cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimization of reaction condition for solid-state synthesis of LiFePO4-C composite cathodes

We optimized synthesis condition of LiFePO4-C composites by solid-state reaction of LiH2PO4 and FeC2O4·2H2O in the presence of carbon powder. The preparation was conducted under a N2 flow through two heating steps. First, the starting materials were thoroughly mixed in a stoichiometric ratio and decomposed at 350–380 °C to form the precursor. Second, the resulting precursor was heated at a high temperature to form the crystalline phase LiFePO4. For formation of the precursor, the optimized temperature was 350 °C for LiFePO4 and 380 °C for LiFePO4-C composites, respectively. For formation of crystalline phase composites, the optimized condition was to heat the precursor in a pelletized form at 800 °C for 5 h, and the optimized content of carbon was 3–10 wt.%. In composites, the carbon not only increases the rate capability, but also enhances capacity stability. We found that capacity of the composites increases with specific surface area of carbon. The best result was observed from a composite made of 8.7 wt.% of black pearls BP 2000 having a specific surface area of 1500 m2 g−1. At room temperature and low current rate (0.02 C), such a composite shows a specific capacity of 159 mAh g−1. Electrochemical properties and cycling performance of the optimized composite also were evaluated.
High momentum particle suppression in AuAu collisions at RHIC

Abstract Phenix has measured at mid-rapidity tranverse momentum spectra of charged particles in AuAu collisions at √SNN = 130 [1] and 200 GeV/c. At both energies, in central collisions Phenix observes a suppression of high momentum particles relative to a binary collision scaling of nucleon-nucleon interactions. The evolution with the event centrality has been investigated [2].
Best fit for differential constitutive model parameters to non-linear oscillation data

Abstract Non-linear, transient model parameters of non-linear constitutive equations can be fitted objectively with large amplitude oscillatory shear flow by minimizing the function where σmJ is the stress amplitude of the jth harmonic of the experimentally measured shear stress response and σpJ is the stress amplitude of thejth harmonic of the predicted shear stress. Minimizing this function gives unique, best fits for non-linear differential constitutive theories to the measured shear stress response of a low density polyethylene melt in large amplitude oscillatory shear.
Rapid Genomic Characterization of the Genus Vitis

Next-generation sequencing technologies promise to dramatically accelerate the use of genetic information for crop improvement by facilitating the genetic mapping of agriculturally important phenotypes. The first step in optimizing the design of genetic mapping studies involves large-scale polymorphism discovery and a subsequent genome-wide assessment of the population structure and pattern of linkage disequilibrium (LD) in the species of interest. In the present study, we provide such an assessment for the grapevine (genus Vitis), the world's most economically important fruit crop. Reduced representation libraries (RRLs) from 17 grape DNA samples (10 cultivated V. vinifera and 7 wild Vitis species) were sequenced with sequencing-by-synthesis technology. We developed heuristic approaches for SNP calling, identified hundreds of thousands of SNPs and validated a subset of these SNPs on a 9K genotyping array. We demonstrate that the 9K SNP array provides sufficient resolution to distinguish among V. vinifera cultivars, between V. vinifera and wild Vitis species, and even among diverse wild Vitis species. We show that there is substantial sharing of polymorphism between V. vinifera and wild Vitis species and find that genetic relationships among V. vinifera cultivars agree well with their proposed geographic origins using principal components analysis (PCA). Levels of LD in the domesticated grapevine are low even at short ranges, but LD persists above background levels to 3 kb. While genotyping arrays are useful for assessing population structure and the decay of LD across large numbers of samples, we suggest that whole-genome sequencing will become the genotyping method of choice for genome-wide genetic mapping studies in high-diversity plant species. This study demonstrates that we can move quickly towards genome-wide studies of crop species using next-generation sequencing. Our study sets the stage for future work in other high diversity crop species, and provides a significant enhancement to current genetic resources available to the grapevine genetic community.
Newborn Bards of the Holy Ghost: The Seven Seniors and Emerson's “Divinity School Address”

When Ralph Waldo Emerson entered Divinity Hall in July 1838 to address the Harvard Divinity School's graduating class, he aimed to inspire a new generation of preachers, not to undermine Christianity or launch transcendentalism. This paper examines the members of that class to reveal the extent of Emerson's immediate influence.
Identification and Mechanistic Studies of a Novel Ubiquitin E1 Inhibitor

Protein degradation via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway is important for a diverse number of cellular processes ranging from cell signaling to development. Disruption of the ubiquitin pathway occurs in a variety of human diseases, including several cancers and neurological disorders. Excessive proteolysis of tumor suppressor proteins, such as p27, occurs in numerous aggressive human tumors. To discover small-molecule inhibitors that potentially prevent p27 degradation, we developed a series of screening assays, including a cell-based screen of a small-molecule compound library and two novel nucleotide exchange assays. Several small-molecule inhibitors, including NSC624206, were identified and subsequently verified to prevent p27 ubiquitination in vitro. The mechanism of NSC624206 inhibition of p27 ubiquitination was further unraveled using the nucleotide exchange assays and shown to be due to antagonizing ubiquitin activating enzyme (E1). We determined that NSC624206 and PYR-41, a recently reported inhibitor of ubiquitin E1, specifically block ubiquitin-thioester formation but have no effect on ubiquitin adenylation. These studies reveal a novel E1 inhibitor that targets a specific step of the E1 activation reaction. NSC624206 could, therefore, be potentially useful for the control of excessive ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis in vivo.
Diapause in the Sugarcane Borer, Diatraea saccharalis

Studies of diapause in larvae of the sugarcane borer, Diatraca saccharalis (F.), were conduced by periodically collecting mature or nearly mature larvae from a sugarcane field near Port Allen, Louisiana from July 22, 1959 until March 22, 1960. These larvae were reared on pieces of fresh corn stems in a dark cabinet at II constant temperature of 80° F. Those living longer than 19 days in the laboratory before pupation or death were considered in diapause. This arbitrary period of 19 days was the upper 9.5% fiducial limit for the time required for pupation by fourth instars larvae reared from eggs in the laboratory at 80° F. It was concluded that a facultative diapause is probably present among full grown sugarcane borer larvae in Louisiana sugarcane fields during the fall months of each year. diapause larvae were most abundant in a field in October, November and December, 1959. Diapause development apparently required about 3 months. Larvae in diapause were not completely inactive. Diapause larvae usually did not pupate in the laboratory unless some diapause development had occurred in the field.
Fusing Traffic Sensor Data for Real-time Road Conditions

Transport authorities have been deploying and utilising sensor infrastructures in order to improve upon the level of transport-related services within cities. As existing resources are more and more constrained, novel means of utilising the data originating from these sensors are sought. Advanced IT infrastructures enable real-time processing use cases, such as travel time estimations along defined corridors. One major challenge is to deploy general purpose machine learning algorithms that are able to learn relationships between the covariates and a defined response variable. We introduce a data fusion approach using generalised additive models (GAM) to estimate journey times online in a real-time streaming platform. We experiments with bluetooth sensors and weather information to improve the estimation of journey times along a defined A3 corridor in south-central London. Our approach is able to continuously improve the journey time estimation as new (high-frequency) data becomes available. Our fusion platform also generalises to be able to process more data sources and it scales to city-wide deployments. This way, existing legacy sensor deployments can be utilised for novel value-added services and investments into infrastructural sensor deployments can be assessed in a data-driven way and on a needs basis.
Augmentation of ouabain sensitivity of rat liver Na/K-ATPase by in vivo adenovirus-mediated expression of the Na/K-ATPase α2 subunit

Abstract These are the first experiments to study the effect of in vivo expression of the Na/K-ATPase α2 subunit which serves as a receptor for cardiac glycosides. The α2 subunit is not normally expressed in rat liver, so hepatocytes which lack endogenous α2 protein are a logical first target to study the effects of α2 expression on membrane Na/K-ATPase activity. At 3 days after α2 adenovirus vector infusion, Wistar rat livers contained α2 DNA, α2 mRNA, and α2 protein. Rat liver membrane ouabain binding activity and the sensitivity of Na/K-ATPase activity to ouabain significantly increased. Total membrane Na/K-ATPase was regulated at a constant level while expressed α2 activity represented 10% of the total active Na/K-ATPase sites in α2 transduced rat liver. These studies are the first to establish a paradigm in which an endogenous drug receptor is expressed to alter cellular pharmacologic sensitivity. © 1997 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.
Middleware for IoT-cloud integration across application domains

This paper presents a middleware connecting the Internet of Things and the Cloud for better security. The implementation demonstrates the proof of concept of this approach. It is an example showing how to integrate embedded systems and cloud computing.
Have tropical deforestation's changing dynamics created conservation opportunities? A historical analysis

During the past century, humans converted extensive areas of tropical forest into cultivated lands. Three distinct processes, each predominant during a different historical period, have driven the destruction of the forests. This review describes each of these deforestation dynamics: natural resource degrading poverty traps that predominated during the colonial era, new land settlement schemes that prevailed for two decades after decolonization, and finally, financialized, large enterprise dynamics that have predominated during the past quarter century. Each dynamic has, over time, given rise to different opportunities for conservation. Peasants emigrated from the sites of the poverty traps, and regrowth began to cover these degraded landscapes. Smallholders in the new land settlement areas became better acquainted with tropical tree species and allowed some trees to recolonize their fields, creating silvopastoral and agroforested landscapes. The heads of large enterprises relied on credit to clear land, so government regulators found that they could curb corporate-led deforestation by restricting access to credit when landowners failed to comply with laws against forest clearing. These links between deforestation's dynamics during past eras and conservation policies during the present era illustrate how a historical understanding of tropical deforestation can provide the basis for effective conservation policies.
Digital video segmentation

The data driven, bottom up approach to video segmentation has ignored the inherent structure that exists in video. This work uses the model driven approach to digital video segmentation. Mathematical models of video based on video production techniques are formulated. These models are used to classify the edit effects used in video and film production. The classes and models are used to systematically design the feature detectors for detecting edit effects in digital video. Digital video segmentation is formulated as a feature based classification problem. Experimental results from segmenting cable television programming with cuts, fades, dissolves and page translate edits are presented.
The use of carbamates and atropine in the protection of animals against poisoning by 1,2,2-trimethylpropyl methylphosphonofluoridate

Abstract Doses of physostigmine which produce no clinical signs will, when given to guinea pigs together with atropine before poisoning, raise the ld 50 of Soman (1,2,2-trimethylpropyl methylphosphonofluoridate) seven to eight times. Prostigmine is equally effective, but other carbamates are less so and simple reversible diquaternary inhibitors are almost ineffective. If physostigmine and atropine are given after Soman, no protection occurs beyond that given by atropine alone; the toxicity of Soman is slightly decreased. Prophylaxis with physostigmine and atropine varies in effectiveness in different species in the order guinea pig > dog > rabbit > mouse = chicken > rat. Physostigmine plus atropine gave rather more protection to guinea pigs against Sarin (isopropyl methyl-phosphonofluoridate) but not so much as was given by P2S (2-hydroxyiminomethyl-N-methylpyridinium methanesulphonate) and atropine. The protective action of P2S and atropine was not affected by the addition of physostigmine to the mixture.
The TMACT: A New Tool for Measuring Fidelity to Assertive Community Treatment

BACKGROUND: Fidelity assessment is important for implementation of evidence-based practices (EBPs), including assertive community treatment (ACT). OBJECTIVES: The TMACT, an enhanced fidelity tool, was developed and pilot-tested to better assess critical ACT structures and processes. DESIGN: Ten ACT teams were administered the TMACT and the long-standing ACT fidelity measure, the Dartmouth Assertive Community Treatment Scale (DACTS), at baseline, 6, 12, and 18 months. RESULTS: Overall, fidelity scores for all 10 teams were relatively high. Six teams showed improvement, concluding with high TMACT scores at 18 months. Four teams with significantly lower total scores had experienced turnover and organizational barriers. TMACT ratings were higher in core ACT practices than in recovery practices and EBPs. TMACT scores rose steadily but were significantly lower than DACTS scores, which remained unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: The TMACT sets higher performance standards through enhanced assessment of recovery-orientation, EBPs, and teamwork and is more sensitive to change than the DACTS.
Limited influence of loyalty program membership on relational outcomes

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate customer loyalty program membership effects from a multi‐faceted relational outcome perspective.Design/methodology/approach – A model was developed to assess hypothesized loyalty program effects on a series of linkages between relationship commitment and a variety of relational outcomes. The study's hypotheses are tested with customer survey data from an upscale department store chain. Structural model multi‐group analysis is used to test the hypotheses between members (n=1,239) and non‐members (n=743) of the department store's customer loyalty program.Findings – The findings display the surprisingly limited impact of loyalty program membership on the tested relational outcomes. Loyalty program membership favorably influences customers' desires to increase their purchases and provide complaint feedback to the firm. However, loyalty program membership fails to favorably impact four key advocacy outcomes; namely, customers' willingness to provide persona...
In the Age of the Smart Machine: The Future of Work and Power

A noted Harvard social scientist documents the pitfalls and promises of computerized technology in business life..
Enhancing creativity with collaborative tools

Although most technological efforts to enhance creativity have focused on constructing empowering tools for the individual, such efforts fail to do justice to the fact that much of our creativity is a social phenomenon involving the rubbing of prearticulate ideas against each other in a supportive manner. We thus need tools that help pull our thoughts from chaos to order and that enable us, collaborating with ourselves or others, to suspend judgment and let each idea be a trigger and a backdrop for the next idea.
Race and creatinine excretion in chronic renal insufficiency.

Black race and the absence of diabetes are associated with higher levels of serum creatinine in patients with end-stage renal disease. We examined whether these factors have a similar influence on creatinine excretion in men with chronic renal insufficiency. The hypotheses were tested in one sample (group A, n = 35) and the findings replicated in a second, independent sample (group B, n = 66). Creatinine excretion normalized to weight (UCr/kg) was compared by race and diabetic status. UCr/kg and creatinine clearance also were compared with the values predicted by the Cockcroft-Gault (CG) formula (based on the regression equation, UCr/kg = 28 - age/5). In each sample, mean UCr/kg was significantly higher in black patients than in nonblack patients (group A, P = 0.004; group B, P = 0.029), and UCr/kg and creatinine clearance were significantly underestimated by the CG predictions in black patients (group A, P or = 50 years) using groups A and B combined. For black patients younger than 50 (n = 10), observed UCr/kg (P = 0.059) and creatinine clearance (P = 0.025) exceeded the values predicted by the CG formula; the analysis of nonblack patients younger than 50 years was limited by sample size (n = 1). For patients aged 50 years and older (black, n = 32; nonblack, n = 58), mean UCr/kg was significantly higher in black patients (P = 0.034), and UCr/kg and creatinine clearance were significantly underestimated by the CG predictions in black patients (P < or = 0.002) but not in nonblack patients. In multiple regression analysis of all patients aged 50 years and older, UCr/kg was independently influenced by both race (P < 0.05) and age (P < 0.04) (overall model, multiple R = 0.31; P = 0.012). The prediction equation was UCr/kg (mg/kg) = 23.6 - age/8.3 + 1.9 x race (race = 0 if nonblack; race = 1 if black). We conclude that the creatinine excretion rate was strongly affected by race but not diabetes in men with chronic renal insufficiency. The CG formula significantly underestimated UCr/kg and therefore creatinine clearance in black patients. These findings may reflect differences between black and nonblack subjects in body composition, muscle metabolism, or diet, and the interaction of these factors with chronic renal insufficiency.
Assessment of bone mass following renal transplantation in children

Throughout childhood and adolescence, skeletal growth results in site-specific increases in trabecular and cortical dimensions and density. Childhood osteoporosis can be defined as a skeletal disorder characterized by compromised bone strength predisposing to an increased risk of fracture. Pediatric renal transplant recipients have multiple risk factors for impaired bone density and bone strength, including pre-existing renal osteodystrophy, delayed growth and development, malnutrition, decreased weight-bearing activity, inflammation, and immunosuppressive therapies. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is the most-common method for the assessment of skeletal status in children and adults. However, DXA has many important limitations that are unique to the assessment of bone health in children. Furthermore, DXA is limited in its ability to distinguish between the distinct, and sometimes opposing, effects of renal disease on cortical and trabecular bone. This review summarizes these limitations and the difficulties in assessing and interpreting bone measures in pediatric transplantation are highlighted in a review of select studies. Alternative strategies are presented for clinical and research applications.
An improved method for calculation of elastic constants of metallic glasses

Abstract Using a large database of metallic glasses (N=174), an equation was developed to improve estimating shear and bulk moduli of metallic glasses containing multiple constituents. This equation was applied to several different subsets of metallic glasses: those containing any element, those containing only metallic elements, those containing at least one nonmetal, and those containing at least one constituent with no more than 5 at% of the whole glass. Comparisons to other calculation methods and measured elastic constants for these systems are provided. The present equation provided an improved confidence in the estimations of bulk and shear moduli for all of the cases examined in comparison to previous equations, while the biggest improvement occurred for metallic glasses containing nonmetal constituents.
Effects of Altered Heart Rate on Chloroform-Epinephrine Cardiac Arrhythmia

In chloroform-anesthetized dogs receiving epinephrine, slowing of the heart rate invariably accompanies conversion of arrhythmia to normal supraventricular rhythm by vagal stimulation, and restoring the faster heart rate reestablishes arrhythmia. Increasing the heart rate during epinephrine infusion can induce arrhythmia or increase the proportion of ventricular ectopic beats. These observations are taken to indicate that the vagal influence on ventricular arrhythmia in these conditions is indirect and mediated through the frequency of excitation entering the ventricle. It is suggested that during chloroform anesthesia an increased heart rate favors the emergence of ventricular arrhythmia when activity propagated after successively shorter intervals encounters delay or local conduction block in the Purkinje system, and re-entry excitation is made possible. It is proposed that in these conditions ventricular tachycardia is a self-sustaining arrhythmia that must maintain a critical frequency, either intrins...
All in a Day'S Work: Boundaries and Micro Role Transitions

We focus on everyday role transitions involving home, work, and other places. Transitions are boundary-crossing activities, where one exits and enters roles by surmounting role boundaries. Roles can be arrayed on a continuum, spanning high segmentation to high integration. Segmentation decreases role blurring but increases the magnitude of change, rendering boundary crossing more difficult; crossing often is facilitated by rites of passage. Integration decreases the magnitude of change but increases blurring, rendering boundary creation and maintenance more difficult; this challenge often is surmounted by boundary work.
Comparison of respiration rates in different zones of rat incisor pulp

Abstract This investigation was undertaken to develop a new technique for the measurement of pulp respiration using small samples of pulp tissue over short periods of observation. Using this method, zonal respiratory variation between incisal, middle and coronal portions of the rat incisor pulp was found. The results demonstrated that the 01 probe system is useful in the exploration of pulpal tissue respiration and that oxygen consumption varies from the incisal to apical regions.
Immobilization of a syntrophic culture of propionate-degrading and methanogenic bacteria present in cellulose-enriched culture

Abstract A simple technique for the immobilization of propionate-utilizing bacteria in syntrophic association with methanogens was developed. The immobilization of these bacteria on a polyester support improved the utilization rate of propionate by a factor of 16–20; from 4–5 m M /day to over 80m M /day as compared to mixed cultures. The immobilized culture also had the ability to convert C 1 to C 6 volatile-fatty acids to methane at a rate comparable to propionate. This culture also converted C 7 volatile-fatty acid to methane but at a slower rate. The results suggest that the immobilization of this syntrophic culture retained practically all of the slow-growing groups of anaerobes involved in the conversion of short chain volatile-fatty acids to methane, a rate-limiting step in methanogenic fermentations.
Reduced-order multifrequency averaging in naturally sampled PWM converters

Multifrequency averaging is a generalization of the state-space averaging technique for representing converters in which large ripple may be present. Herein, a method of representing naturally sampled PWM converters using reduced-order multifrequency averaging is proposed. An associated Newton-Raphson method is developed to achieve fast convergence in simulation. The proposed method is capable of predicting the system average behavior and system stability.
Teaching computer security at a small college

Computer and network security are important topics for computer professionals in US companies today. An adequate education in these topics would probably involve several classes at the undergraduate level but many computer science curricula do not have room to have numerous required courses. In addition, most computer science faculty members have not taken classes covering these topics and have never worked as professionals dealing with these areas. Dealing with these difficult issues can be a challenge, especially in a small college environment. In this paper, we present our experiences teaching computer security topics in both a system administration course and a computer security course.
Social barriers to a theoretical neuroscience

Social rather than scientific barriers are impeding neuroscience theory. There are plenty of experimental data and mathematical methods to develop a rigorous, mathematical theory in neuroscience. However, structural mathematical efforts are being suffocated by the requirement to produce numbers immediately. Also theoretical development is tied too closely to one experimental group. The social barriers can be addressed by: (1) judging theory by structural accuracy rather than numerical output; (2) recognizing mathematical theory (not just computational modeling) as a method for producing insight into neurobiological phenomena; (3) funding fundamental theoretical neuroscience and (4) recognizing theoretical neuroscientists as neuroscientists.
An investigation of fibrin-platelet adhesive interactions by microfluorimetry

Abstract Interactions between human blood platelets and fibrin have been visualized by light microscopy, and quantitative details of the extent, rate and specificity of fibrin-platelet binding obtained by microfluorimetry. Adhesion of fluorescein-labelled fibrin to activated platelets yielded brightly fluorescent fibrin-platelet aggregates, which emitted light at an intensity 4–7-fold greater than that due to nonspecific association of fluorescein-fibrin with unstimulated fixed cells. The intensity of fluorescent light emitted from fibrin-platelet aggregates increased as a function of time, reaching a plateau after about 1 h under physiological buffer and temperature conditions. Two monoclonal antibodies directed against the glycoprotein IIb-IIIa complex, which have been shown to inhibit the binding of fibrinogen and soluble fibrin oligomers to ADP-stimulated platelets, were employed to further probe the specificity of this adhesive interaction. In contrast to the results with the soluble ligands, one of these antibodies (HP1-1D) was capable of fully inhibiting the attachment of fluorescent fibrin to ADP-activated cells while the other (AP-2) was much less effective.
The High-Frequency Shear Modulus of Colloidal Suspensions and the Effects of Hydrodynamic Interactions

The high-frequency shear modulus of a monodisperse colloidal suspension is derived from both linear response theory and a zero-time correlation function. The results are shown to reduce to the classical expression valid for molecular fluids in the limit of no hydrodynamic interaction. The expressions with an additional pairwise additive stress approximation agree with previous work on dense suspensions, thus clarifying the approximations in previous derivations. A phenomenological model based on a lattice structure is also recovered through suitable approximation for the neighbor distribution and neglect of hydrodynamic interactions. Sample calculations for a suspension of charged, Brownian spheres demonstrate that the intercolloidal parameters obtained from fitting the lattice model are not in agreement with the calculation here. Further, predictions of this theory, without adjustable parameters, are in good agreement with wave-rigidity measurements on suspensions of charged, polystyrene spheres. The role and influence of hydrodynamic interactions are discussed and the validity of the pairwise additive assumption is also tested.
Analysis of Inventory Management in Reverse Supply Chain Using Stochastic Dynamic Programming Model

Reverse logistics is a critical topic that has captured the attention of government, private entities and researchers in recent years. This increase in the concern was driven by current set of government regulations, increase of public awareness, and the attractive economic opportunities. Also, environmentalists have always demanded Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to be more involved and be responsible of their products at the end of its life cycle. However, the uncertainty in quality of items returned, and its quantity discourage OEMs from participating in such programs. Because of the unique problems associated and the complex nature of the reverse logistics activities, numerous studies have been carried out in this field. One of those crucial areas is inventory management of End-of-Life (EOL) products. The take back program could possibly bring financial burden to OEM if it is not managed well. Thus, an efficient yet cost effective system should be implemented to appropriately manage the overwhelming number of returns. Previously, we have analyzed the problem based on the assumption that the number of core products returned and disassembled parts and subassemblies are known in advance. In this paper, we introduce a probabilistic approach where different quality levels of for every component disassembled are considered and different probabilities of these qualities given the quality of the returned product. The model utilizes a multi-period stochastic dynamic programming in a disassembly line context to solve the problem, and generate the best option that will maximize the system total profit. A numerical example is given to illustrate the approach. Finally, directions for future research are suggested.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Growth hormone, somatomedin C, and nonsuppressible insulin-like activity levels compared in premature, small average birth weight, and large infants

We have investigated the relationship between growth hormone, somatomedin C, nonsuppressible insulin-like activity, weight, gestational age, and 1-minute Apgar score in newborn infants. The 153 infants were categorized as small for gestational age (n = 19), average for gestational age (n = 59), large for gestational age (n = 60), and premature (gestational age at birth, 36 weeks or less (n = 15). Our study showed that (1) growth hormone levels were elevated in premature infants and correlated with Apgar scores and birth weights; (2) somatomedin C and nonsuppressible insulin-like activity levels were significantly lower in premature than in term infants; and (3) the birth weight of all infants studied had a significant overall effect on both somatomedin C and nonsuppressible insulin-like activity levels, suggesting that these factors may be involved in fetal growth. However, because in small for gestational age infants somatomedin C and nonsuppressible insulin-like activity werre similar to levels in average for gestational age infants, it is suggested that other factors may inhibit fetal growth.
Small doses of intracarotid insulin do not lower plasma glucose in the rat.

Abstract We sought to confirm the observation that 500 μU of insulin injected into the carotid artery of rats lowers plasma glucose by approximately 20 mg/dl within 2 minutes. In our hands, glucose concentrations fell gradually by approximately 20–25 mg/dl over a 45–60 minute period after insertion of a carotid artery cannula. This occurred whether 500 μU of insulin and/or anti-insulin serum or saline were injected toward the heart. There was no change in glucose concentrations following injection of 500 μU of insulin toward the head 45 minutes after insertion of the cannula. Thus, the hypoglycemic response to small amounts of insulin administered to the head via the carotid artery must be very sensitive to factors that are currently difficult to recognize.
Comparing approximate reasoning and probabilistic reasoning using the Dempster--Shafer framework

We investigate the problem of inferring information about the value of a variable V from its relationship with another variable U and information about U. We consider two approaches, one using the fuzzy set based theory of approximate reasoning and the other using probabilistic reasoning. Both of these approaches allow the inclusion of imprecise granular type information. The inferred values from each of these methods are then represented using a Dempster-Shafer belief structure. We then compare these values and show an underling unity between these two approaches.
Effect of silver nanoparticles deposited on micro/mesoporous activated carbons on retention of NOx at room temperature

Wood-based activated carbon was modified by deposition of silver using Tollens method. Adsorbents with various contents of silver were used to study NO(2) and NO (the product of NO(2) reduction by carbon) retention. The surface of the initial and exhausted materials was characterized using adsorption of nitrogen, XRD, SEM/EDX, FTIR and TA. The results indicated that with an increasing content of silver on the surface the capacities to retain NO(2) and NO increase until the plateau is reached. The performance depends on the dispersion of nanoparticles and their chemistry. Highly dispersed small silver metal particles promote formation of chelates with NO(2) and/or with NO. An excess of Tollens reagent results in formation of larger silver crystals and silver oxide nanoparticles. If sufficiently dispersed, they also enhance the retention of NO(2) via formation of nitrates deposited in the pore system. The surface of the carbon matrix is also active in NO(2) retention, providing the small pores and edges of graphene layers, where the reductions of NO(2)/oxidation of carbon take place.
Redox regulation of S-nitrosocysteine-mediated vasodilation in vivo.

Abstract This study examined the effects of the lipophobic electron acceptor, nitroblue tetrazolium (2×5 μmol/kg, i.v.) on the vasodilation produced by the putative endothelium-derived S -nitrosothiol, l - S -nitrosocysteine (400 nmol/kg, i.v.), and the nitric oxide (NO) donor, ( Z )-1-| N -methyl- N -[6( N -methylammoniohexyl)amino]|diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate (MAHMA NONOate, 25 nmol/kg, i.v.), in anesthetized rats. The administration of nitroblue tetrazolium resulted in delayed but long-lasting increases in vascular resistances. The l - S -nitrosocysteine-induced vasodilator responses were markedly diminished whereas the MAHMA NONOate-induced responses were not affected by nitroblue tetrazolium. These results support the possibility that l - S -nitrosocysteine interacts with membrane thiols that are subject to nitroblue tetrazolium-induced oxidation (i.e., disulfide-bridge formation) and that nitroblue tetrazolium-induced vasoconstriction may involve a loss of potency of endothelium-derived S -nitrosothiols.
Single-stage laryngotracheal reconstruction using bioabsorbable miniplates.

Objectives/Hypothesis: The goal is to review the efficacy and safety of bioabsorbable miniplates as an alternative to autologous grafts in single-stage laryngotracheal reconstruction for subglottic stenosis. Study Design: Case series. Methods: A standard approach to the laryngotracheal complex is performed. The cricoid cartilage and first two tracheal rings are incised vertically, including the tracheostoma if present. A poly-L-lactic-acid-polyglycolic-acid bioabsorbable miniplate was cut to an approximate 1- to 1.5-cm length and 3- to 4-mm width, and placed over the cricoid defect. This plate was sutured in place using 4-0 undyed nylon sutures, securing the plate at each end to the cricoid cartilage. Care was taken to place these sutures submucosally in the tracheal lumen. If there was concern for suprastomal collapse, additional plates were placed inferiorly. The patient was taken back to the intensive care unit with a penrose drain in place and left sedated and intubated for 1 week and then re-evaluated in the operating room. Results: The procedure has been performed on 10 patients. All patients had a well-healed and fully mucosalized anterior tracheal wall with no evidence of plate or suture exposure at the time of extubation. There were no postoperative complications directly attributable to the use of the absorbable plate. All patients were successfully decannulated at the time of discharge. Long-term follow-up ranges from 14 to 63 months. No patients have required revision laryngotracheal reconstruction or repeat tracheostomy. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that the use of bioabsorbable plates in select patients is a safe and effective alternative to the use of autologous cartilage grafts for single-stage laryngotracheal reconstruction for anterior subglottic stenosis. Donor site morbidity is eliminated, and operative time is decreased. Laryngoscope, 2010
Detectability limits for a dual head coincidence imaging system

Phantom studies were performed to investigate detection limits for a dual head coincidence imaging system. Detection is defined as: D=contrast/noise (CNR)=( - )//spl sigma//sub back/ Where and are average pixel values for sphere and background regions of interest (ROIs), respectively, and /spl sigma//sub back/ is the standard deviation of the counts in background regions of the same size as the ROI used for the sphere. Spheres of 2.8, 2.2, 1.6, 1.2, 1.0, 0.8 cm inner diameter were placed at a radius of 5.75 cm in a 22 cm diameter cylindrical phantom. Contrast to noise values were determined for three different sphere to background ratios (10:1, 5:1, and 3:1); for three different background count densities (high, medium, and low), and for three different energy window requirements (photopeak only, photopeak-Compton, and all combinations). Based upon the authors' visual observation, the smallest detectable spheres were 0.8 cm, 1.2 cm and 1.6 cm for a 2.7 million event image set with sphere to background ratios of 10:1, 5:1 and 3:1, respectively.
On the Role and Place of Computation in Science and Engineering

Computer simulation represents an extension of theoretical science; it can [be] and generally is based on mathematical models characterizing scientific theory, but it can be much more, because simulation can be used to explore the consequences of situations in which well-established theory breaks down
Initial condition transient suppression for two dimensional recursive digital filters

An image may be considered to be a finite extent two dimensional sequence with truncation occuring at the edges of the image. The corresponding data set is equivalent to the product of a two dimensional rectangular window function and an infinite duration two dimensional function. The edge transients associated with data truncation can propagate throughout the output image when infinite impulse response spatial domain filters are used. These transient effects can completely obscure the output image with certain types of filters. This paper presents a technique which can be used to eliminate the edge transients associated with data truncation for spatial domain filter applications.
GENETIC DISSECTION OF MECHANOSENSORY TRANSDUCTION : MECHANORECEPTION-DEFECTIVE MUTATIONS OF DROSOPHILA

Abstract To identify genes involved in mechanotransduction, Drosophila larvae were screened for X-linked mutations affecting a behavioral response to touch. Many mutations that caused nondevelopmental defects were recovered, among them multiple alleles of the genes uncoordinated (unc) and uncoordinated-like (uncl) Adult flies mutant in these genes showed reduced viability that was associated with behavioral phenotypes ranging from reduced locomotor activity to total uncoordination. Behavioral analysis of mosaic flies indicated that external sensory bristles are a focus of the unc mutant defect. Extracellular recordings from mutant mechanosensory bristles revealed that mechanoreceptor potentials were absent or reduced in both unc and uncl mutants. A second genetic screen, for unc -like uncoordination, yielded mutations in seven genes on the second chromosome; mutations in five of these genes also reduced or eliminated bristle mechanoreceptor potentials. These mutants provide the basis for a genetic, electrophysiological, and molecular dissection of mechanotransduction.
Influence of method of forage preservation on fibre and protein digestion in cattle given lucerne, birdsfoot trefoil and sainfoin

Six steers, each fitted with a ruminal cannula and T-type duodenal and ileal cannulae, were used to investigate protein and fibre utilization from lucerne, birdsfoot trefoil and sainfoin preserved both as hay and silage. Steers were fed at 2-h intervals during six 12-day periods in an experiment with a 6 × 6 Latin-square design. Animals were fed all-forage diets of six treatments (lucerne hay and silage, birdsfoot trefoil hay and silage, sainfoin hay and silage). Samples were collected from all alimentary sites twice daily during the last 3 days of each period. Acid insoluble ash was used as a solid marker and Cr-ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid as a liquid marker. Organic matter (OM), hemicellulose (HC) and cellulose (CL) total tract digestibilities of lucerne, birdsfoot trefoil and sainfoin were similar (OM: 599, 608, 580 g/kg; HC: 499, 497, 480 g/kg; CL: 590, 618, 608 g/kg). However, crude protein (CP) digestibilities were lower (P < 0·001) for sainfoin (582 g/kg) than for lucerne (732 g/kg) or birdsfoot trefoil (693 g/kg). Nitrogen (N) flows at the duodenum or ileum were similar among forages despite lower N intake for sainfoin. Presence of tannins in sainfoin may have been responsible for low protein degradation in the rumen, and reduced N digestion in the small intestine. Forage preserved as hay or silage had similar CL, HC and OM digestibilities, while CP digestibility was higher (P < 0·05) for silages.
Raytracing as a tool for learning computer graphics

The commonly used programming approach in teaching computer graphics requires students to learn a lot before they can generate basic and not-so-realistic images. As a result, students may easily be lost in the jungle of programming primitives, and their high expectation fades away quickly. Moreover, the API based programming approach does not support global illumination models. To address these problems, a new approach that combines ray tracing and programming has been used in a junior level elective course, Introduction to Computing with Geometry, with great success. With ray tracing, we are able to cover the camera metaphor, basic shapes, geometric modeling, coefficients of an illumination model, light sources, textures, surface tessellation, smooth and nonsmooth triangles, and algebraic surfaces. A student can learn all the basics and generate beautiful and realistic looking images easily and quickly. This paper details our approach and presents our course materials, exercises, student work and evaluation.
Blood Fatty Acids and Glycerol Response to Diet and Norepinephrine

Abstract Twelve mid-lactating Holstein cows divided equally into two groups were given either a normal diet or restricted-roughage high grain diet. During the 5th week, blood plasma glycerol and free fatty acids response of each group to 3.75 milligrams L-norepinephrine or saline were compared at 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 minutes after intravenous injection. Mean control (saline) values (micromolar) for cows fed normal and restricted-roughage high grain diets were glycerol, 95 and 102 and free fatty acids, 394 and 467. Following norepinephrine injection, mean values (micromolar) for cows were glycerol, 112 and 127 and free fatty acids, 507 and 523. Glycerol response to norepinephrine was greater and free fatty acids apparently lower in cows fed restricted-roughage high grain diets than cows fed a normal diet. Diet appeared to alter capacity of adipose tissue to respond to norepinephrine. Feeding the restricted roughage-high grain depressed milk fat from 3.8 to 2.6% without affecting milk production.
Women, High Technology, and Society Conference

In June, 1985, the Silicon Valley Research Group of the University of Califor nia, Santa Cruz, held a conference on Women, High Technology and Society. The Research Group conceived the topic broadly, to include not only the na tional and international effects of new technological (particularly microcom puter) developments on women in workplaces, but also the questions of women workers' responses and more general cultural effects of increasing so cietal computerization. The conference thus brought together researchers working in three general areas: women as production workers in computer and other firms heavily affected by high technology; women as white collar work ers in increasingly computerized workplaces; and the cultural constructions of gender in social formations whose production base is increasingly com puterized. Researchers in the "production" area focused on changing capital/labor relations as technologies changed and on issues of worker resistance or consent to new production relations. Maria Patricia Fern?ndez-Kelly (University of California, San Diego), whose current group research project encompasses women garment and electronics workers in Los Angeles, Miami and New York City, reported an increase in self-contracting, home work and piecework in these industries. Aihwa Ong (University of California, Berkeley), who has done research among women microelectronics workers in Malaysia, discussed the differing "capitalist discourses" of American and Japanese transnational operating there. While American managements impose capitalist work dis cipline through fostering the culture of female beauty, mobility and individu alism, Japanese firms attempt to fit into prior sets of expectations through stressing women workers' joint moral obligations to parents and management. Nance Goldstein (Thames Polytechnic) reported on her research on mi croelectronic firms in Scotland?the area of highest concentration of silicon chip production outside of California. Goldstein concentrated on gender dif ferences in training programs for workers as the industry developed. She noted that men rather than women were recruited for training for new "skilled"
Stacking multiple zone plates for efficient hard x-ray focusing at the Advanced Photon Source

Zone plates are diffractive focusing optics capable of nanometer focusing but limited focusing efficiency at hard x-ray energy. A smaller focus spot is possible by reducing the outer zone width (OZW) while increasing the zone height will generally increase focusing efficiency. The combination of thick zones with small outer zone width, or high aspect ratio, for better performing zone plates is not feasible with state-of-the-art fabrication methods and requires other methods to achieve the aspect ratio desired. Near-field stacking involves two zone plates with the same dimensions and aligning them within the depth of focus in the beam direction and one third of the OZW in the transverse direction. Due to the depth of focus limitation, stacking more than 2 zone plates is extremely difficult, so a new method was proposed and developed to stack zone plates in the intermediate field. Multiple stacking apparatuses were assembled and tested. We will report on results from stacking 80-nm OZW zone plates from a near-field stacking experiment at 10 keV X-ray energy and intermediate field stacking 6 zone plates at 27 keV X-ray energy. We will also present findings on how to combine the stacking techniques.