cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The impact of liberalization on European airline strategies and operations

Abstract The paper summarizes the economic arguments in favour of regulation. It goes on to analyse the operational and strategic developments among European airlines in response to regulatory liberalization. Four kinds of response are identified: a search for size and market dominance; efforts to reduce operating costs; the use of new market- ing tools; and the introduction of new operating practices. Despite expectations no new entrant airlines have emerged to challenge the established European majors. On the contrary, the European airline industry is increasingly concentrated. It does not manifest the economic characteristics of a competitive industry and is becoming increasingly oligopolistic. The key issue is whether, after a period of market instability, the remaining European airlines will collude or compete on intra-European services.
Hopping conduction in amorphous Nb2O5 thin films

Abstract The low field conduction mechanism in amorphous Nb 2 O 5 doped with Nb is investigated by measurements of the ac conductivity as a function of frequency (3 Hz−6 × 10 6 Hz), dc conductivity as a function of temperature (100–400 K), capacitance as a function of frequency (3 Hz−6 × 10 6 Hz) and conductance G as a function of voltage at 10 3 Hz. Loss tangent and quality factor data are also given because of their technical and scientific relevance. Evidence for hopping conduction at low applied fields is presented by the following results: (1) a monotonic increase in ac conductivity σ ( ω ) αω n where 0.5 n 6 Hz; (2) a linear dependence of current on voltage at low fields; and (3) low activation energy for dc conduction with a transition at 210 K to a still lower activation energy; and (4) a decrease in polarizability with frequency. At high fields, E > 10 5 V/cm, dc conductivity is dominated by the field emission mechanism of the Poole-Frenkel or Poole type.
Effect of Adhesion, Film Thickness, and Substrate Hardness on the Scratch Behavior of Poly(carbonate) Films

ABSTRACT The effect of adhesion, film thickness, and substrate hardness on the scratch behavior of poly(carbonate) (PC) films was investigated. Films of various thickness were prepared by spin-coating solutions of PC in chloroform onto glass, ferroplate, Al 1100, Al 6022, and Al 6111 substrates. Adhesion between the films and the substrates was controlled by pretreatment of the substrates and the thickness of the films was controlled by the concentration of the PC solutions. Adhesion of the films to the glass substrates was measured by a blister test. Scratch tests were performed using a custom-built, progressive-load scratch tester with interchangeable diamond indenters; the resulting scratches were observed by optical microscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). The critical normal load (i.e., the smallest applied normal load for which delamination of the film from the substrate was observed) was used as a criterion to determine the scratch resistance...
Effect of strontium replacement for calcium on production of motile cells in Protosiphon.

Protosiphon botryoides Klebs grows without evident zoosporogenesis in inorganic media in which strontium is substituted for calcium. Growth is 50 to 90 percent of that obtained with calcium; when sodium is substituted for calcium, there is no appreciable growth. Motility was observed at or above CaCl2. 2H2O levels of 5 mg/lit., with or without strontium.
Closed 3-stop center and periphery in graphs

A delivery person must leave the central location of the business, deliver packages at a number of addresses, and then return. Naturally, he/she wishes to reduce costs by finding the most efficient route. This motivates the following
Codon usage in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

We have generated a codon usage table for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Codon usage in P. aeruginosa is extremely biased. In contrast to E. coli and yeast, P. aeruginosa preferentially uses those codons within a synonymous codon group with the strongest predicted codon-anticodon interaction. We were unable to correlate a particular codon usage pattern with predicted levels of mRNA expressivity. The choice of a third base reflects the high guanine plus cytosine content of the P. aeruginosa genome (67.2%) and cytosine is the preferred nucleotide for the third codon position.
Vanadate, epidermal growth factor and the stimulation of DNA synthesis.

Summary Micromolar concentrations of vanadate added to quiescent human fibroblasts stimulate thymidine incorporation into DNA and produce an increase in cell numbers. Mitogenic activity by vanadate is observed with a short 6 hr exposure to the ion or with its continuous presence in the media. The stimulation of DNA synthesis achieved by vanadate is less than half that produced by epidermal growth factor ; however, vanadate appears to act synergistically with epidermal growth factor. Cells treated with vanadate and epidermal growth factor incorporate 3 to 6-fold more labeled thymidine than cells stimulated by epidermal growth factor alone. Vanadate also potentiated the mitogenic activity of fibroblast growth factor.
Analysis of ammonia electro-oxidation kinetics using a rotating disk electrode

Abstract The kinetics for the electro-oxidation of ammonia in alkaline media was revisited by utilizing a rotating disk electrode (RDE) system. A well-characterized electrocatalyst for the oxidation of ammonia was developed by electrodepositing platinum over a nickel disk electrode in alkaline media at different deposition temperatures (50, 60, and 70 °C) and times (20, 40, and 80 min). The catalyst prepared by the deposition of Pt at 50 °C for 80 min over a Ni disk electrode was found to be the better electrocatalyst for the ammonia oxidation process. This electrode was used in the RDE assembly and subjected to the linear sweep voltammetry experiments to investigate the kinetics of the electro-oxidation of ammonia. The results based on the studies from varying rotational speeds (0–2000 rpm) and scan rates (1–90 mV s−1) indicated that the ammonia electro-oxidation was controlled by mass transfer limitations. A dimensionless analysis illustrated that the presence of an oxidation peak even at high rotational speed in the current–voltage curve could be explained by a transient current response induced by the mass transfer limitations.
Nonpolynomial normal modes of the renormalization group in the presence of a constant vector potential background

Abstract We examine the renormalization group flow in the vicinity of the free-field fixed point for effective field theories in the presence of a constant, nondynamical vector potential background. The interaction with this vector potential represents the simplest possible form of Lorentz violation. We search for any normal modes of the flow involving nonpolynomial interactions. For scalar fields, the inclusion of the vector potential modifies the known modes only through a change in the field strength renormalization. For fermionic theories, where an infinite number of particle species are required in order for nonpolynomial interactions to be possible, we find no evidence for any analogous relevant modes. These results are consistent with the idea that the vector potential interaction, which may be eliminated from the action by a gauge transformation, should have no physical effects.
Trichomonas vaginalis has two fibronectin-like iron-regulated genes.

Abstract Background Trichomonas vaginalis , a protozoan parasite of the human urogenital tract, interacts with fibronectin (FN), a glycoprotein of the extracellular matrix. We, therefore, attempted to identify genes of this eukaryote encoding FN-binding proteins. Methods A cDNA clone, C1, representing an incomplete gene was obtained from an expression library based on its FN-binding ability and was characterized. The full-length 378-bp gene encoding a 14.8-kDa protein of 125 amino acids was obtained. Results The amino acid sequences revealed homology with the type III-14 repeat of the heparin-binding domain at the carboxyl terminal end of FN. This fibronectin-like protein gene, flp1 , was single copy in all the T. vaginalis isolates examined. Levels of flp1 transcript were elevated in cells grown under low-iron conditions. Another low-iron-regulated gene, flp2 , with 70 and 67.5% identity to flp1 at the nucleotide and amino acid levels, respectively, was recovered from the trichomonad genome. Both flp1 and flp2 had consensus Inr promoter-like elements immediately adjacent to the start codon. flp2 also contained an additional Inr element followed by an ATG 24-bp within the gene. Conclusions Unlike flp2 , the flp1 gene had AU-rich destabilizing elements in the 3′-untranslated region (UTR).
Designing wikis for collaborative learning and knowledge-building in higher education

A wiki design that facilitates collaborative learning, knowledge-building, and student reflection was implemented in three graduate courses. Empirical data collected from interactions in the Resources area where students added new resources and commented on peer contributions is analyzed and reported in this poster. The goal is to test the effectiveness of the proposed design for collaborative learning and for the development of a knowledge-building community driven by wiki participants.
Simulation methodology using photographic terrain and rendered objects

We describe a simulation which has been developed over the last couple years for weapons trainers, in which a gunner can pan across a terrain scenario containing moving military vehicles. The terrain imagery is obtained by stitching together a panorama from photographs. Associated with this imagery are a wireframe model of the ground and a range image incorporating both the ground and other objects in the scene. This data allows military vehicles to be rendered at the correct scale and aspect for insertion in the scene, with occlusion by photographic scene objects as appropriate. Controls for contrast, brightness, and focus adjustment which are part of the weapons systems are included in the simulation, as well as rudimentary environmental effects. Achieving real-time performance with smooth user interaction on standard PC hardware posed some challenges. Our methodology assigns some of the processing steps and partial result storage to the graphics card, and others to the system CPU and memory. The methodology also makes frequent use of precomputed and previous fame partial results, so that most frames do not require all the processing step to be applied to the whole visible area. We present an overview of the frame construction methodology, and discuss in more detail the scheme for background precomputation of focus processing results.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Chronic Pain and DepressionAmong Primary Care Patients Treated with Buprenorphine

BACKGROUND Pain and depression are each prevalent among opioid dependent patients receiving maintenance buprenorphine, but their interaction has not been studied in primary care patients.
The In-Training Examination in Internal Medicine

Objective: The In-Training Examination in Internal Medicine (ITE-IM) has been offered to internal medicine trainees annually since 1988 as an instrument for self-assessment. This report outlines th...
Profiles of a planetary limb for space navigation.

Horizon profile of Earth calculated from solutions of plane-parallel Rayleigh scattering atmosphere
Evaluating the maximize minimum distance formulation of the linear discriminant problem

Abstract The ‘maximize minimum distance’ (MMD) linear programming model for the two group discriminant problem has been noted to produce occasionally a trivial (identically zero) discriminant function, one which classifies all observations into a single category. In tests against other methods, both parametric and nonparametric, MMD has fared poorly. In this paper, we attribute the propensity of the MMD model to produce trivial solutions to a specific aspect of its formulation; this same facet may also cause unnessarily high misclassification rates even when a nontrivial function is found. We note a simple revision of a model which ensures an acceptable solution in those instancesin which the calibration samples can be classified with 100% accuracy by a single function. This rises the question of whether the inferior performance of MMD in previous studies was due to inherent limitations in MMD, or to the particular formulation used.
Stigma Management of Male and Female Customers to a Non-Urban Adult Novelty Store

Previous studies on adult bookstores focused almost exclusively on stores located in large urban settings and confined most of their analyses to the behaviors of male customers. For the present study, ethnographic data were collected in an adult store located in a non-urban environment to examine the full range of behaviors of both females and males. Although adult store norms that were previously identified were also noted in this study, additional stigma management strategies and customer behaviors were observed. Additionally, patterns in the types of strategies employed were observed among men and women. Several hypotheses are offered to explain the range of stigma management strategies used.
Structural sensing system with networked dynamic sensing configuration

The dynamic responses of the structure provide a variety of information about the structure as well as people inside. Compared with traditional sensing methods, structural sensing method serves more general sensing purposes due to the diversity of information it can infer from structural responses. For example, by sensing the structural vibration, a system can track and identify a person through vibration caused by their gaits [5, 6]. Such non-intrusive identification and tracking system enables various smart building applications, such as patient monitoring system at advanced hospitals and nursing homes.
A reciprocal relationship exists between non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-activated gene-1 (NAG-1) and cyclooxygenase-2

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-activated gene-1 (NAG-1) and COX-2 are involved in cellular processes such as inflammation, apoptosis, and tumorigenesis. To address the relationship between COX-2 and NAG-1 expression, we investigated the expression of NAG-1 and COX-2 in normal and tumor tissue from human patients, ApcMin/+ mice, and COX-2(−/−) mice. While COX-2 expression is highly induced in tumor tissue, NAG-1 expression is reduced. Furthermore, PGE2 reduces NAG-1 while celebrex induces NAG-1 expression. The results suggest that a possible inverse relationship exists between the expression of NAG-1 and COX-2 in tumor formation of colon tissue.
Increasing late diagnosis in HIV infection in South Korea: 2000-2007

The number of Koreans diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections is increasing annually; however, CD4+ T-cell counts at diagnosis have decreased. The purpose of the present study was to identify clinical and epidemiologic associations with low CD4+ T-cell counts at the time of HIV diagnosis in a Korean population. Data from 2,299 HIV-infected individuals with initial CD4+ T-cell counts measured within 6 months of HIV diagnosis and reason for HIV testing were recorded and measured from 2000 to 2007. Data were selected from the database of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Late diagnosis was defined by CD4+ T-cell counts <200 cells/mm3. Reasons for HIV testing were analyzed using logistic regression including epidemiologic variables. A total of 858 individuals (37.3%) were included in the late diagnosis group. Individuals with a late diagnosis were older, exposed through heterosexual contact, and demonstrated clinical manifestations of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The primary reason for HIV testing was a routine health check-up (41%) followed by clinical manifestations (31%) of AIDS. The proportion of individuals with a late diagnosis was higher in individuals tested due to clinical symptoms in public health centers (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 17.3; 95% CI, 1.7-175) and hospitals (AOR, 4.9; 95% CI, 3.4-7.2) compared to general health check-up. Late diagnosis annually increased in individuals diagnosed by voluntary testing both in public health centers (PHCs, P = 0.017) and in hospitals (P = 0.063). Routine testing due to risky behaviors resulted in earlier detection than testing secondary to health check-ups, although this difference was not statistically significant (AOR, 0.7; P = 0.187). Individuals identified as part of hospital health check-ups more frequently had a late diagnosis (P = 0.001) HIV infection was primarily detected by voluntary testing with identification in PHCs and by testing due to clinical symptoms in hospitals. However, early detection was not influenced by either voluntary testing or general health check-up. It is important to encourage voluntary testing for early detection to decrease the prevalence of HIV infection and AIDS progression.
Relaxin acts directly on rat mammary nipples to stimulate their growth

Previously, we demonstrated that endogenous circulating relaxin promotes growth of the mammary nipples during the second half of pregnancy in the rat. The objective of this study was to determine whether relaxin acts directly on rat nipples to promote their growth. Initially, specific relaxin-binding cells were identified to assure that relaxin binds to the same cell types in the nipples of nonpregnant rats as those we previously described in pregnant rats. To examine relaxin-induced growth of the mammary nipples, 5 days after ovariectomy, 48 nonpregnant rats were assigned (12 rats/group) to 1 of the following 4 treatment groups: ovariectomized controls, estrogen treated, relaxin treated, and estrogen plus relaxin treated. Estrogen (0.05 micrograms 17 beta-estradiol) or estradiol vehicle (0.1 ml stripped corn oil) was administered sc on the dorsal side of the neck daily for the entire 10-day treatment period. Porcine relaxin (12.5 micrograms) or relaxin vehicle (0.05 ml 5% beeswax in corn oil) was adminis...
Atomizing into a Chilled Extraction Solvent Eliminates Liquid Gas from a Spray-Freeze Drying Microencapsulation Process

ABSTRACT A spray-freeze drying encapsulation process using direct atomization into a chilled extraction solvent (ACES), in the absence of liquefied gas, was developed. Heat transfer models, developed to estimate droplet freezing time ( t f ), identified ACES conditions where solvent extraction, nonsolvent influx, and droplet deformation were minimized. Calculated t f 's for dichloromethane and dichloroethane droplets were 98 and 46 ms, respectively, using atomization into liquid nitrogen (ALN2). For droplets t f 's for ACES ranged from 9 to 36 ms. The longest t f 's resulted in collapsed, asymmetric particles with phase-separated cores and high nonsolvent residuals (>10%). Intermediate t f 's produced spherical-cap particles with rough exteriors and a mixture of solid and phase-separated structures. The shortest t f 's produced smooth, spherical-cap particles with solid cores, resembling particles made by ALN2; residual solvent levels were similar or superior to those with ALN2. Phase separation within droplets, induced upon extraction solvent contact in ACES, was minimized for cases where t f ≤ 12 ms, corresponding to Stefan numbers ( Ste ) ≥1.3. These results, obtained with cryogen temperatures up to −122°C, demonstrate encapsulation by ACES is possible if freezing is sufficiently rapid, enabling milder operating temperatures. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 97:4459–4472, 2008
Spermitin: A Novel Mitochondrial Protein in Drosophila Spermatids

Mitochondria, important energy centers in the cell, also control sperm cell morphogenesis. Drosophila spermatids have a remarkably large mitochondrial formation called the nebenkern. Immediately following meiosis during sperm development, the mitochondria in the spermatid fuse together into two large aggregates which then wrap around one another to produce the spherical nebenkern: a giant mitochondrion about 6 micrometers in diameter. The fused mitochondria play an important role in sperm tail elongation by providing a structural platform to support the elongation of sperm cells. We have identified a novel testis-specific protein, Spermitin (Sprn), a protein with a Pleckstrin homology-like (PH) domain related to Ran-binding protein 1 at its C-terminus. Fluorescence microscopy showed that Sprn localizes at mitochondria in transfected Kc167 cells, and in the nebenkern throughout spermatid morphogenesis. The role of Sprn is unclear, as sprn mutant males are fertile, and have sperm tail length comparable to the wild-type.
Ultraviolet radiation-induced skin lesions in laboratory opossums (Monodelphis domestica) exposed from the weanling stage.

After repeated exposure to ultraviolet radiation, adult laboratory opossums (Monodelphis domestica) may develop hyperplasia and neoplasia of the shaved skin. We exposed opossums from the weanling stage (8–10 weeks after birth) and compared the incidence of lesions at designated time points with those observed following introduction of adults (around 5 months old) to the same irradiation protocol (125 J/m2 of UVB three times each week for up to 40 weeks). The overall incidence of hyperplasia and neoplasia among opossums exposed from the weanling stage was markedly lower than among animals first exposed as adults, and hyperkeratosis and sarcoma were not observed. Although freckling was widespread, cutaneous melanocytic nevi were rare among animals first exposed as weanlings; however, one animal without freckling developed malignant melanoma with presumptive metastasis to the spleen. The basis of the lowered lesion incidence among weanling-introduced animals is not clear; it may be that cutaneous immunity to ultraviolet radiation damage is more efficient in juveniles than in adults.
A bio-inspired shape memory alloy composite (BISMAC) actuator

A beam-shape composite actuator using shape memory alloy (SMA) wires as the active component, termed a Bio-Inspired Shape Memory Alloy Composite (BISMAC), was designed to provide a large deformation profile. The BISMAC design was inspired by contraction of a jellyfish bell, utilizing the rowing mechanism for locomotion. Characterization of maximum deformation in underwater conditions was performed for different actuator configurations to analyze the effect of different design parameters, including silicone thickness, flexible steel thickness and distance between the SMA and flexible steel. A constant cross-section (CC)-BISMAC of length 16 cm was found to achieve deformation with a radius of curvature of 3.5 cm. Under equilibrium conditions, the CC-BISMAC was found to achieve 80% of maximum deformation, consuming 7.9 J/cycle driven at 16.2 V/0.98 A and a frequency of 0.25 Hz. A detailed analytical model was developed using the transfer matrix method and a 1D finite beam element (FE) model to simulate the behavior of the BISMAC incorporating gravity, buoyancy and SMA parameters. The FE and transfer matrix models had a maximum deformation error norm of 1.505 and 1.917 cm in comparison with experimentally observed beam deformation in the CC-BISMAC. The mean curvatures predicted by the FE and transfer matrix methods were 0.292 cm−1 and 0.295 cm−1 compared to a mean experimental curvature of 0.294 cm−1, a percentage error of −5.4% and 2.77%, respectively. Using the developed analytical model, an actuator design was fabricated mimicking the maximum deformation profile of jellyfish of the species Aurelia aurita (AA). The designed AA-BISMAC achieved a maximum curvature of 0.428 cm−1 as compared to 0.438 cm−1 for A. aurita with an average square root error of 0.043 cm−1, 10.2% of maximum A. aurita curvature.
Regional and cellular fractionation of working memory

This chapter recounts efforts to dissect the cellular and circuit basis of a memory system in the primate cortex with the goal of extending the insights gained from the study of normal brain organization in animal models to an understanding of human cognition and related memory disorders. Primates and humans have developed an extraordinary capacity to process information "on line," a capacity that is widely considered to underlay comprehension, thinking, and so-called executive functions. Understanding the interactions between the major cellular constituents of cortical circuits-pyramidal and nonpyramidal cells-is considered a necessary step in unraveling the cellular mechanisms subserving working memory mechanisms and, ultimately, cognitive processes. Evidence from a variety of sources is accumulating to indicate that dopamine has a major role in regulating the excitability of the cortical circuitry upon which the working memory function of prefrontal cortex depends. Here, I describe several direct and indirect intercellular mechanisms for modulating working memory function in prefrontal cortex based on the localization of dopamine receptors on the distal dendrites and spines of pyramidal cells and on interneurons in the prefrontal cortex. Interactions between monoamines and a compromised cortical circuitry may hold the key to understanding the variety of memory disorders associated with aging and disease.
Evaluation of a Bayesian decision network for diagnosing pyloric stenosis

Abstract Purpose Most infants undergoing an ultrasound to rule out pyloric stenosis will have a negative study, suggesting the low accuracy of clinical assessment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using a Bayesian network to improve the accuracy of diagnosing pyloric stenosis. Methods Records of 118 infants undergoing an ultrasound to rule out pyloric stenosis were reviewed. Data from 88 (75%) infants were used to train a Bayesian decision network that predicted the probability of pyloric stenosis using risk factors, signs, and symptoms of the disease. The emergency department records of the remaining 28 (25%) infants were used to test the network. Two groups of pediatric surgeons and pediatric emergency medicine physicians were asked to predict the probability of pyloric stenosis in the testing set: (1) physicians using the network and (2) physicians using only emergency department records. Accuracy was evaluated using area under the ROC curve (discrimination) and Hosmer-Lemeshow (H-L) c-statistic (calibration). Results Physicians using the Bayesian decision network better predicted the probability of pyloric stenosis among infants in the testing set than those not using the network (ROC 0.973 vs 0.882; H-L c-statistic 3.9 [ P > .05] vs 24.3 [ P Conclusions The use of a Bayesian decision network may improve the accuracy of physicians diagnosing infants with possible pyloric stenosis. Use of this decision tool may safely reduce the need for imaging among infants with suspected pyloric stenosis.
Well-posedness of the Dirichlet problem for the non-linear diffusion equation in non-smooth domains

We investigate the Dirichlet problem for the parablic equation u t = Δu m ,m > 0, in a non-smooth domain Ω ⊂ R N+1 , N > 2. In a recent paper [U.G. Abdulla, J. Math. Anal. Appl., 260, 2 (2001), 384-403] existence and boundary regularity results were established. In this paper we present uniqueness and comparison theorems and results on the continuous dependence of the solution on the initial-boundary data. In particular, we prove L 1 -contraction estimation in general non-smooth domains.
Constructive characterizations of 3-connected matroids of path width three

A matroid M is sequential or has path width 3 if M is 3-connected and its ground set has a sequential ordering, that is, an ordering (e"1,e"2,...,e"n) such that ({e"1,e"2,...,e"k},{e"k"+"1,e"k"+"2,...,e"n}) is a 3-separation for all k in {3,4,...,n-3}. This paper proves that every sequential matroid is easily constructible from a uniform matroid of rank or corank two by a sequence of moves each of which consists of a slight modification of segment-cosegment or cosegment-segment exchange. It is also proved that if N is an n-element sequential matroid, then N is representable over all fields with at least n-1 elements; and there is an attractive family of self-dual sequential 3-connected matroids such that N is a minor of some member of this family.
Habitat Characteristics and Conservation Status of Three Pennides Crayfish in Marion County, Georgia

Abstract Habitats of three crayfish species, Procambarus (Pennides) gibbus (Muckalee Crayfish), Procambarus (Pennides) versutus (Sly Crayfish), and Procambarus (Pennides) spiculifer (White Tubercled Crayfish) were studied at nine localities in Marion County, GA. Major objectives of this year-long study were to compare habitats of these sister species and assess the current conservation status of the Muckalee Crayfish and the Sly Crayfish in Georgia. Sites were characterized by a one-time physical assessment of the substrate followed by bimonthly assessment of physicochemical conditions. Results indicated that Sly Crayfish habitats had lower pH and turbidity than habitats used by the other two species. Muckalee Crayfish habitat had higher gravel and coarse sand content and higher conductivity than those of the other two species. Captures indicated year-round activity of populations of each species across study locations; however, both the Muckalee Crayfish and the Sly Crayfish merit conservation status due...
On-Chip Supply Noise Regulation Using a Low-Power Digital Switched Decoupling Capacitor Circuit

On-chip resonant supply noise in the mid-frequency range (i.e., 50-300 MHz) has been identified as the dominant supply noise component in modern microprocessors. To overcome the limited efficiency of conventional decoupling capacitors in reducing the resonant supply noise, this paper proposes a low-power digital switched decoupling capacitor circuit. By adaptively switching the connectivity of decaps according to the measured supply noise, the amount of charge provided by the decaps is dramatically boosted leading to an increased damping of the on-chip supply network. Analysis on the charge transfer during the switching events shows a 6-13X boost of effective decap value. Simulations verify the enhanced noise decoupling performance as well as the effective suppression of the first-droop noise. A 0.13 mum test chip including an on-chip resonance generation circuit and on-chip supply noise sensors was built to demonstrate the proposed switched decap circuit. Measurements confirm an 11X boost in effective decap value and a 9.8 dB suppression in supply noise using the proposed circuit. Compared with previous analog techniques, the proposed digital implementation achieves a 91% reduction in quiescent power consumption with improved tolerance to process-voltage-temperature (PVT) variation and tuning capability for obtaining the optimal switching threshold.
Epidemiology, management and outcome of gastroschisis in Sub-Saharan Africa: Results of an international survey

Background: The aim was to compare gastroschisis (GS) epidemiology, management and outcome in low-income countries (LIC) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) with middle- (MIC) and high-income countries (HIC). Materials and Methods: A 10-question survey was administered at the 2012 Pan-African Paediatric Surgery Association Congress. Results are presented as median (range); differences were analysed using contingency tests. Results: A total of 82 delegates (28 countries [66 institutions]) were divided into LIC (n = 11), MIC (n = 6) and HIC (n = 11). In LIC, there were fewer surgeons and more patients. LIC reported 22 cases (1-184) GS/institution/year, compared to 12 cases (3-23)/institution/year in MICs and 15 cases (1-100)/institution/year in HICs. Antenatal screening was less readily available in LIC. Access to parenteral nutrition and neonatal intensive care in LIC was 36% and 19%, compared to 100% in HIC. Primary closure rates were similar in LIC and HIC at 58% and 54%, respectively; however, the majority of staged closure utilised custom silos in LIC and preformed silos in HIC. In LIC, mortality was reported as >75% by 61% delegates and 50-75% by 33%, compared to <25% by 100% of HIC delegates (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: Gastroschisis is a problem encountered by surgeons in SSA. Mortality is high and resources in many centres inadequate. We propose the implementation of a combined epidemiological research, service delivery training and resource provision programme to help improve our understanding of GS in SSA whilst attempting to improve outcome.
The role of porous media in modeling flow and heat transfer in biological tissues

Flow and heat transfer in biological tissues are analyzed in this investigation. Pertinent works are reviewed in order to show how transport theories in porous media advance the progress in biology. The main concepts studied in this review are transport in porous media using mass diffusion and different convective flow models such as Darcy and the Brinkman models. Energy transport in tissues is also analyzed. Progress in development of the bioheat equation (heat transfer equation in biological tissues) and evaluation of the applications associated with the bioheat equation are analyzed. Prominent examples of diffusive applications and momentum transport by convection are discussed in this work. The theory of porous media for heat transfer in biological tissues is found to be most appropriate since it contains fewer assumptions as compared to different bioheat models. A concept that is related to flow instabilities caused by swimming of microorganisms is also discussed. This concept named bioconvection is different from blood convection inside vessels. The works that consider the possibility of reducing these flow instabilities using porous media are reviewed.
Fluoroquinolone-associated tendon-rupture: a summary of reports in the Food and Drug Administration's adverse event reporting system

Objective: To review and summarize reports of tendon rupture associated with each fluoroquinolone (FQ) currently marketed in the United States (US), as reported to the FDA’s Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).Methods: FAERS data were reviewed for reports of tendon rupture associated with each FQ from their respective approval date through September 2012. Disproportional reporting signal detection was estimated using empirical Bayes geometric mean (EBGM) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).Results: There were 2495 FAERs reports of tendon rupture associated with currently approved FQs. Most FAERS reports were associated with levofloxacin (n = 1555) followed by ciprofloxacin (n = 606) and moxifloxacin (n = 230). Signal detection results for FQs were as follows: levofloxacin (EBGM = 55.2, 95% CI = 52.3 – 58.0), ciprofloxacin (EBGM = 20.0, 95% CI = 18.2 – 21.6), moxifloxacin (EBGM = 13.3, 95% CI = 11.7 – 15.1), norfloxacin (EBGM = 9.6, 95% CI = 6.5 – 13.5), ofloxacin (EBGM = 8.2, 95%CI = 6.3 – 10.2) and gem...
Adenosine-enhanced ischemic preconditioning provides enhanced cardioprotection in the aged heart

Abstract Background . Recently we have reported a novel myoprotective protocol "adenosine-enhanced ischemic preconditioning" (APC), which extends and amends the protection afforded by ischemic preconditioning (IPC) by both reducing myocardial infarct size and enhancing postischemic functional recovery in the mature rabbit heart. However, the efficacy of APC in the senescent myocardium was unknown. Methods . The efficacy of APC was investigated in senescent rabbit hearts and compared with magnesium-supplemented potassium cardioplegia (K/Mg) and IPC. Global ischemia (GI) hearts were subjected to 30 minutes of global ischemia and 120 minutes of reperfusion. Ischemic preconditioning hearts received 5 minutes of global ischemia and 5 minutes of reperfusion before global ischemia. Magnesium-supplemented potassium cardioplegia hearts received cardioplegia just before global ischemia. Adenosine-enhanced ischemic preconditioning hearts received a bolus injection of adenosine in concert with IPC. To separate the effects of adenosine from that of APC, a control group (ADO) received a bolus injection of adenosine 10 minutes before global ischemia. Results . Infarct size was significantly decreased to 18.9% ± 2.7% with IPC ( p p p p Conclusions . Adenosine-enhanced ischemic preconditioning provides similar protection to K/Mg cardioplegia, significantly enhancing postischemic functional recovery and decreasing infarct size in the senescent myocardium.
Efficient algorithms for locating a core of a tree network with a specified length

The authors present efficient algorithms for finding a core of tree with a specified length for both sequential and parallel computational models. The algorithms can be readily extended to a tree network in which arcs have nonnegative integer lengths. The authors also present a parallel version of the algorithm on an EREW PRAM (parallel random access machine) model. The results presented might provide a basis for the study of other facility shapes such as trees and forests of fixed sizes. >
An All-Optical PCI-Express Network Interface for Optical Packet Switched Networks

We report on the implementation of a power-efficient, low-latency edge node PCI-Express interface to a WDM optical packet switched network. Scalability is examined under the limits set by PCI-Express jitter specification on the packet propagation.
“Is that paper really due today?”: differences in first-generation and traditional college students’ understandings of faculty expectations

Success in college is not simply a matter of students demonstrating academic ability. In addition, students must master the “college student” role in order to understand instructors’ expectations and apply their academic skills effectively to those expectations. This article uses data from focus groups to examine the fit between university faculty members’ expectations and students’ understanding of those expectations. Parallel discussions among groups of faculty and groups of students highlight important differences regarding issues of time management and specific aspects of coursework. We find definite incongruities between faculty and student perspectives and identify differences between traditional and first-generation college students. We argue that variations in cultural capital, based on parents’ educational experiences, correspond to important differences in each group’s mastery of the student role and, thus, their ability to respond to faculty expectations. The conclusion discusses the theoretical and practical implications of considering role mastery a form of cultural capital.
Cell-based tissue engineering for the intervertebral disc: in vitro studies of human disc cell gene expression and matrix production within selected cell carriers ☆

Abstract Background context Little is known about how disc cells attach, proliferate and form extracellular matrix (ECM) within carrier materials. Such information is needed to help formulate criteria for successful cell-carrier interactions in tissue engineering. Purpose To compare proliferation, ECM production and gene expression in annulus cells cultured in a variety of cell carrier materials with potential application in tissue engineering of the disc. Study design Human intervertebral disc cells from the annulus were used in a prospective study of proliferation, ECM production and gene expression within selected cell carriers. Methods Annulus cells from discs of 29 individuals were tested in collagen sponge, collagen gel, agarose, alginate or fibrin gel formulations. In situ hybridization assessed ECM gene expression of Types I and II collagen, aggrecan and chondroitin-6 sulfotransferase. Cell proliferation, cell shape, attachment and ECM production were evaluated. Results Collagen sponges provided the best microenvironment for disc cell ECM production and gene expression. Although collagen gels often could support good cell growth, such constructs did not result in either abundant ECM production or ECM gene expression, as shown by in situ hybridization. Growth and ECM production and gene expression in alginate, agarose and fibrin microenvironments were inferior. Conclusions Tissue engineering techniques open new therapeutic possibilities for use of autologous disc cells, but fundamental questions on how these cells interact with cell carriers are unexplored. Results provide novel data on disc cell gene expression within diverse microenvironments. The collagen sponge proved to be a superior microenvironment.
Evidence of Climate-Induced Range Contractions in Bull Trout Salvelinus confluentus in a Rocky Mountain Watershed, U.S.A.

Many freshwater fish species are considered vulnerable to stream temperature warming associated with climate change because they are ectothermic, yet there are surprisingly few studies documenting changes in distributions. Streams and rivers in the U.S. Rocky Mountains have been warming for several decades. At the same time these systems have been experiencing an increase in the severity and frequency of wildfires, which often results in habitat changes including increased water temperatures. We resampled 74 sites across a Rocky Mountain watershed 17 to 20 years after initial samples to determine whether there were trends in bull trout occurrence associated with temperature, wildfire, or other habitat variables. We found that site abandonment probabilities (0.36) were significantly higher than colonization probabilities (0.13), which indicated a reduction in the number of occupied sites. Site abandonment probabilities were greater at low elevations with warm temperatures. Other covariates, such as the presence of wildfire, nonnative brook trout, proximity to areas with many adults, and various stream habitat descriptors, were not associated with changes in probability of occupancy. Higher abandonment probabilities at low elevation for bull trout provide initial evidence validating the predictions made by bioclimatic models that bull trout populations will retreat to higher, cooler thermal refuges as water temperatures increase. The geographic breadth of these declines across the region is unknown but the approach of revisiting historical sites using an occupancy framework provides a useful template for additional assessments.
An Optimal Directed Control Framework for Discrete Event Systems

In an earlier paper, we introduced the notion of directed control, where a directed controller, which is simply referred to as a director, is one that selects at most one controllable event to be enabled at any instant. In this paper, we develop an optimization-based approach for the design of a director: starting from any state, the worst cost to the nearest reachable marked state is minimized. The motivation is that a pending task can be completed in the least possible cost. A necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of an optimal director is obtained. Furthermore, for systems that are cycle-free, we provide an algorithm of polynomial complexity to compute an optimal director.
FINE STONEWARE FROM FLINT CLAY

Based on an observation by Karl Langenbeck1 in his “Chemistry of Pottery” a fine and very dense stoneware fired at cone 9 has been developed with a Missouri flint clay as the principal raw material. The resulting product is non-absorbing, tough, and a very satisfactory body for ball mill jars, fine art stoneware, and any work where such a body is desired. Plasticity is equal to that of any standard that may be chosen and the body mixture can readily be thrown on the potter's wheel. Control of plasticity can readily be had so that such a body is available for use by any process. The color when fired is that of a poor grade of hard porcelain.
Eliciting design requirements for maintenance-oriented IDEs: a detailed study of corrective and perfective maintenance tasks

Recently, several innovative tools have found their way into mainstream use in modern development environments. However, most of these tools have focused on creating and modifying code, despite evidence that most of programmers' time is spent understanding code as part of maintenance tasks. If new tools were designed to directly support these maintenance tasks, what types would be most helpful? To find out, a study of expert Java programmers using Eclipse was performed. The study suggests that maintenance work consists of three activities: (1) forming a working set of task-relevant code fragments; (2) navigating the dependencies within this working set; and (3) repairing or creating the necessary code. The study identified several trends in these activities, as well as many opportunities for new tools that could save programmers up to 35% of the time they currently spend on maintenance tasks.
Status and Habitat Use of the Wayne's Black-throated Green Warbler in the Northern Portion of the South Atlantic Coastal Plain

Dendroica virens waynei (Wayne's Warbler) is a unique, disjunct subspecies of Dendroica viren virens (Black-throated Green Warbler) that is restricted to the South Atlantic Coastal Plain from southeastern Virginia to South Carolina. We surveyed a network of 265 fi xed-radius plots to examine seasonal occurrence, spatial distribution, and patterns of habitat use by Black-throated Green Warblers. Survey plots were chosen to represent the full gradient of forest types within the region. Plots were surveyed 7 times between early April and mid-June, 2001. Detections of Black-throated Green Warblers began in early April, increased to a peak in late April, and then declined throughout May and early June. Birds were detected during 251 (13.5%) of 1862 point counts conducted. Detections were widespread and included 114 of 266 (52.6%) survey plots. Forest composition had a signifi cant infl uence on the distribution of breeding sites. The frequency of plots classifi ed as breeding sites was higher than expected for plots containing Pinus taeda (Loblolly Pine), Chamaecyparis thyoides (Atlantic White Cedar), and Taxodium distichum (Bald Cypress). The density of these tree species within survey plots was signifi cantly higher for plots classifi ed as breeding sites compared to plots classifi ed as unoccupied. This response was particularly signifi cant when all three tree species were combined.
Radiation Therapy and cis-diammine-dichloroplatinum (II) in transplantable and primary murine bladder cancer.

Abstract Preoperative radiation improves survival in advanced bladder cancer but the high failure rate, primarily due to distant metastases, suggests a need for adjuvant chemotherapy. The optimal drug might exhibit an additive effect with radiotherapy. Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) induced in mice by FANFT closely resembles the human counterpart, and both primary and transplanted tumors were used to evaluate the possible additive effect of cis DDP and cyclophosphamide (CY), two drugs with activity in TCC, with radiation. One hundred C3H/He mice had 5 × 10 4 TCC cells placed in their right hind limbs and randomized into a control (20) and 8 treatment groups (10); 3600 rad, 3600 rad + CY, 3600 rad + cis DDP, 1500 rad + cis DDP, 1500 rad + CY, CY, and cis DDP. Chemotherapy was initiated on day 7 and continued every week × 3. Radiation, in 250 rad or 600 rad fractions, was given biweekly to the tumor bearing limb using a CO 60 source. 3600 rad alone produced 60% cures with a significant reduction in average tumor diameter ( p cis DDP achieved 78% cures; the best regimen. Therapy of palpable tumors yielded similar resultsave. tumor diameter (D-38) for controls 16.5, 3000 rad-10.6 ( p cis DDP-10.2, CY + 1600 rad- 8.1, cis DDP + 3000 rad-6.2. Cis DDP + 3000 rad was significantly better than cis DDP or 3000 rad alone. One hundred fifty mice ingesting FANFT for 11 months were randomized into 7 groups and subjected to the same regimens to evaluate the effect on primary tumors. The greatest reduction in tumor volume was in mice receiving 1500 rad + cis DDP (mean bladder weight, 29.68 vs. controls 53.57, p cis DDP. Adjuvant cis DDP for invasive bladder cancer might be maximized by initiation with preoperative radiotherapy. Our initial clinical data with cis DDP + irradiation in advanced TCC is encouraging.