cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Statistical Bias in D-Wave Qubits

Recent access to commercially available quantum computing capabilities offers the potential for testing a host of new algorithms that take advantage of fundamentally different processing approaches. One such computing resource is D-Wave's quantum annealing computer, which employs an energy minimization-based computing mechanism to find solutions to problems stated in an Ising formulation. These solutions, however, must be interpreted in terms of Monte Carlo-style probabilistic occurrences and histograms of candidate solutions that presume the underlying statistics of the qubits are "fair." This paper quantifies the underlying fairness of individual qubits on a single D-Wave machine, showing that there is a measurable bias in the resulting solution as a function of which qubits are used in the calculation. Further, an example problem is demonstrated, whereby the same problem formulation yields distinctly different solution probabilities by changing which physical qubits are employed.
Peptide and Protein Analysis

The chapter describes peptide and protein analysis with the FAB, MALDI, and electrospray ionization techniques as well as peptide and protein sequencing techniques. The scientific importance of characterizing these compounds was not lost on mass spectoscopists. In addition, mass spectrometry has also demonstrated its utility in identifying chemically modified peptides, as these modifications usually lead to a predictable change in molecular weight. Ultimately, scientists hope to use mass spectrometry to fully sequence both peptides and proteins. The chapter focuses on the current analysis capabilities in peptide and protein mass spectrometry using the FAB, MALDI, and electrospray ionization sources. The specific preparation procedures, matrix selections, and applications of each method are discussed, along with the application of tandem mass spectrometry towards sequencing peptides and proteins. Mass determination plays a central role in the discovery of unique protein modifications and is becoming more important towards obtaining total sequence information. In contrast to the chemical detection techniques used to characterize proteins, mass spectrometry relies on precise measurement of mass. Another application of MALDI, the analysis of peptides generated from the digests of a protein, is used for peptide mapping.
Business Intelligence and Analytics as a Foundation for Organizational Dynamic Capabilities

The use of business intelligence and analytics (BI&A) is often claimed to be a means by which organizations may improve their competitive stance. Despite these claims, there is limited theorizing about the mechanism through which BI&A enables improved organizational outcomes. Based on the dynamic capabilities perspective, and specifically Teece’s (2007) sense, seize, transform conceptualization, this research-in-progress theorizes about the link between BI&A and organizational performance. A conceptual model is presented which positions BI&A as sensing and seizing components of organizational dynamic capabilities, thus grounding the relationship between BI&A and performance in an established strategic management theory. The implications of this conceptualization include the notion that BI&A capabilities are organizational and managerial capabilities, not simply technical assets. In addition, to realize the benefits of BI&A, organizations must respond to the information provided by BI&A systems by making timely decision to reconfigure organizational resources, and adequately implement decisions.
Molecular profiling: gene expression reveals discrete phases of lens induction and development in Xenopus laevis.

PURPOSE Experimental tissue transplant studies reveal that lens development is directed by a series of early and late inductive interactions. These interactions impart a growing lens-forming bias within competent presumptive lens ectoderm that leads to specification and the commitment to lens fate. Relatively few genes are known which control these events. Identification of additional genes expressed during lens development may reveal key players in these processes and help to characterize these tissue properties. METHODS A large suite of genes has been isolated that are expressed during the process of cornea-lens transdifferentiation (lens regeneration) in Xenopus laevis. Many of these genes are also expressed during embryonic lens development. Genes were selected for expression analysis via in situ hybridization. This group consisted of clones with possible roles in cell determination and differentiation as well as novel clones without previous identities. The spatiotemporal expression of these genes in conjunction with previously described genes were correlated with key events during embryonic lens formation. RESULTS Eighteen of the thirty clones analyzed via in situ hybridization demonstrated observable expression in the developing lens. These genes were initially expressed in the presumptive lens ectoderm at a variety of timepoints throughout development. Expression is restricted to discrete time intervals during lens development. However, in most cases, expression was maintained throughout lens development after being initially upregulated. CONCLUSIONS The expression of these genes suggests that a genetic hierarchy exists in which an increasing number of genes are upregulated and their expression is maintained throughout lens development. Suites of genes appear to be upregulated at specific timepoints during development, correlating with stages of lens induction, specification, commitment, lens placode formation, and lens differentiation, while suites at additional timepoints suggest that other, previously unreported stages exist as well. This analysis provides a genetic framework for characterizing these processes of lens development.
Family–tank interactions on early growth performance of yellow perch reared in single-family tanks versus mixed-family tanks as inferred using microsatellite pedigrees

From 17 families, 400 fingerlings were evenly stocked into four replicates of each of five groups: single family from an Ohio strain, single family from a North Carolina strain, three families from the cross of five strains, 12 families from the cross of five strains and a combination of all 17 families. After rearing for 27 weeks, the progeny from the 17 families could be confidently assigned to their family of origin at the rate of 97.9%. The cross-bred multi-families (12-family and 3-family groups) from different strains gained significantly more weight than both single-family groups in separate tanks throughout most of the experiment (P 0.05). Both single families grew significantly faster in the all-family communal tanks than in single-family tanks by the end of the experiment (P<0.05). In addition, no correlation was detected between family mean weight obtained from the multi-family tanks (12-family and 3-family groups) and the family mean weight in the all-family tanks. These results indicated that there were strong effects of genotype by environment interactions on early growth performance of yellow perch.
Fabrication of optical structures using SU-8 photoresist and chemically assisted ion beam etching

We develop a method for the fabrication of optical structures in GaAs substrates using UV holographic lithography in SU-8 resist, pro- cessed to fabricate a mask, followed by chemically assisted ion-beam etching (CAIBE). The technique is based on simple processing steps without procedures of mask transfer, enabling easy fabrication of optical structures. A predevelopment relief behavior is investigated to optimize the processing parameter to form an etching mask in SU-8. By adjusting both exposure dose and time in the postexposure bake (PEB), an SU-8 mask with a flexible duty cycle and high profile quality can be easily produced. Furthermore, an optical structure with a rectangular shaped profile and a 1-mm period in a GaAs substrate is produced by optimizing the processing parameters during the CAIBE process. © 2003 Society of
Are video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and robotic video-assisted thoracic surgery (RVATS) for pulmonary resection ready for prime time?

Although video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) was described twenty years ago, it only accounts for 2-5% of all pulmonary lobectomies performed in the United States and the United Kingdom (1). In addition, nearly 80% of VATS cases performed take place in specialty academic centers (2). The reasons for the lack of widespread acceptance are (I) the perceived complexity of the technique, (II) inadequate instrumentation and resources, and (III) concern regarding the potential compromise of safe surgical and oncologic principles, despite the reported benefits of perioperative pain, cosmesis, pulmonary complications, and length of stay (1).
High-speed and high-density chip-to-chip interconnections: trends and techniques

Modern CMOS processes are reaching and breaking the 0.1 /spl mu/m gate length barrier, allowing many tens of millions of digital gates to operate at GHz clock frequencies. This allows the processing of an enormous amount of data every second. It is a major challenge to feed that data volume on and off the chip. Advanced Internet and symmetric multiprocessor (SMP) switch systems are already approaching the 1 Tbit/s aggregate data bandwidth requirement, with a clear trend towards single-chip implementation. This dictates that the input-output (I/O) circuits pump at a rate of 1 Tbit per second into one square inch of silicon and allow the processed Tbit to leave that same chip every second. However, the number of I/O circuits that may be used to address that issue is very limited because of the limited numbers of signal pins that a reasonable package provides. Even with 500 signal I/O pairs of a 2000 pin package, each pair has to transport 4 Gbit/s of user data over a typical backplane distance of 1 m, crossing two dense connectors. This presentation gives an overview of the trends and techniques to address the 1 Tbit/s I/O problem. Four main topics and their implications on packages are addressed: data encoding and modulation, clock and data recovery channel modeling, and channel equalization.
Omalizumab Reverses the Phenotypic and Functional Effects of IgE-Enhanced FcεRI on Human Skin Mast Cells

The dramatic effects of the anti-IgE mAb omalizumab to lower free IgE levels and FceRI levels on basophils contrast with more modest clinical effects. Accordingly, whether IgE modulates FceRI levels and FceRI-dependent mediator release in vitro on human skin mast cells (MCTC type) that had matured in vivo is of interest. IgE reversibly enhanced FceRI levels on MCTC cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner (up-regulation t1/2 of 4–5 days with 1–3 μg/ml IgE), without affecting cell proliferation. A molar ratio of omalizumab to IgE of 0.9 at baseline prevented receptor up-regulation by 50%, whereas adding omalizumab to MCTC cells already with IgE-enhanced FceRI levels at molar ratios of 5, 12.5, and 31 reduced FceRI levels to baseline with respective t1/2 values of 8.7, 6.3, and 4.8 days. MCTC cells with IgE-enhanced FceRI levels were more sensitive to stimulation with a low dose of anti-FceRI mAb in terms of degranulation and production of PGD2, GM-CSF, IL-6, IL-13, and TNF-α. Reducing up-regulated FceRI levels with omalizumab also reduced mediator release to a low dose of anti-FceRI mAb to baseline by 3–4 wk. Thus, reducing free IgE should decrease the hypersensitivity of allergic individuals to low naturally occurring concentrations of allergens.
Results of a Pilot Study Involving the Use of an Antisense Oligodeoxynucleotide Directed Against the Insulin-Like Growth Factor Type I Receptor in Malignant Astrocytomas

PURPOSE: Preclinical animal experiments support the use of an antisense oligodeoxynucleotide directed against the insulin-like growth factor type I receptor (IGF-IR/AS ODN) as an effective potential antitumor agent. We performed a human pilot safety and feasibility study using an IGF-IR/AS ODN strategy in patients with malignant astrocytoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Autologous glioma cells collected at surgery were treated ex vivo with an IGF-IR/AS ODN, encapsulated in diffusion chambers, reimplanted in the rectus sheath within 24 hours of craniotomy, and retrieved after a 24-hour in situ incubation. Serial posttreatment assessments included clinical examination, laboratory studies, and magnetic resonance imaging scans. RESULTS: Other than deep venous thrombosis noted in some patients, no other treatment-related side effects were observed. IGF-IR/AS ODN–treated cells, when retrieved and assessed, were ≤ 2% intact by trypan blue exclusion, and none of the intact cells were viable in culture thereafter. Parall...
Fighting hunger at the grassroots: Paths to scaling up

Abstract This article proposes some clear definitions and taxonomies of scaling up, i.e., the processes by which grassroots organizations expand their impact. It then goes on to apply this taxonomy of scaling up to 25 Third World organizations that were nominated for the Alan Shawn Feinstein Hunger Awards, a yearly set of three awards given by Brown University to organizations that have been especially meritorious in combating or preventing hunger. This case study describes a number of paths for scaling up that might have general relevance.
Low-field entropy of vortices in superconductors

Abstract The entropy of a stationary vortex ( S i ) and of a moving vortex ( S d ) is calculated in the low-field limit. S d consists of a core contribution S c and a thermal gradient contribution S ▿ . The latter is present if, as suggested by Clem, a moving vortex is not in thermal equilibrium. Comparison with experiment shows that the result S d > S i for T/T c ≤ 0·63 in dirty type II superconductors is reasonably well accounted for by S d = S c + S ▿ . For a type I superconductor and for Nb the gradient term appears to be absent, and the experimental results are satisfactorily described by S c . The field dependence of the energy gap, at low fields, is estimated from the measured field dependence of S d and S i for Nb 85 Mo 15 . The values obtained from S d and S i are the same to within experimental error.
Electron microscopic demonstration of lysosomal inclusion bodies in lung, liver, lymph nodes, and blood leukocytes of patients with amiodarone pulmonary toxicity

The mechanism of amiodarone-induced pulmonary toxicity is unknown. Two cases of amiodarone pulmonary toxicity are presented in which abnormal inclusion bodies containing whorls of membrane were seen on electron microscopy of extrapulmonary tissues. These cytoplasmic lysosomal inclusion bodies were observed in lymphocytes, plasma cells, granulocytes, tissue macrophages, and hepatocytes. These widespread histopathologic changes in extrapulmonary tissues and in a variety of cell types are similar to more extensively investigated findings in animal models that are thought to represent a drug-induced lysosomal storage disease, phospholipidosis.
A nanoemulsion formulation of tamoxifen increases its efficacy in a breast cancer cell line.

This paper reports on the preparation of a water-soluble nanoemulsion of the highly lipid-soluble drug tamoxifen (TAM). In addition, relative to a suspension of TAM, the nanoemulsion preparation demonstrated a greater ζ potential (increased negative charge) which has previously been associated with increasing drug/membrane permeability. This study also reports that relative to suspensions of TAM with particle sizes greater than 6000 nm, nanoemulsions of TAM, having mean particle sizes of 47 nm, inhibited cell proliferation 20-fold greater and increased cell apoptosis 4-fold greater in the HTB-20 breast cancer cell line. Thus, this work suggests that a nanoemulsion compared to a suspension preparation of TAM increases its anticancer properties relative to breast cancer.
A note on the care and handling of triremes

Abstract The authors of ‘Effects of shipworm on the performance of ancient Mediterranean warships’ (Steinmayer & Turfa, 1996) theorise that extensive shipworm damage to warships of the ancient Mediterranean was unavoidable and would have affected naval operations and the outcome of naval battles. However, there is a significant amount of literary evidence for the care and handling of warships and for the battles in which they engaged that they have not taken into account. The purpose of this note is to bring the missing evidence into the discussion and to suggest that ancient seafarers were better able to protect their ships than Steinmayer and Turfa have allowed.
Control of vascular responsiveness during human pregnancy

Over 40 years ago, Dieckmann and Michel reported that vascular reactivity to the pressor effects of a vasoactive agent (crude vasopressin) is greater in preeclamptic than in normotensive pregnant women [1]. In 1956, Raab et al found similar responses to the infusion of catecholamines [2]. Neither of these groups of investigators found a significant difference in the pressor response between nonpregnant subjects and normal pregnant controls. In 1961, however, Abdul-Karim and Assali found that the pressor response to a standard dose of angiotensin II (AII) late in normal pregnancy was much less than that observed after delivery; that is, the pregnant women were relatively refractory to the pressor effects of infused AII [3]. In 1968, Talledo, Chesley, and Zuspan reported that preeclamptic women were as sensitive to AH as were nonpregnant subjects. The preeclamptic subjects appeared to have lost their pregnancy-associated refractoriness to AII [4]. These authors conjectured that the relative refractoriness to AII that occurred in normal pregnancy might be the consequence of an elevated plasma concentration of AII. Notably, a similar refractoriness to the pressor effects of injected AII is exhibited by patients with secondary aldosteronism and in patients with congestive heart failure or cirrhosis with ascites [5, 6].
Starting dynamics in normal-dispersion mode-locked fiber lasers

Self-starting of mode-locking in normal-dispersion Yb fiber lasers is studied experimentally and theoretically. Starting can be initiated by quantum noise or relaxation oscillations, and is much faster than in soliton lasers.
Leadership Skills Development Through Service Learning

The engagement of students in service learning will help them acquire and improve on necessary leadership skills required of them upon graduation. This is essential to help prepare and put the graduates of STEM programs at the forefront of employment in the new industrial revolution. It is therefore important that STEM majors should participate in service learning so as to discharge their civic responsibility and to improve their leadership skills. This paper addresses the forms, assessment and the need for service learning in STEM programs and how it can help develop the leadership skills of Â the participants.
Microanalytical azomethine‐H method for boron determination in plant tissue

Abstract A microanalytical technique for boron determination using the azomethine‐H reagent was developed. The effects of sample size, extractant and extracting conditions were tested. The technique is quite sensitive to minute amounts of B with a minimum threshold of 05 ppm B. Determinations of B in orchard leaves, NBS reference material No. 1571, agreed with the certified value of 33 ± 3 ppm B, routinely producing a 3% coefficient of variation. The most efficacious procedure resulted from dry ashing a 20 mg oven‐dried sample at 500°C and extracting in 200 μl 1.0N sulfuric acid for 1 hr at 20°C.
Coalition, mediation, and scapegoating: General principles and cultural variation

Abstract A general model of coalition formation, mediation, and scapegoating is presented in the context of organizational work groups. An empirical study of 254 American groups, 106 Swedish groups, and 99 Norwegian groups indicates that there are significant cultural variations in patterns of coalition formation and interpersonal behavior across cultures. American groups tend to be either unified or highly polarized while Scandinavian groups are more likely to maintain mild polarizations. In addition, Americans tend to be more individualistic and selfcentered than Scandinavians and are more likely to polarize around issues of alienation versus involvement, while Scandinavians are more likely to polarize around issues of authoritarianism versus nurturance.
An algorithm for bit-skew correction in byte-wide WDM optical fiber systems

Some objectives for a bit-skew correction system are presented. The properties of optical fiber transmission which allow realization of these objectives are discussed. It is shown that the bit-skew limitation due to chromatic dispersion in byte-wide wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) optical fiber systems can be corrected automatically with no prior knowledge of the fiber parameters or link length and that the full potential of such systems can be attained with circuitry which is no faster than the bit subchannel data rate. In addition, the absolute wavelengths of the sources are not required as long as the channel spacing is constant. >
CONTRALATERAL VESICOURETERAL REFLUX AFTER SIMPLE AND TAPERED UNILATERAL URETERONEOCYSTOSTOMY REVISITED

AbstractPurpose: We reviewed our experience with contralateral vesicoureteral reflux following unilateral ureteroneocystostomy.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively identified 88 children who underwent unilateral ureteroneocystostomy from 1986 through 1995, including standard repair in 69 and tapered repair in 19. Cystoscopy was performed in all cases immediately before repair.Results: Grades IV to V vesicoureteral reflux was identified preoperatively in 34% of the patients, including 13 (19%) and 14 (74%) who underwent standard and tapered repair, respectively. Renal duplication was noted in 24% of the cases, including 18 standard (26%) and 3 tapered (16%) repairs. An abnormal contralateral nonrefluxing ureteral orifice was present in 8 of the 53 standard (15%) and 3 of the 14 (21%) tapered cases. Ipsilateral reflux was corrected in all children undergoing standard repair but it persisted in 4 (21%) in the tapered repair group. Postoperatively contralateral vesicoureteral reflux developed in 1 child ...
Diffuse cerebral language representation in tuberous sclerosis complex.

Summary Introduction Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a multisystem genetic disorder affecting multiple organs, including the brain, and very often associated with epileptic activity. Language acquisition and development seems to be altered in a significant proportion of patients with TSC. In the present study, we used magnetoencephalography (MEG) to investigate spatiotemporal cerebral language processing in subjects with TSC and epilepsy during a reading semantic decision task, compared to healthy control participants. Methods Fifteen patients with TSC and 31 healthy subjects performed a lexico-semantic decision task during MEG recording. Minimum-norm estimates (MNE) were computed allowing identification of cerebral generators of language evoked fields (EF) in each subject. Results Source analysis of the language EF demonstrated early bilateral medial occipital activation (125 ms) followed by a fusiform gyrus activation around 135 ms. At 270 ms post stimuli presentation, a strong cerebral activation was recorded in the left basal temporal language area. Finally, cerebral activations were measured in Wernicke's area followed by Broca's area. The healthy control group showed larger and earlier language activations in Broca and Wernicke's areas compared to TSC patients. Moreover, cerebral activation from Broca's area was greater than activation from Wernicke's area in both groups, but this difference between anterior and posterior regions was smaller in the TSC group. Finally, the activation latency difference between Broca and Wernicke's areas was greater in healthy controls than in TSC patients, which shows that activations in these areas are more serial in control subjects compared to TSC patients in whom activations occur more simultaneously. Conclusions This is the first study to investigate cerebral language pattern in patients with TSC. Compared to healthy controls, atypical neuromagnetic language responses may reflect cerebral reorganization in these patients in response to early epileptogenic activity or presence at birth of multiple brain lesions.
An Iterative Decoding Algorithm for Fusion of Multimodal Information

Human activity analysis in an intelligent space is typically based on multimodal informational cues. Use of multiple modalities gives us a lot of advantages. But information fusion from different sources is a problem that has to be addressed. In this paper, we propose an iterative algorithm to fuse information from multimodal sources. We draw inspiration from the theory of turbo codes. We draw an analogy between the redundant parity bits of the constituent codes of a turbo code and the information from different sensors in a multimodal system. A hidden Markov model is used to model the sequence of observations of individual modalities. The decoded state likelihoods from one modality are used as additional information in decoding the states of the other modalities. This procedure is repeated until a certain convergence criterion is met. The resulting iterative algorithm is shown to have lower error rates than the individual models alone. The algorithm is then applied to a real-world problem of speech segmentation using audio and visual cues.
What Did They Take Away?: Examining Newly Qualified U.S. Teachers’ Visions of Learning and Teaching Science in K-8 Classrooms

This study investigated newly qualified K-8 teachers’ visions of science learning and teaching after they had completed preparation in a science teaching methods course I taught. What visions of science learning and teaching were these newly qualified teachers taking away from my course? How did these visions compare with those advocated by reform documents? I examined their class work and interviewed them after the course to document their ideas about science learning and teaching as they were about to begin their first year of teaching. Other data sources included participants’ assignments, weekly reflections, and multi-media portfolio finals. Semi-structured interviews provided the emic voice of participants, after graduation but before they began to teach. Four strands of science proficiency articulated in a U.S. reform document provided a framework for interpreting activities, assignments, and interview responses. Some participants intentionally incorporated and implemented reform-based strategies in field placements in K-8 classrooms during the methods course and student teaching. The strands of scientific proficiency were evident in activities, assignments and participants’ interviews in varying degrees.
Enabling reforms: Analyzing the political economy of the charcoal sector in Tanzania ☆

Abstract With about 95 percent of all households in urban areas relying on charcoal to meet energy needs, charcoal is one of the most important energy sources in Tanzania. High population growth rates coupled with accelerated urban development and relative cost increases of alternative fuels indicate that the importance of charcoal is unlikely to decline in the near future. Systemic initiatives to render the sector more environmentally and economically sustainable are missing or have remained largely ineffective. A weak formal governance framework as well as regulatory overlaps and gaps are often identified as principal reasons. Nonetheless, the underlying political economy supporting and maintaining the status quo is only poorly understood and no attempt has so far been made for a formal analysis and documentation. Applying an established methodology, this article provides a unique analysis of the political economy of the charcoal sector in Tanzania. It documents social, political, and economic explanations that existed as anecdotal evidence only and explains why a reform dialogue needs to be sensitive. While the analysis focuses on Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, it shows that findings apply to other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa facing similar challenges. It provides a comprehensive example for approaching charcoal sector reforms, requiring identification of the problems and an open dialogue within and among stakeholders, new policies and a subsequent strategic decision clearly stating overarching goals and specific objectives.
Transformation between current and constituent quarks and transitions between hadrons

The transformation from current- to constituent-quark basis states is discussed. Certain algebraic properties of the transformed vector and axial-vector currents are abstracted from the free-quark model and assumed to hold in nature. Supplemented by the partially conserved axial-vector current hypothesis and assumptions about the identification of the observed hadrons with simple constituent-quark states, the algebraic properties of the transformed currents are used to compute the pion and photon transitions between any two hadron states. General selection rules are stated. Many specific matrix elements for both meson and baryon decays are tabulated, and both their magnitudes and signs are compared with experiment.
Fabrication and Properties of Vegetable‐Oil‐Based Glass Fiber Composites by Ring‐Opening Metathesis Polymerization

Glass fiber biobased composites have been prepared by ROMP of a commercially available vegetable oil derivative possessing an unsaturated bicyclic moiety, and DCPD. The resins and the corresponding composites have been characterized thermophysically and mechanically. Higher DCPD content yields materials with higher glass transition temperatures. Glass fibers significantly improve the tensile modulus of the resin from 28.7 to 168 MPa. These biobased composites utilize only a limited amount of a petroleum-based monomer, while employing substantial amounts of a renewable resource.
Finite element analysis of the influence of a fatigue crack on magnetic properties of steel

Fatigue can affect the magnetic properties of materials due to microstructural changes. Previous investigations have shown that several structure sensitive magnetic properties, such as coercivity Hc and remanence Br, changed systematically as a result of fatigue. When approaching failure the accumulated changes in microstructure resulted in the occurrence of fatigue cracks and the magnetic properties showed dramatic changes which mainly resulted from the geometrical changes in samples due to the cracks. It was found that the remanence Br followed the changes in stress, while the coercivity Hc sometimes showed different trends. In this article the influence of the size and the position of a fatigue crack on magnetic field and magnetic induction were studied using finite element modeling. Models were constructed to simulate the geometry of the test sample and sensor. It was found that, for a given coil current in the exciting coil, the magnetic induction was mainly determined by the geometry of the crack, while the magnetic field was influenced by both the size and the position of the crack.
Dynamic variable depth of cut machining using piezoelectric actuators

Abstract This paper describes the design of a piezoelectric actuated cutting tool and implementation of digital servo controls for machining surfaces with dynamically varying depth of cut. Through a flexure hinge, the tool holder could generate 50 μm travel at the tip of the cutting insert. Tool motion errors of less than 0.5 μm were achieved in tracking cyclic waveforms by employing a digital repetitive servo control. When applied to turning aluminum and steel workpieces with variable depth of cut using carbide tools, less than 5 μm machined surface errors were measured.
Convergence of numerical algorithms in feedback control optimization problems arising in smart material structural acoustic interactions

This paper considers an optimal control problem constrained by coupled hyperbolic and parabolic-like dynamics arising in an acoustic structure interaction. A numerical algorithm, based on the FEM, is formulated for computations of solutions to associated Matrix Algebraic Riccati Equations. Results of a numerical simulation of the algorithm are presented.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Primary thyroid lymphoma: a clinical review.

Context: Although primary thyroid lymphoma is a rare cause of both thyroid malignancy and extranodal lymphoma, awareness of this disease is important in order to achieve an early diagnosis and implement treatment. We review the epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of this rare disorder. Evidence Acquisition: This review is based on a search of PubMed and MDConsult for English language articles containing the term “primary thyroid lymphoma.” The authors reviewed original and review articles and case series from all years of publication but focused on those published within the last 5 years. Evidence Synthesis: Primary thyroid lymphoma should be suspected in patients with a rapidly enlarging neck mass, especially in women with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Certain ultrasound features such as enhanced posterior echoes can suggest the diagnosis, but biopsy for confirmation is ultimately needed. With advances in immunophenotypic analysis, fine-needle aspiration can be used for diagnosis in ...
Dynamic damage growth in particle reinforced graded materials

A scheme for preparing materials with continuous-graded properties using polyester resin and cenospheres is presented. The elastic and fracture property profiles of these materials are characterized and the results are discussed. Crack-tip stress, strain and displacement fields for a transient crack propagating along the direction of property gradation in functionally graded materials are obtained through an asymptotic analysis coupled with a displacement potential approach. The influence of the transient nature of crack-tip on contours of constant maximum shear stress, constant first stress invariant and constant in-plane displacements is discussed. Results of initial experimental investigations carried out using dynamic photoelasticity in conjunction with high-speed photography to characterize the behavior of a propagating crack in functionally graded materials are presented.
Ab initio conformational analysis of alanine

Abstract The ab initio geometries of 13 conformations of alanine were optimized without any constraints at the HF/6-31G ∗∗ , HF/6-311G ∗∗ , MP2/6-31G ∗∗ , and MP2/6-311G ∗∗ levels of theory. By comparing structures devoid of electron correlation (i.e. HF-optimized) with the corresponding structures in which correlation was switched on (i.e. MP2-optimized), the structural effects of electron correlation can be detected. It is found that the magnitude of the effects (up to 0.03 A in bond distances and about 3 ° in angles) follows the sequence C  O > C  N . C  C , and H  O  C > H  N  C > H  C  C . For the assignment of the spectroscopic data in a previous microwave study of alanine, it was an important finding that, at the HF-computational level, only the 6-31G ∗∗ geometry of conformation 1 agreed with one of two experimental sets of rotational constants and dipole moment components. In contrast, we find that, at the MP2-computational level, a second less stable conformer, form 5 , is also in good agreement with the same set of rotational constants and dipole components. Thus, observation of conformer 1 rather than form 5 can be established only by reference to additional evidence; e.g. the calculated energies, the gas electron diffraction data of alanine, and the most stable form found for glycine. Finally, in a comparison of alanine with alanine dipeptide, the NCCO torsional angles of the characteristic low energy regions of peptides, C eq 7 , C 5 , C ax 7 , α R , and α L , are found close to the minimum energy regions of the free acid studied here.
A TEM study of dynamic continuous recrystallization in a superplastic Al-4Mg-0.3Sc alloy

An Al-4Mg-0.3Sc alloy, aged at 280 C for 8 hours and cold rolled to a 70% reduction, exhibited dynamic recrystallization during superplastic forming at 460 C and at a strain rate of 10{sup {minus}3} sec{sup {minus}1}. To understand the progression of recrystallization during forming, specimens were deformed under these same conditions to 0.1, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.8 true strain and studied post-mortem using optical microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and orientation imaging microscopy. The microstructural evolution that occurred between each strain state was directly observed during deformation experiments at a nominal temperature of 460 C in the transmission electron microscope. These in-situ experiments showed the migration, coalescence, disintegration and annihilation of subboundaries. This combination of post-mortem analysis of specimens strained in bulk with real time observations made during these in-situ experiments allows the mechanisms operating during dynamic continuous recrystallization to be ascertained.
X-ray-absorption fine-structure study of the B1-to-B2 phase transition in RbCl

Pressure-induced changes in the local structure about Rb atoms in RbCl are investigated by means of x-ray-absorption fine-structure spectroscopy. Rb K-edge data were taken in fine steps across the pressure-induced NaCl-structure (B1)-to-CsCl-structure(B2)transition at 0.55 GPa. Previous diffraction studies of this phase transition indicate several martensiticlike properties, including the coexistence of both phases at 0.49 GPa. Our results are consistent with this coexistence of phases at the transition. In addition, we find no evidence for and intermediate phase.
A Secondary Replication Attempt of Stereotype Susceptibility (Shih, Pittinsky, & Ambady, 1999)

Prior work suggests that awareness of stereotypes about a person’s in-group can affect a person’s behavior and performance when they complete a stereotype-relevant task, a phenomenon called stereotype susceptibility (Shih, Pittinsky, & Ambady, 1999). In a preregistered confirmatory design, we found that priming Asian women with social identities associated with math stereotypes did not influence their performance on a subsequent mathematics exam, and hypothesized moderators did not account for the effect. The conditions necessary to obtain the original results are not yet fully understood.
Compensatory Hypertrophy after Partial and Radical Nephrectomy in Adults

Purpose: We assessed compensatory hypertrophy in the contralateral kidney after partial and radical nephrectomy in adults. We also examined predictive factors to facilitate more accurate estimation of global renal function after surgery.Materials and Methods: We analyzed the records of 172 patients who underwent partial or radical nephrectomy with appropriate studies to determine function and parenchymal mass specifically in the operated and contralateral kidneys. All patients required renal scans to provide split renal function preoperatively and postoperatively. Parenchymal volume was measured by computerized tomography. All studies were done less than 2 months preoperatively and 4 to 12 months postoperatively.Results: A total of 113 and 59 patients underwent partial and radical nephrectomy, and median tumor size was 3.5 and 7.0 cm, respectively (p <0.0001). Of patients treated with partial nephrectomy 19% had high complexity tumor compared to 80% of those treated with radical nephrectomy (p <0.0001). M...
Spatial photorelease of oligonucleotides, using a safety-catch photolabile linker.

We report the development of a safety-catch photolabile linker that allows the light-directed synthesis and spatially selective photorelease of oligonucleotides from microarrays. The linker remains stable to light during DNA synthesis, and is activated for photorelease after acidic hydrolysis. We demonstrate that the photoreleased oligonucleotides can be amplified by PCR to produce double stranded DNA. The advantages offered by this linker could aid the development of an automated gene synthesis platform.
Complete phase diagram of a charged colloidal system: A synchro- tron x-ray scattering study.

High-resolution, small-angle, synchrotron x-ray-scattering techniques were used to determine the phase diagram, structure factor, and pair distribution function for a charged colloidal suspension from 6% to 30% volume fraction. The expected correlated liquid and fcc and bcc solid phases were observed along with a glass phase at high concentration with structure similar to metallic glasses. At high volume fractions the finite core size leads to substantial deviation from predictions resulting from a screened Coulomb interaction.
Diffusion and glocalization: dialectical tensions for Wal-Mart de México

This paper analyzes the role of Wal-Mart in Mexico by following two globalization models that are dialectical pulls: diffusion and glocalization. While diffusion refers to the spread of ideas and practices from one culture to another (Rogers, Diffusion of innovations, 2003), glocalization refers to the strategic choices made by multinational corporations (MNCs) to adapt their products and services in foreign markets to influence local consumer acceptance—where the actual “Wal-Martization” is occurring. Essentially, the dialectical tensions between diffusion and glocalization represent tensions between aspirations to preserve local cultures (with their customs and preferences) and the growing pressures of globalization (Williams, Commun Stud 53(1):1–3, 2002).
Intrusions in children's dietary recalls: the roles of BMI, sex, race, interview protocol, and social desirability.

Dietary-reporting validation study data and school foodservice production records were used to examine intrusions (reports of uneaten items) in school meals in 24-hour recalls. Fourth-grade children (20 low-body mass index [BMI; ≥5th and <50th percentiles]; 20 high-BMI [≥85th percentile];50% boys; 75% Black) were each observed eating two school meals (breakfast, lunch) and interviewed about the prior 24 hours that evening (24E) or the previous day the next morning (PDM). Social desirability was assessed. Intrusions were classified as stretches (on meal tray), internal confabulations (in school foodservice environment but not on meal tray), and external confabulations (not in school foodservice environment). For breakfast, reported items were less likely to be intrusions for Black than White children, and for low-BMI boys than the other BMI-x-sex groups, and to be external confabulations for high-BMI girls than high-BMI boys. For lunch, reported items and intrusions were more likely to be stretches for 24E than PDM interviews. As social desirability increased, fewer items were reported for breakfast, and reported items and intrusions were more likely to be internal confabulations for lunch. For breakfast, compared to low-BMI girls, as social desirability increased, intruded amounts were larger for high-BMI boys and smaller for high-BMI girls. For lunch, intruded amounts were smaller for high-BMI girls than the other BMI-x-sex groups. Amounts reported were smaller for stretches than internal confabulations and external confabulations for breakfast, and external confabulations for lunch. To better understand intrusions, dietary-reporting validation studies are needed with larger samples by BMI-group, sex, and race.
Mercapturic acid formation: The several glutathione transferases of rat liver

Abstract Glutathione transferases catalyze the conjugation of GSH with a number of compounds bearing a nucleophilic group. The number and specificity of such enzymes from rat liver were surveyed. Three enzymes have been purified to homogeneity; each was active with p-nitrobenzyl chloride as substrate. One was also active with epoxides and p-nitrophenethyl bromide; the second with methyl iodide; and the third with 3,4-dichloronitrobenzene and 4-nitropyridine N-oxide. Although there are differences in specificity among the enzyme species, such differences are not directly related to the nucleophilic leaving group. Nor is it accurate to classify the enzymes by their preferences for substrates of a particular type of hydrocarbon skeleton.
An institutional series and contemporary review of bacterial spinal epidural abscess: current status and future directions.

Object Over the past decade, the incidence of bacterial spinal epidural abscess (SEA) has been increasing. In recent years, studies on this condition have been rampant in the literature. The authors present an 11-year institutional experience with SEA patients. Additionally, through an analysis of the contemporary literature, they provide an update on the challenging and controversial nature of this increasingly encountered condition. Methods An electronic medical record database was used to retrospectively analyze patients admitted with SEA from January 2001 through February 2012. Presenting symptoms, concurrent conditions, microorganisms, diagnostic modalities, treatments, and outcomes were examined. For the literature search, PubMed was used as the search engine. Studies published from January 1, 2000, through December 31, 2013, were critically reviewed. Data from articles on methodology, demographics, treatments, and outcomes were recorded. Results A total of 106 patients with bacterial SEA were ident...
eScience professional positions in the job market: a content analysis of job advertisements

We have observed the emerging needs of the new information professions in science and engineering disciplines, called "eScience Professionals." The purpose of this research is to analyze the job advertisements (ads) of eScience professionals as accessible indicators of the work duties and the worker characteristics required for eScience professional positions by employers. Two hundred job ads were gathered between November 2009 and April 2010 (for 6 months), and then content analysis of job ads including the work environments, the works performed, and the worker competencies required was conducted. This job ads analysis shows the emerging needs of eScience professionals in the job market, and it presents eScience professionals' major work duties and their Knowledge, Skills, Ability, and Others (KSAOs) required.
The BRST charge operator as a generator of nonlinear transformations of the constraint superalgebra

Abstract We demonstrate that the BRST charge operator is the generator of a nonlinear (fractional linear) transformation within the supergroup obtained by exponentiating the superalgebra whose even part is a set of first class bosonic constraints forming a Lie algebra and whose odd part is composed of the conjugate ghost operators and the BRST charge. Two alternative constructions are given. In the first the charge is the conventional singlet and in the second it is a spinor. The two constructions correspond to embedding the bosonic Lie algebra in two different superalgebras.
Arabidopsis thaliana LUP1 Converts Oxidosqualene to Multiple Triterpene Alcohols and a Triterpene Diol

The Arabidopsis thaliana LUP1 gene encodes an enzyme that converts oxidosqualene to pentacyclic triterpenes. Lupeol and β-amyrin were previously reported as LUP1 products. Further investigation des...