cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis and Comparison of Reduced Switch Topologies of Multilevel Inverter Using Various PWM Techniques

Recently, multilevel inverters have turned out to be common because of their ability in voltage activity and capacity. The multilevel inverter acquires near sinusoidal output from numerous dc voltage sources by utilizing a switching frequency. In this paper, a case study has been done with some newly recommended multilevel inverter (MLI) topologies with reduced number of power switches. An attempt has been made to compare them using various SPWM methods. Comparison and analysis is shown on the basis of total harmonic distortion (THD) with PD, POD, APOD applied to various topologies of seven-level inverter. As the proposed topologies have been suggested by different researchers for different applications, each configuration has its own benefits and limitations. Further, a compromise has to be made between number of switch count, complex modulation strategy and power quality.
Parallel DNA Extraction From Whole Blood for Rapid Sample Generation in Genetic Epidemiological Studies

Large-scale genetic epidemiological studies require high-quality analysis of samples such as blood or saliva from multiple patients, which is challenging at the point of care. To expand these studies' impact, minimal sample storage time and less complex extraction of a substantial quantity and good purity of DNA or RNA for downstream applications are necessary. Here, a simple microfluidics-based system that performs genomic DNA (gDNA) extraction from whole blood was developed. In this system, a mixture of blood lysate, paramagnetic beads, and binding buffer are first placed into the input well. Then, the gDNA-bound paramagnetic beads are pulled using a magnet through a central channel containing a wash buffer to the output well, which contains elution buffer. The gDNA is eluted at 55°C off the chip. The 40-minute microfluidic protocol extracts gDNA from six samples simultaneously and requires an input of 4 μL of diluted blood and a total reagent volume of 75 μL per reaction. Techniques including quantitative PCR (qPCR) and spectrofluorimetry were used to test the purity and quantity of gDNA eluted from the chip following extraction. Bead transport and molecular diffusional analysis showed that an input of less than 4 ng of gDNA (∼667 white blood cells) is optimal for on-chip extraction. There was no observable transport of inhibitors into the eluate that would greatly affect qPCR, and a sample was successfully prepared for next-generation sequencing (NGS). The microfluidics-based extraction of DNA from whole blood described here is paramount for future work in DNA-based point-of-care diagnostics and NGS library workflows.
Modeling epidemic spread with spike-based models

The Susceptible-Infected-Recovered/Removed model is a standard model for epidemiological spread of disease through vulnerable populations. In this paper we show how SIR network dynamics can be implemented using spiking neurons.
The Error Distribution of BATSE Gamma-Ray Burst Locations

Empirical probability models for BATSE gamma-ray burst (GRB) location errors are developed via a Bayesian analysis of the separations between BATSE GRB locations and locations obtained with the Interplanetary Network (IPN). Models are compared and their parameters estimated using 392 GRBs with single IPN annuli and 19 GRBs with intersecting IPN annuli. Most of the analysis is for the 4Br BATSE catalog; earlier catalogs are also analyzed. The simplest model that provides a good representation of the error distribution has 78% of the probability in a "core" term with a systematic error of 1.85 deg and the remainder in an extended tail with a systematic error of 5.1 deg, which implies a 68% confidence radius for bursts with negligible statistical uncertainties of 2.2 deg. There is evidence for a more complicated model in which the error distribution depends on the BATSE data type that was used to obtain the location. Bright bursts are typically located using the CONT data type, and according to the more complicated model, the 68% confidence radius for CONT-located bursts with negligible statistical uncertainties is 2.0 deg.
Pharmacologic Screening Identifies Metabolic Vulnerabilities of CD8+ T Cells

Metabolic constraints in the tumor microenvironment constitute a barrier to effective antitumor immunity and similarities in the metabolic properties of T cells and cancer cells impede the specific therapeutic targeting of metabolism in either population. To identify distinct metabolic vulnerabilities of CD8+ T cells and cancer cells, we developed a high-throughput in vitro pharmacologic screening platform and used it to measure the cell type-specific sensitivities of activated CD8+ T cells and B16 melanoma cells to a wide array of metabolic perturbations during antigen-specific killing of cancer cells by CD8+ T cells. We illustrated the applicability of this screening platform by showing that CD8+ T cells were more sensitive to ferroptosis induction by inhibitors of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) than B16 and MC38 cancer cells. Overexpression of ferroptosis suppressor protein 1 (FSP1) or cytosolic GPX4 yielded ferroptosis-resistant CD8+ T cells without compromising their function, while genetic deletion of the ferroptosis sensitivity-promoting enzyme acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4) protected CD8+ T cells from ferroptosis but impaired antitumor CD8+ T-cell responses. Our screen also revealed high T cell-specific vulnerabilities for compounds targeting NAD+ metabolism or autophagy and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress pathways. We focused the current screening effort on metabolic agents. However, this in vitro screening platform may also be valuable for rapid testing of other types of compounds to identify regulators of antitumor CD8+ T-cell function and potential therapeutic targets.
Count Sketch with Zero Checking: Efficient Recovery of Heavy Components

The problem of recovering heavy components of a high-dimensional vector from compressed data is of great interest in broad applications, such as feature extraction under scarce computing memory and distributed learning under limited bandwidth. Recently, a compression algorithm called count sketch has gained wide popularity to recover heavy components in various fields. In this paper, we carefully analyze count sketch and illustrate that its default recovery method, namely median filtering, has a distinct error pattern of reporting false positives. To counteract this error pattern, we propose a new scheme called zero checking which adopts a two-step recovery approach to improve the probability of detecting false positives. Our proposed technique builds on rigorous error analysis, which enables us to optimize the selection of a key design parameter for maximum performance gain. The empirical results show that our scheme achieves better recovery accuracy than median filtering and requires less samples to accurately recover heavy components.
"Supradental space sign" on cervical spine CT-a sign of tectorial membrane injury in adults trauma patients.

The supradental space is a small, predominantly fat-filled recess superior to the atlanto-axial joint and inferior to the basion of the clivus that contains a small venous plexus. The posterior boundary of the supradental space is formed by the tectorial membrane, a stabilizing ligament of the craniocervical junction. The purpose of our study was to examine the imaging appearance of the supradental space in patients with tectorial membrane injury. Adult patients with tectorial membrane injury were identified utilizing keyword searches of radiology reports using Nuance mPower software. Age-matched positive and negative control groups were obtained. Two CAQ-certified neuroradiologists evaluated the cervical CT exams of these patients for supradental fat pad effacement from hematoma formation. The integrity of the osteoligamentous structures of the craniocervical junction was recorded on CT and MRI exams along with demographic information, clinical history, surgical management, and global outcome. Statistical analysis was performed. Sixteen adults were diagnosed with tectorial membrane injury on cervical MRI. All patients with a visible supradental space demonstrated fat pad effacement and Hounsfield units consistent with hematoma formation. The positive and negative control groups demonstrated supradental fat pad effacement in 2/16 and 1/16 patients, respectively. A p-value of < 0.001 was obtained. The “supradental space sign,” defined as hematoma formation in the supradental space with effacement of the supradental fat pad is associated with tectorial membrane injury in adult trauma patients with sensitivity of 93.75% (95% confidence interval 69.77 to 99.84%) and specificity of 90.62% (95% confidence interval 74.98 to 98.02%).
Spatial and temporal changes in physical properties of epoxy during curing and their effects on the residual stresses and properties of cured epoxy and composites

Abstract This study presents modeling and analyses of epoxy curing incorporating gradual changes in the thermal and mechanical properties of epoxy due to the cross-linking process. The model includes an exothermic process from the cross-linking, heat conduction across the specimen, and deformations of the specimen during curing. The study examines the influence of volumetric changes from the thermal expansion and shrinkage effects and gradual changes in the thermal and viscoelastic properties of epoxy on the deformation of the epoxy and the formation of stresses. The effects of curing temperatures and pressure on the formation of stress during curing and residual stress after complete curing are also investigated. The temporal and spatial changes in the physical properties of epoxy during curing affect the elastic modulus of the cured epoxy specimens. Furthermore, this study also investigates the existence of fiber reinforcements on the curing process of unidirectional fiber composites comprising carbon fibers in an epoxy matrix. A unit-cell model is generated and used to examine the formation of residual stresses in the composites and their influences on the mechanical properties of the composites.
Prenatal exposure to chemical mixtures and working memory among adolescents.

Abstract Working memory is the ability to keep information in one's mind and mentally manipulate it. Decrements in working memory play a key role in many behavioral and psychiatric disorders, therefore identifying modifiable environmental risk factors for such decrements is important for mitigating these disorders. There is some evidence that prenatal exposure to individual chemicals may adversely impact working memory among children, but few studies have explored the association of co-exposure to multiple chemicals with this outcome in adolescence, a time when working memory skills undergo substantial development. We investigated the association of organochlorines (DDE, HCB, PCBs) and metals (lead, manganese) measured in cord serum and cord blood, respectively, with working memory measured with the Wide Range Assessment of Memory and Learning, 2nd Edition among 373 adolescents living near a Superfund site in New Bedford, Massachusetts. We used Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) and linear regression analyses and assessed effect modification by sex and prenatal social disadvantage. In BKMR models, we observed an adverse joint association of the chemical mixture with Verbal, but not Symbolic, Working Memory. In co-exposure and covariate-adjusted linear regression models, a twofold increase in cord blood manganese was associated with lower working memory scaled scores, with a stronger association with Verbal Working Memory (difference = −0.75; 95% CI: −1.29, −0.20 points) compared to Symbolic Working Memory (difference = −0.44; 95% CI: −1.00, 0.12 points). There was little evidence of effect modification by sex and some evidence associating organochlorine pesticides with poorer working memory scores among those with greater prenatal social disadvantage. This study provided evidence of an adverse joint association of a chemical mixture with a verbal working memory task among adolescents, as well as an adverse association of prenatal manganese exposure with working memory.
Eliminating Eliminative Materialism

Eliminative materialism is a bold position in philosophy of mind: proponents of it hold that folk psychology is a primitive theory of human behavior, and like most primitive theories, it is, unfortunately, false. The alarming implications of this are that mental states don’t actually exist—humans don’t actually believe anything. In this paper I try to show that several central claims of eliminative materialism (specifically Paul Churchland’s version) are mistaken and, further, that it is, in fact, false. I first argue that folk psychology is not a theory, and that a proper understanding of the nature of basic beliefs, nonbasic beliefs, and theories makes this clear; next, I claim that the eliminative materialist response to the charge of incoherence is inadequate as it misunderstands what mental states are; finally, I offer an argument for the falsity of eliminative materialism on common sense grounds, while undercutting objections to the argument by way of scientific anti-realism.
Ion Beam Assisted Deposition Enhanced Thermoelectric Properties (with Figure of Merit Above 3.0)

Abstract Ion Beam Assisted Deposition (IBAD) was used to process a thermoelectric materials system, with high volume fraction and high thermoelectric figure of merit, based on the interaction of composites of two metal nanocrystals in silica substrate prepared by a multilayer structure having alternate layers of metal/material mixture. The alternate layers component of this work either has gold or silver content. The deposited layered structure was bombarded during deposition by 500 eV to 10keV argon ions in order to produce nanoclusters in each layer. Using the IBAD method we obtained a much larger volume fraction, compared to our previous work, and a resulting thermal conductivity as low as 1.2 (W/m.k), electrical conductivity nearly as high as 90,000 (1/Ohm.m), square of Seebeck Coefficient as high as 1.37 x 10 -7 (V/k) 2 at 350K, which translates to a Figure of Merit as high as 3.6.
Screening and Detection Advances in Magnetic Resonance Image–Guided Prostate Biopsy

Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has provided a method for visualizing prostate cancer. MRI-ultrasonography fusion allows prostate biopsy to be performed quickly, on an outpatient basis, using the transrectal technique. Targeted biopsies are more sensitive for detection of prostate cancer than nontargeted, systematic biopsies and detect more significant prostate cancers and fewer insignificant cancers than conventional biopsies. A negative MRI scan should not defer biopsy. Two groups who will especially benefit from targeted prostate biopsy are men with low-risk lesions in active surveillance and men with increased prostate-specific antigen levels and previous negative conventional biopsies.
Subjectivity, Transcendence, and the 'Crisis of Modernity'

LeQuire, Peter Brickey, “Subjectivity, Transcendence, and the ‘Crisis of Modernity’,” review of Eric Voegelin and the Continental Tradition: Explorations in Modern Political Thought, edited by Stephen McGuire and Lee Trepanier (Columbia: University of Missouri Press, 2011).
Termination of Linear Rewriting Systems (Preliminary Version)

Limitations, such as right-linearity, on the form of rules in a term-rewriting system are shown to restrict the class of derivations that must be considered when determining whether or not the system terminates for all inputs. These restricted derivations, termed "chains", are obtained by attempting to apply rules to the final terms of derivations that issue from the left-hand side of rules. Similar limitations are shown to guarantee that combining two terminating systems yields a terminating system.
Interaction of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase holoenzyme containing σ32 with heat shock promoters: DNase I footprinting and methylation protection☆

The DNase I protection pattern of E sigma 32 was assayed on three heat shock promoters, the E sigma 32 promoter for the groESL operon, P2 of the dnaKJ operon, and rpoD PHS, the E sigma 32 promoter upstream from rpoD. E sigma 32 protected each of these promoters from DNase I digestion from around -60 to around +20. Protection from dimethyl sulfate methylation was assayed at the groE promoter. E sigma 32 binding altered the sensitivity to methylation of bases in the vicinity of both the -10 and -35 regions. The DNase I footprints for the E sigma 32 promoters were very similar to the DNase I footprint of E sigma 70 on the lacUV5 promoter. After analyzing the DNase I footprints by taking into account the contacts predicted to be made by DNase I, it appeared that E sigma 32, like E sigma 70, contacts the DNA primarily on one face of the helix in the -35 region and on both faces in the -10 region.
The Lilith Framework for the Rapid Development of Secure Scalable Tools for Distributed Computing

Lilith is a general purpose framework written in Java, that provides a highly scalable distribution of user code across a heterogeneous computing platform. By creation of suitable user code, the Lilith framework can be used for tool development. Lilith promotes rapid development since it handles all the details of code distribution and communication, while the user code need only define the tool functionality on a single node, in accordance with a simple API. The scalable performance provided by Lilith is crucial to the production of time-effective tools for large distributed systems. This time-efficiency, however, allows both constructive and destructive tasks to be accomplished quickly; therefore, security is a concern. We present the Lilith API and a prototype example of the usage of Lilith in distributed computing and we discuss the security model, which is currently under design.
Community surveillance for cardiovascular disease: The Framingham Cardiovascular Disease Survey: Some methodological problems in the community study of cardiovascular disease

Abstract The CVDS experience has been reviewed with regard to several methodologic problems in the study of CVD. In light of this experience the following conclusions seem warranted: 1. Community surveillance studies of CVD should limit their inquiries to hard endpoints, i.e. those that are fatal or hospitalized. Community-physician reporting should be used only as an adjunctive surveillance tool because of its low additional yield when used in combination with hospital and death certificate surveillance. Physician reporting can be utilized along with computer checks of the records of insurance carriers and state hospital associations as internal quality control devices to detect lapses in the primary surveillance techniques. 2. The perusal of death certificates is an indispensable surveillance tool for community studies of CVD and is quite reliable for case finding. 3. Spouses or other relatives of patients can be relied upon to give fairly accurate information concerning chest pain prior to a CHD event, but are apt to disagree with patients' reports about other symptoms. 4. A longitudinal cohort study may be able to make diagnoses of MI and CI more frequently than a study without long-term follow-up information at its disposal; however, fatal events are diagnosed equally by the two types of study.
Evaluation of the Optimal Causal Message Ordering Algorithm

An optimal causal message ordering algorithm was recently proposed by Kshemkalyani and Singhal, and its optimality was proved theoretically. For a system of n processes, although the space complexity of this algorithm was shown to be O(n2) integers, it was expected that the actual space overhead would be much less than n2. In this paper, we determine the overhead of the optimal causal message ordering algorithm via simulation under a wide range of system conditions. The optimal algorithm is seen to display significantly less message overhead and log space overhead than the canonical Raynal-Schiper-Toueg algorithm.
Atmospheric loading effects on free-draining lysimeters

[1] Temporal atmospheric pressure variations introduce an artifact into percolation measurements in free-draining lysimeters. This anomaly is associated with transient pressure gradients that occur as fluid and gas pressures within the lysimeter equilibrate with atmospheric pressure changes at the drain. On the basis of harmonic (Fourier) analysis of a large (20 m × 10 m × 1.8 m) free-draining lysimeter, hourly percolation was maximally affected by pressure variations of ∼2 cycles per day, with the effect decreasing with decreasing frequency. Compared to the calculated pressure differences at the drain, the measured phase delay between percolation and the atmospheric pressure was less by ∼45°, which we attribute to an additional phase lag existing between the percolation and pressure difference at the drain. These pressure-induced changes in percolation rate can influence the outcome of water balances conducted via free-draining lysimeters.
Scatter-free direct recoil spectra

Abstract A method is described for obtaining neutral direct recoil spectra without the interference of the scattering peak by using alkali primary ions and varying the scattering conditions. Examples of K + scattering from Si(100) and Rb + scattering from Pt(111) are provided and the mechanism of producing a scatter-free spectrum is discussed.
The impact of the Internet on human activity–travel patterns: analysis of gender differences using multi-group structural equation models

The widespread use of the Internet for conducting various types of activities may be leading to considerable change in people's activity-travel patterns. Past studies, however, have left many issues unaddressed. Using an Internet-activity diary dataset and multi-group structural equation modeling, this study examines the complex interactions between different types of Internet and physical activities, with a special focus on gender differences and Internet maintenance and leisure activities. The results indicate that the impacts of Internet activities on people's activity-travel patterns are significantly different across gender. In general, Internet use for maintenance purposes has a greater impact on women's activity-travel in the physical world, while Internet use for leisure purposes affects men's physical activities and travel to a greater extent. Further, breaking Internet activities down into different categories reveals some hidden patterns that would not have been detected if these different types of Internet activities were lumped together as a single category.
Model Update Using Modal Contribution to Static Flexibility Error

A new technique for the parametric correction of full-order analytical stiffness matrices from reduced-order modal measurements is presented. The proposed algorithm corrects model parameters by minimizing a matrix residual formed at measurement degrees of freedom only. The residual is the difference between the measured modal contribution to the static flexibility matrix and the corresponding analytical modal contribution to the static flexibility matrix. Analytical expressions are developed for the flexibility matrix error residual gradient in terms of modal sensitivities found via Nelson's method. By utilizing a flexibility-based matrix error residual, the effect of poorly modeled inertia properties on stiffness parameter estimates is greatly reduced. Unlike technlques that utilize only static data, this technique is suitable for use on unconstrained structures. In addition, the method avoids the problems of mode selection, determining modal correspondence, and eigenvector expansion or model reduction. Numerical simulation results are presented for Kabe's model as well as a finite element model of a welded frame structure.
Imaging adults on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is increasingly being used in adults following failure to wean from cardiopulmonary bypass, after cardiac surgery or in cases of severe respiratory failure. Knowledge of the different types of ECMO circuits, expected locations of cannulas and imaging appearance of complications is essential for accurate imaging interpretation and diagnosis. Commonly encountered complications are malposition of cannulas, adjacent or distal haemorrhage, stroke, stasis thrombus in access vessels, and distal emboli. This article will describe the imaging appearance of different ECMO circuits in adults as well as commonly encountered complications. If a CT (computed tomography) angiogram is being performed on these patients to evaluate for pulmonary embolism, the scan may be suboptimal from siphoning off of the contrast by the ECMO. In such cases, an optimal image can be obtained by lowering the flow rate of the ECMO circuit or by disabling the circuit for the duration of image acquisition. Key Points • Femoroatrial VV ECMO: femoral vein drainage cannula and right atrial return cannula. • Femorofemoral VV ECMO: return and drainage cannulas placed in femoral veins. • Dual-lumen single cannula VV ECMO: via the right IJ/Femoral vein with the tip in the IVC/SVC. • Peripheral VA ECMO: peripheral venous drainage cannula and peripheral arterial return cannula. • Central VA ECMO: direct right atrial drainage cannula and aortic return cannula.
Nitric oxide is necessary for CC-class chemokine expression in endotoxin-stimulated ANA-1 murine macrophages

The production of nitric oxide (NO) in response to endotoxin (LPS)-stimulation is associated with a myriad of NO-dependent regulatory functions. The study of NO-dependent genetic programs in the setting of endotoxin stimulation can be aided by determination of genes whose transcription is upregulated in the presence of NO and LPS. Using subtractive suppression hybridization analysis, we demonstrate that ANA-1 murine macrophages produce the CC class chemokines, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (JE/MCP-1) and macrophage inflammatory protein-related protein-1 (C10/MRP-1), in response to LPS-mediated nitric oxide (NO) production. MCP-1 and MRP-1 gene transcription and protein synthesis are upregulated in the setting of LPS-induced NO synthesis. NO alone is necessary but insufficient for induction of chemokine protein expression; an additional LPS-dependent signaling pathway is also required. This study suggests a novel mechanism by which NO induces chemokine expression and regulates the host inflammatory response to endotoxin.
Using undergraduates as teaching assistants in introductory programming courses: an update on the Stanford experience

The introductory computer science at Stanford University have a combined annual enrollment of over 1000 students. Teaching introductory programming to a population of this size requires significant instructional support to ensure that students receive the individual attention most beginning programmers need. This paper describes the approach that has evolved at Stanford for the introductory computer science courses, which is based on the extensive use of advanced undergraduates to teach sections of the introductory course. In our experience, using undergraduates as part of the teaching staff has created an effective learning environment for both the students in the classes and the undergraduate section leaders themselves.
Role of design in multiple patterning: technology development, design enablement and process control

Multiple-patterning optical lithography is inevitable for technology scaling beyond the 22nm technology node. Multiple patterning imposes several counter-intuitive restrictions on layout and carries serious challenges for design methodology. This paper examines the role of design at different stages of the development and adoption of multiple patterning: technology development, design enablement, and process control. We discuss how explicit design involvement can enable timely adoption of multi-patterning with reduced costs both in design and manufacturing.
Responses to photic stimulation in patients with occipital spikes.

Abstract Objective : To determine the effect of intermittent photic stimulation (IPS) and frequency of asymmetric driving responses in patients with occipital spikes. Methods : The amplitude of the driving response at 4 flash frequencies was measured from a referential montage in 60 patients with occipital spikes and in 60 normal EEG records from age-matched patients. Responses were classified as asymmetric if the amplitude at one occipital area was less than 50% of the amplitude at the other. Results : A measurable photic response occurred significantly less frequently in patients with occipital spikes (48%) compared to the control group (70%; Fisher's test P P Conclusions : Patients with occipital spikes have an increased frequency of asymmetric driving response. An attenuated response ipsilateral to the focus seems to be related to an underlying lesion while the presence of an epileptiform focus in some cases with no slowing on EEG and normal imaging studies may lead to an accentuation of this response.
Structural improvement of planar triangulations: Some constraints and practical issues

Recent advances in planar mesh generation of arbitrary domains incorporate methods for placing points as well as connecting them into a triangulation. Postprocessing techniques such as Laplacian smoothing and mesh relaxation enhance the shape of triangles in these meshes but do not address the construction of meshes near boundaries or provide a criterion to determine the number of interior points of the initial triangulation. The paper addresses these issues by investigating the construction of degree-6 triangulations, the primary goal of the mesh relaxation method.
The influence of prior knowledge on expert readers' main idea construction strategies.

THIS STUDY examined the influence of prior knowledge on the strategies used by expert readers to identify and state the main idea of a text when the main idea is not explicit. Expert readers from the fields of anthropology and chemistry read texts from familiar and unfamiliar content domains, and gave verbal reports of the strategies they used in constructing a statement of the main idea. From these verbal reports, the author identified three methods for constructing the main idea: automatic construction, the draft-and-revision strategy, and the topic/comment strategy. Two related strategies were also reported: forming an initial hypothesis and listing words, concepts, and ideas thought to be related to the main idea. Readers reported automatically constructing the main idea statement significantly more often when they had prior knowledge of the content domain of the text, whereas when they lacked such prior knowledge, they more often used the strategy of draft-and-revision. The initial hypothesis and listing strategies were used only in conjunction with at least one of the other strategies. The author hypothesizes that readers lacking knowledge of the content domain may have to resort to strategies rather than constructing the main idea automatically because of the difficulty of the construction task, and possibly also because of the allocation of working memory to other necessary comprehension processes. Thus, although sometimes automatic, expert readers' construction of a main idea is often a mediated, strategic task. The author suggests that instructional materials and instruction should be designed to acknowledge the difficulty of the construction task.
Increased Concentration of Free Fatty Acids in Liver Disease.

SummaryFasting plasma FFA concentrations were determined in 34 subjects with cirrhosis and 28 without cirrhosis.Mean fasting FFA concentrations were elevated in subjects with cirrhosis and this was most marked in those subjects with acute hepatic failure or hepatic coma. The increased FFA concentrations were not accompanied by a rise in blood ketone concentrations.
Overview of the TOPEX/Poseidon Platform Harvest verification experiment

An overview is given of the in situ measurement system installed on Texaco's Platform Harvest for verification of the sea level measurement from the TOPEX/Poseidon satellite. The prelaunch error budget suggested that the total root mean square (RMS) error due to measurements made at this verification site would be less than 4 cm. The actual error budget for the verification site is within these original specifications. However, evaluation of the sea level data from three measurement systems at the platform has resulted in unexpectedly large differences between the systems. Comparison of the sea level measurements from the different tide gauge systems has led to a better understanding of the problems of measuring sea level in relatively deep ocean. As of May 1994, the Platform Harvest verification site has successfully supported 60 TOPEX/Poseidon overflights.
Diffusion of thiocyanate and hypothiocyanite in whey protein films incorporating the lactoperoxidase system

Abstract The diffusion of the thiocyanate (SCN − ) and hypothiocyanite (OSCN − ) components of a lactoperoxidase system (LPOS) in whey protein isolate (WPI) films was investigated. Diffusion coefficients for these molecules were measured for the LPOS-incorporated WPI films prepared with different WPI:glycerol ratios (1:1, 3:1, and 5:1). WPI film disks were coated on the surfaces of smoked salmon samples, and the samples were stored at 4, 10 and 22 °C. The diffusion coefficients were determined by fitting a mathematical model to the amounts of SCN − and OSCN − released from the disks during a period of time. The diffusion coefficients for SCN − ( D 1 ) and OSCN − ( D 2 ) in the films were 0.19–5.2 × 10 −12 m 2 s −1 and 0.13–6.5 × 10 −13 m 2 s −1 , respectively. The D 1 and D 2 decreased as the WPI:glycerol ratio increased and the storage temperature decreased. The E a values for diffusion in 1:1, 3:1, and 5:1 WPI:glycerol films were 13.3, 29.5, and 35.6 kJmol −1 , respectively, for SCN − and 15.8, 30.1, and 39.9 kJmol −1 , respectively, for OSCN − .
Myelin deficit in the Jimpy mouse may be due to cellular abnormalities in astroglia.

THE mouse mutant Jimpy is considered to be a model for certain human diseases in which the development of myelin is abnormal1,2. Biochemical studies of Jimpy have shown that myelin components are reduced but no specific abnormality in the assembly of myelin has been detected2–4. This electron microscopic study describes for the first time abnormalities in astroglia of Jimpy optic nerve that are likely to inhibit the development of oligodendroglial cells and myelination.
Basic Protein of Normal Human Plasma

BASIC low molecular weight proteins of normal human blood, designated as B1 and B2, were recently discovered by Takahashi and Schmid1. Acidic and neutral low molecular weight serum proteins and peptides, however, have been known for many years2–4. In the present report the purification and partial characterization of one of the basic proteins, B2, are described.
Introduction: On the Left with the Cuban Revolution

Looking at the Cuban Revolution as it turns 50, it is clear that much has changed since the heady days of the 1960s. Certainly Cuba has changed, as has the world order within which its socialism exists. So, too, have we on the left changed. In those early years of accompanying the Cuban Revolution from the United States, Europe, and Latin America, the left was a more easily understandable choice of political identity, a standpoint that invited inclusion and accepted the necessity of unity, and a legitimate label for progressive pref erences in policy making or even, in some places, for political parties. The scholarly work that supported profoundly critical identities, standpoints, and politics was unashamed in its Marxism, its anticapitalist, anti-imperialist com mitments, its radical political economy perspectives, and its conflicts over theory and praxis. A half century later, nostalgia for the early days of an excit ing revolution that was central to the reorganizations of left identities, politics, and scholarly work might help signal points of reference for those who want to comprehend the forever-changed terrain of a small Caribbean island that has challenged both the traditions of the global order and the unrelenting scholarly efforts to push Cuba back into recognizable theoretical boxes. The left is no longer easily understandable, however. Neither are the rich compli cations of 50 years of revolutionary development in Cuba or the significance of the Cuban Revolution for the new constellation of leadership in Latin America. It is likely that the questions that loom large in looking at Cuba in 2009 might be better answered with more clarity about the nature, politics, and possibilities of the contemporary left. The momentous events of November 2008 pose two sets of questions that are imperative for thinking about Cuba today. Hurricane Paloma, the third of three natural calamities confronting Cuba in the fall of 2008, passed through Cuba on November 8 and 9. Damages were estimated at more than US$9 billion from the first hurricanes, Gustav and Ike, which made landfall on August 30 and September 7 respectively, including the destruction of crops, damage to nearly half a million homes, and ruin of parts of the power grid. More than 1 million residents were evacuated to protect them from the ravages of Paloma (and over 2 million before Ike). Natural disasters of this magnitude afflict production, disrupt plans, and create enormous problems in providing
Re-visioning the interface: technological fashion as critical media

This paper elucidates two positions (the positivist and the critical) that inform the creative design of technological fashion. On the one side is the instrumentalist trend toward the minimized or disappearing interface. On the other, some theorists and artists suggest that increased invisibility presents social and ethical concerns (such as invasiveness and control) when networking and communication devices are involved.The positivist side has roots in modernist design. Positivist designers create responsive and controllable fabrics using shape-changing polymers, e-textiles, and nano-scale electronics to resolve clumsy and prohibitive problems of hardware vs. body. The critical side draws upon archetypal ideas about technology and the body that are familiar from literature and science fiction, and includes writers and media artists who emphasize the intractable or mechanic nature of technological clothing to enhance, rather than erase, the body. The paper concludes that both positions must be considered as the field of technological fashion moves forward.
Beef heart H4 lactate dehydrogenase: N-terminal and C-terminal residues

Abstract N-terminal analyses of beef heart H 4 lactate dehydrogenase involving the use of fluorodinitrobenzene, phenylisothiocyanate, or 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid failed to demonstrate the presence of a free amino acid at the amino terminus of the protein in contrast to an earlier report (E. A PPELA and R. Z ITO , Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. , 151 (1968) 568). Quantitative determination of bound acetyl groups on several batches of enzyme gave values of 3.2–4.6 moles/mole of protein (molecular weight 131 000). The N-terminal peptide, characterized as N -acetylalanyl-threonine, was isolated from pronase digests of the protein, and quantitative recovery experiments using 3 H-labeled N -acetylalanylthreonine as an internal standard showed that all of the acetyl residues in commercial preparations are found at the amino termini. Leucine was demonstrated to be the C-terminal amino acid in the H 4 isozyme using a tritium exchange method while both leucine and phenylalanine were present at the C-terminus in a mixture of H 4 and H 3 M isozymes.
Another look at Linda

Margolis (1987) argues that poor performance on the classic Linda conjunction problem is the result of misinterpretation created by multiple ambiguities in the problem statement acting in concert. He suggests three wording changes to rectify this situation: The addition of (1) a betting scenario to prevent the misinterpretation of “probable” as “believable” or “plausible,” (2) a clarifying phrase to prevent misinterpretation of the response alternatives as mutually exclusive, and (3) survey information about the likelihood of personality profiles such as Linda’s to ensure that subjects view the small difference between the extremely small probabilities to be judged as relevant. The effects of these three factors were examined in a between-subjects factorial design. Margolis’s hypothesis was not supported. Only the addition of the response-alternative clarifying phrase significantly improved performance. The results are discussed in terms of Gigerenzer’s (1991) normative-issues argument that the Linda problem is not a frequency probability problem but rather a single-trial, subjective probability problem.
Size and Shape Control of Monodisperse FePt Nanoparticles

Morphological control of FePt nanoparticles has been systematically studied. By varying synthetic parameters including precursors, solvents, amount of surfactants, and heating rate of the solution, the particle size from 2 to 9 nm can be tuned with 1 nm accuracy. While most particles are spherical in shape, cubic particles can be obtained when particles are greater than 7 nm. Rod-shape nanoparticles have also been obtained. The as-synthesized nanoparticles are found to be superparamagnetic at room temperature and their blocking temperature is size dependent that increases with particle size. After annealing in a reducing atmosphere, the nanoparticles form hard magnetic films with ordered fct structure and high coercivity up to 2.7 T.
Inhibition of captopril-induced renin release by angiotensin II

The angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (CEI) captopril has been shown to elevate plasma renin activity (PRA) and prostaglandin E2 levels, and to lower blood pressure and angiotensin II (AII) levels. Renin is secreted in both active and inactive forms; however, the interrelationship of these forms and responses to captopril are unclear. We proposed to determine if PRA rise induced by captopril is due primarily to release from AII inhibition, and if inactive renin is converted to active renin when PRA increases. Seven normal volunteers were given captopril, 50 mg orally, while on a moderately sodium-restricted diet (35 mEq/day). Changes in PRA and total and inactive renin, as well as prostaglandin E2, were measured. Then, on two different occasions, the captopril dose was preceded or followed by infusion of AII, to negate changes in AII induced by CEI. The dose of AII was obtained by dose-response infusion until a minimal increase in blood pressure occurred. Active renin increased with captopril alone, from 8.2 to 48.3 ng/ml/h by 90 min (p less than 0.01). AII completely blocked the rise in PRA induced by captopril, whether given before or after captopril. Inactive renin did not decline as active renin increased over the 90-min study. Therefore, the PRA rise induced by captopril is mediated through a fall in AII levels and loss of feedback on renin-secreting cells. The rise in PRA comes from secretion of active renin rather than conversion from inactive renin.
White matter lesions in spastic paraplegia with mutations in SPG5/CYP7B1

Hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSPs) are relatively frequent disorders presenting great genetic heterogeneity. The recent identification of mutations in SPG5/CYP7B1 in six autosomal recessive kindred linked to the SPG5 locus on chromosome 8q prompted us to test the relative frequency of SPG5/CYP7B1 variants in 12 families and in sporadic HSP patients by high-resolution melting screening combined with direct sequencing. We present two patients who harbored three mutations (including two novel variants) in SPG5/CYP7B1 and white matter involvement evidenced at brain MRI. In HSP patients in whom no other genes were mutated, screening of SPG5/CYP7B1 seems to have a low diagnostic yield in autosomal recessive (8%) and sporadic (<1%) cases, even in those with complicated clinical features.
Benchmarks for shop scheduling problems

In this paper we present extensive sets of randomly generated test problems for the problems of minimizing makespan (Cmax) and maximum lateness (Lmax) in flow shops and job shops. The 600 problems include three different types of routings, four different due date configurations and a variety of problem sizes. The problems, as well as the best existing solution and a lower bound on the optimal value are available on the world-wide web.
Factors Influencing the Feeding Value of Rice and Other Cereal Grains for the Turkey Poult

Abstract LLOYD (1918) reported that rough rice, when fed not to exceed one-third of the grain (in a mash-grain system of feeding) for hens, was a nourishing feed and caused no injurious effects. Smith (1929 Smith (1930) fed broilers a diet containing relatively large amounts of brewers’ rice, rice bran, and rice polish and found that the growth rate was comparable to that obtained with a control ration. Upp (1933) fed laying pullets various rice products, (rice bran, rice polish, rough rice and brewers’ rice) individually and in combinations, in amounts up to 74.4 percent of the ration. Winter egg yield, yearly egg yield, hatchability, egg size, egg quality, body weight and livability of the birds were used as criteria of measurement for dietary adequacy and none of these found to be affected. Smith (1946 Smith (1948) incorporated rice products in the diet of hens fed both mash and grain. He suggested that …
The tax situation in Chicago

A narrative of the struggle leading up to the order for reassessment of all real estate in Chicago and Cook County.
Optimal dynamic performance for high-precision actuators/stages

System dynamic performance of actuator/stage groups, such as those found in optical instrument positioning systems and other high-precision applications, is dependent upon both individual component behavior and the system configuration. Experimental modal analysis techniques were implemented to determine the six degree of freedom stiffnesses and damping for individual actuator components. These experimental data were then used in a multibody dynamic computer model to investigate the effect of stage group configuration. Running the computer model through the possible stage configurations and observing the predicted vibratory response determined the optimal stage group configuration. Configuration optimization can be performed for any group of stages, provided there is stiffness and damping data available for the constituent pieces.
Evaluation of nonisothermal band models for H2O

Abstract Comparisons of predicted and measured radiance spectra for nonuniform hot H 2 O gas samples are reported. The predicted spectra are generated with band models formulated in a companion paper, and band model parameters constructed to handle optical path temperature variations from 200 to 3000°K. The model identified in the companion paper as the intuitive derivative approximation is shown to be superior to the traditional Curtis-Godson approximation in treating general optical paths along which high degrees of nonuniformity occur.
Transition metal compound surfaces

Abstract Studies of transition metal compound surfaces using modern surface science techniques are reviewed. Studies of the surface structure and composition of model transition metal compound surfaces are emphasized. The growth of the transition metal compound surface from a chemisorbed layer is used as an introduction to investigations of the surface properties of macroscopic single crystals of transition metal compounds. Examples of both binary and tenary compound systems are examined in relation to chemisorbed layer studies. Although only a few systems are chosen to illustrate work in this field, extensive references to other studies and other systems are included.