cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Morphological changes of annealed poly‐ε‐caprolactone by enzymatic degradation with lipase

The effects of crystallinity and temperature on enzymatic degradation of poly-e-caprolactone (PCL) films and structural changes after degradation have been studied using weight loss, differential scanning calorimetry, and optical microscopy. The weight loss during the enzymatic degradation of PCL suggested that the extent of biodegradation and the rate of degradation strongly depend on the initial crystallinity. PCL films of lower crystallinity (24%) degraded much faster than films of higher crystallinity (45%). The crystallinity of low-crystalline PCL films increased with increasing degradation time, whereas the crystallinity of high-crystalline PCL films decreased with time. The spherulite size increased with increasing degradation time for low-crystalline samples but decreased with time for high-crystalline samples. These results revealed that degradation occurs first in the amorphous region where the degradation rate is much higher, and the crystalline region of the PCL film started to degrade simultaneously for those PCL with higher crystallinity. The enzymatic degradation of PCL proceeded from the free amorphous to restricted amorphous followed by lamellar edges, where PCL chains have higher mobility irrespective of hydrolysis temperature. Caproic acid was identified as the primary product formed after degradation and confirmed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, suggesting that degradation occurs through the depolymerization mechanism. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 202–211, 2010
An Examination of Cooper's Test for Monotonic Trend.

Cooper (1975) presents "a new test for increasing or decreasing trend" which, he indicates, (1) is superior to the Cox-Stuart tests because it is defined in terms of more Bernoulli trials, and (2) is a binomial test. The present paper shows that Cooper's test statistic (1) is not a binomial random variable, but (2) is linearly related to Kendall's Tau.
Strychnine-sensitive glycine receptors depress hyperexcitability in rat dentate gyrus.

Previously we have shown that strychnine-sensitive glycine-gated chloride channels (GlyRs) are functionally expressed by CA1 pyramidal cells and GABAergic interneurons in mature rat hippocampal sli...
Uncertainty quantification of bacterial aerosol neutralization in shock heated gases

A potential method for the neutralization of bacterial endospores is the use of explosive charges since the high thermal and mechanical stresses in the post-detonation flow are thought to be sufficient in reducing the endospore survivability to levels that pose no significant health threat. While several experiments have attempted to quantify endospore survivability by emulating such environments in shock tube configurations, numerical simulations are necessary to provide information in scenarios where experimental data are difficult to obtain. Since such numerical predictions require complex, multi-physics models, significant uncertainties could be present. This work investigates the uncertainty in determining the endospore survivability from using a reduced order model based on a critical endospore temperature. Understanding the uncertainty in such a model is necessary in quantifying the variability in predictions using large-scale, realistic simulations of bacterial endospore neutralization by explosive charges. This work extends the analysis of previous large-scale simulations of endospore neutralization [Gottiparthi et al. in (Shock Waves, 2014. doi: 10.1007/s00193-014-0504-9 )] by focusing on the uncertainty quantification of predicting endospore neutralization. For a given initial mass distribution of the bacterial endospore aerosol, predictions of the intact endospore percentage using nominal values of the input parameters match the experimental data well. The uncertainty in these predictions are then investigated using the Dempster–Shafer theory of evidence and polynomial chaos expansion. The studies show that the endospore survivability is governed largely by the endospore’s mass distribution and their exposure or residence time at the elevated temperatures and pressures. Deviations from the nominal predictions can be as much as 20–30 % in the intermediate temperature ranges. At high temperatures, i.e., strong shocks, which are of the most interest, the residence time is observed to be a dominant parameter, and this coupled with the analysis resulting from the Dempster–Shafer theory of evidence seems to indicate that achieving confident predictions of less than 1 % endospore viability can only occur by extending the residence time of the fluid–particle interaction.
Vandalizing Meaning, Stealing Memory: Artistic, Cultural, and Theoretical Implications of Crime in Galleries and Museums

This paper discusses two different types of crime that occur in art museums: the theft of art objects and the vandalism of works of art. This paper explores the extent to which theft may affect our memory of a given work of art (regardless of whether the object is ultimately recovered), as well as our experience of the museum (especially if efforts are subsequently undertaken to improve security, such as with the Munch Museum following the theft of the Scream). With respect to vandalism, this paper considers whether and how such acts subsequently affect the value we place on the assaulted items as cultural icons and the meaning of the paintings as art objects. This paper argues that how we regard such events should be determined not by their criminality, but by the individual’s or individuals’ intent and the effect of the acts on the meaning and memory of the works.
Cas scf/ci calculations on Si4 and Si4+

Abstract Complete active space multiconfiguration SCF (CAS SCF) followed by configuration interaction (CI) calculations are carried out on Si 4 . A number of geometries (tetrahedral, rhombus, square, linear, etc.) are considered. These calculations predict that the ground state is 1 A g (D 2h ) with an equilibrium geometry of a rhombus. Our CAS SCF/CI results are in agreement with the MP4 calculations of Raghavachari on Si 4 . The vertical ionization potential of Si 4 is calculated to be 7.3 eV.
Generalized energy-efficient algorithms for the RFID estimation problem

Radio frequency identification (RFID) has been gaining popularity for inventory control, object tracking, and supply-chain management in warehouses, retail stores, hospitals, etc. Periodically and automatically estimating the number of RFID tags deployed in a large area has many important applications in inventory management and theft detection. Prior works focus on designing time-efficient algorithms that can estimate tens of thousands of tags in seconds. We observe that for an RFID reader to access tags in a large area, active tags are likely to be used due to their longer operational ranges. These tags are battery-powered and use their own energy for information transmission. However, recharging batteries for tens of thousands of tags is laborious. Hence, conserving energy for active tags becomes critical. Some prior works have studied how to reduce energy expenditure of an RFID reader when it reads tag IDs. We study how to reduce the amount of energy consumed by active tags during the process of estimating the number of tags in a system. We design two energy-efficient probabilistic estimation algorithms that iteratively refine a control parameter to optimize the information carried in transmissions from tags, such that both the number and the size of transmissions are reduced. These algorithms can also take time efficiency into consideration. By tuning a contention probability parameter $\omega$ , the new algorithms can make tradeoff between energy cost and estimation time.
ER stress response: getting the UPR hand on misfolded proteins.

Abstract Unfolded proteins are constantly delivered to the ER lumen, where they must be removed by folding or degradation. Recent studies show that the ‘unfolded protein response' controls essentially all aspects of ER function, coordinating these two fates for misfolded proteins in a process necessary for normal cell life.
The Yeast a1 and α2 Homeodomain Proteins Do Not Contribute Equally to Heterodimeric DNA Binding

In diploid cells of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the alpha2 and a1 homeodomain proteins bind cooperatively to sites in the promoters of haploid cell-type-specific genes (hsg) to repress their expression. Although both proteins bind to the DNA, in the alpha2 homeodomain substitutions of residues that are involved in contacting the DNA have little or no effect on repression in vivo or cooperative DNA binding with a1 protein in vitro. This result brings up the question of the contribution of each protein in the heterodimer complex to the DNA-binding affinity and specificity. To determine the requirements for the a1-alpha2 homeodomain DNA recognition, we systematically introduced single base-pair substitutions in an a1-alpha2 DNA-binding site and examined their effects on repression in vivo and DNA binding in vitro. Our results show that nearly all substitutions that significantly decrease repression and DNA-binding affinity are at positions which are specifically contacted by either the alpha2 or a1 protein. Interestingly, an alpha2 mutant lacking side chains that make base-specific contacts in the major groove is able to discriminate between the wild-type and mutant DNA sites with the same sequence specificity as the wild-type protein. These results suggest that the specificity of alpha2 DNA binding in complex with a1 does not rely solely on the residues that make base-specific contacts. We have also examined the contribution of the a1 homeodomain to the binding affinity and specificity of the complex. In contrast to the lack of a defective phenotype produced by mutations in the alpha2 homeodomain, many of the alanine substitutions of residues in the a1 homeodomain have large effects on a1-alpha2-mediated repression and DNA binding. This result shows that the two proteins do not make equal contributions to the DNA-binding affinity of the complex.
Defining and Measuring Chronic Conditions: Imperatives for Research, Policy, Program, and Practice

Current trends in US population growth, age distribution, and disease dynamics foretell rises in the prevalence of chronic diseases and other chronic conditions. These trends include the rapidly growing population of older adults, the increasing life expectancy associated with advances in public health and clinical medicine, the persistently high prevalence of some risk factors, and the emerging high prevalence of multiple chronic conditions. Although preventing and mitigating the effect of chronic conditions requires sufficient measurement capacities, such measurement has been constrained by lack of consistency in definitions and diagnostic classification schemes and by heterogeneity in data systems and methods of data collection. We outline a conceptual model for improving understanding of and standardizing approaches to defining, identifying, and using information about chronic conditions in the United States. We illustrate this model’s operation by applying a standard classification scheme for chronic conditions to 5 national-level data systems.
Chemical carcinogens in non-enzymatic cytosine deamination: 3-isocyanatoacrylonitrile

Uracil has long been known as the main product of nitrosative cytosine deamination in aqueous solution. Recent mechanistic studies of cytosinediazonium ion sug- gest that the cation formed by its dediazoniation can ring- open to N-protonated (Z,s-cis)-3-isocyanatoacrylonitrile 7. Stereochemical preferences are discussed of the 3-isocya- natoacrylonitriles (Z,s-cis)-10 ,( E,s-cis)-11 ,( Z,s-trans)-12, and(E,s-trans)-13.The electronic structures of7and10-13 have been analyzed and a rationale is provided for the thermodynamic preference for (Z,s-cis)-10. It is shown that s-cis/s-trans-interconversion occurs via C−N rotation- inversion paths with barriers below 3 kcal mol −1 . The proton affinities of 3-isocyanatoacrylonitrile 10 and water are nearly identical and, thus, 3-isocyanatoacrylonitriles can and should be formed in aqueous media from 7 along with 3-aminoacrylonitriles 9. The results highlight the relevance of the chemistry of 3-isocyanatoacrylonitriles for the understanding of the chemical toxicology of nitrosation of the nucleobase cytosine.
Linear algebra: The module of morphisms

In this chapter we continue our development of linear algebra. We study the module of morphisms, the module made from collecting together all the morphisms from one module to another. The coordinate morphism provides the tie between the module of morphisms and the module of m by n matrices. The collective structure of the module of morphisms is further extended through composition to produce the algebra of endomorphisms and the corresponding algebra of square matrices. Through the use of the matrix of a morphism and the coordinates of a vector we calculate the images of morphisms in the traditional way.
UAV perimeter patrol operations optimization using efficient Dynamic Programming

A reduced order Dynamic Programming (DP) method that efficiently computes the optimal policy and value function for a class of controlled Markov chains is developed. We assume that the Markov chains exhibit the property that a subset of the states have a single (default) control action associated with them. Furthermore, we assume that the transition probabilities between the remaining (decision) states can be derived from the original Markov chain specification. Under these assumptions, the suggested reduced order DP method yields significant savings in computation time and also leads to faster convergence to the optimal solution. Most importantly, the reduced order DP has been shown analytically to give the exact same solution that one would obtain via performing DP on the original full state space Markov chain. The method is illustrated via a multi UAV perimeter patrol stochastic optimal control problem.
Converting Formatted Documents to HTML

The following method can be followed for quickly converting existing text (i.e., ASCII) documents to an HTML format. Most (if not all) word and text processors support the generation of a text file without formatting. This method provides the means to make such a document readily available to a WWW browser and the capability to add further hypertext elements to the document in the future as time and HTML expertise allow. However, you will probably ultimately find the need to rewrite the document as more specialized elements are desired.
Defining characteristics of educational competencies

Context Doctor competencies have become an increasing focus of medical education at all levels. However, confusion exists regarding what constitutes a competency versus a goal, objective or outcome. Objectives This article attempts to identify the characteristics that define a competency and proposes criteria that can be applied to distinguish between competencies, goals, objectives and outcomes. Methods We provide a brief overview of the history of competencies and compare competencies identified by international medical education organisations (CanMEDS 2005, Institute for International Medical Education, Dundee Outcome Model, Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education/American Board of Medical Specialties). Based upon this review and comparisons, as well as on definitions of competencies from the literature and theoretical and conceptual analyses of the underpinnings of competencies, the authors develop criteria that can serve to distinguish competencies from goals, objectives and outcomes. Results We propose 5 criteria which can be used to define a competency: it focuses on the performance of the end-product or goal-state of instruction; it reflects expectations that are external to the immediate instructional programme; it is expressible in terms of measurable behaviour; it uses a standard for judging competence that is not dependent upon the performance of other learners, and it informs learners, as well as other stakeholders, about what is expected of them. Conclusions Competency-based medical education is likely to be here for the foreseeable future. Whether or not these 5 criteria, or some variation of them, become the ultimate defining criteria for what constitutes a competency, they represent an essential step towards clearing the confusion that reigns.
Soluble epoxide hydrolase-dependent regulation of myogenic response and blood pressure

Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) are metabolites of arachidonic acid via cytochrome P450 (CYP)/epoxygenases. EETs possess cardioprotective properties and are catalyzed by soluble epoxide hydrolase ...
Extending the Intergenerational Stake Hypothesis: Evidence of an Intra-individual Stake and Implications for Well-being

The intergenerational stake hypothesis suggests that parents are more invested in their children and experience better quality parent-child ties than do their children. In this study the authors examined variation in reports of relationship quality regarding parents and children intraindividually (do people report better quality ties with their children than with their parents?) and whether within-person variations have implications for well-being. Participants age 40-60 (N = 633) reported on their relationship quality (importance, positive and negative quality) with their parents and adult children. Individuals reported their relationships with children were more important and more negative than relationships with parents. Individuals with feelings that were in the opposite direction of the intergenerational stake hypothesis (i.e., greater investment in parents than children) reported poorer well-being. The findings provide support for the intergenerational stake hypothesis with regard to within-person variations in investment and show that negative relationship quality may coincide with greater feelings of investment.
Corporate Acquisitions: A Process Perspective

Historically, acquisition scholars and practitioners have adopted a choice perspective which portrays the corporate executive analyzing acquisition opportunities as a rational decision maker. This paper suggests that the choice perspective be supplemented with a process perspective which recognizes the acquisition process itself as a potentially important determinant of activities and outcomes. A series of research propositions is offered suggesting how four impediments present in the process itself might affect acquisition outcomes.
The SuperARV Language Model: Investigating the Effectiveness of Tightly Integrating Multiple Knowledge Sources

A new almost-parsing language model incorporating multiple knowledge sources that is based upon the concept of constraint Dependency Grammars is presented in this paper. Lexical features and syntactic constraints are tightly integrated into a uniform linguistic structure called a SuperARV that is associated with a word in the lexicon. The SuperARV language model reduces perplexity and word error rate compared to trigram, part-of-speech-based, and parser-based language models. The relative contributions of the various knowledge sources to the strength of our model are also investigated by using constraint relaxation at the level of the knowledge sources. We have found that although each knowledge source contributes to language model quality, lexical features are an outstanding contributor when they are tightly integrated with word identity and syntactic constraints. Our investigation also suggests possible reasons for the reported poor performance of several probabilistic dependency grammar models in the literature.
The problem of infant suffering

The problem of infant suffering and death is one of the most difficult versions of the problem of evil, especially when we consider how God can be thought good to the infant victims by the infant victims. In the first portion of this paper, I examine two theodicies that aim to solve this problem but fail. In the final section, I argue that the problem can be better dealt with by maintaining not that God must redeem the suffering of such children, but that such children are not the sort of beings whose suffering God can or must redeem.
On the origin of the ‘surface current’ in turbulent free-surface flows

In this study, the interaction with a free surface of an initially axisymmetric jet issuing beneath and parallel to the surface was examined. The purpose was to determine the origin of the ‘surface current’ – the large outward velocity which exists in a thin layer adjacent to the surface. Using the equations of mean motion, it is shown that near the surface, outward acceleration results from the balance between a positive contribution from the lateral Reynolds-stress gradients and a negative contribution from the lateral pressure gradient. The local pressure field near the free surface is shown to be largely determined by the local Reynolds-stress field. Combining these results shows that the lateral acceleration which results in the surface current is related to the Reynolds-stress anisotropy near the surface. The results indicate that there should be roughly a three-fold increase in the lateral growth rate of the jet near the free surface and a similar increase in the outward velocity, when compared to a deep jet. Comparison to available experimental data showed that the maximum outward velocity was consistent with the theory, and that the lateral scale of the surface-current layer was roughly double that of the deep jet, slightly smaller than expected. The near-surface stress anisotropy was shown to be related to the interaction of vorticity with the free surface. This indicates that the results of this study are consistent with earlier explanations of the surface current in terms of vortex/free-surface interaction.
Cycles within the System: Metropolitanisation and Internal Migration in the US, 1965± 90

Summary. This paper uses a typology of local metropolitan development to examine population redistribution trends in the US over the past three decades. Theories of systemic maturation and urban life-cycles are discussed and evaluated. Analysis of population and inter-county migration data reveals that localised deconcentration has become an increasingly common sub-process of metropolitanisation, but that this sub-process cannot be fully explained by a life-cycle model of metropolitan development. More importantly, results indicate that metro-based migration varies signi® cantly with local patterns of metropolitanisation. The nature of this variation implies that declining metropolitan areas tend to redistribute migrants to relatively distant metropolitan and non-metropolitan territory in a manner consistent with extended processes of population deconcentration.
Measurement of microbial activity in soil by colorimetric observation of in situ dye reduction: an approach to detection of extraterrestrial life

Background Detecting microbial life in extraterrestrial locations is a goal of space exploration because of ecological and health concerns about possible contamination of other planets with earthly organisms, and vice versa. Previously we suggested a method for life detection based on the fact that living entities require a continual input of energy accessed through coupled oxidations and reductions (an electron transport chain). We demonstrated using earthly soils that the identification of extracted components of electron transport chains is useful for remote detection of a chemical signature of life. The instrument package developed used supercritical carbon dioxide for soil extraction, followed by chromatography or electrophoresis to separate extracted compounds, with final detection by voltammetry and tandem mass-spectrometry.
A longitudinal examination of the link between youth physical fitness and academic achievement.

BACKGROUND: Childhood obesity has been linked with other persistent health problems, but research is just beginning to examine its relationship with academic performance. This article tracks students longitudinally to examine the ways student physical fitness and changes in fitness align with school performance. METHODS: Using matched administrative data and individual growth modeling, we examine the relationship between academic achievement and overall physical fitness longitudinally from fourth to seventh and sixth to ninth grades for students in a California community. RESULTS: Comparing those who are persistently fit to those who are persistently unfit, we find disparities in both math and English language arts test scores. These academic disparities begin even before students begin fitness testing in fifth grade and are larger for girls and Latinos. Overall physical fitness is a better predictor of academic achievement than obesity as measured by body mass index. Socioeconomic status acts as a buffer for those who have poor physical fitness but strong academic performance. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate the presence of a physical fitness achievement gap that has consequences for potential students' future educational and health outcomes. This gap begins as early as fourth grade, which is before physical fitness testing begins in California.
The tyranny of the clock

Promoting a clock-free paradigm that fits everything learned about programming since Turing.
A Bivariate Time Series Approach to Anthropogenic Trend Detection in Hemispheric Mean Temperatures

Abstract A bivariate time series regression approach is used to model observed variations in hemispheric mean temperature over the period 1900–96. The regression equations include deterministic predictor variables and lagged values of the two predictands, and two different forms of this basic structure are employed. The deterministic predictors considered are simple linear trends, various climate model–generated time series based on different combinations of greenhouse gas, sulfate aerosol, and solar forcing, and the Southern Oscillation index (SOI). With linear trends as the only predictors, the best model is a fourth-order bivariate autoregressive model including lagged Southern Hemisphere (SH) to Northern Hemisphere (NH) dependence, as in previous work by Kaufmann and Stern. The estimated NH and SH trends are both +0.67°C century−1, and both are highly statistically significant. If SOI is included as an additional predictor, however, a first-order time series model, with no SH to NH dependence, is an a...
Digestive Retention Times in Forest Guenons (Cercopithecus spp.) with Reference to Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)

Because the length of time food is maintained in the gut influences fermentation rates and its overall digestibility, information on digestive passage rates is critical to explain the overall feeding and foraging strategy of a species. I present results from digestive passage experiments conducted on captive Cercopithecus ascanius, C. mitis, C. neglectus, Miopithecus talapoin, and Pan troglodytes. I recorded several measures of digestive passage time, including transit time (time of first marker appearance; TT), mean retention time of markers (MRT), and time of last appearance of a marker (TLA). I conducted 4 trials on each of the 10 subjects. A trial consists of the administration of 20, non-toxic colored plastic markers. Overall, the 5 species varied in digestive times (p < 0.01), but there is no difference between Cercopithecus neglectus and Pan troglodytes (p = 0.131) or between C. mitis and C. ascanius (p = 0.661). When the effect of body size is removed (by computing the ratio y/x, where x = body mass, and y = MRT), Pan troglodytes exhibits a low ratio, suggesting relatively slow retention times in the 4 cercopithecines. My findings and other published digestive passage rates suggest that lengthy digestive retention times may be characteristic of cercopithecines. These data may help to interpret how the smaller-bodied guenons are able to consume a higher percentage of fiber than that of chimpanzees, a specialized frugivore. Small body size, in combination with long digestive passage times may be an adaptation on the part of Cercopithecus species to consume a high fiber diet, while maintaining a greater capacity to detoxify secondary metabolites.
Shape Commonalization to Develop Common Platforms for Mass Customization

To be a global leader in the current market, a company needs to keep on adapting to the changing requirements of its customers and also provide customization of its products to suit the customers’ needs. A robust product platform can support a variety of products to satisfy different segments of the market with reduced manufacturing and product development cost. The common components for a set of similar products belonging to a family can be grouped into a common platform. However, development of product platform requires measuring similarity among a set of products. This chapter presents an approach to measure the degree of similarity among a set of products by extracting the information from their existing CAD models. The extraction process leads to a suitable development of shape commonality indices to identify the components and products that can be potentially arranged under a common platform. Two case studies are presented to demonstrate the steps of the approach.
Efficacy and Safety of Selective Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitors Compared with Sorafenib for Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: a Meta-analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials

Abstract Aims Selective vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) inhibitors have the potential for greater potency and less off-target toxicity compared with multikinase tyrosine kinase inhibitors in the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma. We carried out a meta-analysis to determine quantitatively the differences in comparative efficacy and tolerability between these newer, selective agents and the multikinase inhibitors. Materials and methods We searched four electronic databases for published randomised controlled trials comparing selective VEGFR inhibitors with multikinase tyrosine kinase inhibitors for metastatic renal cell carcinoma and carried out a meta-analysis. Outcomes of interest were progression-free survival, objective response rate (ORR), overall survival, discontinuation of treatment due to adverse events (DAE) and occurrence of specific toxicities. Results Four trials involving the selective VEGFR inhibitors axitinib, tivozanib and dovitinib were analysed, all using sorafenib as the comparator. There was a 22% reduction in risk of disease progression with selective VEGFR inhibitors (relative risk 0.78; 95% confidence interval 0.69–0.87) compared with sorafenib, the tyrosine kinase inhibitor in all trials, and similar whether the agents were first-line or subsequent therapy. ORR was improved with selective VEGFR inhibitors, with 91% increased odds over sorafenib (odds ratio 1.91; 95% confidence interval 1.35–2.69). Overall survival was similar between groups (relative risk 1.03; 95% confidence interval 0.88–1.21) and DAE differed only in sensitivity analysis with exclusion of dovitinib (odds ratio 0.62; 95% confidence interval 0.41–0.94). Frequencies of the most common toxicities were overall similar, but differences included more frequent grade 3 or 4 fatigue and less frequent palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia with selective VEGFR therapy. Conclusion Although selective VEGFR inhibitors are associated with similar overall survival as multikinase inhibitor sorafenib, they show significant improvement in progression-free survival, regardless of first-line or later use, and ORR compared with sorafenib. Tolerability due to toxicities is similar.
Modulation of the QT interval: effects of graded exercise and reflex cardiovascular stimulation.

During exercise, as heart rate (HR) increases, the QT interval of the electrocardiogram shortens. The mechanism(s) involved in this QT shortening has not been clearly defined. To distinguish the influence of increased circulating catecholamines from myocardial efferent stimulation, the relationship between HR and QT interval was investigated during exercise and cardiovascular reflex stimulation in cardiac transplant patients and normal control subjects. Because of cardiac denervation, increases in HR in these patients are solely due to circulating catecholamines and thus allow isolation of their effect on the QT interval. Twenty-one cardiac transplant patients were studied and compared with 16 normal control subjects. The QT-HR relationship was determined according to an exponential model during treadmill exercise in both groups [QT = 0.12 + 0.492e(-0.008.HR) and QT = 0.12 + 0.459e(-0.007.HR) in normal subjects and transplant patients, respectively] and was statistically similar between groups, suggesting similar QT interval shortening in both groups. During cold pressor and Valsalva maneuvers, HR increased significantly in normal subjects only, whereas QT interval changed minimally in both groups. These results suggest that during exercise the QT interval is influenced predominantly by increases in circulating catecholamines rather than by neurally mediated reflex autonomic changes.
Initiating inspiration outside the medulla does produce eupneic breathing

ARTERIAL PCO2 IS DICTATED by the ratio between the level of pulmonary gas exchange and alveolar ventilation (VA), not minute ventilation. If so, how could isocapnia be maintained if only the magnitude (tidal volume, VT) and duration (TI and TTOT) of the neural output produced by the central pattern generator of breathing (CPG) can be altered? In other words, what is the strategy used by the respiratory control system to match its output to the level of pulmonary gas exchange to keep arterial blood gas homeostasis if this neural output con- tributes to dead space ventilation? In this Viewpoint, we will show that when the spontaneous breathing is replaced by a cortically triggered breathing pattern at various breathing frequencies (we will name this new rhythm an "ecto-rhythm"), the relationship between TTOT and VT has a positive intercept that averages the pulmonary dead space. As a result, the coupling between ventilation and the pulmonary gas exchange becomes possible (17). We will present the idea that whenever isocapnia is maintained during spontaneous or automatic breathing, the magnitude and dura- tion of breath cycles must display the same relationship as during an ecto-rhythm (15). Conversely, we will discuss the implications of the observation that breathing can display the same essential regulatory properties whether generated outside or within the pontomedullary CPG area (7). Ecto-rhythm, breathing pattern, and gas exchange: the re-
Screw dislocation driven growth of nanomaterials.

Nanoscience and nanotechnology impact our lives in many ways, from electronic and photonic devices to biosensors. They also hold the promise of tackling the renewable energy challenges facing us. However, one limiting scientific challenge is the effective and efficient bottom-up synthesis of nanomaterials. We can approach this core challenge in nanoscience and nanotechnology from two perspectives: (a) how to controllably grow high-quality nanomaterials with desired dimensions, morphologies, and material compositions and (b) how to produce them in a large quantity at reasonable cost. Because many chemical and physical properties of nanomaterials are size- and shape-dependent, rational syntheses of nanomaterials to achieve desirable dimensionalities and morphologies are essential to exploit their utilities. In this Account, we show that the dislocation-driven growth mechanism, where screw dislocation defects provide self-perpetuating growth steps to enable the anisotropic growth of various nanomaterials at ...
Metastable Structures in Quenched Cr-Ti and Electron Irradiated Cu-Ti Alloys

Electron diffraction and imaging are used to characterize and contrast the structures and microstructures of a metastable Cr-Ti phase formed after quenching and a metastable Cu-Ti phase formed during electron irradiation. In both phases, marked structural anisotropies are found which have characteristics common to both of these bcc-based materials. It has been reported in the literature that this quenched-in metastable Cr-Ti phase undergoes a spontaneous structural relaxation into the amorphous state during sub-eutectoid temperature anneals [1]. Despite the similarity of the present experiments to those reported in the literature, an amorphization transformation was not observed. It is argued that the amorphization of this material requires the stabilization of the amorphous phase by an impurity.
Lower Genitourinary Injuries

Penetrating injuries to the urethra, testicles, and external genitalia usually take the form of gunshot and stab wounds. The importance of the mechanism of injury cannot be overemphasized, and combined with a very thorough and detailed physical examination, will lead the diagnostician to the correct diagnosis. If ever in doubt, or the mechanism does not seem correct, perform radiological studies to further delineate any underlying injuries, which may of course change the course of management. Other life-threatening injuries should always maintain a higher priority, but it is the responsibility of the trauma and urology team to work together and maintain effective communication to deliver the best possible care.
Current Understandings of What Works to Support the Development of Emergent Literacy in Early Childhood Classrooms

Despite growing attention to early literacy experiences and emergent literacy perspectives, many children start kindergarten with less than optimal emergent literacy skills. In this article, I review research on efforts to identify what works to support young children's development of emergent literacy in early childhood classrooms prior to starting kindergarten. These efforts include curricula, best practices, and professional development. Such efforts show promise in improving children's emergent literacy skills, but many gaps remain and require further study. In particular, research is necessary to identify ways to improve meaning-focused skills, understand the generalizability and sustainability of effects, and translate findings into practice.
Acoustoelastic Coefficients in Thick Steel Plates under Normal and Shear Stresses

Ultrasonic monitoring of the integrity of structural materials utilizes the acoustoelasticity of materials (stress-dependence of ultrasonic wave velocity) obtained from the higher order strain terms in the constitutive equations. This method has been applied to measure residual and applied stresses in thin metals under principal stresses without shear. Here, acoustoelastic coefficients are determined in thick steel plates in normal, orthogonal, and angled directions by means of an array of ultrasonic sensors. A three-dimensional material model is developed which includes Murnaghan hyper-elasticity and can determine the effects of plate thickness and excitation frequency on the acoustoelastic coefficients. This model is experimentally validated by tensile loading of a thick steel plate by measuring the ultrasonic signals in three directions. Numerical and experimental results agree within the measurement uncertainties of each method. The 1.0 MHz ultrasonic frequency has the highest resolution for measuring normal and shear stresses in structural plates typically used in highway bridges.
The Automobile Industry

In broad outline, the emerging dynamics in the world automotive industry look similar to those in electronics. Three features of the current competitive environment are particularly noteworthy. First, microelectronics are having a powerful impact on production technologies in the industrial countries. Possibilities for labor-saving mass production or flexible custom assembly are expanding rapidly. Secondly, product innovation continues at a rapid pace. Microelectronics and new materials are beginning to have a pronounced impact on automotive products. Some current models incorporate high-strength plastic body components and radically new transmission and steering systems. The next few years will witness replacement of metal by ceramics in major engine components; replacement of traditional wiring by single-cable communications systems linking smart power chips; and the advent of computer mapping and first-generation vehicle guidance systems.
Consumer and trained panel evaluation of beef strip steaks of varying marbling and enhancement levels cooked to three degrees of doneness.

Abstract The palatability of USDA graded beef strip loins of seven treatments [High Enhanced (HE: 112% of raw weight) Select, Low Enhanced (LE: 107% of raw weight) Select, Prime, upper 2/3 Choice (Top Choice), lower 1/3 Choice (Low Choice), Select, and Standard] cooked to three degrees of doneness [DOD; rare (60 °C), medium (71 °C), or well-done (77 °C)] was evaluated by consumer and trained sensory panelists. For consumers, Select HE steaks rated higher (P 0.05) were observed between Select LE and Prime samples for most traits evaluated. The effect of USDA grade and enhancement on trained panel palatability scores was independent of DOD for all traits other than juiciness, with the role of marbling in juiciness increasing as DOD increased from rare to well-done. These results indicate enhancement as an effective method to improve the palatability of lower grading beef.
The Not So Simple Ontology of a “Primitive” Robot

The paper addresses the important issue of (enhancing) robotic intelligence and enhancing the robots’ communication with humans, intelligent agents, sensors and machines. First, it proposes a way to achieve communication in natural language for the agents in hybrid groups with the help of the Ontological Semantic Technology (OST), currently the only approach to accessing deep and comprehensive meaning of language and other data, thus turning it into information, but in principle, one of potentially numerous competing proposals that may ultimately eclipse this early bird. The main thrust of the paper and, I believe, the main reason my colleagues are not ready (yet) to jump into my boat, as it were, is in the second, much more tentative and controversial part of the paper which is philosophical, at least in part. It is attempting to build up a theoretical foundation for a close look at the world of a “primitive” robot and argues that its ontology is not so primitive at all, and it is the theoretical foundation which brings it all to the surface in a pretty straightforward fashion. Contrary to what it may sound, that does not make the OST or any other rich-ontology-based approach to robotic intelligence and communication any more complicated—on the contrary, it reduces it to the well-traveled and -tested situation of domain expansion, a standard feasible procedure, increasingly automated but still including a limited and highly constrained/templated participation by a native speaker.
Multi-scale approaches for gas-to-liquids process intensification: CFD modeling, process synthesis, and global optimization

Abstract This paper presents a multi-scale framework for the intensification of small scale gas-to-liquids (GTL) processes. As the process intensification tool, a radial microchannel reactor is used to facilitate the catalytic steam reforming of methane. Due to the endothermicity of this reaction, a microchannel reactor serves as a promising alternative because of its enhanced heat transfer characteristics. However, the underlying mathematical model for the microchannel reforming process is complex. Since our aim is to elucidate the optimal process topology from a plethora of alternatives through a global optimization framework, we built a surrogate mathematical model to bridge this gap. Through a rigorous model identification, parameter estimation, and cross-validation analysis we have developed an accurate mathematical model that can predict the microchannel reactor output within 0.43%. We then implemented this mathematical model into a process superstructure that considers several novel and competing process alternatives for the production of liquid fuels from natural gas. Across different case studies ranging from 500 to 5000 barrels per day of total production, we have observed that the microchannel process can improve break-even oil prices (BEOP) by as much as $10/bbl. Since the small scale GTL process aims to utilize stranded natural gas with almost zero value, a parametric analysis is performed to evaluate the BEOP at different feedstock prices. We have observed that the microchannel reforming alternative is the superior process at all the scales investigated when a natural gas price of $1/TSCF is considered. The topological findings suggest that process intensification through microchannel steam reforming is a viable approach to monetize stranded natural gas.
Genetic algorithm prediction of two-dimensional group-IV dioxides for dielectrics

Researchers predict new two-dimensional materials whose structures differ from their three-dimensional counterparts.
Whole-Genome Sequence and Variant Analysis of W303, a Widely-Used Strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has emerged as a superior model organism. Selection of distinct laboratory strains of S. cerevisiae with unique phenotypic properties, such as superior mating or sporulation efficiencies, has facilitated advancements in research. W303 is one such laboratory strain that is closely related to the first completely sequenced yeast strain, S288C. In this work, we provide a high-quality, annotated genome sequence for W303 for utilization in comparative analyses and genome-wide studies. Approximately 9500 variations exist between S288C and W303, affecting the protein sequences of ∼700 genes. A listing of the polymorphisms and divergent genes is provided for researchers interested in identifying the genetic basis for phenotypic differences between W303 and S288C. Several divergent functional gene families were identified, including flocculation and sporulation genes, likely representing selection for desirable laboratory phenotypes. Interestingly, remnants of ancestor wine strains were found on several chromosomes. Finally, as a test of the utility of the high-quality reference genome, variant mapping revealed more accurate identification of accumulated mutations in passaged mismatch repair-defective strains.
An efficient file structure for document retrieval in the automated office environment

A file system tailored to the general needs of the office environment is proposed. This system supports large numbers of a wide variety of documents and inexact ‘fuzzy’ queries on the documents. The file system is based on a multilevel file structure; the structure combines and extends multikey extendible hashing and signature files to create a document retrieval system that is more time efficient than other previously proposed systems, and also space efficient.
In vivo imaging of blood flow in murine brain using angular coherence methods

Recently, ultrafast Doppler techniques have been proposed for imaging brain and other slow flow targets. These techniques rely on synthetic focusing and the use of large ensemble lengths to separate slow-flow signal from the stationary clutter, but are susceptible to high acoustic and thermal noise. We have recently developed the short-lag angular coherence (SLAC) method, which suppresses the incoherent portion of the beam-summed signals and utilizes fast beamforming techniques for processing large Doppler ensembles. Here, we demonstrate SLAC-based PD by imaging blood flow in the brain of a mouse through the intact skull and show improved sensitivity compared to conventional PD.