cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evolution of the Preliminary Fault Management Architecture and Design for the Psyche Mission

The Psyche Mission presents the first opportunity to explore the largest metal asteroid in the solar system, (16) Psyche, which is believed to be the exposed core of a larger planetesimal that was stripped of its rocky mantle through multiple collisions during early solar system formation. The mission was selected in January 2017 for a 2022 launch as part of NASA's Discovery Program and is uniquely enabled by the integration of a Solar Electric Propulsion (SEP) Chassis delivered by Maxar Space Solutions with JPL's core deep space avionics, flight software, and fault management architectures. One of the key design tasks is the development of a fault management system capable of being responsive to the unique elements of the combined JPL and Maxar spacecraft architecture. This new design leverages the strengths of each organization, with Maxar delivering its well-proven highvoltage power bus and low-thrust electric propulsion subsystem from its GEO communications satellite product line, and JPL delivering its deep space mission expertise and the hardware and software most critical to deep space mission design. The development of a robust low-thrust mission and the integration of design philosophies and hardware from two organizations is not without its challenges though. A key challenge in the development of the Psyche fault management architecture and design is in the integration of design philosophies and hardware from JPL and Maxar. At the architecture level, Maxar GEO communications satellites are developed under the premise of highly responsive ground in the loop for the resolution of anomalies, and the implementation takes a fail-operational approach to minimize down time for its customers. In contrast, a deep space mission must be able to maintain safety with long periods of ground communication outage. Additionally, with no time-critical events after launch, the Psyche spacecraft will generally failsafe in the presence of anomalous conditions; special consideration is being given to this approach, however, to minimize the loss of electric propulsion thrust time, which is critical to low-thrust missions. At the hardware level, the detailed definition of interfaces between JPL and Maxar hardware presents a unique challenge in the development and flowdown of fault management requirements, the development and implementation of fault monitors and responses, and the development and verification of fault containment boundaries. This paper describes the evolution of the Psyche fault management architecture and design from the concept study into the preliminary design phase, with a focus on the unique challenges associated with flying GEO communications satellite hardware in deep space, implementing a robust low-thrust mission, and the integration of design philosophies and hardware from JPL and Maxar. Details regarding how these challenges are addressed in the fault management design in order to maximize heritage, leverage the strengths of each organization, and minimize risk across the design are also discussed.
Adenomatous neuroendocrine tumors of the middle ear (MEANTs) with local invasion and lymph nodes metastasis: A brief report of a rare neoplasm

Adenomatous neuroendocrine tumors of the middle ear (MEANTs) are very rare neoplasms which are composed of both epithelial and neuroendocrine components. They have mostly bland histology and indolent biological behavior, yet they may recur and metastasize. Here we present a case of MEANT with ipsilateral local brain, bone and nerve invasion and bilateral cervical lymphadenopathy in a 48 years old male with history of recurrent chronic otitis media and cholesteatoma. The patient underwent an initial fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of an enlarged cervical lymph node followed by surgical excision of the tumor and immunohistochemistry which confirmed the diagnosis.
Mechanochemical Synthesis of High-Purity Anhydrous Binary Alkali and Alkaline Earth Chloride Mixtures

A direct synthesis route for high-purity, anhydrous binary salt mixtures has been developed. This atom efficient, solvent-free process is easily scalable, with the potential to produce salt mixture...
Ecology and Revolution: Herbert Marcuse and the Challenge of a New World System Today: by Charles Reitz, New York, NY, Routledge, 2019, 194 pp., $44.95 (softcover), ISBN 978-1-1383-4187-6

Within the last 15 years, there has been a veritable renaissance in scholarship on Herbert Marcuse (1898–1979), a central figure associated with the critical theory of the first generation of the F...
Coupling the dual isotopes of water (δ 2 H and δ 18 O) and nitrate (δ 15 N and δ 18 O): a new framework for classifying current and legacy groundwater pollution

Nitrate contamination of groundwater is a concern globally, particularly in agricultural regions where decades of fertilizer nitrogen (N) use has led to a legacy of N accumulation in soils and groundwater. Linkages between current management practices and groundwater nitrate dynamics are often confounded by the legacy effect, and other processes unrelated to management. A coupled analysis of dual stable isotopes of water (δH2O = δ2H and δ18O) and nitrate (δNO3- = δ15N and δ18O) can be a powerful approach to identify sources and processes responsible for groundwater pollution. To assess how management practices impact groundwater nitrate, we interpreted behavior of δH2O and δNO3-, together with nitrate concentrations, in water samples collected from long-term monitoring wells in the Southern Willamette Valley (SWV), Oregon. The source(s) of nitrate and water varied among wells, suggesting that the nitrate concentration patterns were not uniform across the shallow aquifer of the valley. Analyzing the stability versus variability of a well's corresponding δH2O and δNO3- values over time revealed the mechanisms controlling nitrate concentrations. Wells with stable δH2O and δNO3- values and nitrate concentrations were influenced by one water source with a long residence time and one nitrate source. Variable nitrate concentrations of other wells were attributed to dilution with an alternate water source, mixing of two nitrate sources, or variances in the release of legacy N from overlying soils. Denitrification was not an important process influencing well nitrate dynamics. Understanding the drivers of nitrate dynamics and interaction with legacy N is crucial for managing water quality improvement. This case study illustrates when and where such coupled stable isotope approaches might provide key insights to management on groundwater nitrate contamination issues.
Intergranular fracture in an AlLiCuMgZr alloy

Abstract In the present study of fracture characteristics of an AlLiCuMgZr alloy, both underaged and overaged short transverse specimens failed by intergranular fracture. Approximately equal concentrations of K were found on all intergranular fracture surfaces, independent of aging treatment. This evidence alone does not allow a causal link to be established between intergranular fracture and grain boundary K segregation. However, previous investigators have demonstrated that Na can promote intergranular fracture in AlLi alloys [6], and K is thought to behave similarly. New results obtained in the present study are discovery of intergranular fracture in both underaged and overaged conditions, approximately equal concentrations of K on intergranular fracture surfaces in both aging conditions, and extensive intergranular fracture parallel to the tensile axis (delamination) in longitudinal tensile specimens.
3D Textile Composites: Mechanical Properties

Composites have long been seen as the material of thefuture due to their relatively large strength to weightratios and their ability to tailor material properties to thefunctionality of the application. In the last two decades,advances in manufacturing techniques have driven downthe cost of these synthetic materials and also made iteasier to manufacture parts, creating a larger consumerbase. However, research into the deformation responseand failure of these materials has revealed several areasfor improvement, which will lead to better and, in somesense, ‘‘optimized’’ materials for a given application.In typical aerospace applications, composite mate-rials are made up of multiple layers of unidirectionalﬁber-reinforced material that are laminated together.These layers are essentially ‘‘glued’’ together, creatinga plane between the individual layers, which is onlyas strong as the ‘‘glue.’’ In traditional ﬁber-reinforcedlaminates, this ‘‘glue’’ layer consists of matrix material.When the matrix layer between laminae fails, it iscommonly referred to as
Overview of Uncertainty Assessment for Structural Health Monitoring

ABSTRACT Uncertainty quantification is an emergent field in engineering mechanics that makes use of statistical sampling, hypothesis testing and input-output effect analysis to characterize the effect that parametric and non-parametric uncertainty has on physical experiment or numerical simulation output. This publication overviews a project at Los Alamos National Laboratory that aims at developing a methodology for quantifying uncertainty and assessing the total predictability of structural dynamics simulations. The propagation of parametric variability through numerical simulations is discussed. Uncertainty assessment is also a critical component of model validation, where the total error between physical observation and model prediction must be characterized. The purpose of model validation is to assess the extent to which a model is an appropriate representation of reality, given the purpose intended for the numerical simulation and its domain of applicability. The discussion is illustrated with component-level and system-level validation experiments that feature the response of nonlinear models to impulse excitation sources. This publication is unclassified; it has been approved for unlimited, public release (number LA-UR-01-3828).
Epidemiology and clinical spectrum of Brazilian purpuric fever. Brazilian Purpuric Fever Study Group.

Apres un historique de l'agent, haemophilus aegyptius, et de la maladie, analyse epidemiologique et clinique et revue des cas les plus recents au Bresil, avec en particulier une description de la surveillance a effectuer dans les conjonctivites
Regulation of Nitrite Stress Response in Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough, a Model Sulfate-Reducing Bacterium

ABSTRACT Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) are sensitive to low concentrations of nitrite, and nitrite has been used to control SRB-related biofouling in oil fields. Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough, a model SRB, carries a cytochrome c -type nitrite reductase ( nrfHA ) that confers resistance to low concentrations of nitrite. The regulation of this nitrite reductase has not been directly examined to date. In this study, we show that DVU0621 (NrfR), a sigma54-dependent two-component system response regulator, is the positive regulator for this operon. NrfR activates the expression of the nrfHA operon in response to nitrite stress. We also show that nrfR is needed for fitness at low cell densities in the presence of nitrite because inactivation of nrfR affects the rate of nitrite reduction. We also predict and validate the binding sites for NrfR upstream of the nrfHA operon using purified NrfR in gel shift assays. We discuss possible roles for NrfR in regulating nitrate reductase genes in nitrate-utilizing Desulfovibrio spp. IMPORTANCE The NrfA nitrite reductase is prevalent across several bacterial phyla and required for dissimilatory nitrite reduction. However, regulation of the nrfA gene has been studied in only a few nitrate-utilizing bacteria. Here, we show that in D. vulgaris, a bacterium that does not respire nitrate, the expression of nrfHA is induced by NrfR upon nitrite stress. This is the first report of regulation of nrfA by a sigma54-dependent two-component system. Our study increases our knowledge of nitrite stress responses and possibly of the regulation of nitrate reduction in SRB.
Browning and Ascorbic Acid Degradation in Meals Ready‐to‐Eat Pear Rations in Accelerated Shelf Life

Pears in syrup in flexible pouches are part of the U.S. Army's Meals Ready-to-Eat rations, which are expected to have a shelf life of 3 years at 26.7C. However, browning during storage was reducing the shelf life. Pear pouches were subjected to complete headspace removal and rotation during retorting for extended shelf life of 45 days at 48.9C. The pears were tested for browning, ascorbic acid and headspace composition during storage. A combination of complete headspace removal and rotation of pouches during retorting increased the acceptability of pear by decreasing ascorbic acid degradation and browning. Aerobic and anaerobic ascorbic acid degradation reactions took place in the pears, with most of the aerobic degradation beginning during retorting. A lag period of several days between different stages of ascorbic acid degradation was detected. Finally, the ascorbic acid loss followed zero-order kinetics, with a reaction rate dependent on the initial concentration. Practical Applications This paper highlights the importance of minimizing the headspace volume during vacuum packaging and enhancing the application of heat transfer during retorting to improve the preservation of color of thermally processed pears in flexible pouches. This process also serves to reduce the ascorbic acid degradation during storage.
A comparison of blue- versus white-collar grievance behavior: A field assessment

This study examines the differences between blue-collar and white-collar employees with respect to grievance behavior in the work place. Specifically, the grievance-filing behavior of blue-collar and white-collar bargaining unit workers-members of the same union local-were compared with respect to number of actions, their severity, and their outcomes. Analyses of these grievances (n=604) indicated gross differences in the grievance-filing activity of these groups. These groups are, however, invariant with respect to severity or outcomes of the contested issues.
Optimal resource allocation for sensing-based spectrum sharing D2D networks

To improve the spectral efficiency of a cellular network, sensing based spectrum sharing device-to-device (sensing-based D2D) technique is introduced in this paper. To be specific, efficient algorithms are introduced to find the optimal sensing time and power allocation for single-subband sensing-based D2D systems under cellular link's rate loss constraint. For multi-subband systems, D2D users may have limited sensing capability where only a part of the subbands can be sensed. Accordingly, a partially observable Markov decision process (POMDP) model is introduced and an efficient algorithm is introduced to address the resource allocation problem.Simulation results suggest that sensing-based D2D outperforms overlay D2D when the transmitter of D2D link is far away from the receiver of cellular link in the single-subband single-subcarrier case. In the single-subband multi-subcarrier case, sensing-based D2D can achieve 15.2% increase in spectral-efficiency over overlay D2D. In the multi-subband case, when D2D users have limited sensing capability, our proposed Separate Principle method can further improve D2D link's spectral-efficiency by 5 % ~ 15 % compared to the Greedy algorithm.
Small-Group Learning in Undergraduate STEM Disciplines: Effect of Group Type on Student Achievement.

Small-group learning in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines has been widely studied, and it is clear that this method offers many benefits to students. Less attention has been paid to the ways in which small learning groups differ from one another, and how these differences may affect student learning and experiential outcomes. This study uses a previously validated instrument to categorize, or type, small peer-led STEM learning groups, and then to investigate the impact of group characteristics on student outcomes. Six hundred and forty-six students were observed over 2 academic quarters. During the fall quarter, no relationship was found between group type and student course grade. During the winter quarter, statistically significant differences in student grade were found among group types. We posit that group type may not make a difference in grade early in the year because the groups are not yet functioning optimally, so that group “noise”, such as facilitator ine...
High-dose-rate versus low-dose-rate brachytherapy in the treatment of cervical cancer: analysis of tumor recurrence--the University of Wisconsin experience.

Abstract Purpose: To retrospectively compare the clinical outcome for cervical cancer patients treated with high-dose-rate (HDR) vs. low-dose-rate (LDR) brachytherapy. Methods and Materials: One hundred ninety-one LDR patients were treated from 1977 to 1988 and compared to 173 HDR patients treated from 1989 to 1996. Patients of similar stage and tumor volumes were treated with identical external beam fractionation schedules. Brachytherapy was given in either 1 or 2 LDR implants for the earlier patient cohort, and 5 HDR implants for the latter cohort. For both patient groups, Point A received a minimum total dose of 80 Gy. The linear-quadratic formula was used to calculate the LDR dose-equivalent contribution to Point A for the HDR treatments. The primary endpoints assessed were survival, pelvic control, relapse-free survival, and distant metastases. Endpoints were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Comparisons between treatment groups were performed using the log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards models. Results: The median follow-up was 65 months (2 to 208 months) in the LDR group and 22 months (1 to 85 months) in the HDR group. For all stages combined there was no difference in survival, pelvic control, relapse-free survival, or distant metastases between LDR and HDR patients. For Stage IB and II HDR patients, the pelvic control rates were 85% and 80% with survival rates of 86% and 65% at 3 years, respectively. In the LDR group, Stage IB and II patients had 91% and 78% pelvic control rates, with 82% and 58% survival rates at 3 years, respectively. No difference was seen in survival or pelvic control for bulky Stage I and II patients combined (> 5 cm). Pelvic control at 3 years was 44% (HDR) versus 75% (LDR) for Stage IIIB patients ( p = 0.002). This difference in pelvic control was associated with a lower survival rate in the Stage IIIB HDR versus LDR population (33% versus 58%, p = 0.004). The only major difference, with regard to patient characteristics, between the Stage IIIB patients was the incidence of hydronephrosis in the HDR vs. LDR group—28% vs. 12%, respectively ( p = 0.05). For Stage IIIB patients treated with HDR, our analysis suggested that pelvic control rates improved when the first brachytherapy insertion was performed after the majority of external beam radiotherapy had been delivered. Conclusion: Similar outcome was observed for Stage IB and II patients treated with either HDR or LDR brachytherapy—regardless of tumor volume. However, poorer survival and pelvic control rates were observed for Stage IIIB patients treated with HDR brachytherapy. If HDR is used for Stage IIIB patients, our results suggest the majority of external beam radiotherapy should be delivered prior to initiating the brachytherapy to allow for adequate tumor regression. HDR brachytherapy is more convenient for patients, decreases the radiation exposure for health care workers, and should be considered a standard therapy for women with Stage I or II cervical cancer.
Activity of Female Tabanidae (Diptera) in Relation to Selected Meteorological Factors in South Carolina

Hourly measurements of meterological parameters and tabanid activity were made during daylight periods from 10 June–28 September 1975. Analysis of data indicated that the activity of Tabanidae attracted to CO2-baited traps in South Carolina is affected by barometric pressure, temperature, relative humidity, time of day, and cloud cover. A prediction equation involving the most significant variables was developed. A discernible difference in trap catches was noted for different cloud types. Wind and light intensity had no effect on tabanid activity.
Integrin activation States and eosinophil recruitment in asthma.

Eosinophil arrest and recruitment to the airway in asthma are mediated, at least in part, by integrins. Eosinophils express α4β1, α6β1, αLβ2, αMβ2, αXβ2, αDβ2, and α4β7 integrins, which interact with counter-receptors on other cells or ligands in the extracellular matrix. Whether a given integrin-ligand pair mediates cell adhesion and migration depends on the activation state of the integrin. Integrins exist in an inactive bent, an intermediate-activity extended closed, and a high-activity extended open conformation. Integrin activation states can be monitored by conformation-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Studies in mice indicate that both β1 and β2 integrins mediate eosinophil recruitment to the lung. In vitro studies indicate that α4β1 and αMβ2 are the principal integrins mediating eosinophil adhesion, including to vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and the novel αMβ2 ligand periostin. In vivo, blood eosinophils have intermediate-activity β1 integrins, as judged by mAb N29, apparently resulting from eosinophil binding of P-selectin on the surface of activated platelets, and have a proportion of their β2 integrins in the intermediate conformation, as judged by mAb KIM-127, apparently due to exposure to low concentrations of interleukin-5 (IL-5). Airway eosinophils recovered by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) after segmental antigen challenge have high-activity β1 integrins and high-activity αMβ2 that does not require IL-5. Here we review information on how the activation states of eosinophil β1 and β2 integrins correlate with measurements of eosinophil recruitment and pulmonary function in asthma. Blood eosinophil N29 reactivity is associated with decreased lung function under various circumstances in non-severe asthma and KIM-127 with BAL eosinophil numbers, indicating that intermediate-activity α4β1 and αMβ2 of blood eosinophils are important for eosinophil arrest and consequently for recruitment and aspects of asthma.
Electrochemical synthesis of shape memory alloys

ABSTRACT Alloy films of Cu-Zn, Au-Cd, In-Tl and In-Cd were produced using electrolytic techniques and their shape memory properties were evaluated Cyanide solutions were used for the Cu-Zn and Au-Cddeposits, but sulfate solutions were preferred for the indium alloys The use of pulsed current wasbeneficial in giving dense and uniform deposits The Cu-Zn and Au-Cd alloys did exhibit a degree of brittle behavior in the as-deposited condition Simple bending tests were conducted and shape memory effects were confirmed on the Cu-Zn and indium alloys.The phases present were determined at different temperatures using X-ray diffraction. A low temperature unit was used for Cu-Zn and Au-Cd while an elevated temperature furnace attachment was necessary for the indium alloys. The phases present at ambient temperature for Cu-Zn and Au-Cddeposits were identified as ones normally found at elevated temperature for alloys in an equilibrium condition. The phase transformation behavior of the electrodeposited shape memory alloys, in general,
The effects of formalization on perceptions of discrimination, satisfaction, effort and performance

Abstract The study uses a contingency approach to examine the effects of standardization and formalization on employee perceptions of discrimination. The sample used consisted of 144 Black and 208 White white-collar employees. Subjects were selected from organizations that were considered by the authors to possess either a high or a moderate degree of formalization. These organizations included banks, public utilities, insurance companies, governmental agencies, a large public works department of a city government, and a state university and hospital. It was hypothesized that perceptions of discrimination would vary according to the degree of formalization present in the organization with respect to selection and advancement procedures and also according to the race of the subject. The results of the study supported these hypotheses. Workers reported higher perceptions of discrimination in organizations where the work rules pertaining to selection and advancement were vaguely defined rather than in organizations where these same work conditions were precisely defined. In all instances, Blacks reported higher perceptions of discrimination than Whites. It was concluded that formalization is a key variable which could affect Black's choice of jobs. The immediate implications of the study suggest that if employers are concerned about upgrading their work force with respect to Blacks, it would seem appropriate for them to know where Blacks work and why.
Accurate condensed history Monte Carlo simulation of electron transport. I. EGSnrc, the new EGS4 version

In this report a new EGS4 version, called EGSnrc to reflect the substantial changes made to the original code is reported, which incorporates a new any-angle multiple elastic scattering theory, an improved electron-step algorithm, a correct implementation of the fictitious cross section method for sampling distances between discrete interactions, a more accurate evaluation of energy loss, as well as an exact boundary crossing algorithm. It is demonstrated that EGSnrc allows for an artifact free Monte Carlo simulation of ion chamber response and backscattering, situations that have been considered in the past as the two of the most stringent tests of condensed history Monte Carlo codes. A detailed discussion of the effect of the various components of the condensed history simulation of electron transport on the simulated ion chamber response is given in the accompanying paper.
AN INTERNAL CONVECTIVE HEATING TECHNIQUE FOR DIFFUSION BONDING ARRAYED MICROCHANNEL ARCHITECTURES

Diffusion bonding cycle times can be a large factor in the production cost of metal microchannel devices. The challenge is to significantly minimize bonding cycle times through rapid heating and cooling within the bonding process. A novel method is described which takes advantage of the internal flow passages within microchannel devices for convective heat transfer during the bonding process. The internal convective heating (ICH) technique makes use of heated inert gas to provide the microchannel assembly with rapid and uniform heat input. Results demonstrate that the ICH technique is feasible, capable of producing microchannels with higher dimensional integrity and shorter bonding cycle times than traditional vacuum hot press methods. Results suggest that this may be due to smaller thermal gradients within microchannel devices during the ICH bonding cycle.
Biological and social determinants of body size across the life span: a model for the integration of population genetics and demography.

The accuracy of demographic models designed to project future trends of population-level health and disease can be improved by incorporating biological data. One barrier to this process are quantitative characteristics of the data themselves. Biological data are characteristically time-dependent phenomena that behave in a nonlinear fashion. To develop accurate projections of the morbidity, disability, and mortality experience among future cohorts in late life, research needs to focus on development of models that create the opportunity to distinguish all-or-none, boundaries, and latency aspects of biological factors driving demographic phenomena, development of methods to identify time-dependent effects, and development of genetically informative samples. This presentation focuses on the biology of adult body size, its behavior as a variable in statistical analyses, and strategies for the incorporation of this variable into demographic models of population aging in the United States. First, several examples of generally observed quantitative characteristics of biological variables are reviewed. To illustrate the nonlinear character of biological data, three general patterns of change with aging are presented. Next, issues concerning the measurement of body size are discussed. Scenarios describing body size over the adult life span are described. By the end of this process, recommendations for starting a dialogue between researchers interested in biological endpoints (individual weight change, disease risk) and those interested in demographic outcomes (population-level disease and disability issues) using body size will be presented.
Early environment and cognitive competence: The Little Rock study

Data from the Longitudinal Observation and Intervention Study (LOIS) were used to examine the relationship between early HOME scores (which measure parental responsivity, acceptance, involvement, provision of toys, variety of stimulation, and organization) in relation to cognitive scores of children at 1, 3, 4½, and 11 years of age. Partial correlations were run methodically to tease out the potential contributions of earlier and later HOME scores to the children's intellective and language functioning. The latter was assessed with the Illinois Test of Psycholinguistic Abilities. No difference in mean level of home stimulation for males or females was found, but there were differences in HOME scores as a function of race, SES, and family configuration. There is substantial relationship between HOME measures in first year of life and children's IQ scores at 3 and 4½ years. The correlations were stronger for white than for blacks. School performance at age 11 was linked to contemporaneous HOME scores, and t...
Measure-valued random processes

Measure-valued random processes arise naturally in a variety of theoretical and applied settings, for example marked point processes, population processes (measure-valued diffusions), and measure-valued martingales related to stochastic integration; they should also be useful for modelling continuum phenomena. This paper undertakes a systematic study of measure-valued processes, and comprises three parts: the first is a study of the general theory, with emphasis on the compatibility between measure-theoretic operations and probabilistic structure. In the second part we develop the analogues of ordinary martingale theory in the measure-valued situation. The third part deals with measure-valued processes which are increasing functions of time; these are called accumulation processes. A more or less complete description is given of the Lebesgue decomposition of an accumulation process with respect to a fixed measure. The results are used to obtain a peculiar geometrical property of Markov processes, and to derive a recent result of J.G. Wendel giving the joint distribution of the hitting time and place of a sphere by Brownian motion. A similar result for the hitting time of the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process is also given.
Library preparation for highly accurate population sequencing of RNA viruses.

NGS error rates are very low in libraries prepared by CirSeq, allowing ultra-rare genetic variant detection in populations. Sequencing errors are easily identified as replicates of a particular sequence are physically linked during amplification. Circular resequencing (CirSeq) is a novel technique for efficient and highly accurate next-generation sequencing (NGS) of RNA virus populations. The foundation of this approach is the circularization of fragmented viral RNAs, which are then redundantly encoded into tandem repeats by 'rolling-circle' reverse transcription. When sequenced, the redundant copies within each read are aligned to derive a consensus sequence of their initial RNA template. This process yields sequencing data with error rates far below the variant frequencies observed for RNA viruses, facilitating ultra-rare variant detection and accurate measurement of low-frequency variants. Although library preparation takes ∼5 d, the high-quality data generated by CirSeq simplifies downstream data analysis, making this approach substantially more tractable for experimentalists.
Multiharmonic frequency tracking method using the sigma-point kalman smoother

Several groups have proposed the state-space approach to tracking time-varying frequencies of multiharmonic quasiperiodic signals. The extended Kalman filter/smoother (EKF/EKS) is one of the common frequency tracking approaches seen in the literature. We introduce a multiharmonic frequency tracker based on the forward-backward statistical linearized Sigma-Point Kalman smoother (FBSL-SPKS) and compare its performance to that of the extended Kalman smoother (EKS). In all cases the FBSL-SPKS tracker outperformed the EKS tracker over a wide range of signal-to-noise (SNR) ratios. We also demonstrate its superior performance on real signals.
How people look at pictures before, during, and after scene capture: Buswell revisited

A wearable eye tracker was used to record photographers' eye movements while they took digital photographs of person, sculpture, and interior scenes. Eye movement sequences were also recorded as the participants selected and cropped their images on a computer. Preliminary analysis revealed that during image capture people spend approximately the same amount of time looking at the camera regardless of the scene being photographed. The time spent looking at either the primary object or the surround differed significantly across the three scenes. Results from the editing phase support previous reports that observers fixate on semantic-rich regions in the image, which, in this task, were important in the final cropping decision. However, the spread of fixations, edit time, and number of crop windows did not differ significantly across the three image classes. This suggests that, unlike image capture, the cropping task was highly regular and less influenced by image content.
Blood and urine calcium changes in totally parathyroidectomized Rana pipiens.

The effects of parathyroidectomy in Rana pipiens are being investigated in our laboratories. The results of the work being reported demonstrate that the calcium concentration in whole blood and plasma gradually decrease 50 to 60% below the control values within 1 to 2 weeks. However, a hypocalcemia is not permanent as is evidenced by the fact that at the end of 29 weeks the whole blood calcium of the operated animals returned to 8.3 mg.% which approximates the lowest calcium values obtained from unoperated animals. Calcium concentrations in urine taken from the parathyroidectomized animals on different days are 13 to 78% above the control values. These results indicate that in parathyroidectomized frogs there is a loss of calcium through the urinary system which is concomitant with the decrease in plasma calcium. No death from tetany occurred in the operated animals even when their blood or plasma calcium was at its lowest levels.
The Effect of Static and Dynamic Visual Gestures on Stuttering Inhibition

The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of steady-state and dynamic visual gestures of vowels in stuttering inhibition. Eight adults who stuttered recited sentences from memory while watching video presentations of the following visual speech gestures: (a) a steady-state /u/, (b) dynamic production of /a-i-u/, (c) steady-state /u/ with an accompanying audible 1 kHz pure tone, and (d) dynamic production of /a-i-u/ with an accompanying audible 1 kHz pure tone. A 1 kHz pure tone and a no-external signal condition served as control conditions. Results revealed a significant main effect of auditory condition on stuttering frequency. Relative to the no-external signal condition, the combined visual plus pure tone conditions resulted in a statistically significant reduction in stuttering frequency. In addition, a significant difference in stuttering frequency was also observed when the visual plus pure tone conditions were compared to the visual only conditions. However, no significant differences were observed between the no-external signal condition and visual only conditions, or the no-external signal condition and pure tone condition. These findings are in contrast to previous findings demonstrated by similar vowel gestures presented via the auditory modality that resulted in high levels of stuttering inhibition. The differential role of sensory modalities in speech perception and production as well as their individual capacities to transfer gestural information for the purposes of stuttering inhibition is discussed.
The role of structural stability in the reliability of microwave vacuum devices

To build reliable electron-beam devices, it is necessary to design them so that they are mechanically stable under all operating conditions. In some cases, when the operating temperature in the device reaches a certain level, the thermal deformation of the device components becomes critical and structural instability occurs. This structural instability is one of the key factors in the failure of microwave vacuum devices. The purpose of this paper is to investigate 1) Cathode shadow grid deformation as observed in thermal cycling tests and 2) gyrotron ceramic window deformation caused by a power input of 3000 W.
A study of the coarsening of liquid-solid mixtures using synchrotron radiation microradiography

The coarsening of liquid-solid mixtures with a high volume fraction of solid is an important process in metallurgy. The development of secondary arm spacings in castings and the sintering of powders using a liquid phase are but two examples. The theory of Ostwald ripening is widely used to model some of the events during these processes, yet microstructural details important at a high volume fraction of solid are usually ignored. The authors report preliminary studies on the coarsening of a liquid-solid mixture observed at temperature by microradiography using synchrotron radiation where local microstructural features can be examined in situ.
Sort Function Analysis For Order Statistic Filters In Detection Systems

The order statistic (OS) filter is a digital processor, whose performance is equivalent to the binary integrator used in radar signal processing. This paper presents the sort function analysis for the application of OS filter that aid in the application and optimization of the filter. It is shown that the OS filter can detect target signals in the presence of clutter for low signal-to-ratios (SCR), provided there exists a quantile regions where there is a significant difference in the statistical distributions of the target and clutter. Furthermore, the analysis indicates that for low SCR the OS filter has a superior performance over that of the n-pulse integrator when a significant difference exists between the clutter and target distributions for only a limited number of quantile regions. Examples of these detection properties are illustrated with results from a computer simulation.
Effect of vessel hydrodynamic mass on the station‐keeping response of a moored offshore vessel

An anchoring system for an offshore vessel must meet certain prescribed requirements controlled by factors such as the environment at site, the operational constraints and the vessel employed. Its adequacy, survival and ability to stay on site must therefore be checked out with proper methods of analysis. Since the inclusion of added mass is generally an important consideration in the dynamic analysis of a moored vessel, the effect of the hydrodynamic mass terms on the station-keeping response of an offshore construction vessel is investigated in this study from a viewpoint of mooring system design.
Spinal cord amino acid release and content in an arthritis model : the effects of pretreatment with non-NMDA, NMDA, and NK1 receptor antagonists

Abstract An experimental arthritis, induced by injection of the knee joint with kaolin and carrageenan, results in guarding of and decreased weight bearing on the limb. At the time of injection, a transient increased release of all amino acids examined is measurable in samples collected by microdialysis. A second and prolonged increase of aspartate (ASP), glutamate (GLU), and glutamine (GLN) concentrations follows after 3 h. The increased release at time of injection is blocked by microdialysis application of a non-N-methyl- D -aspartate (non-NMDA) or an NMDA receptor antagonist, and the release of ASP, GLU, and GLN in the late phase is blocked by pretreatment with a non-NMDA (CNQX), an NMDA (AP7) or a neurokinin 1 (NK1; CP-96,345) antagonist. Dorsal horn immunoreactive staining of GLU, substance P (SP), and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is reflective of the events occurring in the late phase of amino acid release since GLU release is positively correlated with GLU staining density. Increased immunoreactivity for GLU, SP, and CGRP at 8 hr in the arthritic animals is differentially altered by pretreatment of the spinal cord dorsal horn with non-NMDA, NMDA, or NK1 receptor antagonists. The differential staining pattern for GLU, SP, and CGRP the differential release of ASP and GLU, and the differential activation of the EAA and NK1 receptors implies that ASP, GLU, SP, and CGRP are each involved in the processing of sensory information and that their roles in the central sensitization occurring with the inflammatory process, are unique.
Selection for white kernel color in the progeny of red/white wheat crosses.

Data are presented which support early generation selection for white kernel color in the progeny of red/white kernel wheat crosses which are segregating at 12 or more loci for yield (or any other trait of interest). The optimum generation for selecting white kernels is determined by the frequency of seeds produced with the potential to produce plants having desired quantitative alleles from both parents, and by the frequency of white kernels produced. The F2-produced seed (F3 embryo) is shown to be the optimum generation for selecting white kernels, given that 12 or more loci are segregating for a quantitative character such as yield. When the red parent is a 2 or 3 loci red genotype, selection among F4-produced seed for white kernel color may be desirable when 5 or fewer genes are segregating for the second trait. The results have direct application for all highly heritable, recessive, sporophytic traits.
Direct estimation of gain isoquants: an application to beef production.

The instrumental variables procedure was used to directly estimate beef gain corn silage-concentrate commodity isoquants. Time on feed equations were also estimated and used along with the isoquants in three economic decision models. The analysis was based on data from a three-year feeding experiment which included 278 yearling steers composed primarily of Angus and Hereford breeding. The estimates suggest that the isoquant is concave to the origin over a range of corn silage-concentrate combinations. In general, the decision models select either the full corn silage ration or one which contains a minimal amount of roughage. Resume ESTIMATION DIRECTE DES ISOQUANTS DE GAIN APPLIQUeE a LA PRODUCTION BOVINE. Le processus des variables instrumentales a ete utilise pour l'estimation directe des isoquants de gain avec l'emploi de fourrages ensiles et produits concentres dans la production bovine. Dans trois modeles de decisions economiques on s'est servi aussi, avec les isoquants, des resultats d'equations tempsrations. L'analyse reposait sur les donnees resultant d'une experience de trois ans portant sur I'alimentation de 278 jeunes bovins d'un an, pour la plupart des races Angus et Hereford. Les estimations indiquent que l'isoquant est concave par rapport a l'origine sur plusieurs combinaisons de fourrages ensiles et produits concentres. En general, les modeles de decision selectionnent soi une ration entiere de cereales ensilees, soit une ration contenant un montant minimal de fourrages grossiers. Zusammenfassung EINE DIREKTE SCHuTZUNG VON ZUNAHMEISOQUANTEN: EINE ANWENDUNG AUF DIE RINDFLEISCHPRODUKTION. Das instrumentale Variablenverfahren wurde zur direkten Schutzung der Zunahmeisoquanten von Rindern durch Kornsilokonzentratsmittel benutzt. Gleichungen fur die Futterzeiten wurden auch geschutzt und zusammen mit den Isoquanten in drei volkswirtschaftlichen Entscheidungsmodellen benutzt. Die Analyse stutzte sich auf Datenmaterial von einem dreijuhrigen Futterexperiment von 278 Juhrlingsstieren, hauptsuchlich Angus- und Herefordstiere. Die Schutzungen deuten darauf hin, das die Isoquante konkav zum Ursprung uber einen Bereich von Kombinationen von Kornsilokonzentraten ist. Im allgemeinen wuhlen die Entscheidungsmodelle entweder die voile Kornsiloration oder eine, die eine Minimalmenge an grober Nahrung enthult.
Rigs-to-Reef Programs in the Gulf of Mexico

Abstract The Louisiana and Texas Artificial Reef Programs are the largest rigs-to-reef programs in the world. The program involves donating obsolete oil and gas structures for use as artificial reefs in lieu of on-shore removal. The National Fishing Enhancement Act of 1984 established the U.S. National Artificial Reef Plan and provided guidelines for state development of artificial reef programs. In 1986, the Louisiana Artificial Reef Program was established and has accepted over 120 decommissioned platforms to create 83 artificial reef sites in the Gulf of Mexico. The Texas Artificial Reef Program, established in 1991, has created over 35 reef sites from 73 platforms. The purpose of this article is to describe the Louisiana and Texas Artificial Reef Programs, to compare their regulatory structures, and to discuss the nature of the cost savings associated with reef donation and the frequency of donation.
Recording discrepancies in Nielsen Homescan data: Are they present and do they matter?

We report results from a validation study of the Nielsen Homescan consumer panel data. We use data from a large grocery retailer to match transactions that were recorded by the retailer (at the store) and by the Homescan panelist (at home). The matched data allow us to identify and document discrepancies between the two data sets in reported shopping trips, products, prices, and quantities. We find that the discrepancies are largest for the price variable, and show that they are due to two effects: the first seems like standard recording errors (by Nielsen or the panelists), while the second is likely due to the way Nielsen imputes prices. We present two simple applications to illustrate the impact of recording differences, and we use one of the applications to illustrate how the validation study can be used to adjust estimates obtained from Nielsen Homescan data. The results suggest that while recording discrepancies are clearly present and potentially impact results, corrections, like the one we employ, can be adopted by users of Homescan to investigate the robustness of their results to such potential recording differences.
Fate of [14C]diflubenzuron on cotton and in soil

Abstract Aqueous suspensions and oil emulsions of a commercial [14C]diflubenzuron (N-[[(4-chlorophenyl)amino]carbonyl]-2,6-difluorobenzamide) formulation (Dimilin W-25) remained on the leaf surface of greenhouse-treated plant tissues. Absorption, translocation, and metabolism of the [14C]diflubenzuron were not significant. Less than 0.05% of the applied 14C was found in newly developed plant tissues 28 days after spray treatment. [14C]Diflubenzuron was degraded in soil. After 91 days, biometer flask studies showed that 28% of the 14C incorporated into the soil as [14C]diflubenzuron was recovered as 14CO2. Major dichloromethane-soluble soil residues were identified as unreacted [14C]diflubenzuron and [14C]4-chlorophenylurea. A minor unknown degradation product cochromatographed with 2,6-difluorobenzoic acid. Insoluble 14C-residues increased with time and represented 67.8% of the residual 14C in the soil 89 days after treatment. Cotton plants grown for 89 days in [14C]diflubenzuron-treated soil contained only 3% of the 14C applied to the soil. Small quantities of acetonitrile-soluble [14C]4-chlorophenylurea were isolated from the foliar tissues. Root tissues contained small amounts of [14C]diflubenzuron and trace quantities of a minor 14C-product that chromotographed similarly to 2,6-difluorobenzoic acid. Most of the 14C in the plant tissues (84–93%) was associated with an insoluble residue fraction 89 days after treatment.