cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Practical automatic feedback system for polyphoto CD control

A practical automatic feedback system of exposure energy is proposed to improve the polygate photo critical dimension (CD) control. By the curve of (Delta) (CD) versus (Delta) (exposure energy), we can give the right exposure energy to the current lot by the preceding 5 (or 3) lots' CD, measured by CD SEM. To be easily used, the curve is approached as a linear function. Two months experiment of exposure energy feedback system is carried out on actual 0.5 micrometer i- line SRAM process. The capability index (Cpk) of polygate photo CD has been dramatically improved.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Content-based versus semantic-based retrieval: an LIDC case study

Content based image retrieval is an active area of medical imaging research. One use of content based image retrieval (CBIR) is presentation of known, reference images similar to an unknown case. These comparison images may reduce the radiologist's uncertainty in interpreting that case. It is, therefore, important to present radiologists with systems whose computed-similarity results correspond to human perceived-similarity. In our previous work, we developed an open-source CBIR system that inputs a computed tomography (CT) image of a lung nodule as a query and retrieves similar lung nodule images based on content-based image features. In this paper, we extend our previous work by studying the relationships between the two types of retrieval, content-based and semantic-based, with the final goal of integrating them into a system that will take advantage of both retrieval approaches. Our preliminary results on the Lung Image Database Consortium (LIDC) dataset using four types of image features, seven radiologists' rated semantic characteristics and two simple similarity measures show that a substantial number of nodules identified as similar based on image features are also identified as similar based on semantic characteristics. Furthermore, by integrating the two types of features, the similarity retrieval improves with respect to certain nodule characteristics.
An Early Jurassic jumping frog

WITH nearly 4,000 living species1, frogs are numerically the most successful of modern amphibian groups. Their distinctive anatomy, which exhibits numerous unique features in both the axial and appendicular skeletons2a¤-6, represents a major departure from the body plan of Palaeozoic amphibians. We report here the discovery of the earliest known frog, associated with caecilians that retained limbs7, that exhibits primitive characters but shares with later anurans such features as fusion of the caudal vertebrae (urostyle), a rod-like ilium, and elongate hind limbs. The evolution of saltation in anurans entailed translocation of the ilium below the sacral rib, recruitment of the primitive tail musculature to transmit force from the hind limb to the axial skeleton during a jump, and development of iliosacral mobility. We reinterpret the caudopelvic transition from Palaeozoic amphibians to modern frogs with reference to Triadobatrachm massinoti, an Early Triassic amphibian that possesses some frog-like features8. The Early Jurassic age and Laurasian provenance of the new frog support the hypothesis4 that the widespread occurrence of primitive extant anurans reflects an ancient Pangaean distribution.
Personnel exposure to diazinon in a supervised pest eradication program.

Dermal and respiratory exposure was measured for 15 workers applying a granular diazinon pesticide formulation, using equipment more typical of residential home owner use than large scale or agricultural operations. Urine samples were analyzed for the metabolic product diethylthiophosphate (DETP). The primary determinants of exposure and exposure distribution were job classification and the use of one type of broadcast spreader. Diazinon exposures ranged from 0.1 to 11 mg/day for workers, and from 0.03 to 0.3 mg/day for supervisory personnel, during sampling periods ranging from 3.3 to 7 hr. Individual exposures correlated well with observed duties. An association was found between morning shift diazinon exposure and afternoon urinary DETP levels.
A Convenient 3-Step Synthesis of (R)-7-Hydroxycarvone from (S)-α-Pinene

A convenient 3-step synthesis of (R)-7-hydroxycarvone (2) has been developed starting from (S)-α-pinene (7), using photooxygenation, oxidation, and fragmentation reactions. An improved synthesis of epoxy alcohol 6 and an unusual Ti(OiPr)4 catalyzed hydroxy epoxide to keto alcohol rearrangement are also described.
Studies of alcaptonuria: mechanisms of swelling of homogentisic acid-collagen preparations.

The effects of solutions of homogentisic acid and its analogues on hide powder collagen preparations have been studied by a volumetric technique. The data indicate that unoxidized homogentisic acid (HGA) reacts reversibly with collagen by pH-dependent electrovalent forces. Autoxidized, polymerized homogentisic acid solutions (HGA-OP), on the other hand, form irreversible linkages to collagen which are quite independent of pH. These are primarily of the coordinate, nonionic type and result in crosslinking of adjacent collagen polypeptide chains with increased stability of the collagen lattice (tannage).
Influence of Casing Materials on Trace‐Level Chemicals in Well Water

Four well casing materials — polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and stainless steel 304 (SS 304) and 316 (SS 316) — were examined to determine their suitability for monitoring inorganic and organic constituents in well water. The inorganic study used a factorial design to test the effect of concentration of mixed metals (arsenic [As], chromium [Cr], lead [Pb], and cadmium [Cd]), pH, and organic carbon. Sample times were 0.5, 4, 8, 24, and 72 hours. Except for slow loss of Pb, PTFE well casings had no significant effect on the concentration of metals in solution. For the other casings, changes in analyte concentration often exceeded 10 percent in eight hours or less and, thus, could bias analyses of samples taken from wells constructed with these materials. Specifically, PVC casings sorbed Pb and leached Cd; SS 316 casings sorbed As and Pb and leached Cd; and SS 304 casings sorbed As, Cr, and Pb and leached Cd. Both stainless steel casing materials showed markedly poorer performance than the PVC casings. The well casings were also tested for sorption/desorption of 10 organic substances from the following classes: chlorinated alkehes, chlorinated aromatics, nitroaromatics and nitramines. Sample times were 0, 1, 8, 24, and 72 hours, seven days, and six weeks. There were no detectable losses of analytes in any of the sample solutions containing stainless steel well casings. Significant loss of some analytes was observed in sample solutions containing plastic casings, although losses were always more rapid with the PTFE casings than with PVC. Chlorinated organic substances were lost most rapidly. For samples containing PTFE casings, losses of some of these compounds were rapid enough (>10 percent in eight hours) to be of concern for ground water monitoring. Losses of hydrophobic organic constituents in samples containing PTFE casings were correlated with the compound's octanol/water partition coefficient.
Motivations of older adults to participate in outdoor adventure experiences

Abstract As the number of adventure based programs has increased in the past 40 years, the opportunities for older adults to participate in outdoor adventure experiences has increased steadily. A previous study determined that information was lacking on the reasons why older adults participate in this programming area. The current study (n=782) sought to answer this question using a survey derived from the Recreation Experience Preference (REP) Inventory. Data from the study indicated that the most important motivations were: 1) being in a natural environment; 2) being physically active; 3) learning about outdoor skills and the environment; and 4) being in a group of people with similar interests. The data also indicated that these motivations were more significant for women than for men and for participants younger than 65 years old.
Mid-infrared chemical sensors utilizing plasma-deposited fluorocarbon membranes.

In this study, plasma-polymerized films are evaluated as enrichment membranes deposited at the surface of mid-infrared transparent waveguides for liquid-phase chemical sensing utilizing evanescent field absorption spectroscopy. Fluorocarbon films were deposited onto zinc selenide (ZnSe) waveguides from plasma-polymerized pentafluoroethane (CF3CHF2) vapor. Excellent optical transmission of ZnSe waveguides after plasma deposition confirms compatibility of the infrared transparent substrate with this low-temperature, solvent-free film deposition process. The liquid-phase enrichment characteristics for plasma membranes were investigated via evanescent field absorption spectroscopy of a model analyte (tetrachloroethylene); the limits of detection were below 300 ppb (v/v) in water. Plasma-polymerized films are known for their excellent mechanical and chemical stability, while offering tunable chemical and physical characteristics during the deposition process. Future application of this coating strategy for dep...
Cyclic AMP induces inhibition of cyclin A expression and growth arrest in human hepatoma cells

Classical cytotoxic therapy has been minimally useful in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. In an effort to develop a new approach to the treatment of this neoplasm, we have investigated the signal transduction pathways regulating the growth of human hepatoma cells. In the data reported here, cyclic AMP (cAMP), a negative growth regulator for many cells of epithelial origin, induced G1 synchronization and apoptosis in the HepG2 human hepatoma cell line. The effects of cAMP on the components of the G1/S transition were analyzed. There was no detectable effect of two different cAMP analogs, 8-bromo cAMP or dibutyryl cAMP on the level of the D-type cyclins, cyclin E, cyclin-dependent kinase 2, cyclin-dependent kinase 4, p53, or the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p21 or p27. In contrast, the cAMP analogs induced a dramatic downregulation of cyclin A protein, cyclin A messenger RNA, and cyclin A-dependent kinase activity. Cyclin A-dependent kinase has been shown to be required for the G1-S transition. Furthermore, cyclin A deregulation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma. The data reported here suggest a novel signal transduction-based approach to hepatoma therapy.
Comparison of the reliability of two respiratory valves during maximal exercise testing

The change in respiratory volume during exercise because of the use of different types of respiratory apparatus has previously been reported in the literature. However, to our knowledge, there has been no report of the reliability of measurement for commonly used apparatuses. The purpose of this study was to compare the reliability of the Hans Rudolph 2700 NRB valve with the Vacumed Speak‐Easy Mask II during maximal exercise testing. Eight moderately trained college‐aged women performed two maximal graded exercise tests using each apparatus. Breath‐by‐breath measurements of pulmonary variables were collected and a moving point average displayed, every 15 seconds. A MANOVA (valve × trial × subject) revealed no significant difference (p > 0.05) in oxygen consumption, respiratory exchange ratio, rating of perceived exercise, minute ventilation (VE), tidal volume (Vt), or breathing frequency (fB) between the two pieces of equipment. Intraclass reliability of breath‐by‐breath measurements of VE, Vt, and fB was...
Otological Perspectives and Pathogenesis

Abstract All the major developments in clinical otology are prologue to future knowledge, some of which we cannot yet anticipate. The foundation for research, education, and clinical care is understanding the pathogeneses of diseases. Research on this grows from clinical observations by individuals, who should publish. We need to understand and treat disease-processes, not just their surface signs. Education (communicating with colleagues) should aim at teaching approaches to pathogenesis, not just demonstrating “vocational” techniques; it should continue throughout a physician's lifetime; and it should make use of increasingly available mechanisms for global communication, to benefit patients. Four clinical problems for which we now better understand the pathogenesis will illustrate how understanding of their pathogenesis, developed in research and communicated in education, can affect clinical care. The illustrations are: sensorineural hearing loss, otitis media, Meniere's disease, and diseases manifesting interactions between middle ear and inner ear. Understanding and sometimes altering pathogenesis can allow prevention, not just treatment and rehabilitation of disease.
Novel Copolymers of Styrene. 18. Halogen Ring-Trisubstituted Methyl 2-Cyano-3-Phenyl-2-Propenoates

Novel trisubstituted ethylene monomers, halogen ring-trisubstituted methyl 2-cyano-3-phenyl-2-propenoates, RPhCH=C(CN)CO2CH3, where R is 4-bromo-2,6-difluoro, 3-chloro-2,6-difluoro, 4-chloro-2,6-difluoro, 2,3,5-trichloro, 2,3,6-trichloro, and 2,4,5-trifluoro, were prepared and copolymerized with styrene. The monomers were synthesized by the piperidine catalyzed Knoevenagel condensation of halogen ring-trisubstituted benzaldehydes and methyl cyanoacetate, and characterized by CHN analysis, IR, 1H and 13C-NMR. All the ethylenes were copolymerized with styrene (M1) in solution with radical initiation (ABCN) at 70°C. The compositions of the copolymers were calculated from nitrogen analysis and the structures were analyzed by IR, 1H and 13C-NMR. The order of relative reactivity (1/r1) for the monomers is 3-Cl-2,6-F2 (4.2) > 4-Cl-2,6-F2 (3.9) > 4-Br-2,6-F2 (1.8) > 2,3,5-Cl3 (1.1) > 2,4,5-F3 (0.9) > 2,3,6-Cl3 (0.5). Relatively high Tg of the copolymers in comparison with that of polystyrene indicates a decrease ...
Synthesis of bimetallic fulvalene and bis(cyclopentadienyl)methane derivatives of niobium and tantalum tetracarbonyl

Abstract Ring coupled bimetallic derivatives (μ-η5:5-C5H4C5H4)[Nb(CO)4]2 and [μ-CH2(η5-C5H4)2][M(CO)4]2, where M = Nb and Ta have been prepared. The molecular structures of the latter two compounds have been determined: [ μ - CH 2 ( η 5 - C 5 H 4 ) 2 ] [ Nb ( CO ) 4 ] 2 · 1 2 C 6 H 6 , triclinic, P 1 ¯ , a = 8.028(2) A, b = 11.414(1) A, c = 12.711(2) A, α = 75.020(8)°, β = 80.34(2)°, γ = 79.46(2)°, V = 1097.3(4) A3, Z = 2, R(F) = 2.79%; [μ-CH2(η5-C5H4)2][Ta(CO)4]2, triclinic, P 1 ¯ , a = 7.815(3) A, b = 10.275(4) A, c = 13.135(4) A, α = 104.25(3)°, β = 100.26(4)°, γ = 96.86(3)°, V = 991.2(6) A3, Z = 2, R(F) = 3.00%.
Fossil seep structures of the Monterey Bay region and tectonic/structural controls on fluid flow in an active transform margin

Abstract The subsurface plumbing system of ancient seeps of hydrocarbon-rich gases and fluids is partially preserved by seep deposits in Miocene rocks of the Coast Ranges and on the seafloor of the Monterey Bay region in central California. The fossil seep-related deposits are of two types: authigenic carbonates and intrusions of oil-saturated sandstones. Both types occur in fractured and faulted siliceous mudstone and porcelanite layers of the organic-rich Miocene Santa Cruz Mudstone. They are associated with tectonic structures indicating deformation, and are located in the proximity of faults. The morphology of the seep carbonates is characterized by strong asymmetries and by holes, pipes and other types of fluid conduits with orientations parallel to the directions of the local fracture- and fault-sets, thus suggesting structural control over pathways of fluid migration. The dominant direction of the conduits in the seep carbonates and of the intrusive dikes (northeast–southwest) differs from the dominant orientation of the tectonic structures of the San Andreas Fault System (northwest–southeast). Previous interpretations of these ancient seep-related deposits suggested that lateral changes of the thickness of the Cenozoic marine host sediments favored fluid migration from basin depocenters located offshore toward basin margins. Different driving forces for fluids have been hypothesized including hydrocarbon generation, differential compaction, and tectonic compression. Most of the fossil seeps are located on structural highs of the basement and adjacent to offshore basins that form elongated depressions oriented northwest–southeast. Previously unidentified structures that offset the basement along northeast–southwest trends (cross-setting faults) paralleling the orientations of the conduits of the seep carbonates and the dikes of oil-saturated sandstones were also recognized. Tectonic deformation, block rotations (documented by local clockwise rotations of paleomagnetic directions in the Coastal Ranges) and cross-faults were probably produced during the Late Miocene and Pliocene to accommodate the shear stress between conjugate faults during eastward shifting of the activity of the San Andreas Fault System. Comparison with previous studies on ancient seep deposits, regional geology and offshore tectonic data, suggest that the fluids that sourced the seeps were driven by episodes of inverse tectonics, during which previously extensional depositional basins were involved in episodes of tectonic compression. Tectonic deformation created cross-faults in rotated blocks, which could have acted as important conduits for the flow of hydrocarbon-rich fluids and gases and fostered the injection of liquefied sands.
Meteorological conditions leading to the 1987 and 1988 washups of floatable wastes on New York and New Jersey beaches and comparison of these conditions with the historical record

During the summers of 1987 and 1988, the New York Bight once again experienced a series of incidents in which waterborne, floatable, waste materials and debris were stranded on area beaches. Medically-related wastes were of particular concern. The sources of floatable wastes are identified and local climatological data are used to explain the process by which floatable material was transported. The climatology of the summers of 1987 and 1988 are compared with that of 1976, when similar strandings of floatable wastes occurred on the south shore of Long Island. The summer wind records of these years are also compared with the historical wind record, 1959–1988. The basis of these comparisons are measures of wind persistence and relative energy. These analyses indicate the unusual nature of the conditions that prevailed in 1976, 1987 and 1988 and how they differed from each other. During unusually persistent winds, floatable debris in near surface waters can be transported in excess of 100 km in a direction opposed to the general flow over the continental shelf. While major washups of floatable wastes are unusual, we now know under what conditions they are likely to occur. Emphasis must be placed on alleviating the problem at the sources.a
Extending Network Operation Beyond Congestion Through Embedded Coding [In the Spotlight]

On 23 August 2011, the Washington, D.C., area experienced an earthquake that was unusually strong for that region and with an intensity enough to damage some of the monuments in the United States' capital city. While even stronger earthquakes are regular occurrences in other regions of the world, for many of the millions of people in the Washington, D.C., area, this was the first earthquake strong enough to be clearly felt. This was evident from the public's reaction, as the massive attempt to communicate though cell phones after the earthquake brought the networks down (an event that was reported by several media, including The Washington Post [1]).
Therapy for naming deficits in two variants of primary progressive aphasia

Background: Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) refers to a progressive and selective decline in language due to neurodegenerative disease. There are three variants of PPA, progressive nonfluent aphasia (PNFA), semantic dementia (SD), and logopaenic progressive aphasia (LPA). All variants include impaired object naming, but distinct underlying deficits might interfere with naming. Therefore, individuals with different types of PPA may respond differently to naming therapy. Aims: To identify differences in patterns of success and generalisation in response to the same treatment in patient with LPA and a patient with SD. Furthermore, we wished to identify whether the treatment effect was item specific (trained words) or generalised to untrained words in trained or untrained categories. Methods & Procedures: Participants included an individual with LPA and one with SD. An assessment of lexical processing was administered before and after a naming treatment to assess underlying deficits and generalisation effec...
Strong metal-support interaction in NiTi02: Auger and vibrational spectroscopy evidence for the segregation of TiOx (x ≈-1) on Ni and its effects on CO chemisorption

Abstract Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS) showed that hydrogen reduction at 700 °K of a 120-A nickel film deposited on TiO2 results in the segregation of TiOx (x close to 1) onto the nickel surface. Titanium oxide appears to diffuse rapidly through nickel. Room-temperature CO uptake was found to decrease with increasing surface titanium oxide concentration. HREELS showed that the concentration of bridge-bonded CO relative to on-top CO after room-temperature CO exposure decreases with increasing titanium oxide coverage on nickel. A site giving rise to a CO stretching frequency of 1850 cm−1 was found to survive after extended reduction. This was attributed to a site near the surface titanium oxide on nickel. The present study suggests that both physical coverage of the nickel surface by TiOx and the chemical interaction between nickel and TiOx on the surface are involved in SMSI.
Kaposi's Sarcoma: Imaging Overview

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), a low-grade malignancy that is associated with human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8), is a multifocal tumor that most commonly affects mucocutaneous sites. It might also involve lymph nodes and visceral organs, in particular of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tract, but it can affect every organ system. Four forms of the disease have been recognized: the classic, the endemic, the transplant-associated, and the epidemic form. The endemic form, or African KS, currently accounts for 10%-50% of all cancers in adults and up to 25% of cancers in children in certain parts of Africa. The epidemic form or acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)–associated KS is a frequent neoplasm in bisexual and homosexual men with AIDS in the United States. Even though in North America and Europe the incidence of KS in men with AIDS has decreased significantly after the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), in some developing countries, the incidence of KS keeps growing. The pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, imaging findings, and more relevant differential diagnoses are reviewed.
National Science Foundation program in telescopes and instruments

The Division of Astronomical Sciences of the National Science Foundation (NSF) support the design and construction of telescopes and instruments for ground-based astronomical observations in the visible, IR, and radio regions of the spectrum. Priorities are given to instrumentation deemed most likely to provide responses to the scientific questions central to current astronomy and astrophysics.
Magnetic resonance phase velocity mapping through NiTi stents in a flow phantom model

Purpose To assess constant and pulsatile flow velocity within the lumen of a peripheral NiTi stent using phase velocity mapping for comparison with independent assessments of flow velocity in a phantom model. Materials and Methods A 9 × 20-mm stent installed in flexible tubing was placed in a phantom filled with stationary fluid. Constant and pulsatile flow (produced by a pump programmed to produce a simulation of the carotid artery flow) was assessed using phase velocity mapping at 4.1 T (for constant flow) and at 1.5 T (for pulsatile flow). In all cases 256 × 256 gradient echo phase velocity maps were acquired. For the pulsatile flow condition, cine images with acquisition gated to the pump cycle were acquired with 40 msec temporal resolution across the simulated cardiac cycle. Computed flow volume rates were compared with fluid volume collection for the constant flow model, and with ultrasonic Doppler flow meter measurements for the pulsatile model. Results The data showed that volume flow rate assessments by phase velocity mapping agreed with independent measurements within 10% to 15%. Conclusion Phase velocity mapping of the lumen of peripheral size NiTi stents is possible in an in vitro model. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2005;21:59–65. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
EFFECTS OF SHADING BY ADULTS ON THE GROWTH OF BLADE-STAGE MACROCYSTIS PYRIFERA (PHAEOPHYTA) DURING AND AFTER THE 1982-1984 EL NINO1

The effect of shading by an adult canopy on blade-stage Macrocystis pyrifera (L.) C. A. Agardh was estimated by comparing the average growth rate of individuals under a canopy to that of individuals in a canopy gap. This comparison was made in 1983 during a strong El Nino and again in 1986 after the El Nino. Estimated nutrient concentrations in 1983 were two orders of magnitude below those in 1986, whereas ambient light levels were over 3 times higher. The kelp canopy caused similar proportional light reductions (20–30%) during both years. Blades grew 18% slower under the canopy than in the clearing in 1983 and about 77% slower under the canopy in 1986. Blade-stage individuals grew at the same rates in clearings in 1983 and 1986. Regardless of shading, the average growth rate of blade-stage kelp under the ambient, low-nutrient conditions of 1983 was higher than that later observed for multifronded juveniles during the same El Nino. The growth of blade-stage kelp was more like that of larger juveniles growing under high-nutrient conditions. The difference may be due to greater concentrations of nutrients very near the sea floor where single blades are growing compared to concentrations higher in the water column where larger kelp have most of their tissues.
Effect of electric field, both external and built-in, on GaAs-AlAs structures

Experimental results on GaAs-AlAs multiple quantum wells where the confined electron level is initially delocalized due to the mixing between the (Gamma) and X levels are presented. The applied electric field reduces this coupling and reconfines the electron in the GaAs layer. This causes an increase in oscillator strength and a blue shift of the heavy hole to (Gamma) - electron transition. Reduction of the charge transfer from narrow wells to a wide well has also been observed.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Diversification strategies, business cycles and economic performance

Two major diversification strategies of firms are examined: diversification into related businesses and diversification into unrelated businesses. The first strategy attempts to exploit operating synergies. In the second, the firm attempts to gain financial benefits from its ability to increase leverage due to a greater stability of cash flows. The study utilizes a large sample affirms to assess empirically the benefits and costs of these two diversification strategies by developing a new measure of diversification across business cycles and economic sectors. This new measure is compared with Berry—Herfindahl type measures of total diversification and recent measures of diversification into related businesses. The results indicate that pure financial diversification is associated with (a) more stable cash flows, i.e. lower operating risk; (b) increased levels of leverage; and (c) lower profitability. These observations are in accord with the theory. We also reaffirm that firms which diversify into related businesses have, on the average, higher profitability than non-diversified firms, although these results are not always statistically significant.
Volume-preserving smoothing of three-dimensional surfaces: application to intravascular ultrasound

A volume-preserving three-dimensional smoothing approach is described that can be directly applied to 3D medical image data consisting of sets of 2D image slices, e.g., segmented intravascular ultrasound image sequences. Two local smoothing filters F and G were designed according to different smoothing goals and their performance was compared. Filtering with the F filter of a relatively large frequency window keeps the important local characteristics of the object and results in little shrinkage while removing noise. Filtering with the Gaussian filter G that has an added volume compensation step results in no global shrinkage and may be used for multiscale filtering. The two filters can be easily extended to n-dimensional filtering.
LittleRock: Enabling Energy-Efficient Continuous Sensing on Mobile Phones

Today's mobile phones come with a rich set of built-in sensors such as accelerometers, ambient light sensors, compasses, and pressure sensors, which can measure various phenomena on and around the phone. Gathering user context such as user activity, geographic location, and location type requires continuous sampling of sensor data. However, such sampling shortens a phone's battery life because of the associated energy overhead. This article examines the root causes of this energy overhead and shows that energy-efficient continuous sensing can be achieved through proper system design.
Chronic Alcohol Consumption Attenuates Apoptosis by Down Regulation of P53 Expression in the Rat Pancreas.

INTRODUCTION. Heavy alcohol intake is a major cause of pancreatitis in humans, possibly through the regulation of apoptosis. Dysregulation of apoptosis has been considered a causative factor in several diseases. Emerging data show that ethanol intoxication interferes with the rate of apoptosis, which is deleterious to several organs, including the pancreas (1). We investigated a possible mechanism by which chronic alcohol feeding in rats may alter pancreatic homeostasis through a reduced apoptotic rate. METHODS. Rats were fed a liquid diet (Lieber-DeCarli) containing either ethanol or maltose dextrin in isocaloric amounts for 14 weeks. Pancreatic injury was assessed by plasma aamylase activity. Apoptosis was detected by in situ TUNEL assay, Caspase-3 and Caspase-8 activity. Messenger RNA expression of apoptotic factors and cytokines was investigated by RNase protection assay, while cpp32 (caspase-3), Fas ligand and PAP-1 mRNA expression was determined by semi-competitive RT-PCR. p53, Fas ligand, Bax and Bcl-2 protein expression was analyzed by western blotting. RESULTS. Chronic alcohol feeding significantly reduced serum a-amylase activity. p53 protein expression was dramatically diminished by alcohol administration. Caspase-3 mRNA and enzyme activity, caspase-8 activity, Bax mRNA and protein as well caspase-1 and -2 mRNA expression were also significantly reduced. Pancreatitis associated protein (PAP), a marker of pancreatic inflammation, showed a significantly reduced mRNA expression. We also found a non-significant trend toward decreases TUNEL positive nuclei in pancreata of alcohol fed rats. Chronic alcohol feeding suppressed the rate of apoptosis in the pancreas by diminishing the caspase activity and reducing the mRNA transcription level of intracellular pro-apoptotic factors. Alcohol did not affect the mRNA expression or the protein level of either anti-apoptotic factors or the Fas/FasL system.
In vitro Plant Formation from Stem Explants of Rape (Brassica napus cv. Zephyr)

Internodal segments from 6-weeks-old rape plants (Brassica napus L. cv. Zephyr) were induced to differentiate in vitro producing shoots or shoots and roots on synthetic nutrient medium under controlled conditions. Benzyladenine (BA) alone (5 × 10−6 M) induced multiple shoot formation on all stem explants. Roots were induced on shoots when recultured on nutrient medium supplemented with auxins such as naphthalene-acetic acid (NAA) or indoleacetic acid (1AA) or when planted in vermiculite. Complete plant formation was obtained when NAA (2 × 1−6, 5 × 10−6 and 10−5 M) was employed in conjunction with BA at 5 × 10−6M. At higher concentrations (10−5M) NAA retards the shoot development while 1AA suppresses it totally. Lower levels of auxins along with the cytokinin did not retard or inhibit shoot differentiation.
Spall Strength of S2-Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites

The utilization of layered heterogeneous material systems in the development of armor provides a potential for a great improvement in ballistic performance in a variety of lightweight armor applications. Some of the notable recent examples demonstrating the success of synthetic heterogeneous material systems include composite materials with organic matrices reinforced by glass fibers to achieve lightweight and enhanced ballistic resistance. In the present study, a series of plate impact experiments were performed on two S2-glass fiber reinforced polymer composites (GRP) with different resin content for their promising potential in future combat vehicle defense system. GRP has excellent strength along its fiberglass directions, however, the cohesion between fiberglass layers and its resin matrix is not strong and spall usually occurs during a typical impact process. The objective of the present study is to investigate: (a) dispersion and attenuation of shock-waves in two GRP composites; (b) the spall (delamination) strength of the two GRP composites both under compression and pressure-shear shock wave conditions. The GRP specimens were shock loaded by utilizing A1 7075-T6 flyer plates to around 2 GPa; the thickness of flyer and target for each experiment was carefully designed to produce a state of tension near the center of the GRP target plates. Normal plate impact, and combined pressure and shear experiments with skew angles ranging from 12o to 20o, were performed to study the effects of normal compression and combined compression and shear on the GRPs' spall strength. The measured spall strength as a function of the applied shear strain and the normal stress was used to develop a 3-dimensional failure surface. The results indicate that the spall strength of GRP decreases with increasing compressive stress; the addition of shear stress was found detrimental to the spall strength of GRP.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
An appendix to small-intestinal bleeding!

A patient with small-intestinal bleeding secondary to an appendicealjejunal fistula is reported. In any case of active occult bleeding from the gut, intubation of the bowel and examination of aspirates for blood should be performed.
Decentralized supervisory control of discrete event systems with unknown plants: A learning-based synthesis approach

In this paper, we consider automatic synthesis of decentralized supervisor synthesis for uncertain discrete event systems. In particular, we study the case when the uncontrolled plant is unknown a priori. To deal with the unknown plants, we first characterize the co-normality of prefix-closed regular languages and propose formulas for computing the supremal co-normal sublanguages; then sufficient conditions for the existence of decentralized supervisors are given in terms of language co-normality and a learning-based algorithm to synthesize the supervisor automatically is proposed. The correctness and convergence of the algorithms is proved, and its implementation and effectiveness are illustrated through examples.
Absorption kinetics of misoprostol with oral or vaginal administration.

Objective To compare the pharmacokinetics of vaginal and oral administration of the prostaglandin E1 analogue, misoprostol. Methods Twenty women received 400-μg doses of misoprostol either orally or as tablets placed in the vagina. Serum levels of the principal metabolite, misoprostol acid, were measured at 7.5, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90,120, and 240 minutes. The first ten women were pregnant and undergoing firsttrimester abortions, and the last ten were not pregnant and had additional blood sampling at 360 minutes. We compared the pharmacokinetics of misoprostol acid after oral and vaginal administration. Results All 20 subjects completed the study. The maximum mean (±standard deviation [SD]) of misoprostol acid differed significantly between the oral and vaginal groups (277 ± 124 compared with 165 ± 86 pg/mL, respectively; P = .03, analysis of variance), as did the mean ± SD time to peak levels (34 ± 17 compared with 80 ± 27 minutes, respectively; P Conclusion There are significant differences in the pharmacokinetics of misoprostol administered by vaginal and oral routes that may explain the difference observed in clinical efficacy. Assuming that the pharmacologic effect of misoprostol is related to its concentration in the plasma, our observation of the prolonged serum concentrations in the vaginal group suggests that vaginal administration could be dosed at longer intervals than oral.
On the synthesis of certain straight-line mechanisms

Abstract A direct method is presented for the synthesis of a large class of approximate straight line mechanisms based on a set of two equations describing the center of curvature of the path (the coupler curve) of an arbitrary point on the coupler of a crank-slider mechanism with an off-set. Several examples are discussed to establish the capability of the proposed set of equations to incorporate the classical approximate straight-line mechanisms (e.g. Watt, Chebyshev and Scott-Russell) as the special cases of the synthesis which can be constructed directly based on graphical considerations. A straightforward design of a luffing-crane mechanism and a graphical construction of a special mechanism which generates two mutually orthogonal straight lines are also presented to further illustrate the general versatility of the proposed method of synthesis.
A geochemical method of determining dispersivity in regional groundwater systems

Abstract Wood, W.W., 1981 A geochemical method of determining dispersivity in regional ground-water systems. In: W. Back and R. Letolle (Guest-Editors), Symposium on Geochemistry of Groundwater — 26th International Geological Congress. J. Hydrol., 54: 209ndash;224. A method for determining values of dispersivity for large-scale regional aquifer systems is developed using the concept of hydrochemical facies. In this approach the aquifer system is viewed as a large imaginary column. Analysis of hydrodynamic dispersion is made by observing the relative position of solute concentration contours in space. That is, because the natural aquifer is so large and the flow rate so slow, time has been interchanged for space, and solute ratios based on concentration contours are substituted for column effluents, which is commonly used in such analyses. The proposed method of evaluation of dispersivity yields a true value if conservative tracers are used, or homogeneous distribution of reacting materials can be assumed.
Spectral, thermal and hardness studies on unidirectional grown dichlorido diglycine zinc dihydrate single crystal

Abstract Bulk semi-organic single crystal of dichlorido diglycine zinc dihydrate has been grown by unidirectional crystal growth method from aqueous solution. The phase of the grown crystal was identified using single crystal XRD analysis. The functional groups present in the crystal were confirmed using FTIR and 1 H NMR analysis. Transmission study shows 70% of transmission in the entire visible region, which reveals the good optical quality of the grown crystal. A stable broad peak in the range of violet–green emission was observed in the emission spectrum, which is due to the existence of defects in the crystal. The thermal and mechanical properties of the grown crystal were studied using TG/DTA and the Vickers microhardness tester, respectively.
Reading Scientifically: Practices Supporting Intertextual Reading Using Science Knowledge

This paper reports on a study of teachers’ actions when reading informational and narrative texts in the context of elementary science learning experiences. Focusing on the development of fundamental and derived senses of science literacy through the integrated science lessons, the research further explores the affordances of different genres of text in science learning. The findings highlight that teacher actions can support students engaging in inquiry provoked during reading events. However, this was not easy to do and required more than providing students with opportunities to discuss and share their questions. Furthermore, the study revealed that purposes for reading and the notion of making predictions were contextualized activities that impact the nature of students’ engagement with texts. Based on these findings it is possible to make inferences that raise questions for future research. The construct of fundamental and derived senses of science literacy revealed that most of the actions of teachers focused on fundamental senses. Yet, there were moments of derived senses of science literacy that offer glimpses of the usefulness of this construct for supporting integrated learning. Thus the outcome is to consider this framework when developing integrated learning experiences in science.
Immune inhibition of Mycoplasma pneumoniae .

SummarySeveral immune mechanisms of inhibition develop during the course of immunization of rabbits with Mycoplasma pneumoniae. A nonlytic complement-mediated immune inhibition was demonstrable in sera collected early in the immune response. A lytic mechanism, dependent upon a heat labile factor, was demonstrable only with sera collected late in the immunization. The presence of an immune inhibitory activity not dependent on a heat labile accessory factor was also detected in the latter sera.This study was supported by Grants U.S. Public Health Service 5 R01 AI 09002 and NSF GB 4778. The results of this study were presented in part at the 1971 annual meeting of the American Society for Microbiology in Minneapolis, MN.
Some experiments in nonassociative ring theory with an automated theorem prover

This paper presents some experiments using an automated theorem proving program (ATP) to prove theorems in nonassociative ring theory of varying difficulty. Several simple theorems proved by the program are discussed and other more difficult theorems that have been attempted are presented with some commentary as to why the program failed to find certain proofs. We also give some open problems that might be suitable for investigation with an ATP.
Personal vision: enhancing work engagement and the retention of women in the engineering profession

This study examines how personal vision enhances work engagement and the retention of women in the engineering profession. Using a mixed method approach to understand the factors related to the retention of women in the engineering profession, we first interviewed women who persisted and women who opted out of the profession (Buse and Bilimoria, 2014). In these rich stories, we found that women who persisted had a personal vision that included their profession, and that this personal vision enabled them to overcome the bias, barriers and discrimination in the engineering workplace. To validate this finding on a larger population, we developed a scale to measure one's personal vision conceptualized as the ideal self (Boyatzis and Akrivou, 2006). The measure was tested in a pilot study and then used in a study of 495 women with engineering degrees. The findings validate that the ideal self is comprised of self-efficacy, hope, optimism and core identity. For these women, the ideal self directly impacts work engagement and work engagement directly impacts career commitment to engineering. The findings add to extant theory related to the role of personal vision and intentional change theory. From a practical perspective, these findings will aid efforts to retain women in engineering and other STEM professions.
On the characterization of distributed observability from first principles

In this paper, we derive the distributed observable state from first principles. In particular, we extend the estimation setup to a distributed framework where in addition to the state and sensing, we also have communication among the sensors. We consider that each sensor estimates the entire state-vector to recover its unobservability. Combining the estimates at all of the sensors we arrive at the networked estimator, which subsequently results into the corresponding networked dynamics. We show that the networked dynamics are not just a mere extension of the original dynamics repeated (block-diagonally) to accommodate for each sensor, but belongs to a large class of systems that naturally defines the allowable collaboration among the sensors. Using the redefined distributed estimator (networked dynamics and estimate), we cast the distributed observability and the corresponding estimator.
Angioaccess Decision Based on Noninvasive Vascular Studies

Angiography is frequently performed via the femoral or axillary arteries us ing the Seldinger technique. The success of the femoral approach depends on the patency of the ipsilateral iliac segment, which can be evaluated by: the thigh/brachial systolic pressure index, thigh wave forms and amplitude, femoral/brachial systolic pressure index, and femoral wave forms and ampli tude. By reviewing these vascular parameters, along with the angiographic find ings of 102 patients having peripheral vascular disease, the authors have developed an algorithm allowing them to determine the appropriate vessel to be used as access site.
Activation of STIM1 by L-Glutamate Rapidly Inhibits L-Type Calcium Channel Current in Cultured Hippocampal Neurons

At glutamatergic synapses, synaptic activity elicits postsynaptic Ca2+ signals that are generated in part by voltage-gated, L-type calcium channels. L-channel Ca2+ signals are known to control transcription of genes involved in synaptic plasticity, such as during late-phase long-term potentiation. Here we report that, in short-term cultured rat hippocampal neurons, 15-sec application of L-glutamate inhibited pharmacologically-isolated L-type Ca2+ current: inhibition ensued with a t1/2 of 49 ± 2 sec, and current was reduced by ∼35%. Measurements made with a genetically-encoded Ca2+ indicator (D1ER) targeted to intracellular stores showed that application of L-glutamate triggered release of Ca2+ from stores. FRET-imaging demonstrated that L-glutamate application also induced interaction of the Ca2+ store-depletion sensor STIM1 (CFP-tagged) with the L-channel scaffolding protein, AKAP79/150 (YFP-tagged), but not another AKAP scaffold protein, AKAP15/18. The time course of L-channel inhibition paralleled that for the increase in STIM1-AKAP79/150 FRET, suggesting a functional relationship between glutamate-triggered STIM1 translocation and inhibition of L-channel current. Supporting this idea, RNAi knockdown of STIM1 abolished glutamate-induced inhibition of L-channel activity. The ability of glutamate to inhibit L-channels in STIM1-knockdown neurons was rescued by co-transfection of rat neurons with the human STIM1 isotype, which was insensitive to the rat RNAi. Our results suggest a model wherein (i) glutamate receptor activation triggers Ca2+ release from endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stores within seconds of glutamate application, (ii) lowered ER Ca2+ activates STIM1 translocation to ER/plasma membrane junctions, and (iii) STIM1 interaction with the L-channel-AKAP79/150 complex down-regulates L-type Ca2+ current. This STIM1-mediated link between glutamate receptors and L-type Ca2+ channels may tune cytoplasmic Ca2+ signals involved in synaptic plasticity of hippocampal neurons.