cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Artifacts in Digital Images

Three kinds of artifacts unique to digital images are illustrated, namely aliasing caused by undersampling, interference phenomena caused by improper display of images, and harmonic overtones caused by quantization of amplitudes. Special attention is given to undersampling when the sample size and interval are the same. It is noted that this situation is important because it is typical of solid-state cameras. Quantization of image data of necessity introduces energy at harmonic overtones of the image spectrum. This energy is aliased if the frequency of the overtones is greater than 0.5 cycle/pixel. It cannot be selectively removed from the image through filtering, and the best way to suppress it is to maximize the amplification of the sensor before digital encoding.
Stress relaxation behavior of composite and eutectic Sn-Ag solder joints

Stress relaxation experiments were carried out at 25 C and 150 C on 96.5Sn-3.5Ag eutectic solder and Sn-Ag composite solder joints (Sn-Ag eutectic solder with 20 vol.% Cu6Sn5 reinforcements incorporated by in-situ methods). The magnitude of the stress drop during relaxation depends primarily upon the plastic shear strain imposed prior to the stress relaxation process. For sequential stress relaxation experiments that include unloading, the stress drop is nearly independent of the accumulated plastic shear strain. However, for sequential stress relaxation that does not include unloading, the stress relaxation is more dependent upon the cumulative plastic shear strain history. The stress in single shear lap joints does not relax to zero stress, as is observed in stress relaxation of bulk tension specimens, even at 150 C. Creep strain rates extracted from the relaxation data were much lower with smaller pre-strains in both eutectic Sn-Ag and composite solder joints. The stress exponent values (n) calculated from the stress relaxation test data ranged from 7 to 15 for both eutectic and composite solder joints, which were consistent with conventional creep data. These stress-relaxation behaviors can be explained on the basis of dislocation recovery processes that occur during relaxation and when specimens are unloaded.
Ventral herniorrhaphy: Treatment evolution in a hernia service

Between 1980 and 1996 the author operated at a teaching academic center and in a private hospital on 230 patients harboring ventral hernias. Fifty hernias were primary and one hundred eighty were incisional. Utilized techniques included direct tissue approximation or overlapping (N=35, recurrence rate 42%), ePTFE or polypropylene prostheses sutured to aponeurotic edges (N=147, recurrence rate 4.7%) and preperitoneal polyester prostheses (N=48, recurrence rate 2%). Nine wound infections occurred: three in clean, three in clean contaminated, and three in infected wounds, producing an overall 3.9 % infection rate. Thirteen markedly obese patients (Quetelet Index 31.9%) with gigantic multiply recurrent hernias offered a serious challenge requiring repeated procedures for recurrence, wound infection and mesh fragmentation. The technical transition leading to preperitoneal approaches utilizing polyester meshes lowered the overall complication rate and has become our procedure of choice until new prostheses are created.
Is there a need for adjunct cerebral protection in conjunction with deep hypothermic circulatory arrest during noncomplex hemiarch surgery

Objective Different cerebral protection strategies are currently being practiced during noncomplex hemiarch surgery without randomized control studies to show their relative efficacy. We hypothesized that deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) alone was adequate for cerebral protection in noncomplex hemiarch surgery. Methods Four hundred sixty-seven patients underwent noncomplex hemiarch surgery between January 2002 and December 2012. Calcified aortas and total arch surgeries were excluded. DHCA alone was used for 276 patients, DHCA with antegrade cerebral perfusion (ACP) was used for 114 patients, and DHCA with retrograde cerebral perfusion (RCP) was used for 77 patients. Results Preoperative characteristics were similar between groups (12.3% in the DHCA group, 12.3% in the ACP group, and 10.3% in RCP group were reoperations). Patients in the DHCA group had shorter cardiopulmonary bypass times (193 minutes vs 217 minutes; P ≤ .005) and total lower body ischemic times (21 minutes vs 30 minutes; P ≤ .001) than ACP, but not RCP. Rates of reoperations for bleeding, postoperative stroke, and new renal failure did not differ between groups. New onset of cerebrovascular events were seen in 5.4% of patients in the DHCA group versus 6.2% of patients in the ACP group and 6.4% of patients in the RCP group (all P values > .7). Operative mortality in the DHCA group was 4.7% versus 2.6% in the ACP group and 2.6% in the RCP group (all P values > .4). Cox proportional hazard modeling showed no survival differences between groups. Conclusions Outcomes and survival using DHCA alone were comparable to adjunct cerebral protection methods in patients undergoing noncomplex hemiarch surgery. DHCA alone is as safe as other adjunct complex cerebral protection techniques and simplifies operation without additional risk.
Human use of short-term memory in processing information on a console

Abstract : The report assumes that an operator's console constitutes a third form of memory in addition to that integral to the human and that integral to the machine which is not directly accessible to the human. Questions are raised concerning the characteristic modes of human storage and retrieval of information from internal memory when such external memory is accessible. The report also introduces the concept of associative memory nets formed by cuerelated images of external events. A list processing experiment is described. Storage structures characterizing internal human memory and external console memory in this task are postulated. A retrieval model implied by these sturctures is constructed to account for the effects of computation and learning upon the features of the experimentally obtained curves. Insufficient retrieval of required information from internal memory is assumed to necessitate external memory search. The effect of computation is to increase the probability of insufficient retrieval and hence the frequency of external search. Learning decreases this probability. The effects of inducing alternate forms of internal storage are studied and found generally to result in increased storage and retrieval times. Implications for console design are discussed.
Macroscopic aspects of attosecond pulse generation

Attosecond pulses are generated by a macroscopic number of ionizing atoms interacting with a focused laser pulse, via the process of high harmonic generation. The physics of their generation consists of an interplay between the microscopic laser–atom interaction and macroscopic effects due to ionization and phase matching in the nonlinear medium. In this review, we focus on a complete understanding of the way in which attosecond pulses arrive at a target where they can be characterized and used in an experiment. We discuss a number of results from calculations of attosecond pulse generation obtained by simultaneous solution of the time-dependent Schrodinger equation and the Maxwell wave equation. These results, which allow for a clean separation of microscopic and macroscopic factors, illustrate how macroscopic effects are used to select attosecond pulses from the radiation that is emitted by atoms interacting with a strong laser field.
Unexpected mucin-type O-glycosylation and host-specific N-glycosylation of human recombinant interleukin-17A expressed in a human kidney cell line

The T helper cell-derived cytokine interleukin-17A (IL-17A) is a variably glycosylated disulfide-linked homodimer of 34-38 kDa. Its polypeptide monomer contains one canonical N-glycosylation site at Asn68, and human recombinant IL-17A was partly N-glycosylated when expressed in human kidney (HEK293) cells as a fusion protein with a melittin signal sequence and an N-terminal hexahistidine tag. Orbitrap mass analyses of the tryptic N-glycopeptide 63-69 indicated that the N-glycosylation was of the GalNAc-terminated type characteristic of cultured kidney cells. The mass spectrum of IL-17A monomer also included peaks shifted by +948 Da from the respective masses of unglycosylated and N-glycosylated polypeptides. These were caused by unpredicted partial O-glycosylation of Thr26 with the mucin-like structure -GalNAc(-NeuNAc)-Gal-NeuNAc. Identical O-glycosylation occurred in commercially sourced recombinant IL-17A also expressed in HEK293 cells but with a different N-terminal sequence. Therefore, the kidney host cell line not only imposed its characteristic pattern of N-glycosylation on recombinant IL-17A but additionally created an O-glycosylation not known to be present in the T cell-derived cytokine. Mammalian host cell lines for recombinant protein expression generally impose their characteristic patterns of N-glycosylation on the product, but this work exemplifies how a host may also unpredictably O-glycosylate a protein that is probably not normally O-glycosylated.
Atrial natriuretic factor activates membrane-bound guanylate cyclase of chief cells.

Abstract The present study examined the effect of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) on cGMP generation by dispersed chief cells from guinea pig stomach. ANF caused a rapid dose-dependent increase in cGMP, a 7-fold increase in cGMP caused by 1 μM ANF, with or without 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine present. Methylene blue reduced cGMP in response to nitroprusside but not ANF. Guanylate cyclase activity of a chief cell membrane fraction doubled in response to ANF, but was not affected by nitroprusside. ANF had no effect on guanylate cyclase activity of the soluble fraction of lysed chief cells. Dose-response curves for whole cell cGMP production and membrane guanylate cyclase activity in response to ANF were closely related. These data indicate that ANF increases chief cell cGMP production by activating particulate guanylate cyclase, providing functional evidence that chief cells possess surface membrane receptors for ANF.
The West India a Seal (Monachus tropicalis)

IT will probably be of interest to the zoological portion of your readers to learn of the re-discovery—or the full discovery—of the West Indian seal (Monachus tropicalis). The history of this pinniped is in brief as follows.
OVERVIEW OF PATIENT PREFERENCE AND PERCEPTION OF CARE PROVIDED BY ADVANCED NURSE PRACTITIONERS AND ADULT CONGENITAL PHYSICIANS IN AN OUTPATIENT ADULT CONGENITAL CLINIC

Nurse practitioners (NPs) have an established role for delivering competent, cost-effective care to patients in a primary care setting. Little research has been conducted on patient preference or satisfaction in non-primary venues. We sought to compare patient satisfaction of NPs vs. physicians (MDs
Teaching a non-verbal YES/NO response to severely handicapped students

This article presents a rationale for initiating non-verbal language training with instruction of Yes and No responses. Selection of an initial Yes/No response mode is based upon compatibility with a future format of communication training and the physical characteristics of the student. The instructional sequence for Yes/No training is detailed, beginning with the training of a Yes response through presentation of desirable items; and followed by training of a No response in an alternating pattern with the Yes response. A case study is presented to illustrate the use and efficacy of these procedures.
What Engineers Know

To say that what engineers know constitutes engineering knowledge, just as what scientists know constitutes scientific knowledge, is a misleading way of expressing what ought to be a truism. For surely what constitutes scientific knowledge exceeds not only what one scientist knows but not even the sum total of what all scientists know – since there are scientific truths that no scientists may remember at any given time. Thus, Mendel’s laws were forgotten until they were “rediscovered”. On the other hand, it may be the case that the total of scientific knowledge is less than the sum of what all scientists know since what scientists know is not uniformly consistent. That is, what some scientists know is sometimes at odds with what other scientists know – perhaps even contradictory – hence a reduction in total knowledge.
Filling a multicolor urn: an axiomatic analysis

The probabilistic distribution of identical successive units amounts to filling an urn with balls of different colors (one color per agent). The fixed chances methods allocate each unit independently of the current distribution of shares. The Polya–Eggenberger methods place in an urn a fixed number of balls and draw from the urn with replacement of two balls of the color drawn. These methods stand out axiomatically under: a version of Consistency; Increasing Shares (the probability of receiving the next ball is non-decreasing in one's share), Independence under Transfers (transferring balls across agents is not profitable), and Order Independence (a sequence of successive allocations is as likely as any permuted sequence). On the other hand, Decreasing Shares (the probability of receiving the next ball is non-increasing in one's share) leads to methods equalizing individual shares either along a fixed standard of comparison, or in proportion to the deviation from a fixed urn.
Microbial and surface chemistry controls on reduction of synthetic Fe(III) oxide minerals by the dissimilatory iron‐reducing bacterium Shewanella alga

The role of Fe(II) biosorption and the effect of medium components on the rate and long‐term extent of Fe(III) oxide reduction (FeRed) by a dissimilatory Fe(III)‐reducing bacterium (Shewanella alga strain BrY) were examined in batch culture experiments. Introduction of fresh S. alga cells into month‐old cultures in which Fe(III) reduction had ceased resulted in further reduction of synthetic amorphous Fe(III) oxide, hematite, and two forms of goethite (Gt). Fresh S. alga cells were also able to reduce a substantial amount of synthetic Gt that had been partly or completely saturated with sorbed Fe(II). Cells that had been precoated with Fe(II) showed a reduced rate and capacity for FeRed. These results indicated that biosorption of Fe(II) had a major impact on FeRed. S. alga cells were shown to have an Fe(II) sorption capacity of ∼0.1 mmol g−1, compared with ∼0.25 mmol g−1 determined for the synthetic Gt. Sorption experiments with component mixtures indicated that direct interaction between cells and oxide...
The chemistry of (pentafluoro- λ6-sulfanyl) (fluorosulfonyl) ketene. Part II

Abstract The reactions of F5SC(SO2F)CO with electrophilic (SO3) and nucleophilic (MF, NAN3, ((CH3)2N)2CO) reagents were studied. Halogenation of Cs[F5SC(SO2F)C(O)F] produced the following new compounds: F5SC(SO2F)XC(O)F (X = Br,Cl), F5SC(SO2F)ClC(O)Cl and F5SCBr2SO2F. Reaction of F5SC(SO2F)XC(O)F (X = Br,Cl) with water gave F5SCHXSO2F; F5SC(SO2)BrC(O)F with ethylene gave F5SCH(SO2F)CH2CH2Br.
Energy dependence of fusion evaporation-residue cross sections in the 28Si+28Si reaction.

Fusion evaporation-residue cross sections for the [sup 28]Si+[sup 12]C reaction have been measured in the energy range 18[le][ital E][sub c.m.][le]136 MeV using time-of-flight techniques. Velocity distributions of mass-identified reaction products were used to identify evaporation residues and to determine the complete-fusion cross sections at high energies. The data are in agreement with previously established systematics which indicate an entrance-channel mass-asymmetry dependence of the incomplete-fusion evaporation-residue process. The complete-fusion evaporation-residue cross sections and the deduced critical angular momenta are compared with earlier measurements and the predictions of existing models.
Growth and Survival of Drip-Irrigated Hybrid Poplar in the Semi-Arid Four Corners Region

Abstract Rapid growth rates and versatility have made hybrid poplar (Populus L.) a common choice to fulfill timber and pulp needs in temperate regions with adequate precipitation. Hybrid poplar production in drier regions has recently received interest as an irrigated source of cut logs and shredded fiber. Ten hybrid poplar clones were selected from nurseries in Washington and Oregon to determine their growth potential and water-use requirements on a calcareous soil at the NMSU Agricultural Science Center in Farmington, NM. Planted in May 2002, the clones were evaluated for survival growth characteristics over two seasons. Clones 50-194 and 184-411 had poor survival and were not continued during the 2003 season. Clone OP-367 had low chlorosis ratings, the greatest height (4.16 m), basal diameter (9.16 cm), diameter at breast height (4.65 cm) and wood volume (2.87 m3 ha-1) during both seasons. A range of responses to environmental conditions of the Four Corners region was exhibited. Mid-season leaf greenne...
Power, Safety, and Learning in Racially Diverse Groups

We propose that power inequities drive dynamics in racially diverse teams, often leading to conflict, withdrawal, or assimilation—all of which can impede team learning. We suggest several elements to address these dynamics, including identity safety or the belief that one is safe despite one’s racial identity; a perspective that values cultural identity as a resource for thinking about work; and a welcoming stance toward new information and differing opinions.
Pain relief produces negative reinforcement through activation of mesolimbic reward–valuation circuitry

Relief of pain is rewarding. Using a model of experimental postsurgical pain we show that blockade of afferent input from the injury with local anesthetic elicits conditioned place preference, activates ventral tegmental dopaminergic cells, and increases dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens. Importantly, place preference is associated with increased activity in midbrain dopaminergic neurons and blocked by dopamine antagonists injected into the nucleus accumbens. The data directly support the hypothesis that relief of pain produces negative reinforcement through activation of the mesolimbic reward–valuation circuitry.
Solvent Control of the Thiocyanate's Bonding Mode in Dithiocyanato[bis(diphenylphosphino)alkyl or aryl]-Palladium (II) Complexes

Abstract The effects on the linkage isomeric distribution in the solid state created by recrystallizing eight dithiocyanato[bis(diphenylphosphino)alkyl or aryl]palladium(II) complexes from each of eight different solvents (chloroform, methylene chloride, acetone, ethanol, methanol, nitromethane acetonitrile, and N,N-dimethylformamide) have been determined. Five of the complexes ([Pd(Ph2PCH2PPh2)(SCN)2], [Pd(Ph2P(CH2)2PPh2)(NCS)(SCN)], [Pd(Ph2P(CH2)4PPh2)(NCS)(SCN)], [Pd(Ph2P(CH2)5PPh2) (NCS)2]2, and [Pd(α, α'-bis(diphenylphosphino)-o-xylene)(NCS)(SCN)]) retained their initial thiocyanate bonding modes through each of the recrystallizations. However, the remaining three complexes ([Pd(Ph2P(CH2)3PPh2)(NCS)(SCN)], [Pd(cis-bis(diphenylphosphino)benzene)(NCS)(SCN)], and [Pd(cis-1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethylene)(thiocyanate)2]) experienced dramatic alteration of their original thiocyanate bonding modes as a consequence of recrystallization from some solvents.
Increased Secreted Amyloid Precursor Protein-α (sAPPα) in Severe Autism: Proposal of a Specific, Anabolic Pathway and Putative Biomarker

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in verbal communication, social interactions, and the presence of repetitive, stereotyped and compulsive behaviors. Excessive early brain growth is found commonly in some patients and may contribute to disease phenotype. Reports of increased levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and other neurotrophic-like factors in autistic neonates suggest that enhanced anabolic activity in CNS mediates this overgrowth effect. We have shown previously that in a subset of patients with severe autism and aggression, plasma levels of the secreted amyloid-β (Aβ) precursor protein-alpha form (sAPPα) were significantly elevated relative to controls and patients with mild-to-moderate autism. Here we further tested the hypothesis that levels of sAPPα and sAPPβ (proteolytic cleavage products of APP by α- and β-secretase, respectively) are deranged in autism and may contribute to an anabolic environment leading to brain overgrowth. We measured plasma levels of sAPPα, sAPPβ, Aβ peptides and BDNF by corresponding ELISA in a well characterized set of subjects. We included for analysis 18 control, 6 mild-to-moderate, and 15 severely autistic patient plasma samples. We have observed that sAPPα levels are increased and BDNF levels decreased in the plasma of patients with severe autism as compared to controls. Further, we show that Aβ1-40, Aβ1-42, and sAPPβ levels are significantly decreased in the plasma of patients with severe autism. These findings do not extend to patients with mild-to-moderate autism, providing a biochemical correlate of phenotypic severity. Taken together, this study provides evidence that sAPPα levels are generally elevated in severe autism and suggests that these patients may have aberrant non-amyloidogenic processing of APP.
The shape, configuration and stress field of twins and martensite plates

It is shown that the equilibrium shape of a twin or martensite plate can be calculated by treating the interface as a distributed array of dislocations and by calculating their equilibrium distribution. The shape of an isolated twin is an ellipse to first approximation. Second approximation treatments show that the tip of the twin sharpens with increasing stress for the screw dislocation case while it becomes blunter with increasing stress for the edge dislocation case. A colony of twins is treated in much the same way as a stacked array of piled-up dislocations for the screw dislocation case. It is found that the twins flatten out with decreasing separation. Expressions are derived for the stress-field and for the strain energy of such stacked twins. It is shown that the twin spacing should be proportional to the square root of the twin length, from which the twin boundary energy can be calculated.
Battling bias at NIH.

I hope that Science continues to report the quantitative evidence from National Institutes of Health (NIH) investigators of widespread bias in the NIH grant review process against black scientists (“Action urged to curb racial bias in NIH grants,” M. Price, News & Analysis, 22 June, p. [1490][1]). Giving attention to the extensive nature of unfair discrimination experienced by many black scientists—from their entry into science education, through their training, to the end of their under-supported careers—is one means of reducing, and perhaps one day eradicating, this form of racism. The article quotes NIH Director Francis Collins as saying, “To have this circumstance continue…is simply unacceptable.” If NIH is sincere about reducing destructive racial bias in its grant review process, its director must first recognize that this stain on NIH is more than just a “circumstance.” Given its widespread documentation throughout the NIH, racial bias is inherent in NIH review process itself. It is unlikely that NIH, or its invited reviewers, will ever give up the anonymity of the review process, which would be the most effective single action for reducing racial bias. Therefore, the NIH director and administrative staff must alter and augment the review process in other ways that reduce racial bias and its immediate fallout. I propose three steps forward: (i) Provide well-designed, NIH-relevant, racial bias awareness training required of all reviewers before review sessions. (ii) Require the same training for all NIH-funded investigators and trainees annually. (iii) Establish an effective reparative support fund that provides research support to black applicants who can show evidence of racial discrimination based on statistical analyses of success rates and/or racially biased comments in grant review summary statements. [1]: pending:yes
The association between insurance status and prostate cancer outcomes: implications for the Affordable Care Act.

The association between insurance status and prostate cancer outcomes: implications for the Affordable Care Act
A contemporary experience of open aortic reconstruction in patients with chronic atherosclerotic occlusion of the abdominal aorta.

Objective To examine and report surgical results from a contemporary experience of open abdominal aortic reconstruction in patients with chronic atherosclerotic abdominal aortic occlusion (CAAAO). Methods Between January 1999 through May 2010, 54 patients with CAAAO were identified and retrospectively reviewed. CAAAOs were categorized into infrarenal aortic occlusions (IRAOs) and juxtarenal aortic occlusions (JRAOs) based on superior extension of thrombus and requirement for supra-renal aortic clamping to repair. Morbidity, mortality, hospital stay, and operative variables were assessed. The χ 2 or Fisher test and the Wilcoxon rank sum test were used to compare demographic and operative variables between two aortic occlusion groups (IRAO and JRAO). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess factors associated with surgical outcomes and hospital stay. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate survival and patency rates. Results Fifty patients underwent aortic reconstructions with aorto-bifemoral or iliac bypass, and three underwent a remote axillo-femoral bypass procedure. There were 35 (64.8%) males, and 19 (35.2%) females. Median age was 51.9 years (range, 32-72 years). Of the two CAAAO groups, there were 20 IRAOs and 33 JRAOs. Aorto-renal thromboendartectomy was performed in 26 (49.1%) patients; 26 (75.8%) among JRAOs versus 1 (5%) of IRAOs ( P P P = .048). Age was significantly associated with total complications. Patients with postoperative complications and/or renal insufficiency were older than those without such complications ( P = .02) Independent predictors of prolonged hospital stay were intraoperative blood replacement ( P = .003), postoperative complications ( P P P = .04), postoperative complications ( P = .02), and postoperative renal insufficiency ( P = .013). Survival at 3, 5, and 7 years were 86.6%, 76.5% and 50.9%, respectively. The reduced survival rates were predicted by previous myocardial infarction and existing coronary artery disease ( P Conclusion Abdominal aortic reconstruction is a safe method for treating CAAAO with low associated morbidity and mortality. Aorto-renal thromboendartectomy with supra-renal aortic clamping and aortic replacement remains an effective treatment for those with significant pararenal aortic disease, and can be performed without significant renal impairment.
A Liouville theorem for solutions of the Monge–Ampère equation with periodic data

Abstract A classical result of Jorgens, Calabi and Pogorelov states that any strictly convex smooth function u with det( D 2 u )=constant in R n must be a quadratic polynomial. We establish the following extension: any strictly convex smooth function u with det( D 2 u ) being 1-periodic in each variable must be the sum of a quadratic polynomial and a function which is 1-periodic in each variable. Given any positive periodic right-hand side, the existence and uniqueness of such solutions are well known.
My neighbors made me do it: an exploration of a neighborhood network model of activism

Social scientists have allocated a great deal of time to trying to understand the determinants of civic/political engagement. They, along with physicists, have also shown some interest in social networks, some in the question of the association between such networks and civic/political engagement. This paper builds on this work by exploring the extent to which the association between one's neighborhood network and the chance that one has taken part in a march, boycott, or demonstration varies by gender. We did several types of analyses. Initially, we used conditional probabilities to explore the relationship between neighborhood network and the chance that one has taken part in a march, boycott, or demonstration. After pointing out the problems with these conditional probabilities, we conducted logistic regression on a data set of 1897 females and 1521 males from the United States. We found that males whose neighbors give them a sense of community had about one and a half times the odds of having taken part in a march, boycott, or demonstration over the previous twelve months compared to males whose neighbors do not give them such a sense. For females, there appeared to be no such association between neighborhood network and the chance of having taken part in a march, boycott, or demonstration.
Airway compromise after routine alpha-hydroxy facial peel administration.

Abstract High concentration α-hydroxy facial “peels” are widely used for cosmetic anti-aging purposes. We report a case of secondary burns to the neck and face resulting in airway compromise after a professionally applied citric acid facial treatment.
Why do we need elastic optical path networking in the 1 Tb/s era?

We overview the concept and key elements of elastic optical path networking and the benefits in terms of spectral resource savings, disaster survivability, and efficient IP traffic offloading. We also discuss the growing anticipation for advanced optoelectronic devices to support future elastic optical networks.
Correlation of environmental factors with asthma and rhinitis symptoms in Tulsa, OK

Background Airborne allergens, pollutants, and climatic changes are known to influence the symptoms of asthma patients. Objective To correlate airborne fungal spore and pollen concentrations, meteorological data, and airborne pollutants with asthma and rhinitis symptoms to develop predictive models for asthma severity. Methods Patients from the Tulsa community participated in this study from September 1 to October 31, 2000, by filling out daily symptom diaries and measuring morning and evening peak expiratory flow rates. Air samples were collected using a volumetric spore trap. Meteorological variables and maximum and average pollutants were also included in the analysis. Linear regression analyses were performed for all environmental variables and symptom scores. Forward stepwise multiple regression analyses were performed to determine sets of variables that could be used to predict the conditions of increased symptom severity. Results Twenty-four patients participated in this study. The predominant spore types included Cladosporium , ascospores, and basidiospores. The predominant pollen type was Ambrosia . September was unusually hot and dry in Tulsa, but 161 mm of precipitation fell in October, primarily during the last 11 days. Two periods of peak symptoms occurred during the study, the first during the peak week of Ambrosia and the second after a 22° C drop in temperature over 6 days. Numerous environmental variables showed significant correlations with symptom scores; however, there was no single predictive model for all symptoms. Conclusions Ambrosia pollen and other environmental variables, including ozone levels, were significantly correlated with asthma and rhinitis symptoms.
LMO7 Mediates Cell-Specific Activation of the Rho-Myocardin-Related Transcription Factor-Serum Response Factor Pathway and Plays an Important Role in Breast Cancer Cell Migration

Serum response factor (SRF) is a ubiquitously expressed transcription factor that regulates cell-specific functions such as muscle development and breast cancer metastasis. The myocardin-related transcription factors (MRTFs), which are transcriptional coactivators mediating cell-specific functions of SRF, are also ubiquitously expressed. How MRTFs and SRF drive cell-specific transcription is still not fully understood. Here we show that LIM domain only 7 (LMO7) is a cell-specific regulator of MRTFs and plays an important role in breast cancer cell migration. LMO7 activates MRTFs by relieving actin-mediated inhibition in a manner that requires, and is synergistic with, Rho GTPase. Whereas Rho is required for LMO7 to activate full-length MRTFs that have three RPEL actin-binding motifs, the disruption of individual actin-RPEL interactions is sufficient to eliminate the Rho dependency and to allow the strong Rho-independent function of LMO7. Mechanistically, we show that LMO7 colocalizes with F-actin and reduces the G-actin/F-actin ratio via a Rho-independent mechanism. The knockdown of LMO7 in HeLa and MDA-MB-231 cells compromises both basal and Rho-stimulated MRTF activities and impairs the migration of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. We also show that LMO7 is upregulated in the stroma of invasive breast carcinoma in a manner that correlates with the increased expression of SRF target genes that regulate muscle and actin cytoskeleton functions. Together, this study reveals a novel cell-specific mechanism regulating Rho-MRTF-SRF signaling and breast cancer cell migration and identifies a role for actin-RPEL interactions in integrating Rho and cell-specific signals to achieve both the synergistic and Rho-dependent activation of MRTFs.
Organic Acids and Volatile Flavor Components Evolved During Refrigerated Storage of Kefir

Kefir samples were prepared and transferred to sterile jars for storage at 4 degrees C. After 0, 7, 14, and 21 d of storage, the pH, organic acid, and volatile flavor component content were determined to monitor possible flavor changes during storage. Stored samples were analyzed for organic acid (orotic, citric, pyruvic, lactic, uric, acetic, propionic, butyric, and hippuric) content by HPLC with UV detection at 275 nm. Acetoin, ethanol, acetaldehyde, and diacetyl were monitored using gas chromatography equipped with a headspace autosampler. There was no significant decrease in average pH of samples between d 0 and 21 of storage (P>0.05). Lactic acid concentration increased during storage, reaching a maximum of 7739 ppm by d 21. Orotic and citric acids increased slightly during storage. Although pyruvic and hippuric acids are produced during fermentation, neither was detected during storage. Acetic, propionic, and butyric acids were not detected during kefir storage. Ethanol concentrations increased during storage and reached 0.08% by d 21. The amounts of acetaldehyde and acetoin, common flavor substances in many cultured dairy products, increased during fermentation. Acetaldehyde content in kefir samples doubled from d 0 to 21, reaching a final concentration of 11 microg/g. During storage, the concentration of acetoin decreased from 25 ppm on d 0 to 16 ppm on d 21. However, diacetyl, another common flavor component in cultured dairy products, was not detected during fermentation or storage.
Chaotic orbits by Melnikov's method: A survey of applications

Melnikov [1963] introduced a method for proving the existence of chaotic orbits in dynamlcal systems. This was used by Arnold [1964], the paper in which "Arnold diffusion" was discovered. The method lay relatively dormant until it was revived by Chirikov [1979], Holmes [1980], and Chow, et al. [19801. In this lecture I will survey a number of recent applications of Melnikov's method to a variety of interesting physical situations. There are many modifications of the basic technique possible depending on the dimension of the system, whether or not dissipation or forcing are included or whether or not the system is autonomous. However to get the basic idea, it is useful to begin with a conservative but externally forced one degree of freedom Hamiltonian system. After presenting the basic theorem for this case in section 2, we shall discuss the generalizations of the theory in section 3 and the various applications in section 4. For additional background and applications, see Lichtenberg and Lieberman [1983] and Guckenheimer and Holmes [1983]
Ferrocene-Substituted [Mn4] Dicubane Single-Molecule Magnets

Two new mixed-valent [Mn4] single-molecule magnets (SMMs) have been synthesized by using N-alkylated diethanolamine ligands and ferrocenecarboxylic acid. Both complexes exhibit weak ferromagnetic exchange and appreciable axial zero-field splitting as evidenced by DC magnetic susceptibility and field-dependent magnetization measurements. A significant frequency-dependent out-of-phase signal in the AC susceptibility is also observed for both complexes, a feature that is characteristic of SMMs. The ground-state spin of each complex was determined from the DC data and extrapolation of the low-frequency AC data, giving a value of S = 8. This result is consistent with the previously reported and structurally similar S = 8 and S = 9 [Mn4] dicubane SMMs. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Structures of two thermolysin-inhibitor complexes that differ by a single hydrogen bond

The mode of binding to thermolysin of the ester analog Cbz-GlyP-(O)-Leu-Leu has been determined by x-ray crystallography and shown to be virtually identical (maximum difference 0.2 angstrom) with the corresponding peptide analog Cbz-GlyP-(NH)-Leu-Leu. The two inhibitors provide a matched pair of enzyme-inhibitor complexes that differ by 4.1 kilocalories per mole in intrinsic binding energy but are essentially identical except for the presence or absence of a specific hydrogen bond.
Micromechanical analysis for thermoviscoplastic behavior of unidirectional fibrous composites

Abstract A three-dimensional micromechanics formulation for fiber-reinforced composites containing viscoplastic matrix materials is presented. The micromechanics model is based on the relaxation of the coupling effect between the normal and shear stresses. Three variations of Bodner's theory of viscoplasticity are used to predict the thermoviscoplastic behavior of unidirectional metal-matrix composites; first, the original isotropic-hardening model of Bodner and Partom; second, Ramaswamy's extension of the theory through the inclusion of a back stress; and third, Stouffer and Bodner's extension of the theory through a special form of directional hardening. Comparisons with numerical solutions and experimental data of other researchers are made to demonstrate the accuracy of the model. Micromechanical analyses of metal-matrix composites under both in-phase and out-of-phase thermomechanical fatigue-loading conditions are also presented for comparison with experiments and previous models.
Structured treatment interruptions to control HIV-1 and limit drug exposure

Although therapy-mediated suppression of HIV-1 is effective and results in a degree of immune reconstitution, the complications resulting from life-long treatment emphasize the need for alternatives. This review discusses the use of structured interruptions in antiviral therapy to induce drug-free periods of immune-mediated control of HIV-1. Such an approach has the ultimate objective of harnessing anti-viral immune responses, reducing drug exposure (toxicity and cost) and potentially extending the clinical benefits of a suppressive treatment regimen.
Zfp318 Regulates IgD Expression by Abrogating Transcription Termination within the Ighm/Ighd Locus

The protein Zfp318 is expressed during the transition of naive B cells from an immature to mature state. To evaluate its role in mature B cell functions, a conditional gene deficiency in Zfp318 was created and deleted in bone marrow lineages via Vav-Cre. B cell development was minimally altered in the absence of the protein, although transitional 2 (T2) B cell populations were depressed in the absence of Zfp318. Intriguingly, the analysis of IgM and IgD expression by maturing and mature naive B cells demonstrated an elevated level of IgM gene products and a virtual loss of IgD products. Transcriptome analysis of Zfp318-deficient B cells revealed that only two gene products showed altered expression in the absence of Zfp318 (Ighd and Sva), demonstrating a remarkable specificity of Zfp318 action. In the absence of Zfp318, Ighm/Ighd transcripts, which would normally encode IgM and IgD from heterogeneous nuclear RNA transcripts via alternative splicing, lack intron and exon sequences from the IgD (Ighd)-encoding region. This finding indicates that Zfp318, in a novel manner, functions by repressing recognition of the transcriptional termination site at the 3' end of the terminal IgM-encoding exon, allowing for synthesis of the complete Ighm/Ighd heterogeneous nuclear RNA.
Multiple-parameter quantum estimation and measurement of nonselfadjoint observables

A quantum mechanical form of the Cramer-Rao inequality and a minimum-mcan-square-error quantum estimator for multiple parameters are derived, allowing all possible quantum measurements of the received field. The role of nonselfadjoint operators is emphasized in the formulation. Relations of our results to previous work on quantum estimation are discussed. For the estimation of complex mode amplitudes of coherent signals in Gaussian noise, it is shown that the optimal receiver measures the photon annihilation operator, which corresponds to optical heterodyning. This demonstrates the possible optimality of nonselfadjoint operators and clearly indicates the importance of considering more general quantum measurements in quantum signal detection.
Auto-tuning of the RF transmission line coil for high-fields magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems

RF coil with microstip transmission line elements have been used for high-fields magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to inductively excite and receive the nuclear magnetic resonance signals in anatomy. These coil elements have narrow bandwidth due to its high quality factors (Qs). Although high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of RF coils is obtained from this property it has a critical drawback, loading (body) effect that causes the resonance frequency and Q of RF coils to change when different human heads or bodies are loaded. There is an alternative to manual tuning that needs a few minutes and remains a major obstacle to the use of RF transmission line coils in high-fields MRI systems. In this study, an adaptive impedance matching technique for 7 Tesla MRI systems is proposed to avoid mismatch of the RF loaded coils at the Larmor frequency (297MHz).
A policy-blending formalism for shared control

In shared control teleoperation, the robot assists the user in accomplishing the desired task, making teleoperation easier and more seamless. Rather than simply executing the user's input, which is hindered by the inadequacies of the interface, the robot attempts to predict the user's intent, and assists in accomplishing it. In this work, we are interested in the scientific underpinnings of assistance: we propose an intuitive formalism that captures assistance as policy blending, illustrate how some of the existing techniques for shared control instantiate it, and provide a principled analysis of its main components: prediction of user intent and its arbitration with the user input. We define the prediction problem, with foundations in inverse reinforcement learning, discuss simplifying assumptions that make it tractable, and test these on data from users teleoperating a robotic manipulator. We define the arbitration problem from a control-theoretic perspective, and turn our attention to what users consider good arbitration. We conduct a user study that analyzes the effect of different factors on the performance of assistance, indicating that arbitration should be contextual: it should depend on the robot's confidence in itself and in the user, and even the particulars of the user. Based on the study, we discuss challenges and opportunities that a robot sharing the control with the user might face: adaptation to the context and the user, legibility of behavior, and the closed loop between prediction and user behavior.
Structural-property relations in a reduced and internally biased oxide wafer (RAINBOW) actuator material

Reduced and internally biased oxide wafer (RAINBOW) actuators are fabricated by a controlled reduction of Pb(Zr, Ti)O3-based piezoelectric material. The reduction process results in a conductive layer composed of an interconnected metallic lead phase and refractory oxides (ZrTiO4, ZrO2, La2O3, etc.). The nature of the reduction is discovered to be the result of a complex volume change leading to a nanoscale interconnected metallic structure. The distribution of phases within the cermet vary within the thickness of the wafer. Within the piezoelectric ceramic phase, the reduction process modifies the grain-boundary structure to give two distinct types of fracture: transgranular and intergranular. The complexed microstructures of the RAINBOW actuator materials are discussed in relation to their dielectric and piezoelectric properties.
Effect of Perturbation of ATP Level on the Activity and Regulation of Nitrogenase in Rhodospirillum rubrum

Nitrogenase activity in Rhodospirillum rubrum and in some other photosynthetic bacteria is regulated in part by the availability of light. This regulation is through a posttranslational modification system that is itself regulated by PII homologs in the cell. PII is one of the most broadly distributed regulatory proteins in nature and directly or indirectly senses nitrogen and carbon signals in the cell. However, its possible role in responding to light availability remains unclear. Because PII binds ATP, we tested the hypothesis that removal of light would affect PII by changing intracellular ATP levels, and this in turn would affect the regulation of nitrogenase activity. This in vivo test involved a variety of different methods for the measurement of ATP, as well as the deliberate perturbation of intracellular ATP levels by chemical and genetic means. To our surprise, we found fairly normal levels of nitrogenase activity and posttranslational regulation of nitrogenase even under conditions of drastically reduced ATP levels. This indicates that low ATP levels have no more than a modest impact on the PII-mediated regulation of NifA activity and on the posttranslational regulation of nitrogenase activity. The relatively high nitrogenase activity also shows that the ATP-dependent electron flux from dinitrogenase reductase to dinitrogenase is also surprisingly insensitive to a depleted ATP level. These in vivo results disprove the simple model of ATP as the key energy signal to PII under these conditions. We currently suppose that the ratio of ADP/ATP might be the relevant signal, as suggested by a number of recent in vitro analyses.
Robust dimensioning and routing for dynamic WDM networks

Advances in device technology and dense wavelength division multiplexing have enabled modern optical backbones to provide high data rate services in a cost-effective manner. At the same time, applications are emerging with the potential to leverage these capabilities for short time spans: load migration for Internet clouds, integrated computational grids, and remote surgery. Until such applications mature, investment in real networks to support them is unattractive, but without such investment, the applications mature slowly. Current networks thus remain dominated by lightpaths provisioned by hand, over the space of days or weeks.