cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Laser Energy and Laser Pulses on the Microstructure, Composition and Properties of Barium Strontium Titanate Thin Films Synthesized by Pulsed Laser Deposition

Barium strontium titanate (BSTO) films were synthesized by the pulsed laser deposition technique (PLD) on silicon substrates at room temperature. The thin films were synthesized at ambient temperature and 30 mT oxygen partial pressure, with 300, 400 and 500 mJ/cm 2 laser fluence at 5, 10 and 20 pulses per second on silicon wafer substrates. All films were subsequently post-annealed at 750°C in a continuous oxygen stream. The microstructure, crystallinity and lattice constant of the BSTO films were studied with the aid of atomic force microscopy (FEM) and Glancing Angle X-ray Diffraction analysis (GAXRD). The hardness and modulus of elasticity of the films were studied with the aid of a nanohardness indenter. The film stoichiometry was determined with the aid of Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS). The results of this research will be combined with the results of our previous work [1, 2] on the effect of substrate temperature and oxygen partial pressure on the microstructure and properties of the BSTO films in order to construct a structural zone model (SZM) of the BSTO films synthesized by PLD.
Cerebral autoregulation in neonates with a hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus

Objective Very low birth weight (VLBW) preterm infants are at risk for impaired cerebral autoregulation with pressure passive blood flow. Fluctuations in cerebral perfusion may occur in infants with a hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA), especially during ductal closure. Our goal was to compare cerebral autoregulation using near-infrared spectroscopy in VLBW infants treated for an hsPDA. Study design This prospective observational study enrolled 28 VLBW infants with an hsPDA diagnosed by echocardiography and 12 control VLBW infants without an hsPDA. Near-infrared spectroscopy cerebral monitoring was applied during conservative treatment, indomethacin treatment, or surgical ligation. A cerebral pressure passivity index (PPI) was calculated, and PPI differences were compared using a mixed-effects regression model. Cranial ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging data were also assessed. Results Infants with surgically ligated hsPDAs were more likely to have had a greater PPI within 2 hours following ligation than were those treated with conservative management ( P =.04) or indomethacin ( P =.0007). These differences resolved by 6 hours after treatment. Conclusions Cerebral autoregulation was better preserved after indomethacin treatment of an hsPDA compared with surgical ligation. Infants requiring surgical hsPDA ligation may be at increased risk for cerebral pressure passivity in the 6 hours following surgery.
Mechanism of yielding and cold flow in glassy polymers

Abstract Tensile and compressive yield stress as well as tensile and compressive flow stress are determined as functions of strain rate, temperature, and thermal history for atactic polystyrene, isotactic polystyrene, polycarbonate, and poly-(methyl methacrylate). An Eyring-type activated flow analysis is employed to calculate both activation energy and shear activation volume over the range of experimental conditions studied, and the results are interpreted in terms of a two-phase amorphous microstructure consisting of both ordered and disordered regions. Similar values for yielding activation energies and activation energies obtained from dynamic mechanical analysis suggest that at temperatures well below Tg, yielding is controlled by cooperative local segmental motion. With increasing temperature, increasing degrees of local segmental motion are involved. Only when the test temperature approaches Tg does a transition to cooperative long-chain motion occur. Equivalent values for shear activation volume ...
Arteriovenous malformations and migraine: case reports and an analysis of the relationship.

SYNOPSIS Some patients with cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) suffer recurrent migrainous attacks which meet the official criteria for migraine. The relationship of these attacks to the malformations has been poorly substantiated. Instances where attacks disappeared following surgical extirpation of an AVM support a relationship, but several other reported surgical outcomes do not. Both patients presented here had surgical results seemingly antithetical to a relationship: the attacks persisted in the first patient and began in the second after removal of the AVM. Nevertheless, data assembled from the literature attests to a causal role for AVMs in the production of migrainous attacks, by showing an overwhelming correlation between the side of the cranium with the AVM and the side afflicted by unilateral headache. An equally good correlation exists for lateralized auras. The correlative and surgical data together show that migrainous attacks develop in relation to AVMs, but not within the malformation itself. Instead, the neighboring brain is probably the generative site.
Wave-generated disturbance downstream of a nozzle array

Waves resulting from the expansion process are an important source of nonhomogeneit y in the supersonic flow downstream of nozzle arrays. Flows from radial nozzles are analyzed by a small-perturbation procedure that yields the first solutions for the near field in the two-dimensional case and for the entire field in three dimensions. Good agreement is found with method-of-characteristics calculations and with earlier interferometric measurements of integrated density disturbance. The complete solutions bring out the dependence of flow quality on nozzle dimension, Mach number, expansion angle, and ratio of specific heats. Application to laser cavity flow is discussed.
Untersuchungen zum Einsatz eines HCL-Strohproduktes in einer lysinarmen sowie einer Feuchtkonzentrat-Ration für tragende sauen

(1989). Untersuchungen zum Einsatz eines HCL-Strohproduktes in einer lysinarmen sowie einer Feuchtkonzentrat-Ration fur tragende sauen. Archiv fur Tierernaehrung: Vol. 39, No. 1-2, pp. 85-96.
From COX-2 Inhibitor Nimesulide to Potent Anti-Cancer Agent: Synthesis, In Vitro, In Vivo and Pharmacokinetic Evaluation

Abstract Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor nimesulide inhibits the proliferation of various types of cancer cells mainly via COX-2 independent mechanisms, which makes it a good lead compound for anti-cancer drug development. In the presented study, a series of new nimesulide analogs were synthesized based on the structure–function analysis generated previously. Some of them displayed very potent anti-cancer activity with IC 50 s around 100 nM–200 nM to inhibit SKBR-3 breast cancer cell growth. CSUOH0901 (NSC751382) from the compound library also inhibits the growth of the 60 cancer cell lines used at National Cancer Institute Developmental therapeutics Program (NCIDTP) with IC 50 s around 100 nM–500 nM. Intraperitoneal injection with a dosage of 5 mg/kg/d of CSUOH0901 to nude mice suppresses HT29 colorectal xenograft growth. Pharmacokinetic studies demonstrate the good bioavailability of the compound.
Sensitivity Analysis of Real-Time Locational Marginal Price to SCADA Sensor Data Corruption

This paper examines the impact of supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) data corruption on real-time locational marginal price (LMP) in electricity markets. We present an analytical framework to quantify LMP sensitivity with respect to changes in sensor data. This framework consists of a unified LMP sensitivity matrix subject to sensor data corruption. This sensitivity matrix reflects a coupling among the sensor data, an estimation of the power system states, and the real-time LMP. The proposed framework offers system operators an online tool to: 1) quantify the impact of corrupted data at any sensor on LMP variations at any bus; 2) identify buses with LMPs highly sensitive to data corruption; and 3) find sensors that impact LMP changes significantly and influentially. It also allows system operators to evaluate the impact of SCADA data accuracy on real-time LMP. The results of the proposed sensitivity based analysis are illustrated and verified with IEEE 14-bus and 118-bus systems with both Ex-ante and Ex-post real-time pricing models.
Mode excitation during the voltage rise in megawatt gyrotrons

To achieve high power and efficiency, megawatt gyrotrons must utilize large, overmoded cavities that face severe mode competition. Under these conditions, small changes in operational parameters can alter the sequence in which modes are excited during the voltage rise, affecting the final operating state of the gyrotron. We present experimental results from our 1.5 MW, 110 GHz gyrotron operating in the TE 22,6 mode at 96 kV and 42 A. While codes such as MAGY predict that higher frequency modes, such as the TE 23,6 mode at 113 GHz, should be generated during the voltage rise, we instead measured lower frequencies, near 108 GHz. The measured frequencies indicate that these modes, if excited in the cavity, must be backward waves in the TE 21,6 mode with higher-order axial field structures.
Shape Distortion by Analytic Functions

(2009). Shape Distortion by Analytic Functions. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 116, No. 2, pp. 143-150.
Eye examination-induced syncope

The role of trigeminal afferents in a patient with eye examination – induced syncope was investigated. A head-up tilt test precipitated presyncope with a reduced blood pressure. On a separate day, the application of Schirmer's lacrimation test strips in each conjunctival sac caused vasodepression and cardioinhibition. Topical administration of 0.5 % proparacaine hydrochloride produced ocular anesthesia and loss of corneal reflexes. Schirmer's test following anesthesia again caused presyncope with reductions in blood pressure and heart rate. The supramaximal stimulus to a supraorbital nerve before and after topical anesthesia did not affect blood pressure or heart rate. It is concluded that trigeminal afferents did not induce vasodepressive syncope in this patient. Instead, corticohypothalamic centers may have played an important role.
Lexical effects on recognition of the NU-6 words by monolingual and bilingual listeners

AbstractObjective: This study investigated how lexical effects account for word recognition in monolinguals versus bilinguals. Design: Listener-specific error rate and familiarity rating of 200 NU-6 words were obtained. Lexical data (normative familiarity, frequency of occurrence, neighborhood density, and frequency of neighborhood competitors) for these words were obtained from the Hoosier mental lexicon. Study sample: Participants included 10 monolinguals and three groups of 10 bilinguals differing mainly in age of acquisition and length of schooling/working in English. Results: Lexical effects were minimal for monolinguals’ word recognition. Listener-specific familiarity rating correlated to error rate better than the Hoosier normative rating. Frequency of occurrence was the most significant lexical variable in accounting for bilinguals’ measures and its effect was the greatest on bilinguals foreign born and educated. Age of English acquisition tended to affect familiarity rating, whereas length of sch...
Voltammetry without background electrolyte: Redox pattern of DPPH in non-aqueous media☆

Aba comparison with data obtained in acetonitrile in the absence of background electrolyte has shown that voltammetry in such absence is quite feasible when using a three-electro& IR compensation circuit. Variation of polarization rate, (0.1 M NaClO,; 0.1 M (CJN oation direction, electrode rotation rate, background electrolyte .lyrolytic jg.aph-1 ad solvent (acetonitrile; pyridine; sulphur dioxide) revealed, ia, semi-reversi le behaviour of DPPH dependent on the presence of background electrolyte, adsorption of the neutral organic free radical on pyrolytic graphite, and a lack of stability for the compound in normally available reagent grade pyruline and in liquid sulphur dioxide (one product in both cases was diphenylpicrylhydraxine). The stability of DPPH in pyridine increased with purity of the solvent, which is of signifkance in connexion with the postulation of free radical intermediates in organic electrode processes. RwLe comportement voltamr la comparaison avec les r&.ultats obten~ dans l’ac&mitrile en absence d%lectrolyte de base a montr6 que la voltam&rie est tout a fait possible dans ces conditions lorsqu’on utilise un circuit de corn tion a trois tlectrodes ZR. du sens de polarisation, dYsa.
Study of CO radicals on magnesium oxide with electron paramagnetic resonance techniques.

Spectrum, adsorption, and bonding of carbon monoxide radicals on magnesium oxide with electron paramagnetic resonance techniques
An optimal parallel algorithm for the minimum circle-cover problem

Abstract Given a set of n circular arcs, the problem of finding a minimum number of circular arcs whose union covers the whole circle has been considered both in sequential and parallel computational models. Here we present a parallel algorithm in the EREW PRAM model that runs in O(log n) time using O(n) processors if the arcs are not given already sorted, and using O(n/log n) processors otherwise. Our algorithm is optimal since the problem has an Ω(n log n) lower bound for the unsorted-arcs case, and an Ω(n) lower bound for the sorted-arcs case. The previous best known parallel algorithm runs in O(log n) time using O(n2) processors, in the worst case, in the CREW PRAM model.
Radioimmunoassay of Ovine and Bovine Serum Progesterone Without Extraction and Chromatography

A procedure for the radioimmunoassay of ovine and bovine serum progesterone is described which does not require extraction and chromatography. Serum samples are assayed directly, and a highly specific antiserum that was prepared in rabbits against llα-hydroxy-progesterone conjugated to bovine serum albumin is used. Interference from serum binding proteins is alleviated by use of a phosphate buffer containing 5% BSA and separation of bound and free tritiated progesterone by a double antibody procedure. Serum samples are assayed in a mini-vial, the bound fraction (double antibody precipitate) is mixed with scintillation solution and the radioactivity is counted in the same vial. The assay procedure is sensitive (10 pg, 100 pg/ml) and has acceptable accuracy and precision. Because there is no extraction or chromatography, serum progesterone is not lost. Most important, the procedure is specific for progesterone and measures serum progesterone concentrations in the ewe and cow which are comparable with those ...
Tumor cell kinetics using two labels and flow cytometry.

A flow cytometry based, single sampling method employing sequential bromodeoxyuridine (BrdUrd) and iododeoxyuridine (IdUrd) labeling with an intervening interval is examined. BrdUrd-specific and nonspecific monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry are used to estimate the duration of DNA synthesis and the potential doubling time in tumor cell populations using a single sampling or biopsy. A correction for labeled, divided cells allows postlabel incubation intervals to exceed the length of the G2/M phase of the cell cycle. The method yields reliable results when tested in experimental tumor systems in vitro and in situ, as well as in nine human tumors labeled in situ. It uses a somewhat simpler analysis than the alternative relative movement method, requiring only labeling indices, rather than both a labeling index and relative movement, but does require the administration of two, rather than one, label. It provides an independent verification of and a useful single sampling alternative to the relative movement method for the estimation of the length of S phase and, from this, the potential doubling time in experimental or clinical human tumors. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A Novel Strategy for Encapsulation and Release of Proteins: Hydrogels and Microgels with Acid-Labile Acetal Cross-Linkers

A new acid-labile acetal cross-linker was synthesized and used to prepare protein-loaded hydrogels and microgels. This cross-linker undergoes an acid-catalyzed degradation with a half-life of 5.5 m...
Single-particle approaches in the analysis of small 2D crystals of the mitochondrial channel VDAC.

It has been difficult to obtain better than moderate resolution in analysis of electron microscopic images of small, 2D crystals with variable lattice parameters, e.g., crystals of the channel VDAC generated by phospholipase treatment of outer mitochondrial membranes. We demonstrate that applying single-particle analysis methods to correlation-averaged images can lead to significant improvements in the attainable resolution. Application of a soft-edged fitted mask passing only the central unit cell, and excluding the positionally variable adjacent unit cells, allows improved alignment and more sensitive multivariate statistical analysis, needed to guide intelligent merging of data from different crystals.
Masculine Sexual Behavior Is Disrupted in Male and Female Mice Lacking a Functional Estrogen Receptor α Gene

Masculine sexual behavior is regulated by testosterone (T). However, T can be metabolized to form estrogens or other androgens, which then activate their own receptors. We used knockout mice lacking a functional estrogen receptor α (ERα) gene to test the hypothesis that, following aromatization, T acts via the ERα to activate normal masculine sexual behavior. After gonadectomy and T replacement, wild-type (WT) male and female mice displayed masculine behavior. However, given the same T treatment, little masculine behavior was displayed by mice of either sex that lack a normal copy of the ERα gene. In particular, the latency to display masculine sex behavior and the number of mount attempts per trial were significantly reduced in the ERα−mice compared to WT littermates (P< 0.05). In addition, we found that in both sexes, ERα−mice have a smaller cluster of androgen receptor immunoreactivity in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. Using adult ERα−mice we were unable to determine whether these genotypic differences are due to organizational or activational effects. However, it is clear that the ERα plays a key role in the expression of masculine sexual behavior and in the regulation of androgen receptors in a neuronal cell population involved in the display of motivated behaviors.
PD-1, PD-L1, PD-L2 expression in the chordoma microenvironment

Chordomas are rare malignant tumors that are postulated to arise from remnants of the notochord. Currently, the interaction between chordomas and the host immune system is poorly understood. The checkpoint protein, PD-1 is expressed by circulating lymphocytes and is a marker of activation and exhaustion. Its ligands, PD-L1 (B7-H1, CD274) and PD-L2 (B7-DC, CD273), are expressed on a variety of human cancers; however this pathway has not been previously reported in chordomas. We used flow cytometric and RT-PCR analysis in three established primary and recurrent chordoma cell lines (U-CH1, U-CH2, and JHC7) as well as immunohistochemical analysis of chordoma tissues from 10 patients to identify and localize expression of PD-1 pathway proteins. PD-1 ligands are not constitutively expressed by chordoma cells, but their expression is induced in the setting of pro-inflammatory cytokines in all cell lines examined. In paraffin embedded tissues, we found that tumor infiltrating lymphocytes expressed PD-1 in 3/6 cases. We also found that, although chordoma cells did not express significant levels of PD-L1, PD-L1 expression was observed on tumor-infiltrating macrophages and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes. Our study suggests that PD-1, PD-L1, and PD-L2 are present in the microenvironment of a subset of chordomas analyzed. Future studies are needed to evaluate the contribution of the PD-1 pathway to the immunosuppressive microenvironment of chordomas.
Socialization and trust formation: a mutual reinforcement? An exploratory analysis in an online virtual setting

Social interactions preceding and succeeding trust formation can be significant indicators of formation of trust in online social networks. In this research we analyze the social interaction trends that lead and follow formation of trust in these networks. This enables us to hypothesize novel theories responsible for explaining formation of trust in online social settings and provide key insights. We find that a certain level of socialization threshold needs to be met in order for trust to develop between two individuals. This threshold differs across persons and across networks. Once the trust relation has developed between a pair of characters connected by some social relation (also referred to as a character dyad), trust can be maintained with a lower rate of socialization. Our first set of experiments is the relationship prediction problem. We predict the emergence of a social relationship like grouping, mentoring and trading between two individuals over a period of time by looking at the past characteristics of the network. We find that features related to trust have very little impact on this prediction. In the final set of experiments, we predict the formation of trust between individuals by looking at the topographical and semantic social interaction features between them. We generate three semantic dimensions for this task which can be recomputed with an observed social variable (say grouping) to create a new semantic social variable. In this endeavor, we successfully show that, including features related to socialization, gives us an approximate increase of 4--9% accuracy for trust relationship predictions.
On Green's Formula

Green’s formula can be derived in the following way: For rectangular domains as the limit of an identity, for more complicated domains by virtue of elementary continuity properties of the integrals.
Hydrocarbons in the surface wax of eggs and adults of the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata

The major components of the egg hydrocarbons were dimethylalkanes (40%) and trimethylalkanes (24%) in which the first methyl branch was on carbon 2. The major dimethylalkanes were an approximately 2:1 mixture of 2,10- and 2,6-dimethyloctacosanes in females and eggs. The major trimethylalkanes were a mixture of 2,10,16- and 2,10,18-trimethyloctacosanes. 2,x- and 2,x,y-methyl-branched alkanes with an odd-numbered carbon backbone were proposed to have an even number of carbon atoms between the first and second methyl branch points indicating that their biosynthesis started with a primer derived from leucine. 13,17,21,25-Tetramethylheptatriacontane was the only tetramethylalkane identified. Females and eggs had more hydrocarbons with a 2-methyl branch point than did the males. The eggs had the lowest amount of internally-branched dimethylalkanes but the largest amount of 2,x-dimethylalkanes in their surface hydrocarbons. Only trace amounts of n-alkanes and alkenes were detected in the surface hydrocarbons of adult males and females, larvae and eggs, of the Colorado potato beetle.
Recovery of the brown alga Fucus gardneri following a range of removal intensities

Abstract The consequences of disturbance are known to be non-linear functions of disturbance intensity. In this study, we investigate the effects of a range of disturbance intensities by experimentally manipulating the cover of Fucus gardneri , a dominant intertidal alga. The effects of disturbance on subsequent Fucus recovery were similar for canopy reductions of 0–80%. However, complete removal of all Fucus individuals delayed Fucus recovery, as measured by canopy cover, by at least several months. Despite changes in the dominant alga, the abundance of invertebrates and other algae did not respond to cover manipulation. Our results suggest that the recovery from small-scale disturbances is enhanced if at least a few individuals survive the event. Only by examining a variety of levels of natural or anthropogenic disturbance will ecologists be able to understand observed recovery patterns and design management strategies.
Thyroidal uptake and plasma clearance of I131 and I127 in cirrhosis of the liver.

IN A series of 49 patients with cirrhosis of the liver reported by Mueller and associates the 24-hour thyroidal uptake of I131 exceeded 50 per cent in nearly half the cases (1). High values were observed most frequently when liver damage was severe. Neither goiter nor other evidence of thyroid hyperfunction could be demonstrated in any patient. Scazziga and coworkers were unable to detect any elevation of thyroidal I131 uptake in 10 patients with cirrhosis and 19 with hepatitis (2). A search of our files revealed that 2 of 5 patients with cirrhosis, referred for routine radioiodine studies, had thyroidal uptakes exceeding 50 per cent. In order to obtain more information about the mechanism involved, and to learn whether the results in a larger series would confirm this high incidence, special studies were made on 36 additional patients with a well established diagnosis of hepatic cirrhosis.
Not the Best: What Rush Limbaugh's Apology to Sandra Fluke Reveals about Image Restoration Strategies on Commercial Radio

This study analyzes the rhetorical strategies used by Rush Limbaugh to rebuild his public image after he made offensive remarks about law student Sandra Fluke in early 2012. A close reading of Limbaugh's public statements reveals that Limbaugh employed the strategies of evading responsibility, reducing offensiveness, and mortification (i.e., apologizing). However, Limbaugh's apology was more of a pseudo-apology than a genuine apology. This article argues that Limbaugh adopted the strategies he did because the nature of political talk radio makes it more important to maintain a good public image with the audience than with political opponents or even advertisers.
IMMUNOLOGIC STUDIES OF THE MAJOR NONIMMUNOGLOBULIN PROTEIN OF AMYLOID I. IDENTIFICATION AND PARTIAL CHARACTERIZATION OF A RELATED SERUM COMPONENT

Antisera have been prepared against the major nonimmunoglobulin component of secondary and familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) associated amyloid which has been called A component or acid soluble fraction (ASF). The antisera were shown to be monospecific for ASF by precipitation of 125I-labeled antigen and gave a reaction of identity with four different ASF preparations. The antisera were able to detect a circulating component in human serum that migrated in the α1-globulin region. This circulating component gave a line of identity with degraded ASF by double immunodiffusion. 57 normal sera and 89 sera from patients with diseases known to be frequently associated with amyloidosis were tested by immunodiffusion for the circulating ASF component. 7% of normal sera and 50–80% of the pathologic sera had elevated amounts of this component. Absorption studies showed that all normal sera probably have small amounts of this component while cord sera do not have detectable amounts. This component was partially purified and was shown to be slightly larger than albumin. The relation of the circulating component to the acid soluble fraction of amyloid is discussed.
MOLECULAR COMPLEXES OF FLAVINS AND PHENOLS. I. ABSORPTION SPECTRA AND PROPERTIES IN SOLUTION.

Abstract We have found that alloxazine and isoalloxazine derivatives such as lumichrome, FMN and riboflavin yield highly colored solutions in strong acid with electron-rich phenols due to the formation of 1:1 charge-transfer complexes between the phenol and the monoprotonated flavin. With very good donors, e.g. , 1,4-naphthalenediol or trimethylhydroquinone, similar complexes also form in neutral solution. The position of the charge-transfer absorption band, in solution and in crystals of the complexes, varies with the donor properties of the phenol. Electron paramagnetic resonance studies indicate the presence in acidic solution of low concentrations of the flavin semiquinone.
A role for hippocampus in the utilization of hunger signals.

The hippocampus is generally regarded as an important anatomical substrate for learning and memory (e.g., Eichenbaum, Otto, & Cohen, Behavioral and Neural Biology, 57, 2-36, 1992; Squire, Psychological Review, 99, 195-231, 1992). In the present research, we provide evidence that the hippocampus is also involved with another function--utilization of hunger state signals. Rats with selective ibotenate lesions of the hippocampus were found to be impaired in their ability to discriminate between the interoceptive sensory consequences of food deprivation and satiation. At the same time the ability of these rats to discriminate between different exteroceptive cues was unaffected. These results suggest that deficits in discriminative performance were specific to interoceptive state stimuli. In addition, hippocampal-damaged rats also seemed unable to use their food deprivation stimuli as signals to engage in normal feeding behavior. Our results argue that although the hippocampus may be important for learning and memory processes, it also deserves consideration as a neural substrate for the regulation of food intake and perhaps other functions which involve interoceptive signals.
Turning down the noise in the blogosphere

In recent years, the blogosphere has experienced a substantial increase in the number of posts published daily, forcing users to cope with information overload. The task of guiding users through this flood of information has thus become critical. To address this issue, we present a principled approach for picking a set of posts that best covers the important stories in the blogosphere.We define a simple and elegant notion of coverage and formalize it as a submodular optimization problem, for which we can efficiently compute a near-optimal solution. In addition, since people have varied interests, the ideal coverage algorithm should incorporate user preferences in order to tailor the selected posts to individual tastes. We define the problem of learning a personalized coverage function by providing an appropriate user-interaction model and formalizing an online learning framework for this task. We then provide a no-regret algorithm which can quickly learn a user's preferences from limited feedback.We evaluate our coverage and personalization algorithms extensively over real blog data. Results from a user study show that our simple coverage algorithm does as well as most popular blog aggregation sites, including Google Blog Search, Yahoo! Buzz, and Digg. Furthermore, we demonstrate empirically that our algorithm can successfully adapt to user preferences. We believe that our technique, especially with personalization, can dramatically reduce information overload.
On-column ligand synthesis coupled to partial-filling affinity capillary electrophoresis to estimate binding constants of ligands to a receptor

This paper describes a two-step procedure whereby on-column ligand synthesis and partial-filling affinity capillary electrophoresis (PFACE) are sequentially coupled to each other to determine the binding constants of 9-fluorenylmethoxy carbonyl (Fmoc)-amino acid-D-Ala-D-Ala species to vancomycin (Van) from Streptomyces orientalis. In this technique four separate plugs of sample are injected onto the capillary column and electrophoresed. The initial sample plug contains a D-Ala-D-Ala terminus peptide and two non-interacting standards. Plugs two and three contain solutions of Fmoc-amino acid-N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) ester and running buffer, respectively. The fourth sample plug contains an increasing concentration of Van partially-filled onto the capillary column. Upon electrophoresis the initial D-Ala-D-Ala peptide reacts with the Fmoc-amino acid NHS ester yielding the Fmoc-amino acid D-Ala-D-Ala peptide. Continued electrophoresis results in the overlap of the plugs of Van and Fmoc-amino acid-D-Ala-D-Ala peptide and non-interacting markers. Analysis of the change in the relative migration time ratio of the Fmoc-amino acid-D-Ala-D-Ala peptide relative to the non-interacting standards, as a function of the concentration of Van, yields a value for the binding constant. These values agree well with those estimated using other binding and ACE techniques.
THE EFFECT OF HIGH GRADE PROSTATIC INTRAEPITHELIAL NEOPLASIA ON SERUM TOTAL AND PERCENTAGE OF FREE PROSTATE SPECIFIC ANTIGEN LEVELS

Purpose:: It is established that the percentage of free prostate specific antigen (PSA) in serum is low in patients with prostate cancer. An unanswered question is whether a low percentage of free PSA can be explained by high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia alone. We compared the percentage of free PSA in men with high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia alone, prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and a normal prostate (that is normal digital rectal examination and PSA less than or equal to 2.5 ng./ml.).Materials and Methods:: From October 1994 through December 1997, 48 men were diagnosed with high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia without concomitant prostate cancer. Of these men 43 with a mean age plus or minus standard deviation of 67.4 ± 7.8 years comprised our study group. To date none has been diagnosed with cancer during followup. Serum free and total PSA levels were measured, and the percentage of free PSA was calculated. The percentage of free PSA in the 43 ...
Precortical filtering and selective attention: An evoked potential analysis

Attention-related changes in the human auditory brainstem response and the short-latency somatosensory evoked potential (SLSEP) were demonstrated in separate experiments. In Experiment 1, ABRs were recorded during conditions in which subjects awaited the presentation of either auditory or somatosensory target stimuli. In Experiment 2, median nerve SLSEPs were recorded in a similar task context. Analyses of ABR and SLSEP component amplitudes and latencies revealed that the auditory nerve (wave II) and rostral brainstem (wave V) components of the ABR, and the cervical component (N12) of the SLSEP, were facilitated when attention was directed toward stimuli that were presented in the same sensory modality and receptive field as the EP-eliciting stimuli. These results suggest that central mechanisms can modulate the transmission of auditory and somatosensory information at an early, precortical stage and that these mechanisms play a role in auditory and somatosensory selective attention.
A Review of Joint Decisions on Marketing and Supply Chain in Product Planning and Design

Manufacturers design and develop numerous product variants to address different customer preferences in the competitive market. One product could be characterized by a vector of attributes such as sale price, reliability, and functionality. The challenge is how to make decisions on product or product family planning and design, supply chain, and marketing in a concurrent and integrated manner. Research on integration and coordination of product design, supply chain configuration, and marketing decisions is receiving much attention recently and need further investigation. The paper provides a comprehensive review on recent research incorporating marketing, management and engineering considerations in product planning and design.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Reliability-based incremental redundancy with convolutional codes

Incremental redundancy, or Hybrid type-II ARQ (HARQ), algorithms use a combination of forward error correction and retransmissions to guarantee reliable packet data communications. In this work, we propose a HARQ algorithm that exploits received packet reliability to improve system performance. Specifically, the receiver uses the average magnitude of the log-likelihood ratios of the information bits as the packet reliability metric, which is then used to determine the sizes of subsequent retransmissions. The proposed retransmission strategy attempts to maximize user throughput while satisfying a maximum packet delay constraint. The performance of our reliability-based HARQ algorithm is evaluated in static and time-varying channels through simulations. Furthermore, analytical results on the relationship between the reliability metric, the code rate and the block error rate are presented.
Worst-Case Routing Performance Evaluation of Sensor Networks

Successful sensor network applications depends heavily on the ability of these networks to reliably and reasonably perform under the worst-case scenarios, extreme and unusual events for which many such networks are designed to detect. One of the key performance measures is the network's ability to route measurement data from the sensor nodes to the destination node(s). This paper introduces a general framework with which worst-case routing performance of different sensor networks can be evaluated and compared. Our method can either be used as a design optimization tool, or a decision making tool to select and price contending sensor network designs and applications.
Zonal centrifuge profiles of rat brain homogenates: Instability in sucrose, stability in iso-osmotic Ficoll-sucrose☆

Abstract By substituting iso-osmotic Ficoll-sucrose for hyperosmotic sucrose between the densities of 1.043 and 1.088 in sucrose density gradients in the B-XV rotor of an Anderson-NIH-AEC zonal centrifuge system, it was possible to stabilize the zonal centrifuge absorbancy profiles of adult rat brain homogenates. The reason for the instability in ordinary sucrose gradients was found to be the interaction of myelin with other brain structures in hyperosmotic sucrose. No such interaction occurred in isoosmotic sucrose (0.32 M) with or without Ficoll. In Ficoll-sucrose, myelin was separated at three reproducible densities of 1.054, 1.060, and 1.066 gm/ml. No myelin appeared at a density if 1.094 gm/ml, which represented the main collection point in ordinary sucrose. Synaptosomes were separated at peak densities of 1.072 and 1.152 gm/ml. Mitochondria were obtained at a density of 1.176 gm/ml. Areas under zonal centrifuge absorbancy profiles of rat brain homogenates were found to be constant regardless of the values of ω2t that were reached.
Sifting through course evaluations: medical student comments driving surgery curriculum changes.

Objective Student empowerment of curriculum changes is a double-edged sword. When examining our third-year surgery course every year, we debate where the line is between improving education through student input against allowing the students to design “an easy course.” Methods Written student comments on end-of-course evaluations (from the academic years 2006–2007 to 2010–2011) were analyzed using the qualitative approach described by Miles and Huberman. We compared the grouped comments to the course changes that were made over these years to determine what extent were we listening to students. Finally, we took the course changes made and juxtaposed them with student grades and with student course perceptions provided by the end-of-course evaluation analysis. Results We identified 17 alterations to our curriculum since the year 2007-2008 and of those, 12 are directly related to student comments. Some examples of our changes were a grading-scale alteration, grouping of workshops, and adding a shelf examination review session. The overall course ratings by the students steadily rose over the 5-year period (2.57 to 3.39), while the percentages of A's earned by students decreased over that same time until the year 2010-2011when the percent of A's earned increased by over 30%. Conclusions Because of the fact that 12 of 17 course changes can be directly related back to the student comments, we feel confident that we are listening to students. The increase in perception of the course through the first 4 years did not coincide with higher grades. The changes made have been instrumental in the course winning the best clerkship award for the last 4 years.
High-power GaInAsSb-AlGaAsSb multiple-quantum-well diode lasers emitting at 1.9 /spl mu/m

High-power diode lasers emitting at /spl sim/1.9 /spl mu/m have been fabricated from a quantum-well heterostructure having an active region consisting of five GaInAsSb wells and six AlGaAsSb barriers. For devices 300 /spl mu/m wide and 1000 /spl mu/m long, single-ended output power as high as 1.3 W cw has been obtained with an initial differential quantum efficiency of 47%. The pulsed threshold current density is as low as 143 A/cm/sup 2/ for 2000-/spl mu/m-long devices. >
Gamma Compensated Pulsed Ionization Chamber Wide Range Neutron/Reactor Power Measurement System

A newly developed pulsed mode of operation of ionization chambers, and the use of neon as an additive to the primary helium fill gas, has demonstrated a wide range capability for neutron flux and reactor power measurements over eight orders of magnitude, independence of high temperature insulator leakage and ionized gas kinetics effects, freedom from recombination effects and a capability for 99% compensation for gamma fields of approximately 105 (R/hr) and higher. A single sensor compensated neutron flux/reactor power measurement system, based on the PIC mode of operation, is proposed that has an inherent linear measurement capability extending over 18 decades of neutron flux density, from approximately 10-2 to 1016 nv.
How many different parametric cubic curves are there? 2. The "same" game

I'm interested in both the answer to the question in the title and in finding the clearest possible derivation of that answer. My first efforts were very algebra-intensive, but had an aura of concreteness about them. As I played with the question, I came up with more and more elegant ways to ward off the brute-force algebra and make the answer more intuitive without reams of calculation. For these elegant techniques to work, however, I needed to build up a collection of tools (lemmas) that themselves take a little time to explain. One tool is the use of a particular matrix identity, which I review in this article, and which I use to answer the title question: there are three different parametric cubic curves. However, deriving that answer in a clear and obvious manner is still a little way away, but that's OK: the reason I'm doing this is really not so much to answer the question as to build intuition about the algebraic formulas and the geometry that they represent. The journey is the reward.
Cytomegalovirus Hijacks CX3CR1hi Patrolling Monocytes as Immune-Privileged Vehicles for Dissemination in Mice

Summary Peripheral blood myelomonocytic cells are important for cytomegalovirus dissemination to distal organs such as salivary glands where persistent replication and shedding dictates transmission patterns. We find that this process is markedly enhanced by the murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV)-encoded CC chemokine, MCK2, which promotes recruitment of CX3CR1 hi patrolling monocytes to initial infection sites in the mouse. There, these cells become infected and traffic via the bloodstream to distal sites. In contrast, inflammatory monocytes, the other major myelomonocytic subset, remain virus negative. CX3CR1 deficiency prevents patrolling monocyte migration on the vascular endothelium and interrupts MCMV dissemination to the salivary glands independent of antiviral NK and T cell immune control. In this manner, CX3CR1 hi patrolling monocytes serve as immune-privileged vehicles to transport MCMV via the bloodstream to distal organs. MCMV commandeers patrolling monocytes to mediate systemic infection and seed a persistent reservoir essential for horizontal transmission.
A synthetic heptasaccharide reveals the capability of a monoclonal antibody to read internal epitopes of a polysaccharide antigen.

Abstract The binding of the synthetic heptasaccharide, β- d -Gal p -(1→3)-β- d -Gal p -(1→3)-β- d -Gal p -(1→6)-β- d -Gal p -(1→6)-β- d -Gal p -(1→6)-β- d -Gal p -(1→6)-β- d -Gal p -1-OCH 3 ( 10 ) with two monoclonal IgAs of the X24 gene-family has been investigated. The ligand 10 was synthesized by silver triflate mediated coupling of O -(2,3,4, 6- tetra- O -benzoyl- β- d -galactopyranosyl)- (1→3)- O -(2,4,6-tri O -benzoyl-β- d -galactopyranosyl)-(1→3)-2,4,6-tri- O -benzoyl-α- d -galactopyranosyl chloride ( 5 ) to the benzoylated, all -β-(1→6)-linked methyl galactotetraoside 13 , having O-6 4 free, followed by debenzoylation of the formed, fully protected methyl galactoheptaoside. The blockwise synthesis of the nucleophile 13 from readily available monosaccharides, and the synthesis of 5 from the corresponding β-1- O -benzoylated trisaccharide, is also described. Heptasaccharide 10 binds with the (1→6)-β- d -galactan-specific monoclonal antibodies X-24 and J539 with essentially the same K a -values (5.4 × 10 5 m −1 and 6.4 × 10 5 m −1 , respectively) as does the methyl β-glycoside of all -β-(1→6)-linked galactotetraose 14 (5.7 × 10 5 m −1 and 5.9 × 10 5 m −1 , respectively). Of the series of homologous oligosaccharides studied previously (di- through a hexa-saccharide), 14 was found to show the highest affinity of interaction with both these immunoglobulins. The β-(1→3)-linked galactotriose, which forms the bulky terminus of 10 , does not appear to bind to these IgAs. Thus, the observation that the affinity of 10 is the same as that of 14 confirms that these immunoglobulins bind internal tetrasaccharide sequences of the antigenic (1→6)-β- d -galactopyranan.
DEM-optical-radar data integration for palaeohydrological mapping in the northern Darfur, Sudan: implication for groundwater exploration

North-western Sudan, as a part of the eastern Sahara, is among the driest places on earth. However, the region underwent drastic climatic changes through the alternation of dry and wet conditions in the past. During humid phases, when the rain was plentiful over a prolonged time period, the surface was veined by rivers and dotted by large lakes. The new Shuttle Radar Topography Mission data (SRTM ∼90 m) revealed a large endorheic drainage basin, which is centred by a large terminal palaeolake, in the northern Darfur State. The use of GIS methods allowed the delineation of the drainage basin and its associated palaeorivers. The SRTM data along with the Landsat (ETM+) and Radarsat-1 images corroborate the presence of segments of palaeoshorelines associated with the palaeolake highstands. These constitute a convincing argument of the long-term existence of a possible pre-Holocene large water body in the region in the past. The remains of the highest palaeoshoreline have a constant altitude of 573±3 m asl. At its maximum extent, the mega Lake occupied an area of about 30 750 km2 (the same size as the Great Bear Lake, Canada's largest lake), which would have contained approximately 2530 km3 of water. This, ancestral lake, which we named the Northern Darfur Megalake (ND Megalake), represents indisputable evidence of the past pluvial conditions in the eastern Sahara. The discovered palaeoshorelines will have significant consequences for improving our knowledge of continental climate change and regional palaeohydorology, and should be taken into consideration in studies of past human habitation in the region. Much of the water carried by the Northern Darfur palaeorivers and the ND Megalake would have percolated into the underlying rocks feeding the Nubian Sandston aquifer. These findings show that the used approach of space-data integration can help significantly in the groundwater exploration efforts in the Darfur region, where freshwater access is essential for refugee survival, and can be successfully adopted in other parts of Sudan and arid lands in general.
Machining of scintillator tiles for the SDC calorimeter

Abstract This research and development on the grooving methods for the scintillating tiles of the SDC calorimeter was done to maximize the light output of scintillator plates and improve the uniformity among tiles through machining procedures. Grooves for wavelength shifting fibers in SCSN-81 can be machined from 10,000 to 60,000 RPM with a feed rate of more than 30 cm/min if the plate is kept cool and the chips are removed quickly by blowing dry, cold, clean air over the cutting tool. BC499-27, a polystyrene-based scintillator, is softer and more difficult to machine. It allows a maximum rotation speed of 20,000 RPM and a maximum feed rate of 15 cm/min. A new half-keyhole shape was used for the grooves, allowing safer, faster top-loading of the fibers. Three hundred tiles were machined, achieving a standard deviation of the light output of less than 7%.