cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Efficient Microgrid Management System for Electricity Distribution in Emerging Regions

In this paper we describe the motivations and design process for our open-source, low-power, and high-accuracy AC power meters suitable for several different off-grid metering applications. The described metering and switching hardware is more power efficient than off-the-shelf systems with equivalent capability while being able to measure much smaller loads accurately. The metering system we've developed is suitable for monitoring up to a collection of 20 circuits each drawing power as low as 1W up to 500W as is often found in a rural microgrid setting. Created with modularity in mind, the software and hardware design can easily be modified to be used as part of a home-solar power system, an AC micro-grid, or as a meter for each load in a room. The designs and source code will be made publicly available in August of 2012.
Towards optimal measurement of power spectra - I. Minimum variance pair weighting and the Fisher matrix

This is the first of a pair of papers which address the problem of measuring the unredshifted power spectrum in optimal fashion from a survey of galaxies, with arbitrary geometry, for Gaussian or non-Gaussian fluctuations, in real or redshift space. In this first paper, that pair weighting is derived which formally minimizes the expected variance of the unredshifted power spectrum windowed over some arbitrary kernel. The inverse of the covariance matrix of minimum variance estimators of windowed power spectra is the Fisher information matrix, which plays a central role in establishing optimal estimators. Actually computing the minimum variance pair window and the Fisher matrix in a real survey still presents a formidable numerical problem, so here a perturbation series solution is developed. The properties of the Fisher matrix evaluated according to the approximate method suggested here are investigated in more detail in the second paper.
Preparation and Characterization of Ag Colloid Monolayers

The process of Ag colloid self-assembly onto organosilane-functionalized glass, carbon, and Au surfaces has been studied using UV−visible spectrophotometry, quartz crystal microgravimetry, and atomic force microscopy. Ag colloids prepared by citrate reduction and by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid reduction of Ag+ yield different deposition kinetics, primarily a result of differences in particle concentration and monodispersity. The sticking probabilities and equilibrium constants for each type of colloid were measured. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and electrochemical properties of Ag colloid monolayers were compared to bulk Ag. Deposition of Ag colloid onto carbon electrodes improves the heterogeneous rate constant for electron transfer to [Ru(NH3)6]3+, but the modified electrodes still fall short of values obtained for bulk Ag. Likewise, Ag colloid monolayers are less SERS-active than roughened bulk Ag. The effects of particles polydispersity on these phenomena are discussed.
Recent observations of clouds and precipitation by the airborne precipitation radar 2nd generation in support of the GPM and ACE missions

The Ku-/Ka-band, Doppler, scanning, polarimetric airborne radar, known as the Airborne Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar (APR-2) has been collecting data since 2001 in support of many spaceborne instruments and missions aiming at the observation of clouds and precipitation (e.g., TRMM, AMSR-E, GPM, CloudSat, ACE). The APR-2 suite of processing and retrieval algorithms (ASPRA) produces Level 1 (L1) products, microphysical classification and retrievals, and wind intensity estimates. ASPRA was also generalized to operate on an arbitrary set of radar configuration parameters to study the expected performance of multi-frequency spaceborne cloud and precipitation radars such as the GPM DPR (Global Precipitation Measurement mission, Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar) and a notional radar for the Aerosol/Clouds/Ecosystem (ACE) mission. In this paper we illustrate the unique dataset collected during the Global Precipitation Measurement Cold-season Precipitation Experiment (GCPEx, US/Canada Jan/Feb 2012). We will focus on the significance of these observations for the development of algorithms for GPM and ACE, with particular attention to classification and retrievals of frozen and mixed phase hydrometeors.
EPIDEMIOLOGY OF HUMAN EHRLICHIOSIS AND ANAPLASMOSIS IN THE UNITED STATES, 2001–2002

During 2001 through 2002, 1,176 cases of the tick-borne diseases human monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME) and human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by 32 states through the National Electronic Telecommunications System for Surveillance. The average reported annual incidences for HME and HGA during 2001-2002 were 0.6 and 1.4 cases per million population, respectively; incidence was highest among men > 60 years of age. During this same interval, a total of 883 cases of HME and HGA were reported to CDC through a passive surveillance system of tick-borne disease case report forms (CRFs). The surveillance information retrieved from CRFs has allowed for qualitative evaluation of ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis risk factors, severity, and diagnostic accuracy. Although these surveillance systems likely substantially under-represent the true burden of ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis in the United States due to poor recognition and reporting, they represent the first compilation of national data since these diseases were made nationally notifiable. Continued and improved surveillance activities will progressively reinforce our understanding and awareness of these newly recognized zoonotic infections.
A New Scheme for Anonymous Secure Group Communication

Anonymity is an important feature in many two party communication systems. Its main meaning is that either the message sender or the receiver (or both) is unidentifiable to other users, even between themselves. Many mechanisms have been proposed to hide the identity of the sender, receiver, or both. Similarly, anonymity is an important feature in multi-party computing environments, but, little research has been conducted on this topic even though many secure group communication schemes have been proposed. In this paper, we highlight the concepts of anonymity for secure group communication and propose to extend a recently invented innovative group key management mechanism, Access Control Polynomial [1], to multiple-party group communication. This newly extended scheme can not only enforce anonymous group membership and group size but also implement secure and anonymous group communication. The experimental results and comparison with existing schemes show that the new scheme is elegant, flexible, efficient and practical. The paper also summarizes and classifies typical existing anonymous group communication schemes.
Rehabilitating the Raters: An Assessment of Interest Group Ratings of Congress

This study examines the validity of interest group ratings of Congress during the period 1959 to 1981. The ratings themselves have been controversial. Many members of Congress find them to be distorted and unrepresentative. The arguments for and against ratings are examined in a dimensional context. Most interest group ratings load very highly on a single liberal-conservative dimension. Contrary to the arguments of rating critics, both single- and general-issue groups produce ratings which are representative of the underlying dimension, suggesting that on broad questions of political philosophy, most ratings are valid measures.
Reply to Mulkidjanian and Galperin: Zn may have constrained evolution during the Proterozoic but not the Archean

Mulkidjanian and Galperin (1) claim that our recent paper confirmed their observation of evolutionarily old Zn-binding proteins being both abundant and widespread (2), providing support for their hypothesis that Zn bioavailability during the Archean restricted life to terrestrial hot springs. The interpretation of our data is incorrect, and modern prokaryotic physiology further contradicts their hypothesis. Although we did observe that the oldest metalloproteins were almost certainly Zn binding and are ubiquitous in extant life, the oldest proteins that bind Zn specifically are hardly abundant. We observed that the akaryotic superkingdoms of Archaea and Bacteria eschew Zn, whereas the vast majority of the Zn metalloenzymes evolved after the emergence of Eukarya. Finally, at the theoretical Zn concentrations of the Archean ocean (10−13 M), extant marine cyanobacteria lacking known high-affinity Zn transporters can grow at maximal rates (3, 4). Thus, we believe that environmental Zn concentrations provided no spatial constraint to the evolution of the akaryotic lineages during the Archean era.
Aging and Disability Awareness Training for Drivers of a Metropolitan Taxi Company

With the growing population of elders unable to maintain driving with advanced age, there is a need for alternative transportation options to maintain active, routine connections to their communities. Public transportation providers, who are often least trained and knowledgeable about working with elders, will increasingly be providing transportation to this population. The purpose of this study is to understand the influence of aging and disability awareness training on knowledge of aging, ageism, and service provision by taxi drivers, as well training methods that are most effective. Pretests and posttests results and evaluations of the training revealed improved knowledge and effectiveness.
Developmental approaches to the analysis of vertebrate central pattern generators

The isolated spinal cord of the chick embryo is a new preparation for analyzing the neural mechanisms and development of vertebrate motor activity. The embryonic cord can be isolated in vitro during the period of development when antagonist alternation of hindlimb motoneurons matures. The preparation is spontaneously active in vitro generating episodes of motor activity that can be recorded from muscle nerves and the ventral roots. The neural mechanisms responsible for the development and genesis of motor activity are being investigated using intra- and extracellular recording from motoneurons and electrotonic recordings of motoneuron synaptic activity from muscle nerves. The results suggest that alternating motor activity in the isolated chick cord may be generated by a mechanism in which a synaptically induced motoneuronal shunt conductance regulates the time of discharge of flexor and extensor motoneurons.
Subdomain aware contour trees and contour evolution in time-dependent scalar fields

For time-dependent scalar fields, one is often interested in topology changes of contours in time. In this paper, we focus on describing how contours split and merge over a certain time interval. Rather than attempting to describe all individual contour splitting and merging events, we focus on the simpler and therefore more tractable in practice problem: describing and querying the cumulative effect of the splitting and merging events over a user-specified time interval. Using our system one can, for example, find all contours at time t/sub 0/ that continue to two contours at time t/sub 1/ without hitting the boundary of the domain. For any such contour, there has to be a bifurcation happening to it somewhere between the two times, but, in addition to that, many other events may possibly happen without changing the cumulative outcome (e.g. merging with several contours born after t/sub 0/ or splitting off several contours that disappear before t/sub 1/). Our approach is flexible enough to enable other types of queries, if they can be cast as counting queries for numbers of connected components of intersections of contours with certain simply connected domains. Examples of such queries include finding contours with large life spans, contours avoiding certain subset of the domain over a given time interval or contours that continue to two at a later time and then merge back to one some time later. Experimental results show that our method can handle large 3D (2 space dimensions plus time) and 4D (3D+time) datasets. Both preprocessing and query algorithms can easily be parallelized.
Study of dyadic communication in couples managing prostate cancer: a longitudinal perspective

Objective: Cancer patients and partners often report inadequate communication about illness-related issues, although it is essential for mutual support and informal caregiving. This study examined the patterns of change in dyadic communication between patients with prostate cancer and their partners, and also determined if certain factors affected their communication over time. Method: Using multilevel modeling, this study analyzed longitudinal data obtained from a randomized clinical trial with prostate cancer patients and their partners, to examine their communication over time. Patients and partners (N=134 pairs) from the usual-care control group independently completed baseline demographic assessment and measures of social support, uncertainty, symptom distress, and dyadic communication at baseline, and 4-, 8-, and 12-month follow-ups. Results: The results indicated that (1) patients and partners reported similar levels of open communication at the time of diagnosis. Communication reported by patients and partners decreased over time in a similar trend, regardless of phase of illness; (2) phase of illness affected couples' open communication at diagnosis but not patterns of change over time; and (3) couples' perceived communication increased as they reported more social support, less uncertainty, and fewer hormonal symptoms in patients. Couples' demographic factors and general symptoms, and patients' prostate cancer-specific symptoms did not affect their levels of open communication. Conclusions: Perceived open communication between prostate cancer patients and partners over time is affected by certain baseline and time-varying psychosocial and cancer-related factors. The results provide empirical evidence that may guide the development of strategies to facilitate couples' interaction and mutual support during survivorship. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A fuzzy self-constructing algorithm for feature reduction

The main aim of text categorization is the classification of documents into a fixed number of predefined categories. In text categorization, the dimensionality of the feature vector is usually high. Various approaches have been proposed to reduce the dimensionality of the feature vector while performing automatic text categorization. This paper deals a fast fuzzy self-constructing algorithm that reduces the dimensionality of a feature vector. We also perform automatic categorization of text and hypertext documents using a Support Vector Machines (SVMs) classifier. AS an illustrative example, we considered a set of documents with 15 documents with up to 30 feature words. A fuzzy self-constructing algorithm was used to obtain the reduced number of features. During the training phase the SVM classifier was trained using the reduced set of features. During the decision making phase the SVM classifier was used to classify unknown documents.
Primary mediastinal hyalinizing spindle cell tumor with giant rosettes

We describe herein a unique case of primary mediastinal hyalinizing spindle cell tumor with giant rosettes that occurred in a 41-year-old man. The clinical and pathologic features together with a brief review of the literature are reported.
How Family Forest Owners Consider Timber Harvesting, Land Sale, and Conservation Easement Decisions: Insights from Massachusetts, USA

Ten million family forest owners own 35 percent of US forestland. Although one owner's action may be insignificant, many owners' decisions across the landscape and over time can together affect the forest ecosystem. By analyzing survey data from Massachusetts, this paper examines the thought processes of family forest owners when considering timber harvesting, land sale, and conservation easement decisions, all having great potential to shape the future of individual properties and forest landscape. Some factors (e.g., attitudes towards forestland and desire for and experience of cooperation) were important for engaged and unengaged owners, some factors (e.g., attained education level, age, and absenteeism) were irrelevant, and some factors (e.g., acreage and information sources) had mixed effects depending on the decision and landowner engagement level. The results suggest the need to avoid any one-size-fits-all approach, differentiate landowners based on their engagement level, and tailor outreach efforts to address the interests and concerns of particular audiences.
Ecological Unequal Exchange: Consumption, Equity, and Unsustainable Structural Relationships within the Global Economy

We discuss and elaborate upon the theory of cross-national ecological unequal exchange. Drawing upon world-systems theoretical propositions, ecological unequal exchange refers to the increasingly disproportionate utilization of ecological systems and externalization of negative environmental costs by core industrialized countries and, consequentially, declining utilization opportunities and imposition of exogenous environmental burdens within the periphery. We provide a descriptive overview of theoretical and empirical efforts to date examining this issue. Ecological unequal exchange provides a framework for conceptualizing how the socioeconomic metabolism or material throughput of core countries may negatively impact more marginalized countries in the global economy. It focuses attention upon the global uneven fl ow of energy, natural resources, and waste products of industrial activity. Further, the recognition of the distributional processes of ecological unequal exchange is relevant to considerations of both the socioeconomic and environmental imperatives underlying the pursuit of sustainable development, as it contributes to underdevelopment within the periphery of the world-system. We conclude by highlighting the interconnections between uneven natural resource fl ows, global environmental change, and the challenge of broad-based sustainable development.
A nanotubular metal-organic framework with permanent porosity: structure analysis and gas sorption studies.

A nanotubular metal–organic framework, PCN-19, was constructed based on a μ3-oxo-trinickel basic carboxylate secondary building unit (SBU) and the 9,10-anthracenedicarboxylate ligand; its permanent porosity was confirmed by N2 adsorption isotherms, and its H2storage performances were evaluated under both low and high pressures at 77 K.
Genome Sequence of “Candidatus Nitrosopumilus salaria” BD31, an Ammonia-Oxidizing Archaeon from the San Francisco Bay Estuary

Ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) play important roles in nitrogen and carbon cycling in marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Here, we present the draft genome sequence for the ammonia-oxidizing archaeon "Candidatus Nitrosopumilus salaria" BD31, which was enriched in culture from sediments of the San Francisco Bay estuary. The genome sequences revealed many similarities to the genome of Nitrosopumilus maritimus.
The many twists and turns of DNA: template, telomere, tool, and target

If any proof were needed of DNA's versatile roles and use, it is certainly provided by the numerous depositions of new three-dimensional (3D) structures to the coordinate databanks (PDB, NDB) over the last two years. Quadruplex motifs involving G-repeats, adducted sequences and oligo-2'-deoxynucleotides (ODNs) with bound ligands are particularly well represented. In addition, structures of chemically modified DNAs (CNAs) and artificial analogs are yielding insight into stability, pairing properties, and dynamics, including those of the native nucleic acids. Besides being of significance for establishing diagnostic tools and in the analysis of protein-DNA interactions, chemical modification in conjunction with investigations of the structural consequences may yield novel nucleic acid-based therapeutics. DNA's predictable and highly specific pairing behavior makes it the material of choice for constructing 3D-nanostructures of defined architecture. Recently the first examples of DNA nanoparticle and self-assembled 3D-crystals were reported. Although the structures discussed in this review are all based either on X-ray crystallography or solution NMR, small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and cryoEM are proving to be useful approaches for the characterization of nanoscale DNA architecture.
Measurement of the RT Interval on ECG Records During Electron-Beam CT

Abstract Rationale and Objectives The R wave of the electrocardiogram is used widely as a trigger for cardiac imaging. This study was designed to determine the optimal interval between the R wave and end systole for triggering of electron-beam computed tomography (CT) in a group of patients with various heart rates who are undergoing assessment for coronary artery calcification. Materials and Methods A total of 862 consecutive asymptomatic patients referred for screening with electron-beam CT for coronary artery calcification were enrolled in the study. Patients' R-R, RT, and PR intervals were measured by using the software of the CT console computer. Correlation coefficients were computed and linear regression analyses were performed for all intervals measured. Results were analyzed according to patient age (three subgroups), sex (two subgroups), and heart rate (nine subgroups). Separate formulas for calculating the length of RT intervals in men and in women were developed. Results After correction for heart rate, a significant difference was found in mean RT and PR intervals between women and men, with the mean intervals in women being longer (P 60 years; P > .05). However, significant negative correlations were found between heart rates and the lengths of all measured intervals. The results of statistical analysis indicate that most of the variation in the R-R interval with different heart rates occurred in diastole and that the duration of systole was relatively constant. Conclusion For optimal cardiac imaging, triggering should take place in late systole, avoiding the RT interval variability that occurs in diastole.
INFLUENCE OF OPEN SPACE ON WATER QUALITY IN AN URBAN STREAM

Much attention has been given to the impairment of streams in urban areas and to the value of green space in preventing degradation. However, few studies have examined whether green space can remediate water quality downstream of contaminant sources. To assess the degree to which an ecological preserve was able to ameliorate upstream water quality impairments, we examined changes in conductivity, total inorganic nitrogen (TIN), and a family biotic index (FBI) for benthic macroinvertebrates in a partially urbanized stream in eastern New York state, USA. We expected conductivity, which results mainly from road de-icing salt, to decrease in the green space due to dilution from low- conductivity surface runoff. We also expected TIN and FBI to indicate stream improvements in response to increased vegetative cover in the green space. Contrary to expectations, conductivity did not improve in the ecological preserve, although TIN and FBI values did improve. Differences in scales of response explain this contrast in recovery/conductivity responded to basin-wide percentage impervious surface cover (ISC), while TIN and FBI responded to riparian-scale ISC, which declined sharply in the ecological preserve. Con- serving riparian green space can aid natural recovery of TIN and FBI. In contrast, control-
The Researcher-Person-Family Process

The author discusses the importance and some of the challenges of conducting qualitative family nursing research in a way that honors the meaning potential of the family. Examples of studies of low income families, families with children with special circumstances, and families with members with cancer are discussed. The use of the arts and humanities to explore the meaning potential of families is also discussed.
Portable, mostly-concurrent, mostly-copying garbage collection for multi-processors

Modern commodity platforms increasingly support thread-level parallelism, which must be exploited by garbage collected applications. We describe the design and implementation of a portable mostly-concurrent mostly-copying garbage collector that exhibits scalable performance on multi-processors. We characterize its performance for heap-intensive workloads on two different multi-processor platforms, showing maximum pause times two orders of magnitude shorter than for fully stop-the-world collection at the cost of some total mutator throughput.
Inexpensive technique to record respiration during flight

This paper describes the development and use of a small (19 X 11 X 18 cm) tape recording system designed to monitor respiratory patterns during flight. This lightweight system (1.85 kg) was developed for less than $200 using commerically available subassemblies. Respiratory patterns are detected via a comfortable intranasal thermometer, amplified, and converted to an FM signal for taping. The device will also convert the tape recorded signal to a graphic display on a laboratory strip chart recorder. Reliable recordings of respiratory rate and respiratory regularity have been made in ambient temperatures of up to 43 degrees C. Chart recordings of student pilots' respiratory patterns at different stages of flight are presented. With modifications to the transducer assembly and amplifier, the basic recording system may be used to monitor other biological functions such as EMG, GSR, EEG, and ECG. Environmental variables have a frequency of less than 250 Hz (wind velocity, temperature, noise, etc.) may also be recorded with proper transducers.
A novel cesium–carborane cluster: synthesis and structure of [Cs5–(C2B9H12)4Cl]n

Abstract The cage degradation reaction of closo 1,2-C2B10H12 carborane in the presence of 2-chloromethyl-4-nitro-phenol in alcoholic potassium hydroxide, followed by the addition of excess cesium chloride, produced a novel cesium carborane cluster, [Cs5–(C2B9H12)4Cl]n, 1. The compound crystallizes in the tetragonal space group I-4 with a=16.817(1) A, b=16.817(1) A, c=7.601(1) A, V=2149.6(3) A 3 , Z=8 and calculated density of 1.906 Mg/m3. The final refinement converged at R=0.018, based on 1142 unique reflections. There are two distinguishable type of cesium ions, Cs(1) is surrounded by four carborane cages and two Cl(1) ion, and Cs(2) is surrounded by five carborane cages and one Cl(1). The Cl occupies the center of a slightly distorted octahedral site Cs6Cl, with two Cl(1)–Cs(1) average distance of 3.84 A and four Cl(1)–Cs(2) average distance of 3.64 A. Each unit is then linked to another through a Cs(1)–Cl–Cs(1)–Cl repeating unit forming a polymeric chain.
Studies on nicotine absorption during pregnancy. II. The effects of acute heavy doses on mother and neonates.

Abstract When primipara pregnant rats, 140–150 days old, receive a single heavy subcutaneous injection of nicotine on the twenty-first day of pregnancy, one day prior to expected term delivery, they respond differently from nonpregnant females the same age, similarly treated. The pregnant animal tolerates less drug and hyperventilates excessively while body temperature depression is not as marked as in the nonpregnant rat. Many of the treated animals fail to build adequate nests or to take proper care of their young. Delivery is delayed 2 to 4 days beyond term, the young tend to be lighter in weight than normal, and the young survive poorly through the first critical 48 hours of life. Our data does not support the idea of an extremely rapid elimination of nicotine from tissues when it is present in near-lethal amounts.
“Eat me” imaging and therapy

Clearance of apoptotic debris is a vital role of the innate immune system. Drawing upon principles of apoptotic clearance, convenient delivery vehicles including intrinsic anti-inflammatory characteristics and specificity to immune cells can be engineered to aid in drug delivery. In this article, we examine the use of phosphatidylserine (PtdSer), the well-known "eat-me" signal, in nanoparticle-based therapeutics making them highly desirable "meals" for phagocytic immune cells. Use of PtdSer facilitates engulfment of nanoparticles allowing for imaging and therapy in various pathologies and may result in immunomodulation. Furthermore, we discuss the targeting of the macrophages and other cells at sites of inflammation in disease. A thorough understanding of the immunobiology of "eat-me" signals is requisite for the successful application of "eat-me"-bearing materials in biomedical applications.
Screening Nonionic Surfactants for Enhanced Biodegradation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Remaining in Soil After Conventional Biological Treatment.

A total of five nonionic surfactants (Brij 30, Span 20, Ecosurf EH-3, polyoxyethylene sorbitol hexaoleate, and R-95 rhamnolipid) were evaluated for their ability to enhance PAH desorption and biodegradation in contaminated soil after treatment in an aerobic bioreactor. Surfactant doses corresponded to aqueous-phase concentrations below the critical micelle concentration in the soil-slurry system. The effect of surfactant amendment on soil (geno)toxicity was also evaluated for Brij 30, Span 20, and POESH using the DT40 B-lymphocyte cell line and two of its DNA-repair-deficient mutants. Compared to the results from no-surfactant controls, incubation of the bioreactor-treated soil with all surfactants increased PAH desorption, and all except R-95 substantially increased PAH biodegradation. POESH had the greatest effect, removing 50% of total measured PAHs. Brij 30, Span 20, and POESH were particularly effective at enhancing biodegradation of four- and five-ring PAHs, including five of the seven carcinogenic ...
Game sketching

Every project in any aspect of the creative industry must start with an ideation process. The essence of this process is to allow rapid exploration of ideas with very little resource expenditure. For ideation to be successful an idea must be explorable in hours if not minutes. The tools that are used should be readily accessible to designers in the field. The video game industry is a production oriented industry and thus the majority of the technology in this industry has focused on production tools. Very little attention has been paid to the ideation stage in the game industry. In this paper we explore the cultural and technical reasons for this lack of focus on ideation within the video game industry.We introduce the concept of game sketching. Game sketching is not a technology, rather it is a set of technologies and methodologies intended to encourage exploration at a very early stage. We present an overview of one tool we have developed and then discuss our users' experiences. We finish the paper with a set of examples of game sketching. In particular we include two examples of a game sketch where our technology was not used at all. The intention of this paper is to introduce the concept of game sketching, and in so doing to get people to ask questions early in the ideation stage.
Prostate Biopsy Sample Assists Diagnosis

Prostate cancer has become a focus of new interest as the population ages and the death rate due to cardiovascular disease decreases. Patients with abnormalities in digital rectal examination, prostate-specific antigen, or ultrasound are evaluated with biopsies. In addition to cytopathologic or histopathologic diagnosis, a biopsy sample can be used to obtain prognostic information by applying flow cytometry or image analysis to determine ploidy. Aspirate samples are suitable for DNA analysis by flow cytometry, and smears are suitable for image analysis. Tissue samples may beused to make nuclear suspensions suitable for flow cytometry or for image analysis. Sections of paraffinembedded tissue may be used for image analysis. This article reviewstechniques for analysis of small prostate specimens using these methods. In addition, prostate biopsy techniques are presented, including digitally guided core needle biopsy, ultrasonographically guided needle biopsy, and digitally guided fine needle aspiration cytology.
SOCIOLINGUISTICS: AN OVERVIEW

This paper surveys the main concerns and main tenets of sociolinguistics, as seen by the author. It begins by discussing the three main types of linguistic, varieties (languages, dialects and styles/registers) and how they may be differentiated. Specifically in regard to dialects, it stresses the rule-governed nature of all dialects, including those which are non-standard. It also considers how speakers arrive at a sense of which dialect becomes the standard dialect. Finally, it considers how speakers use code-switching and code-shifting to convey social meaning in interpersonal relationships.
The Role of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Dyslipidemias

Statins are the most widely prescribed lipid-lowering medications and have been shown to lower the relative risk for cardiovascular events by 20–50 %. However, despite their lipid lowering and cardioprotective effects, substantial residual cardiovascular risk persists in some patients taking statins, particularly in some subgroups, such as those with atherogenic dyslipidemia, i.e., high TG and low HDL. There has been significant controversy regarding the role of omega-3 fatty acid (OM3 FA) in the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, there is clear scientific understanding of how OM3 FAs integrate with physiology to improve lipid serologies to potentially prevent cardiovascular disease. These mechanisms can be exploited for the modification of disease. Current studies on how to best take advantage of this implicate that OM3 FAs alter the course of CVD both for prevention of adverse cardiovascular outcomes and treatment of derangements in lipid serologies. Current guidelines and recommendations support their regular integration into the diet and supplementation for those with severe hypertriglyceridemia as adjunct therapy. Emerging data suggests that OM3 FAs may have implications in specific subpopulations. In particular, patients with elevated triglycerides may benefit from supplementation as combination therapy to statins and lifestyle changes, especially those with TGs ≥500 mg/dL and perhaps, pending results of ongoing trials, those with TGs ≥200 mg/dL and <500 mg/dL. Further studies should seek to assess those with high residual risk while on statin therapy, which is best estimated by measuring the affect on triglyceride rich lipoprotein-cholesterol (TRL-C).
Model and software of materials flow and energy flow in ferronickel smelting

On the basis of studies on material flow and energy flow balances in ferronickel smelting,the utilization rate and heat loss of every process were obtained,and the reaction rates of ores,reductants and fluxes were calculated in each part of the ferronickel smelting process. The effect of nickel content in the nickel laterite ore and ferronickel alloy on the contents of nickel and iron in the slag was analyzed. Computational models of overall material flow and energy flow were built. In addition to the function of calculating overall material flow and energy flow in the system,the computational models also have the function of coordinating material flow and energy flow among subsystems. Based on the relevance of material flow and energy flow in each subsystem,the utilization rate and heat loss of flue gas and furnace gas were calculated,and the calculation software of the overall ferronickel smelting process was developed by using Visual Basic.
Transgenic Crop Plants: Contributions, Concerns, and Compulsions

No one discovery, event, person, or product alone defines or typifies plant biotechnology. Biotechnology plants, known scientifically as transgenic plants or genetically modified plants (GMPs), are derived from a blend of ancient agricultural practices and modern genetics-based technologies. Traditionally, plants served societies primarily for basic needs, such as food and shelter from the environment. Some early cultures made use of whole plants and plant compounds for medical and religious purposes. Plants took esthetic roles as civilizations grew. Many plants in early civilizations were selected for their beauty and fragrance to grow in gardens and in homes. Biotechnology significantly improved the traditional use of plants by improving the way plants are grown and the quality of the plant products. It has also greatly expanded the roles of plants within the past 20 years. Plants are now used for biomanufacturing a variety of commercial and industrial products. They are also put to work for a host of bioremediation purposes (Shmaefsky 2007).
THE THEORY OF CONSUMER BEHAVIOR

Perhaps science does not develop by the accumulation of individual discoveries and inventions. Thomas S. Kuhn The Theory of Consumer Behavior posits that buyers choose the bundle of goods that maximize satisfaction, subject to a budget constraint. There are many applications from this basic idea. The material is organized as shown in Figure I.1. By changing the price of a good, holding everything else constant, we can derive a demand curve. This is the most important concept in the Theory of Consumer Behavior. Although deriving demand is undoubtedly our prime objective, Figure I.1 also shows the flexibility of the Theory of Consumer Behavior. It can be applied to such wide-ranging topics as charitable giving, driving a car, and asset allocation. This part concludes with search theory and behavioral economics – special topics built from relaxing assumptions in the basic theory. After finishing the Theory of Consumer Behavior (from which we get demand), we tackle the Theory of the Firm (and derive the supply curve). The third and final part is the Market System, which studies supply and demand as a resource allocation mechanism. References The epigraph is from the second page of the introductory chapter to Thomas S. Kuhn's classic, The Structure of Scientific Revolutions (originally published in 1962). Kuhn argued that progress in science is not generated by bit-by-bit puzzle solving (what he called normal science), but that periods of calm are followed by crises that lead to paradigm shifts.
Building Alternative Feminist Economic Futures: WHEELS

WHEELS (Women's Hands Establishing Entrepreneurial Leadership Skills) Collective was established in Brooklyn, NY, in 2013, in response to the severe impact of the recession on women of color. It de...
Differential induction of GRO alpha gene expression in human corneal epithelial cells and keratocytes exposed to proinflammatory cytokines.

PURPOSE GRO alpha is an inducible neutrophil chemotactic factor synthesized in inflamed corneal tissues. In this study, the regulation of GRO alpha synthesis after exposure of human corneal cells to proinflammatory cytokines was investigated. METHODS Pure cultures of human corneal epithelial cells and keratocytes were exposed to increasing concentrations of either interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) or tumor-necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). At selected times postexposure, the amounts of GRO alpha produced by the cultures were quantitated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The RNA was harvested from stimulated cultures to monitor GRO alpha mRNA and pre-mRNA levels by the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS Both IL-1 alpha and TNF-alpha induced significant levels of GRO alpha synthesis in keratocytes. However, IL-1 alpha-stimulated cells produced > 10 times more GRO alpha protein and 12 times more GRO alpha mRNA than did TNF-alpha-stimulated keratocytes. In contrast to the log differences in mRNA levels and protein synthesis, there was a less than twofold difference between IL-1 alpha and TNF-alpha in their capacity to induce GRO alpha specific pre-mRNA synthesis. When actinomycin D was added to stimulated keratocytes to inhibit transcription, the half-life of GRO alpha mRNA in TNF-alpha-treated cells was or = 9 hours. In contrast to keratocytes, exposure of corneal epithelial cells to IL-1 alpha and TNF-alpha did not induce significant increases in steady-state levels of GRO alpha pre-mRNA, mRNA, or protein. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that keratocytes are the major producers of GRO alpha in the human cornea. The capacity of IL-1 alpha to stimulate the synthesis of significantly higher quantities of GRO alpha in keratocytes compared to TNF-alpha is caused by the fact that GRO alpha-specific transcripts are more than nine times more stable in cells exposed to IL-1 alpha than in cells exposed to TNF-alpha.
Pulse Shaping: The Missing Piece of Backscatter Radio and RFID

The increasing use of backscatter radio for pervasive Internet-of-Things systems as a low-power and low-cost communication scheme will result in dense deployments of tags that need to operate under bandwidth (BW) constraints. Typical backscatter tags and computational radio frequency (RF) identification systems are unnecessarily limited to modulating data with “ON–OFF” switching front-ends, which leads to extensive spectrum occupancy, due to the rectangular pulses. This paper sets the foundations to overcome these limitations and proposes designs of RF front-ends that are capable of varying the tag reflection coefficient in a continuous way over time. Arbitrary waveforms can be generated to perform pulse shaping on the backscattered signals, which require significantly reduced BW. The principles presented in this paper will enable sophisticated tags to perform complex modulation schemes under BW constraints, while maintaining a very low RF front-end complexity, using a single nonlinear component such as a p-i-n diode or field-effect transistor. Migrating the idea of pulse shaping from complex power-demanding active radios to such minimal RF front-ends will complete backscatter radio as a communication scheme for simple RF tags and sensors in large-scale deployments. Each tag becomes a miniature software-defined radio that implements diverse communication schemes with increased spectral efficiency.
Effects of TGF-beta and TGF-beta neutralizing antibodies on fibroblast-induced collagen gel contraction: implications for proliferative vitreoretinopathy.

Purpose The main cause of failure after retinal reattachment surgery is proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR), in which contractile fibrocellular membranes form on the retinal surface and vitreous base. Recently, elevated levels of transforming growth factor-beta 2 (TGF-beta 2) were measured in the vitreous of patients with PVR, suggesting a possible association with the disease. Because neutralizing TGF-beta may prove useful in controlling this blinding disease process, the authors examined the effect of anti-TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 2 antibodies in TGF-beta-mediated fibroblast-induced collagen gel contraction. Method Rabbit dermal fibroblasts were combined with type I collagen in an in vitro model of collagen gel contraction. The authors evaluated the effect of TGF-beta 1, TGF-beta 2, and their antibodies on fibroblast-induced gel contraction. Results TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 2 equally enhanced gel contraction to an average of 6% to 7% of the control area by day 4. In contrast, gels without TGF-beta contracted only to an average of 38% of the control gels. Several anti-TGF-beta antibodies neutralized this TGF-beta-enhanced contraction, whereas control IgGs had no effect. A dose-dependent response was detected with TGF-beta 1, TGF-beta 2, and anti-TGF-beta. Conclusion Because TGF-beta levels have been shown to correlate with the severity of PVR, the neutralizing action of anti-TGF-beta on TGF-beta-mediated contraction may offer further insights into the structure and function of PVR membranes and may provide clues to possible therapeutic solutions for controlling this disease process.
An Introduction to Music Technology

An Introduction to Music Technology, Second Edition provides a clear overview of the essential elements of music technology for todays musician. This book focuses on the topics that underlie the hardware and software in use today: Sound, Audio, MIDI, Computer Notation, and Computer- Assisted Instruction. Appendices cover necessary computer hardware and software concepts. Written for both music technology majors and non-majors, this textbookintroduces fundamental principles and practices so students can learn to work with a wide range of software programs, adapt to new music technologies, and apply music technology in their performance, composition, teaching, and analysis. Features: Thorough explanations of key topics in music technology Content applicable to all software and hardware, not linked to just one piece of software or gear In-depth discussion of digital audio topics, such as sampling rates, resolutions, and file formats Explanations of standard audio plug-ins including dynamics processors, EQs, and delay based effects Coverage of synthesis and sampling in software instruments Pedagogical features, including: Further Reading sections that allow the student to delve deeper into topics of interest Suggested Activities that can be carried out with a variety of different programs Key Terms at the end of each chapter What Do I Need? Chapters covering the types of hardware and software needed in order to put together Audio and MIDI systems A companion website with links to audio examples that demonstrate various concepts, step-by-step tutorials, relevant hardware, software, and additional audio and video resources. The new edition has been fully updated to cover new technologies that have emerged since the first edition, including iOS and mobile platforms, online notation software, alternate controllers, and Open Sound Control (OSC).
A study on EUV reticle surface molecular contamination under different storage conditions in a HVM foundry fab

The prospect of EUVL (Extreme Ultraviolet Lithography) insertion into HVM (High Volume Manufacturing) has never been this promising. As technology is prepared for "lab to fab" transition, it becomes important to comprehend challenges associated with integrating EUVL infrastructure within existing high volume chip fabrication processes in a foundry fab. The existing 193nm optical lithography process flow for reticle handling and storage in a fab atmosphere is well established and in-fab reticle contamination concerns are mitigated with the reticle pellicle. However EUVL reticle pellicle is still under development and if available, may only provide protection against particles but not molecular contamination. HVM fab atmosphere is known to be contaminated with trace amounts of AMC’s (Atmospheric Molecular Contamination). If such contaminants are organic in nature and get absorbed on the reticle surface, EUV photon cause photo-dissociation resulting into carbon generation which is known to reduce multilayer reflectivity and also degrades exposure uniformity. Chemical diffusion and aggregation of other ions is also reported under the e-beam exposure of a EUV reticle which is known to cause haze issues in optical lithography. Therefore it becomes paramount to mitigate absorbed molecular contaminant concerns on EUVL reticle surface. In this paper, we have studied types of molecular contaminants that are absorbed on an EUVL reticle surface under HVM fab storage and handling conditions. Effect of storage conditions (gas purged vs atmospheric) in different storage pods (Dual pods, Reticle Clamshells) is evaluated. Absorption analysis is done both on ruthenium capping layer as well as TaBN absorber. Ru surface chemistry change as a result of storage is also studied. The efficacy of different reticle cleaning processes to remove absorbed contaminant is evaluated as well.