cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Principles of mixing in the fatty oil industries

The principles of mixing are now so well understood that it is possible to determine the fluid motion best suited for any specific process. Equipment can be selected that will give the desired motion most economically. In some processes pipeline mixing is sufficient and convenient. Most operations require intermixing of materials on both large and small scales and can be done best with propellers and turbines operating in tanks.
Biosynthesis of ribonucleic acid in yeast: some properties of mitochondrial ribosomal ribonucleic acid in Saccharomyces carlsbergensis.

Abstract A study of yeast mitochondrial RNA showed that although this RNA sediments in sucrose density gradients considerably slower than cytoplasmic ribosomal RNA, both RNA species have very similar electrophoretic mobilities on polyacrylamide gels. Denaturation in formaldehyde results in a relatively larger decrease in the rate of sedimentation of mitochondrial RNA than of cytoplasmic ribosomal RNA or Escherichia coli ribosomal RNA. This suggests that hydrogen bonding is relatively more important as a stabilizing factor of the secondary structure of mitochondrial ribosomal RNA than of the latter two RNA species. This result also demonstrates that profound differences exist between mitochondrial ribosomal RNA and bacterial ribosomal RNA. Cycloheximide, a powerful inhibitor of the formation of cytoplasmic ribosomal RNA, was also found to inhibit the formation of the mitochondrial 22S and 15S RNA components. This shows that the formation of these RNA species is controlled by cytoplasmic protein formation. Fractionation of yeast mitochondrial RNA by sucrose density gradient centrifugation followed by hybridization of the individual fractions with mitochondrial and nuclear DNA showed that a considerable degree of homology exists between mitochondrial DNA and a mitochondrial RNA fraction sedimenting at about 19S. This is most likely metabolically stable messenger RNA, and it cannot be concluded from hybridization experiments between total mitochondrial RNA and mitochondrial DNA that mitochondrial ribosomal RNA is transcribed from mitochondrial DNA. Mitochondrial RNA homologous to nuclear DNA was found to sediment as material closely similar to the 22S component. The usefulness of sodium iodide gradients for the fractionation of total yeast DNA into its mitochondrial and nuclear components is described.
Lysosomal acid pyrophosphatase and acid phosphatase

Acid pyrophosphatase, hydrolyzing ATP and other nucleoside triphosphates, PPi, thiamine diphosphate, and FAD, has been purified from rat liver homogenate and was separated from acid phosphatase by chromatography on CM-cellulose. ATP and PPi were hydrolyzed most rapidly at pH 5–5.4. The Km values were 0.19 mm ATP and 0.07 mm PPi. ATP was hydrolyzed to ADP, which was subsequently hydrolyzed by acid phosphatase to 5′-AMP and then to adenosine. The effects of various inhibitors and activators on the hydrolysis of ATP and PPi have been determined. The acid pyrophosphatase is not phosphoprotein phosphatase or any previously reported ATPase. Lysosomal acid pyrophosphatase, hydrolyzing ATP and PPi, was also prepared from rat kidney homogenate and further purified by chromatography on Sephadex G-200. The Km for ATP hydrolysis was 0.24 mm, and the enzyme was most active at pH 5.2–5.4. The effects of some activators and inhibitors have been determined. Some properties of acid phosphatase were studied, and a detailed study of substrate specificity was made.
Temperature-Reduction Value of Conductor with Large Aluminum-Steel Section Ratio Based on Creep Test

Through experimental study on creep characteristics of conductors with large aluminum-steel section ratio, the creep characteristic curve of conductors with aluminum-steel section ratio between 11.34 and 14.47 are obtained. It is recommended that the conductor should have a temperature-reduction value of 25°C according to the conductor temperature-reduction value analyzed by amount of creep, which can be used for reference during line design and construction.
Intranodal immunization with a dendritic cell tumor vaccine is more effective than subcutaneous or intravenous routes

Introduction: In murine tumor models, tumor antigen-pulsed dendritic cells (DCs) administered subcutaneously (SC) can generate anti-tumor immune responses. However, only a small fraction of SC injected DCs migrate to regional lymph nodes and activate T-lymphocytes. Therefore, we compared the potency of 3 different routes of administration of a murine tumor lysate-pulsed DC vaccine: SC, intravenous (IV) and directly into a lymph node (LN).
Rotigotine Transdermal System

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY Rotigotine is a non-ergoline dopamine receptor agonist with activity at the D1, D2, and D3 receptors. It has greatest potency at the D3 receptor. It is also a partial agonist at the D4 receptor. It is a levorotatory enantiomer of a racemic aminotetraline compound. Rotigotine is formulated in a matrix-type transdermal patch that provides continuous delivery of rotigotine over 24 hours. The patch releases approximately 44% of its total drug content.
Hybrid ICA-seed-based methods for fMRI functional connectivity assessment: a feasibility study

Brain functional connectivity (FC) is often assessed from fMRI data using seed-based methods, such as those of detecting temporal correlation between a predefined region (seed) and all other regions in the brain; or using multivariate methods, such as independent component analysis (ICA). ICA is a useful data-driven tool, but reproducibility issues complicate group inferences based on FC maps derived with ICA. These reproducibility issues can be circumvented with hybrid methods that use information from ICA-derived spatial maps as seeds to produce seed-based FC maps. We report results from five experiments to demonstrate the potential advantages of hybrid ICA-seed-based FC methods, comparing results from regressing fMRI data against task-related a priori time courses, with "back-reconstruction" from a group ICA, and with five hybrid ICA-seed-based FC methods: ROI-based with (1) single-voxel, (2) few-voxel, and (3) many-voxel seed; and dual-regression-based with (4) single ICA map and (5) multiple ICA map seed.
A marching-walking hybrid induces step length adaptation and transfers to natural walking

Walking is highly adaptable to new demands and environments. We have previously studied adaptation of locomotor patterns via a split-belt treadmill, where subjects learn to walk with one foot movin...
Using multidimensional scaling to solve traveling salesman and machine scheduling problems

Abstract In this note we show how multidimensional scaling can be used to obtain a roadmap corresponding to any general sequencing problem that may be modeled as a traveling salesman problem. Computational results with five well-known classical problems and five randomly generated test problems indicate that this approach provides good solutions with little computation time. It is also shown that equally good solutions may be produced with either ratio scaled data or rank order data.
Alkyl-phenyl cleavage of the lignin model compounds guaiacylglycol and glycerol-β-guaiacyl ether by Phanerochaete chrysosporium

The white rot basidiomycete Phanerochaete chrysosporium metabolized guaiacylglycol-β-guaiacyl ether (I) in high nitrogen, shaking and stationary cultures. 2-(o-Methoxyphenoxy) ethanol (X), 2-(o-methoxyphenoxy) acetic acid (IX) and methoxy-phydroquinone (MHQ) were identified as products of the metabolism of (I). P. chrysosporium also metabolized guaiacylglycerol-β-guaiacyl ether (IV) in high nitrogen stationary cultures. 2-(o-Methoxyphenoxy)-1,3 propanediol (XII) and 3-hydroxy, 2-(o-methoxy-phenyxy) propionic acid (XIV) were identified as products of the metabolism of (IV). Finally, P. chrysosporium metabolized α-deoxyguaiacylglycol-β-guaiacyl ether (VI) and α-deoxyguaiacylglycerol-β-guaiacyl ether (VII) in limiting nitrogen cultures. 2-(o-Methoxyphenoxy) ethanol (X) and 2-(o-methoxyphenoxy)-1,3 propanediol (XII) were identified as products of the metabolism of VI and VII respectively indicating α hydroxylation of those substrates with subsequent alkyl-phenyl bond cleavage. Metabolites were identified after comparison with chemically synthesized standards by GLC-mass spectrometry.
Thin Layer Chromatography of Pesticides-A Review of Recent Techniques and Applications

Abstract Recent advances in the techniques and applications of TLC for the separation, detection, and quantitative determination of pesticides are reviewed. Analyses of a variety of samples for residues of pesticides of various classes are considered.
Pathologic changes of presbycusis begin in secondary processes and spread to primary processes of strial marginal cells

Strial atrophy underlying age-related hearing loss was investigated by ultrastructural comparisons in young and senescent gerbils. In young animals strial marginal cells (MCs) projected primary processes which gave rise to and were connected by numerous ultrathin secondary processes. In 30-36-month-old gerbils, the MC secondary processes degenerated into lamellar or amorphous profiles as the first manifestation of strial atrophy. Some short primary processes shorn of projecting and connecting secondaries coalesced to form mitochondria-filled lobules. Strial involution appeared to progress with transformation of the degenerating processes and lobules into permanent residues of laminated amorphous substance. A second apparently unique form of degeneration was observed in which areas filled with homogeneous granular material replaced the processes that comprise the basal half of the normal MC. An abrupt line of transition separated this structureless degradation product below from the viable upper half of the MC. The terminally involuted stria consisted of MC bodies lining scala media, along with vestigial remnants of MC processes, nearby normal appearing intermediate cells (ICs) and unaltered basal cells. The only age-related change in ICs involved incorporation of melanosomes into very large, matrix-filled lysosomes. A profile of one MC in apparent necrosis provided evidence for an infrequent occurrence of MC death. These data support a progression of pathologic changes beginning with the demise of MC secondary processes and ending with ablation of secondary and primary processes. The initial injury apparently occurs as a result of oxidative self-damage to mitochondria in the MCs primary processes, leading to insufficient ATP for the Na,K-ATPase of the secondary processes. The reduced ATP level may cause cytotoxic alteration of the cytosolic Na(+)/K(+) ratio first in MC secondary processes and later in the primaries, with consequent degeneration of these structures.
A novel reaction of hemoglobin in invertebrate nerves. I. Observations on annelid and molluscan nerves.

Abstract 1. 1. Absorption spectra of intact surviving nerves of the polychaet annelid Aphrodite and of the gastropod mollusc Aplysia were determined with a recording microspectrophotometer. The spectrum seen is that of hemoglobin with negligible contributions from other pigments. 2. 2. Nerve fragments, sealed in a small chamber, exhaust the O 2 dissolved in their substance. Under these conditions the hemoglobin is converted to an unfamiliar derivative with absorption maxima at 538.3 and 571.1 mμ, Aphrodite or 423-, 548- and 580-mμ Aplysia. 3. 3. The reaction is reversible and the spectrum reverts to oxyhemoglobin when air is readmitted. 4. 4. The chemical nature of the new derivative is discussed, and the possibility considered that it may be a higher oxidation state of hemoglobin. 5. 5. The use of the microspectroscope is extended to tissue fragments with high absorbance, narrow absorption bands and unfavorable geometry.
The influence of digitalis on the resistance of guineapigs to poisoning by diphtheria toxin

It has been stated that digitalis is contraindicated in diphtheria and other infections. In the experiments reported on, diphtheria was selected for tests and it was found that the administration of tincture of digitalis, apprently, does not hasten the death of guinea-pigs that were coincidentally given a dose of diphtheria toxin.
Assessment of patient management skills and clinical skills of practising doctors using computer-based case simulations and standardised patients.

CONTEXT Standardised assessments of practising doctors are receiving growing support, but theoretical and logistical issues pose serious obstacles. OBJECTIVES To obtain reference performance levels from experienced doctors on computer-based case simulation (CCS) and standardised patient-based (SP) methods, and to evaluate the utility of these methods in diagnostic assessment. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS The study was carried out at a military tertiary care facility and involved 54 residents and credentialed staff from the emergency medicine, general surgery and internal medicine departments. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Doctors completed 8 CCS and 8 SP cases targeted at doctors entering the profession. Standardised patient performances were compared to archived Year 4 medical student data. RESULTS While staff doctors and residents performed well on both CCS and SP cases, a wide range of scores was exhibited on all cases. There were no significant differences between the scores of participants from differing specialties or of varying experience. Among participants who completed both CCS and SP testing (n = 44), a moderate positive correlation between CCS and SP checklist scores was observed. There was a negative correlation between doctor experience and SP checklist scores. Whereas the time students spent with SPs varied little with clinical task, doctors appeared to spend more time on communication/counselling cases than on cases involving acute/chronic medical problems. CONCLUSION Computer-based case simulations and standardised patient-based assessments may be useful as part of a multimodal programme to evaluate practising doctors. Additional study is needed on SP standard setting and scoring methods. Establishing empirical likelihoods for a range of performances on assessments of this character should receive priority.
Diagnostic Work-Up of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Children: The Role of Calprotectin Assay

Background Some reports highlight the potential application of fecal calprotectin as a direct biomarker of intestinal inflammation and, therefore, as support in choosing candidates for endoscopy. The value of 100 μg/g was recently assumed as the best cutoff for this assay. The purpose of this study was to assess the diagnostic precision of the fecal calprotectin assay, compared to histology, as a stool-screening biomarker for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) among a group of prospectively identified patients referred for recurrent abdominal pain and altered bowel habits. Methods Between 1999 and 2007 we prospectively evaluated the calprotectin assay in a cohort of patients with recurrent abdominal pain and altered bowel habits associated or not with other symptoms suggestive of IBD. All patients suspected of IBD, according to Rome and Porto criteria, provided stool specimens for the calprotectin assay and subsequently underwent endoscopic procedures. Results Compared to histology, the cutoff of 100 μg/g reached a sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 68%, respectively, and a likelihood ratio (LR) of 3.1. The cutoff value of 160 μg/g, however, in our series produced the best joint estimate of sensitivity and specificity: 100% and 80%, respectively, with an LR of 5. Conclusions In pediatric patients with recurrent abdominal pain and changes in stool habits, a positive calprotectin assay is closely associated with IBD; its systematic employment, therefore, seems to improve the process of endoscopy referral. This test, simple and inexpensive, could be included in the first noninvasive phase of an IBD diagnostic work-up.
Urban Transformation: Understanding City Design and Form

Peter Bosselmann, Island Press, Washington, 2008, 368 pp, £39.95, ISBN: 978 1 59726 481 5 This is a good book and I recommend that planners, architects and urban designers should read it. Many auth...
Progress Towards the Investigation of Technical Issues Relevant to the Design of an Aircraft Wake Vortex Advisory System (WakeVAS)

Wake vortex separations applied to aircraft during instrument operations have been shown to potentially introduce inefficiencies in air traffic operations during certain weather conditions conducive to short duration wake hazards between pairs of landing aircraft. NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) demonstrated an integration of technologies that provided real-time observations and predictions of aircraft wake behavior, from which reduced wake spacing from the current criteria was derived. In order to take this proof of concept to an operational prototype system, NASA has been working in cooperation with the FAA and other government and industry members to design operational concepts for a Wake Vortex Advisory System (WakeVAS). In addition to concept development, open research issues are being addressed and activities to quantify system requirements and specifications are currently underway. This paper describes the technological issues relevant to WakeVAS development and current NASA efforts to address these issues.
The Arctic Cooking Pot: Why Was It Adopted?

ABSTRACT Cross-culturally, clay cooking pots are correlated with societies situated in warm and dry climates and reliant on foods that benefit from prolonged moist cooking. Neither of these conditions, however, characterized the aboriginal coastal Arctic, where clay cooking containers were produced and used for more than 2,500 years. We explore the factors that encouraged pottery use in the Arctic and conclude that the adoption of cooking pots resulted from the interplay of social and functional factors. We propose that it was adopted (1) to meet the needs of socially constructed preferences for cooked foods and (2) to overcome specific problems associated with other cooking methods within the local social and environmental context. We demonstrate the importance of adopting an integrated perspective in the study of technology—one that considers how cultural values and social practices interact with environmental and economic factors to shape technological decisions.
Transient Study of Couple Stress Effects in Compact Bone: Torsion

Couple stress theory, which admits an internal moment per unit area as well as the usual force per unit area, is a generalization of classical elasticity. Experimentally we have demonstrated the existence of couple stress by measuring the effect of size on apparent stiffness of compact bone in quasi-static torsion. From these measurements, we obtain the characteristic length for bone in couple stress theory.
Remote micro-encapsulation of curium-gold cermets

Abstract A technique has been developed to produce miniature, high-density capsules of curium-244 oxide contained in three concentric jackets of metallic gold or silver. The final capsules are right circular cylinders, 6.350 mm diameter by (3.18±0.05) mm long, with a minimum density of 11.0 g/cm 3 . Each level of containment was soldered or brazed closed, with the outer surface free of detectable alpha contamination. Fabrication was performed in three separate small cells operated by standard master-slave manipulators. Production capsules have been stored for up to five years without indication of dimensional growth or leakage of radioactive contents. The dimensional stability of the capsules is attributed to the microporous structure of the plated-gold structure which permits helium gas resulting from alpha decay to diffuse through the capsule wall while retaining all radioactive materials.
Removal of an intra-parotid foreign body without parotidectomy and dissection of the facial nerve.

Educational objectives At the conclusion of this presentation, the participants should be able to discuss how imaging and intra-operative facial nerve monitoring may be used in the removal of selected intraparotid foreign body without parotidectomy and dissection of the facial nerve. Objectives 1) To present a rare case of a metallic intraparotid foreign body introduced as a projectile; 2) to discuss how CT images were used to guide the surgical exploration; and 3) To discuss the surgical approach used to retrieve an intraparotid foreign body without facial nerve dissection. Study design This is a clinical case report with a review of literature. Methods We present the pertinent history and physical examination findings. We discuss the CT images. The technique of surgical exploration and foreign body retrieval is presented. Results This is the case of a man who presented to the emergency department with a metallic foreign body lodged in the parotid introduced accidentally as a projectile. CT images were analyzed and the patient underwent successful removal of the intraparotid foreign body with out parotidectomy and facial nerve dissection via a posterior approach and using facial nerve monitoring. Conclusion Selected intraparotid foreign bodies may be removed without parotidectomy and facial nerve dissection if imaging shows it can be approached safely and intra-operative facial nerve monitoring is used.
Charge balance, electric field and ionospheric potential signatures in time dependent global electric circuit model

We have developed three-dimensional (3-D) time dependent model of the global electric circuit in spherical coordinates. The model solves time dependent continuity equation coupled with Poisson's equation. Implicit time stepping is used to avoid strict dielectric relaxation time step limitation [1,2]. Earth is included inside a computational domain as a highly conductive sphere to allow dynamical evolution of potential distribution on Earth and bottom ionospheric boundary. Model then predicts specific time resolved 3-D signatures of charge, potential, field and current density. Influence of lightning discharges of different types on ionospheric potential is studied and the results are compared with existing analog model based on electrical circuit calculations [3], showing a good qualitative agreement. The charge is mainly located near Earth and on the Earth surface and the ionospheric potential is of same order as reported in [3]. Quantitative improvement provided by new model formulation will be discussed. We will report time evolution of the ionospheric potential and will demonstrate that peak values are represented more accurately in the new model formulation and that relaxation time is dependent on altitude from which lightning removes charge. To support the understanding of the phenomenon, results are interpreted using a simplified model and approximate analytical formulae.
Analysis of the ATP-induced conformational changes in sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Abstract A series of group-specific spin-labeled compounds was used to investigate the mechanism of the ATP-induced conformational changes in rabbit skeletal sarcoplasmic reticulum. The spin labels used can be divided into three classes according to their specificities: (I) N (1-oxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinyl)maleimide for SH groups; (II) N (1-oxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinyl)isothiocyanate for amine or hydroxyl groups; and (III) N -oxyl-4′,4′-dimethyl-oxazolidine derivatives of stearic acid for fatty acids. Of the three classes of compounds tested, only the mobility of probe (I) changed upon addition of ATP to the spin-labeled sarcoplasmic reticulum. This ATP-induced conformational change could be depressed by 5 m m propranolol, a concentration which by itself had no effect on the mobility of the spin label. Since similar concentrations of propranolol inhibited the breakdown but did not influence the formation of a phosphorylated intermediate during the hydrolysis of ATP, these observations suggest that the conformational change takes place at a step in ATP hydrolysis beyond the formation of the phosphorylated intermediate. The same basic series of experiments was also performed with the purified sarcoplasmic reticulum enzyme. Even though similar results were obtained, the sensitivity of the enzyme toward propranolol and also the mobility of probe (I) in the enzyme were different from that of the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Large doses (10–20 m m ) of propranolol, however, were found to directly alter the mobilities of all the classes of probes used. The effect of 20 m m propranolol on probe (III) in the sarcoplasmic reticulum was equivalent to a 10 °C rise in temperature of the membrane.
Opinion leaders, independence, and Condorcet's Jury Theorem

Condorcet's Jury Theorem shows that on a dichotomous choice, individuals who all have the same competence above 0.5, can make collective decisions under majority rule with a competence that approaches 1 as either the size of the group or the individual competence goes up. The theorem assumes that the probability of each voter's being correct is independent of the probability of any other voter being correct. Contrary to several authors, the presence of mutual or common influences such as opinion leaders does not easily rule independence either in or out. Indeed, and this ought to be surprising,under certain conditions deference to opinion leaders can improve individual competence without violating independence, and so can raise group competence as well.
Predation by Cyclops vernalis on Florida Largemouth Bass and Fountain Darter Larvae

Abstract Swim-up Florida largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides floridanus) were held in 1 L of water with the following combinations of zooplankton: 400 mixed cladocerans, 0 Cyclops vernalis; 200 mixed cladocerans, 200 C. vernalis; and 0 cladocerans, 400 C. vernalis. After 24 h, mean survival percentages for Florida largemouth bass were 97, 27, and 7%, respectively. Larval fountain darters (Etheostoma fonticola) were tested similarly; after 24 h, 100% of the fish combined with cladocerans only were alive, but no larvae survived either treatment containing C. vernalis.
Ceramic Composites Fabricated by Selective Laser Sintering

Abstract Selective laser sintering (SLS) uses a computer controlled laser beam to create objects directly from the CAD data without part-specific tooling. In this paper, the effect of material and processing parameters on the microstructure and mechanical properties of an alumina/aluminum phosphate composite fabricated by SLS is described. The precursor material is a blend of alumina and ammonium phosphate powder. This paper deals primarily with the effect of alumina particle size and material composition on the strength of the composite. A constitutive equation is also proposed to relate the mechanical properties of the composite to its microstructural characteristics.
Patterns of finger amputation and replantation in the setting of a rapidly growing immigrant population

To determine the incidence of finger amputation and replantation in North Carolina (NC) and to identify patterns of injury by race and immigration status. Finger amputation injury data were obtained from the NC hospital discharge database. Hospital discharge data were linked to 2000 US Census data by zip code of residence to estimate median income, the percentage of Hispanics, and the percent foreign-born. A total of 556 admissions for finger amputations (86% male, 14% female) occurred in NC during 2004-2006. The most common mechanism was industrial machinery (36%). Eighty-nine replantations were performed (16%). Finger amputation is a common work-related injury in NC. The rate of replantation appeared to be higher in zip codes with a higher density of Hispanics and with a higher density of immigrants. More data on injury that includes racial/ethnic, social, and economic information will be critical to understand the true burden of injury on immigrants.
Tunable, narrow bandwidth, 2 MW dye laser pumped by a KrF∗ discharge laser

Abstract Characteristics of p-terphenyl and PBD, the most efficient uv dyes, have been investigated under high intensity pumping by a multi-atmosphere KrF∗ discharge laser at 248 nm wavelength. Energy conversion efficiencies, spectral features and temporal behaviour of the dyes were studied parametrically. A maximum powerof 2 MW uv emission with a bandwidth of ∼2×10-2 nm was obtained for PBD. It was found that a mixture of both dyes provided higher (by a factor of 1.3) output in the range 348–366 nm than either of the dyes alone. Significant pump intensity dependent conversion efficiency and pulse shape variations were observed for the most efficient uv dye, p-terphenyl and were related to triplet-triplet adsorption processes in the dye.
L-band radiometry and reflection of the galaxy by a rough ocean surface

The celestial sky brightness temperature reflected by the ocean surface toward an L-band radiometer induces a signal that needs to be known in order to retrieve sea surface salinity. To provide an accurate correction, the effects of the surface roughness and the antenna gain pattern need to be included. We assess the impact of these effects on the reflected sky signal using the Aquarius radiometer as an example.
Nanosecond laser pulse interactions with breakdown plasma in gas medium confined in a microhole

The previous investigations on nanosecond laser pulse interactions with breakdown plasma in a gas medium confined in a microhole have been limited. This kind of plasma has been studied in this paper. Due to the significant measurement difficulty resulted from the very small spatial and temporal scales involved, a physics-based computational model has been employed as the investigation tool. The model is developed by solving gas dynamic equations numerically using the finite difference method based on an essentially non-oscillatory scheme. The gas dynamic equations are coupled with suitable equation of state, where the electron number density for plasma region is calculated through the Saha equation. Using the model, the spatial confinement effects of the microhole sidewall on the plasma evolution under laser radiation have been investigated. It has been found that under the studied conditions the hole sidewall confinement can greatly enhance the plasma temperature, pressure, and thrust (over the same surface area). The enhancement should be due to the sidewall’s restriction on the plasma lateral expansion and the sidewall’s reflection of the pressure wave induced by plasma. This study implies potential advantages of the breakdown plasma confined in a microhole in many relevant applications, such as laser propulsion and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy. The developed model also provides a useful guiding tool for future fundamental research and practical applications in many areas related to laser interactions with gas breakdown plasma.
Postpartum catatonia treated with electroconvulsive therapy: a case report.

Abstract Catatonia is a rare syndrome that occurs in mood and psychotic disorders, and general medical conditions. Postpartum depression affects 10%–15% of women within 6 months after delivery. Postpartum psychosis affects 0.1%–0.5% of women within weeks after delivery, though it can occur within hours; it carries risk for suicide and infanticide. There is limited evidence available to guide treatment. We review a case of postpartum psychosis that presented with catatonia and was resistant to medications, but responded to electroconvulsive therapy.
Multi-year urban and rural semi-continuous PM2.5 sulfate and nitrate measurements in New York state: Evaluation and comparison with filter based measurements

Abstract Measurements of PM 2.5 sulfate and nitrate were carried out over a period of 3 years with a 10-min time resolution, using Rupprecht and Patashnick Co., Inc., (R&P) Ambient Particulate Sulfate and Nitrate Monitors, models 8400S and 8400N, respectively. The instruments were deployed at an urban site in the South Bronx, NY, and at Whiteface Mountain, a rural field monitoring location in upstate New York. At both sites collocated 24-h integrated filter measurements are compared to the semi-continuous sulfate and nitrate data. The sites are also equipped with a suite of gas phase (NO x , SO 2 , and O 3 ) and other particulate-based instrumentation. The semi-continuous data is used to examine the diurnal, seasonal and yearly variability of PM 2.5 sulfate and nitrate at both locations. Clear seasonal trends were observed for both sulfate and nitrate with maximum sulfate concentrations in the warmer months and highest nitrate in the winter–spring periods at both locations. PM 2.5 nitrate showed a clear diurnal pattern with peak concentrations in the early morning hours at the South Bronx site. Results of the comparisons between the semi-continuous measurements and 24-h filter data are presented. The potential use of the R&P sulfate and nitrate instruments for routine monitoring is evaluated based on these results, and our operational experiences with the instruments.
A GPU Algorithm for IC Floorplanning: Specification, Analysis and Optimization

In this paper, we propose a novel floor planning algorithm for GPUs. Floor planning is an inherently sequential algorithm, far from the typical programs suitable for Single Instruction Multiple Thread (SIMT) style concurrency in a GPU. We propose a fundamentally different approach of exploring the floor plan solution space, where we evaluate concurrent moves on a given floor plan. We illustrate several performance optimization techniques for this algorithm in GPUs. Compared to the sequential algorithm, our techniques achieve 4-30X speedup for a range of MCNC benchmarks, while delivering comparable or better solution quality.
Kinetics of the liquid-phase oxidation of ethanol

A study was made of the rate of liquid-phase oxidation of ethanol to acetic acid. An aqueous, basic solution of ethanol was allowed to trickle over a palladium-onalumina catalyst in a packed tower while oxygen-containing gas was blown upward. The observed rates are described by an equation including a kinetic term and a mass transfer term for the diffusion of oxygen. Kinetic rate constants and gas- and liquid-film mass transfer coefficients are reported.
Multiagent Cooperative Search for Portfolio Selection

We present a new multiagent model for the multiperiod portfolio selection problem. A system of cooperative agents divide initial wealth and follow individual worst-case optimal investment strategies from random portfolios, sharing their final profits and losses. The multiagent system achieves better average-case performance than a single agent with the same initial wealth in a simple stochastic market. A further increase in performance is achieved through communication of hints between agents and probabilistic strategy-switching. However, this explicit cooperation is redundant in a market that approximates the Capital Asset Pricing Model, a model of equilibrium stock price dynamics. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Numbers: C63, C73, D83, G11.
Learning About New Technologies Through Social Networks: Experimental Evidence on Nontraditional Stoves in Bangladesh

There are few marketing studies of social learning about new technologies in low-income countries. This paper examines how learning through opinion leaders and social networks influences demand for nontraditional cookstoves-a technology with important health and environmental consequences for developing country populations. We conduct marketing interventions in rural Bangladesh to assess how stove adoption decisions respond to a learning the adoption choices of locally identified "opinion leaders" and b learning about stove attributes and performance through social networks. We find that households generally draw negative inferences about stoves through social learning and that social learning is more important for stoves with less evident benefits. In an institutional environment where consumers are distrustful of new products and brands, consumers appear to rely on their networks more to learn about negative product attributes. Overall, our findings imply that external information and marketing campaigns can induce initial adoption and experiential learning about unfamiliar technologies, but sustained use ultimately requires that new technologies match local preferences.
HapBlock: haplotype block partitioning and tag SNP selection software using a set of dynamic programming algorithms

Summary: Recent studies have revealed that linkage disequilibrium (LD) patterns vary across the human genome with some regions of high LD interspersed with regions of low LD. Such LD patterns make it possible to select a set of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs; tag SNPs) for genome-wide association studies. We have developed a suite of computer programs to analyze the block-like LD patterns and to select the corresponding tag SNPs. Compared to other programs for haplotype block partitioning and tag SNP selection, our program has several notable features. First, the dynamic programming algorithms implemented are guaranteed to find the block partition with minimum number of tag SNPs for the given criteria of blocks and tag SNPs. Second, both haplotype data and genotype data from unrelated individuals and/or from general pedigrees can be analyzed. Third, several existing measures/criteria for haplotype block partitioning and tag SNP selection have been implemented in the program. Finally, the programs provide flexibility to include specific SNPs (e.g. non-synonymous SNPs) as tag SNPs. Availability: The HapBlock program and its supplemental documents can be downloaded from the website http://www.cmb.usc.edu/~msms/HapBlock Contact: [email protected]
Security architecture for resource-limited environments

Security in resource-limited environments poses a great challenge as the nodes comprising such a network are severely limited in processing power and storage. Various security protocols have been proposed for sensor networks and RFID that try to mitigate this problem but they provide security on a point-to-point basis which is weak and easily vulnerable to a number of attacks. In this paper, we discuss architecture for a resource limited environment that enables these networks to achieve better security and reliability while being simple and efficient. Based on the architecture we develop non-cryptographic security mechanisms using state machines for providing basic security services including authenticity and confidentiality. We also introduce the concept of Security Fusion where strong system level security properties are synthesized from weak point-to-point security properties. The strengths of these techniques are analysed so as to offer comparisons with conventional techniques.
The Impact Of Sarbanes-Oxley Act

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) was signed into law in July 2002, with the express purpose of restoring public confidence in corporate financial statements. Prior to the enactment of Sox, investors suffered significant losses due to corporate failures brought on by financial malfeasance.
Liquid encapsulated floating zone melting of GaAs

Abstract An improved technique for bulk crystal growth and purification of volatile materials is described. The technique, called encapsulated float zoning, immerses the entire length of a vertically held crystal in liquid encapsulant so that multiple passes of a floating zone are possible. Successful zoning procedures for GaAs feed of 10 mm diameter with B 2 O 3 encapsulant are described. An extrapolated limit on crystal diameter for the GaAs-B 2 O 3 system is 14 to 15 mm. Crystal purity obtained by encapsulated float zoning appears to be limited by the presence of encapsulant.
The impact of subglacial hydrology on the force balance of a physically modelled ice stream

We use a physical model to investigate how changes in subglacial hydrology affect ice motion of Antarctic ice streams. Ice streams are modelled using silicone polymer placed over a thin water layer to mimic ice flow dominated by basal sliding. The model ice-stream force balance is calculated and compared directly to the observed force balance of Whillans Ice Stream (WIS). Dynamic similarity between the model and WIS is achieved when their force balances are equivalent. The WIS force balance has evolved over time owing to increased basal resistance. We test two hypotheses: (1) the subglacial water distribution influences the ice-flow speed and thus the force balance; (2) shear margins are locations where transitions in water layer thickness occur. We find that the velocity and force balance are sensitive to pulsed water discharge events and changes in lubrication that result in sticky spots, and that model shear margins tend to overlie water lubrication boundaries. We conclude that local changes in basal lubrication near margins (possibly as a result of the presence of sticky spots or subglacial lakes) influence the stability of ice-stream margin position and may be responsible for large and rapid shifts in margin location.
Global Stroke Belt: Geographic Variation in Stroke Burden Worldwide

Over the past several decades, much of the developed world has experienced a sustained reduction in age-standardized stroke mortality and morbidity rates.1 For many of these countries, these improvements have translated into declines in absolute stroke mortality and morbidity as well. For example, stroke had been the third-leading cause of death in the United States for >70 years until 2008, when it became the fourth leading cause of death.2,3 Just 5 years later, stroke became the fifth leading cause of death4—a drop that reflected the >60% decline in the age-adjusted mortality rate from stroke over just the past few decades.5,6 For most other developed countries, the recent experience and outlook for stroke has been similar.1,7 Over the past 20 years, high-income countries as a group have experienced a 13% decline (95% confidence interval, 6–18%) in the age-standardized incidence rate, a 37% decline (95% confidence interval 19–39%) in the age-standardized mortality rate, and a 21% decline (95% confidence interval, 10–27%) in the age-standardized disease burden from ischemic stroke as measured in disability-adjusted life year (DALY) loss rates.8,9 (DALYs are a summary measure of disease burden that combines the impact of years of healthy life lost caused by premature death with the effect of long-term disability on quality of life over time.) For hemorrhagic stroke, there have been similar improvements in these indicators over the same period.8,10 However, the global outlook for the total disease burden from stroke is a bit more humbling. In 2013, an estimated 6.4 million deaths (11.8% of all deaths) were caused by stroke, and stroke remained the third-leading cause of years-of-potential-life lost worldwide (Table 1).1,8,11,12 Between 1990 and 2010, the absolute incidence of …
Variable interaction of heat and procaine in potentiation of radiation lethality in mammalian cells of neoplastic origin.

SummaryMild hyperthermia in conjunction with procaine HCl acts as a potentiator of radiation lethality in HeLa cells, with little toxicity for unirradiated cells. The majority of irradiated cells responds extensively within a four hour period of treatment with the two agents. Potentiation of radiation lethality by the combined treatment was also found in a line of human melanoma cells, and to a lesser extent in a line of human ovarian carcinoma cells. The interaction of heat and procaine in the process of potentiation of radiation lethality was assessed from a series of radiation survival curves, with temperatures ranging from 37 to 42°C and procaine concentrations from 1 to 3 mM. The interactive factor was obtained from the ratio of the Dose Reduction Factor (DRF) due to procaine in heated cells, to the DRF due to procaine in unheated cells; a ratio larger than unity denotes interaction of heat and procaine. The largest interaction was observed when individual agents exerted only a minimal radiopotentiat...
On applications of the spectral theory of the Koopman operator in dynamical systems and control theory

Recent contributions have extended the applicability of Koopman operator theory from dynamical systems to control. Stability theory got reformulated in terms of spectral properties of the Koopman operator [1], providing a nice link between the way we treat linear systems and nonlinear systems and opening the door for the use of classical linear e.g. pole placement theory in the fully nonlinear setting. New concepts such as isostables proved useful in the context of optimal control. Here, using Kato Decomposition we develop Koopman expansion for general LTI systems. We also interpret stable and unstable subspaces in terms of zero level sets of Koopman eigenfunctions. We then utilize conjugacy properties of Koopman eigenfunctions to extend these results to globally stable systems. In conclusion, we discuss how the classical Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman setting for optimal control can be reformulated in operator-theoretic terms and point the applicability of spectral operator theory in max-plus algebra to it. Geometric theories such as differential positivity have been also related to spectral theories of the Koopman operator [2], in cases when the attractor is a fixed point or a limit cycle, pointing the way to the more general case of quasiperiodic and chaotic attractors.
Solving the Productivity and Impact Puzzle: Do Men Outperform Women, or are Metrics Biased?

The attrition of women from science with increasing career stage continues, suggesting that current strategies are unsuccessful. Research evaluation using unbiased metrics could be important for the retention of women, because other factors such as implicit bias are unlikely to quickly change. We compare the publishing patterns of men and women within the discipline of ecology and show sexual dimorphism in self-citation leading to higher h-index scores for men despite lower citations per paper, which is exacerbated by more career absences by women. However, if self-citations and non-research active years are excluded, there are no gender differences in research performance. The pattern is consistent across disciplines and may contribute to current geographic disparities in research performance, rewarding confident behavior and traditional career paths rather than research impact. Importantly, these changes would not disadvantage anyone, because self-citation does not indicate broader impact, and researchers should only be judged on their research-active career.
Web-Based Training and Supervision

Abstract Supervision is a cornerstone of training that allows professionals to bridge the gap from knowledge of concepts to applied practice. However, in-person supervision is not always feasible, which is when telesupervision needs to be considered. This chapter will outline the advantages and disadvantages of telesupervision and provide guidance on how to set up a technological environment that is supportive of the telesupervision process.
Chinese medicine approach in clinical practice for breast cancer survivors

A Chinese medicine (CM) approach, designed based on the clinical experiences of the West Los Angeles Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, is a practical path for assessing and treating breast cancer survivors. The approach consists of balancing the body with deciphering the cause of the patient's chief complaints by assessing and recognizing the six physiological dysfunctions that include gastrointestinal problems, sleeps problems, emotional imbalance, low body energy, menstrual change and pain. Multifaceted interventions are used for eliminating various CM pathologies based on identifying the basic CM patterns (syndromes) differentiation. Watching to assess the above two situations dynamically is used for outcome evaluation and predicting prognosis. Therefore this approach is called BMW. It can serve as a reference for CM clinical practice and integrative clinical care. It also can be used to simplify the clinical interpretation of CM and provide an easier way for CM doctors to communicate with Western medical doctors and patients. Additionally, it can be used as a guide for patients to assess their own symptoms for self-monitoring and self-care.