cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of interfacial weight loss by silver migration on the pullout strength of a silver wire embedded in an adhesive matrix

In this study an effort is made to correlate interfacial weight loss, by migration, from the surface of a silver wire embedded in an adhesive matrix, to bond strength between the silver wire and the adhesive matrix. Comparative studies are also performed using an aluminum an wire in place of silver to accurately assess the effect of interfacial weight loss by silver migration. The results of the pullout tests on silver migrated specimens are compared with pullout tests on silver-wire specimens, which were immersed in water for 2 h but without silver migration. Pullout tests are performed in both wet, and dry conditions of the bonded specimens. It is determined that the pullout strength of bonded silver-wire specimens in wet condition decreases by as much as 86%, subsequent to silver migration. The loss of bond strength for silver-migrated specimens tested in dry condition varies between 23% and 4%, depending on the embedded length used.
Analysis of AneuRisk65 data: Classification and curve registration

This paper concerns the relationship between the geometry of the Inner Carotid Artery, as described by its centerline curvature and its radius, and the location of the aneurysm for the AneuRisk65 data. Fisher Rao curve registration is used to align the curvature of the artery, and this alignment is then used to register both the curvature and the radius profiles. Based on this alignment, interesting results are found regarding the discrepancy between the arteries of patients with aneurysms at or after the terminal bifurcation (upper group) and the arteries of subjects with aneurysms before bifurcation, or without aneurysms (lower-no group).
Remote plasma cleaning of Sn from an EUV collector mirror

Despite a higher conversion efficiency of Sn for extreme ultra violet (EUV) light generation at 13.5 nm, Sn contamination on collector optics in EUV source systems must be overcome before adopting Sn as EUV fuel. Considerable portion of debris from Sn source can be suppressed by various debris mitigation techniques. However, debris mitigation technique alone will not be sufficient for high volume manufacturing (HVM) scale light production. Sn contamination affects not only the light output but also cost of ownership because of costly and time-consuming cleaning or replacing. In order to solve this contamination issue, Center for Plasma Material Interactions (CPMI) at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign(UIUC) had been working on cleaning Sn from EUV collector mirror surface using inductively coupled plasma-reactive ion etching (ICP-RIE) method. Previously, our group showed the fast cleaning rate of >100±10 nm/min and the dependence of cleaning on plasma-source location. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) surface roughness scan after cleaning showed almost 95% recovery in root-mean-square roughness compared to before-cleaning. Sn debris contamination can also be cleaned by halogen gas at high pressure (several hundreds mTorr). However, cleaning rate is much slower so that longer cleaning time is needed and other components in the system can be harmed by high pressure of corrosive gas. In this study, a remote plasma cleaning method is newly investigated. We designed and fabricated a remote plasma cleaning system which operates with 13.56MHz RF. A residual gas analyzer is used to quantify the chlorine radicals generated in a remote plasma system. A comparative study on the chlorine radicals generated in ICP and remote plasma is carried out. The initial result with gas temperature control shows that more chlorine radicals generate by remote plasma than ICP. It is also reported that high power can produce more chlorine radicals as expected.
On a Statistical Model of Strand and Westwater for the Numerical Solution of a Fredholm Integral Equation of the First Kind

A statistical model is presented which is useful in the solution of a Fredholm integral equation of the first kind and equivalent to one proposed by Strand and Westwater. The model and the related problem presented here are familiar to statisticians from the study of regression analysis and are essentially, “(GLM): Find the best linear unbiased estimate of b given the observation y which satisfies y = Hb + e, e distributed as N (0, G).” Here y, b c are vectors, H is an (m + n) × k matrix, and G is a certain (m + n) × (m + n) positive definite, known matrix. The main content of the paper is that (GLM) provides an equivalent way of considering the problem of Strand and Westwater and is to be preferred by virtue of the rich store of results available for the study of (GLM) and its intrinsic geometric nature.
The effectiveness of xylitol in a school-based cluster-randomized clinical trial

Objective: The purpose of this double-blind, cluster-randomized clinical trial was to examine the effects of xylitol gummy bear snacks on dental caries progression in primary and permanent teeth of inner-city school children. Methods: A total of 562 children aged 5-6 years were recruited from five elementary schools in East Cleveland, Ohio. Children were randomized by classroom to receive xylitol (7.8 g/day) or placebo (inulin fiber 20 g/day) gummy bears. Gummy bears were given three times per day for the 9-month kindergarten year within a supervised school environment. Children in both groups also received oral health education, toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste, topical fluoride varnish treatment and dental sealants. The numbers of new decayed, missing, and filled surfaces for primary teeth (dmfs) and permanent teeth (DMFS) from baseline to the middle of 2nd grade (exit exam) were compared between the treatment (xylitol/placebo) groups using an optimally-weighted permutation test for cluster-randomized data. Results: The mean new d3-6mfs at the exit exam was 5.0 ± 7.6 and 4.0 ± 6.5 for the xylitol and placebo group, respectively. Similarly, the mean new D3-6MFS was 0.38 ± 0.88 and 0.48 ± 1.39 for the xylitol and placebo group, respectively. The adjusted mean difference between the two groups was not statistically significant: new d3-6mfs: mean 0.4, 95% CI -0.25, 0.8), and new D3-6MFS: mean 0.16, 95% CI -0.16, 0.43. Conclusion: Xylitol consumption did not have additional benefit beyond other preventive measures. Caries progression in the permanent teeth of both groups was minimal, suggesting that other simultaneous prevention modalities may have masked the possible beneficial effects of xylitol in this trial. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel
Default settings of computerized physician order entry system order sets drive ordering habits

Background: Computerized physician order entry (CPOE) systems are quickly becoming ubiquitous, and groups of orders (order sets) to allow for easy order input are a common feature. This provides a streamlined mechanism to view, modify, and place groups of related orders. This often serves as an electronic equivalent of a specialty requisition. A characteristic, of these order sets is that specific orders can be predetermined to be preselected or defaulted-on whenever the order set is used while others are optional or defaulted-off (though there is typically the option is to deselect defaulted-on tests in a given situation). While it seems intuitive that the defaults in an order set are often accepted, additional study is required to understand the impact of these default settings in an order set on ordering habits. This study set out to quantify the effect of changing the default settings of an order set. Methods: For quality improvement purposes, order sets dealing with transfusions were recently reviewed and modified to improve monitoring of outcome. Initially, the order for posttransfusion hematocrits and platelet count had the default setting changed from optional to preselected. The default settings for platelet count was later changed back to optional, allowing for a natural experiment to study the effect of the default selections of an order set on clinician ordering habits. Results: Posttransfusion hematocrit values were ordered for 8.3% of red cell transfusions when the default order set selection was off and for 57.4% of transfusions when the default selection was preselected (P < 0.0001). Posttransfusion platelet counts were ordered for 7.0% of platelet transfusions when the initial default order set selection was optional, increased to 59.4% when the default was changed to preselected (P < 0.0001), and then decreased to 7.5% when the default selection was returned to optional. The posttransfusion platelet count rates during the two optional periods: 7.0% versus 7.5% - were not statistically different (P = 0.620). Discussion: Default settings in CPOE order sets can significantly influence physician selection of laboratory tests. Careful consideration by all stakeholders, including clinicians and pathologists, should be obtained when establishing default settings in order sets.
High-speed guided-wave acoustooptic and electrooptic switches

Progress on the guided-wave acoustooptic and electrooptic sequential switches for optical time-multiplexing and -demultiplexing is described in some detail. The performance figures obtained so far indicate their potential use for future ultra-high data rate fiber/integrated optics systems.
Rapid formation of all-trans retinol after bleaching in frog and mouse rod photoreceptor outer segments

All-trans retinol is formed in the outer segments of vertebrate rod photoreceptors from the reduction of the all-trans retinal released by photoactivated rhodopsin. The reduction requires NADPH and is therefore dependent on metabolic input. In metabolically intact photoreceptors, a large increase in rod outer segment fluorescence, attributed to the fluorescence of all-trans retinol, follows rhodopsin photoactivation. The fluorescence increase is biphasic, including a rapid and a slow component. In metabolically compromised cells, there is a much smaller fluorescence increase following rhodopsin photoactivation, but it too contains a rapid component. We have measured the fluorescence signal in single living frog and mouse rod photoreceptors, and have characterized its dependence on the wavelengths of light selected for excitation and for collecting emission. We find that in metabolically intact cells, the excitation and emission properties of both the rapid and slow components of the fluorescence signal are in close agreement with those of all-trans retinol fluorescence. In metabolically compromised cells, however, the signal can only partially be due to all-trans retinol, and most of it is consistent with all-trans retinal. The results suggest that in the outer segments of living rod photoreceptors there is rapid release of all-trans retinal, which in metabolically intact cells is accompanied by rapid conversion to all-trans retinol.
Continuous Infusion of Cyclosporin A Postinjury Significantly Ameliorates Cortical Damage Following Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) results in the rapid necrosis of cortical tissue at the site of injury. In the ensuing hours and days, secondary injury exacerbates the original damage resulting in significant neurological dysfunction. Recent reports from our lab demonstrate that a bolus injection of the immunosuppressant cyclosporin A (CsA) is neuroprotective following TBI. CsA transiently inhibits the opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore and maintains calcium homeostasis in isolated mitochondria. The present study utilized a unilateral controlled cortical impact model of TBI to assess whether the neuroprotective effects of CsA could be extended by chronic infusion. Adult rats were subjected to a moderate (2 mm) cortical deformation and the extent of cortical damage was assessed using modern stereological techniques. Animals were administrated a 20 mg/kg intraperitoneal bolus of CsA or vehicle 15 min postinjury and osmotic minipumps were implanted subcutaneously to deliver CsA (4.5 or 10 mg/kg/day) or vehicle. All animals receiving CsA demonstrated a significant reduction in lesion volume, with the highest dose offering the most neuroprotection (74% reduction in lesion volume). These results extend our previous findings and demonstrate that chronic infusion of CsA is neuroprotective following TBI. These findings also suggest that the mechanisms responsible for tissue necrosis following TBI are amenable to manipulation.
A macrophage-monocyte cell line from a dog with malignant histiocytosis

The DH82 cell line was established from the neoplastic progenitor cells of canine MH and was characterized as histiocytic in origin based on light microscopic and ultrastructural morphology, positive staining reactions for alpha naphthyl acetate esterase and acid phosphatase, presence of Fc receptors, phagocytosis of latex beads, and plastic adherence in culture.
Child and adolescent multidimensional self-concept: A five-instrument factor analysis

The factor structure of five self-concept scales from a hierarchical, multidimensional theoretical model was investigated. The Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory, Multidimensional Self Concept Scale, Piers-Harris Self-Concept Scale, Self-Esteem Index, and the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale were administered to 221 students in Grades 5 through 8 in a counter-balanced administration format. The five scales each yielded strong general factors and six dominant factors that coincide with the proposed theoretical model, which reflects social, affect, competence, academic, family, and physical self-concepts. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Multifractal Formalism for Infinite Multinomial Measures

There are strong reasons to believe that the multifractal spectrum of DLA shows anomalies which have been termed left-sided. In order to show that this is compatible with strictly multiplicative structures Mandelbrot and co-workers introduced a one-parameter family of multifractal measures, invariant under infinitely many linear maps, on the real line. Under the assumption that the usual multifractional formalism holds, they showed that the multifractal spectrum of these measures is indeed left-sided, i.e., increasing over the whole @a range ]@a"m"i"n, ~[. Here, it is shown that the multifractal formalism for self-similar measures does indeed hold also in the infinite case, in particular that the singularity exponents @t(q) satisfy the usual equation @Sp^q"i @l^@t"i = 1 and that the spectrum f(@a) is the Legendre transform of @t(q).
Analysis of hard-to-cook red and black common beans using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

Extracted fractions from black and red common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) were studied using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Beans were stored under three conditions: control at 4 °C; hard-to-cook (HTC) at 29 °C, 65% RH for 3.5 months; and refrigerated at 2 °C, 79% RH for 3.5 months after a HTC period (called HTC-refrigerated). Two fractions isolated from the beans, the soluble pectin fraction (SPF) and the water insoluble residue of the cell wall (WIRCW), were analyzed using diffuse reflectance (DRIFTS) FT-IR. The soaking water and cooking water from the beans were also studied using attenuated total reflectance (ATR) FT-IR. The DRIFTS FT-IR results from the SPF and WIRCW fractions were consistent with previously published data for Carioca beans showing that in general, more phenolic compounds were associated with the SPF of HTC beans than in the control beans. Results also showed that HTC-refrigerated beans had higher concentrations of phenolic compounds than control beans in the SPF. T...
An analysis of prognostic factors in cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma

Since the first report of cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma (Merkel cell carcinoma) in 1972, knowledge of the biological behavior of this tumor has continued to increase. This study reviews three previously unreported cases in addition to reports on 429 patients collected from the literature. The presenting features of these 306 patients were analyzed for frequency and then were analyzed by the Cox proportional hazard model for the relationship of each to recurrence and outcome. This study confirms that cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma is an aggressive disease; that the most common cause of death in these patients is by distant metastasis; and that men have succumbed more frequently than women. As a result of this study, aggressive treatment of cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma is recommended, especially in the male patient.
Limitations of spacetime measurements

Abstract The theoretical limitations of a standard classical measuring device (D) are investigated by means of a simple example involving the measurement of distance. The length and time scales characteristic of D must be negligible compared to the acceleration length ( L ) and time ( L /c), respectively, associated with its motion. Similar restrictions apply in a gravitational field where D is subject to tidal accelerations. A singularity occurs when the acceleration length vanishes.
Comprehensive review of the converted MMT's instrument suite

The converted 6.5m MMT Observatory has a powerful suite of new instrumentation accumulated over the last eight years. Pre-conversion instruments still in use at the f/9 Cassegrain focus are the facility Red and Blue Channel spectrographs (R = 240 - 6600) and the visiting spectropolarimeter (SPOL). Instruments using the f/5 spectroscopic configuration are the bench mounted 300-fiber spectrographs Hectospec (R=1000) and Hectochelle (R=30,000), and the single slit, cross-dispersed spectrograph MAESTRO (R=28,000 - 93,000). The f/5 imaging configuration offers Megacam, a 24' x 24' CCD mosaic camera and SWIRC, a YJH NIR imager. The MMT's pioneering f/15 adaptive secondary mirror enables high-resolution imaging and spectroscopy in the infrared with the ARIES, CLIO, PISCES and BLINC/MIRAC instruments. The AO system will shortly be significantly enhanced with the addition of a Rayleigh laser guide star system which is currently being commissioned. Upcoming instrumentation will include slit mask spectrographs in the infrared (MMIRS) and optical (BINOSPEC). This review paper presents all the available instruments capabilities and demonstrates how the observatory has become highly efficient at managing multiple secondary mirrors and a large instrument suite.
A computer system for imaging and spectroscopy in analytical electron microscopy

Abstract The modern analytical transmission electron microscope gives signals from both elastically and inellastically scattered electrons at rates up to a few magabytes per second. A flexible multiasking system is needed to effectively integrate the information from a microscope with multiple detectors while synchronously controlling selected optical parameters of the instrument. We describe a system based on a Digital Equipment LSI-11 microcomputer equipped with a frame buffer and show how it has been used to develop new experimental capabilities such as time-resolved spectroscopy and multi-spectroscopy elemental mapping.
On convergence to the møller wave operators

It is proved that from the standpoint of the stationarystate formulation of scattering theory, the results of J. M. Cook are expected to remain valid for potentials which fall off at large r faster than 1/2, and which are required to be square integrable only in the finite domain. (W.D.M.)
Neuroinflammation and cognitive function in aged mice following minor surgery

Following surgery, elderly patients often suffer from postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) which can persist long after physical recovery. It is known that surgery-induced tissue damage activates the peripheral innate immune system resulting in the release of inflammatory mediators. Compared to adults, aged animals demonstrate increased neuroinflammation and microglial priming that leads to an exaggerated proinflammatory cytokine response following activation of the peripheral immune system. Therefore, we sought to determine if the immune response to surgical trauma results in increased neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment in aged mice. Adult and aged mice underwent minor abdominal surgery and 24 h later hippocampal cytokines were measured and working memory was assessed in a reversal learning version of the Morris water maze. While adult mice showed no signs of neuroinflammation following surgery, aged mice had significantly increased levels of IL-1β mRNA in the hippocampus. Minor surgery did not result in severe cognitive impairment although aged mice that underwent surgery did tend to perseverate in the old target during reversal testing suggesting reduced cognitive flexibility. Overall these results suggest that minor surgery leads to an exaggerated neuroinflammatory response in aged mice but does not result in significantly impaired performance in the Morris water maze.
Phosphorylation of collapsin response mediator protein-2 disrupts neuronal maturation in a model of adult neurogenesis: Implications for neurodegenerative disorders

Recent studies suggest that the pathogenic process in neurodegenerative disorders may disrupt mature neuronal circuitries and neurogenesis in the adult brain. Abnormal activation of CDK5 is associated with neurodegenerative disorders, and recently a critical role for CDK5 in adult neurogenesis has been identified. We have developed an in vitro model of abnormal CDK5 activation during adult hippocampal neurogenesis, and here we used this model to investigate aberrantly phosphorylated downstream targets of CDK5. Abnormal CDK5 activation in an in vitro model of adult neurogenesis results in hyperphosphorylation of collapsin-response mediator protein-2 (CRMP2) and impaired neurite outgrowth. Inhibition of CDK5, or expression of a non-phosphorylatable (S522A) CRMP2 construct reduced CRMP2 hyperphosphorylation, and reversed neurite outgrowth deficits. CRMP2 plays a role in microtubule dynamics; therefore we examined the integrity of microtubules in this model using biochemical and electron microscopy techniques. We found that microtubule organization was disrupted under conditions of CDK5 activation. Finally, to study the relevance of these findings to neurogenesis in neurodegenerative conditions associated with HIV infection, we performed immunochemical analyses of the brains of patients with HIV and transgenic mice expressing HIV-gp120 protein. CDK5-mediated CRMP2 phosphorylation was significantly increased in the hippocampus of patients with HIV encephalitis and in gp120 transgenic mice, and this effect was rescued by genetic down-modulation of CDK5 in the mouse model. These results reveal a functional mechanism involving microtubule destabilization through which abnormal CDK5 activation and CRMP2 hyperphosphorylation might contribute to defective neurogenesis in neurodegenerative disorders such as HIV encephalitis.
Serum alkaline phosphatase at the onset of Hodgkin's disease

Serum alkaline phosphatase levels have been studied in 111 patients at the onset of Hodgkin's disease. With advancing stage there was a progressive increase in the percentage of patients with elevated enzyme: 14 percent in Stages I and II, 65 percent in Stage III, and 81 percent in Stage IV. In all stages there was a very high incidence of elevated phosphatase in patients with fever but not in those with only pruritus, suggesting a different pathogenesis of the 2 complaints. The source of the elevated serum enzyme was analyzed in 31 patients by electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gel. The liver enzyme was elevated in 23 individuals, the bone enzyme in 3, both in 2, and, in 3 individuals, it was not possible to state which enzyme was elevated. Elevations of hepatic phosphatase were by far the most important cause of serum alkaline phosphatase elevation at the onset of Hodgkin's disease. Increase of this isozyme caused almost all the elevations analyzed in patients presenting with advanced disease: all those in Stages IIIB and IVB, and all but 2 in Stage IIIA. While the majority of such increases were felt to be the result of hepatic lymphoma, several instances of a reversible liver isozyme elevation associated with fever and negative open liver biopsy were encountered. Bromsulphalein retention was more frequently abnormal than the 5′-nucleotidase values in individuals with elevated liver phosphatase. The infrequent elevations of bone phosphatase were usually seen in individuals with localized Stage I and II Hodgkin's disease (5 of 8 instances) who were below' the age of 21 (7 of 8 instances). Two of the 3 such elevations observed over an extended period of time returned to normal. It was felt that the bone isozyme elevation in these young patients was usually physiologic representing late adolescent bone growth, and that osseous lymphoma was an uncommon cause of alkaline phosphatase elevation at the onset of Hodgkin's disease.
Observation of sharp and intense structures in the excitation spectrum of NO2

Abstract We have measured the excitation spectrum for the ν 2 fluorescence mode of NO 2 throughout its visible absorption spectrum. The spectra show several narrow regions where the ν 2 fluorescence intensity is about two orders of magnitude larger than that found elsewhere.
A distributed system based on web services for computational science simulations

In this paper, we describe the ASP system, a testbed based on Web Services for coupled multi-physics simulations. The system is organized as a collection of geographically-distributed software components in which each component provides a Web Service and uses standard SOAP-based Web Service protocols to interact with other components. There are a number of advantages to organizing a system in this way, which we discuss. We have analyzed the performance of our system for a typical application and for a number of problem sizes, and have found that the overhead for using SOAP-based Web Services is small and tends to decrease as the problem size increases. Our results suggest that potential performance bottlenecks identified in the literature may not be major issues in practice, and that a standards-compliant implementation like ours can delivery excellent scalable performance even on coupled problems, provided Web Services are used judiciously.
A procedure to correct proxy-reported weight in the National Health Interview Survey, 1976–2002

Background Data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) show a larger-than-expected increase in mean BMI between 1996 and 1997. Proxy-reports of height and weight were discontinued as part of the 1997 NHIS redesign, suggesting that the sharp increase between 1996 and 1997 may be artifactual.
Robust Distributed Detection with Limited Range Sensors

We consider a multi-target detection problem over a sensor network (SNET) with limited range sensors and communication constraints, which complements the decentralized detection problem where all sensors observe the same target. We consider sensing models where the signal power from targets undergoes a power-law decay. The task is to determine the locations of the targets while minimizing false alarms and communication between sensors. We extend the well-known FDR framework to solve the multi-target detection problem.
Combined Addition of Alkenyl and Allenic Anions to Squarate Esters. Direct Competition between Six-Ring and Eight-Ring Electrocyclization of 1,2,4,6,8-Cumulenic Pentaenes.

The sequential addition of 1 equiv each of a lithioallene and an alkenyllithium to diisopropyl squarate has been studied. The product compositions resulting from the ensuing reaction cascades were not at all comparable to those resulting from the reverse mode of nucleophile addition. These results require that different intermediates intervene. When the alkenyl anion is the lead reagent, the lithioallene enters predominantly trans and two sequential electrocyclic steps ensue. Initial introduction of methoxyallene causes the second nucleophile to enter preferably from the cis direction, presumably because of oxygen coordination to lithium. The proximal orientation of the unsaturated moieties leads to operation of the dianionic oxy-Cope rearrangement. The second electrocyclic event that transpires following formation of the trans dialkoxide is not of the customary 8π conrotatory type. Rather, a 6π disrotatory process occurs exclusively. This “allene effect” is shown to originate from strain, orbital alignme...
Dependence of Counterion Binding on DNA Shape as Determined By Counterion Condensation Theory

We have computed the fraction of DNA phosphate charge neutralized by condensed counterions for parallel pairs of linear DNA segments, DNA circles, and representative closed-circular supercoiled DNA configurations ranging in length from 42 to 3000 base pairs. We find significant but small uptake of condensed counterions for the more compact structures relative to an isolated linear DNA segment.
Chip-based immunoaffinity CE: application to the measurement of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in skin biopsies.

A chip-based immunocapillary electrophoresis system has been employed to measure the concentrations of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in human skin biopsies, taken during atopic inflammatory events. The device employs a replaceable immunoaffinity disk to which capture antibodies have been chemically immobilized. Homogenates obtained from micro-dissected human skin samples were injected into the system where the analyte of interest was captured in the immunoextraction port, thus allowing non-reactive materials to be removed prior to analysis. The captured analyte was labeled in situ with a red-emitting laser dye before being released from the capture antibody, separated by electrophoresis, and the resolved peaks detected by on-line laser-induced fluorescence. Comparison of this chip-based system to conventional immunoassay demonstrated good correlation when analyzing both standards and patient samples. The system was semi-automated resulting in a CE analysis within 1.5 min and a total of circa 5 min. Intra- and inter-assay CV’s of 3.85 and 4.19 were achieved with circa 98.8% recovery of BDNF at a concentration of 100 pg/mL. The assay demonstrated clear differences between clinical stages of atopic dermatitis in human patients and could run 10–15 samples per hour. This system holds the potential for being modified to be a portable unit that could be used in clinics and other biomedical screening studies.
A comparative study of the ground nests of Centris flavifrons and centris aethiocesta (Hymenoptera: Anthophoridae)

The nests of Centris aethiocesta Snelling and Centris flavifrons (Friese) are described and compared to published accounts of C flavofasciata. The three are ground nesting solitary bee species in Costa Rica. Centris aethiocesta, like previously published C. flavofasciata, prefers the beach strand, although C. aethiocesta nests in more shaded areas. Centris flavifrons nests are constructed in the dry forest savanna, often in small depressions. All three construct one cell per tunnel, with the tunnel of completed nests filled with soil. Tunnels of completed nests of C. aethiocesta are unbranched; tunnels of C. flavifrons have 6 to 10 side tunnels also filled with soil, while only one side tunnel is published for C. flavofasciata.
Natural Convection Around a Heated Cylinder in a Saturated Porous Medium

Numerical solutions are presented for the natural convection heat transfer from a heated cylinder buried in a semi-infinite liquid-saturated porous medium. The governing equations are expressed in the stream function-temperature formulation and finite difference equations are obtained by integrating the governing equations over finite cells. The heat transfer characteristics of the heated cylinder are studies as functions of the Rayleigh number and the vertical depth of the cylinder center from a permeable surface. The numerical scheme involves the use of a cylindrical network of nodes in the vicinity of the cylinder with a Cartesian mesh covering teh remainder of the flow domain. The results are of use in the design of underground electrical cables, power plant steam, and water distribution lines, among others.
A genetic algorithm solution for one-dimensional bundled stock cutting

This paper discusses a one-dimensional cutting stock problem in which lumber is cut in bundles. The nature of this problem is such that the traditional approaches of linear programming with an integer round-up procedure or sequential heuristics are not effective. A good solution to this problem must consider trim loss, stock usage and ending inventory levels. A genetic search algorithm is proposed and results compared to optimal solutions for an integer programming formulation of the problem.
Preparation and crystal structure of the cluster complex Os7H2(CO)21P(OMe)3

Abstract The new osmium cluster complex Os7H2(CO)21P(OMe)3, in which P(OMe)3 is trimethylphosphite, has been synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallographic analysis. This complex was prepared by the addition of P(OMe)3 to Os7H2(CO)21. Crystals are monoclinic, space group P21/c, with a = 14.220(3), b = 12.071(3), c = 24.019(7) A , β = 109.63(2)° and Z = 4. The metal atom arrangement consists of a trigonal bipyramid sharing an equatorial vertex with a triangle. The phosphite ligand is bound to one of the outer vertices of the triangular unit. The physical and chemical behavior of this complex is compared with that of two previously reported clusters alleged to be isomers of Os7H2(CO)22.
Regulatory multidimensionality of gas vesicle biogenesis in Halobacterium salinarum NRC-1.

It is becoming clear that the regulation of gas vesicle biogenesis in Halobacterium salinarum NRC-1 is multifaceted and appears to integrate environmental and metabolic cues at both the transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels. The mechanistic details underlying this process, however, remain unclear. In this manuscript, we quantify the contribution of light scattering made by both intracellular and released gas vesicles isolated from Halobacterium salinarum NRC-1, demonstrating that each form can lead to distinct features in growth curves determined by optical density measured at 600 nm (OD600). In the course of the study, we also demonstrate the sensitivity of gas vesicle accumulation in Halobacterium salinarum NRC-1 on small differences in growth conditions and reevaluate published works in the context of our results to present a hypothesis regarding the roles of the general transcription factor tbpD and the TCA cycle enzyme aconitase on the regulation of gas vesicle biogenesis.
Electrochemical treeing in XLPE/silica nanocomposites

Ashcraft-type samples have been used to grow vented water trees in crosslinked polyethylene and crosslinked polyethylene based nanocomposites with 5 wt% and 12.5 wt% functionalized silica. Tree growths are reported at a range of stresses by sectioning the samples destructively. A nondestructive method is also introduced which allows visualization of electrochemical trees without sectioning. Nanocomposites are found to have higher resistance to water tree growth and this trend becomes clear with larger loading. Due to the high interface/volume ratio in nanocomposites, it is believed that scattering in the interfacial region inhibits tree growth.
Jonestown--Two Faces of Suicide: A Durkheimian Analysis.

This paper takes exception to much of the literature on Jonestown. The authors of this literature claim that an explanation of the mass suicide in Jonestown requires an understanding of how its residents came to a common consciousness. Such an analysis implies that the residents of Jonestown died for essentially the same reason. This paper, using Durkheim's typology of suicides, demonstrates that the residents of Jonestown died for very different reasons and that two types of suicide occurred simultaneously on November 18, 1978: altruistic and fatalistic. Some of the residents of Jonestown died because they put the group above the self; they committed altruistic suicide. The majority, however, died for fatalistic reasons. Jonestown in fact had become a hopeless, demeaning, and antagonistic environment. The analysis here suggests caution to those who assume that a mass suicide is necessarily a homogeneous event.
Somatic and germline expression of piwi during development and regeneration in the marine polychaete annelid Capitella teleta.

Background Stem cells have a critical role during adult growth and regeneration. Germline stem cells are specialized stem cells that produce gametes during sexual reproduction. Capitella teleta (formerly Capitella sp. I) is a polychaete annelid that reproduces sexually, exhibits adult growth and regeneration, and thus, is a good model to study the relationship between somatic and germline stem cells.
Impacts of Argentine ants on avian nesting success

Biological invasions can have severe and widespread impacts on ecological communities. A few species of ants have become particularly damaging invaders but quantitative data of their impacts on many taxa is still lacking. We provide experimental evidence using artificial nests baited with quail eggs that the invasive Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) can be a significant avian nest predator – Argentine ants recruited to more nests and in higher abundance than the native ant species they displace. However, at a site invaded by Argentine ants, we monitored over 400 nests of a ground-nesting species, the Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis), and found that less than 2% of nests failed as a result of Argentine ant predation/infestation. A review of the literature also suggests that Argentine ants may not be a serious threat to bird nests relative to other predators or parasites. However, invasive ants with the capability of overwhelming prey though stinging (specifically the red-imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta), may have a higher impact on avian nesting success.
Design and development of high-performance torque-controlled joints

Dynamic decoupling, motion and force control of manipulators rely on the ability of the actuation system to provide accurate joint torques. However, this ability is considerably restricted by the nonlinearities and friction inherent in the actuator-transmission systems of most industrial robots. This paper is concerned with the development of high-performance torque controlled joints and focuses on two basic issues: sensor design and torque control. The first part of the paper describes a conceptually new type of torque sensor that uses contactless inductive transducers. The new sensor provides a substantial increase in accuracy over conventional strain gauge sensors, achieves higher mechanical robustness, and presents lower sensitivity to electrical noise. The second part of the paper presents an analysis of the effect that the manipulator's transmission and structural properties have on the joint torque controller design. Two manipulators with very different mechanical characteristics are used in this analysis: the PUMA 560 manipulator and Artisan, an eleven-degree-of-freedom manipulator currently under development at Stanford. The experimental results obtained with a prototype link of Artisan are presented and compared to those previously obtained with the PUMA. >
Partial differential equations for Eigenvalues: sensitivity and perturbation analysis

The well-known Wilkinson expressions for the first derivatives of (ordinary) eigen-values and eigenvectors of simple matrices, in terms of the set of eigenvalues and eigenvectors, are redifferentiated and combined to obtain partial differential equations for the eigenvalues. Analogous expressions are obtained for the first derivatives of generalised eigenvalues and eigenvectors of simple pairs of matrices (A, B), defined by . Again, redifferentiation and combination yields slightly more complicated partial differential equations for the generalised eigenvalues. When the matrices depend on a few parameters θ1, θ2, …, the resulting differential equations for the eigenvalues, with those parameters as independent variables, can easily be derived. These parametric equations are explicit representations of analytic perturbation results of Kato, expressed by him as rather abstract complex matrix integrals. Connections with bounds for eigenvalues derived by Stewart and Sun can also be made. Two applications are exhibited, the first being to a broken symmetry problem, the second being to working out the second-order perturbations for a classical problem in the theory of waves in cold plasmas.
Electron Capture Dissociation of Hydrogen-Deficient Peptide Radical Cations

Hydrogen-deficient peptide radical cations exhibit fascinating gas phase chemistry, which is governed by radical driven dissociation and, in many cases, by a combination of radical and charge driven fragmentation. Here we examine electron capture dissociation (ECD) of doubly, [M + H]^(2+•), and triply, [M + 2H]^(3+•), charged hydrogen-deficient species, aiming to investigate the effect of a hydrogen-deficient radical site on the ECD outcome and characterize the dissociation pathways of hydrogen-deficient species in ECD. ECD of [M + H]^(2+•) and [M + 2H]^(3+•) precursor ions resulted in efficient electron capture by the hydrogen-deficient species. However, the intensities of c- and z-type product ions were reduced, compared with those observed for the even electron species, indicating suppression of N–Cα backbone bond cleavages. We postulate that radical recombination occurs after the initial electron capture event leading to a stable even electron intermediate, which does not trigger N–Cα bond dissociations. Although the intensities of c- and z-type product ions were reduced, the number of backbone bond cleavages remained largely unaffected between the ECD spectra of the even electron and hydrogen-deficient species. We hypothesize that a small ion population exist as a biradical, which can trigger N–C_α bond cleavages. Alternatively, radical recombination and N–C_α bond cleavages can be in competition, with radical recombination being the dominant pathway and N–C_α cleavages occurring to a lesser degree. Formation of b- and y-type ions observed for two of the hydrogendeficient peptides examined is also discussed.
Water Structure at Aqueous Solution Surfaces of Atmospherically Relevant Dimethyl Sulfoxide and Methanesulfonic Acid Revealed by Phase-Sensitive Sum Frequency Spectroscopy

Interfacial water structures of aqueous dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and methanesulfonic acid (MSA) were studied by Raman, infrared, and conventional and phase-sensitive vibrational sum frequency generation (VSFG) spectroscopies. Through isotopic dilution, we probed bulk water hydrogen bonding strength using the vibrational frequency of dilute OD in H2O. As indicated by the frequency shift of the OD frequency, it is shown that DMSO has little influence on the average water hydrogen bonding strength at low concentrations in contrast with an overall weakening effect for MSA. For the water structure at the surface of aqueous solutions, although conventional VSFG spectra suggest only slight structural changes with DMSO and a red shift of hydrogenbonded water OH frequency, phase-sensitive VSFG reveals more thoroughly structural changes in the presence of both DMSO and MSA. In the case of DMSO, reorientation of interfacial water molecules with their hydrogens pointing up toward the oxygen of the SdO group is observed. For MSA, the interfacial water structure is affected by both the dissociated methanesulfonate anions and the hydronium ions residing at the surface. Both the methanesulfonate anions and the hydronium ions have surface preference; therefore, the electric double layer (EDL) formed at the surface is relatively thin, which leads to partial reorientation of interface water molecules with net orientation of water hydrogens up. Surface DMSO molecules are more effective at reorienting surface water relative to MSA molecules.
Solving spline-collocation approximations to nonlinear two-point boundary-value problems by a homotopy method

The Chow-Yorke algorithm is a homotopy method that has been proved globally convergent for Brouwer fixed-point problems, certain classes of zero finding and nonlinear programming problems, and two-point boundary-value approximations based on shooting and finite differences. The method is numerically stable and has been successfully applied to a wide range of practical engineering problems. Here the Chow-Yorke algorithm is proved globally convergent for a class of spline-collocation approximations to nonlinear two-point boundary-value problems. Several numerical implementations of the algorithm are briefly described, and computational results are presented for a fairly difficult fluid-dynamics boundary-value problem.
Behaviour at ±∞ for a model of laminar flames with applications to questions of flame propagation versus extinction

We consider the behaviour at x=±∞ of solutions to reaction-diffusion equations modelling laminar flames in a premixed reactive gas. We show that if the initial data have limits at ±∞, then the solutions satisfy ODEs at ±∞ for all positive time. We then analyse the qualitative behaviour of solutions to the ODEs
The Folk Concept of Intentionality

Abstract When perceiving, explaining, or criticizing human behavior, people distinguish between intentional and unintentional actions. To do so, they rely on a shared folk concept of intentionality. In contrast to past speculative models, this article provides an empirically based model of this concept. Study 1 demonstrates that people agree substantially in their judgments of intentionality, suggesting a shared underlying concept. Study 2 reveals that when asked to define directly the termintentional,people mention four components of intentionality: desire, belief, intention, and awareness. Study 3 confirms the importance of a fifth component, namely skill. In light of these findings, the authors propose a model of the folk concept of intentionality and provide a further test in Study 4. The discussion compares the proposed model to past ones and examines its implications for social perception, attribution, and cognitive development.
Domestic violence and criminal justice training needs of social services workers

Domestic violence is a multifaceted problem that requires various agencies to work together to serve victims. Among other agencies that are involved in this collaborative effort, criminal justice officials must work with social services workers to ensure that cases are handled effectively. At the root of this collaborative effort, it is natural to question whether various parties have the knowledge needed to effectively respond to specific cases of domestic violence. In this study, attention was given to whether social workers possessed enough knowledge about various aspects of domestic violence, including information required to process domestic violence cases in the criminal justice system. In all, 186 social services worker supervisors in the Commonwealth of Virginia were asked to rate the level of knowledge they believed social services workers had regarding specific domestic violence topics with the level of knowledge workers they believed social workers needed regarding each domestic violence topic. Findings suggested that social services workers might have more problems dealing with the interpersonal nature of domestic violence cases than they do with the legal issues. At the same time, the supervisors suggested the workers knew less about specific legal options than they needed to know. Based on this, the authors suggest changes in training for all human services workers, including criminal justice officials and social workers.