in the present study. Counter to the predictions of the coarse coding hypothesis, equivalent N400 summation priming was observed for targets in the two visual fields, in both types of triplets and in both experiments. Thus, the current results fail to support the hypothesis that semantic activation patterns differ in the two hemispheres and point, instead, to other sources for observed asymmetries in verbal processing.
A hysteresis model for a Lithium battery cell with improved transient response

In advanced battery management systems, it is critical to incorporate an accurate battery model that captures the cells' dynamics in order to predict the battery performance. In this paper, a hysteresis model for a Lithium battery cell with improved transient response is proposed. In a battery cell, a hysteresis loop exists in a charge/discharge cycle resulting in an increased complexity in the cell behavior. The proposed model has the advantages of being simple and fairly accurate. The improvement in the transient response, which is observed during and after cell relaxation, has been verified experimentally by applying different charge and discharge tests data to the model. Model derivation and experimental verification are presented in this paper.
An ancient recipe for flood-basalt genesis

Matthew Jackson and Richard Carlson show that basalts from the largest volcanic event in geological history — the Ontong Java plateau — exhibit the isotopic and trace-element signatures previously proposed for an early-Earth mantle reservoir, first identified in 60-million-year-old Baffin Island lavas. This material was thought to be a rare and unique survivor in a dynamic mantle, but this new study suggests that large portions of the primitive mantle may have survived intact over the age of the Earth. The association of flood basalts with this ancient, surviving mantle reservoir suggests that it may be responsible for generating six of the largest volcanic events on Earth. Large outpourings of basaltic lava have punctuated geological time, but the mechanisms responsible for the generation of such extraordinary volumes of melt are not well known1. Recent geochemical evidence suggests that an early-formed reservoir may have survived in the Earth’s mantle for about 4.5 billion years (ref. 2), and melts of this reservoir contributed to the flood basalt emplaced on Baffin Island about 60 million years ago3,4,5. However, the volume of this ancient mantle domain and whether it has contributed to other flood basalts is not known. Here we show that basalts from the largest volcanic event in geologic history—the Ontong Java plateau1,6,7—also exhibit the isotopic and trace element signatures proposed for the early-Earth reservoir2. Together with the Ontong Java plateau, we suggest that six of the largest volcanic events that erupted in the past 250 million years derive from the oldest terrestrial mantle reservoir. The association of these large volcanic events with an ancient primitive mantle source suggests that its unique geochemical characteristics—it is both hotter (it has greater abundances of the radioactive heat-producing elements) and more fertile than depleted mantle reservoirs—may strongly affect the generation of flood basalts.
Chargeback as an Implementation Tactic for Office Communication Systems

Chargeback policies and practices are an important factor in the success or failure of computer-based information systems and services and are, therefore, a useful implementation tactic. Unfortunately, office communication systems like electronic mail and voice messaging do not fit the assumptions on which chargeback schemes are usually based. Implementors of office communication systems can avoid potential implementation problems related to chargeback schemes by avoiding usage-sensitive charging, by modifying charges for substitute products, and by altering users' awareness of charges.
The continuing education of engineers and engineering managers

This paper seeks to provide a clear view of the realities and progress in continuing education for engineers and engineering managers. To develop a better understanding of current and future requirements to meet the educational and developmental needs of tomorrow's engineers, several critical realities were considered in this study. What kind of engineers will industry, government and society need in the future? What are the practical demands on engineers for their educational development (like Professional Development Hours (PDH) for maintaining their professional license) and the demands on their future knowledge base to succeed? How do engineers meet the PDH requirements imposed by the state engineering licensing boards? Are we prepared for the future educational demands of engineers and engineering managers? This study conducted an analysis of what the profession is currently defining as the future educational needs for the engineer of tomorrow. Also, this study looks at the total number of PDH training units for engineers across the USA, considering individual state requirements and continuing educational opportunities (degree and non-degree options). The paper discusses gaps and pitfalls that may arise in current state by matching experts' opinions on requirements for future engineers and current trends in engineering education.
Formation of Active Carbon in Twin‐Crucible Studies of Vanadium Carbonitride Solutions

Twin-crucible experiments with vanadium carbonitride solutions in equilibrium with carbon and nitrogen gas gave evidence for the formation of carbon in a state more energetic than graphite. These studies show that the V(C, N) lattice parameter depends on whether the starting material was vanadium carbide or a mixture of vanadium nitride and graphite. The postulate that a high-energy form of carbon may result from any decomposition or reaction leading to free carbon is discussed relative to metal carbide evaporation and to the decomposition of uranium dicarbide to the sesquicarbide and carbon.
A Study of Aflatoxicosis in Laying Hens

Abstract INTRODUCTION THE lethal potential of aflatoxins was recognized when aflatoxins were discovered and found to be the etiological agent responsible for the losses of turkey poults (Blount, 1961), ducklings and chickens (Asplin and Carnaghan, 1961), swine (Loosmore and Harding, 1961), and calves (Loosmore and Markson, 1961) in Great Britain. Carcinogenic properties were attributed to aflatoxins (Lancaster et al., 1961) soon after their discovery. Some attention has focused on the potential public health hazard of foods derived from animals fed aflatoxin-contaminated feeds. Allcroft and Carnaghan (1963) reported that milk from cows fed aflatoxin-contaminated feed was toxic to day-old ducklings. De Iongh et al. (1964) and Van Der Linde et al. (1965) have also reported on the toxicity to ducklings of milk from cows receiving aflatoxin-contaminated feeds. Brown and Abrams (1965) reported neither aflatoxins nor their fluorescing toxic metabolites were present in the milk of cows fed on highly toxic rations, and…
The Pattern of Disulfide Linkages in the Extracellular Loop Regions of Connexin 32 Suggests a Model for the Docking Interface of Gap Junctions

Connexins, like true cell adhesion molecules, have extracellular domains that provide strong and specific homophilic, and in some cases, heterophilic interactions between cells. Though the structure of the binding domains of adhesion proteins have been determined, the extracellular domains of connexins, consisting of two loops of approximately 34-37 amino acids each, are not easily studied in isolation from the rest of the molecule. As an alternative, we used a novel application of site-directed mutagenesis in which four of the six conserved cysteines in the extracellular loops of connexin 32 were moved individually and in all possible pairwise and some quadruple combinations. This mapping allowed us to deduce that all disulfides form between the two loops of a single connexin, with the first cysteine in one loop connected to the third of the other. Furthermore, the periodicity of movements that produced functional channels indicated that these loops are likely to form antiparallel beta sheets. A possible model that could explain how these domains from apposed connexins interact to form a complete channel is discussed.
Successful transgenesis of the parasitic nematode Strongyloides stercoralis requires endogenous non-coding control elements

Critical investigations into the cellular and molecular biology of parasitic nematodes have been hindered by a lack of modern molecular genetic techniques for these organisms. One such technique is transgenesis. To our knowledge, the findings reported here demonstrate the first heritable DNA transformation and transgene expression in the intestinal parasite Strongyloides stercoralis. When microinjected into the syncitial gonads of free-living S. stercoralis females, a construct fusing the S. stercoralis era-1 promoter, the coding region for green fluorescent protein (gfp) and the S. stercoralis era-1 3' untranslated region was expressed in intestinal cells of normally developing F1 transgenic larvae. The frequency of transformation and GFP expression among F1 larvae was 5.3%. By contrast, expression of several promoter::gfp fusions incorporating only Caenorhabditis elegans regulatory elements was restricted to abortively developing F1 embryos of S. stercoralis. Despite its lack of regulated expression, PCR revealed that one of these C. elegans-based vector constructs, the sur-5::gfp fusion, is incorporated into F1 larval progeny of microinjected female worms and then transmitted to the F2 through F5 generations during two host passages conducted without selection and punctuated by free-living generations reared in culture. Heritable DNA transformation and regulated transgene expression, as demonstrated here for S. stercoralis, constitute the essential components of a practical system for transgenesis in this parasite. This system has the potential to significantly advance the molecular and cellular biological study of S. stercoralis and of parasitic nematodes generally.
Changing use patterns of print journals in the digital age: impacts of electronic equivalents on print chemistry journal use

Little data are available that can help librarians solve issues surrounding print versus online journals management, including ascertaining when print journals are no longer needed. This study examines the short-term effects of online availability on the use of print chemistry journals. The Duke University Chemistry Library gained access to Elsevier titles via ScienceDirect in February 2000. By comparing reshelving data for the print journals from 1999, 2000, and 2001, this study identifies the short-term changes in journals use that can be attributed to the introduction of ScienceDirect. In the first two years after ScienceDirect was introduced, use of print journals nearly halved. The diminished use of the print collection has important implications for collection management in sci-tech libraries.
Reciprocal regulation of the primary sodium absorptive pathways in rat intestinal epithelial cells

Sodium absorption in the mammalian small intestine occurs predominantly by two primary pathways that include Na/H exchange (NHE3) and Na-glucose cotransport (SGLT1) on the brush border membrane (BBM) of villus cells. However, whether NHE3 and SGLT1 function together to regulate intestinal sodium absorption is unknown. Nontransformed small intestinal epithelial cells (IEC-18) were transfected with either NHE3 or SGLT1 small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and were grown in confluent monolayers on transwell plates to measure the effects on Na absorption. Uptake studies were performed as well as molecular studies to determine the effects on NHE3 and SGLT1 activity. When IEC-18 monolayers were transfected with silencing NHE3 RNA, the cells demonstrated decreased NHE3 activity as well as decreased NHE3 mRNA and protein. However, in NHE3 siRNA-transected cells, SGLT1 activity, mRNA, and protein in the BBM were significantly increased. Thus, inhibition of NHE3 expression regulates the expression and function of SGLT1 in the BBM of intestinal epithelial cells. In addition, IEC-18 cells transected with silencing SGLT1 RNA demonstrated an inhibition of Na-dependent glucose uptake and a decrease in SGLT1 activity, mRNA, and protein levels. However, in these cells, Na/H exchange activity was significantly increased. Furthermore, NHE3 mRNA and protein levels were also increased. Therefore, the inhibition of SGLT1 expression stimulates the transcription and function of NHE3 and vice versa in the BBM of intestinal epithelial cells. Thus this study demonstrates that the major sodium absorptive pathways together function to regulate sodium absorption in epithelial cells.