cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A retrospective analysis of CASP2 threading predictions.

Analysis of CASP2 protein threading results shows that the success rate of structure predictions varies widely among prediction targets. We set ''critical'' thresholds in fold recognition specificity and threading model accuracy at the points where ''incorrect'' CASP2 predictions just outnumber ''correct'' predictions. Using these thresholds we find that correct predictions were made for all of those targets and for only those targets where more than 50% of target residues may be super- imposed on previously known structures. Three-fourths of these correct predictions were furthermore made for targets with greater than 12% residue identity in structural alignment, where characteristic sequence motifs are also present. Based on these observations we sug- gest that the sustained performance of thread- ing methods is best characterized by counting the numbers of correct predictions for targets of increasing ''difficulty.'' We suggest that tar- get difficulty may be assigned, once the true structure of the target is known, according to the fraction of residues superimposable onto previ- ously known structures and the fraction of identi- cal residues in those structural alignments.
Applications of C-AFM analysis techniques at advanced IC on ATPG/Scan failure

The application of the Conductive Atomic Force Microscope (C-AFM) has been widely used in the semiconductor industry for failure analysis on nanometer scale technology. Its main application in SRAM analysis for high/low resistance and junction leakages differentiation had proven to be very useful in determining the failure mechanism. We had successfully utilized a methodology using C-AFM to help us detect soft defect failure such as LDD missing/shallowing without using nanoprobing. This paper will demonstrate a new approach of the C-AFM to identify the electric characteristic of ATPG/Scan failure in CMOS process. Current FA methodology for ATPG/Scan failure utilizes layout and top view SEM image comparison to determine any abnormality between the physical chip and the intended masking. The beam tracer module, which is an added function from nanoprobe system, had demonstrated its feasibility in helping to improve the success rate of ATPG/Scan failure analysis (Figure 1). However the cost of setting up the nanoprobe system and purchasing the beam tracer module can be substantially high. Other methodologies include utilizing TIVA/OBRICH/EMMI techniques to deduce fault localization within the tracing path, but the success rate is layout design and failure mechanism dependant.
Vibrational spectra of crystalline Bi1−xSbx alloys

Abstract Second order Raman scattering is reported at 300 K in crystalline Bi 1− x Sb x alloys. The spectra, which are interpreted in terms of dominant overtone processes, indicate variations in the phonon density of states for the optical bands with composition. The form of the spectra, which include contributions from Bi-Bi, Bi-Sb and Sb-Sb bonds, implies microscopic statistical clustering effects analogous to those in Ge 1− x Si x alloys. A comparison of the spectra with inelastic tunneling results in superconducting amorphous Bi 1− x Sb x indicates covalent bonding contributions in the latter.
Alarm call responsivity of mallard ducklings: VII. Auditory experience maintains freezing.

Mallard ducklings (Anas platyrhynchos) freeze upon hearing the maternal alarm call, which the hen issues when there are disturbances (e.g., potential predators) near the nest. Our previous work indicates that ducklings that have been devocalized embryonically and reared in auditory isolation exhibit a significant reduction in the incidence of freezing, as compared to vocal ducklings or to devocal ducklings that have been exposed to duckling sounds throughout the perinatal period up to the time of testing at 12 hr posthatch. The main purpose of this paper is to assess whether there is a prenatal or postanatal sensitive period for such auditory experience. Two groups of 30 devocalized ducklings were either (a) stimulated with duckling sounds prenatally and tested to the alarm call at 12 hr posthatch (Expt. 1), or (b) stimulated from the time of hatching to the time of testing at 12 hr (Expt. 2). These experiments rendered no conclusive evidence of either a prenatal or postnatal sensitive period, but they suggested that auditory experience might be important in maintaining freezing. To test this hypothesis, a third group of 30 ducklings was stimulated from hatching to 12 hr and tested at 24 hr (Expt. 3). Only those ducklings receiving auditory experience contiguous with the time of testing (Expt. 2) showed high levels of freezing. Whenever a gap occurred between the offset of stimulation and the onset of testing (Expts. 1 and 3), the incidence of freezing dropped. Thus, auditory experience is important in maintaining the freezing response. This effect contrasts markedly with traditional conceptions of sensitive periods.
Play interactions and interviews of depressed and conduct disorder children and their mothers.

Normal, depressed and conduct disorder children (M age=5 years) were interviewed (as were their mothers) and observed in free play and puzzle completion tasks both alone and together with their mothers to determine differences in temperament, behavior problems and play interaction behaviors. The depressed children reported more “depressed” feelings, lower self-esteem and more external locus of control, although their mothers were indistinguishable from mothers of normal children on interviews, and their dyadic play behavior together suggested less fantasy play and less involvement. The conduct disorder children's interview responses did not differ from their normal peers, although their mothers reported more self-depression, more external locus of control and less nurturant childrearing practices and rated their children as having more active temperaments. The conduct disorder children were more active motorically and less interactive during play sessions, and their mothers were less interactive and more disapproving than the other mothers. These results are discussed in the context of the literature on different behavior problems, self-concept, temperament and childrearing practices in these two groups of disturbed children.
Possible lessons from a recent technology (Nuclear) for an emerging (Ubiquitous Embedded Systems) technology

Information Technology (IT) has ushered in not only large societal opportunities but also large uncertain ‐ ties and risks. Future developments, like ubiquitous networked embedded systems, are technologies society may face. Such technologies offer larger opportunities and uncertainties because of their ability to widely distribute power through their small, inexpensive, and ubiquitous characteristics. Many interpretations of how these technologies may develop have been postulated, ranging from the conservative Precautionary Principle, to uncontrolled development leading to “singularity.” With so much uncertainty and so many predictions about the benefits and consequences of these technologies, it is important to raise ethical questions, determine potential scenarios, and try to identify appropriate decision points and stakeholders. Rather than going along an unknown path, perhaps lessons could be learned from recently deployed technologies, such as nuclear technology, that were controversial but offered similarly large potential benefits and risks. The experience of nuclear technology development, with its various successes and failures, is recalled and compared with potential scenarios in the development of networked embedded systems
ENDOTHELIAL CONTRACTION INDUCED BY HISTAMINE-TYPE MEDIATORS : An Electron Microscopic Study

Previous work has shown that endogenous chemical mediators, of which histamine is the prototype, increase the permeability of blood vessels by causing gaps to appear between endothelial cells. In the present paper, morphologic and statistical evidence is presented, to suggest that endothelial cells contract under the influence of mediators, and that this contraction causes the formation of intercellular gaps. Histamine, serotonin, and bradykinin were injected subcutaneously into the scrotum of the rat, and the vessels of the underlying cremaster muscle were examined by electron microscopy. To eliminate the vascular collapse induced by routine fixation, in one series of animals (including controls) the root of the cremaster was constricted for 2–4 min prior to sacrifice, and the tissues were fixed under conditions of mild venous congestion. Electron micrographs were taken of 599 nuclei from the endothelium of small blood vessels representing the various experimental situations. Nuclear deformations were classified into four types of increasing tightness (notches, foldsl closing folds, and pinches. In the latter the apposed surfaces of the nuclear membrane are in contact). It was found that: (1) venous congestion tends to straighten the nuclei in al groups; (2) mediators cause a highly significant increase in the number of pinches (P < 0.001), also if the vessels are distended by venous congestion; (3) fixation without venous congestion causes vascular collapse. The degree of endothelial recoil, as measured by nuclear pinches, is very different from that caused by mediators (P < 0.001). (4) Pinched nuclei are more frequent in leaking vessels, and in cells adjacent to gaps (P < 0.001); (5) mediators also induce, in the endothelium, cytoplasmic changes suggestive of contraction, and similar to those of contracted smooth muscle; (6) there is no evidence of pericyte contraction under the conditions tested. Occasional pericytes appeared to receive fine nerve endings. Various hypotheses to explain nuclear pinching are discussed; the only satisfactory explanation is that which requires endothelial contraction.
Spectrophotometric determination of lymphocyte mediated sheep red blood cell hemolysis in vitro.

An assay has been developed in which the degree of in vitro spleen cell-mediated sheep red blood cell (SRBC) hemolysis is quantitated spectrophotometrically (QHS). Immune mouse spleen cells, SRBC and guinea pig complement were incubated at 37 degrees C for 1 h in buffer, centrifuged, and the supernatant solutions read at 413 nm. The greatest degree of cell-mediated SRBC hemolysis was observed in day +5 harvested spleens following a day 0, 5% SRBC i.p. injection. In the assay system, it was found that a stimulator SRBC dose of 0.2% resulted in maximal stimulation with little non-specific hemolysis. This assay is presented as an alternative to the well established plaque forming and rosette assays.
An Arecibo Search for Broad 21 Centimeter Lines of Atomic Hydrogen in Clusters of Galaxies

We present the results of sensitive observations of the inner 33 (~100 kpc) of 21 clusters of galaxies with the Arecibo telescope utilizing the autocorrelation spectrometer in complex-sampling mode to obtain a total bandwidth of 40 MHz, which corresponds to a velocity coverage of ~7000–8000 km s-1. These are the most sensitive observations capable of detecting H I with line widths expected for gas in the intracluster medium (ICM). We did not detect any significant emission features with 500 km s-1 ≤ FWHM ≤ 4000 km s-1 through the centers of these clusters. Limits on optically thin H I from "narrow" galaxy-type features are typically ~5 × 108 M⊙, while from broad cluster-type features they are about an order of magnitude higher. We derive constraints on the covering factor of any optically thick H I within the Arecibo beam. We obtain upper limits cf ~ 3 × 10-3 assuming that the temperature of the H I is 10 K. This corresponds to a limited range of parameter space for the clouds in which the cloud temperature is typically less than a few tens of kelvins and the number of clouds along the line of sight is less than a few tens of clouds. Cloud temperatures this low are probably inconsistent with cloud heating due to X-rays from the ICM; however, this is uncertain. The very small range of parameter space that is allowed by the observations makes it unlikely that there is very much atomic hydrogen in the ICM of these clusters.
DEMEANOR OR CRIME? THE MIDWEST CITY POLICE-CITIZEN ENCOUNTERS STUDY*

There is agreement in the literature on policing that demeanor and other extralegal variables help determine police decisions. A recent challenge to that agreement has been issued, however. Klinger (1994) has asserted that nearly all previous quantitative analyses of the effects of demeanor and other extralegal variables are fatally pawed because they failed to limit demeanor to spoken words and failed to control for crime. He concluded that all previous research is suspect until additional analyses of the data sets used in previous research and new observational research are presented. This research starts the first of these tasks by reporting additional analyses of data from three previously published papers based on the Midwest City Police-Citizen Encounters Study. With demeanor limited to spoken words and crime partially controlled, the reanalyzed data suggest that the effects of demeanor depend on how demeanor is represented and, to a lesser extent, model specification. Consequently, caution with respect to existing reports of the effects of demeanor and other extralegal variables remains necessary. In addition, carefully controlling for crime and limiting demeanor to spoken words may not be the only problems surrounding efforts to assess the effects of demeanor. This research suggests that multiple representations of demeanor and more fully specified models may be important as well.
One centimeter-level observations of diurnal ocean tides from global monthly mean time-variable gravity fields

A method of analyzing GRACE satellite-to-satellite ranging data is presented which accentuates signals from diurnal ocean tides and dampens signals from long-period non-tidal phenomena. We form a time series of differences between two independent monthly mean gravity solutions, one set computed from range-rate data along strictly ascending arcs and the other set computed from data along descending arcs. The solar and lunisolar diurnal tides having alias periods longer than a few months, such as K 1, P 1, and S 1, present noticeable variations in the monthly ascending and descending ‘difference’ solutions, while the climate-related signals are largely cancelled. By computing tidal arguments evaluated along the actual GRACE orbits, we decompose and estimate residual tidal signals with respect to our adopted prior model GOT4.7. The adjustment in the tidal height is small yet significant, yielding maximum amplitudes of 4 cm mostly under the Antarctic ice shelves and ~1 cm in general at spatial scales of several hundred kilometer. Moreover, the results suggest there are possible 1-cm errors in the tide model even over oceans well-covered by decades of radar altimetry missions. Independent validation of such small adjustments covering wide areas, however, is difficult, particularly with limited point measurements such as tide gauge.
Nonlinear Effects in the Nanophase Segregation of Polyelectrolyte Gels

Polyelectrolyte gels with hydrophobic backbones exhibit complex phase behavior, such as the formation of various nanophases, that involves local segregation of the monomers. The formation of these ...
Constructal tree-shaped two-phase flow for cooling a surface

This paper documents the strong relation that exists between the changing architecture of a complex flow system and the maximization of global performance under constraints. The system is a surface with uniform heating per unit area, which is cooled by a network with evaporating two-phase flow. Illustrations are based on the design of the cooling network for a skating rink. The flow structure is optimized as a sequence of building blocks, which starts with the smallest (elemental volume of fixed size), and continues with assemblies of stepwise larger sizes (first construct, second construct, etc.). The optimized flow network is tree shaped. Three features of the elemental volume are optimized: the cross-sectional shape, the elemental tube diameter, and the shape of the elemental area viewed from above. The tree that emerges at larger scales is optimized for minimal amount of header material and fixed pressure drop. The optimal number of constituents in each new (larger) construct decreases as the size and complexity of the construct increase. Constructs of various levels of complexity compete: the paper shows how to select the optimal flow structure subject to fixed size (cooled surface), pressure drop and amount of header material.
Preservation and Restoration of 19th Century Cast and Wrought Iron Bridges

Restoration of cast and wrought iron bridges is not covered in civil engineering curriculum and engineers have been called upon, or volunteered, to restore these structures with little or no methodology in print to guide them in their work. The writer has restored many of these bridges as pedestrian bridges, published his work in ASCE journals and made presentations at local, regional, national, and international meetings describing methods he used. A brief history of the development of cast and wrought iron bridges in the United States from 1840 to 1890 is presented. The paper discusses properties of cast and wrought iron, methods of replacing in kind or rehabilitating bridge members using casting/riveting/bolting/welding methods, dismantling or removal intact, transportation and rebuilding the structures on new sites. It concludes with images of several bridges restored by the writer.
GENETIC ASPECTS OF CANINE MIXED LEUKOCYTE CULTURES

Recent data stress the importance of matching donor and recipient of an organ graft for both the serologically defined (SD) and lymphocyte-defined (LD) determinants. To allow experimental evaluation of the effect of these SD and LD structures in a noninbred experimental animal, mixed leukocyte culture tests were performed between SD identical and nonidentical dogs to clarify the LD system in these animals. The results of these experiments can be summarized as follows: (a) In the dog there is a LD locus distinct from the known SD loci, which in all probability is localized outside the first (SD-1) series locus on the chromosome. (b) The crossing-over frequency between the SD and LD loci on the chromosome is low. (c) Studies in SD identical unrelated dogs and random unrelated dogs show an apparent high linkage disequilibrium between SD and LD loci. (d) The LD system in dogs is polymorphic.
An Analysis of the Demand for Earthquake Insurance

This research examines the decision to purchase earthquake insurance by analyzing data on earthquake insurance price and penetration in the New Madrid fault zone in Missouri. Earthquake risk is of concern to consumers, the insurance industry, industry regulators, and government agencies because of the potentially catastrophic nature of losses resulting from a major earthquake. Despite the significance of the earthquake peril, the recent literature does not contain estimates of the price and income elasticity of the demand for earthquake insurance. Our analysis indicates that homeowners acquire earthquake insurance because of risk considerations, at higher levels of risk the demand for earthquake insurance is higher, and the price of earthquake coverage does not provide incremental information in explaining the demand for earthquake coverage.
General Mills boosts promotion marketing creativity through pro bono consulting to nonprofits

Spurred by the acquisition of rival Pillsbury, the General Mills promotion marketing department developed a promotion competency model, a consistent identity that reflects the value of having an in-house promotional function aligned with the company's success factors. The most important of the model's nine competencies—and the trickiest to develop—is creativity. One of several development initiatives, the department's Good Idea program is built around service learning: Department members exercise their creative muscles by addressing the promotional and branding problems of nonprofit organizations. In this emerging form of corporate philanthropy, everybody is winning. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Response to Letter Regarding Article, “Influence of Hospital Procedural Volume on Care Process and Mortality for Patients Undergoing Elective Surgery for Mitral Regurgitation”

We thank Drs Shuhaiber for their interest in our work and agree that “what causes the leakage is fundamental to the outcome.” To address this fundamental connection, the …
Failure of Postfiltration Leukapheresis Plasma to Increase Granulocyte Yields

Autologous plasma collected either during or Immediately after continuous flow filtration leukapheresis (CFFL) was infused prior to subsequent donations in ah attempt to induce granulocytosis and to augment granulocyte yields. Granulocytosis did not occur in the 15 to 20 minutes following plasma administration and no increase in granulocyte yields could be demonstrated. In addition, the plasma infusion did not affect the timing or magnitude of the transient granulocytopenia which characteristically occurs during CFFL. Although infusion of postfiltration leukapheresis plasma does not appear to be a feasible or practical means of enhancing granulocyte collection, it may still serve as a valuable tool in the study of granulocyte kinetics.
A method of isolation and culture of microvascular endothelial cells from mouse skin.

Abstract Objectives: The study of isolated microvascular endothelial cells from mice has long been impeded due to the many difficulties encountered in isolating and culturing these cells. We focused on developing a method to isolate microvascular endothelial cells from the skin fragments of newborn mice. We also aimed at establishing optimal culture conditions to sustain the growth of these cells. Methods and results: Isolation of murine dermal microvascular endothelial cells (mDMEC) from P3 newborn mice was based first on enzymatic separation of the skin epidermal layer from the dermis using dispase and then on disaggregating dermal cellular elements using collagenase. The cells obtained from the dermis were subjected to a continuous density gradient centrifugation. Cells situated between densities 1.033 and 1.047 were then cultured on collagen IV-coated culture flasks using optimized growth culture conditions. Cells were characterized by endothelial appearance and by the presence and genetic expression of endothelial markers like CD31, NOS3, VEGFR-2 and Tie-2. Uptake of acetylated low-density lipoprotein (Ac-LDL) was used as a functional assay. Conclusions: The methodology described herein for isolation and culture of murine microvascular endothelium offers a distinctive advantage for those using mouse models to study endothelial cell biology.
INTRACELLULAR LOCATION OF INAPPARENTLY INFECTING CHLAMYDIA IN SYNOVIAL TISSUE FROM PATIENTS WITH REITER'S SYNDROME

Culture ofChlamydia trachomatis from synovial tissues/fluids from Reiter's syndrome (RS) patients frequently yields negative results. However, we have identified chlamydial, RNA at that site in such patients suggesting that viable organisms may be present. Here we define the cellular location of chlamydia within the synovium via in situ hybridization. Using a chlamydial ribosomal RNA-directed probe, we show that synovial tissue from culture-negative RS patients gives strong hybridization which is often localized to a subsynovial cell layer, rather than to the synovial lining; in some cases, hybridizing cells are dispersed through the synovium. All hybridization signal is located within host cells, indicating that infectious extracellular elementary bodies are rare or absent. These data confirm the extensive intracellular presence of inapparent chlamydia in the synovia of RS patients and provide some insight into the usual culture negativity of synovial tissues for the organism.
Characterization of steady wind incidents for air quality management

Abstract Investigation of ambient SO 2 data from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania shows that most violations of the 24 and 3-h air quality standards are due to point sources of emissions and occur during high and steady winds, not atmospheric stagnations. A criterion for identifying such periods of adverse winds is empirically derived and applied, and results pertinent to air quality management are discussed.
Polyhalogenated monoterpenes from the red alga Plocamium cartilagineum

Abstract Mixtures of polyhalogenated monoterpenes, first observed among the constituents of the digestive gland of the sea hare Aplysia californica, have been isolated from Plocamium species. The structures of eleven polyhalogenated monoterpenes from Plocamium cartilagineum have been determined by spectroscopic methods. All structures are based on the 3,7-dimethyl-1,5,7-octatriene skeleton.
Plasma Adrenocorticotropin Concentration in Healthy Horses and in Horses With Clinical Signs of Hyperadrenocorticism

Pituitary adenomas are commonly reported in older horses. The typical clinical signs associated with this condition, also known as equine Cushing's disease (ECD), are related to increased adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) production resulting in hyperadrenocorticism. The primary purpose of this study was to determine whether plasma ACTH concentrations differed between cushingoid and healthy horses. The second objective was to determine the effects of blood sample handling techniques on ACTH concentrations. A commercial human ACTH radioimmunoassay (RIA) was used to quantify equine plasma ACTH. Intra-assay and interassay variations, as well as dilutional parallelism were determined during the RIA validation. Plasma ACTH concentrations were evaluated in a group of healthy equids composed of 18 horses and 9 ponies, and in 22 equids with a clinical diagnosis of hyper adrenocorticism (11 horses and 11 ponies). The mean plasma ACTH concentrations in healthy horses and ponies, (18.68 ± 6.79 pg/mL (mean ± SD) and 8.35 ± 2.92 pg/mL, respectively), were significantly different (P = .009). The mean plasma ACTH concentration in horses and ponies with ECD, (199.18 ± 182.82 pglmL and 206.21 ± 319.56 pg/mL, respectively), were significantly higher than the mean ACTH concentration in the control animals (P < .001). Plasma ACTH concentrations appeared to be a sensitive and specific indicator of ECD in horses and ponies. ACTH concentrations measured in plasma samples kept at room temperature (19°C) as long as 3 hours after blood collection were not statistically different from those of samples kept at 1°C. J Vet Intern Med 1996;10:1–6. Copyright 1996 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
Bulldozers, Bibles, and Very Sharp Knives: The Chinese Independent Documentary Scene

A report on the state of independent documentary filmmaking in China in 2009, covering in particular the Yunnan Multicultural Visual Festival (or Yunfest, as it is known) in Kunming and the China Documentary Film Festival in Songzhuang. A variety of factors have converged to make an anti-authoritarian documentary movement possible, but it may be ending as directors become professionalized.
Effect of Radial Curvature in Rockets on Film Cooling Adiabatic Effectiveness and Jet Width

A computational study was performed to determine the effects of radial curvature on film cooling adiabatic effectiveness. This curvature is typically encountered in modern rocket combustion sections. Jet width and spanwise-averaged adiabatic effectiveness are observed to slightly decrease as radius of curvature decreases. This decrease impacts hole spacing requirements for adequate thermal management inside rocket combustors. Compound injection aggravates the effect so that the increased adiabatic efficiency usually associated is diminished due to a cradling effect of the radial curvature. The result is an increase in adia-batic efficiency immediately downstream of the hole and a decrease after 2 hole diameters, when compared to the flat plate. Furthermore, increasing the momentum ratio past 1 diminishes the effect of radial curvature on adiabatic effectiveness. Quantified understanding of radial curvature effects allow one to use flat plate effectiveness correlations for sizing of film cooling systems in internal flow situations, like rocket combustion chambers. This research is funded and supported by AFRL Propulsion Directorate.© 2008 ASME
A study of methanation kinetics on a clean and a titania-covered platinum foil

Abstract We have investigated the detailed methanation kinetics for a clean and a titania-covered Pt foil. Pressure dependences for H2 and CO were measured between 0.01 and 100 Torr, and Auger electron spectra (AES) were taken of the surfaces following reaction. For the foil not covered by titania, AES indicated that there is no carbon on the surface following reaction, even for H 2 CO pressure ratios as low as 0.03. Kinetic measurements indicated that the reaction order for CO changed from first order at low pressures to zero order at higher pressures, while the reaction was always first order for H2 except for low CO pressures. The methanation kinetics could be modeled by a Langmuir-Hinshelwood rate expression in which CO and hydrogen are competitively adsorbed. The adsorption equilibrium constants in the rate expression for both CO and H2 were identical to those obtained from adsorption and desorption measurements in ultrahigh vacuum experiments, indicating that the dominant adsorbed species during reaction are likely the same as those species measured in adsorption. The results for the titania-covered foil showed that methanation on this surface is very different. AES indicated that significant quantities of a reactive carbon were present on the surface at low H 2 CO pressure ratios. The reaction was again zero order in CO at high CO pressures; however, the reaction became half order rather than first order at low CO pressures. The reasons for the enhanced methanation activity of titania-supported catalysts are discussed in terms of these results.
Algorithms for ray-shooting and intersection searching

Abstract Space-efficient algorithms are presented for some geometric intersection searching problems such as ray-shooting, segment intersection searching, and triangle stabbing. The algorithms for ray-shooting and segment intersection searching improve upon the algorithms given previously. These algorithms also have significantly lower query times than the algorithms previously presented, but the space is larger by a low-degree polylog factor. Efficient dynamic algorithms are also presented for the above problems and for triangle range searching by taking advantage of their decomposability.
Implementation of simple sequence repeat markers to genotype Florida strawberry varieties.

Simple sequence repeats (SSRs or microsatellites) are frequently used as a robust, rapid, and relatively inexpensive means of genotyping. Recent reports in cultivated strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) have identified a widely applicable set of SSRs that permits discrimination of closely-related genotypes. In the present study this same set of SSRs is analyzed in cultivars commonly grown in the state of Florida, as well as advanced breeding selections from the University of Florida program. Nine primer pairs have been used to produce discrete SSR patterns for all lines tested, including diagnostic sets that distinguish between closely-related cultivars and/or breeding selections. A comparison of markers to known pedigrees is presented, along with analysis of relative relatedness between lines studied. We also detail important technical considerations for transferability and limitations of these technologies between laboratories. The resulting genotype data for cultivars commonly used in Florida are accessible as supplemental data in graphic format and allow comparison with other cultivars. Users can thus select the most diagnostic SSRs to test the lines in question. These resources provide new tools for breeders and nurseries to authenticate genotypes, follow inheritance patterns and enforce patent protection. As important, this report underscores the strengths and weaknesses of applying the original methodologies to a different plant population in independent laboratories.
Nanosized grain polycrystalline scintillators for special nuclear materials detection

The aim of this work was to explore the limits of polycrystalline ceramic scintillator in countering the nuclear threat. The goal was to develop a polycrystalline LaBr 3 :Ce, which can be processed from ceramic forming techniques and can be produced in large size scintillator panels with lower cost and high production rate. Three high purity raw powders were used as the starting materials including LaBr 3 , LaCl 3 , and CeBr 3 . Powder characteristics were measured. A melt spinning method was used to synthesize the nanoparticle LaBr 3 :Ce with stoichiometric compositions. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized and the average particle size of the synthesized nanoparticle LaBr 3 :Ce was about 50 nm. The melt spun powders were consolidated using a "Nanosintering" method to achieve a high density while maintaining the stoichiometric composition. The grain size of the sintered polycrystalline is about 50 nm, which shows no grain growth during the densification process.
Analysis of drag and virtual mass forces in bubbly suspensions using an implicit formulation of the lattice Boltzmann method

We present closures for the drag and virtual mass force terms appearing in a two-fluid model for flow of a mixture consisting of uniformly sized gas bubbles dispersed in a liquid. These closures were deduced through computational experiments performed using an implicit formulation of the lattice Boltzmann method with a BGK collision model. Unlike the explicit schemes described in the literature, this implicit implementation requires iterative calculations, which, however, are local in nature. While the computational cost per time step is modestly increased, the implicit scheme dramatically expands the parameter space in multiphase flow calculations which can be simulated economically. The closure relations obtained in our study are limited to a regular array of uniformly sized bubbles and were obtained by simulating the rise behaviour of a single bubble in a periodic box. The effect of volume fraction on the rise characteristics was probed by changing the size of the box relative to that of the bubble. While spherical bubbles exhibited the expected hindered rise behaviour, highly distorted bubbles tended to rise cooperatively. The closure for the drag force, obtained in our study through computational experiments, captured both hindered and cooperative rise. A simple model for the virtual mass coefficient, applicable to both spherical and distorted bubbles, was also obtained by fitting simulation results. The virtual mass coefficient for isolated bubbles could be correlated with the aspect ratio of the bubbles.
Catalytic reduction of SO2 with methane over molybdenum catalyst

This paper deals with catalytic reduction of SO 2 with methane using molybdenum sulfide catalyst supported on two different activated carbons (Darco TRS and Norit ROZ-3). The experiments evaluated the effects of MoS 2 catalyst loading (10, 15, and 20% Mo, by weight), gas feed-rate concentration ratios of CH 4 to SO 2 (CH 4 :SO 2 ratios of 2:1, 1:1, and 1:2) and reaction temperatures (450, 500, and 600°C). The reactivity of each catalyst was evaluated by three different parameters: (a) SO 2 conversion, (b) CH 4 conversion and (c) the yield of elemental sulfur. The results show that the catalytic activity of MoS 2 supported on activated carbons is strongly related to the reaction temperature and the CH 4 :SO 2 feed ratio, with a secondary dependency on the loading of the MoS 2 . The 20% MoS 2 catalyst supported on Darco TRS in a reactor stream with CH 4 :SO 2 =1:1 demonstrated the highest activity of all the catalysts tested, having an SO 2 conversion of 99.8%. At 600°C and with a CH 4 :SO 2 =1:1, the catalysts with 20% loading supported on both Dacro TRS and Norit ROZ-3 exhibited comparable SO 2 conversion, both above 90%.
Henry's Constants of 1-Alkanols and 2-Ketones in Salt Solutions

Henry's constants of the homologous series of 2-ketones from 2-propanone to 2-heptanone were measured in aqueous solutions containing sodium chloride from (0.2 to 1.2) m (molal) over a range of temperatures from (313 to 363) K. In addition, Henry's constants of the n-alkanols from ethanol to 1-hexanol in aqueous solutions with sodium sulfate from (0.2 to 1.2) m were also measured over the same temperature range. The data were correlated using a model based on dilute solution theory that contains one temperature-independent salt effect parameter. A linear relationship between this parameter and the critical volume of the volatile organic compound (VOC) was found for each homologous series studied in this work.
Validation of peripheral dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry for the measurement of bone mineral in intact and excised long bones of rats.

We evaluated the precision and accuracy of peripheral dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) for the measurement of bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) in intact and excised femurs and tibias from rats. Thirty-one Sprague-Dawley rats (18F/13M; 114-360 g) were used in the study. Precision and accuracy were determined in 23 rats and prediction equations were evaluated in an independent sample of 8 animals. Precision was determined by measuring the right hindquarter three times with repositioning between scans. The femur and tibia were then excised, cleaned, and scanned in triplicate, with repositioning. CVs ranged from 0.66 to 2.24%. Accuracy of BMC was determined by comparison to bone ash values. BMC values for the intact and excised femur significantly overestimated bone ash (p 0.99). Cross-validation of prediction equations in an independent sample showed that there were no significant differences between predicted ash (based on BMC from DXA) and measured bone ash. These results suggest the peripheral DXA is a useful tool for measuring intact and excised rat leg bones.
Reaction layer characterization of the braze joint of silicon nitride to stainless steel

This investigation studies the role of titanium in the development of the reaction layer in braze joining silicon nitride to stainless steel using titanium-active copper-silver filler metals. This reaction layer formed as a result of titanium diffusing to the filler metal/silicon nitride interface and reacting with the silicon nitride to form the intermetallics, titanium nitride (TiN) and titanium suicide (Ti5Si3). This reaction layer, as recognized in the literature, allows wetting of the ceramic substrate by the molten filler metal. The reaction layer thickness increases with temperature and time. Its growth rate obeys the parabolic relationship. Activation energies of 220.1 and 210.9 kj/mol were calculated for growth of the reaction layer for the two filler metals used. These values are close to the activation energy of nitrogen in TiN (217.6 kj/mol). Two filler metals were used in this study, Ticusil (68.8 wt% Ag, 26.7 wt% Cu, 4.5 wt% Ti) and CB4 (70.5 wt% Ag, 26.5 wt% Cu, 3.0 wt% Ti). The joints were processed in vacuum at temperatures of 840 to 900 °C at various times. Bonding strength is affected by reaction layer thickness in the absence of Ti-Cu intermetallics in the filler metal matrix.
Astrophysics: Quest for a habitable world.

A neat technique, applied to the brightest transiting extrasolar planet known, identifies an indisputable signature of water vapour in the planet's atmosphere. The method might be used to probe a nearby habitable world.
24.2 Direct View Active Matrix VGA OLED‐on‐Crystalline‐Silicon Display

This paper describes the pixel and array circuitry, which includes a CMOS SRAM cell and a precision current source at each pixel, of a direct view VGA active matrix OLED-on-crystalline-silicon display, developed jointly by IBM Research Division and eMagin Corporation. The display has applications for low-power personal information appliances such as a computer wristwatch. The display obtains data and control signals directly from the memory bus of the appliance's processor.
A linearized and incompressible constitutive model for arteries.

Abstract In many biomechanical studies, blood vessels can be modeled as pseudoelastic orthotropic materials that are incompressible (volume-preserving) under physiological loading. To use a minimum number of elastic constants to describe the constitutive behavior of arteries, we adopt a generalized Hooke's law for the co-rotational Cauchy stress and a recently proposed logarithmic-exponential strain. This strain tensor absorbs the material nonlinearity and its trace is zero for volume-preserving deformations. Thus, the relationships between model parameters due to the incompressibility constraint are easy to analyze and interpret. In particular, the number of independent elastic constants reduces from ten to seven in the orthotropic model. As an illustratory study, we fit this model to measured data of porcine coronary arteries in inflation-stretch tests. Four parameters, n (material nonlinearity), Young's moduli E1 (circumferential), E2 (axial), and E3 (radial) are necessary to fit the data. The advantages and limitations of this model are discussed.
Piecewise linear classifiers using binary tree structure and genetic algorithm

Abstract A linear decision binary tree structure is proposed in constructing piecewise linear classifiers with the Genetic Algorithm (GA) being shaped and employed at each nonterminal node in order to search for a linear decision function, optimal in the sense of maximum impurity reduction. The methodology works for both the two-class and multi-class cases. In comparison to several other well-known methods, the proposed Binary Tree-Genetic Algorithm (BTGA) is demonstrated to produce a much lower cross validation misclassification rate. Finally, a modified BTGA is applied to the important pap smear cell classification. This results in a spectrum for the combination of the highest desirable sensitivity along with the lowest possible false alarm rate ranging from 27.34% sensitivity, 0.62% false alarm rate to 97.02% sensitivity, 50.24% false alarm rate from resubstitution validation. The multiple choices offered by the spectrum for the sensitivity-false alarm rate combination will provide the-flexibility needed for the pap smear slide classification.
Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O Superconductor films grown by the LPE technique

Abstract High-quality superconducting films of the Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O system were successfully grown by the liquid phase epitaxial (LPE) technique. X-ray diffraction patterns of the LPE-grown films revealed a high degree of preferred orientation with the c-axis perpendicular to the substrate. The superconducting properties degraded with higher LPE growth temperatures.
SrTiO3(0 0 1) surface structures under oxidizing conditions

Abstract The thermodynamically stable (2×1), c(4×2) and c(6×2) surface structures were obtained under oxidative conditions on the SrTiO 3 (0 0 1) surface and studied with transmission electron microscopy. All three reconstructed surfaces exhibit similar morphological features––formation of flat 〈1 0 0〉 facets on the surface, stabilization of 〈1 1 0〉 originally polar facets as well as the existence of surface defects in a form of subsurface voids. The consistency and high reproducibility of our results suggest construction of a phase diagram for the formation of different structures on the SrTiO 3 (0 0 1) surface as a function of annealing temperature.
Spectral Analysis of Cytochrome c: Effect of Heme Conformation, Axial Ligand, Peripheral Substituents, and Local Electric Fields

We present in this work low-temperature visible absorption spectra for recombinant Thermus thermophilus cytochrome c552. The Q-band presents a remarkable splitting at low temperature. We performed quantum chemical calculations to evaluate quantitatively the effect of heme conformation, axial ligand, peripheral substituents and local electric fields on the electronic spectra. In an attempt to find correlation between protein structure and spectral splitting, we carried out the same calculations on three other cytochrome c's: horse heart, tuna heart, and yeast. The quantum chemical calculations were performed at the INDO level with extensive configuration interaction. The electric field at the heme pocket was included in the calculations through a set of point charges fitting the actual electric field. The results obtained show clearly that all mentioned effects contribute to the observed spectral splitting in a complex nonadditive way.
An Electron Electric Dipole Moment with Atoms in Optical Lattices

We will describe a search for the electron electric dipole moment using laser cooled Cs and Rb atoms trapped in two parallel 1-D optical lattices.
Multiplexed labeling of samples with cell tracking dyes facilitates rapid and accurate internally controlled calcium flux measurement by flow cytometry

Calcium flux measurement is a crucial assay in lymphocyte activation. However, with the currently well established flow cytometric methods, it is a tedious procedure that is difficult to control to avoid variation between samples. This leads to unwanted sources of error that can make it problematic to interpret the results. Here we present an improved method that allows different cell populations to be tested in the same sample. Samples are pre-labeled with CFSE or Cy5 then mixed and stimulated to induce calcium flux. This facilitates more rapid and accurate measurement of calcium flux and also dramatically reduces the cost and effort required for this type of assay.
Task-related modulation of functional connectivity variability and its behavioral correlations.

Two new directions of functional connectivity investigation are emerging to advance studies of the brain's functional organization. First, the identification of task-related dynamics of functional connectivity has elicited a growing interest in characterizing the brain's functional reorganization due to task demands. Second, the nonstationarity of functional connectivity (i.e., functional connectivity variability (FCV)) within a single brain state has been increasingly recognized and studied. However, a combined investigation of these two avenues of research to explore the potential task-modulation of FCV is lacking, which, nevertheless, could both improve our understanding of the potential sources of FCV and also reveal new strategies to study the neural correlates of task performance. In this study, 19 human subjects underwent four functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans including both resting and task states to study task-related modu- lation of FCV. Consistent with the hypothesis that FCV is partly underpinned by unconstrained mind wan- dering, FCV demonstrated significant task-related decreases measured at the regional, network and system levels, which was greater for between-network interactions than within-network connections. Conversely, there remained a significant degree of residual variability during the task scans, suggesting that FCV is not specific to the resting state and likely includes an intrinsic, physiologically driven component. Finally, the degree of task-induced decreases in FCV was significantly correlated with task performance accuracy, sup- porting its behavior significance. Overall, task modulation of FCV may represent an important direction for future studies, not only to provide insight into normal brain functioning but also to reveal potential bio- markers of various brain disorders. Hum Brain Mapp 00:000-000, 2015. V C 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Isotopic ratiometry of nitric oxide using a dual-modulation faraday rotation spectrometer

A dual-modulation Faraday rotation spectrometer is employed for isotopic ratiometry of nitric oxide (NO) converted from nitrate/nitrite. Excellent linearity of measured NO to dissolved nitrate is demonstrated. Ratiometry of IAEA-NO-3 standards indicates ~3 % accuracy.