cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A comparison study on familiarity-based and similarity-based social networks

User-based collaborative filtering recommends items to a user based on those items similar users have purchased. User similarity can be defined by their taste similarity or by their friendship. This study compares two social networks, one constructed from users with similar tastes, the other constructed from users' contact lists. Results show that, from the macroscopic perspective, all three networks have small world property. The correlations between different centralization measures of the co-reading networks are stronger than those of the friendship network. From the microscopic perspective, the top users in different centrality measures are consistent for the co-reading networks, but not for the contactship network. From the local perspective, the 3-block model is the best for the contactship network. No correlation exists between users' location and their network positions. Finally, users' contacts and their interest sharers do not overlap.
Influence of wave-current interactions on fluid force

Abstract Influence of wave-current interactions on fluid force on a single cylinder and on two cylinders in tandem is examined. Quantities obtained are spectra of fluid force on elements, total fluid force and its statical moment. Comparisons are made of the cases in which wave-current interactions are considered and ignored. It is shown that interactions affect spectra of element force and statical moment more than do total force spectrum. For two cylinders in tandem, for cylinder spacings, current conditions and frequency range of practical interest, the effect of interactions is slightly reduced.
Ultrasonic Determination of the Pressure Dependence of the Superconducting Energy Gap in Tin

The effect of hydrostatic pressures to 3.3 kbar on the superconducting energy gaps in Sn is determined by measuring the longitudinal ultrasonic attenuation for propagation along [110], [100], and [001] directions. The extreme weak-coupling-limit prediction of the BCS theory that the volume dependence of the energy gap at absolute zero is equal to the volume dependence of the transition temperature is experimentally verified for Sn.
Patients' misconceptions about their peptic ulcer diets: Potential obstacles to cooperation

Abstract To study patients' knowledge and misconceptions concerning their diets, 152 patients and the wives of 30 patients were interviewed. Patients did not doubt the importance of diet therapy in peptic ulcer but many revealed misconceptions that might interfere with their cooperation. A large percent of patients described a diet that would correspond with the rigorous modified “Sippy diet” that is prescribed only for the acute phases of ulcer. Many of these same patients, however, believed the diet was to be followed for a long time or forever, and thus appeared to conceive of an excessively stringent dietary program. Patients showed little understanding of the abstract conception that foods that stimulate acid secretion should be restricted. The bases they gave for excluding specific foods were simple and concrete, often implying direct physical irritation of the stomach or ulcer. In addition, most patients believed that fatty foods were prohibited. These conceptions, and exaggerations of the duration of diet, could lead to a more strict and comprehensive diet than that intended by the physician. Such a diet would be difficult if not impossible to follow. Correspondingly, some data suggested that patients were ignoring the literal rules of the diet and employing a simple test based on symptoms, i.e. a food may be eaten if it does not produce symptoms.
Characterization of an immunodeficient mouse model of mucopolysaccharidosis type I suitable for preclinical testing of human stem cell and gene therapy.

Abstract Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS-I or Hurler syndrome) is an inherited deficiency of the lysosomal glycosaminoglycan (GAG)-degrading enzyme α- l -iduronidase (IDUA) in which GAG accumulation causes progressive multi-system dysfunction and death. Early allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) ameliorates clinical features and extends life but is not available to all patients, and inadequately corrects its most devastating features including mental retardation and skeletal deformities. To test novel therapies, we characterized an immunodeficient MPS-I mouse model less likely to develop immune reactions to transplanted human or gene-corrected cells or secreted IDUA. In the liver, spleen, heart, lung, kidney and brain of NOD/SCID/MPS-I mice IDUA was undetectable, and reduced to half in heterozygotes. MPS-I mice developed marked GAG accumulation (3–38-fold) in these organs. Neuropathological examination showed GM 3 ganglioside accumulation in the striatum, cerebral peduncles, cerebellum and ventral brainstem of MPS-I mice. Urinary GAG excretion (6.5-fold higher in MPS-I mice) provided a non-invasive and reliable method suitable for serially following the biochemical efficacy of therapeutic interventions. We identified and validated using rigorous biostatistical methods, a highly reproducible method for evaluating sensorimotor function and motor skills development. This Rotarod test revealed marked abnormalities in sensorimotor integration involving the cerebellum, striatum, proprioceptive pathways, motor cortex, and in acquisition of motor coordination. NOD/SCID/MPS-I mice exhibit many of the clinical, skeletal, pathological and behavioral abnormalities of human MPS-I, and provide an extremely suitable animal model for assessing the systemic and neurological effects of human stem cell transplantation and gene therapeutic approaches, using the above techniques to measure efficacy.
Surface Modified Reverse Osmosis and Nano-Filtration Membranes for the Production of Biorenewable Fuels and Chemicals.

The Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) and Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) mandated that 36 billion gallons of biofuels should be blended into transportation fuel by 2022. Implementing this will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce petroleum imports and encourage the development and expansion of US renewable fuels sector within rural America. Of the 36 billion gallons of biofuels, 16 billion gallons is expected to be from lignocellulosic biomass such as trees and grasses. The Black Hills of South Dakota is rich in ponderosa pine. This feedstock for bioethanol production, which is widely available due to recent pine beetle infestation, will not only add to the RFS requirement, it will also have a positive impact on rural economies in South Dakota. From the wood chips of pine, after acid pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis, the fermentable sugars obtained are relatively dilute in concentration (∼20-30 g/L). Hence, within a biorefinery, to increase the fermentation efficiency and decrease downstream processing cost of the biofuels, concentrating the sugars can be beneficial. In this study, Reverse Osmosis (RO) and Nanofiltration (NF) membranes were tested with complex lignocellulosic hydrolysate samples for their ability to concentrate sugars prior to fermentation. Fouling analysis and membrane characterization for both RO and NF membranes were performed by SEM, AFM, BET, contact angle and FTIR spectroscopy. Efficiency of membranes for their ability to separate fermentation inhibitors (e.g., organic and mineral acids, furans and phenolic compounds) from sugars, while simultaneously concentrating the sugars was studied to make the bio-ethanol production process cost and energy efficient. Three commercial nanofiltration membranes GE-R, TS40 and SR100 showed very promising results. GE-R concentrated sugars to more than 2.5 fold in the retentate, and simultaneously separated more than 50% of the inhibitory components into permeate. These results will increase the fermentation efficiency and reduce downstream purification costs of the produced fuel.
Theory of high-field electron transport in silicon dioxide

A Monte Carlo technique is employed to simulate the electron transport in ${\mathrm{SiO}}_{2}$ at high electric fields (from 1.5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{6}$ to 12\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{6}$ V/cm). Both the polar and the nonpolar electron-phonon scattering processes are considered. We show that the nonpolar interaction with the acoustic and band-edge phonons is a mechanism which must be included in order to explain the experimental evidence of a steady-state electron-transport regime at high average electron energy (\ensuremath{\simeq}3--4 eV) at these high fields. The LO phonons alone cannot prevent the electrons from running away at fields above 2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{6}$ V/cm, while at higher fields the main effect of the nonpolar scattering is that of randomizing the electron momenta via large-angle scattering, thus stabilizing the electron-energy distributions. The average energies and the energy relaxation distances obtained from the Monte Carlo simulation agree very well with the experimental data, particularly when collisional broadening effects are introduced in the simulation. Internal photoemission of electrons from an aluminum or a silicon electrode into ${\mathrm{SiO}}_{2}$ is also simulated, and the results agree with the well-known data indicating an effective relaxation length of about 3 nm for electrons in ${\mathrm{SiO}}_{2}$. Comparison is also made between the experimental and theoretical electron-energy distributions at high fields (\ensuremath{\gtrsim}8\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{6}$ V/cm). The results indicate that at very high electron energies the band structure of ${\mathrm{SiO}}_{2}$ and quantum transport effects may reduce the effective scattering rates. While the semiclassical Monte Carlo solution seems to be reasonably valid for electron energies up to about 4 eV, more sophisticated approaches are needed to investigate the high-energy tails of the electron distributions.
Regulation of XIAP Translation and Induction by MDM2 following Irradiation

Increases in protein levels of XIAP in cancer cells have been associated with resistance to apoptosis induced by cellular stress. Herein we demonstrate that the upregulation of XIAP protein levels is regulated by MDM2 at the translational level. MDM2 was found to physically interact with the IRES of the XIAP 5'-UTR, and to positively regulate XIAP IRES activity. This XIAP IRES-dependent translation was significantly increased in MDM2-transfected cells where MDM2 accumulated in the cytoplasm. Cellular stress and DNA damage triggered by irradiation induced the dephosphorylation and cytoplasmic localization of MDM2, which also led to an increase in IRES-dependent XIAP translation. Upregulation of XIAP in MDM2-overexpressing cancer cells in response to irradiation resulted in resistance of these cells to radiation-induced apoptosis.
Scheduling data-flow graphs via retiming and unfolding

Loop scheduling is an important problem in parallel processing. The retiming technique reorganizes an iteration; the unfolding technique schedules several iterations together. We combine these two techniques to obtain a static schedule with a reduced average computation time per iteration. We first prove that the order of retiming and unfolding is immaterial for scheduling a data-flow graph (DFG). From this nice property, we present a polynomial-time algorithm on the original DFG, before unfolding, to find the minimum-rate static schedule for a given unfolding factor. For the case of a unit-time DFG, efficient checking and retiming algorithms are presented.
Diffraction of a Pulse by a Resistive Half-Plane. I. Normal Incidence

The two-dimensional wave diffraction problem, acoustic or electromagnetic, in which a pulse of step-function time dependence is diffracted by a resistive half-plane is solved by assuming dynamic similarity in the solution.
Optimization of measurement schedules and sensor designs for linear dynamic systems

This paper presents new results on the problem of measurement scheduling, sensor location, and design for linear dynamic systems. Both time-invariant and time-varying systems are considered and different norms of the observability and information matrices are maximized with respect to the structural parameters of the system. A close connection is established between these problems and the Kiefer-Wolfowitz theory of experimental design for regression problems. Both randomized and nonrandomized designs are considered. It is shown that the optimal designs obey certain minmax properties that lead to rapidly convergent algorithms. The results are illustrated by an analytical and a numerical example.
Target studies with BNL E951 at the AGS

We report initial results of exposing low-Z solid and high-Z liquid targets to 150-ns, 4/spl times/10/sup 12/ proton pulses with spot sizes on the order of 1 to 2 mm. The energy deposition density approached 100 J/g. Diagnostics included fiberoptic strain sensors on the solid target and high-speed photography of the liquid targets. This work is part of the R&D program of the Neutrino Factory and Muon Collider Collaboration.
Cardiac regeneration: materials can improve the passive properties of myocardium, but cell therapy must do more.

Cellular therapy to replace lost myocardial mass with new, contractile myocardium has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of myocardial infarction and heart failure. Studies have shown small but consistent improvements in mechanical function, largely independent of the cell type chosen. The reasons for this lack of specificity are presently unknown. In the current issue of Circulation, Wall et al 1 present computational models that suggest that the injection of passive materials alone may improve ejection fraction and reduce wall stress in the ventricle. The present study raises the possibility that some cellular therapies contribute to increased heart function purely through a passive mechanism rather than through active contraction associated with the addition of new myocytes. Because materials lack many of the uncertainties associated with cellular therapies (eg, mode of delivery, homing, immune rejection, arrhythmias), and because they can be engineered to have a number of inherent advantages (eg, uniformity, reliability, greater safety, reduced cost), one conclusion of the current finding is that biomaterials alone may be important for future cardiac therapy. Article p 2627 Given the results of this study by Wall and colleagues,1 it is also clear that passive contribution must be separated from active contribution to evaluate the efficacy of any cell therapy approach. Passive contribution can result from replacing a stiff material, such as an infarct, with a more compliant material. Completely replacing the infarcted tissue with a compliant scaffold can accomplish this task. Matsubayashi and colleagues 2 demonstrated that passive properties can improve global heart function by seeding a synthetic scaffold with smooth-muscle cells before implantation in a fullthickness ventricular defect model. The smooth-muscle cells, which are unlikely to contribute contractile function, increased elastic tissue formation and likely increased the compliance of the scaffold. Skeletal myoblasts, which have been employed in clinical trials, are also unlikely to contract in synchrony with the normal myocardium. These cells do not make connexins, the building blocks of gap junctions, and are therefore unlikely to make electrical connections with the native myocardium.3 Several reports, however, have documented improved mechanical function with these cells. 4 Such improvement is likely the result of improved passive function and not the addition of contractile mass. The present study suggests that this improvement could also result from the addition of an inert biomaterial to the infarcted region. Whereas skeletal myoblasts leave the heart susceptible to arrhythmias, 5 a biomaterial can be chosen to provide electri
Daydreaming, Self Concept and Academic Performance:

A continuous interaction model was proposed to explain the relationship among daydreaming, self concept and academic performance. Daydreams were hypothesized to both influence performance and attitudes and in turn be affected by performance outcomes and self concept. A second aim of the study was to evaluate the usefulness of a semantic differential scale as a method for subjects to rate their own daydreams. Subjects recorded school-related daydreams during two time periods in a semester, completed three self concept scales and took four psychology exams. Multiple regressions were used to analyze the proposed model. The second self concept score was predicted by the initial self concept score, daydream activity, and gender. The third self concept score was explained by the second self concept score and an exam score. The three summary dimensions of the semantic differential were independent and stable over seven weeks. The stream of consciousness is a comprehensive conceptualization of cognitive processes which includes thoughts, fantasies, memories, images, and daydreams. The stream is continuous in that it is always active during wakefulness and continuous in that the contents of the stream are not independent, but overlap and merge into each other. For example, today's thoughts about an upcoming math exam may stimulate daydreams about earning a Ph.D. or flunking out of school and in a few weeks these thoughts may become but distant memories. One important research issue is how the stream of consciousness interacts with and influences behavior and attitudes or beliefs about self. The primary focus of this study was to investigate the relationship among daydreams about school, self concept as a student, and academic performance.
Thin-film silica sol-gel coatings for neural microelectrodes.

The reactive tissue response of the brain to chronically implanted materials remains a formidable obstacle to stable recording from implanted microelectrodes. One approach to mitigate this response is to apply a bioactive coating in the form of an ultra-porous silica sol–gel, which can be engineered to improve biocompatibility and to enable local drug delivery. The first step in establishing the feasibility of such a coating is to investigate the effects of the coating on electrode properties. In this paper, we describe a method to apply a thin-film silica sol–gel coating to silicon-based microelectrodes, and discuss the resultant changes in the electrode properties. Fluorescently labeled coatings were used to confirm coating adherence to the electrode. Cyclic voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy were used to evaluate electrical property changes. The silica sol–gel was found to successfully adhere to the electrodes as a thin coating. The voltammograms revealed a slight increase in charge carrying capacity of the electrodes following coating. Impedance spectrograms showed a mild increase in impedance at high frequencies but a more pronounced decrease in impedance at mid to low frequencies. These results demonstrate the feasibility of applying silica sol–gel coatings to silicon-based microelectrodes and are encouraging for the continued investigation of their use in mitigating the reactive tissue response.
Attitude Error Representations for Kalman Filtering

The quaternion has the lowest dimensionality possible for a globally nonsingular attitude representation. The quaternion must obey a unit norm constraint, though, which has led to the development of an extended Kalman filter using a quaternion for the global attitude estimate and a three-component representation for attitude errors. We consider various attitude error representations for this Multiplicative Extended Kalman Filter and its second-order extension.
The Massachusetts Classified Board Law

This study investigates the impact of the Massachusetts Classified Board Law on shareholder wealth. This state law is the first law to explicitly require a change in the structure of the board of directors of every firm within the state. In addition, restrictive rules on replacing members of the board of directors enable directors to insulate themselves from takeover attempts. We find this law decreased share values by 16 percentage points for firms without anti-takeover amendments. However, firms with a golden parachute outperformed firms without golden parachutes by 23 percent. This supports the hypothesis that financial markets consider many firm characteristics when evaluating the impact of state anti-takeover legislation. The management entrenchment hypothesis is supported for firms without prior anti-takeover charter amendments. The shareholder interest hypothesis is supported for firms with golden parachutes.
Population Displacement and Housing Dilemmas Due to Catastrophic Disasters

As Hurricane Katrina revealed, coastal communities have become far more vulnerable to tropical storms and the long-term displacement of residents. Yet, because the emergency management model presumes that recovery quickly follows response, governments focus only on short-term, localized displacement. However, long-term and long-distance displacement exposes a gray area between immediate shelter and permanent housing, along with concerns about vulnerability, housing availability, and land development. We begin this article by discussing the transition between response and recovery. We then review literature regarding social vulnerability, displacement, provision of temporary housing, households' return decisions, and disaster-driven land development and housing construction processes. We close with thoughts on future research to increase planners' understanding of the issues involved and to help them craft effective policies.
Functional abnormalities of medial temporal cortex during novel picture learning among patients with chronic schizophrenia.

Backround: Learning deficits are prominent among patients with chronic schizophrenia and are associated with poor everyday functioning. Little is known, however, about the brain physiology underlying these difficulties with encoding new information. Purpose: The purpose of the current study was to compare the brain response during novel picture encoding between patients with chronic schizophrenia and healthy individuals using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Methods: Nine middle-aged patients with DSM-III-R or DSM-IV schizophrenia and 10 age- and education-comparable healthy individuals were studied. Using fMRI, the blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) signal was measured during novel picture encoding (experimental condition) and during presentation of a repeated picture (control condition). Encoding-related brain response was examined in both groups and compared between the patient and comparison groups in each voxel within four bilateral search regions (fusiform gyrus, parahippocampal gyrus, hippocampus, and inferior frontal gyrus). Results: Despite comparable subsequent ability to recognize the presented pictures, patients with schizophrenia showed abnormal encoding-related brain response in regions of the hippocampus and parahippocampal and fusiform gyrii compared to healthy individuals. In medial temporal regions, patients showed greater BOLD response during the control condition (repeated picture) than during the experimental condition (novel pictures). Conclusion: Abnormalities of the medial temporal brain systems examined in this study may underlie learning deficits in schizophrenia. Further research is needed to illuminate the role of these brain dysfunctions in poor everyday functioning and their amenability to treatment.
Dyslexia Marker Variables: Reviving a System for Reporting Sample Characteristics in Learning Disabilities Research

Despite warnings that the field of learning disabilities (LD) must address the issue of population heterogeneity, the LD research community still lacks operational definitions of specific learning disabilities as well as a systematic approach for reporting sample characteristics. Recently, however, a definition of dyslexia has been proposed that might signal a significant advance. This article builds on this definition of dyslexia by: (a) reintroducing the concept of marker variables, (b) proposing a strategy for developing an updated marker variable system, (c) presenting a preliminary working set of dyslexia marker variables, and (d) calling for the eventual adoption of this or similar marker variable systems to facilitate future research efforts.
Alzheimer's disease as homeostatic responses to age-related myelin breakdown

The amyloid hypothesis (AH) of Alzheimer's disease (AD) posits that the fundamental cause of AD is the accumulation of the peptide amyloid beta (Aβ) in the brain. This hypothesis has been supported by observations that genetic defects in amyloid precursor protein (APP) and presenilin increase Aβ production and cause familial AD (FAD). The AH is widely accepted but does not account for important phenomena including recent failures of clinical trials to impact dementia in humans even after successfully reducing Aβ deposits. Herein, the AH is viewed from the broader overarching perspective of the myelin model of the human brain that focuses on functioning brain circuits and encompasses white matter and myelin in addition to neurons and synapses. The model proposes that the recently evolved and extensive myelination of the human brain underlies both our unique abilities and susceptibility to highly prevalent age-related neuropsychiatric disorders such as late onset AD (LOAD). It regards oligodendrocytes and the myelin they produce as being both critical for circuit function and uniquely vulnerable to damage. This perspective reframes key observations such as axonal transport disruptions, formation of axonal swellings/sphenoids and neuritic plaques, and proteinaceous deposits such as Aβ and tau as by-products of homeostatic myelin repair processes. It delineates empirically testable mechanisms of action for genes underlying FAD and LOAD and provides "upstream" treatment targets. Such interventions could potentially treat multiple degenerative brain disorders by mitigating the effects of aging and associated changes in iron, cholesterol, and free radicals on oligodendrocytes and their myelin.
The Future of Community Control

It is now more than a decade since the slogan black power symbolized a radical reorientation in the movement to improve the condition of American minority groups. It is eight years since the clash between black activists in New York City and the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) linked the issue of municipal decentralization with black power under the rubric of community control. The early 'seventies have been a period of reduced militancy, but legacies of the 1960s persist. We now expect that black groups will participate in the pluralist bargaining structure (black power devoid of radical potential), and we continue to experiment with the structure of municipal government in order to make it more responsive to neighborhood-based demands. While race remains a crucial determinant of attitude in the debate over municipal reform, changes in historical circumstances have influenced the ideologies of blacks and whites so that the term community control has taken on more complex meanings and its identification with specifically racial demands has diminished. It is our purpose here to explore the meaning of community control for black and white community leaders in New York City; to investigate the importance of racial background, perceptions of city services, and neighborhood contexts in determining that meaning; and to relate our findings to the political future of urban minorities.
Discharge Readiness: An Integrative Review Focusing on Discharge Following Pediatric Hospitalization

PURPOSE. This review aims to identify factors associated with parental discharge readiness following pediatric hospitalization, with focus applicability to solid organ transplant patients. DESIGN AND METHODS. Thirty-eight publications, including research and clinical practice papers, were identified using Cooper's methodology for conducting integrative research reviews (1982). RESULTS. Four concepts emerged influencing discharge readiness: support, identification of unique and individual needs, education, and communication and coordination. Synthesis of themes resulted in two overarching concepts: meaningful interactions and confidence building. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS. Nurses have a singular opportunity to enhance meaningful interactions and confidence building, ultimately promoting a successful transition home.
Design and implementation of a ferroelectric smart antenna system for 802.11b WLANs

This paper focuses on the design and implementation of an IEEE 802.11b WLAN smart antenna system for use in 802.11b WLAN network interface cards. The 2.4 GHz ferroelectric phase shifter is the key component for a two-element beam forming network (BFN). The smart antenna system is controlled by software that automatically adjusts the beam pattern to null interference, and maximize the signal power. More than three orders of magnitude improvement in receive bit-error rate (BER) were measured when steering the antenna to the optimum position.
Robust output regulation of minimum phase nonlinear systems using conditional servocompensators

SUMMARY We consider the design of a robust continuous sliding mode controller for the output regulation of a class of minimum-phase nonlinear systems. Previous work has shown how to do this by incorporating a linear servocompensator in the sliding mode design, but the transient performance is degraded when compared to ideal sliding mode control. Extending previous ideas from the design of ‘conditional integrators’ for the case of asymptotically constant references and disturbances, we design the servocompensator as a conditional one that provides servocompensation only inside the boundary layer; achieving asymptotic output regulation, but with improved transient performance. We give both regional as well as semi-global results for error convergence, and show that the controller can be tuned to recover the performance of an ideal sliding mode control. Copyright # 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Histological findings in corneal stromal abscesses of 11 horses: correlation with cultures and cytology

Histopathology was compared to culture results and cytology from horses with corneal stromal abscess at the Auburn University and the Ohio State University Veterinary Teaching Hospitals. Significant bacteria were not isolated in culture or seen on histopathology in any of the horses. Although most bacteria infecting equine corneas can be isolated with blood and MacConkey's agars, failure to detect bacterial growth may not rule out infection because anaerobic or intracellular bacteria would not be isolated. The inability to visualise bacterial organisms on histological sections did not rule out their presence in the tissue, because there is often destruction of bacteria by neutrophils, macrophages and antibiotic therapy greatly reducing their numbers. Fungal keratitis was diagnosed by histopathology in 4 of 11 eyes (36%) and keratitis with no aetiological agent in 7 of 11 eyes (64%). Nine of 11 horses (82%) had a prominent neutrophilic stromal infiltrate and 2 (18%) had a predominantly pyogranulomatous reaction. Two of the 4 lesions that showed histological evidence of fungal infection were positive for identifiable fungi on culture and cytology. Fungal cultures of the other 2 cases with histological evidence of mycotic keratitis were negative or grew unidentifiable fungi which were considered pathogenic because, on histopathological sections, fungal hyphae were found deep in the corneal stroma surrounded by an inflammatory reaction. In 3 of 6 cases where fungi were recovered on culture, they were considered contaminants based on lack of evidence of organisms in histopathological sections. Histopathology and the use of special stains were important in the interpretation of culture and cytology results.
Incremental Power Impedance Optimization Using Vector Fitting Modeling

One effective way to reduce power ground network noise is to add decoupling capacitors, but this method changes the impedance and natural frequency. Traditional simulation requires re-simulating the whole circuit, which is time-consuming. This paper presents a fast impedance curve and natural frequency computation algorithm, based on vector fitting modeling with incremental value of decap. The new method fits several sampling data in an impedance curve with a rational function. Therefore, the impedance at other frequencies would be easily interpolated. Moreover, vector fitting computes poles accurately and thus finds natural frequencies. Experiments show that the results of this method are accurate and the algorithm complexity is much lower than with traditional method.
Public Health Considerations in Human Consumption of Wild Game

The role of a few microorganisms, like Brucella and Mycobacterium and certain parasites of food animals, in causing human disease has been recognized for a hundred years. By the 1990s, other microorganisms derived from food animals were recognized as contributing to human illness. Handling and/or consumption of wild game may result in human exposure to novel microorganisms; these unrecognized or unknown agents or diseases in wild species may cross into humans and cause "new" diseases with which we are not familiar.
Capacitor Voltage Control in a Cascaded Multilevel Inverter as a Static Var Generator

The widespread use of non-linear loads and power electronics converters has increased the generation of non-sinusoidal and non-periodic currents and voltages in power systems. Reactive power compensation or control is an important part of a power system to minimize power transmission losses. Given a modulation index, the switch times can be chosen to achieve the fundamental while eliminating specific harmonics. However, the resulting total harmonic distortion (THD) depends on the modulation index (see [1][2]). This work considers the control of the DC capacitor voltage in such a way that one can operate at the modulation index which results in the minimum THD. This paper presents the development of specific control algorithms for a cascaded multilevel inverter to be used for static var compensation.
Temporal and developmental aspects of diet-induced food preferences in larvae of the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta

Diet-induced changes in food preferences in an oligophagous caterpillar were studied in order to characterize the conditions under which this induction occurs. The time course of acquisition and extinction of induced food preferences by larvae of the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta (Johan.) (Lepidoptera, Sphingidae), was examined by varying the food and duration of larval food experience. Larvae were given feeding experience with the host plant tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum (Mill.) (Solanaceae), or the acceptable non-host plant cowpea, Vigna unguiculata (Walp.) (Fabaceae), or switched from one to the other during different instars. Food preferences for V. unguiculata by the fourth or fifth instar larvae were measured individually in two-choice tests with discs of V. unguiculata and moist filter paper. The acquisition or extinction of an induced food preference for V. unguiculata was indicated by larvae preferring V. unguiculata to filter paper or the reverse, respectively. Results showed that: (1) the period required for the acquisition of induced preference for V. unguiculata can be short (36 h), (2) food experience in either the third or fourth instar period is sufficient, and (3) the most recent feeding experience appears to be important. In contrast, the period required for extinction of induced preference for V. unguiculata appeared to be longer (1–3 instars), and both the most recent feeding experience and total duration of larval experience with the inducing food seem to play a role. Experience is not restricted to a particular instar period to acquire or extinguish such an induced food preference. The induced food preference for V. unguiculata was not very rigid and could be reversed by having one instar of feeding experience on L. esculentum. The findings indicate that diet-induced food preferences in M. sexta contains elements of habituation and associative learning, but do not support food imprinting and induction of oligophagy.
Relict Megascolecidae and exclusion of Lumbricidae from basalt-derived soils in Southern California

Abstract Estimates of the composition and density of earthworm species were made from nine basalt-derived soil (BDS) areas and from surrounding non-basalt-derived soils (NBS) in southern California. Soils from selected sites were analysed for various chemical constituents. Eight BDS and a few of the NBS sites contained Diplocardia californiana James (Megascolecidae), a species widespread throughout southern California. D. woodi James, a relict species, was collected from only two of the BDS sites. Despite their common occurrence in the area, Lumbricidae were absent from the BDS sites, implying that some soil factors may be involved in their exclusion. Total soil iron content was about four times higher in the BDSs than in the NBSs. No other soil constituent measured showed as much difference.
On the clustering of large-scale data: A matrix-based approach

Nowadays, the analysis of large amounts of digital documents become a hot research topic since the libraries and database are converted electronically, such as PUBMED and IEEE publications. The ubiquitous phenomenon of massive data and sparse information imposes considerable challenges in data mining research. In this paper, we propose a theoretical framework, Exemplar-based Low-rank sparse Matrix Decomposition (ELMD), to cluster large-scale datasets. Specifically, given a data matrix, ELMD first computes a representative data subspace and a near-optimal low-rank approximation. Then, the cluster centroids and indicators are obtained through matrix decomposition, in which we require that the cluster centroids lie within the representative data subspace. From a theoretical perspective, we show the correctness and convergence of the ELMD algorithm, and provide detailed analysis on its efficiency. Through extensive experiments performed on both synthetic and real datasets, we demonstrate the superior performance of ELMD for clustering large-scale data.
High level validation of next-generation microprocessors

Moore's Law continues to drive an inexorable increase in the number of transistors that can be integrated onto a single die. Computer architects continue to find ways to use all of these transistors to design ever more complex microprocessors. At the same time, competitive pressures are dictating shorter design cycles and faster time to market, while design team size has reached (and perhaps exceeded) the limit beyond which further growth is impracticable. This paper outlines some of the approaches being considered to address the challenge of validating Intel's next-generation IA32 microarchitecture. Building on the lessons learned from validating the Pentium/spl reg/ 4 processor, it addresses the role of a higher-level abstraction (above the current RTL model) and a broader application of formal verification techniques to the validation problem.
Measurement of Young's modulus on microfabricated structures using a surface profiler

A point-force, load-deflection method using a stylus-type surface profiler to determine the Young's moduli (E/sub Y/) of thin-film microstructural materials is introduced. In this method both force and deflection in microstructures are measured simultaneously by the profiler to provide a convenient and accurate means to obtain Young's modulus directly. Measurements on two types of micromechanical structures are described: a doubly supported bridge and a bridge-slider (a beam with one fixed end and one end that can slide in a flanged housing). The influence of residual stress in the doubly supported beam is described and accounted for theoretically to interpret measurements made on low-stress silicon-nitride films. For this material E/sub Y/ is 373 GPa. In the bridge-slider structure, residual strain is relaxed to zero. Measurements on a polycrystalline-silicon bridge slider show a value for E/sub Y/ of 123 GPa in unannealed material that is doped heavily with phosphorous, and grown at 650 degrees C. >
Vitamin E in plasma and platelets of human diabetic patients and control subjects

Vitamin E concentrations were determined in plasma and platelet samples from 23 diabetic and 30 control human subjects. The mean concentrations of alpha and total tocopherols in the plasma and platelets of the diabetics were higher than that of the controls. The mean gamma tocopherol concentrations in both plasma and platelets were similar in diabetics and controls. The platelet vitamin E concentrations decreased significantly with age in only the controls and not in the diabetics. Thus diabetics have higher concentrations of tocopherols in blood platelets and plasma. The total plasma tocopherol concentrations correlated significantly with total plasma cholesterol, triglyceride, and total lipid concentrations in both diabetic and control groups. However, no significant correlations were observed between platelet tocopherol levels and plasma lipids in either group. In five subjects plasma and platelet vitamin E concentrations remained unchanged during standard glucose tolerance tests.
Monitoring of HF/H2O Treated Silicon Surfaces Using Noncontact Surface Charge Measurements

In this work, a new commercial system allowing non-contact measurement of the surface charge is used to monitor the condition of the silicon surface following HF/water etch. Results obtained demonstrate that by monitoring changes of surface charge using this system, a truly non-invasive, instant and easy to carry out characterization of Si surfaces after HF/water etch can be accomplished. The results show that HF/water exposure adds positive charge to the silicon surface. Change in the surface charge, considered to be indicative of the change in the electro-chemical condition of the surface, appears to precede initiation of the oxide etching process, and is proposed to be a factor in initiating etching reactions that involve mainly negatively charged species.
Striking Prevalence of Ankylosing Spondylitis in “Healthy” W27 Positive Males and Females

Ankylosing spondylitis is diagnosed once or twice in each 1000 males and one tenth as frequently in females, but the true prevalence is unknown. Indentification of genetic marker, HL-A W27, for susceptible persons has provided a tool facilitating epidemiologic studies and allowing identification of "control" populations without the marker. Evaluation by postal questionnaires, and pelvic radiography of 78 HL-A 27W-positive blood donors selected from a group of apparently healthy subjects revealed 14 who satisfied the criteria for definite ankylosing spondylitis. The prevalence was similar in both sexes. One hundred and twenty-six W27-negative controls matched for race, sex, and age failed to yield a single case. For a person of either sex with HL-A W27, there appears to be about a 20 per cent chance that ankylosing spondylitis will develop, suggesting a prevalence of 10 to 15 per thousand. Hitherto accepted figures may underestimate the frequency by a factor of 10 to 20.
Forest Sector and Primary Forest Products Industry Contributions to the Economies of the Southern States: 2011 Update

The analysis in this article provides an update on the southern forest sector economic activity after the downturn experienced in 2008 –2009. The analysis was conducted using Impact Analysis for Planning (IMPLAN) software and data sets for 2009 and 2011 and results from the USDA Forest Service Timber Products Output latest survey of primary wood processing mills. Although improving economic conditions are reflected by increased mill roundwood consumption during 2011, the forest industry’s economic contribution improved slightly but not across all states. At the regional scale, the sector displayed a downward trend in employment, value added, and number of active primary mills.
Effects of TanshinoneII_A on Platelets and Coagulation in Immune Vasculitis

Objective To study the effects of tanshinone ⅡA on platelets and coagulation in immune vasculitis.Methods The model of immune vasculitis of rabbits were reproduced by intravenous injection of bovine serum albumin twice.Periphery platelet number,platelet aggregation and the population of Annexin V in platelets were detected.Prothrombin fragment F1+2 was dectected by ILISA method.The Pathological changes of immune vasculitis were analyzed by hematoxylin and eosin staining,elastic fibers staining and electron microscopy.Results The platelet number,platelet aggregation,the population of Annexin V and the level of prothrombin fragment F1+2 at the acute phase significantly increased in immune vasculitis model group than those in control group.Tanshinone ⅡA significantly decreased platelet number from 931.33±254.19×109/L to 544.00±83.88×109/L.The population of Annexin V and the level of prothrombin fragment F1+2 also significantly desreased from 22.55±6.00% to 12.27±6.25%,215.93±66.04 pmol/L to 148.69±14.40 pmol/L.The inhibition effect of tanshinone ⅡA was as the same as aspirin except for the inhibition to platelet aggregation.And both drugs could improve the vessels damage of immune vasculitis.Conclusions Tanshinone ⅡA might improve the inflammation damage of vessels in immune vasculitis through the inhibition of platelets and coagulation activity.
The Obesogen Tributyltin

The obesogen hypothesis postulates the role of environmental chemical pollutants that disrupt homeostatic controls and adaptive mechanisms to promote adipose-dependent weight gain leading to obesity and metabolic syndrome complications. One of the most direct molecular mechanisms for coupling environmental chemical exposures to perturbed physiology invokes pollutants mimicking endogenous endocrine hormones or bioactive dietary signaling metabolites that serve as nuclear receptor ligands. The organotin pollutant tributyltin can exert toxicity through multiple mechanisms but most recently has been shown to bind, activate, and mediate RXR-PPARγ transcriptional regulation central to lipid metabolism and adipocyte biology. Data in support of long-term obesogenic effects on whole body adipose tissue are also reported. Organotins represent an important model test system for evaluating the impact and epidemiological significance of chemical insults as contributing factors for obesity and human metabolic health.
Phosphotyrosyl peptides targeted to the SH2 domain are potent inhibitors of the kinase activity of pp60c-src

(Src) is the prototype enzyme of the src-family of protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs). Src participates in several signal transduction cascades, growth signaling, and because of its elevated activity in a wide variety of human cancers is a target for the development of inhibitors for chemotherapeutics [1]. Src is composed of an N-terminal myristoyl site, a unique region of approximately 85 amino acids, an SH3 domain, an SH2 domain, and the catalytic or SH1 domain. The SH2 domain binds phosphotyrosine residues which is proposed to mediate the localization of this PTK to its signal transduction partners. Src kinase activity is down-regulated by intra-molecular binding of the SH2 domain to phosphorylated Tyr, located in the C-terminal tail of the catalytic domain [2]. The crystal structure of the inactivated enzyme [3] illustrates the interactions between the linker region and the SH3 domain with the catalytic domain and the resulting distortions in the latter. Src is activated by phosphorylation on Tyr in the so-called activation loop [2]. The phosphotyrosine peptide from the middle T antigen, EQpYEEIPIYL, has been shown to be a high affinity ligand selective for Src family SH2 domains [4]. This peptide was also shown to activate Src that was autoinhibited by phosphorylation on Tyr [5], presumably by disrupting the intramolecular interaction between the SH2 domain and the phosphorylated C-terminal tail, causing the linker region and SH3 domain to dissociate from the catalytic domain resulting the refolding of the latter to an active conformation. In this study, we show that EQpYEEIPIYL can also be a potent inhibitor of the kinase activity of Src.