cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dynamic smooth subdivision surfaces for data visualization

Recursive subdivision schemes have been extensively used in computer graphics and scientific visualization for modeling smooth surfaces of arbitrary topology. Recursive subdivision generates a visually pleasing smooth surface in the limit from an initial user-specified polygonal mesh through the repeated application of a fixed set of subdivision rules. In this paper, we present a new dynamic surface model based on the Catmull-Clark (1978) subdivision scheme, which is a very popular method to model complicated objects of arbitrary genus because of many of its nice properties. Our new dynamic surface model inherits the attractive properties of the Catmull-Clark subdivision scheme as well as that of the physics-based modeling paradigm. This new model provides a direct and intuitive means of manipulating geometric shapes, a fast, robust and hierarchical approach for recovering complex geometric shapes from range and volume data using very few degrees of freedom (control vertices). We provide an analytic formulation and introduce the physical quantities required to develop the dynamic subdivision surface model which can be interactively deformed by applying synthesized forces in real time. The governing dynamic differential equation is derived using Lagrangian mechanics and a finite element discretization. Our experiments demonstrate that this new dynamic model has a promising future in computer graphics, geometric shape design and scientific visualization.
R&D Versus Acquisitions: Role of Diversification in the Choice of Innovation Strategy by Information Technology Firms

This research examines the role of diversification on incumbent firms' response to the threat of new entry. When faced with threats posed by new technologies, incumbent firms in the information technology (IT) industry can either perform research and development (R&D), or acquire the new entrants who are successful at innovating. We use a two-stage game-theoretic framework to model the relation between diversification and the decision to acquire versus perform R&D. We also collect data on financial indicators for firms in the IT industry using the Compustat database to empirically test the propositions from the analytical model. Our results suggest that firms with a higher degree of diversification are more likely to innovate through acquisition than through R&D. Moreover, diversification has a positive effect on investment in acquisitions, as well as a negative effect on investment in R&D.
Deforestation and Land Use in the Brazilian Amazon

Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon was less than 1% before 1975. Between 1975 and 1987 the rate increased exponentially. By 1985, world opinion and attention to the destruction of the richest biome on earth led to elimination of some of the major incentives that had fueled deforestation. Favorable credit policies for cattle ranchers, rather than population growth, explains the process of deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon. The paper suggests other actions that may be taken to reduce deforestation, and examines the rapid growth rates of secondary successional species in a colonization area.
Intergenerational geriatric remotivation: Elders' perspectives.

The purpose of this qualitative research was to explore and describe institutionalized elders' responses to an intergenerational geriatric remotivation program. Middle-school aged children became “pals” to the elders in a year long program of twice-weekly sessions. The expectation was that the elders' social isolation would be decreased. Data collection was by participant observation and interviews of the elders. Additional interviews of staff, family member's and the children contributed contextual relevance. The grounded theory method of data analysis revealed “Reconnecting” to be a basic social psychological process that explains much of the variation in the data. Reconnecting has several phases — presencing, attending, evaluating, attaching. Minimal conditions necessary for reconnecting to occur and intervening variables are discussed. The research highlights the importance of evaluating the patients' perspectives about programs designed for their benefit. The complexity of an intergenerational program is revealed.
112 ACQUIRED PARTIAL 21-HYDROXYLASE DEFICIENCY IN A GIRL WITH PEUTZ-JEGHERS SYNDROME (PJS)

A 12 yo gypsy girl with PJS s/p resection of adenocarcinoma of the colon at age 4 presented with hirsutism and menorrhagia of 9 months duration. Menarche occurred at age 10 initially with regular periods. Previous reports of an increased incidence of gonadal as well as GI neoplasms in PJS prompted a thorough investigation. Thyroid function was normal. A small left ovarian cyst was present by pelvic ultrasound. No ovarian/adrenal masses were present on abdominal CT scan. ACTH stimulation test (0.25 mg IM) and dexamethasone suppression test (0.5 mg po q 12h × 5d) showed:
Temperature Dependence of the EPR Signal in Tendon Collagen

THE hypothesis of a solid-state control system governing connective tissue growth1 has led us to study the electron paramagnetic resonance spectra (EPR) of non-irradiated human bone and its components2–5. We now report further results involving chiefly human tendon collagen. The tendon was clinically normal peroneus longus, and was studied in the air-dried state. The EPR spectrum of tendon collagen is a single line at g = 2.007 ± 0.006 having a width between peaks of the derivative of 10 ± 1 G. The line saturates homogeneously with a weak maximum at about 10 dB, and shows no angular dependence. A resonance with the same parameters is found in dog tendon. The intensity of absorption from human tendon collagen corresponds to about 4–15 × 1015 spins/g. Magnetic field scans from 10–11,000 G at room temperature and at 114° K revealed no other consistently present resonances. At 114° K, the resonance is saturated even at the lowest incident microwave power level.
DISPERSAL OF A HIGHLY VAGILE INSECT IN AHETEROGENEOUS ENVIRONMENT

In total, -7 000 000 marked adults of Heliothis virescens, a noctuid moth pest of cotton, were released from multiple sites in western Mississippi during the springs of four years, and the dispersing populations of males were sampled in pheromone traps over -2000 km2. The large scale of these observations and some innovative analytical techniques allow extension of the use of diffusion-based models for dispersal to a highly vagile species moving in a heterogeneous environment. Temporal variation in catches of released individuals was removed by using total catch per trap over the lives of released populations of moths as the dependent variable. Spatial variation in total trap catch due to site-specific factors was removed using variation in catches of wild males. The adjusted data were fitted to the leptokurtic dispersal model that results when a constant loss term is added to the Fickian diffusion equation in two dimensions and the result is integrated across time. Effective area sampled per trap was estimated to be -20 ha, with twofold variation among years. On the order of 10 wild males/ha emerged from overwintering, but there was over sixfold variation among years. Density dependence of pheromone trap efficiency was manifested as a delay in trap catch of males in the area of release in one of the four years. The typical distance moved by a male from point of release to point of capture was -10 km, with nearly threefold variation among years. Variation in movement among years was not correlated with variation in population density. Variation in population density due to habitat selection was apparent at a spatial scale of at least 0.5 km. The movement results are consistent with the low values of FST (0.002) for this species observed in a previously published genetic study at similar spatial scales. However, levels of move- ment similar to those observed do not generally preclude rapid response to strong selection, because this species has repeatedly developed resistance to insecticides used against it on cotton in the study area.
Pre-Startup Planning and the Survival of New Small Businesses: Theoretical Linkages:

Although eyidence is equivocal and often contradictory, prospective business founders are generally advised to develop formal plans of their proposed ventures. Consistent with this advice, some scholars have suggested that the high mortality of new small businesses could be reduced through greater pre-startup planning. However, there is an emerging view that the value of planning is context-dependent. This view is elaborated here as it applies to new small businesses. First, ways in which pre-startup planning can facilitate survival are delineated. Then, contextual conditions that can limit these impacts are described. Finally, suggestions are offered which show how this view can be used to guide future research and extend the body of knowledge.
Strength distribution of fatigue crack initiation sites in an Al-Li alloy

The stress-number of cycles to failure (S-N) curves were measured along the short-transverse (S) and rolling (L) directions of a hot-cross-rolled AA 8090 Al-Li alloy plate (45-mm thick). The alloy was solution heat treated, quenched in water, strained by 6 pct, and peak aged. Fatigue tests were carried out in four-point bend at room temperature, 20 Hz, R=0.1, in air. It was found that the fatigue limits in the S and L directions were 147 and 197 MPa, respectively. The crack population on the surface of a sample at failure increased with the applied stress level and was found to be a Weibull function of the applied maximum stress in this alloy. The strength distribution of fatigue weakest links, where cracks were initiated, was derived from the Weibull function determined by the experimental data. The fatigue weakest-link density was defined as the crack population per unit area at a stress level close to the ultimate tensile stress and can be regarded as a materials property. The density and strength distribution of fatigue weakest links were found to be markedly different between the L and S directions, accounting for the difference in fatigue limit between the directions in this alloy. They were also found to be different between S-L and S-T samples, and between L-T and L-S samples of this alloy, which could not be revealed by the corresponding S-N curves measured. These differences were due to the anisotropy of the microstructures in different directions in this alloy.
Development and Evaluation of a High-Volume Aerosol-into-Liquid Collector for Fine and Ultrafine Particulate Matter

This study presents a novel high-volume aerosol-into-liquid collector, developed to provide concentrated slurries of fine and/or ultrafine particulate matter (PM) to be used for unattended, in situ measurements of PM chemistry and toxicity. This system operates at 200 liters per minute (L/min) flow and utilizes the saturation–condensation, particle-to-droplet growth component of the versatile aerosol concentration enrichment system (VACES), growing fine or ultrafine PM to 3–4-μm droplets, in conjunction with a newly designed impactor, in which grown particles are collected gradually forming highly concentrated slurries. Laboratory evaluation results indicated an excellent overall system collection efficiency (over 90%) for both monodisperse and polydisperse particles in the range of 0.01 to 2 μm. Field evaluations illustrated that overall a very good agreement was obtained for most PM2.5 species between the new aerosol collection system and the VACES/BioSampler tandem as well as filter samplers operating ...
Piecewise Polynomial Solutions of Aerosol Dynamic Equation

This paper presents a discretization technique for particle dynamics equation based on piecewise continuous approximations of the solution. The growth terms are re-solved using a Discontinuous Galerkin approach, and the coagulation by a collocation approach. The method fits in the general framework recently proposed by the author. The discontinuous approximation allows better representations of distributions with sharp peaks. Numerical tests reveal that accurate solutions can be obtained with a very small number of size bins. An efficient software package AeroSolve which implements the proposed algorithms was developed.
Transition from magnetic ordering to Kondo behavior in Ce3 − xLaxAl11

Abstract Ce3Al11 shows coexistence between magnetic ordering and Kondo behavior. Substituting La for Ce reduces the magnetic ordering temperature and simultaneously the entropy associated with the magnetic order. This results in an enhancement of the low temperature specific heat coefficient γ. Samples with small Ce concentrations, where no magnetic order is found, show a single ion Kondo effect, with C T rising down to the lowest measured temperatures.
A Model-Based Clustering Method for Genomic Structural Variant Prediction and Genotyping Using Paired-End Sequencing Data

Structural variation (SV) has been reported to be associated with numerous diseases such as cancer. With the advent of next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies, various types of SV can be potentially identified. We propose a model based clustering approach utilizing a set of features defined for each type of SV events. Our method, termed SVMiner, not only provides a probability score for each candidate, but also predicts the heterozygosity of genomic deletions. Extensive experiments on genome-wide deep sequencing data have demonstrated that SVMiner is robust against the variability of a single cluster feature, and it significantly outperforms several commonly used SV detection programs. SVMiner can be downloaded from http://cbc.case.edu/svminer/.
An FPGA-based multi-core platform for testing and analysis of architectural techniques

This paper covers the design and FPGA-based prototyping of a full-featured multi-core platform for use in computer architecture research studies. Existing platforms for performing studies include software simulators and hardware-assisted simulators, but there are no modular full-hardware platforms designed to measure a wide range of performance metrics. Such a platform, using HDL synthesis onto an FPGA, can run orders of magnitude faster than software-based solutions at the cost of having less flexible processor configuration and implementation. This paper presents an end-to-end solution, from bottom-level hardware design all the way to automated results collection and analysis, which can be used with inexpensive commodity hardware.
Forest structure affects resource partitioning between pygmy and white-breasted nuthatches

Ecologically similar, sympatric species will theoretically drive one or the other extinct unless those species can divide their resources. Resource partitioning is a common way to avoid competitive exclusion and these differences in resource utilization often represent the “ghost of competition past.” I studied how two closely related species, pygmy (Sitta pygmaea) and white-breasted (Sitta carolinensis) nuthatches, divide tree space. Furthermore, I tested whether pygmy and white-breasted nuthatches foraged in different areas on large- and small-diameter trees and whether pygmy nuthatches foraged more frequently on small-diameter trees. Finally, I tested whether each nuthatch species foraged less frequently in forests where most of the small-diameter trees have been removed. I found that in large trees, pygmy nuthatches foraged higher up in the tree and on the branches than white-breasted nuthatches. White-breasted nuthatches foraged low in the tree and on the trunk. In small-diameter trees, pygmy nuthatc...
Annihilation localization in gas-core and plasma-core annihilation rocket engines

Abstract Antimatter annihilation is the most energetic known form of on-board spacecraft propulsion. It is capable of achieving interstellar travel at near-light speeds. More experimental and theoretical work must be done to show that this form of propulsion is feasible and practical for the near future. For efficient gas-core and plasma-core annihilation engines it is necessary that antiprotons be injected into the engines at energies which place the annihilation region at the center of the engine and that the size of the annihilation region be small compared to the engine size. Sufficient information exists to estimate required injection energies and the annihilation distribution when the annihilation medium/propellant is hydrogen. The estimates show that currently envisioned gas- and plasma-core engines require achievable antiproton injection energies and have sufficiently small annihilation regions.
Abstract 5030: Mechanistic insight of differential sensitivity to MEK inhibition

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC BRAF is mutated in melanomas and plays a role in tumorigenesis. Although depletion of oncogenic BRAF resulted in tumor regression in mouse melanoma model, clinical development of anti-BRAF signaling therapy has not been successful up to date. We performed a search of genomic alterations that are correlated to sensitivity to MEK inhibitors using human melanoma cell lines. Multiple genetic changes are identified to be of predictive value. Based on our genetic analysis, p53 is identified to be a major factor that controls sensitivity to MEK inhibitors. p53 is a major tumor suppressor and is mutated in a small set of human melanomas. Here, we show that p53 is inducible in most human melanoma cell lines in response to DNA damage. MDM2 inhibitor Nutlin-3a increases p53 protein expression as well as its activities in melanoma cells. Addition of nutlin-3a significantly increases sensitivity of melanoma cells to MEK inhibitor U0126 induced cell death or cell cycle arrest. In addition, knockdown p53 by specific shRNAs effectively rescues apoptosis induced by MEK inhibitor and/or p53 activation. This data suggests that p53 activity is required for cell death induced by MEK inhibitors and/or p53 activators. In conclusion, p53 is identified from a genetic screen for MEK inhibitor sensitivity. p53 reactivation potentiates cell death induced by BRAF/MEK signaling inhibitory agents in a group of melanomas. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5030.
Differential impact of T cell repertoire diversity in diabetes-prone or -resistant IL-10 transgenic mice.

Abstract Expression of IL-10 transgene (tg) in pancreatic β cells failed to induce autoimmune insulitis and diabetes in (BALB/c × NOD)F1 mice. However, IL-10-expressing tg littermates from backcrosses (N2 and N3) with NOD mice became diabetic at 5 to 10 weeks of age in an MHC-dependent manner. In this study, we tested the possibility that enhancement in frequency of islet antigen (Ag)-specific T cells overrides the protective effects of a diabetes-resistant genetic background and promotes diabetes in IL-10 tg (BALB/c × NOD)F1 mice. For this test, we introduced the IL-10 transgene into tg BDC2.5 mice expressing the islet Ag-specific Vβ4 T cell repertoire by breeding Ins-IL-10+/BALB/c mice with BDC2.5 mice. The progeny (Ins-IL-10+/BALB/c × BDC2.5+)F1 mice doubly tg for IL-10 and Vβ4 (BDC2.5) T cell repertoire, developed diabetes at 10 to 18 weeks of age with a much more aggressive T cell infiltrate in the pancreatic islets than in single tg mice. Surprisingly, these diabetic mice were free from acute pancreatitis but had apoptotic β cells in the islet infiltrate. Conversely, mice tg for Vβ4 (BDC2.5) T cell repertoire but not IL-10 had no diabetes and no apoptotic β cells in the islet infiltrate. Therefore, an increase in the frequency of islet-specific T cells apparently overcomes the protection from diabetes by a resistant genetic background. Interestingly, N2 backcross mice doubly tg for Vβ4 (BDC2.5) T cell repertoire and IL-10, compared to N2 backcross mice tg for IL-10 only, eventually became diabetic but with a delayed onset and reduced incidence of disease. These findings demonstrate that, along with IL-10, an increase in frequency of islet antigen-specific T cells (a) overrides the protective effect of genetic resistance to autoimmune diabetes in F1 mice and (b) delays the onset of an otherwise accelerated diabetes in (Ins-IL-10+/NOD)N2 backcross mice.
Design and first results of a new phonocardiograph

Abstract This paper describes the technical components of a new calibrated phonocardiograph for tracings of displacement, velocity and acceleration. Many possible laboratory and clinical applications of the new apparatus are listed, and representative tracings are presented to show the versatility of the new system.
Mechanistic model predicts a U-shaped relation of radon exposure to lung cancer risk reflected in combined occupational and US residential data.

A mechanistically based cytodynamic two-stage (CD2) cancer model was shown recently to predict both ecologic US county data and underground-miner data on lung-cancer mortality (LCM) vs radon concentration, indicating biological plausibility of the apparent negative dose-response relation exhibited by the ecologic data.6 To further investigate this hypothesis, the CD2 model was fitted to combine age-specific LCM data vs estimated radon-exposure in white females of age 40+ years in 2821 US counties during 1950-1954 using new estimates of county-specific mean residential radon exposure, and in five cohorts of underground nonsmoking miners. The negative association of radon levels and corresponding county-level LCM rates apparent in women dying in 1950-1954 (11% of whom never smoked) was also apparent in women of age 60+ years (5% of whom never smoked). The CD2 fit obtained to the combined residential and occupational data was found to predict the combined data using biologically plausible parameter values, a...
Impairment of early cortical processing in schizophrenia: an event-related potential confirmation study.

Abstract Abnormalities of auditory information processing represent a core feature of schizophrenic psychopathology. Event-related potentials (ERP) provide an objective index of the information processing deficits associated with schizophrenia and a tool for investigation of the underlying pathophysiology. The best established abnormality is a decrease in the amplitude of auditory P300. In an “oddball” paradigm, P300 is preceded by a series of earlier, negative-polarity ERP components that index discrete, prior information-processing events. The earliest such component, mismatch negativity (MMN), is elicited whenever a deviant, “oddball” stimulus interrupts a sequence of repetitive standard stimuli. MMN is generated principally within primary auditory cortex or adjacent structures on the superior temporal plane, suggesting that it indexes the earliest cortical event in the cognitive processing of auditory information. In the present study, MMN was studied in a group of 14 chronic schizophrenic subjects relative to 12 age- and IQ-matched normal controls in a passive auditory oddball paradigm in order to test the hypothesis that auditory information processing is impaired in schizophrenia, even at the level of primary sensory cortex. Schizophrenic subjects showed a significant reduction in MMN amplitude relative to controls, with a trend toward a greater deficit on the left than the right side. The finding of impaired MMN generation in schizophrenia suggests that information processing is impaired even at the level of auditory cortex and that the pathophysiological processes underlying information processing dysfunction in schizophrenia are widespread throughout the cortex, rather than limited to high-order association cortex such as prefrontal or mesial temporal cortex.
A new method to denude the endothelium without damage to media: structural, functional, and biomechanical validation.

The intimial thickening that occurs in human and animal atherogenesis can be induced by mechanical injury to the endothelium. The objective of the present study was to develop a new method to induc...
Effects of organizational formalization on alienation among professionals and nonprofessionals.

In this article the authors replicate a study that was conducted to examine the effects that organizational formalization had on the feelings of alienation of professional employees. The authors of...
Inferior colliculus projections to pontine nuclei in guinea pig

The present study examined the neural projection from the inferior colliculus to the pontine nuclei in guinea pig. This projection has been reported in other animals, and our goal was to establish the projection in guinea pig, a commonly used auditory model. Ultimately, we wanted to determine if the pontine nuclei could be a component of the descending auditory system from the inferior colliculus to the cochlear nucleus. The anterograde tracer Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin (PHA-L) was injected into one inferior colliculus of 10 animals and the pontine nuclei examined under a light microscope to detect PHA-L-labeled fibers. PHA-L-labeled fibers were observed in the ipsilateral pontine nuclei in 70% of the animals. While the majority of labeled fibers were smooth in appearance, a few fibers with en passant type varicosities (indicating synapses) were observed in the dorsolateral area of the pontine nuclei, adjacent to the lateral lemniscus. These findings do not support a robust projection from the inferior colliculus to the pontine nuclei in guinea pig. This is in opposition to findings in bat in which the projection may play a major role in modulating responses to sound.
On the influence of wall properties and Poiseuille flow in peristalsis.

Abstract The present study extends the two-dimensional analysis of peristaltic motion by Fung and Yih to include an elastic or viscoelastic wall, and a Poiseuille flow. This fluid-solid interaction problem is investigated by considering equations of motion of both the fluid and the deformable boundaries. The wall characteristics appear in their equations of motion, which are solved to represent boundary conditions of fluid motion. The influence of Poiseuille flow on pure peristalisis is also investigated. The phenomenon of the ‘mean flow reversal’ is found to exist both at the center and at the boundaries of the channel. When the walls of the channel are elastic, pure peristalsis involves flow reversal only at the center. This position may shift drastically to the boundaries, if viscous damping forces are considered.
Continuum source-atomic absorption spectrometry using a two-dimensional charge coupled device

Abstract A single element continuum source-atomic absorption spectrometer (CS-AAS) using a two-dimensional charge coupled array detector (2D-CCD) was assembled for use with graphite furnace atomization. The two-dimensional CCD was a split-frame transfer array, was thinned and back-illuminated for high quantum efficiency at approximately 200 nm, and was capable of an 80-Hz frame rate with a read noise of
Transcription in aging: The response of rat liver nuclear RNA polymerases to cycloheximide in vivo

Abstract Experiments were performed to address the known relationship between diet and longevity. The acute response of rat liver nuclear RNA polymerases to inhibition of protein synthesis by cycloheximide (10 mg/kg) was quantitated in rats of varying ages. Thirty minutes after cycloheximide adminstration, there was a “compensatory” 1.5–2-fold increase in RNA polymerase II activity at all ages. Nucleolar RNA polymerase I activity was significantly diminished only up to 4 months, indicating a loss in tight control coupling of protein synthesis to rRNA synthesis with age.
Nucleation in analytical chemistry

Abstract Precipitation involves two processes, nucleation and subsequent crystal growth. The nucleation process is of extreme importance in determining the number and size of the final crystalline particles. The significance of experimental studies of nucleation is discussed and the need for further research indicated.
Candida albicans and Escherichia coli are synergistic pathogens during experimental microbial peritonitis

Candida albicans has been isolated with increasing frequency during intraabdominal infection; yet its role as a pathogen or copathogen remains controversial. A recent experimental study of its effect during polymicrobial peritonitis indicated that it did not enhance mortality when added to an Escherichia coli challenge, but that study used fecal or mucin-based adjuvants which are known to markedly potentiate the lethality of intraperitoneal bacteria. Therefore, we sought to examine the hypothesis that C. albicans and E. coli are synergistic copathogens that act in concert to increase mortality rates in experimental models of polymicrobial peritonitis, irrespective of the presence of growth adjuvant. To test this hypothesis, we assessed the mortality rates of previously healthy Swiss-Webster mice (20 g) that were challenged intraperitoneally (i.p.) with E. coli, C. albicans, or both, in either the presence or the absence of hemoglobin-mucin. In the absence of hemoglobin-mucin, E. coli plus C. albicans resulted in 83.3% mortality (P 0.05) provoked high lethality. These data demonstrate that in the absence of adjuvant, E. coli plus C. albicans provoked synergistic lethality. However, in the presence of hemoglobin-mucin the synergistic effect was no longer observed. Therefore, this study provides support for the contention that C. albicans is capable of acting as a copathogen during experimental peritonitis, but that this effect may be obscured by the presence of an adjuvant substance that itself markedly potentiates microbial growth.
Clonidine in the elderly hypertensive. Monotherapy and therapy with a diuretic

Forty-eight elderly patients with uncomplicated mild essential hypertension entered two drug regimens. In group 1, clonidine monotherapy (n = 15), clonidine was titrated to achieve goal blood pressure (
Round gas jets submerged in water

Abstract Water submerged gas jets are characterized by the interplay of inertia and buoyancy forces and can exhibit diverse behaviors ranging from bubbly plumes to stable jets. In this work, direct measurements of the interfacial behavior of water-submerged gas jets, with Mach numbers ranging from subsonic to supersonic, were performed using high-speed digital photography and shadowgraphs. The results indicate that the jets have a preferential pinch-off position that can be attributed and correspond to the location of the maximum streamwise-velocity turbulence fluctuations. A new, experimentally determined jet penetration distance is proposed; the jetting length is taken as the jet length corresponding to a 99% probability of the gas-jet outer boundary being attached to the orifice during the sampling period. Using the shadowgraph analysis and this criterion, we determined that the electro-resistivity probe measurements, previously used to determine the jet penetration length, may be significantly biased. This is attributed to the inability of the probe measurements to distinguish between a continuous gas jet and advecting bubbles. In addition, based on a simple force-balance of the jet cross-section, we introduce a new scaling relationship for the jet penetration distance. This relationship shows that the jetting length scales with the square of the Froude number and compares well with the experimental observations. Finally, measurements of the gas jet boundary acceleration coupled with estimations of the internal gas jet velocity suggest that both Rayleigh–Taylor and Kelvin–Helmholtz mechanisms are nearly equally responsible for governing the jet boundary dynamics.
Robust Energy Management for Microgrids With High-Penetration Renewables

Due to its reduced communication overhead and robustness to failures, distributed energy management is of paramount importance in smart grids, especially in microgrids, which feature distributed generation (DG) and distributed storage (DS). Distributed economic dispatch for a microgrid with high renewable energy penetration and demand-side management operating in grid-connected mode is considered in this paper. To address the intrinsically stochastic availability of renewable energy sources (RES), a novel power scheduling approach is introduced. The approach involves the actual renewable energy as well as the energy traded with the main grid, so that the supply-demand balance is maintained. The optimal scheduling strategy minimizes the microgrid net cost, which includes DG and DS costs, utility of dispatchable loads, and worst-case transaction cost stemming from the uncertainty in RES. Leveraging the dual decomposition, the optimization problem formulated is solved in a distributed fashion by the local controllers of DG, DS, and dispatchable loads. Numerical results are reported to corroborate the effectiveness of the novel approach.
Golgi-melanosome relationship in human melanoma in vitro

The origin of the melanosome in human melanoma in vitro was reinvestigated using an established cell line. By means of three-dimensional reconstruction of serial sections, it was found that most premelanosomes are contained in and develop within a tubular smooth endoplasmic reticulum, which is connected with the Golgi apparatus during melanogenesis.
Impact of Unions on Wage Levels and Income Distribution

I. Introduction, 177. — II. Criticisms of earlier studies, 178. — III. Period comparison method, 183. — IV. Wage behavior in nonunion (1923–29) and union (1947–55) periods, 187. — V. Collective bargaining vs. market demand in union and nonunion periods, 192. — VI. Incidence of wage gains, 193. — VII. Conclusion, 195.
Further evidence for neutrino oscillations from LSND: the νμ → νe decay-in-flight channel

A search for νμ → νe oscillations has been conducted at the Los Alamos Meson Physics Facility (LAMPF) using νμ from π+ decay in flight. An excess in the number of beam-related events from the νe C → e− X inclusive reaction is observed. The excess is too large to be explained by normal νe contamination in the beam at a confidence level greater than 99%. If interpreted as an oscillation signal, the observed oscillation probability of (2.6 ± 1.3 ± 0.5) × 10−3 is consistent with the previously reported νμ → νe oscillation evidence from LSND.
Anomalous lattice parameters and hydrogen solubilities in dilute PdFe alloys

Abstract Lattice parameters for fcc Pd Fe alloys exhibit a maximum at XFe = 0.003 where XFe is the atom fraction Fe. In this region of alloy composition the solubility of H2 is also a maximum. It is suggested that the “giant moments” found in this region cause the anomalous lattice expansion which in turn is the major source of the enhanced H2 solubility.
Time and dose dependence of pluronic bioactivity in hyperthermia-induced tumor cell death.

Pluronic block copolymers have been shown to sensitize cancer cells resulting in an increased activity of antineoplastic agents. In the current study we examined a new application of Pluronic bioac...
The Role of Noninvasive Ventilation in the Ventilator Discontinuation Process

In recent years, there has been increasing interest in the use of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in the post-extubation period to shorten the length of invasive ventilation, to prevent extubation failure, and to rescue a failed extubation. The purpose of this review is to summarize the evidence related to the use of NIV in these settings. NIV can be used to allow earlier extubation in selected patients who do not successfully complete a spontaneous breathing trial (SBT). Its use in this setting should be restricted to patients who are intubated during an exacerbation of COPD or patients with neuromuscular disease. This category of patients should be good candidates for NIV and should be extubated directly to NIV. In patients who successfully complete an SBT, but are at risk for extubation failure, NIV can be used to prevent extubation failure. These patients should also be good candidates for NIV and should be extubated directly to NIV. NIV should be used cautiously in patients who successfully complete an SBT, but develop respiratory failure within 48 hours post-extubation. In this setting, NIV is indicated only in patients with hypercapnic respiratory failure. Reintubation should not be delayed if NIV is not immediately successful in reversing the post-extubation respiratory failure. Evidence does not support routine use of NIV post-extubation.
Positioning and energy response of PET block detectors with different light sharing schemes

Two state-of-the-art modular PET block detectors using either discrete or pseudo-discrete BGO crystals coupled to two dual PMTs, utilizing different light sharing schemes, were evaluated. Both detectors were approximately 30 mm thick, while each element of the GE 6/spl times/6 block detector was 4 mm/spl times/8.4 mm, and each element of the CTI 8/spl times/7 block detector was 2.8 mm/spl times/5.8 mm. In addition to measurements with gamma sources, the detectors were also irradiated with a Sr/Y-90 beta source to evaluate the performance of the block detectors without inter-element scatter of annihilation photons. The best and worst energy resolutions of individual elements at 511 keV were 21.8% and 44.2% for the GE detector and 22.7% and 42.5% for the CTI detector. The peak to valley ratios in the detector identification ratio histograms were generally better than 3 to 1. Measurements with beta sources indicate that light sharing in both detectors is a large component of event mispositioning along with inter-detector scatter of the annihilation photons. >
The role of separation/divorce in relapse into and recovery from major depression

This study examined the effects of marital dissolution on two potential outcomes, relapse into and recovery from major depression, within a sample that explicitly faces the recurring risk of depression. Among subjects who were depressed at the time of marital dissolution, Cox proportional hazards models revealed a five-fold increased probability of recovering from major depression for subjects who experienced a separation/ divorce relative to subjects who did not separate/divorce. Among subjects who were remitted/recovered at the time of marital dissolution, analyses did not reveal a significant probability of relapsing into major depression following a separation/divorce. These findings suggest that among individuals with a history of major depression and marital stressors, experiencing a separation/divorce may function to alleviate rather than precipitate depression.
Bioconversion of Macrocystis pyrifera to methane

Methane production by anaerobic digestion of kelp is a relatively new approach to augmenting the national gas supply. Digestion of the giant marine kelp Macrocystis pyrifera, investigated in a series of bench-scale experiments at the Institute of Gas Technology (IGT), is reported. Conducted with both untreated and chemically pretreated plants, the tests have evaluated the effects of major limits on bioconversion of kelp, including temperature, indigenous salt concentration, external nutrients, inocula source, loading, residence time, manner of mixing and frequency of feeding. A detailed chemical characterisation of the kelp samples is presented. Raw-kelp digestion was not limited by nitrogen or phosphorus. Temperature ranges of 35–40°C and 50–55°C were found to be optimum for mesophilic and thermophilic digestion of raw kelp. The mesophilic methane yield in the semicontinuous mode was about 4.5 SCF/lb (280.94 cm3 g−1) of volatile solids (VS) added compared with a thermophilic methane yield of 2.4 SCF/lb (149.83 cm3 g−1) of VS added. The mesophilic organisms could be acclimatised to a salt concentration that has a conductivity of 43 000 μmho cm−1 without any deleterious effect. Thermophilic methanogens were more sensitive to high salt concentrations than the mesophilic organisms. Raw kelp had an estimated ultimate biodegradability of 80%. Mannitol and algin were the most biodegradable components.
A PECULIARLY PERSONAL ENCYCLOPEDIA: WHAT DESMAREST'S GÉOGRAPHIE-PHYSIQUE TELLS US ABOUT HIS LIFE AND WORK

Nicolas Desmarest's Geographie-Physique, his contribution to the Encyclopedie Methodique, is a surprisingly useful resource for his biographer. The four volumes he completed during his declining years offer insights into his activities over a long period, such as the extent of his travels, and the sorts of phenomena he selected for observation. Leaving aside those articles that he plagiarized, the many entries he wrote testify to the depth of his commitment to a place-specific construction of a new science of the Earth. In comparison with the article ‘Geographie Physique’ that he provided for the Diderot-d'Alembert Encyclopedie (1757), the components of Geographie-Physique also exhibit Desmarest's deepened interest in cultivating knowledge of the Earth's past. Nonetheless his basic conception of physical geography—which he regularly distinguished from both Theories of the Earth and the emerging geologie (whose definition he found elusive)—remained centered on a search for law-like generalizations about th...
Synthesis of poly(methyl methacrylate)‐b‐poly(vinyl chloride)‐b‐poly(methyl methacrylate) block copolymers by CuCl/2,2′‐bipyridine‐catalyzed living radical block copolymerization initiated from α,ω‐di(iodo)poly(vinyl chloride) prepared by single‐electron‐transfer/degenerative‐chain‐transfer mediated living radical polymerization

α,ω-Di(iodo)poly(vinyl chloride)s with number-average molecular weights (Mn's) of 2100–29,800 and weight-average molecular weight/number-average molecular weight (Mw/Mn) ratios of 1.66–2.16 were synthesized by the single-electron-transfer/degenerative-chain-transfer mediated living radical polymerization of vinyl chloride initiated with CHI3 and catalyzed by Na2S2O4. These α,ω-di(iodo)poly(vinyl chloride)s were used as initiators for the metal-catalyzed living radical block copolymerization of methyl methacrylate mediated by CuCl/2,2′-bipyridine. Poly(methyl methacrylate)-b-poly(vinyl chloride)-b-poly(methyl methacrylate) block copolymers with Mn values of 36,500–95,700 and Mw/Mn values lower than 1.20 were synthesized by this novel and general synthetic method. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 1478–1486, 2005
A bibliography on suicide and suicide attempts among American Indians and Alaska natives

Presented here is a bibliography on suicide and self-destruction among American Indians and the native peoples of Alaska. This area of knowledge has been characterized by rapid growth in the last twenty years. The number of existing sources now totals 160 items. All of these works are listed here with a brief documentation of trends in the literature.
The maturation and spawning of Penaeus stylirostris under controlled laboratory conditions.

Approximately 35 female Penaeus stylirostris from Costa Rica and Mexico held at the National Marine Fisheries Service, Galveston Laboratory, mated and spawned at least 247 times within a 190-day period producing over 98 times 106 eggs. Average fecundity was 397,000 eggs and each female spawned between 9 and 10 times. The hatching rate varied from 0–85% with an average around 50%. Female shrimp were ablated and placed in 3 m diameter tanks at a sex ratio of 1:1. The salinity ranged from 20–30 ppt and water temperature was maintained at 29–30°C. The diet consisted of polychaete worms, squid and sometimes a pelleted food in the ratio of 1:2:1. The photo-period was 14 h/day using standard fluorescent lighting. No natural sunlight was available to the shrimp. Mating behavior was observed to start around 1400–1500 h and continued until 2200–2230 h and later. Female shrimp observed with a spermatophore were captured and placed in spawning tanks, and the water was treated with EDTA and Maracyn I and Maracyn II. Egg production and hatching rate were calculated for each spawning tank. Nauplii were transferred to the hatchery facility and viability determined for selected spawns. Survival to postlarvae varied considerably and no conclusions can be made at this time regarding the reasons for variability. Over 746,000 postlarvae were produced.
Effects of mirror reflectivity in a distributed-feedback laser

The linear coupled-wave analysis of a distributed-feedback laser is presented for nonzero reflectivity at the ends of the lasing medium. Numerical results are given for the case of real coupling coefficients and the threshold behavior, as the reflectivity effects dominate, is described.
Fermat's Interferometric Principle for Redatuming Surface Sources and PS Transmissions Traveltimes to the Target Body

Summary An interferometric form of Fermat’s principle is presented for redatuming PS transmission traveltimes to be those for sources lowered to the target body. The velocity model does not need to be known for redatuming, so the distorting eects of uninteresting parts of the velocity model and statics are eliminated by this target-oriented approach. Thus, traveltime tomography applied to the redatumed PS traveltimes has the potential for higher resolution of that target body’s velocity distribution from earthquake and VSP data.
A classification based similarity metric for 3D image retrieval

We present a principled method of obtaining a weighted similarity metric for 3D image retrieval, firmly rooted in Bayes decision theory. The basic idea is to determine a set of most discriminative features by evaluating how well they perform on the task of classifying images according to predefined semantic categories. We propose this indirect method as a rigorous way to solve the difficult feature selection problem that comes up in most content based image retrieval tasks. The method is applied to normal and pathological neuroradiological CT images, where we take advantage of the fact that normal human brains present an approximate bilateral symmetry which is often absent in pathological brains. The quantitative evaluation of the retrieval system shows promising results.
Structure of the Minimal Interface Between ApoE and LRP

Clusters of complement-type ligand-binding repeats (CRs) in the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) family are thought to mediate the interactions with their various ligands. Apolipoprotein E (ApoE), a key ligand for cholesterol homeostasis, has been shown to interact with LDLR-related protein 1 (LRP) through these clusters. The segment comprising the receptor-binding portion of ApoE (residues 130-149) has been found to have a weak affinity for isolated CRs. We have fused this region of ApoE to a high-affinity CR from LRP (CR17) for structural elucidation of the complex. The interface reveals a motif that has previously been observed in CR domains with other binding partners, but with several novel features. Comparison to free CR17 reveals that very few structural changes result from this binding event, but significant changes in intrinsic dynamics are observed upon binding. NMR perturbation experiments suggest that this interface may be similar to several other ligand interactions with LDLRs.
MMV: Metamodeling Based Microprocessor Valiation Environment

With increasing levels of integration of multiple processing cores and new features to support software functionality, recent generations of microprocessors face difficult validation challenges. The systematic validation approach starts with defining the correct behaviors of the hardware and software components and their interactions. This requires a new modeling paradigm that supports multiple levels of abstraction. Mutual consistency of models at adjacent levels is crucial for manual refinement of models from the full chip level to production RTL, which is likely to remain the dominant design methodology of complex microprocessors in the near future. In this work, we present MMV, a validation environment based on metamodeling that can be used to create models at various abstraction levels and to generate most of the important validation collaterals, viz., simulators, checkers, coverage and test generation tools. We illustrate the functionalities in MMV by modeling a 32 bit RISC processor at the s stem, instruction set architecture and microarchitecture levels. We show by examples how consistency across levels is enforced during modeling an d also how to generate constraints for automatic test generation.