cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modeling and analyzing semiconductor yield with generalized linear mixed models

As the challenges and opportunities of using 'big data' expand, there is a need to explore different ways of analyzing large datasets. The semiconductor industry is a good example of a manufacturing process where many data are collected throughout the fabrication of the product. These massive datasets are used for various purposes, primarily to detect problems and determine root causes, control the process, and build models that predict yield. The yield predictions are used for process planning, optimization, and control. However, many current approaches to yield modeling are limited because the actual processes violate the model assumptions, limiting the power of the models' use.
Chemical composition of “fungus gardens” from two species of termites

Abstract 1. 1. Fungus combs from Macrotermes goliath and Odontotermes badius were analyzed and their composition compared. 2. 2. There is a fundamental difference in the composition of the comb from the two species, particularly in respect of ash, lignin and mannitol content. 3. 3. Various organic substances were isolated from an alcoholic extract of Macrotermes goliath . They consist of D -mannitol, lipids and phenolic substances probably originating from the breakdown of lignin. 4. 4. The lipids consists of free fatty acids (57%) and mono-esters (43%). The fatty acids covered a wide range from C 12 to C 20 including substantial quantities of odd numbered acids. Large quantities of hydroxylated fatty acids were found in fungus comb from Odontotermes badius . The sterols were a mixture of cholesterol, β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, ergosterol and some unidentified compounds. 5. 5. Some aromatic aldehydes were isolated from the alcoholic extract in form of 2,4-dinotrophenylhydrazones. They were not identical with aldehydes normally obtained by the oxidation of lignin.
Lo político del lenguaje y los límites de la política lingüística panhispánica

In this article, we present glottopolitical studies and the models through which this subdiscipline articulates language and politics.From a glottopolitical perspective, we analyze the panhispanic language policy through a corpus of texts that includes the paratextual elements of the principal linguistic works produced by the Royal Spanish Academy and the Association of Academies of the Spanish Language. The analysis shows that these policies and discourse are ideologically anchored in the conceptual structure of liberal democracy. Finally, using Chantal Mouffe’s critique of post-political thought, we contrast the academies’ linguistic regime with two episodes in which members of RAE and ASALE engaged in polemics with other institutions. This comparison allows us to conclude by exposing the limitations of RAE and ASALE’s discourses of selflegitimization.
UV light as a footprinting agent: modulation of UV-induced DNA damage by transcription factors bound at the promoters of three human genes.

Protein-DNA interactions in mammalian cells can be analyzed at the nucleotide level of resolution by genomic sequencing techniques. The most sensitive genomic sequencing method uses the ligation-mediated polymerase chain reaction (LMPCR) for signal amplification to detect the position of DNA modifications or strand breaks. Various probing methods are compatible with LMPCR, but dimethyl sulfate footprinting has most commonly been used. Here, we have examined the suitability of ultraviolet (UV) light as anin vivofootprinting agent to detect a wide variety of protein-DNA contacts. The distribution of the two major types of UV-induced DNA photoproducts (cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and (6-4) photo-products) has been examined along the promoter sequences of three human genes. A comparison of UV-irradiated naked DNA and UV-irradiated cells reveals differences in the UV damage spectrum for both types of photoproducts. These differences can be either decreases or dramatic increases of photoproduct frequency. At the promoter of the c-jungene, these differences ("photofootprints") co-localize with binding sites for two AP-1-like transcription factors, a CCAAT box binding protein, an SP-1 sequence, an NF-jun sequence, a related to serum response factor (RSRF) binding site and a sequence bound by an unknown factor. In the promoter of the gene coding for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), photofootprints were seen at two SP-1 like sequences and two CCAAT boxes. The c-fospromoter is characterized by photofootprints at the serum response element (SRE), at the adjacent binding site for ternary complex factor (TCF), at an AP-1 site and at a binding site for a growth factor inducible protein (SIF). Photofootprints may be signatures of specific transcription factors or families of related factors since we noticed that the photofootprints seen at several common factor binding sites were similar or identical when the same site was analyzed in different genes. Photofootprints were not seen at sequences distant from transcription factor binding sites. A comparison of our UV photofootprinting data with data from experiments using other probing strategies shows that UV light has the potential to reveal all protein-DNA interactions provided there is a dipyrimidine sequence on either DNA strand within a factor binding site. The simplicity of using this probing agent together with its specificity for detecting a large variety of different factors should make UV light a generally useful tool forin vivofootprinting studies.f2
The lachrymatory factor of the onion: an NMR study☆

Abstract The lachrymatory factor of the onion is shown by NMR analysis to be a 19 to 1 mixture of (Z)- and (E)-propanethial S-oxide.
Myocardial Survival Signaling in Response to Stem Cell Transplantation

Background Experimental human stem cell transplantation to the heart has begun, but the mechanisms underlying benefits seen in preclinical models, both at the site of cell injection and at more distant regions, remain uncertain. We hypothesize that these benefits can be best understood first at the level of key intracellular signaling cascades in the host myocardium, which can be responsible for functional and structural preservation of the heart. Study Design Western blot and ELISA were used to assess key pathways that regulate cardiac myocyte survival and hypertrophy in both the infarct/borderzone and remote myocardium of C57/B6 mouse hearts subjected to coronary artery ligation, with subsequent injection of either vehicle or bone marrow−derived adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). Results Improved left ventricular function with MSC transplantation was associated with a relative preservation of Akt phosphorylation (activation) and of phosphorylation of downstream mediators of cell survival and hypertrophy. There was no substantial difference in activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase p38, and activation of the antiapoptotic mitogen-activated protein kinase extracellular signal-regulated kinase was lower at 1 week after MSC treatment, but rose beyond controls by week 2. Similar changes were observed in both the infarct/borderzone and the remote myocardium. Conclusion Stem cell transplantation in the post-MI murine myocardium is associated with preservation of Akt signaling. Together with a possible later increase in extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation, this signaling change might be responsible for cardioprotection. Additional focused investigation might identify elements in transplantation regimens that optimize this mechanism of benefit, and that can increase the likelihood of human clinical success.
A SECURITY BASED MODEL FOR MOBILE AGENT SOFTWARE SYSTEMS

Security modeling for agents has been one of the most challenging issues in developing practical mobile agent software systems. In the past, researchers have developed mobile agent systems with emphasis either on protecting mobile agents from malicious hosts or protecting hosts from malicious agents. In this paper, we propose a security based mobile agent system architecture that provides a general solution to protecting both mobile agents and agent hosts in terms of agent communication and agent migration. We present a facilitator agent model that serves as a middleware for secure agent communication and agent migration. The facilitator agent model, as well as the mobile agent model, is based on agent-oriented G-nets — a high level Petri net formalism. To illustrate our formal modeling technique for mobile agent systems, we provide an example of agent migration to show how a design error can be detected.
Inter-layer error concealment for scalable video coding based on motion vector averaging and slice interleaving

Scalable video coding (SVC) is desirable for video applications in heterogeneous environments where users have a variety of terminals. Because motion-compensated prediction is used in SVC codec, when SVC video is transmitted over loss-prone networks, the decompressed video can suffer severe visual degradation across multiple frames. In order to overcome this, one scheme utilized at the decoder is error concealment to enhance the visual quality. This paper assumes that the packet delivery of the base layer is loss-prone the same way as the enhancement layer. Three inter-layer error concealment methods are proposed using two new approaches. (1) Motion vector averaging using adaptively averaging over multiple types of motion vectors in different layers for the recovery of lost motion vectors. (2) Slice interleaving utilizing an optimum ordering technique to make the average distance between two contiguous slices as far as possible. A two-layer spatial-temporal scalable video coding system is developed to evaluate the existing and proposed error concealment methods. The impact of burst packet losses and error propagation on the frames in both layers is investigated. Experimental results verified that the proposed error concealment methods outperform two existing methods.
The adsorption of carbon monoxide on H-ZSM-5 and hydrothermally treated H-ZSM-5

Abstract The adsorption of CO was studied on the H-form and hydrothermally treated H-form of ZSM-5 by in situ FTIR spectroscopy. As seen in other studies the interaction of Bronsted acid sites with the CO molecules shifted the bridging Si(OH)Al stretching frequency from 3616 cm−1 down to 3310 cm−1. Concomitantly, the CO stretching frequency of adsorbed, H-bonded CO appeared at 2173 cm−1, blue-shifted from the gas phase value of 2143 cm−1. From quantitative measurements of the CO stretching vibrational band intensities the isosteric heat of adsorption of CO was measured to be 32.2 kJ mol−1 over the temperature range 175 to 285 K and at pressures from 0.1 to 100 Torr. Alternatively, a heat of adsorption of 33.4 kJ mol−1 was estimated from a Van't Hoff plot of −lnKeq versus 1 T (where Keq describes the adsorption-desorption equilibrium). The effect of steaming on the CO adsorption properties of H-ZSM-5 was studied at two different steaming temperatures (873 and 1073 K). Hydrothermal treatment of the H-form of the ZSM-5 for 2, 4, and 8 h at 873 K gradually decreased the spectral signature of the bridging Si(OH)Al and resulted in the growth of features corresponding to extra-lattice alumina and/or AlOH species which are formed during the hydrolysis of the SiOAl bridge but are still in the zeolite framework. The apparent heat of adsorption of CO measured in the steamed H-ZSM-5 materials was approximately 4 kJ mol−1 lower than that for the parent H-ZSM-5 zeolite. For the higher temperature steaming conditions the H-ZSM-5 was observed to dealuminate rapidly with nearly complete loss of framework aluminum in 15 min or less. These hydroxylated Al-containing intermediate species present under mild hydrothermal conditions are transformed into stable forms of Al-oxide species. These Al-oxides present in extra-framework positions also act as Lewis acid centers for the adsorption of CO.
The determination of urinary dehydroisoandrosterone in normal men and women and in adrenal disease.

Since the isolation of dehydroisoandrosterone from human urine and its identification as a weakly androgenic 17-ketosteroid (Butenandt and Dannenbaum, 1934), numerous studies have suggested that it is derived directly or indirectly from the adrenal cortex. The Callows (1939) found approximately the same concentration of the steroid in the pooled urine of normal men and women and a slightly greater amount in the urine of a male castrate (1940), clearly demonstrating that its presence in urine extracts was not dependent on the testis. The fact that the administration of testosterone propionate induced a substantial increase in the excretion of androsterone and etiocholanol-3(α)-one-17 without affecting the quantity of dehydroisoandrosterone isolated (Callow, 1939), and the failure of Venning, Hoffman and Browne (1942) to isolate dehydroiso-androsterone from the urine of a man with an interstitial cell tumor of the testis and an exceptionally high excretion of 17-ketosteroids indicate that it is not derived ...
Laparoscopic Management of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

ABSTRACT This monograph provides a review of the contemporary surgical management of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), drawing primarily on the experience at Emory University Hospital. We emphasize the importance of precise anatomic and physiologic preoperative evaluation to confirm the diagnosis of GERD, and stress technical aspects of laparoscopic fundoplication that have improved outcomes.
Intragastric Balloon Rupture

A 38 year old obese female presented to the emergency department with 1 hour of nausea and blue colored urine. She endorsed recent flatus and bowel movement but denied abdominal pain, dysuria, fevers, or toxic ingestions. She presented a urine cup on arrival with obviously blue tinged urine (Figure). Her exam revealed a comfortable appearing female with no abdominal or costovertebral tenderness. She reported having an OrberaTM intragastric balloon placement 15 months prior in Brazil (Apollo Endosurgery, Inc., Austin, TX). The patient was admitted to the hospital for urgent endoscopic retrieval. However, as the device is not approved for use in the U.S., attempts to find a local physician familiar with the procedure or the appropriate retrieval equipment were unsuccessful. Open surgical removal was offered to the patient, who declined and instead returned to Brazil for removal there. The patient was lost to follow up.
Nucleation and growth characteristics of spray- pyrolyzed CdS thin films

Abstract The nucleation, growth and microstructure of CdS films deposited by spray pyrolysis processing (SPP) was investigated. Comparisons of experimental data on films deposited by SPP were made with existing theories of deposition. Droplet impingement, surface pyrolysis and the incorporation of impurity phases were identified as the major mechanisms of film growth.
Divalent Cation Adsorption on the Actin Monomer

Binding energies for calcium adsorption on the actin monomer have been computed from molecular dynamics simulation using the CHARMM22 force field. Relative binding free energies were evaluated from Poisson-Boltzmann computations. For large values of the dielectric constant (i.e., > 4), binding affinity is highest at the adsorption site near the nucleotide in the cleft region of the monomer, and the binding free energies of five other calcium adsorption sites are statistically comparable. For small values of the dielectric constant (i.e., unity) for the ion-protein complex, all six binding sites exhibit comparable binding affinity. Replacing the ADP nucleotide with ATP has only a small effect on the binding potential energy change for calcium at the six crystallographic adsorption sites. Likewise, the presence of charged residues at the N-terminus of the monomer only modestly affects the binding potential energy at the crystallographic calcium sites. Molecular simulation snapshots reveal that calcium ions at the cystallographic sites are coordinated by one or two acidic side chains and three or four water molecules. Free energy perturbation methods were used to compute the selectivity between zinc and calcium ion binding in the cleft region. In the cleft region, the exchange of bound Zn 2+ for bound Ca 2+ incurs a free energy change of -12.3 (3.4) kcal/mol for solvated actin. This agrees with experimental observations that calcium exhibits a higher binding affinity than zinc at the primary divalent cation binding site of the actin monomer.
Exploring the contributions of components of caries risk assessment guidelines.

– Objective: To examine the relative contribution of current caries activity, past caries experience, and dentists’ subjective assessment of caries risk classifications. Methods: Administrative data from two dental plans were analyzed to determine dentists’ risk classification, as well as current caries activity and previous caries experience at the time of the classification. The performance of these predictors in identifying patients who would experience subsequent caries was then modeled using logistic regression. Results: In both plans, current caries activity alone had relatively low sensitivity and high specificity in identifying patients who would experience subsequent caries. Sensitivity improved, but at the cost of specificity when previous caries experience was included in the models. Further improvement in sensitivity accrued when dentists’ subjective assessment was included, but performance was different in the two plans in terms of false-positives. Conclusions: Consideration of previous caries experience tends to strengthen the predictive power of caries risk assessments. Dentists’ subjective assessments also tend to improve sensitivity, but overall accuracy may suffer.
Direct primary care: a new system for general practice

Can this scheme save primary care in the US? US primary care medicine is a mess. In most of the developed world’s healthcare systems, primary care doctors comprise at least half of the medical workforce. In the US, it is less than one third.1 Primary care brings hard work, low status, and relatively low pay in the US, and graduating medical students, deep in debt, are voting with their feet. In the most recent class, less than half of the available family medicine residency entry positions were filled by US graduates.2 ⇑ Doctors complain that insurance and health plan paperwork is burdensome, reimbursement is low, and thus a large number of patients must be seen daily to provide enough income to keep the practice afloat. The pressure of patient volume leaves doctors frustrated that they are unable to spend an adequate amount of time with each patient. Burn-out is common, further exacerbating the brain drain from primary care. One widely publicised response to this situation has been for doctors to join so called boutique or concierge medical practices.3 …
Underinvestment in Public Good Technologies

Although underinvestment phenomena are the rationale for government subsidization of research and development (R&D), the concept is poorly defined and its impact is seldom quantified. Conceptually, underinvestment in industrial R&D can take the form of either a wrong amount or a suboptimal composition of R&D investment. In both cases, R&D policy has not adequately modeled the relevant economic phenomena and thus is unable to characterize, explain, and measure the underinvestment. Four factors can cause systematic underinvestment in R&D-intensive industries: complexity, timing, existence of economies of scale and scope, and spillovers. The impacts of these factors vary in intensity over the typical technology life cycle, so government policy responses must be managed dynamically. In addition to understanding the causes of underinvestment in R&D, the magnitude of the deficiency relative to some “optimum” must be estimated to enable a ranking of technology areas with respect to expected net economic benefits from a government subsidy. Project selection criteria must therefore be based on quantitative and qualitative indicators that represent the nature and the magnitude of identified market failures. The major requirement for management of R&D policy therefore is a methodology that regularly assesses long-term expected benefits and risks from current and proposed R&D portfolios. To this end, a three-stage process is proposed to effectively carry out R&D policy analysis. The three stages are (1) identify and explain the causes of the underinvestment, (2) characterize and assess the investment trends and their impacts, and (3) estimate the magnitude of the underinvestment relative to a perceived optimum in terms of its cost to the economy. Only after all three stages of analysis have been completed can the underinvestment pattern be matched with the appropriate policy response.
Oxidation-reduction properties of the ferredoxin-linked glutamate synthase from spinach leaf

Abstract Oxidation-reduction titrations have been conducted to determine the midpoint potential ( E m ) values of the three electron-carrying prosthetic groups of the ferredoxin-linked glutamate synthase isolated from spinach leaves. Titrations using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signals to monitor the oxidation state of the [3Fe 4S] +0 cluster found in the enzyme, indicated the presence of a single n = 1 component with E m = −170 mV at pH 7.7. Titrations using absorbance changes in the visible region to monitor the oxidation states of the FAD and FMN groups present in the enzyme could be fit to a single n = 2 Nernst curve with E m = −180 mV at pH 7.7. The magnitude of the absorbance change observed during this titration accounts for all of the FMN and FAD found in the enzyme, indicating that the two flavins are either isopotential or differ in E m by less than about 30 mV. Neither optical nor EPR titrations gave any evidence for the presence of stable flavin free radicals. These results represent the first characterization of the redox properties of the prosthetic groups of a ferredoxin-dependent glutamate synthase.
Neutralization in anaerobic treatment of an acidic waste

Abstract Anaerobic treatment requires maintenance of a stable pH near the neutral range. In evaluating treatment of an acidic waste from chemical pulping, neutralization costs were identified as an important factor. Conceptual and mathematical models of the anaerobic process were formulated incorporating bacterial transformations and chemical equilibria. Simulations were used to compare the effects of several sodium bases, to assess the role of SO 2 and H 2 S in controlling the neutralization requirements, and to evaluate effluent recycle as a tool for increasing influent pH. Gas stripping to reduce CO 2 in the recycle was also evaluated. This modeling approach can be applied to other industrial wastes that may be treated anaerobically and can be an important tool in assessing feasibility of treatment of acidic wastes.
The true molecular weight distributions of acrylate polymers formed in propagating fronts

SYNOPSIS We have analyzed fractionated samples of poly(methacry1ic acid) produced in a propagating front for the amount of anhydride that formed and determined that a large percentage of acid groups exist as anhydrides (>20%). By analyzing the samples after cleavage, we found that the molecular weight dropped significantly (from M,, = 1.4 X lo5 to M, = 1.0 X lo4). We conclude that the high molecular weights observed previously were the result of intermolecular anhydride formation. Poly(buty1 acrylate), which cannot form anhydride bonds, produced in fronts had broad (MJM, = 1.7-2.0) but unimodal molecular weight distributions with M, < lo5. The average molecular weight decreased with increasing initiator concentrations. 0 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The Center for Collegiate Mental Health: Practice and research working together.

The authors describe the Center for Collegiate Mental Health (CCMH), a practice–research network of university counseling centers, and introduce the special issue of the Journal of College Counseling that features the work of the CCMH. The issue features five studies conducted by the CCMH, all of which were focused on the mental health and treatment needs of culturally diverse college students. The special issue concludes with a commentary by Gordon Nagayama Hall.
Design, installation and performance of the new insulator for NSTX CHI experiments

Coaxial Helicity Injection (CHI), a non-inductive method to initiate plasma and generate toroidal plasma current, is being investigated in the National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX). The center stack and outer vacuum vessel are separated by insulating gaps at the top and bottom of the slim central column so that a high voltage (up to 2 kV) can be applied between them from a pulsed power supply or a capacitor bank to initiate an arc discharge. In the presence of a suitable poloidal magnetic field, the discharge is initiated at the lower gap (the injector gap) and because of the strong toroidal field develops a helical structure resulting in substantial toroidal plasma current being driven. In NSTX, up to 390 kA of toroidal current has been generated for an injected current of 25 kA. The early investigations of CHI however frequently developed arcs across the insulator at the top of the machine (the absorber gap), which terminated the desired discharge. This arcing greatly restricted the operational space available for CHI studies. During 2002, the absorber region was modified to suppress these arcs. The new design includes a new ceramic insulator on the high field side of the absorber region with a much longer tracking distance between conducting elements at the different potentials. Furthermore, two new coils were installed near the absorber to provide the ability to minimize the poloidal field connecting the center stack and outer vacuum vessel. During the subsequent experimental campaign, CHI operation was less prone to arcing in the absorber and those arcs that did occur did not terminate the main discharge
The nasolabial fold: an anatomic and histologic reappraisal

The nasolabial fold was analyzed by anatomic and histologic evaluation of the tissue planes that create and surround the fold. A fascial-fatty layer exists in the superficial subdermal space extending from the upper lip across the nasolabial fold to the cheek mass. The SMAS is present in the upper lip as the superficial portion of the orbicularis oris muscle. Traction on the SMAS or periosteum lateral to the nasolabial fold can deepen the fold, while traction on the fascial-fatty layer lessens the fold. The fascial-fatty layer and skin of the cheek mass are suggested as the primary ptotic elements responsible for facial aging.
The Aesthetics of Action: Continuity and Change in a West African Town

The Aesthetics of Action: Continuity and Change in. West African Town. KRIS L. HARDIN. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1993. xi. 314 pp., maps, tables, photographs, figures, appendixes, glossary, notes, references.
Properties and Flammability of Electrospun PVA and PVA/Laponite® Membranes

Physical and mechanical properties of electrospun polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) were related to electrospinning process parameters through fabricated structures, fiber morphology, and diameters. The effe...
Submaximal Treadmill Exercise Evaluation in Patients with Symptoms of Cardiovascular Disease: An Aid to Rehabilitation and Re-Employment

The potential benefits of submaximal treadmill exercise testing were evaluated in 250 patients. The exercise endpoint was angina pectoris with a positive test for ischemic heart disease in 27 of 250 (10.8 percent) and paroxysmal atrial tachycardia in two patients. An increase in premature ventricular contractions developed in 32 of 250 patients (12.8 percent) and 18 of 250 patients (7.2 percent) developed more supraventricular ectopic contractions. In 152 patients referred for undiagnosed chest pain, having been considered physically disabled, 100 (65 percent) returned to active work. Of 52 patients with arrhythmias either detected or increased in frequency by testing all but three returned to more activity. It is concluded that submaximal treadmill exercise testing is useful in detecting ischemia and arrhythmias in patients with cardiovascular symptoms and aids in returning many patients to more physical activity.
Interim analysis in clinical trials; the role of the likelihood principle

Abstract In the classical statistical approach, whether or not a clinician looks at accumulating data with the possibility of stopping the trial can affect any inferences drawn from the trial. This is in contrast to the Bayesian and likelihood approaches to statistics. I give examples to illustrate the differences in these approaches and discuss designing clinical trials from a Bayesian point of view.
Adaptive Non Orthogonal MFSK

M-ary frequency shift keying (MFSK) using one or more orthogonal tones per symbol has been in use in non-coherent systems for quite some time. We present an alternate system for non-coherent systems using non-orthogonal tones, spread non-uniformly throughout the bandwidth, which outperforms the equivalent orthogonal tone system. We demonstrate that from a theoretical capacity point of view, the same bit rate could be achieved by the proposed system with as much as 2.5 dB lower signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). For some practical configurations we demonstrate as much as 2 dB of gain. We present the performance with maximum-likelihood (ML) receivers as well as least-squares (LS) receivers as well as lower complexity receivers based on compressed sensing (CS). We also demonstrate that such a non-orthogonal system may be used to increase the spectral efficiency of the overall system by adapting the spectral efficiency in response to the link SNR. Such an adaptive non-orthogonal MFSK system requires estimation of the SNR (or $E_{s}/N_{0}$ ), and we present both the Cramer–Rao lower bound (CRLB) as well as maximum-likelihood (ML) estimators, which attain the CRLB for both data-aided (DA) SNR estimation as well as non-data-aided (NDA) SNR estimation.
High-speed Schottky photodiode on semi-insulating GaAs

A high-speed GaAs photodiode has been fabricated on a GaAs semi-insulating substrate. The photodiode has an active area of 8 μm × 15 μm and a bandwidth in excess of 9 GHz. This Schottky photodiodes is suitable for monolithic integration with other optoelectronic components.
VHDL for FPGA design

VHDL is a language used to describe digital circuits. It is a powerful language, originally intended for simulation, but is now being applied to synthesis. Descriptions of digital hardware in VHDL can be described in terms of structure, behavior, or a mixture of the two description styles.
Partial characterization of lectin binding sites of retinal photoreceptor outer segments and interphotoreceptor matrix

We have used cytochemistry together with exoglycosidase digestion and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to partially characterize lectin binding sites of the interphotoreceptor matrix and of photoreceptor outer segments. In order to obtain uniform access of reagents to all regions of the preparation, we have used a procedure in which plastic sections are etched with sodium ethoxide prior to cytochemical analysis. Neuraminidase pretreatment of plastic-embedded sections of Xenopus laevis eyecups leads to a loss of wheat germ agglutinin binding and a concomitant appearance of Ricinus communis agglutinin binding to the interphotoreceptor matrix. In contrast, wheat germ agglutinin binding to the outer segments is not altered by the neuraminidase pretreatment. These results suggest that wheat germ agglutinin binding sites of interphotoreceptor matrix are sialoglyconjugates and that outer segment binding sites are not sialoglycoconjugates. Enzyme digestions followed by lectin cytochemistry of matrix polypeptides separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis do not identify a likely candidate to give rise to the cytochemical staining patterns. Lectin cytochemistry of retinas from which the interphotoreceptor matrix has been extracted do not show a loss of wheat germ agglutinin binding sites to the matrix. These results suggest that the major wheat germ agglutinin binding sites in the interphotoreceptor matrix are to as yet unidentified sialoglycoconjugates.
Nonzero temperature transport near fractional quantum Hall critical points

In an earlier work, Damle and the author [Phys. Rev. B 56, 8714 (1997)] demonstrated the central role played by incoherent, inelastic processes in transport near two-dimensional quantum critical points. This paper extends these results to the case of a quantum transition between a fractional quantized Hall state and an insulator, induced by varying the strength of an external periodic potential. We use the quantum field theory for this transition introduced by Chen, Fisher, and Wu [Phys. Rev. B 48, 13 749 (1993)]. The longitudinal and Hall conductivities at the critical point are both ${e}^{2}/h$ times nontrivial, fully universal functions of $\ensuremath{\Elzxh}\ensuremath{\omega}{/k}_{B}T$ (\ensuremath{\omega} is the measuring frequency). These functions are computed using a combination of perturbation theory on the Kubo formula, and the solution of a quantum Boltzmann equation for the anyonic quasiparticles and quasiholes. The results include the values of the dc conductivities $(\ensuremath{\Elzxh}\ensuremath{\omega}{/k}_{B}\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{T}0);$ earlier work was restricted strictly to $T=0,$ and therefore computed only the high frequency ac conductivities with $\ensuremath{\Elzxh}\ensuremath{\omega}{/k}_{B}\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{T}\ensuremath{\infty}.$
Uncharged thioflavin-T derivatives bind to amyloid-beta protein with high affinity and readily enter the brain.

Abstract In vivo assessment of the beta-sheet proteins deposited in amyloid plaques (Aβ peptide) or neurofibrillary tangles (tau protein) presents a target for the development of biological markers for Alzheimer's disease (AD). In an effort to develop in vivo beta-sheet imaging probes, derivatives of thioflavin-T (ThT) were synthesized and evaluated. These compounds lack the positively charged quaternary heterocyclic nitrogen of ThT and are therefore uncharged at physiological pH. They are 600-fold more lipophilic than ThT. These ThT derivatives bind to Aβ(1-40) fibrils with higher affinity (K i = 20.2 nM) than ThT (K i = 890 nM). The uncharged ThT derivatives stained both plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in post-mortem AD brain, showing some preference for plaque staining. A carbon-11 labeled compound, [N-methyl- 11 C]6-Me-BTA-1, was prepared, and its brain entry and clearance were studied in Swiss-Webster mice. This compound entered the brain at levels comparable to commonly used neuroreceptor imaging agents (0.223 %ID-kg/g or 7.61 %ID/g at 2 min post-injection) and showed good clearance of free and non-specifically bound radioactivity in normal rodent brain tissue (brain clearance t 1/2 = 20 min). The combination of relatively high affinity for amyloid, specificity for staining plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in post-mortem AD brain, and good brain entry and clearance makes [N-methyl- 11 C]6-Me-BTA-1 a promising candidate as an in vivo positron emission tomography (PET) beta-sheet imaging agent.
Linear multiuser detectors for synchronous code-division multiple-access channels

Under the assumptions of symbol-synchronous transmissions and white Gaussian noise, the authors analyze the detection mechanism at the receiver, comparing different detectors by their bit error rates in the low-background-noise region and by their worst-case behavior in a near-far environment where the received energies of the users are not necessarily similar. Optimum multiuser detection achieves important performance gains over conventional single-user detection at the expense of computational complexity that grows exponentially with the number of users. It is shown that in the synchronous case the performance achieved by linear multiuser detectors is similar to that of optimum multiuser detection. Attention is focused on detectors whose linear memoryless transformation is a generalized inverse of the matrix of signature waveform crosscorrelations, and on the optimum linear detector. It is shown that the generalized inverse detectors exhibit the same degree of near-far resistance as the optimum multiuser detectors. The optimum linear detector is obtained. >
Some structural consequences of diffusion

This study investigates the diffusion and structural adaptation of quotative be like into a rural African American speech community. The data come from a longitudinal corpus of recordings (1988–2010) with rural African American Vernacular English (AAVE) speakers born between 1894–2002. Previous research suggests other innovative AAVE features have diffused into this community from neighboring urban areas (Cukor-Avila 1995, 2001; Cukor-Avila & Bailey 1995b, 1996) approximately a generation after they appear in urban varieties. The present analysis supports Cukor-Avila (2002) that be like has followed a similar path of diffusion, and adds new recordings of young speakers to provide necessary data to explore the transmission of be like in the community, its continued diffusion, and how these processes reinforce each other as be like becomes the primary means of expressing quoted speech. In addition, the present study explores how quotative be like has been structurally adapted into the AAVE copula system. (AAVE, transmission, diffusion, adaptation, quotative be like)*
Importance of left atrial timing in the programming of dual-chamber pacemakers.

Abstract To determine the hemodynamic effect of different programmed atrioventricular (AV) delays and the importance of the actual timing of left atrial (LA) depolarization, 16 patients with dual-chamber pacemakers were studied and all were found to have an optimal programmed AV delay for cardiac function. However, randomly chosen AV delays of 150, 200 or 250 ms actually provided worse stroke volume than VVI pacing in 7 patients. The optimal programmed AV delay was variable between patients and was related to the interatrial conduction delay, measured as the time from right atrial pacing artifact to LA depolarization (mean 144 ± 82 ms, range 70 to 380.) Patients with short interatrial delays (≤90 ms) were served better by shorter programmed AV delays (150 ms), and patients with longer interatrial delays (≥120 ms) were served better by longer programmed AV delays (≥200 ms) (p
The R-curve response of ceramics with microscopic reinforcements: Reinforcement and additive effects

Using direct observations with the scanning electron and optical microscopes, simultaneous measurements of fracture resistance versus crack length (R-curve behavior) and crack interactions with microstructural features at the crack tip and in its wake were made. Selecting whisker-reinforced aluminas and self-reinforced silicon nitrides, one can examine the effects of systematic modifications of microstructure and composition on the R-curve response and the mechanisms giving rise to it. Specifically, increases in whisker content and size can increase the R-Curve response, even for short crack lengths. In the self-reinforced silicon nitrides, changes in alumina:yttria additive ratios also modify the R-curve. Modelling of the R-curve response allows one to verify toughening mechanisms and, with experimental studies, to optimize the R-curve behaviour in ceramics containing microscopic reinforcements, e.g., whiskers and elongated grain structures.
ZDOCK predictions for the CAPRI challenge

The CAPRI Challenge is a blind test of protein-protein-docking algorithms that predict the complex structure from the crystal structures of the interacting proteins. We participated in both rounds of this blind test and submitted predictions for all seven targets, relying mainly on our Fast Fourier Transform based algorithm ZDOCK that combines shape complementarity, desolvation, and electrostatics. Our group made good predictions for three targets and had at least some success with three others. Implications of the treatment of prior biological information as well as contributions of manual inspection to docking predictions are also discussed.
Electromagnetic wave absorption of multi-walled carbon nanotube–epoxy composites in the R band

Multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)–epoxy composites with MWCNT (outer diameter 8–15 nm) loadings from 0.1 to 5 wt% were fabricated. The morphologies, conductivities, dielectric permittivities, and electromagnetic (EM) wave absorptions of the MWCNT–epoxy composites were investigated. The results showed that the EM wave absorptions strongly depended on the complex permittivities of the composites. An abrupt enhancement of conductivity by 9 orders of magnitude for the composite sample with 5 wt% MWCNT loading was observed, which is associated with a sharp improvement in the electromagnetic absorption in the R band (26.5–40 GHz) and is characterized by the formation of a conductive network structure consisting of separated MWCNT aggregates and connected MWCNT bundle bridges in the composites. The electrically-conductive composite allows charge transport between the conductive MWCNT components and contributes to the substantial improvement of the electromagnetic absorption of the MWCNT–epoxy composites.
Sue1p is required for degradation of labile forms of altered cytochromes C in yeast mitochondria.

Abstract Previous studies on certain altered holo-isocytochromes c revealed a ρ–-dependent degradation (RDD) phenotype, in which certain altered holo-iso-1-cytochromes c are at normal or nearly normal levels in ρ+ strains, but are at low levels or absent in ρ– strains, although wild-type holo-iso-1-cytochrome c is present at normal levels in both ρ+ and related ρ– strains. The diminished levels of altered holo-iso-1-cytochrome c are due to the rapid degradation that is carried out by a novel proteolytic pathway in the IMS of mitochondria. SUE1, a nuclear gene that encodes a mitochondrial protein, was identified with a genetic screen for mutants that diminish RDD. The levels of RDD and certain other types of altered holo-iso-1-cytochrome c were elevated in ρ– sue1 strains. Also, ρ+ sue1 strains containing certain altered holo-iso-1-cytochromes c grew better on non-fermentable carbon sources than the corresponding ρ+ SUE1 strains. These results indicate that Sue1p may play an important role in the degradation of abnormal holo-iso-1-cytochrome c in the mitochondria.
An approach to crystallizing proteins by metal-mediated synthetic symmetrization

Combining the concepts of synthetic symmetrization with the approach of engineering metal-binding sites, we have developed a new crystallization methodology termed metal-mediated synthetic symmetrization. In this method, pairs of histidine or cysteine mutations are introduced on the surface of target proteins, generating crystal lattice contacts or oligomeric assemblies upon coordination with metal. Metal-mediated synthetic symmetrization greatly expands the packing and oligomeric assembly possibilities of target proteins, thereby increasing the chances of growing diffraction-quality crystals. To demonstrate this method, we designed various T4 lysozyme (T4L) and maltose-binding protein (MBP) mutants and cocrystallized them with one of three metal ions: copper (Cu2+), nickel (Ni2+), or zinc (Zn2+). The approach resulted in 16 new crystal structures—eight for T4L and eight for MBP—displaying a variety of oligomeric assemblies and packing modes, representing in total 13 new and distinct crystal forms for these proteins. We discuss the potential utility of the method for crystallizing target proteins of unknown structure by engineering in pairs of histidine or cysteine residues. As an alternate strategy, we propose that the varied crystallization-prone forms of T4L or MBP engineered in this work could be used as crystallization chaperones, by fusing them genetically to target proteins of interest.
A RAPID SCAN SPECTROGRAPH FOR PLASMA SPECTROSCOPY

An ultrarapid scanning spectrograph, having a spectral scan speed of from 10 to 200 A/μsec and a scanning range of 210 A, is described. This spectrograph was employed to obtain time-resolved Hα, Hβ, and Hγ line profiles, and line-to-continuum ratios, in a shock-heated hydrogen plasma. Electron densities were determined at various times behind the shock front from the Stark-broadened lines and the plasma temperature was obtained from the line-to-continuum ratio. The electron densities obtained from the three lines were found to compare remarkably well. In addition, it was possible to utilize the Saha equation and correlate the time-behavior of the electron density with the temperature and atom density measurements.
A Novel Method for Enhanced Recovery of Lignin from Aqueous Process Streams

Abstract This study demonstrates that acid precipitation of lignin in the presence of magnetite followed by an applied magnetic field provides a simple method for enhanced lignin recovery from an aqueous stream. The extraction procedure was shown to be sensitive to the relative charge of magnetite and solution pH. Under optimized conditions, 93 wt.% of the softwood lignin from a kraft cooking liquor could be recovered employing this novel separation approach.
Creating the CDIO Syllabus, a universal template for engineering education

This paper details how a team at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology identified and codified a set of goals for engineering education, which can serve as the basis for curricular improvement and outcome based assessment. The result of two years of scholarship, these goals are embodied in the CDIO Syllabus, A Statement of Goals for Undergraduate Engineering Education. The specific CDIO (conceive-design-implement-operate) Syllabus objective is to create rational, complete, universal and generalizable goals for undergraduate engineering education. The Syllabus focuses on personal, interpersonal and system building skills, and leaves a placeholder for the disciplinary fundamentals appropriate for any specific field of engineering. It complements and significantly expands on ABET's criteria. The process of adapting the Syllabus to a degree program includes a survey step to determine the desired level of proficiency in the designated skills that is, by consensus, expected of program's graduates. With rationale, detail and broad applicability, the CDIO Syllabus' principal value is that it can be generalized to serve as a model from which any university's engineering programs may derive specific learning outcomes. A work in progress, we encourage examination, comment and potential adoption. Widespread adoption of the Syllabus will facilitate sharing of the best curricular and pedagogic approaches, and it will promote the development of standardized assessment tools.
Ricin and Other Toxalbumins

This article is a revision of the previous edition article by Mark A. Hostetler, volume 3, pp 702–704, © 2005, Elsevier Inc.
Identification, assessment, and management of pain in patients with advanced dementia

Abstract Patients with advanced dementia have a high symptom burden at end of life. Many of those with dementia have reports of symptoms similar to those without dementia, yet are treated less frequently. Pain is a prevalent symptom that can be underrecognized because of the ability of the patient to self-report. Several tools are available to help with the identification of pain, but they should only be one aspect in the overall assessment. Health care providers must anticipate this and screen for and treat potential pain. This includes obtaining a self-report, searching for potential causes for pain, observing patient behavior, gaining proxy reporting of pain, and attempting an appropriate analgesic trial. It is beneficial for all those involved with a patient's care to screen for pain because of the potential benefits in decreasing behaviors and subsequent antipsychotic use.