cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A DISCUSSION OF THEORETICAL ANALYSES OF PROBE-INDUCED THERMAL FLUX PERTURBATIONS

A review is presented of the theoretical task of interpreting the measurement of a thermal neutron absorption rate in terms of the neutron density that existed at the probe location prior to probe insertion. Successful accomplishment of this task is fairly obviously of considerable practical importance, since activation measurements of thermal fluxes are an important adjunct to many reactor experiments and are also frequently employed to obtain thermal flux maps in reactor cores and reflectors. Because of its importance, the problem has received extensive and varied (but usually piecemeal and semiintuitive) theoretical attention over the past twenty years. Many experiments have been performed concurrently. The net result has been to perpetuate a lively interest in the problem, since comparisons of experiment with experiment, experiment with theory, and theory with theory have been ragged and controversial. This review presents an adequately precise and general statement of the problem and attempts deductive comparisons of various theoretical attacks upon it. Attention is focused primarily upon the task of obtaining operational descriptions of the diverse approximations explicit or implicit in the calculations considered. Throughout the review attention is persistently directed to an aspect of the problem thst has received less than adequate attention somore » far, i.e., that of the effect of flux-hardening'' on the absorption rate. An attempt to obtain a qualitative estimate of the importance of this effect is presented, but the only conclusion drawn so far is that the effect is not obviously an ignorable one. (auth)« less
Ergebnisse nach operativer Behandlung von Hiatushernien

In den letzten 5 Jahren operierten wir 45 Patienten mit Hiatushernien transthorakal. Wir verloren keinen Patienten und hatten keine Lungenembolien, Infarkte, Infektionen oder andere Komplikationen zu verzeichnen. Von 30 Nachuntersuchten hatten nur 2 ein Rezidiv, ihre praoperativen Beschwerden waren geschwunden. Von den restlichen 28 rezidiv- und refluxfreien Nachuntersuchten hatten 2 manchmal auftretendes masiges Sodbrennen, das einmal auf eine Gastritis und einmal auf die noch nicht vollstandig abgeklungene Oesophagitis zu beziehen war.
New capabilities and upgrade path for the DIII-D neutral beam heating system

Abstract As physics experiments on the DIII-D tokamak evolve to explore new regimes in fusion energy research, the capabilities of the Neutral Beam Injection (NBI) systems are being improved to help provide the necessary tools. Upgrades of beamline internal components and high voltage systems are currently being carried out to increase the injected power and pulse length. A new algorithm has been commissioned for feedback control that combines the variable beam energy (VBE) and variable beam perveance (VBP) capabilities. An extensive project is underway to modify a beamline for off-axis injection in either the co- or counter-plasma current direction. The MACE device (Miniature Arc Chamber Experiment) has recently been commissioned and is allowing investigation into the detrimental effects of operating ion sources in helium. Finally, exploration of the edge physics in tokamaks has benefited from a new capability to inject very low energy beams (15–20 kV). A description of these new capabilities and some results from experiments will be presented here.
Redefining the role of school media specialists...Bridging the gap

La formation des specialistes charges des bibliotheques et des medias dans les ecoles varie beaucoup d'un Etat a l'autre aux U.S.A.: la formation a la recherche en ligne en est souvent absente, ou presentee a un niveau tres elementaire ou encore proposee en option. Les bibliothecaires universitaires, qui ont cette formation et pratiquent regulierement la recherche en ligne, pourraient jouer le role de consultants ou d'enseignants dans ces formations: un programme est propose et l'importance de cette formation pour l'avenir de ces specialistes est soulignee. (INTD)
The World of the Crusades

At this point, there is no shortage of critical overviews of the Crusades written by professional scholars. As modern politicians of all persuasions continue to evoke this medieval movement as the ...
rSILS: initial clinical experience with single-port robotic (SPr) right colectomy

The da Vinci Single-Port (SP) robot is a novel platform designed to facilitate single-incision robotic surgery (rSILS). The objective of this study was to describe our initial experience using this platform for SP robotic (SPr) right colectomy. Under a Food and Drug Administration-regulated feasibility study and Institutional Review Board approval, a patient with cecal adenocarcinoma underwent an SPr right colectomy. The primary endpoint was the safety and feasibility of the first SPr right colectomy performed in the USA. Secondary endpoints included perioperative metrics, morbidity and mortality. An SPr Standard right colectomy was performed through a 4-cm single incision without the need for conversion or additional port placement. Estimated blood loss was 100 mL and there were no intraoperative complications. The robot was docked once with a docking time of 19 min. Total console time was 116 min and operative time was 219 min. The patient tolerated clear liquids on postoperative day (POD) 0 and a low-residue diet on POD 1. The patient had flatus and a bowel movement on POD 1. She was discharged home on POD 3. Final pathology showed pT3N0 cecal adenocarcinoma with negative margins and 0/24 lymph nodes positive for disease. Our initial experience demonstrates that an SPr right colectomy is feasible and can be safely completed. We completed an oncologic resection of a cecal adenocarcinoma without complications. The SP robot facilitates the utilization of robotic technology in a single-incision platform to perform colorectal procedures and offers promising benefits in the advancement of robotic surgery.
Suppression of axial mode competition in a high-harmonic gyromonotron

The high-harmonic gyromonotron is based on the synchronous interaction between axis-encircling electrons and a high-order azimuthal TE cylindrical cavity mode. Harmonic operation together with RF acceleration of the electron beam constitute a compact moderate- to high-power millimeter wave source. Axial mode competition, a serious problem for high-harmonic operation, has been suppressed by inserting a thin, lossy dielectric ring along the cavity midplane. The cavity was observed to operate at the fourth harmonic without mode competition, emitting monochromatic 32 GHz radiation with 16% efficiency.
Identification of critical formulation parameters affecting the in vitro release, permeation, and rheological properties of the acyclovir topical cream.

Abstract To understand effects of formulation variables on the critical quality attributes (CQA) of acyclovir topical cream, this study investigated effects of propylene glycol (PG), poloxamer, and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) concentrations, acyclovir particle size, and formulation pH of the acyclovir cream. Fifteen formulations were prepared and characterized for rheological properties, particle size distribution, drug release and in vitro skin permeation. Drug distribution between various phases of the cream was determined. The concentration of soluble acyclovir in the aqueous phase was determined as a surrogate of the equilibrium with other acyclovir species in the cream. The interaction among effects of the formulation variables on the amount of acyclovir retained by skin was also evaluated. The results showed that PG significantly (p
X-ray crystal structures of [HB(3,4,5-Me3pz)3[2Zn, [H2B(3,4,5-Me3pz)2]Zn(μ-3,4,5-Me3pz)2Zn[H2B(3,4,5-Me3pz)2], and [H2B(pz)2]2Zn (pz = pyrazolyl ring)

[HB(3,4,5-Me3pz)3]2Zn (1) and [H2B(3,4,5-Me3pz)2]Zn(μ-3,4,5-Me3pz)2Zn[H2B(3,4,5-Me3pz)2] (2) are present in equal amounts in a crystal in the triclinic space group, P-1 with a = 11.5924(11) A, b = 12.7799(12) A, c = 15.7317(14) A α = 107.905(2)° β = 96.796(2)°, γ = 105.786(2)°, and Z = 1. The structure of 1 is a trigonally distorted octahedron and is very similar to the structure of [HB(3,5-Me2pz)3]2Zn showing that the introduction of the third methyl group on the pyrazolyl ring does not impact on structure. [H2B(pz)2]2Zn (3) is orthorhombic, Pca2(1) with a = 10.1473(3) A, b = 11.1117(2) A, c = 14.1831(5) A, α = β = γ = 90° and Z = 4. The zinc(II) centers in both 2 and 3 are similar and have pseudotetrahedral structures.
Interactive Query Formulation using Query By Navigation.

Effective information disclosure in the context of databases with a large conceptual schema is known to be a non-trivial problem. In particular the formulation of ad-hoc queries is a major problem in such contexts. Existing approaches for tackling this problem include graphical query interfaces, query by navigation, query by construction, and point to point queries. In this report we propose an adoption of the query by navigation mechanism that is especially geared towards the InfoAssistant product. Query by navigation is based on ideas from the information retrieval world, in particular on the stratified hypermedia architecture. When using our approach to the formulations of queries, a user will first formulate a number of simple queries corresponding to linear paths through the information structure. The formulation of the linear paths is the result of the {\em explorative phase} of the query formulation. Once users have specified a number of these linear paths, they may combine them to form more complex queries. Examples of such combinations are: concatenation, union, intersection and selection. This last process is referred to as {\em query by construction}, and is the {\em constructive phase} of the query formulation process.
Intimate partner violence disclosure among Muslim-Americans: a survey study of disclosure likelihood to varying networks and the roles of relational context, religiosity, and marginalization

This study examined the roles of relational context, religiosity, and marginalization in Muslim-American adults’ (N = 314) disclosure of intimate partner violence (IPV). Participants responded to s...
Bootstrapping some GLM and survival regression variable selection estimators

Inference after variable selection is a very important problem. This paper derives the asymptotic distribution of many variable selection estimators, such as forward selection and backward eliminat...
Preferring a Genetically-Related Child

Millions of children worldwide could benefit from adoption. One could argue that prospective parents have a pro tanto duty to adopt rather than create children. For the sake of argument, I assume there is such a duty and focus on a pressing objection to it. Prospective parents may prefer that their children are genetically related to them. I examine eight reasons prospective parents have for preferring genetic children: for parent-child physical resemblance, for family resemblance, for psychological similarity, for the sake of love, to achieve a kind of immortality, for the genetic connection itself, to be a procreator, and to experience pregnancy. I argue that, with the possible exception of the pregnancy desire, these reasons fail to defeat a duty to adopt a child rather than create one, even assuming that we do have some leeway to favor our own interests.
Systems for Efficient Delivery of Microbial Biocontrol Agents to Soil

Efficient delivery of microbial biocontrol agents implies a process that requires the least amount of time, effort, and product (and therefore, the least cost), while still delivering the agent in a way that is efficacious. To accomplish this goal, a sufficient quantity of the agent must be delivered in an appropriate state of activity and to the right place at the right time to effect economical control. Activity state of a given microbial biocontrol agent and proper timing and placement of the inoculum are usually more important than introduction of a large population of the agent. Thus, for efficient delivery, we need to consider plant-pathogen-agent interactions in terms of time and space. The choice of delivery system will be dictated by both control strategies and characteristics of the organisms and cropping systems involved.
Husserl’s ‘Logic of Truth’

Husserl’s distinction between three strata of formal logic — pure logical grammar, logic of consequence and logic of truth — has been well recognized and much discussed in the secondary literature,1 and may well have exercised some influence on the actual development of modern logic. But very little has been done to explain what he could have meant by ‘logic of truth’ — much less to further develop that idea. I want this paper to be a contribution to that theme.
Crystal Structure of Feldspar. Principal Features. Related Structures

Taylor (1933) envisaged the topology of the aluminosilicate framework of sanidine on Christmas Day, 1932, by an elegant division of the unit cell into boxes by use of pseudotetragonal axes [100], [010] and [102]. Four tetrahedra in each box would link together in only one way for space group C2/m. Each K atom was placed on a mirror plane at reasonable bond distances to the oxygen atoms, and the atomic coordinates were adjusted by trial-and-error to obtain agreement between observed and calculated X-ray diffraction intensities. Table 2.1 lists the prototype positions for a sanidinized orthoclase. A comprehensive survey of the structural variants of feldspar (Taylor et al 1934) is the basis of the following description.
An HMM-based mandarin chinese text-to-speech system

In this paper we present our Hidden Markov Model (HMM)-based, Mandarin Chinese Text-to-Speech (TTS) system. Mandarin Chinese or Putonghua, “the common spoken language”, is a tone language where each of the 400 plus base syllables can have up to 5 different lexical tone patterns. Their segmental and supra-segmental information is first modeled by 3 corresponding HMMs, including: (1) spectral envelop and gain; (2) voiced/unvoiced and fundamental frequency; and (3) segment duration. The corresponding HMMs are trained from a read speech database of 1,000 sentences recorded by a female speaker. Specifically, the spectral information is derived from short-time LPC spectral analysis. Among all LPC parameters, Line Spectrum Pair (LSP) has the closest relevance to the natural resonances or the “formants” of a speech sound and it is selected to parameterize the spectral information. Furthermore, the property of clustered LSPs around a spectral peak justify augmenting LSPs with their dynamic counterparts, both in time and frequency, in both HMM modeling and parameter trajectory synthesis. One hundred sentences synthesized by 4 LSP-based systems have been subjectively evaluated with an AB comparison test. The listening test results show that LSP and its dynamic counterpart, both in time and frequency, are preferred for the resultant higher synthesized speech quality.
Bicornis uteri unicollis and pregnancy.

AT DIFFERENT times during the last 15 years we have been confronted with undesirable situations in patients that were pregnant and had a bicornuate uterus. We agree that the combination usually presents no problem; however, it occasionally predisposes to complications. It is our intention, first, to emphasize that the anomalous uterus may predispose to hazardous obstetric complications. Second, a theoretical prognosis is rendered for the average pregnancy within a bicornuate uterus on the basis of our experience combined with that recorded in the literature.lms3 The term “bicornuate uterus,” used in this discussion, includes only bicornis uteri unicollis, uterus arcuatus, and uterus subseptus.
Paraplegia and paraparesis due to prostatic cancer. Use of intravenous diethylstilbestrol diphosphate.

Abstract Diethylstilbestrol diphosphate (Stilphostrol) administered intravenously is a safe, effective drug in the treatment of prostatic carcinoma. Its dramatic effectiveness in the amelioration of paraparesis and paraplegia from epidural metastases has been demonstrated in 62 per cent of patients receiving the drug in addition to laminectomy and/or hormonal manipulation. Diethylstilbestrol diphosphate was also effective in relieving bone pain associated with metastases in 93 per cent of patients. A unique combined chemo- and radiotherapeutic aspect of diethylstilbestrol diphosphate-P 32 is suggested.
Origins, Structure, and Inflows of m=1 Modes in Quasi-Keplerian Disks

Simulations show eccentric disks (m=1 modes) forming around quasi-Keplerian potentials, a topic of interest for fueling quasars, forming super-massive BHs, planet formation and migration, explaining the origin and properties of nuclear eccentric stellar disks like that in M31, and driving the formation of the obscuring AGN torus. We consider the global, linear normal m=1 modes in collisionless disks, without the restriction that the disk mass be negligible relative to the central (Keplerian) mass. We derive their structure and key resonance features, and show how they arise, propagate inwards, and drive both inflow/outflow and eccentricities in the disk. We compare with hydrodynamic simulations of such disks around a super-massive BH, with star formation, gas cooling, and feedback. We derive the dependence of the normal mode structure on disk structure, mass profiles, and thickness, and mode pattern speeds and growth rates. We show that, if the disk at some radii has mass of >~10% the central point mass, the modes are linearly unstable and are self-generating. They arise as 'fast modes' with pattern speed of order the local angular velocity at these radii. The characteristic global normal modes have pattern speeds comparable to the linear growth rate, of order (G*M_0*R_0^{-3})^{1/2}, where M_0 is the central mass and R_{0} is the radius where the enclosed disk mass ~M_{0}. They propagate inwards by exciting eccentricities towards smaller and smaller radii, until at small radii these are 'slow modes.' With moderate amplitude, the global normal modes can lead to shocks and significant gas inflows at near-Eddington rates at all radii inside several ~R_0.
Requirement for Ssbp2 in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Maintenance and Stress Response

Transcriptional mechanisms governing hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) quiescence, self-renewal, and differentiation are not fully understood. Sequence-specific ssDNA–binding protein 2 (SSBP2) is a candidate acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) suppressor gene located at chromosome 5q14. SSBP2 binds the transcriptional adaptor protein Lim domain–binding protein 1 (LDB1) and enhances LDB1 stability to regulate gene expression. Notably, Ldb1 is essential for HSC specification during early development and maintenance in adults. We previously reported shortened lifespan and greater susceptibility to B cell lymphomas and carcinomas in Ssbp2−/− mice. However, whether Ssbp2 plays a regulatory role in normal HSC function and leukemogenesis is unknown. In this study, we provide several lines of evidence to demonstrate a requirement for Ssbp2 in the function and transcriptional program of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) in vivo. We found that hematopoietic tissues were hypoplastic in Ssbp2−/− mice, and the frequency of lymphoid-primed multipotent progenitor cells in bone marrow was reduced. Other significant features of these mice were delayed recovery from 5-fluorouracil treatment and diminished multilineage reconstitution in lethally irradiated bone marrow recipients. Dramatic reduction of Notch1 transcripts and increased expression of transcripts encoding the transcription factor E2a and its downstream target Cdkn1a also distinguished Ssbp2−/− HSPCs from wild-type HSPCs. Finally, a tendency toward coordinated expression of SSBP2 and the AML suppressor NOTCH1 in a subset of the Cancer Genome Atlas AML cases suggested a role for SSBP2 in AML pathogenesis. Collectively, our results uncovered a critical regulatory function for SSBP2 in HSPC gene expression and function.
Assessment of uncertainty-infused scientific argumentation

Though addressing sources of uncertainty is an important part of doing science, it has largely been neglected in assessing students' scientific argumentation. In this study, we initially defined a scientific argumentation construct in four structural elements consisting of claim, justification, uncertainty qualifier, and uncertainty rationale. We consulted literature to characterize and score different levels of student performances on each of these four argumentation elements. We designed a test comprised of nine scientific argumentation tasks addressing climate change, the search for life in space, and fresh water availability and administered it to 473 students from 9 high schools in the United States. After testing the local dependence and unidimensionality assumptions, we found that the uncertainty qualifier element was not aligned with the other three. After removing items related to uncertainty qualifier, we applied a Rasch analysis based on a Partial Credit Model. Results indicate that (1) claim, justification, and uncertainty rationale items form a unidimensional scale, (2) justification and uncertainty rationale items contribute the most on the unidimensional scientific argumentation scale as they cover much wider ranges of the scale than claim items, (3) average item difficulties increase in the order of claim, justification, and uncertainty rationale, (4) students' elaboration of uncertainty exhibits dual characteristics: self-assessment of their own knowledge and ability versus scientific assessment of conceptual and empirical errors embedded in investigations, and (5) students who can make warrants between theory and evidence are more likely to think about uncertainty from scientific sources than those who cannot. We identified limitations of this study in terms of science topic coverage and sample selection and made suggestions on how these limitations might have affected results and interpretations. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 51: 581–605, 2014
Association of 6‐Minute Walk Performance and Physical Activity With Incident Ischemic Heart Disease Events and Stroke in Peripheral Artery Disease

Background We determined whether poorer 6‐minute walk performance and lower physical activity levels are associated with higher rates of ischemic heart disease (IHD) events in people with lower extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD). Methods and Results Five hundred ten PAD participants were identified from Chicago‐area medical centers and followed prospectively for 19.0±9.5 months. At baseline, participants completed the 6‐minute walk and reported number of blocks walked during the past week (physical activity). IHD events were systematically adjudicated and consisted of new myocardial infarction, unstable angina, and cardiac death. For 6‐minute walk, IHD event rates were 25/170 (14.7%) for the third (poorest) tertile, 10/171 (5.8%%) for the second tertile, and 6/169 (3.5%) for the first (best) tertile ( P =0.003). For physical activity, IHD event rates were 21/154 (13.6%) for the third (poorest) tertile, 15/174 (8.6%) for the second tertile, and 5/182 (2.7%) for the first (best) tertile ( P =0.001). Adjusting for age, sex, race, smoking, body mass index, comorbidities, and physical activity, participants in the poorest 6‐minute walk tertile had a 3.28‐fold (95% CI 1.17 to 9.17, P =0.024) higher hazard for IHD events, compared with those in the best tertile. Adjusting for confounders including 6‐minute walk, participants in the poorest physical activity tertile had a 3.72‐fold (95% CI 1.24 to 11.19, P =0.019) higher hazard for IHD events, compared with the highest tertile. Conclusions Six‐minute walk and physical activity predict IHD event rates in PAD. Further study is needed to determine whether interventions that improve 6‐minute walk, physical activity, or both can reduce IHD events in PAD.
Comparison of computational and experimental modal analyses of an armored vehicle hull with multiple access openings

A three-dimensional (3D) finite element model of a bare aluminum vehicle hull with multiple access openings for the driver's hatch, the commander's cupola, engine access opening, exhaust grills, cargo hatch, as well as rear door cutout, representing the basic hull of the armored personnel carrier (APC) M113A2 was generated using PATRAN 3 pre and post-processor program. Frequencies and modeshapes obtained using the ADINA finite element code were compared with available experimental modal analysis data for the counterpart hull.
Commentary: Irrational Exuberance for the Aging in Place of Vulnerable Low-Income Older Homeowners

ABSTRACT This commentary argues that one-size-fits-all aging in place solutions will often not be in the best interests of low-income and frail older homeowners in the United States. This contrarian view runs counter to the reported preferences of this group, various private-sector activities, and U.S. public policies that are increasingly funding home and community-based care. The particular focus is on low-income elderly homeowners living in the oldest housing stock in the country who have demographic characteristics putting them at greater risk of having both unmet care and housing needs, which in turn have spillover effects on their neighborhoods. These vulnerable homeowners would be better served if they relocated to more affordable, easier to maintain, and better designed smaller owned units or rental properties or to planned affordable seniors' rental housing complexes that can offer both light and heavy care. Such residential moves are often not feasible, however, because of the shortage of these ...
Observation of high-order harmonic generation in a bulk crystal

High-order harmonic generation is a nonlinear optical process that enables the creation of light pulses at frequencies much higher than that from a seed laser. The host medium for this interaction is typically a gas. Now, the process has been observed in a bulk crystalline solid with important implications for attosecond science.
GAL4-VP16 is an unusually potent transcriptional activator

Recent work has defined a class of transcriptional activators1–5, members of which activate transcription in yeast, plant, insect and mammalian cells6–9. These proteins contain two parts: one directs DNA binding and the other, called the activating region, presumably interacts with some component of the transcriptional machinery. Activating regions are typically acidic and require some poorly-understood aspect of structure, probably at least in part an α-helix1–5,10. Here we describe a new member of this class, formed by fusing a DNA-binding fragment of the yeast activator GAL4 to a highly acidic portion of the herpes simplex virus protein VP16 (ref. 11; also called Vmw65). VP16 activates transcription of immediate early viral genes by using its amino-terminal sequences to attach to one or more host-encoded proteins that recognise DNA sequences in their promoters11–15. We show that the hybrid protein (GAL4-VP16) activates transcription unusually efficiently in mammalian cells when bound close to, or at large distances from the gene. We suggest that the activating region of VP16 may be near-maximally potent and that it is not coincidental that such a strong activator is encoded by a virus.
Economic and fiscal impacts of metropolitan decentralization: the Southern California case.

This paper employs a matrix version of the Lowry model to generate spatially disaggregated employment and population impacts. The model is used to study the effects of the decentralization of basic employment in the Los Angeles metropolitan region from its central core to a suburban location in Orange County. Advantage is taken of the fact that the study region comprises a large number of separate fiscal jurisdictions, and so the model is extended to measure the fiscal impacts of the derived population and employment changes associated with this decentralization. It is shown that net impacts hide significant gross expansions and declines that occur at the geographically disaggregated level. The relocation of a given number of basic jobs from Los Angeles to peripheral Orange County has a marked impact on jobs, population, and public expenditures in individual cities, depending on their relative proximity to the sources of basic-employment change. Although the relationship between the central city and the s...
Death and proliferation time course of stem cells transplanted in the myocardium.

Noninvasive positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of reporter gene is combined with quantitative real-time polymerase reverse transcription (RT-PCR) method to study the time course of death and proliferation of stem cells transplanted in the myocardium. Male murine embryonic stem cells (ESCs) were stably transfected with a mutant version of herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase (HSV1-sr39tk) reporter gene; 5 × 106 such cells were injected into the myocardium of female athymic rats. While the transplanted cells was monitored by in vivo 9-(4-[F-18]fluoro-3-hydroxymethylbutyl)guanine ([F-18]FHBG) PET imaging of the heart, their absolute number was estimated by RT-PCR from hearts harvested at 3–5 h, 24 h, days 4, 7, and 14 after transplantation. (1) Forty percent of injected cells were retained in the heart while majority of injected cells were lost within a few hours after injection. Cell death was peaked at 24 h when 18% of donor cells retained in the heart were dead. (2) The substantial cell loss was reversed by significant proliferation of ESCs. This led to the recovery of cell number to 3.4 million (70% of injected dose) at day 4 and first visual observation of in vivo [F-18] signal in the heart. (3) A robust correlation (R 2 = 0.9) between percent of injected dose per gram of tissue derived from in vivo PET signal and the number of donor cells estimated by RT-PCR was revealed. The time course of transplanted stem cells surviving in the heart reveals a process of substantial cell loss within 24 h of injection and subsequent recovery of cell number through proliferation. Such proliferation can be noninvasively monitored by reporter gene imaging.
Positive-realness in multivariable stationary linear systems

Abstract Positive-realness appears frequently as a requirement for realizability, optimality, and especially for robust stability of nonstationary, nonlinear or adaptive controllers. Although in SISO systems the positive-realness properties can be explained using root-locus arguments, their meaning in multivariable systems is much more complex. Besides, positive-realness does not seem to be common to real-world systems. This paper expands upon the conditions needed to satisfy the desired strict positive-realness conditions. It presents and proves some positive-realness lemmas which explain the relations between stabilizability and positive-realness and their importance for implementation of robust nonstationary or nonlinear controllers. The paper then shows how to use basic stabilizability properties of systems and parallel feedforward in order to implement positive-real configurations.
Analysis, Optimization and Verification of Illumina-Generated 16S rRNA Gene Amplicon Surveys

The exploration of microbial communities by sequencing 16S rRNA genes has expanded with low-cost, high-throughput sequencing instruments. Illumina-based 16S rRNA gene sequencing has recently gained popularity over 454 pyrosequencing due to its lower costs, higher accuracy and greater throughput. Although recent reports suggest that Illumina and 454 pyrosequencing provide similar beta diversity measures, it remains to be demonstrated that pre-existing 454 pyrosequencing workflows can transfer directly from 454 to Illumina MiSeq sequencing by simply changing the sequencing adapters of the primers. In this study, we modified 454 pyrosequencing primers targeting the V4-V5 hyper-variable regions of the 16S rRNA gene to be compatible with Illumina sequencers. Microbial communities from cows, humans, leeches, mice, sewage, and termites and a mock community were analyzed by 454 and MiSeq sequencing of the V4-V5 region and MiSeq sequencing of the V4 region. Our analysis revealed that reference-based OTU clustering alone introduced biases compared to de novo clustering, preventing certain taxa from being observed in some samples. Based on this we devised and recommend an analysis pipeline that includes read merging, contaminant filtering, and reference-based clustering followed by de novo OTU clustering, which produces diversity measures consistent with de novo OTU clustering analysis. Low levels of dataset contamination with Illumina sequencing were discovered that could affect analyses that require highly sensitive approaches. While moving to Illumina-based sequencing platforms promises to provide deeper insights into the breadth and function of microbial diversity, our results show that care must be taken to ensure that sequencing and processing artifacts do not obscure true microbial diversity.
Bedload Transport Resistance in Rough Open-Channel Flows

During bedload movement by saltation, streamwise momentum is transferred from the ﬂow to the saltating grains. When the grains collide with other grains on the bed or in the ﬂow, streamwise momentum is reduced, and there is a decrease in streamwise ﬂow velocity and an increase in ﬂow resistance, herein termed bedload transport resistance fbt. Based on experiments in two ﬂumes with ﬁxed and mobile plane beds and previously published data, an equation is developed that may be used to predict fbt for both capacity and non-capacity ﬂows. The variables in this equation are identiﬁed by dimensional analysis and the coefﬁcients are determined by non-linear regression. This equation applies to rough turbulent open-channel ﬂows, where the relative submergence is between 1 and 20 and the entire sediment load moves by saltation. An investigation of the relative magnitudes of fbt and grain resistance fc suggests that where dimensionless shear stress θ is less than 1 and saltation is the dominant mode of bedload transport, fbt/fc increases with θ but never exceeds 1. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stability of the glycosidic bond of S-adenosylsulfonium compounds toward acid☆

Abstract The acid hydrolysis of the biological sulfonium compound S -adenosylmethionine [ S -(5′-deoxyadenosine-5′)-methionine] was studied and compared with that of S -adenosylhomocysteine [ S -(5′-deoxyadenosine-5′)-homocysteine]. In 1 n HCl at 100 °, the sulfonium compound was found about two orders of magnitude more stable than the thioether. The sulfonium group accounts for the stabilization of the glycosidic bond of S -adenosylmethionine in acid, while S -adenosylhomocysteine resembles other purine ribosides in its facile acid hydrolysis. Attempts to isolate the pentose from S -adenosylmethionine were unsuccessful, but methionine could be isolated in nearly quantitative yield by hydrolysis for 4 hr in 6 n HCl at 100 °. The great difference in the acid stability of the sulfonium compound and the thioether permits the destruction of the latter in 1.5 n perchloric acid cell extracts by heating for 5 min at 100 ° which causes only 5% loss of S -adenosylmethionine. The procedure facilitates the analysis and isolation of S -adenosylmethionine.
Sampling hidden populations: lessons learned from a telephone-based study of persons recently diagnosed with HIV (PRDH)

This paper describes a flexible, multi-stage, nonprobability sampling process used in a study of persons recently diagnosed as HIV-positive (PRDH). From July 2007 to June 2008, we used venue and chain-referral sampling strategies to recruit PRDH in the US. We sought equal distributions (n = 20) of eligible PRDH from four self-identified subgroups: gay or bisexual men (GBM), heterosexual men (HM), heterosexual women (HW), and male-tofemale transgender women (TGW). We categorized 30 sampling venues as websites, health clinics, or other networks. For 359 volunteer respondents, website venues proved more productive compared to health clinics and other sources. Website venues were most efficient for sampling recently diagnosed GBM and HW. Passive sampling methods were less effective in recruiting HM and TGW. Sampling approaches should be flexible and tailored to reach sub-categories within hidden populations. The sampling process itself produced valuable knowledge about social networks of hidden HIV populations.
Damage detection in concrete using coda wave interferometry

Coda wave interferometry (CWI) is a nondestructive evaluation technique for monitoring wave velocity changes in a strongly heterogeneous medium as demonstrated in previous seismic and acoustic experiments. The multiple-scattering effect in such a medium promotes the rapid formation of a diffuse field, and waves can travel much longer than the direct path, and thus are more sensitive to small changes occurring in the medium. This research applies the CWI technique in conjunction with acoustoelastic measurements to characterize two different types of damage in concrete: damage due to thermal shock and dynamic cyclic loading. The diffuse ultrasonic signals are taken at different levels of compressive stress and then relative velocity changes are extracted using the CWI technique. The relative velocity change (or the material nonlinearity) increases considerably with increasing damage level in most samples for both types of damage. The feasibility and sensitivity of this CWI-based technique in characterizing damage in cement-based materials are demonstrated.
Method for detection of single-base mismatches using bimolecular beacons.

This paper describes a method for the detection of single-base mismatches using DNA microarrays in a format that does not require labeling of the sample (“target”) DNA. The method is based on disrupting fluorescence energy transfer (FRET) between a fluorophore attached to an immobilized DNA strand (“probe”) and a quencher-containing sequence that is complementary except for an artificial mismatch (e.g. 5-nitroindole, 3-nitropyrole, or abasic site) at the site of interrogation. As the displacement of the FRET acceptor and hybridization of the unlabeled probe are bimolecular, the term “bimolecular beacons” is used to describe this approach. The analysis of a mismatch was based on differences in the amount of disruption in FRET upon hybridization of perfectly matched DNA targets and those containing single-base mismatches. Using this method and an oligonucleotide model system, A/C single-base mismatches were successfully discriminated at levels greater than that observed using surface-immobilized molecular b...
Sustainable trophy hunting of African lions

In most species, sport hunting of male trophy animals can only reduce overall population size when the rate of removal of males is so high that females can no longer be impregnated. However, where males provide extensive paternal care, the removal of even a few individuals could harm the population as a whole. In species such as lions, excessive trophy hunting could theoretically cause male replacements (and associated infanticide) to become sufficiently common to prevent cubs reaching adulthood. Here we simulate the population consequences of lion trophy hunting using a spatially explicit, individual-based, stochastic model parameterized with 40 years of demographic data from northern Tanzania. Although our simulations confirm that infanticide increases the risk of population extinction, trophy hunting could be sustained simply by hunting males above a minimum age threshold, and this strategy maximizes both the quantity and the quality of the long-term kill. We present a simple non-invasive technique for estimating lion age in populations lacking long-term records, and suggest that quotas would be unnecessary in any male-only trophy species where age determination could be reliably implemented.
Sex ratio at birth: values, variance, and some determinants.

This paper examines the values, variance and some possible determinants of sex ratios for the first child and for all children in expected and desired families. For adults in Tallahassee, Florida, it was found that a large majority of respondents within sixty demographic categories chose males for their first child. Of those who actually had girls for their first child, a plurality would, nevertheless, prefer a first boy in their desired family. It was hypothesized and demonstrated that sex-role ideologies were a strong predictor of variance in first-child sex preferences. Sex ratios for all children in expected and desired families were 116 and 113, respectively. If people could choose the sex of their future children, these data suggest that several population parameters might be significantly altered; a preliminary model is outlined which might project some of these changes.
Increased Mechanical Output by a Kinesin Mutant

Mechanical output by the kinesin motors depends on conformational changes of the motor that transduce and amplify force, coupled to specific nucleotide states. Large conformational changes, detected in previous structural studies, have led to the proposal that distortional changes of the central beta-sheet play an essential role in force transduction by the motor. We now find that mutation of an invariant residue in the central beta-sheet produces unexpected effects on force transduction by the motor, enhancing the velocity of motor movement on microtubules in vitro and the ability of the motor to crosslink and slide microtubules in the oocyte spindle. The mutated residue is in a hairpin loop that can undergo transition into a beta-strand, becoming part of the central beta-sheet. The most severe mutant shows ∼2-fold increased motor velocity in microtubule gliding assays and strikingly elongated spindles in vivo. Simulations of spindle assembly indicate that the elongated spindles arise because of the tighter binding by the motor to microtubules and its faster velocity of movement. The mutated residue thus plays a central role in kinesin motor mechanotransduction. Its effects in greatly increasing both ADP release and microtubule binding by the motor indicate a role for the central beta-sheet in coupling the nucleotide- and microtubule-binding sites, and promoting ADP release. We propose that interactions of the mutated residue distort the central beta-sheet, inducing ADP loss and triggering a force-producing stroke. The increased rate of ADP loss by the mutant increases its rate of ATP hydrolysis, accounting for the increased mechanical output by the motor.
Non-scan design-for-testability of RT-level data paths

This paper presents a non-scan design-for-testability technique applicable to register-transfer (RT) level data path circuits, which are usually very hard-to-test due to the presence of complex loop structures. We develop a new testability measure, and utilize the RT-level structure of the data path, for cost-effective re-design of the circuit to make it easily testable, without having to either scan any flip-flop or breakloops directly. The non-scan DFT technique was applied to several data path circuits. Experimental results demonstrate the feasibility of producing non-scan testable data paths, which can be tested at-speed. The hardware overhead and the test application time required for the non-scan designs is significantly lower than the corresponding partial scan designs.
Experimental load distributions for double pitch steel roller chains on steel sprockets

Abstract An experimental study was conducted to measure the load distribution in steel roller chains on steel sprockets and determine the effect of lubrication, misalignment, sprocket speed of rotation at low speeds, and slack-side load. A chain load distribution test machine was designed and constructed to conduct this investigation. Theoretical results obtained from a geometric progression load distribution model were compared to the experimental results.
The third culture: C.P. Snow revisited

As an historian of modern technology who has both taught and taught with engineers for two decades, I am repeatedly dismayed by the lackluster contemporary public image of engineers held, not only by the general American public, but also by many nonengineers in our universities, governments, and industries. Respectable and reliable though they may be, engineers are invariably associated with conservatism not only in their politics and their behavior but also, and more important, in their work. The author Snow recognized that engineering is in fact a third culture separate from the two he focused upon: science and the humanities (Snow, 1960).
Saulo Klahr: third editor of Kidney International—in memoriam

On 3 June 2010, after a prolonged illness, nephrology lost a champion of academics, Saulo Klahr. In these busy days of countless e-mails and deadlines, of dealing with budgets, administrative pressures, and attempts to keep up with scientific advances, it is important to remember not only this leader's many contributions to the development of nephrology but also how Saulo helped and encouraged others, invariably making them feel special. It is not my purpose solely to review Saulo's many honors, but I believe that emphasizing his efforts to boost interest in the scientific basis of nephrology while improving the care of patients with kidney disease will stimulate us to emulate him.
Survey of eddy current programs

This paper describes the results of a literature search and questionnaire survey of eddy current computer programs. The capabilities of each program are compared in the first four tables and the references listed. Results of a recent questionnaire survey of researchers working in this area.
Master equation for the logistic map

A master equation is constructed that provides a stochastic description underlying the logistic map. In an appropriate macroscopic limit, the underlying master map (equation) yields the logistic map. It also describes intrinsic fluctuations associated with the logistic map. When the logistic map parameters are chosen so that the map produces a chaotic trajectory, the variance of the associated fluctuations diverges. This means that the distribution function determined by the master map becomes very broad and that the logistic map no longer results from averaging with respect to the master map distribution function. Numerical examples of this behavior and its interpretation are discussed.
Adult Male Circumcision Tool for Use in Traditional Ceremonies

Public health officials are currently supporting adult male circumcision to minimize the transmission of HIV during intercourse. Estimates indicate that more than 3 million lives could be saved in sub-Saharan Africa alone if the procedure were widely adopted. Complications including infection and accidental cutting/amputation of the glans during traditional circumcision ceremonies can lead to permanent injury or death. A low cost adjustable (one-size-fits-most) culturally appropriate adult male circumcision tool was designed for use in traditional circumcision ceremonies to increase the likelihood of safe outcomes.
Modification of Al2O3-TiN interface chemistry to improve adhesion in CVD coatings

Abstract Thin interlayers are often used to improve adhesion between functional CVD coatings. It is also possible to modify the surface chemistry of a CVD layer so that the subsequent CVD layer is better adhered. This has been done in the case of Al 2 O 3 and TiN by exposing the Al 2 O 3 surface to a high concentration of NH 3 at high temperature for a limited time. A thermodynamic analysis shows the possibility for substituting N for O in the Al 2 O 3 surface using this method. Scanning electron microscopy and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) were used to analyze the interface chemistry. RBS was used to identify a depletion of oxygen in the near surface region of Al 2 O 3 and the presence of TiN to a depth of 0.4 μm in the Al 2 O 3 layer. Scratch testing with a diamond stylus was used to affirm the improved adhesion. The method is attractive because it simply involves exposing the surface to a controlled environment. CVD of a very thin uniform interlayer is more difficult.