cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Building a Model for Distance Collaboration in the Computer-Assisted Business Communication Classroom

Traditionally, research about collaboration in business communication classes has focused on small-group interaction and peer review of documents. Yet, computer classrooms and electronic networks used for teaching business communication today are affecting how traditional collaboration works and are opening up new possibilities for collaborative activity. One exciting possibility is using network technology to promote collaboration beyond the four walls of a single classroom. This article outlines a model for distance collaboration between business writing classrooms using network technology and discusses new ways to teach national and international audience awareness, problem solving, and the contextual nature of cases.
What are clock distribution networks

In a synchronous digital system, the clock signal is used to define a time reference for the movement of data within that system. Since this function is vital to the operation of a synchronous system, much attention has been given to the characteristics of these clock signals and the networks used in their distribution. Clock signals are often regarded as simple control signals; however, these signals have some very special characteristics and attributes.Clock signals are typically loaded with the greatest fanout, travel over the greatest distances, and operate at the highest speeds of any signal, either control or data, with in the entire synchronous system. Since the data signals are provided with a temporal reference by the clock signals, the clock waveforms must be particularly clean and sharp. Furthermore, these clock signals are particularly affected by technology scaling, in that long global interconnect lines become signicantly more resistive as line dimensions are decreased. This increased line resistance is one of the primary reasons for the increasing significance of clock distribution on synchronous performance. Finally, the control of any differences and uncertainty in the arrival times of the clock signals can severely limit the maximum performance of the entire system and create catastrophic race conditions in which an incorrect data signal may latch within a register.Most synchronous digital systems consist of cascaded banks of sequential registers with combinatorial logic between each set of registers. The functional requirements of the digital system are satisfied by the logic stages. The global performance and local timing requirements are satisfied by the careful insertion of pipeline registers into equally spaced time windows to satisfy critical worst case timing constraints. The proper design of the clock distribution network ensures that these critical timing requirements are satisfied and that no race conditions exist.The delay components that make up a general synchronous system are composed of the following three individual subsystems: the memory storage elements, the logic elements, and the clocking circuitry and distribution network. Interrelationships among these three subsystems of a synchronous digital system are critical to achieving maximum levels of performance and reliability.Novel structures are currently under development to ameliorate these issues and provide effective solutions. Important area of research include resonant clocking techniques, on-chip optical interconnect, and local synchronization methodologies.The literature in this field exists in a variety of journals and conference proceedings. Examples include the IEEE Transactions of Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) Systems, IEEE Transactions on Computer-Aided Design of Integrated Circuits and Systems, the IEEE/ACM Design Automation Conference, and a host of related computer, circuits, and CAD conferences. Survey and review articles exist that summarize many of the primary results while providing background and perspective.
Halogen rearrangement in organosilicon halides

Abstract To test (1) whether there is any halogen rearrangement in a pure organosilicon halide, and (2) whether such a compound undergoes solvolytic dissociation in ethers or nitrogeneous solvents, methylbromodichlorosilane (CH3SiBrCl2) was prepared and then was tested for rearrangement under a variety of conditions. At reflux temperature for 43 hr, in the absence of metals and metal chlorides, it generated no detectable methyltrichlorosilane, indicating that there was no exchange of halogen through self-ionization. The presence of traces of aluminum chloride or the halides of other metals caused rearrangement and consequent evolution of CH3SiCl3. In all-glass equipment, addition of n-butyl ether, 1,3 dioxane, N,N dimethylaniline, or N,N dimethylformamide brought about formation of trichlorosilane at reflux temperature; the rate of such rearrangement increased with the basicity of the solvent and with its dielectric constant.
An experimental and analytical analysis on chip morphology, phase transformation, oxidation, and their relationships in finish hard milling

Abstract Milling hardened steels has emerged as a key technology in mold and dye manufacturing industry. The effects of cutting parameters on chip morphology, phase transformation and oxidation reaction of the chips during finish milling AISI H13 tool steel (50±1 HRc) with coated inserts were investigated in this paper. The chip morphology and phase transformation were examined using an optical microscope and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to measure the chemical compositions of oxidation layer on chip surfaces. Shear-induced lamella structures characterized by jagged and rough appearance are the basic features of free surfaces. The microstructural analysis indicated that saw-tooth chips and white layers are produced only under certain combinations of cutting parameters of high cutting speed and feed rate. Based on chip color, chip morphology and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis of the chip oxidation layer, the maximal instantaneous temperature at the tool–chip interface is semi-qualitatively estimated using the analytical method developed. In addition, chip color can be predicted based on the oxidation compositions.
Metal content and testes weight in rats following cadmium and/or gamma radiation exposure

Abstract Male Sprague-Dawley rats were separated into nine groups and injected with cadmium (Cd) intraperitoneally every three days for 29 days for a total of nine injections. Injection doses ranged from 0 to 2·5 mg Cd kg−1 of body weight. Animals received an acute whole body 60Co gamma radiation dose of 0, 362 or 543 R following Cd treatment. Rats were sacrificed on day 1, 7 or 21 post-irradiation. The liver and kidney had, and retained, the highest concentrations of the metal over the 21-day observation period. Following in order of decreasing Cd concentrations were spleen, testis and brain. The concentrations in adrenals and pituitaries were not measured. The accumulations of Cd in the spleen, testis and brain decreased to control values by day 21 post-irradiation. Although the concentration of Cd in the testis was not significantly different from those of the control animals, it was high enough to cause testicular atrophy as evidenced by the changes in weight of this tissue. These atrophies were dose-dependent, the higher the Cd dose, the greater was the alteration in weight of the testes.
Glycogenolytic and hypolipidemic effect of clofibrate (CPIB) in the hypothyroid chick

Abstract 1. The effect of oral clofibrate (CPIB) administration on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism was investigated in the euthyroid and propylthiouracil (PTU)-induced hypothyroid chick. 2. PTU-feeding significantly increased liver weight, liver glycogen and triglycerides (TG), but decreased liver cholesterol (Ch) and phospholipids (PL). 3. Plasma TG, Ch and PL were significantly elevated in PTU-treated chicks. 4. With PTU-induced hypothyroidism, bile acids concentration in gallbladder bile was increased while those of Ch and PL were decreased. 5. Clofibrate administration to PTU-fed chicks reversed the hypothyroid changes in plasma, liver and biliary lipids. 6. Although CPIB significantly decreased the elevated hepatic glycogen concentration, it did not reverse the significantly decreased glucose-6-phosphatase activity of the hypothyroid chicks. 7. Our results demonstrate that CPIB has both glycogenolytic and hypolipidemic effects. Its action does not seem to be mediated by thyroid hormones and possibly involves changes in pancreatic glucagon and insulin secretion.
Isolation and structure of the rat gene encoding troponin Islow

Troponin I is a myofibrillar protein involved in the Ca(2+)-mediated regulation of actomyosin ATPase activity. We report here the isolation and characterization of the gene coding for the slow-muscle-specific isoform of the rat troponin I polypeptide (TpnI). Using restriction mapping, PCR mapping and partial DNA sequencing, we have determined the exon/intron arrangement of this gene. The transcription unit is 10.5-kb long and contains nine exons ranging in size from 4 bp to 330 bp. The rat TpnI(slow) gene is interrupted by large intervening sequences; a 3.3-kb intron separates the 5' untranslated exons from the protein-coding exons. Comparison of the structure of rat TpnI(slow) with that of quail TpnI(fast) reveals that they have a similar intron/exon organization. The 5' untranslated region of the rat gene contains an additional exon, otherwise, the positions of introns and coding exons map to essentially identical regions in both genes.
Delegative democracy in Russia and Ukraine

Abstract This paper applies the concept of delegative democracy to contemporary developments in Russia and Ukraine. They qualify as examples of this phenomenon insofar as leaders in these states are elected by the people but use their democratic legitimacy to justify authoritarian behavior. Factors which contribute to this trend are a deep socio-economic crisis, existent political culture, and a lack of institutions to safeguard democratic norms. While recognizing the various arguments endorsing this solution, this paper concludes that this form of rule is unlikely to live up to its promises and ultimately undermines the emergence of a representative, pluralist democracy.
Deuterium hyperfine structure measurements and theory for CD3Br

Hyperfine structure on the J = 1→0, F1 = 3/2 transitions in CH3 79Br, CH3 81Br, and CD3 79Br was measured with one‐cavity and two‐cavity beam maser spectrometers. The resolution for the measurements was approximately 2 kHz and most hyperfine structure components were completely resolved. Deuterium quadrupole coupling eQqzz = 178.5±3 khz along the C–D bond and other parameters were obtained. In the theory section, formulas for the hyperfine interaction strengths with three equivalent spins are presented and reviewed. Deuterium quadrupole coupling in other C–D bond systems is discussed.
An MTF method immune to aliasing.

The variance derived from the images of cyclic bar patterns can be used to determine the modulation transfer function(MTF) of an imaging system. Unlike most MTF methods, it is applicable even when the imaging system undersamples the test object and generates aliasing errors. The validity of the variance method in the presence of aliasing is established theoretically and by computer simulation.
Gay Marriage in Television News: Voice and Visual Representation in the Same-Sex Marriage Debate

Drawing from critical-cultural scholarship, this quantitative content analysis systematically interrogates national network television news coverage of the same-sex marriage debate in 2003 and 2004...
Integrated bypass battery for reverse-bias protection

When a single solar cell of a series-connect string is placed in shadow, the entire array current is forced through that cell in reverse bias. Reverse bias current can lead to "hot-spot" heating, where the power produced by the unshadowed cells is dissipated as heat in the shadowed cell. Since occasional shadows are unavoidable in most applications, most solar arrays include shadow protection to prevent damage. In current practice, shadow protection is done with a "bypass diode" on each cell, to shunt the reverse bias current if a cell is shadowed. A new method of reverse bias protection is to use an integral thin-film battery to provide voltage in the case of a shadowed cell. In this case, the shadowed cell continues to provide voltage during the transient shadow.
Effects of Modeling Errors on the Acquisition and Retention of Sterile Hand Washing Task

The learning effect of including errors in the instruction of a sterile hand washing task was studied. The numbers of errors made during task reproduction on acquisition and retention were analyzed. Subjects were assigned to one of four groups: observed task demonstration, observed task demonstration and five errors, observed task demonstration and the correct presentation of the five errors, and the Control group was told the clinical importance of hand washing. Two trials were videotaped for evaluation during each time of testing. Group differences were tested using a mixed-model analysis of variance. Instruction altered task performance, although no group difference existed. Scores were higher on acquisition tests than retention and on the second trial than the first.
Developmental and Evolutionary History Affect Survival in Stressful Environments

The world is increasingly impacted by a variety of stressors that have the potential to differentially influence life history stages of organisms. Organisms have evolved to cope with some stressors, while with others they have little capacity. It is thus important to understand the effects of both developmental and evolutionary history on survival in stressful environments. We present evidence of the effects of both developmental and evolutionary history on survival of a freshwater vertebrate, the rough-skinned newt (Taricha granulosa) in an osmotically stressful environment. We compared the survival of larvae in either NaCl or MgCl2 that were exposed to salinity either as larvae only or as embryos as well. Embryonic exposure to salinity led to greater mortality of newt larvae than larval exposure alone, and this reduced survival probability was strongly linked to the carry-over effect of stunted embryonic growth in salts. Larval survival was also dependent on the type of salt (NaCl or MgCl2) the larvae were exposed to, and was lowest in MgCl2, a widely-used chemical deicer that, unlike NaCl, amphibian larvae do not have an evolutionary history of regulating at high levels. Both developmental and evolutionary history are critical factors in determining survival in this stressful environment, a pattern that may have widespread implications for the survival of animals increasingly impacted by substances with which they have little evolutionary history.
Splenic infarction and total functional asplenia in disseminated varicella.

1. Nora J J, Torres FG, Sinha AK, et al. Characteristic cardiovascular anomalies of X0 Turner syndrome, XX and XY phenotype and XO/XX Turner mosaic. Am J Cardiol 1970;25:639-641. 2. Miller M J, Geffner ME, Lippe BM, et al. Echocardiography reveals a high incidence of bicuspid aortic valve in Turner syndrome. J PEDIATR 1983;102:47-50. 3. Kostich ND, Opitz JM. Ullrich-Turner syndrome associated with cystic medial necrosis of the aorta and great vessels. Am J Med 1965;38:943-950. 4. Lippe BM, Kogut MD. Aortic rupture in gonadal dysgenesis. J PEDrATR 1972;80:895-896.
Ecological and Economic Risk Analysis of Everglades: Phase I Restoration Alternatives

Evaluating alternatives for restoring the Everglades involves analysis of a complex ecological and economic system for which current knowledge is limited. Uncertain benefits and impacts are analyzed probabilistically in this paper, following otherwise accepted principles of net present value (NPV) analysis. Ecological benefits and impacts were considered in monetary terms. Probabilities for selected uncertain parameters were found by maximizing entropy. The first ecological risk conceptual model for the Everglades ecosystem was developed to show ecological interactions. “Current Plans” for restoration involve discharge of phosphorus-enriched water from artificial wetlands to relatively pristine Everglades marshes for 3–10 years, risking conversion of the ecosystem to a eutrophic cattail marsh. For two of the three areas studied, alternative “Bypass Plans” were shown to avoid the loss of up to 3000 acres of sawgrass marsh at a cost that is probabilistically justified by the value of the ecosystem preserved. Sensitivity of the results to projected ecological changes, eutrophic marsh valuation, natural marsh valuation, and future values as represented in the discount rate, was examined.
Mice lacking sister chromatid cohesion protein PDS5B exhibit developmental abnormalities reminiscent of Cornelia de Lange syndrome

PDS5B is a sister chromatid cohesion protein that is crucial for faithful segregation of duplicated chromosomes in lower organisms. Mutations in cohesion proteins are associated with the developmental disorder Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) in humans. To delineate the physiological roles of PDS5B in mammals, we generated mice lacking PDS5B (APRIN). Pds5B-deficient mice died shortly after birth. They exhibited multiple congenital anomalies, including heart defects, cleft palate, fusion of the ribs, short limbs, distal colon aganglionosis, abnormal migration and axonal projections of sympathetic neurons, and germ cell depletion, many of which are similar to abnormalities found in humans with CdLS. Unexpectedly, we found no cohesion defects in Pds5B(-/-) cells and detected high PDS5B expression in post-mitotic neurons in the brain. These results, along with the developmental anomalies of Pds5B(-/-) mice, the presence of a DNA-binding domain in PDS5B in vertebrates and its nucleolar localization, suggest that PDS5B and the cohesin complex have important functions beyond their role in chromosomal dynamics.
Lanthionine detected in human urine.

Abstract Lanthionine has been detected incidentally in the urine of a patient with an abdominal pseudo-tumor, possibly caused by a Yersinia infection. The L- and/ or D-form together with the meso-form were present. The identity of the amino acid was confirmed by GC-MS of the N-trifluoro-acetyl methyl ester derivative. The abnormal amino acid was thought to be not of endogenous origin. The possibility that it was produced by gut bacteria is considered.
WaveSync: A low-latency source synchronous bypass network-on-chip architecture

WaveSync is a low-latency focused, network-on-chip architecture for globally-asynchronous locally-synchronous (GALS) designs. WaveSync facilitates low-latency communication leveraging the source-synchronous clock sent with the data, to time components in the downstream routers data-path to reduce the number of synchronizations needed. WaveSync accomplishes this by partitioning the router components at each node into different clock-domains, each synchronized with one of the the orthogonal incoming source synchronous clocks in a GALS 2D mesh network. The data and clock subsequently propagate through each node/router, synchronously, until the destination is reached, regardless of the number of hops it may take. As long as the data travel in the path of clock propagation, and no congestion is encountered, it will be propagated without latching, as if in a long-combinatorial path, with both the clock and the data accruing delay at the same rate. The result is that the need for synchronization between the mesochronous nodes and/or the asynchronous control associated with typical GALS network is completely eliminated. The proposed WaveSync network outperforms conventional GALS networks by 87–90% in average nanosecond latency with 1.8–6.5 times more throughput across synthetic traffic patterns and SPLASH-2 benchmark suite.
The sign rule and beyond: boundary effects, flexibility, and noise correlations in neural population codes.

Over repeat presentations of the same stimulus, sensory neurons show variable responses. This “noise” is typically correlated between pairs of cells, and a question with rich history in neuroscience is how these noise correlations impact the population's ability to encode the stimulus. Here, we consider a very general setting for population coding, investigating how information varies as a function of noise correlations, with all other aspects of the problem – neural tuning curves, etc. – held fixed. This work yields unifying insights into the role of noise correlations. These are summarized in the form of theorems, and illustrated with numerical examples involving neurons with diverse tuning curves. Our main contributions are as follows. (1) We generalize previous results to prove a sign rule (SR) — if noise correlations between pairs of neurons have opposite signs vs. their signal correlations, then coding performance will improve compared to the independent case. This holds for three different metrics of coding performance, and for arbitrary tuning curves and levels of heterogeneity. This generality is true for our other results as well. (2) As also pointed out in the literature, the SR does not provide a necessary condition for good coding. We show that a diverse set of correlation structures can improve coding. Many of these violate the SR, as do experimentally observed correlations. There is structure to this diversity: we prove that the optimal correlation structures must lie on boundaries of the possible set of noise correlations. (3) We provide a novel set of necessary and sufficient conditions, under which the coding performance (in the presence of noise) will be as good as it would be if there were no noise present at all.
Contamination of vegetables of different seasons with organophosphorous pesticides and related health risk assessment in northern India

India is an agrarian country. The use of pesticides, herbicides and fungicides were introduced in India during the mid-sixties, which are now being used on a large scale and is a common feature of Indian agriculture. The main intention of the introduction of pesticides was to prevent and control insects, pests and diseases in the field crops. Initially the use of pesticides reduced pest attack and paved way for increasing the crop yield as expected. Simultaneously, increased use of chemical pesticides has resulted in contamination of environment and also caused many long-term affect on the society. In the present study an effort has been made to evaluate the residual concentration of selected organophosphorous pesticides (methyl parathion, chlorpyriphos and malathion) in vegetables grown in different seasons (summer, rainy and winter). Data obtained was then used for estimating the potential health risk associated with the exposure to these pesticides. The pesticides residue concentrations in vegetables of different season shows that the winter vegetables are the most contaminated followed by summer and rainy vegetables. The concentration of the various pesticides were well below the established tolerances but continuous consumption of such vegetables even with moderate contamination level can accumulate in the receptor's body and may prove fatal for human population in the long term. The analysis of health risk estimates indicated that chlorpyriphos and malathion did not poses a direct hazard, however, exposure to methyl parathion has been found to pose some risk to human health.
Sample Size Estimation in Cluster Randomized Studies with Varying Cluster Size

Cluster randomized studies are common in community trials. The standard method for estimating sample size for cluster randomized studies assumes a common cluster size. However often in cluster randomized studies, size of the clusters vary. In this paper, we derive sample size estimation for continuous outcomes for cluster randomized studies while accounting for the variability due to cluster size. It is shown that the proposed formula for estimating total cluster size can be obtained by adding a correction term to the traditional formula which uses the average cluster size. Application of these results to the design of a health promotion educational intervention study is discussed.
Solvent extraction and soil washing treatment of contaminated soils from wood preserving sites: Bench‐scale studies

Bench-scale solvent extraction and soil washing studies were performed on soil samples obtained from three abandoned wood preserving sites included in the National Priority List. The soil samples from these sites were contaminated with high levels of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), pentachlorophenol (PCP), dioxins, and heavy metals. The effectiveness of the solvent extraction process was assessed using liquefied propane or dimethyl ether as solvents over a range of operating conditions. These studies have demonstrated that a two-stage solvent extraction process using dimethyl ether as a solvent at a ratio of 1.61 per kg of soil could decrease dioxin levels in the soil by 93.0 to 98.9 percent, and PCP levels by 95.1 percent. Reduction percentages for benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) potency estimate and total detected PAHs were 82.4 and 98.6 percent, respectively. Metals concentrations were not reduced by the solvent extraction treatment. These removal levels could be significantly improved using a multistage extraction system. Commercial scale solvent extraction using liquefied gases costs about $220 per ton of contaminated soil. However, field application of this technology at the United Creosote site, Conroe, Texas, failed to perform to the level observed at bench scale due to the excessive foaming and air emission problem. Soil washing using surfactant solution and wet screening treatability studies were also performed on the soil samples in order to assess remediation strategies for sites. Although aqueous phase solubility of contaminants seemed to be the most important factor affecting removal of contaminants from soil, surfactant solutions (3 percent by weight) having nonionic surfactants with hydrophile-lipophile balance (HLB) of about 14 (Makon-12 and Igepal CA 720) reduced the PAH levels by an average of 71 percent, compared to no measurable change when pure deionized water was used. Large fractioza of clay and silt (<0.06mm), high le!ezielsof orgaizic contami- nants and hzimic acid can makesoil washing less applicable.
Architectural Organizational Patterns

To set the context for the discussion that follows, there are some fundamentals worth repeating. The author talked about each of these to some degree in previous columns, so let me summarize here: 1) all architecture is design, but not all design is architecture. A system's architecture is defined by its significant design decisions, where in the author's experience, "significant" is measured by the cost of change. 2) Most architectures are accidental; some are intentional. 3) Every software-intensive system has an architecture, forged from the hundreds of thousands of small decisions made every day. 4) The code is the truth, but not the whole truth. Most architectural information is preserved in tribal memory. 5) All well-structured software-intensive systems are full of patterns.
Electroencephalography in cerebral palsy.

Summary In summary it is obvious that the neurological and mental disability in each individual case of cerebral palsy can best be evaluated by clinical methods (physical, neurological, and psychometric studies). The value of electroencephalography in these all-important aspects of cerebral palsy is of a limited and secondary character. As a laboratory procedure, electroencephalography always should be correlated with and subserve the clinical studies which are of primary importance in this condition. When properly used, however, electroencephalography can be of considerable assistance in cerebral palsy. Its value and limitations in the diagnosis and prognosis of convulsive reactivity and in the localization of cerebral pathology is essentially the same in cerebral palsy as in other neurological disorders. In the majority of cases, its value will be of a confirmatory nature and serve to fill out the picture of the condition under study from a physiologic standpoint. In occasional instances, where physiologic factors are paramount, or the relationship between focal pathology and epileptic foci is of considerable significance to one's understanding of the clinical problem involved, electroencephalography assumes major importance. Our experience with electroencephalography in cerebral palsy leads us to believe that there is no more reason to belittle the value of electroencephalography in this condition than in any other neurological disorder, which is associated in a high percentage of cases with cerebral pathology and dysfunction, including convulsive reactivity. On the other hand, electroencephalography possesses no unique diagnostic or prognostic potentialities in cerebral palsy over and above that which electroencephalography possesses in several other neurological conditions.
The Empty Nest Syndrome: Myth or Reality?

The "empty nest" period of life is mythologized and misunderstood. Attributes of the postparental period, normative and pathological responses, and implications for counselors are explored.
Recognition of double strand breaks by a mutator protein (MU2) in Drosophila melanogaster.

Telomere capture, a rare event that stabilizes chromosome breaks, is associated with certain genetic abnormalities in humans. Studies pertaining to the generation, maintenance, and biological effects of telomere formation are limited in metazoans. A mutation, mu2a, in Drosophila melanogaster decreases the rate of repair of double strand DNA breaks in oocytes, thus leading to chromosomes that have lost a natural telomere and gained a new telomere. Amino acid sequence, domain architecture, and protein interactions suggest that MU2 is an ortholog of human MDC1. The MU2 protein is a component of meiotic recombination foci and localizes to repair foci in S2 cells after irradiation in a manner similar to that of phosphorylated histone variant H2Av. Domain searches indicated that the protein contains an N-terminal FHA domain and a C-terminal tandem BRCT domain. Peptide pull-down studies showed that the BRCT domain interacts with phosphorylated H2Av, while the FHA domain interacts with the complex of MRE11, RAD50, and NBS. A frameshift mutation that eliminates the MU2 BRCT domain decreases the number and size of meiotic phospho-H2Av foci. MU2 is also required for the intra-S checkpoint in eye-antennal imaginal discs. MU2 participates at an early stage in the recognition of DNA damage at a step that is prerequisite for both DNA repair and cell cycle checkpoint control. We propose a model suggesting that neotelomeres may arise when radiation-induced chromosome breaks fail to be repaired, fail to arrest progression through meiosis, and are deposited in the zygote, where cell cycle control is absent and rapid rounds of replication and telomere formation ensue.
Flow shop scheduling in serial multi-product processes with transfer and set-up times

Abstract Short-term production scheduling is a widely seen problem in multi-product batch operations. In this paper, an effective heuristic algorithm for scheduling a set of different tasks to be processed on serial processors is presented that provides an approach towards minimizing the entire makespan and improving productivity. Flow shops with an interstage storage policy, non-zero transfer times, and non-zero setup times are considered. The performance of the proposed algorithm was evaluated through numerous simulated problems. Statistical analysis of the output data indicates that in the situation containing up to seven tasks, the algorithm provides optimal or near optimal solutions and needs very short computation time. For a larger number of tasks, it gives up to 20% better solutions than a well-known existing algorithm.
Loss of Amino Acids and Water Soluble Vitamins During Potato Processing

Processing potatoes to potato flakes almost totally eradicated ascorbic acid, but better than 50% of the original amount of riboflavin and niacin was retained. Thiamin content of potato flakes can vary from 0-65% of its amount in the raw potato depending on the amount of sulfite added during processing. If sulfite addition is controlled, a 100g portion of rehydrated potato flakes can supply about 1/6 of the Recommended Dietary Allowance of thiamin. Some losses of arginine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and gamma aminobutyric acid occurred during hot water blanching, and a significant loss of methionine occurred during drum drying. However, amino acids can be considered quite stable during potato flake production.
Certification of 200,000 g Shock Calibration Technique for Sensors

A split Hopkinson bar technique has been developed to evaluate the performance of accelerometers that measure large amplitude, up to 200,000 g, mechanical shock pulses. An evaluation of this technique has been conducted in the Mechanical Shock Laboratory at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) for use as an accelerometer calibration technique. Results of this evaluation are presented and include a comparison with a NIST calibrated reference accelerometer. The certification of split Hopkinson flyaway technique by the SNL Primary Standards Laboratory is presented in this paper.
High performing cache hierarchies for server workloads: Relaxing inclusion to capture the latency benefits of exclusive caches

Increasing transistor density enables adding more on-die cache real-estate However, devoting more space to the shared last-level-cache (LLC) causes the memory latency bottleneck to move from memory access latency to shared cache access latency. As such, applications whose working set is larger than the smaller caches spend a large fraction of their execution time on shared cache access latency. To address this problem, this paper investigates increasing the size of smaller private caches in the hierarchy as opposed to increasing the shared LLC. Doing so improves average cache access latency for workloads whose working set fits into the larger private cache while retaining the benefits of a shared LLC. The consequence of increasing the size of private caches is to relax inclusion and build exclusive hierarchies. Thus, for the same total caching capacity, an exclusive cache hierarchy provides better cache access latency. We observe that server workloads benefit tremendously from an exclusive hierarchy with large private caches. This is primarily because large private caches accommodate the large code working-sets of server workloads. For a 16-core CMP, an exclusive cache hierarchy improves server workload performance by 5–12% as compared to an equal capacity inclusive cache hierarchy. The paper also presents directions for further research to maximize performance of exclusive cache hierarchies.
Structural analysis of the p62 complex, an assembly of O-linked glycoproteins that localizes near the central gated channel of the nuclear pore complex.

Abstract The p62 complex is an oligomeric assembly of O-linked glycoproteins of the nuclear pore complex that interacts with cytosolic transport factors and is part of the machinery for nuclear protein import. In this study we have purified the p62 complex from rat liver nuclear envelopes and analyzed its structure and composition. The p62 complex consists of four distinct polypeptides (p62, p58, p54, and p45) and has a mass of approximately 234 kDa, calculated from its hydrodynamic properties and supported by chemical cross-linking and scanning transmission electron microscopy. These data suggest that the p62 complex contains one copy of each constituent polypeptide. Analysis of preparations of the p62 complex by electron microscopy using rotary metal shadowing and negative staining revealed donut-shaped particles with a diameter of approximately 15 nm. Immunogold electron microscopy of isolated rat liver nuclear envelopes demonstrated that p62 occurs on both the nucleoplasmic and cytoplasmic sides of the pore complex near the central gated channel involved in active transport of proteins and RNAs. The properties and localization of the p62 complex suggest that it may be involved in binding transport ligands near the center of the nuclear pore complex and in subsequently transferring them to the gated transport channel.
Measurement of phosphatidylcholine precursors--choline, ethanolamine and methionine--in fetal and adult rat lung.

While choline, ethanolamine and methionine are precursors of phospholipids — especially phosphatidylcholine, the major component of lung surfactant — there have been very few studies reporting their levels in the lung. Using an enzymatic assay for choline, we have for the first time determined its level in adult rat lung and in fetal rat lung at 19.5, 21 and 22 days of gestation. The average lung choline content in adult rats was found to be 32.8 nmol/g of lung or 5.1 nmol/mg DNA. There is no difference in lung choline concentration between fetal lungs and lungs of adult rats. Adult lung content of ethanolamine and methionine is similar to that of choline, but fetal lungs appear to have higher levels of ethanolamine (10.0 nmol/mg DNA) and methionine (12.1 nmol/mg DNA) as compared to adult lungs. Postmortem changes in lung choline levels are not as significant as those reported to occur in brain.
Constraints on the hydrology of the unsaturated zone at Yucca Mountain, NV from three-dimensional models of chloride and strontium geochemistry

Abstract Three-dimensional (3-D) simulations of the spatial and temporal variations in chloride and strontium concentrations in porewaters were performed to constrain infiltration rates, flow paths, and mixing processes in the unsaturated zone (UZ) at Yucca Mountain, NV. Chloride concentrations in infiltrating water were calculated from aerial distributions of precipitation and infiltration rates for the current climatic conditions and for the last glacial maximum, combined with effective chloride concentrations in precipitation. Modeled concentrations are roughly similar to measured porewater chloride concentrations from the Paintbrush nonwelded tuffs in the Exploratory Studies Facility (ESF) tunnel and in boreholes suggesting that the mean infiltration rate over the site is unlikely to be higher than the calculated mean infiltration rate for the modern climate (∼5 mm/year; [Flint, A.L., Hevesi, J.A., Flint, L.E., 1996. Conceptual and Numerical Model of Infiltration for the Yucca Mountain Area, Nevada. Milestone 3GU1623M. U.S. Geol. Surv. Water Res. Invest. Rep. U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, CO]). Porewaters from the late Pleistocene (>10 ka) could be present in the Paintbrush bedded tuffs and in the underlying Topopah Spring welded tuffs (TSw), predominately under regions of thick alluvium having little infiltration. However, porewaters at the potential repository level may have a higher proportion of Holocene recharge due to the higher calculated infiltration rate in this region. Dual-permeability simulations show that in low infiltration regions chemical disequilibrium can exist between fracture and matrix porewaters, as a result of the climate change 10,000 years ago. Below the potential repository level, simulations show significant mixing due to lateral flow on top of the low permeability basal vitrophyre in the Topopah Spring unit and on zeolitized tuffs in the Calico Hills unit. Perched water chloride concentrations are closely matched using the calculated conditions for the last glacial maximum climate, with some component of Holocene recharge. Measured strontium concentrations in the UZ and in the perched water bodies can be roughly matched by assuming conservative behavior in nonzeolitic units and strong ion exchange in zeolitic units, and indicate that the perched water bodies are poorly mixed. Differences in the Cl contents of samples having a bomb-pulse Cl-36 signature and those with a modern ratio indicate that waters of intermediate 36 Cl / Cl ratios may be mixtures, that without other isotopic data could be inferred as either Pleistocene or Holocene age waters.
Tibial shaft malunion treated with reamed intramedullary nailing: a revised technique.

Thirty-seven consecutive adult tibial shaft malunions which had not undergone surgical treatment were prospectively treated with reamed intramedullary nailing. Indications for this treatment modality included a malunion of a tibial shaft which had only been conservatively treated, lesion level fitting for traditional or locked reamed intramedullary nail fixation, less than 2 cm shortening, and without evidence of deep infection at present. The malunions were treated with fibulotomy, closed wedge tibial osteotomy, open reaming of the marrow cavity, stable reamed intramedullary nail stabilization with or without supplementation, and cancellous bone grafting. Thirty-four (92%) patients were followed up for at least 1 year (range 1.0–4.3 years), and all achieved a solid union. The union period was 5.8±0.8 months. Complications included 2 (6%) patients with deep infection and 1 (3%) with cortical perforation. However, all 3 patients recovered completely after adequate management. In conclusion, a reamed intramedullary nail is an ideal instrument for tibial shaft malunions in indicated cases. Good exposure of the bony segments to ream the marrow cavity precisely can avoid cortical perforation. Gentle dissection of the soft tissues may lower the infection rate. Concomitant cancellous bone grafting can improve the union rate.
Cytokine and chemokine responses after exposure to ionizing radiation: Implications for the astronauts

Abstract For individuals traveling in space, exposure to space radiation is unavoidable. Since adequate shielding against radiation exposure is not practical, other strategies for protecting the astronauts must be developed. Radiation is also an important therapeutic and diagnostic tool, and evidence from the clinical and experimental settings now shows a firm connection between radiation exposure and changes in cytokine and chemokine levels. These small proteins can be pro- or anti-inflammatory in nature and the balance between those two effects can be altered easily because of exogenous stresses such as radiation. The challenge to identify a common perpetrator, however, lies in the fact that the cytokines that are produced vary based on radiation dose, type of radiation, and the cell types that are exposed. Based on current knowledge, special treatments have successfully been designed by implementing administration of proteins, antibodies, and drugs that counteract some of the harmful effects of radiation. Although these treatments show promising results in animal studies, it has been difficult to transfer those practices to the human situation. Further understanding of the mechanisms by which cytokines are triggered through radiation exposure and how those proteins interact with one another may permit the generation of novel strategies for radiation protection from the damaging effects of radiation. Here, we review evidence for the connection between cytokines and the radiation response and speculate on strategies by which modulating cytokine responses may protect astronauts against the detrimental effects of ionizing radiations.
Exploitation interactions and the structure of ecoystems

Abstract The techniques of input-output economics have recently been applied to describing energy flow through ecosystems. This paper considers interactions arising from resource exploitation, and in particular competition, in light of these concepts. An extended definition of niche overlap, including indirect exploitation, is developed and applied to developing an extended view of competition. It is shown that competing species may in fact interact in numerous and often counteracting ways.
Twin boundary-induced intrinsic strengthening in Ni

Abstract The manuscript presents a combined experimental/simulation study of the intrinsic strengthening of the material near twin boundaries. Polychromatic X-ray micro Laue diffraction together with electron backscattering diffraction shows that dislocation slippage is suppressed near the twin boundaries. Indentation demonstrates increased hardness in the immediate vicinity of the twin boundary. Distinct slip bands are observed in the interior of the macroscopic ~ 500 μm thick twin. Fast oscillations of lattice rotations are found within each slip band. Crystal plasticity analysis using a spectral formulation finds a similar dependence of the plastic response of the matrix and the twin depending on their orientation and initial structural conditions.
Novel Synthetic Analogs of Sialyl Lewis X Can Inhibit Angiogenesisin Vitroandin Vivo

Selectins have been shown to play an important role in angiogenesis. We have set out to synthesize multiple analogs of the selectin ligand sialyl Lewis X. We show here that analogs of sialyl Lewis X at concentrations of 50 μg/ml or greater significantly inhibited angiogenesis inin vitroassays of endothelial cell migration and proliferation (p < 0.05). These analogs also exerted significant inhibitory effects inin vivoangiogenesis assays using the chick chorioallantoic membrane at doses of 2 mg/chick or greater (p < 0.05). In contrast, the related carbohydrate Lewis X did not inhibit angiogenesis in bothin vitroandin vivoassays. These data indicate that angiogenesis can be inhibited specifically by synthetic analogs of sialyl Lewis X. These analogs may potentially be useful in the treatment of angiogenesis-related diseases.
Competition favours reduced cost of plasmids to host bacteria

Conjugative plasmids of Gram-negative bacteria have both vertical and horizontal modes of transmission: they are segregated to daughter cells during division, and transferred between hosts by plasmid-encoded conjugative machinery. Despite maintaining horizontal mobility, many plasmids carry fertility inhibition (fin) systems that repress their own conjugative transfer. To assess the ecological basis of self-transfer repression, we compared the invasion of bacterial populations by fin(+) and fin(-) variants of the plasmid R1 using a computational model and co-culture competitions. We observed that the fin(+) variant had a modest cost to the host (measured by reduction in growth rate), while the fin(-) variant incurred a larger cost. In simulations and empirical competitions the fin(-) plasmid invaded cultures quickly, but was subsequently displaced by the fin(+) plasmid. This indicated a competitive advantage to reducing horizontal transmission and allowing increased host replication. Computational simulations predicted that the advantage associated with reduced cost to the host would be maintained over a wide range of environmental conditions and plasmid costs. We infer that vertical transmission in concert with competitive exclusion favour decreased horizontal mobility of plasmids. Similar dynamics may exert evolutionary pressure on parasites, such as temperate bacteriophages and vertically transmitted animal viruses, to limit their rates of horizontal transfer.
A combined stochastic and greedy hybrid estimation capability for concurrent hybrid models with autonomous mode transitions

Probabilistic hybrid discrete/continuous models, such as Concurrent Probabilistic Hybrid Automata (CPHA) are convenient tools for modeling complex robotic systems. In this paper, we present a novel method for estimating the hybrid state of CPHA that achieves robustness by balancing greedy and stochastic search. To accomplish this, we (1) develop an efficient stochastic sampling approach for CPHA based on Rao-Blackwellised Particle Filtering, (2) perform an empirical comparison of the greedy and stochastic approaches to hybrid estimation and (3) propose a strategy for mixing stochastic and greedy search. The resulting method handles nonlinear dynamics, concurrently operating components and autonomous mode transitions. We demonstrate the robustness of the mixed method empirically.