cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Massive power device condition monitoring data feature extraction and clustering analysis using MapReduce and graph model

Effective storage, processing and analyzing of power device condition monitoring data faces enormous challenges. A framework is proposed that can support both MapReduce and Graph for massive monitoring data analysis at the same time based on Aliyun DTplus platform. First, power device condition monitoring data storage based on MaxCompute table and parallel permutation entropy feature extraction based on MaxCompute MapReduce are designed and implemented on DTplus platform. Then, Graph based k-means algorithm is implemented and used for massive condition monitoring data clustering analysis. Finally, performance tests are performed to compare the execution time between serial program and parallel program. Performance is analyzed from CPU cores consumption, memory utilization and parallel granularity. Experimental results show that the designed framework and parallel algorithms can efficiently process massive power device condition monitoring data.
Inhibition of natriuretic peptide receptor 1 reduces itch in mice

There is a major clinical need for new therapies for the treatment of chronic itch. Many of the molecular components involved in itch neurotransmission are known, including the neuropeptide NPPB, a transmitter required for normal itch responses to multiple pruritogens in mice. Here, we investigated the potential for a novel strategy for the treatment of itch that involves the inhibition of the NPPB receptor NPR1 (natriuretic peptide receptor 1). Because there are no available effective human NPR1 (hNPR1) antagonists, we performed a high-throughput cell-based screen and identified 15 small-molecule hNPR1 inhibitors. Using in vitro assays, we demonstrated that these compounds specifically inhibit hNPR1 and murine NPR1 (mNPR1). In vivo, NPR1 antagonism attenuated behavioral responses to both acute itch- and chronic itch-challenged mice. Together, our results suggest that inhibiting NPR1 might be an effective strategy for treating acute and chronic itch.
Beyond the Budget: Sustainability and Writing Studios

This essay discusses our failed attempts at the College of Charleston to sustain a Writing Studio course. Specifically, we explain how the failure of our Studio course revealed underlying problems in the department concerning the formation of writing program policy, the role of adjunct faculty, the oversight of our first-year writing curriculum, and the program's coordination with other stakeholders on campus. We contend that our experience can inform programs elsewhere because it shows, on a larger level, how Studio courses reveal potentially damaging tensions within a department or program. We conclude the article by identify- ing areas of our broader writing program in need of repair and explaining our vision for a new and improved Studio program that incorporates elements of supplemental instruction. K EYWORDS: basic writing; writing studio; sustainability; writing instruction; program description
On the universe's cybernetics duality behavior

Universal cybernetics is the study of control and communications in living and non-living systems. In this paper the universal cybernetics duality principle (UCDP), first identified in control theory in 1978 and expressing a cybernetic duality behavior for our universe, is reviewed. The review is given on the heels of major prizes given to physicists for their use of mathematical dualities in solving intractable problems in physics such as those of cosmology’s ‘dark energy’, an area that according to a recent New York Times article has become “a cottage industry in physics today”. These dualities are not unlike those of our UCDP that are further enhanced with physical dualities. For instance, in 2008 the UCDP guided us to the derivation of the laws of retention in physics as the space-penalty dual of the laws of motion in physics, including the dark energy thought responsible for the observed increase of the volume of our Universe as it ages. The UCDP has also guided us to the discovery of significant results in other fields such as: 1) in matched processors for quantized control with applications in the modeling of central nervous system (CNS) control mechanisms; 2) in radar designs where the discovery of latency theory, the time-penalty dual of information-theory, has led us to high-performance radar solutions that evade the use of ‘big data’ in the form of SAR imagery of the earth; and 3) in unveiling biological lifespan bounds where the life-expectancy of an organism is sensibly predicted through lingerdynamics, the identified time-penalty dual of thermodynamics, which relates its adult lifespan to either: a. the ratio of its body size to its nutritional consumption rate; or b. its specific heat-capacity; or c. the ratio of its nutritional consumption rate energy to its entropic volume energy, a type of dark energy that is consistent with the observed decrease in the mass density of the organism as it ages.
Preventing arbitrage from collusion when eliciting probabilities

We consider the design of mechanisms to elicit probabilistic forecasts when agents are strategic and may collude with one another. Chun and Shachter (2011) have shown that when agents may form coalitions, many known mechanisms for elicitation permit arbitrage, allowing the coalition members to guarantee themselves higher payments by misreporting their beliefs. We consider two approaches to protect against colluding agents. First, we present a novel strictly proper mechanism that does not admit arbitrage provided that the reports of the agents are bounded away from 0 and 1, a common assumption in many settings. Second, we discover strictly arbitrage-free mechanisms that satisfy an intermediate guarantee between weak and strict properness.
Has the Polyploid Wave Ebbed

There was a wave of whole genome duplications (WGD) during and subsequent to the K-Pg interface, which was followed by an increase in the proportion of species that were polyploid. I consider why this wave of polyploid speciation has continued to rise through the divergent evolution of polyploid lineages, and through rounds of homoploid and heteroploid chromosomal change. I also consider why the polyploid speciation wave is likely to rise in the next millennium. I propose that the speed of polyploid genesis through ploidal increase and through diversification among polyploids likely will be greater than the speed of diploid speciation. The increase in polyploid diversity is expected to lag well behind episodes of WGD, owing to the very long period required for species diversification either by lineage splitting or additional rounds of polyploidy, in addition to the long period of genomic adjustment to higher ploidal levels in neopolyploids.
Vulcano: Operational Fire Suppression Management Using Deep Reinforcement Learning

Vulcano is a fire-management system based on deep reinforcement learning (DRL). Using simulated trajectories from a state-of-the-art simulator, agents are trained to select areas that should be treated to minimize fire propagation. We focus on the operational problem where fire suppression teams are deployed after detecting an ignition and collaborative strategies are critical to contain the fire. We propose a new algorithm based on centralized training with decentralized execution, modifying the reward and advantage functions to provide each agent with critical information about the teams. Experiments demonstrate the performance of the method compared to traditional approaches.
Very Poor Visual Acuity in Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischaemic Optic Neuropathy.

Very poor (hand motion or worse) visual acuity at presentation is highly unusual in non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 151 consecu...
Functional Tumor Volume by Fast Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI for Predicting Neoadjuvant Systemic Therapy Response in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND Dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI is useful for diagnosis and assessment of treatment response in breast cancer. Fast DCE MRI offers a higher sampling rate of contrast enhancement curves in comparison to conventional DCE MRI, potentially characterizing tumor perfusion kinetics more accurately for measurement of functional tumor volume (FTV) as a predictor of treatment response. PURPOSE To investigate FTV by fast DCE MRI as a predictor of neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NAST) response in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). STUDY TYPE Prospective. POPULATION/SUBJECTS Sixty patients with biopsy-confirmed TNBC between December 2016 and September 2020. FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE A 3.0 T/3D fast spoiled gradient echo-based DCE MRI ASSESSMENT: Patients underwent MRI at baseline and after four cycles (C4) of NAST, followed by definitive surgery. DCE subtraction images were analyzed in consensus by two breast radiologists with 5 (A.H.A.) and 2 (H.S.M.) years of experience. Tumor volumes (TV) were measured on early and late subtractions. Tumors were segmented on 1 and 2.5-minute early phases subtractions and FTV was determined using optimized signal enhancement thresholds. Interpolated enhancement curves from segmented voxels were used to determine optimal early phase timing. STATISTICAL TESTS Tumor volumes were compared between patients who had a pathologic complete response (pCR) and those who did not using the area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) and Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS About 26 of 60 patients (43%) had pCR. FTV at 1 minute after injection at C4 provided the best discrimination between pCR and non-pCR, with AUC (95% confidence interval [CI]) = 0.85 (0.74,0.95) (P < 0.05). The 1-minute timing was optimal for FTV measurements at C4 and for the change between C4 and baseline. TV from the early phase at C4 also yielded a good AUC (95%CI) of 0.82 (0.71,0.93) (P < 0.05). DATA CONCLUSION FTV and TV measured at 1 minute after injection can predict response to NAST in TNBC. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 1 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: 4.
Beer and Racism : How Beer Became White, Why It Matters, and the Movements to Change It

Beer in the United States has always been bound up with race, racism, and the construction of white institutions and identities. Given the very quick rise of craft beer, as well as the myopic scholarly focus on economic and historical trends in the field, there is an urgent need to take stock of the intersectional inequalities that such realities gloss over. This unique book carves a much-needed critical and interdisciplinary path to examine and understand the racial dynamics in the craft beer industry and the popular consumption of beer.
Bacteriophage P22 Mnt repressor. DNA binding and effects on transcription in vitro.

We have examined the binding of Mnt repressor to operator DNA in vitro and have determined how this binding affects the level of transcription from two nearby promoters, Pant and Pmnt. Mnt binds to a region of DNA that overlaps the startpoint of transcription of Pant and the −35 region of Pmnt. Mnt represses transcription in vitro from Pant and enhances transcription from Pmnt. Protection and interference experiments show that Mnt binds to a single, 17 base-pair operator site. The operator sequence and the protein-DNA contacts are symmetric. Mnt makes major groove contacts on both faces of the operator DNA. At pH 7.5, 200 mm-KCl, 22 °C, the Mnt tetramer binds operator with high affinity Kd = 2.2 × 10−11m and the protein-DNA complex is quite stable (t12 = 48 min). Operator binding shows large dependencies on pH, salt concentration, and temperature.
Precise determination of E2 and E4 moments in (165)Ho from muonic X rays

The quadruple and hexadecapole moments of 165Ho were derived from the hfs of the 3d muonic states. The resulting values are Q0 = 7.44 +/- 0.07 b and II0 = 0.52 +/- 0.10 b2. The parameters of the nuclear charge distribution were determined. An indication for an angular variation of the skin thickness was found.
Is level V neck dissection necessary in primary parotid cancer

Objectives/Hypothesis This study aims to evaluate the pattern of nodal metastasis to level V in parotid cancer and to examine the clinical value of level V neck dissection (LVND). Study Design Retrospective cohort study. Methods Retrospective chart review of 86 patients (47 N0 nodal metastasis [N0] neck and 39 positive nodal metastasis [N+] neck) who received parotidectomy and neck dissection was performed. The prevalence of pathological nodal metastasis in level V neck was evaluated and correlated with locoregional recurrence. Results LVND was performed in 10.6% and 28.2% of patients with clinical NO (cN0) and cN+ neck disease, respectively. The prevalence of pathological positive nodal metastasis was 0% (cN0) and 81.8% (cN+). In patients with cN0 neck, the rate of recurrence in level V was 6%. Conclusion In our patient cohort with predominantly high-grade parotid cancer, LVND was necessary in patients with cN+ neck because there was a high likelihood for pathologically positive nodal metastasis. In patients with cN0 neck, the rate of recurrence in level V was low enough not to warrant a routine inclusion of LVND. Level of Evidence 4. Laryngoscope, 125:118–121, 2015
Nitrogen Fixation (Acetylene Reduction) by Epiphytes of Freshwater Macrophytes

The involvement of epiphytic microorganisms in nitrogen fixation was investigated in a shallow freshwater pond near Ithaca, N.Y. The acetylene reduction technique was used to follow diel and seasonal cycles of nitrogen fixation by epiphytes of Myriophyllum spicatum. Acetylene-reducing activity was maximal between noon and 6 p.m., but substantial levels of activity relative to daytime rates continued through the night. Experiments with the seasonal course of activity showed a gradual decline during the autumn months and no activity in January or February. Activity commenced in May, with an abrupt increase to levels between 0.45 and 0.95 nmol of ethylene formed per mg (dry weight) of plant per h. Through most of the summer months, mean rates of acetylene reduction remained between 0.15 and 0.60 nmol/mg (dry weight) per h. It was calculated from diel and seasonal cycles that, in the pond areas studied, epiphytes were capable of adding from 7.5 to 12.5 μg of N per mg of plant per year to the pond. This amount is significant relative to the total amount of nitrogen incorporated into the plant. Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria), particularly Gloeotrichia, appeared to bear prime responsibility for nitrogen fixation, but photosynthetic bacteria of the genus Rhodopseudomonas were isolated from M. spicatum and shown to support high rates of acetylene reduction.
Mutations and cavities in choline acetyltransferase (591.4)

Choline Acetyltransferase (ChAT) synthesizes acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter that carries signals across the neuromuscular junction. Point mutations in ChAT cause motor disorders, apparently by...
Quantitative Ultrashort TE (UTE) Imaging of Short T2 Tissues

The human body contains a number of tissues with predominantly short T2 components such as menisci, tendons, ligaments, entheses, and cortical and trabecular bones, which have T2s ranging from submilliseconds to several milliseconds. Conventional sequences provide little or no signal for these tissues. A variety of techniques have been developed to image the short T2 tissues using clinical MR scanners. The main focus of these techniques is to reduce TE and improve signal detection. Here, we will discuss techniques to quantitatively evaluate the MR properties of short T2 tissues, including T1, T2, T2*, and T1rho. Techniques to evaluate the tissue properties, such as proton density, and bound- and free-water fractions and their T2* values are also discussed. Keywords: UTE; short T2; relaxation time; T1;T2;T1rho; T2*; bound water; free water
Transphyletic Animal Similarities and Predictive Toxicology

Several years ago, I published an article entitled “The Evolution and Organization of Sentient Biological Behavior Systems” in one of the books edited by Wolfgang Yourgrau.1 In that article, I presented the rudiments of a theory to account for the “higher behaviors” that I had observed in the primitive flatworm, planaria. Although a variety of subsequent evidence, in addition to that which was available to me at the time, has lent further support for it and I am even more convinced now than then of its essential correctness, it was, I realize with hindsight, a pretty wild theory relative to the prevailing views of the time. Wolfgang exhibited a great deal of courage in acting as editorial midwife for its delivery. In his other role as “pediatrician” of ideas, I hope that he would not be displeased with this sequel describing the further growth of “the child.”
Addressing the burden of stroke caregivers: a literature review.

Aims and objectives To examine the empirical literature regarding the risk of burden experienced by the older adult caregiver of the stroke survivor. The scope of this review was limited to older adult family members caring for older adult stroke survivors as evidenced in the literature written between the years of 2009–2014. Background This article will explore published research within the past five years (2009–2014) that addresses the issue of burden among older adult caregivers of stroke survivors in addition to the implication for the changes needed within the nursing profession to mitigating the burden experienced by the caregiver. Many stroke survivors are in their 6th decade of life or older, with caregivers approximately the same age. This literature review specifically focuses on the role of nursing and the issue of caregiver burden. Design Literature Review. Methods A review of the literature published between 2009–2014 related to the lived experience of caregivers of stroke survivors and the role of nursing related to mitigating caregiver burden. Results Numerous factors impact the lived experience of caregivers providing care for the stroke survivor. Assuming the role of caregiver has an inherent risk which can result in health compromises for the caregiver. It is the responsibility of the nurse to assess, design interventions and provide education to prepare the caregiver for the demands of the role. Conclusions The literature review has shown that research regarding the risk of caregiver burden and the resulting health compromise is scarce. In addition, there is a lack of evidence-based nursing interventions aimed at assuaging the risk of caregiver burden. Relevance to clinical practice Caregiver stress culminating in burden is commonly a reason for the eventual institutionalisation of the stroke survivor. Critically assessing and providing for the physical, psychosocial and educational support needs of stroke caregivers will assist in mitigating the daily burden experienced by the caregiver. Caregiver burden often results in psychological and physical health compromise for the caregiver. This literature review will address the role of the caregiver and the responsibilities of nursing to meet the needs of the caregiver.
“The World's Back Womb?”: Commercial Surrogacy and Infertility Inequalities in India

While transnational commercial surrogacy in India has recently attracted the attention of journalists and feminist scholars critical of a novel and particularly intimate example of labor outsourcing, surrogacy in India is not only about global inequalities. In this research report, I call attention to silences in the most well-known accounts of surrogacy to the persistent local inequalities that structure infertility treatment in general—and surrogacy in particular. I argue that the disappearance of medical professionals’ perceptions of surrogates as “laborers” and of Indian infertility experiences in these accounts occurs not only because of significant challenges to data collection, but also because of widespread naturalization of inequality. Local inequalities that structure transnational surrogacy in India, in particular, and infertility treatment, in general, tend to escape the purview of examinations that employ a transnational frame. Most research on gestational surrogacy in India does not focus on the options available to Indians who face infertility. The few studies that put the dynamics of infertility among people living in India at the center of analysis have yet to explore fully the “reproscapes” of infertility among people in India. [surrogacy, infertility, inequality, India, transnational]
Catheter-based Renal Denervation as a Treatment for Pulmonary Hypertension: Hope or Hype?

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by a progressive increase in pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) that causes right ventricular (RV) failure and premature death. This hypertensive condition leads to precapillary pulmonary hypertension, defined as a mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) 25 mmHg, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure 15 mmHg, and PVR > 3 Wood units at rest. The prevalence of PAH is estimated to range from 15 to 50 patients/million, with a female predominance (men:women, 1:2) and 1-year and 5-year survival rates of 85% and 57%, respectively. During the last 15 years, treatments for PAH have been studied in multiple clinical trials, with approval subsequently granted for 9 distinct drugs belonging to 4 pharmacological families: prostanoids (epoprostenol, iloprost, treprostinil), endothelin receptor antagonists (bosentan, ambrisentan, macitentan), phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (sildenafil, tadalafil), and adenylate cyclase stimulators (riociguat). Despite these therapeutic advances, many patients with PAH show disabling symptoms and an ominous prognosis, underscoring the need for new therapeutic strategies to combat PAH. The pathophysiology of PAH involves excessive vasoconstriction and vascular remodeling. The increased PVR is initially reversible and is due to an imbalance between vasodilatory and vasoconstrictive agents, but can become permanent in later stages. The vascular remodeling is characterized by intimal thickening and fibrosis and the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells, with hypertrophy and fibrosis of the tunica media, inflammation, and in situ thrombosis, which trigger the formation of plexiform and obstructive lesions (the most characteristic finding of PAH), all of which lead to RV remodeling. Given our poor understanding of the pathophysiology of PAH, the development of new preclinical models of PAH and their evaluation using appropriate imaging techniques are essential to further our understanding of PAH.
Intrinsic interface exchange coupling of ferromagnetic nanodomains in a charge ordered manganite

We present a detailed magnetic study of the ${\mathrm{Pr}}_{1∕3}{\mathrm{Ca}}_{2∕3}\mathrm{Mn}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ manganite, where we observe the presence of small ferromagnetic (FM) domains (diameter $\ensuremath{\sim}10\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{\AA{}}$) immersed within the charge-ordered antiferromagnetic (AFM) host. Due to the interaction of the FM nanodroplets with a disordered AFM shell, the low-temperature magnetization loops present exchange bias (EB) under cooling in an applied magnetic field. Our analysis of the cooling field dependence of the EB yields an antiferromagnetic interface exchange coupling comparable to the bulk exchange constant of the AFM phase. We also observe training effect of the EB, which is successfully described in terms of a preexisting relaxation model developed for other classical EB systems. This work provides the first evidence of intrinsic interface exchange coupling in phase separated manganites.
‘Smart’ corrosion inhibiting coatings

Abstract Under certain conditions, the driving force of corrosion produces protective oxide films, a process typically referred to as passivity. In cases where passivity is difficult to achieve, for example, for Al alloys in neutral NaCl solutions, it is conceivable that a ‘smart’ coating can be micro- or nano-engineered to use the energy of the corrosion to generate ‘on demand’ a corrosion inhibitor for stopping or slowing corrosion at defects. Work at Rockwell Scientific provides evidence that anionic inhibitors for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), when used as dopants for conducting polyaniline (PANI) films, inhibit corrosion of a Al 2024-T3 substrate at a scribe. In effect, the scribe polarizes the PANI causing it to release the inhibitor.
Monitoring Cellular Trafficking of Nanoparticle Cargo in Murine Macrophages Through Plasmon Coupling Microscopy

A detailed analysis of silver nanoparticle (NP) uptake and trafficking in the murine macrophage cell line J774A.1 through spectral analysis of the resonance wavelength of the metal NP cargo is presented. The NP spectra reveal a strong phenotypic variability in the NP uptake and processing on the single cell level. Cells containing non- or low-agglomerated NPs are found to coexist with cells containing NPs of varying degrees of NP agglomeration, clearly indicated by a spectral red-shift in the resonance wavelength. Pharmacological inhibition studies indicate that the observed differences in the intracellular NP organization result from coexisting actin- and clathrin-dependent endocytosis mechanisms. Correlation with fluorescence macrophage maturity markers shows that differentiated J774A.1 macrophages preferentially contain compact NP agglomerates, whereas monocyte-like macrophages contain non-agglomerated NPs.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
A gigabit-per-second Ka-band demonstration using a reconfigurable FPGA modulator

Gigabit-per-second communications have been a desired target for future NASA Earth science missions, and for potential manned lunar missions. Frequency bandwidth at S-band and X-band is typically insufficient to support missions at these high data rates. In this paper, we present the results of a 1 Gbps 32-QAM end-to-end experiment at Ka-band using a reconfigurable field programmable gate array (FPGA) baseband modulator board. Bit error rate measurements of the received signal using a software receiver demonstrate the feasibility of using ultra-high data rates at Ka-band, although results indicate that error correcting coding and/or modulator predistortion must be implemented in addition. Also, results of the demonstration validate the low-cost, CMOS-based reconfigurable modulator approach taken to development of a high rate modulator, as opposed to more expensive ASIC or pure analog approaches
Automated Mueller matrix ellipsometry

Abstract The application of rotating-compensator ellipsometry (RCE) to measurements of the system Mueller matrix M of linear optical systems is reported. This technique extends a previously reported procedure for automated Jones matrix ellipsometry to include systems that depolarize light.
A comparison of ISCCP C1 cloud amounts with those derived from high resolution AVHRR image

Abstract The International Satellite Cloud Climatology Program (ISCCP) C1 analysis of cloud amount has been compared to an analysis utilizing high resolution AVHRR imagery for twelve days in July 1983 over part of the eastern Atlantic, Western Europe and North Africa. The AVHRR analysis relies upon five individual tests requiring four spectral channels at the full 1·1 km resolution. The mean C1 cloudiness was found to be about 6 per cent greater than that of the AVHRR. However, the spatial and temporal variations in the AVHRR were found to be well simulated by the C1 analyses. Much of the difference in the means may be explained by the fact that the AVHRR cloud fractions were weighted by the fraction of partially filled sky, whereas the C1 values were not.
Temporal patterns of grazers and vegetation in a temperate seagrass system

Abstract The densities of benthic vegetation and invertebrate grazers were monitored in the seagrass system dominated by Zostera marina L. and Zostera japonica Aschers. & Graebn. in Padilla Bay, Washington. The primary invertebrate grazers included the isopod Idotea resecata Stimpson, caprellid amphipods and the gastropod Lacuna variegata Carpenter. Densities of Idotea and caprellids peaked in summer, and Lacuna density reached a maximum in winter. Spatial variation in densities was great, and was in the range of four orders of magnitude during some seasons. The mean, experimentally determined, grazing rate by Idotea was 0.95 mg dry wt. m −2 day −1 . At this rate, Idotea populations alone could remove up to 8 g dry wt. eelgrass m −2 day −1 . Based upon (1) high grazer densities, (2) the results of grazing experiments, and (3) experiments and observations by others showing the significance of caprellids and Idotea , we conclude that herbivory is an important process in Padilla Bay.
Experimental investigation of near threshold behavior of a dye laser with swept cavity losses

Abstract The cavity losses of a ring dye laser are slowly swept in time by an intracavity acousto-optic modulator. Under the influence of this sweep, the pump parameter for laser turn-on is delayed beyond the value for the laser growth purely under the influence of spontaneous emission. This delay is a stochastic quantity since laser turn-on is dominated by spontaneous emission, and is found to be a function of the sweep frequency. In our experiment, the mean delay was found to scale as the square root of the sweep frequency and the variance of the delay varied linearly with the sweep frequency. The results are in qualitative agreement with those reported in the literature. Further, for a given sweep rate, the delay was independent of how far the laser intensity grows toward saturation.
Asymmetric Varus and Valgus Stability of the Anatomic Cadaver Knee and the Load Sharing Between Collateral Ligaments and Bearing Surfaces

Knee joint stability is important in maintaining normal joint motion during activities of daily living. Joint instability not only disrupts normal motion but also plays a crucial role in the initiation and progression of osteoarthritis. Our goal was to examine knee joint coronal plane stability under varus or valgus loading and to understand the relative contributions of the mechanisms that act to stabilize the knee in response to varus-valgus moments, namely, load distribution between the medial and lateral condyles and the ligaments. A robot testing system was used to determine joint stability in human cadaveric knees as described by the moment versus angular rotation behavior under varus and valgus loads at extension and at 30 deg and 90 deg of flexion. The anatomic knee joint was more stable in response to valgus than varus moments, and stability decreased with flexion angle. The primary mechanism for providing varus-valgus stability was the redistribution of the contact force on the articular surfaces from both condyles to a single condyle. Stretching of the collateral ligaments provided a secondary stabilizing mechanism after the lift-off of a condyle occurred. Compressive loads applied across the knee joint, such as would occur with the application of muscle forces, enhanced the ability of the articular surface to provide varus-valgus moment, and thus, helped stabilize the joint in the coronal plane. Coupled internal/external rotations and anteroposterior and medial-lateral translations were variable and in the case of the rotations were often as large as the varus-valgus rotations created by the applied moment.
Combination-sensitive neurons: A flexible neural strategy for analyzing correlated elements in sounds

Combination-sensitive neurons serve as the fundamental processing unit in Sussman and colleagues' proposal for the neural representation of stop consonants. This commentary describes recent studies in the mustached bat that show how ubiquitous and flexible this neural strategy can be. Sussman et al.'s proposal is an important contribution to a neuroethological consideration of speech perception.
Amount of viral DNA in the genome of cells transformed by adenovirus type 2

Abstract The number of copies of viral DNA in DNA of cells transformed by adenovirus type 2 has been determined by following the kinetics of reassociation of 32P-labeled viral DNA in the presence of unlabeled DNA extracted from transformed and control cells. There is close to one copy of adenovirus 2 DNA for every diploid quantity of cell DNA.
Controlled Fusion Today

At the outset let me say that plasma physics and controlled fusion is still a tricky, uncertain science, with many open questions and lots of room for opinion. What I shall give will accordingly be just one man's view of the present state of research on controlled fusion. One way to discuss the situation is to break it into two parts, which are in actuality only partly independent. The two parts are the problem of heating and the problem of containment. Adopting this course, let me first discuss heating.
A Nondiverging Power Flow Using a Least-Power-Type Theorem

Design of a mine electric power system requires that power flow studies be conducted to guarantee that all motor operating and starting loads can be met while maintaining acceptable bus voltage levels. If future loads are overestimated, then the iterative technique used to solve for the system voltage profile will often diverge, leaving no clue for the designer as to the cause of the divergence. A new power-flow formulation based on Newton's method is described which can aid in determining the area of the power system in which a load has been incorrectly estimated. Experimentation with this formulation shows that mismatches tend to be concentrated at an overloaded bus. Inspection of the mismatches saves the system designer time by pointing out areas of the system where a problem, such as an incorrectly specified bus load, may exist.
Bioinspired design of functionalised graphene

Functionalised graphene is an attractive candidate for novel applications in the fabrication of nanodevices or novel composites. Here, we apply molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the assembly of functionalised graphene ribbons and sheets. We illustrate that by designing the location and density of functional groups, the material self-assembles into a defined stable folded structure with lower energy and mechanical properties distinct from the pristine graphene. We show that the hydrogen bonds formed between the functional groups are crucial for this folding process, similar to the driving forces of assembly in many biological protein materials. We propose that such functionalised graphene materials could be employed to realise the bottom-up design of structural materials with tunable mechanical properties as they are expected to achieve multiple mechanical functions under varied conditions.
Abdominal Sacral Colpopexy Using Autologous Fascia Lata

ABSTRACTPurpose: Numerous techniques and materials have traditionally been used to correct vaginal vault prolapse, including cadaveric fascia, synthetic materials and autologous rectus fascia. We report our experience with autologous fascia lata used for abdominal sacral colpopexy.Materials and Methods: A retrospective review identified all women who underwent abdominal sacral colpopexy using autologous fascia lata for vaginal vault prolapse with at least 18 months of followup. Preoperative and postoperative pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q) scores, relevant clinical and operative parameters, treatment efficacy, harvest site morbidity and patient satisfaction were assessed.Results: Ten women underwent this procedure between 1999 and 2001. Mean patient age was 68.3 years (range 55 to 82). Followup was 19 to 42 months (mean ± SD 30.5 ± 7.78). Preoperatively POP-Q stages were II to IV in 3, 5 and 2 cases, respectively. Postoperative POP-Q scores improved to and remained at stage II or lower in all...
Teaching an issues-based interdisciplinary course: Diversity in management and marketing

The authors examine their experiences of coteaching an intensive, interdisciplinary elective course for MBA students: Diversity in Management and Marketing. They address otherness, dialogue, energy, and change within this course and clarify issues that can arise when coteaching interdisciplinary courses. The authors list implications for instructors of all business-related courses.
The estimation of epistasis in components of fitness in experimental populations of Drosophila melanogaster I. A two-stage maximum likelihood model

Laboratory populations of Drosophila melanogaster bearing the Curly and Plum marked second chromosome inversions were observed in selection experiments for ten discrete generations. Maximum likelihood estimates of the relative fitnesses of Curly, Plum, Curly-Plum, and wild phenotypes were obtained from selection trajectories. Using these estimates, measures of multiplicative and additive epistasis were calculated. These were partitioned into pre-sampling and post-sampling components, and both were found to be significant. In several cases the sign of the epistasis of the two components was reversed, and the direction of net epistasis depended on the particular inversion. The significance of partitioning epistasis into components is discussed in the light of two locus population genetic theory.
Image Enhancement In Clinical Radiology

For the past eight years, our Department of Radiology has used a multiplicity of both image enhancement techniques and display formats for visual presentations and analysis of two dimensional distributions of information. While such methodology and equipment has been available primarily for enhancing scintiscans in nuclear medicine, such has also been used for various research prob lems in diagnostic radiology.
Assembly of III–V microdisk lasers on silicon using lateral-field optoelectronic tweezers

A room-temperature optofluidic assembly process to integrate III-V microdisk lasers on a silicon chip is demonstrated. The assembly is accomplished using lateral-field optoelectronic tweezers, which achieves a placement accuracy of approximately plusmn 0.25 mum.
Sarcomas of the flexor fossae in children: is amputation necessary?

Abstract Successful management of sarcomas of the extremities in children implies not only achievement of local control but also satisfactory function and maintenance of the growth potential. The popliteal and antecubital fossae, because of their complex neurovascular anatomy, all of which is essential, make resection with satisfactory margins difficult. We reviewed our experience with 14 patients (3 to 20 years old; median, 13 years) with soft tissue sarcomas arising in the popliteal (11 patients) or antecubital (3 patients) fossae. There were four rhabdomyosarcomas (3 alveolar, 1 embryonal) and 10 other sarcomas, the most frequent being synovial sarcoma (5 patients). Chemotherapy was given to all patients with rhabdomyosarcomas. The one patient presenting with metastatic disease was treated, after biopsy of the primary, by chemotherapy and radiation and survived 21 months. In three patients, the primary management was an above-the-knee amputation and two of three survived (3 and 43 months). In 10 patients a wide local excision of the primary tumor was performed. Radiation therapy was administered to five, either as external beam (3 patients) or as brachytherapy (2 patients). In this group, there were no local recurrences. Four patients remain free of disease (4 months to 18 years) and one developed pulmonary metastasis. Among the five non-irradiated patients, three developed local recurrences, requiring above-the-knee amputation for disease. The fourth patient relapsed in the lung and only one of the five is free of disease at 36 months. Of the 8 patients not treated with amputation, one acquired a leg length discrepancy, which required correction, and one has a minimal extension deficit of the knee. These data suggest that: (1) preservation of a functional limb is possible for a majority of soft tissue sarcomas in these areas; (2) invasion of a major neurovascular bundle warrants a primary amputation; and (3) the addition of radiation therapy is an essential component of the therapy. Modern techniques of radiation, such as hyperfractionation or interstitial implantation, may also decrease the related morbidity.
Assessing prognostic significance of preoperative alpha-fetoprotein in hepatitis B-associated hepatocellular carcinoma: normal is not the new normal.

Hepatitis B (HBV)-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is often associated with alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) production. Although serum AFP has been demonstrated to be a prognostic factor for patient survival, optimal cutoff levels remain unclear. Patients with HBV-associated HCC treated by primary liver resection were prospectively followed at a single institution between 1995 and 2008. AFP level was categorized into quintiles for Kaplan–Meier analysis and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models. Best 5-year survival after surgery was observed for patients with AFP in the first quintile (1.4–4.1 ng/mL), with progressively worse outcomes for patients in each increasing quintile. AFP was associated with overall survival (HR = 1.61; 95 % CI 1.30–1.98), disease-free survival (HR = 1.26; 95 % CI 1.10–1.44), and 2-year recurrence (HR = 1.30; 95 % CI 1.07–1.57) in multivariate analysis. Noncirrhotic patients (Ishak 1–5) with AFP in quintile 1 had 94 % 5-year survival, compared with 0 % survival for patients with AFP in quintile 5 (2,332.7–327,560.0 ng/mL) and Ishak stage 6 cirrhosis. Preoperative serum AFP is an independent predictor of prognosis among HBV-HCC patients following surgical resection. Categorizing AFP into quintiles creates the opportunity to observe differences in outcomes even at low serum levels within the normal range. Additionally, combining AFP quintiles and fibrosis staging provides a predictive model of prognosis for HCC. Thus, even small differences in AFP within the normal range may impact prognosis and disease progression for HBV-HCC.
Alteration of the Centromedial Amygdala Glutamatergic Synapses by the BDNF Val66Met Polymorphism

Fear expression is mediated by an activation of the centromedial amygdala (CEm), the major output nucleus of the amygdaloid complex. Consistently, fear extinction is associated with an increased synaptic inhibition as well as a suppression of the excitability of the CEm neurons. However, little is known about the role of CEm glutamatergic synapses in fear regulation and anxiety-like behaviors. The BDNF Val66Met, a single-nucleotide polymorphism in the human BDNF gene, impairs fear extinction and leads to anxiety-like symptoms. To determine whether the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism affects the CEm excitatory synapses, we examined basal glutamatergic synaptic transmission and plasticity in the CEm neurons of BDNF Val66Met knock-in (BDNFMet/Met) mice. The BDNF Val66Met single-nucleotide polymorphism exerted an opposite effect on non-NMDA and NMDA receptor transmission with a potentiation of the former and a suppression of the latter. In addition, the decay time of NMDA currents was decreased in BDNFMet/Met mice, suggesting a modification of NMDA receptor subunit composition. Unlike the wild-type mice that exhibited a potentiation of non-NMDA receptor transmission following fear conditioning and a depotentiation upon fear extinction, BDNFMet/Met mice failed to show this experience-dependent synaptic plasticity in the CEm neurons. Our results suggest that the elevated non-NMDA receptor transmission, the suppression of NMDA receptor transmission, and an impairment of synaptic plasticity in the CEm neurons might contribute to the fear extinction deficit and increased anxiety-like symptoms in BDNF Val66Met carriers.
Structure, mechanical properties, and thermal transport in microporous silicon nitride—molecular-dynamics simulations on a parallel machine

Equilibrium and non-equilibrium molecular-dynamics simulations are performed to determine the structure, mechanical properties, and thermal conductivity of amorphous silicon nitride under uniform dilation. For mass densities below ρ = 2.6 g/cc, we observe a significant growth of pores. Near 2.0 g/cc the average pore volume diverges with an exponent of 1.95. The thermal conductivity and Young's modulus are found to scale as ρ1.5 and ρ3.6, respectively.
Taxonomy of the eolid nudibranchCratena pilata (gould)

Taxonomically important aspects of the anatomy of the common eolid nudibranch,Cratena pilata, are presented. The uniserate radula possesses a prominent central cusp and 4 to 7 lateral cusps. Up to 60% of radular teeth may be asymmetric. The triangular, slightly emarginate jaws are described and figured. The genitalia are of the facelinid type and are described. The penis is unarmed. On the basis of anatomy, this species is a member of the Favorinidae (Favorininae). Proper generic placement isCratena Bergh, 1864, a favorinid; notCratena Bergh (1885), a cuthonid.
Behavior of Listeria monocytogenes at 7 °C in commercial turkey breast, with or without antimicrobials, after simulated contamination for manufacturing, retail and consumer settings

Uncured turkey breast, commercially available with or without a mixture of potassium lactate and sodium diacetate, was sliced, inoculated with a 10-strain composite of Listeria monocytogenes, vacuum-packaged, and stored at 4 degrees C, to simulate contamination after a lethal processing step at the plant. At 5, 15, 25 and 50 days of storage, packages were opened, slices were tested, and bags with remaining slices were reclosed with rubber bands; this simulated home use of plant-sliced and -packaged product. At the same above time intervals, portions of original product (stored at 4 degrees C in original processing bags) were sliced and inoculated as above, and packaged in delicatessen bags, simulating contamination during slicing/handling at retail or home. Both sets of bags were stored aerobically at 7 degrees C for 12 days to simulate home storage. L. monocytogenes populations were lower (P<0.05) during storage in turkey breast containing a combination of lactate and diacetate compared to product without antimicrobials under both contamination scenarios. Due to prolific growth of the pathogen under the plant-contamination scenario in product without lactate-diacetate during vacuum-packaged storage (4 degrees C), populations at 3 days of aerobic storage (7 degrees C) of such product ranged from 4.6 to 7.4 log cfu/cm(2). Under the retail/home-contamination scenario, mean growth rates (log cfu/cm(2)/day) of the organism during aerobic storage ranged from 0.14 to 0.16, and from 0.25 to 0.51, in product with and without lactate-diacetate, respectively; growth rates in turkey breast without antimicrobials decreased (P<0.05) with age of the product. Overall, product without antimicrobials inoculated to simulate plant-contamination and product with lactate-diacetate inoculated to simulate retail/home-contamination were associated with the highest and lowest pathogen levels during aerobic storage at 7 degrees C, respectively. However, 5- and 15-day-old turkey breast without lactate-diacetate stored aerobically for 12 days resulted in similar pathogen levels (7.3-7.7 log cfu/cm(2)), irrespective of contamination scenario.
THIN-FILMS FOR SAW DEVICES

Thin-films play a significant role in surface acoustic wave (SAW) technology. Thin metal films are essential for the generation and detection of SAWs on piezoelectric subtrates, can provide for directional control, influence the velocity and propagation loss, and can be configured to produce a wide variety of time and frequency signal processing functions for electronic systems. Dielectric films have been used to selectively modify the propagation properties of surface waves, protect the surfce, and improve the coupling efficiency and temperature characteristics of SAW devices. Piezoelectric films have extended SAW device developments to amorphous and nonpiezoelectric crystals for enhanced frequency and loss performance, lower cost, and microelectronic integration. Semiconductor, optical, and magnetic films have shown promise for active acoustoelectronic, acoustooptic, and magnetoacoustic devices. Chemically sensitive films are the basis for SAW sensor developments. Active research continues today in improving the properties and utilization of thin films on SAW substrates through advances in processing and characterization.