cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multiple-Hit Parameter Estimation in Monolithic Detectors

We examine a maximum-a-posteriori method for estimating the primary interaction position of gamma rays with multiple interaction sites (hits) in a monolithic detector. In assessing the performance of a multiple-hit estimator over that of a conventional one-hit estimator, we consider a few different detector and readout configurations of a 50-mm-wide square cerium-doped lutetium oxyorthosilicate block. For this study, we use simulated data from SCOUT, a Monte-Carlo tool for photon tracking and modeling scintillation- camera output. With this tool, we determine estimate bias and variance for a multiple-hit estimator and compare these with similar metrics for a one-hit maximum-likelihood estimator, which assumes full energy deposition in one hit. We also examine the effect of event filtering on these metrics; for this purpose, we use a likelihood threshold to reject signals that are not likely to have been produced under the assumed likelihood model. Depending on detector design, we observe a 1%-12% improvement of intrinsic resolution for a 1-or-2-hit estimator as compared with a 1-hit estimator. We also observe improved differentiation of photopeak events using a 1-or-2-hit estimator as compared with the 1-hit estimator; more than 6% of photopeak events that were rejected by likelihood filtering for the 1-hit estimator were accurately identified as photopeak events and positioned without loss of resolution by a 1-or-2-hit estimator; for PET, this equates to at least a 12% improvement in coincidence-detection efficiency with likelihood filtering applied.
Course of dermal ulcers and musculoskeletal involvement in systemic sclerosis patients in the scleroderma lung study

Objective To evaluate changes in vascular and musculoskeletal involvement in subjects in the Scleroderma Lung Study, a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, controlled trial comparing placebo treatment with oral cyclophosphamide (CYC) for 1 year in systemic sclerosis patients with interstitial lung disease. Subjects were then followed off the study agent for an additional 12 months. Methods The following parameters were noted at baseline and every 6 months for each patient: digital tip ulcers, other dermal ulcers, joint swelling, joint tenderness, large joint contractures, muscle tenderness, muscle weakness, oral aperture, hand extension, and fist closure. Results A total of 158 patients were enrolled from 13 centers in the US; 79 were randomized to the CYC group and 79 to the placebo group. There were no differences in dermal ulcer and musculoskeletal measures between the CYC and placebo groups at baseline and 12 and 24 months. Improvement in percent predicted forced vital capacity was associated with improvement in the Rodnan skin thickness score (P < 0.05) at 12 and 24 months, and with increased mean oral aperture at 24 months (P = 0.005). Conclusion These data document the frequency and course of these vascular and musculoskeletal features over time, therefore providing essential information for sample size calculations and magnitude of effect in future clinical trials. There was no treatment effect of CYC on the vascular and musculoskeletal features described.
The Influence of Bacterial Diet on Fat Storage in C. elegans

Background: The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has emerged as an important model for studies of the regulation of fat storage. C. elegans feed on bacteria, and various strains of E. coli are commonly used in research settings. However, it is not known whether particular bacterial diets affect fat storage and metabolism. Methodology/Principal Findings: Fat staining of fixed nematodes, as well as biochemical analysis of lipid classes, revealed considerable differences in fat stores in C. elegans growing on four different E. coli strains. Fatty acid composition and carbohydrate levels differ in the E. coli strains examined in these studies, however these nutrient differences did not appear to have a causative effect on fat storage levels in worms. Analysis of C. elegans strains carrying mutations disrupting neuroendocrine and otherfat-regulatory pathways demonstrated that the intensityof Nile Red staining of live worms does not correlate well with biochemical methods of fat quantification. Several neuroendocrine pathway mutants and eating defective mutants show higher or lower fat storage levels than wild type, however, these mutants still show differences in fat stores when grown on different bacterial strains. Of all the mutants tested, only pept-1 mutants, which lack a functional intestinal peptide transporter, fail to show differential fat stores. Furthermore, fatty acid analysis of triacylglycerol stores reveals an inverse correlation between total fat stores and the levels of 15-methylpalmitic acid, derived from leucine catabolism. Conclusions: These studies demonstrate that nutritional cues perceived in the intestine regulate fat storage levels independently of neuroendocrine cues. The involvement of peptide transport and the accumulation of a fatty acid product derived from an amino acid suggest that specific peptides or amino acids may provide nutritional signals regulating fat metabolism and fat storage levels.
Improved Efficiency in Poly(3-hexylthiophene)/Zinc Oxide Solar Cells via Lithium Incorporation

The efficiency of poly(3-hexylthiophene)/zinc oxide planar heterojunction solar cells is on average raised by a factor of 2.9 by incorporating lithium during the sol−gel processing of the metal oxide layer. Studies performed on over 300 diodes show systematic increases in both open-circuit voltage (Voc) and short-circuit current (Jsc) up to an optimum Li concentration between 15 and 20 atom %. Compared to pure ZnO devices, the incorporation of lithium improves the Voc and Jsc by an average of 42 and 90%, respectively. For the best device, the efficiency increases by a factor of 7.5, yielding a power conversion efficiency of 0.44%, which is approaching the efficiency of the state-of-the-art nanostructured hybrid solar cells. Enhancements in Voc are attributed to a larger donor−acceptor energy band edge offset due to a rigid shift of Zn1−xLixO energy levels toward to the vacuum level with Li incorporation. Jsc improvements arise from a higher surface roughness with lithium incorporation and from better P3HT...
Doubling and superposition methods in the presence of thermal emission

Abstract This extension permits thermal emission problems to be treated through the calculation (for different levels within a layer) of a function (vector) which is closely related to the photon-escape probabilities from that level.
Differences in Competencies between Doctoral Students On-Campus and at a Distance

Abstract This article describes differences between on‐campus and distance learners by knowledge, skills, and abilities. On‐campus doctoral students at Texas A&M University were compared with doctoral students enrolled in a distance education program offered jointly with Texas Tech University. Student perceptions of their competency levels were gathered using a mixed mailed/Internet questionnaire. On‐campus and distance education students had different levels of competence. Competency models can serve faculty and administrators as an assessment tool for strategic decision making and development of courses and curricula. This study provides a model for benchmarking competencies and provides baseline data for making such changes.
Antimony adsorption on silicon

Abstract The kinetic behavior of antimony films adsorbed on clean silicon surfaces has been measured versus temperature and coverage using LEED, Auger and thermal desorption. Sb adsorbs in two distinct modes, seen in a high and a low temperature desorption peak. The high temperature peak fills up to one monolayer on the Si(111) surface with a desorption rate K D given by K D = K DO = exp(− K D / k T) N DS , with K DO = 1.5 × 10 9 s −1 , E D = 2.46 eV, and N DS = Sb coverage. Growth of this phase is two-dimensional. Higher Sb coverage adsorbs in the low temperature peak as bulk Sb on Sb with E D = 1.49 eV and grows without population limit in a three-dimensional mode. The residence time of Sb atoms on the surface, τ = K D −1 , varies from 10 5 to 10 s over the temperature range 600 to 950°C; this determines transient smearing during MBE growth of Si.
Salivary thiocyanate in pregnant smokers: a comparison of two collection methods.

Abstract Two simple methods of obtaining a salivary thiocyanate sample were tested to determine (1) if salivary thiocyanate could adequately differentiate a group of pregnant women into smokers and nonsmokers and (2) whether the simpler collection method of having the woman spit directly into the container produced as good a measurement of smoking exposure as having the woman chew a dental roll. Results show that thiocyanate measured from saliva samples collected by either of the two tested methods discriminates smokers from nonsmokers among pregnant women. The method of spitting directly into the collection container resulted in as good a discrimination of smokers from nonsmokers as results from the more complicated method of having subjects chew a dental roll. Advantages of using the direct method in large research projects are discussed. This is the first documentation that salivary thiocyanate distinguishes smokers from non-smokers during pregnancy. The salivary data are consistent with earlier observations of higher serum thiocyanate levels during pregnancy, suggesting that thiocyanate may be metabolized differently during this time.
Passage of certain penicillins into the uterine tubal fluid of estrous and pregnant rabbits

Abstract Four penicillins, procaine penicillin G (PPG), potassium penicillin G (KPG), sodium ampicillin (SA), and benzathine penicillin G (BPG) were administered intramuscularly at the rate of 300,000 units per rabbit. Estrous uterine tubal fluids were collected from rabbits during estrous and the concentrations of PPG, KPG, SA and BPG found in estrous rabbit uterine tubal fluid following two, 300,000 units intramuscular injections at 24 hour intervals were 0.20± .0017 U/ml and 0.44± .010 U/ml for PPG; 0.038± 0.006 and 0.033± 0.004 for KPG and 0.019± 0.004 and 0.18± 0.001 for SA and from 0.027± 0.002 to a low of 0.002± 0.002 U/ml after 96 hours post injection for BPG. Probenecid reduced the concentration of PPG and SA in uterine tubal fluid 50% when compared with nonprobenecid treated rabbits. A close correlation between the plasma and uterine tubal fluid concentrations of PPG, SA, and KPG was also found. The concentrations of PPG, KPG, and SA were reduced by about 50% during day 2, 3 and 4 of pregnancy.
Deoxyribonucleic acid base composition and taxonomy of some protozoa.

THE characteristics by which organisms are recognized are the expressions of the information contained in their nucleic acids. As such, a knowledge of their DNA base composition, or if possible the base sequences of some organisms, should be a valuable asset in their classification. Lee, Wahl and Barbu1were the first to recognize the taxonomic importance of analysing the average DNA base compositions of micro-organisms. While the overall base compositions of some unrelated organisms may be the same, this equivalence would appear to be a minimum requirement for extensive base sequence homologies2and genetic compatibility (except in certain cases of F-duction3). Thus, similar DNA base compositions in two organisms might indicate close relationships whereas dissimilar base compositions would indicate that the organisms are unrelated.
Parathyroid hormonelike protein from human renal carcinoma cells. Structural and functional homology with parathyroid hormone

A variety of solid tumors secrete proteins that are immunochemically distinct from parathyroid hormone (PTH) but activate PTH-responsive adenylate cyclase. Such PTH-like proteins have been proposed as mediators of the hypercalcemia and hypophosphatemia frequently associated with malignancies. We purified to apparent homogeneity a PTH-like protein with a molecular weight of 6,000, that is produced by human renal carcinoma cells. The amino-terminal sequence of the PTH-like protein and that of human PTH were found to display at least five identities in the first 13 positions. The purified protein bound to PTH receptors, activated adenylate cyclase in renal plasma membranes, and stimulated cAMP formation in rat osteosarcoma cells. The PTH-like protein reproduced two additional effects of PTH, stimulation of bone resorption in fetal rat limb bone cultures and inhibition of phosphate uptake in cultured opossum kidney cells. These properties are consistent with a role for PTH-like proteins as mediators of the syndrome of malignancy-associated hypercalcemia.
Morphological and Functional Questions on the Growth and Plasticity of Mammalian and Avian Jaw Muscles

SYNOPSIS: Growth studies of mammalian jaw muscles and studies determining the degree of plasticity of these muscles are few. There are questions concerning the degrees and types of morphological and physiological change occurring in these muscles during normal growth and the ability of external forces to modify this growth process. There are also questions on the effects of sensory loss on muscle growth and on changes in the motor system as these muscles change. In this report, questions are proposed and hypotheses presented that deal with these areas relative to the jaw muscles. It is suggested that (1) changes in the morphology and function of jaw muscles during growth vary regionally and are related to the action of the muscle and the loading forces imposed; (2) the degree of muscle plasticity varies regionally and varies depending on the type of loading forces and age of the animal; (3) loss of sensory input during the growth of the jaw muscles would produce marked changes in the histochemical profile, the distribution of motor neurons, and the activity pattern of these muscles; and (4) organization of the trigeminal motor nucleus changes as the jaw muscles grow and may also change in response to sensory loss or application of different types of loading forces. In addition, possible approaches to these questions are discussed.
Contribution of Motion Information to Maternal Face Discrimination in Infancy

The contribution of motion and feature invariant information in infants' discrimination of maternal versus female stranger faces was assessed. Using an infant controlled habituation—dishabituation procedure, 4- and 8-month-old infants (N = 62) were tested for their ability to discriminate between their mother and a female stranger in 4 different conditions varying whether motion or feature information about the faces was available. The faces were presented in a still or dynamic video image with either a positive or a negative contrast. In each condition, infants habituated to a stranger's face and then viewed, in 3 pairs of alternating novelty test trials, either a new stranger or their mother's face. Results show that motion information contributes to the 8-month-old infants', but not the 4-month-old infants' discrimination of maternal faces. These results are interpreted in relation to recent findings and models in the adult literature suggesting that there is an enhanced contribution of dynamic informa...
A macro-micro approach to analyzing the determinants of price changes

Abstract This paper suggests an approach to analyzing the determinants of changes in industrial prices which provides a bridge between the broad macro perspectives of the Walrasian approach and the narrowly focussed micro approach of traditional demand and supply analysis. The analytical usefulness of the proposed approach is then explored through applications to several industrial price series. Finally, efforts are made to account for some of the interactions between product-specific short-term price adjustments and wider as well as longer-term price movements.
Interactions between organic nitrates and thiol groups

Nitroglycerin and the organic nitrates (RONO2) can be considered prodrugs that require conversion to an active intracellular moiety that initiates vascular smooth muscle relaxation. Vasodilation of veins and arteries occurs when the enzyme guanylate cyclase (GC) is activated, initiating the conversion of guanosine triphosphate (GTP) to cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP); this is the final pathway for vascular dilation caused by the nitrovasodilators (organic nitrates, sodium nitroprusside, and molsidomine) as well as endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF). The common denominator appears to be the intracellular production of nitric oxide (NO), which is the activated product of organic nitrate denitration. Nitrate tolerance has been associated with a relative depletion or unavailability of thiol groups that are involved in the initial step of denitration of RONO2. Sulfhydryl groups (SH) are oxidized during this process; with continuous nitrate exposure, decreased nitrate metabolism within the vascular smooth muscle cell occurs as a direct result of the depletion of reduced SH groups. Thus, less NO is formed and cGMP production is diminished, with a subsequent decrease or absence of vasodilation. In addition, SH groups or thiols are required for the production of S-nitrosothiols (RSNO). These short-lived compounds have been identified as an end product of organic nitrate metabolism and as possibly obligatory for the induction of GC. It is unclear, however, as to whether S-nitrosothiols are a necessary by-product of NO production from organic nitrates. It appears that RSNO can be formed outside the cell membrane and may be able to induce vasorelaxation after penetrating the cell and initiating GC activation. Exogenous SH donors, particularly N-acetylcysteine (NAC), have been employed to provide intracellular thiols in efforts to prevent or reverse nitrate tolerance. Nitrate physiologic actions are accentuated following NAC administration in the absence of tolerance. Although controversial, the concept that NAC or other thiols might be able to prevent the development of nitrate tolerance is being actively studied in laboratories around the world. Methionine has also been utilized as an SH donor with some success. Not all data are consistent, however, and the ultimate role of thiol donors for the prevention or reversal of nitrate tolerance remains uncertain. Finally, there has been considerable interest in supplying thiols by use of the SH-containing angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, such as captopril. This approach does not seem promising, probably because insufficient thiol can be supplied by therapeutic dosages of these drugs.
The influence of morphology of electrodeposited Cu2O and Fe2O3 on the conversion efficiency of TiO2 nanotube photoelectrochemical solar cells

Abstract Titania (TiO2) nanotubes have broad potential for photoelectrochemical solar cell applications for the production of hydrogen, due to their high surface area and 1D transport properties. However, TiO2's large bandgap of 3.2 eV limits its absorption to the UV portion of the solar spectrum. Two candidate materials investigated in this experiment are cuprous oxide (Cu2O) and hematite (α-Fe2O3). We have used electrodeposition to pair these narrow bandgap (∼2 eV) materials with TiO2 and investigated their photoelectrochemical response. We show that the photoelectrochemical performance in the visible can be enhanced with the addition of these two materials, resulting in integrated quantum efficiencies of up to 2%. We have also identified that there is a strong morphological link between the photoelectrochemical performance of Cu2O on TiO2 nanotubes due to a light shadowing effect, but that the Fe2O3 is more flexible in terms of what morphology can produce enhanced photocurrent efficiencies.
Practical Recognition System for Text Printed on Clear Reflected Material

Text embedded in an image contains useful information for applications in the medical, industrial, commercial, and research fields. While many systems have been designed to correctly identify text in images, no work addressing the recognition of degraded text on clear plastic has been found. This paper posits novel methods and an apparatus for extracting text from an image with the practical assumption: (a) poor background contrast, (b) white, curved, and/or differing fonts or character width between sets of images, (c) dotted text printed on curved reflective material, and/or (d) touching characters. Methods were evaluated using a total of 100 unique test images containing a variety of texts captured from water bottles. These tests averaged a processing time of ~10 seconds (using MATLAB R2008A on an HP 8510 W with 4 G of RAM and 2.3 GHz of processor speed), and experimental results yielded an average recognition rate of 90 to 93% using customized systems generated by the proposed development.
Effect of Postoperative Mechanical Axis Alignment on the Fifteen-Year Survival of Modern, Cemented Total Knee Replacements

Background: One long-held tenet of total knee arthroplasty is that implant durability is maximized when postoperative limb alignment is corrected to 0° ± 3° relative to the mechanical axis. Recently, substantial health-care resources have been devoted to computer navigation systems that allow surgeons to more often achieve that alignment. We hypothesized that a postoperative mechanical axis of 0° ± 3° would result in better long-term survival of total knee arthroplasty implants as compared with that in a group of outliers. Methods: Clinical and radiographic data were reviewed retrospectively to determine the fifteen-year Kaplan-Meier survival rate following 398 primary total knee arthroplasties performed with cement in 280 patients from 1985 to 1990. Preoperatively, most knees were in varus mechanical alignment (mean and standard deviation, 6° ± 8.8° of varus [range, 30° of varus to 22° of valgus]), whereas postoperatively most knees were corrected to neutral (mean and standard deviation, 0° ± 2.8° [range, 8° of varus to 9° of valgus]). Postoperatively, we defined a mechanically aligned group of 292 knees (with a mechanical axis of 0° ± 3°) and an outlier group of 106 knees (with a mechanical axis of beyond 0° ± 3°). Results: At the time of the latest follow-up, forty-five (15.4%) of the 292 implants in the mechanically aligned group had been revised for any reason, compared with fourteen (13%) of the 106 implants in the outlier group (p = 0.88); twenty-seven (9.2%) of the 292 implants in the mechanically aligned group had been revised because of aseptic loosening, mechanical failure, wear, or patellar problems, compared with eight (7.5%) of the 106 implants in the outlier group (p = 0.88); and seventeen (5.8%) of the 292 implants in the mechanically aligned group had been revised because of aseptic loosening, mechanical failure, or wear, compared with four (3.8%) of the 106 implants in the outlier group (p = 0.49). Conclusions: A postoperative mechanical axis of 0° ± 3° did not improve the fifteen-year implant survival rate following these 398 modern total knee arthroplasties. We believe that describing alignment as a dichotomous variable (aligned versus malaligned) on the basis of a mechanical axis goal of 0° ± 3° is of little practical value for predicting the durability of modern total knee arthroplasty implants. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Developmental patterns of heart rate and variability in prematurely-born infants with apnea of prematurity

At equivalent post-conceptional ages, prematurely-born infants have higher heart rates and reduced heart rate variability, relative to full-term neonates. Premature birth might exert long-lasting effects on central and peripheral mechanisms that control cardiovascular activity. We assessed development of heart rate and heart rate variability in symptomatic preterm infants up to 6 months of age. Fifty 6.5-h evening recordings of EKG and breathing were obtained from prematurely-born infants (gestational ages: 24-35 weeks). Cardiac R-R intervals were captured with a resolution of +/- 0.5 msec. One-min epochs were selected from three periods of regular respiration in recordings from premature infants and 72 recordings of full-term infants at comparable post-conceptional ages. Mean heart rate and heart rate variability were determined for each recording. At 40 weeks post-conception, prematurely-born infants with apnea of prematurity showed higher heart rates and reduced heart rate variability than did full-term neonates. These differences between premature and full-term infants persisted throughout the next 6 months in those infants born prior to 30 weeks gestation, and in those infants born at 30-35 weeks who experienced respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) during the neonatal period. The findings suggest that premature delivery, or complications thereof, exerts long-lasting effects on cardiac control.
Bifurcation phenomena for an oxidation reaction in a continuously stirred tank reactor. III The inhibiting effect of an inert species

We extend an investigation into the static and dynamic multiplicity exhibited by the reaction of a fuel/air mixture in a continuously stirred tank reactor by considering the effect of adding a chemically inert species to the reaction mixture. The primary bifurcation parameter is taken to be the fuel fraction as this is the most important case from the perspective of fire-retardancy. We show how the addition of the inert species progressively changes the steady-state diagrams and flammability limits. We also briefly outline how heat-sink additives can be incorporated into our scheme.
Short communication: genetic evaluation of stillbirth in US Brown Swiss and Jersey cattle.

Stillbirth (SB) often results in reduced milk yield, compromised reproductive performance, and decreased dam longevity. Corrective mating can be used as a short-term solution to the problem, but long-term improvement of the population requires the routine calculation of genetic evaluations. Breeding values for SB have been available for Holstein (HO) bulls since 2006, but not for Brown Swiss (BS) or Jersey (JE) bulls. In this study, a multi-breed sire-maternal grandsire threshold model was used to perform genetic evaluations for SB of BS, JE, and HO bulls using more than 14 million purebred and crossbred calving records. Phenotypically, the percentage of SB (%SB) across all lactations were 3.7% in JE, 5.1% in BS, and 6.3% in HO. Direct heritabilities for BS, JE, and HO were 0.008, 0.007, and 0.008, and maternal heritabilities were 0.002, 0.016, and 0.021, respectively. Compared with HO, crossbred calvings from BS and JE bulls bred to HO cows lowered %SB by 1.5 and 1.2%, respectively. In general, %SB increased considerably as calving difficulty increased in all 3 breeds; however, in JE, %SB was constant for dystocia scores of 3 (needed assistance), 4 (considerable force), and 5 (extreme difficulty). Compared with purebred HO calvings, purebred BS and JE calvings had lower phenotypic %SB by up to 5.5 and 7.8%, respectively, and BS × HO and JE × HO crossbred calvings decreased %SB by up to 3.8 and 4.1%, respectively. As expected, SB rates in primiparous cows were higher than those in multiparous cows. Female calves had greater %SB than male calves in all parities for JE and in second-and-later parities for BS. Favorable (decreasing) phenotypic and genetic trends from 1999 to 2009 were observed in all 3 breeds. Heterosis of SB for BS and JE was −0.026 and −0.149, respectively, on the underlying scale, which corresponds to effects on service-sire SB (SSB) and daughter SB (DSB) predicted transmitting ability (PTA) of −0.3 and −0.5% in BS, and −1.5 and −2.7% in JE. Overall, in the current population, BS bulls had the most desirable average SSB PTA of 4.8%, compared with 5.6% for JE and 5.5% for HO. Brown Swiss and JE bulls both had average DSB PTA of 6.5%, lower than that of 7.7% in HO. Average reliabilities of SSB and DSB in 3 breeds ranged from 45 to 50%. The use of a BS-JE-HO multibreed genetic evaluation for SB in the United States is feasible, and the addition of SSB and DSB to the lifetime net merit selection index will help improve the profitability of BS and JE cattle in the United States.
Apoptosis and the maintenance of homoeostasis in the immune system

The regulation of cell proliferation and the selection against autoreactive cells in the lymphoid system both occur through the induction of apoptosis. Many of the signals that induce apoptosis in lymphocytes are now well defined. Interactions between Fas and its ligand have emerged as a major mechanism for the deletion of activated peripheral T cells and autoreactive B cells. Although the signal-transduction pathway leading from engagement of Fas to apoptosis is not entirely clear, significant advances have been made recently. There has also been progress in the elucidation of the mechanisms that regulate apoptosis in the immune system.
Stationarity of inflation and predictions of quantum cosmology.

We describe several different regimes which are possible in inflationary cosmology. The simplest one is inflation without self-reproduction of the Universe. In this scenario the Universe is not stationary. The second regime, which exists in a broad class of inflationary models, is eternal inflation with the self-production of inflationary domains. In this regime local properties of domains with a given density and given values of fields do not depend on the time when these domains were produced. The probability distribution to find a domain with given properties in a self-reproducing universe may or may not be stationary, depending on the choice of an inflationary model. We give examples of models where each of these possibilities can be realized, and discuss some implications of our results for quantum cosmology. In particular, we propose a new mechanism which may help solve the cosmological constant problem.
Cloud resource usage: extreme distributions invalidating traditional capacity planning models

For years Capacity Planning professionals knew or suspected that various characteristics of computer usage have non-normal distribution. At the same time much of the traditional workload modeling and forecasting is based on mathematical techniques assuming some sort of normality of underlying distributions. If the dissonance between the existing and assumed distribution exists, then resulting capacity models are of lower quality, with possibly erroneous forecasts - and confidence intervals much wider than expected.This paper analyzes distribution of daily resource usage on two storage clusters for 259 days. For each day we consider the distribution of resource usage by customer accounts for five different resources: storage used, storage transactions executed, internal network transfer, egress transfer and inter-data-center transfer - 2590 sample distributions in total.All distributions were highly imbalanced and far from normal and 94% of distribution samples have tails heavier than log-normal, exponential, or normal distributions. These findings spell significant problems for most models assuming normality. Mathematically: Central Limit Theorem does not apply to power-law distributions - so the 'averaging' effect cannot be counted on to help with modeling using traditional approach. Operationally: very high volatility found means that the 'capacity buffers' need to be large, leading to wasted capacity. Other, administrative, means need to be applied to reduce that.Overall the distributions of resource usage in cloud storage are so far from normal, even after usual transformations, that traditional approach to forecasting and capacity planning needs to be reconsidered.
7-Oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridines as Novel Inhibitors of Human Eosinophil Phosphodiesterase

High-throughput file screening against inhibition of human lung PDE4 led to the discovery of 3-ethyl-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-6-phenyl-7-oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridine (11) as a novel PDE4 inhibitor. Subsequent SAR development, using an eosinophil PDE assay, led to analogues up to 50-fold more potent than 11 with IC50 values of 0.03−1.6 μM. One such compound, CP-220,629 (22) (IC50 = 0.44 μM), was efficacious in the guinea pig aerosolized antigen induced airway obstruction assay (ED50 2.0 mg/kg, po) and demonstrated a significant reduction in eosinophil (55%), neutrophil (65%), and IL-1β (82%) responses to antigen challenge in atopic monkeys (10 mg/kg, po).
Water Resource Management in the Prospect Valley Area, Coloradoa

This paper is essentially a summary of observations and conclusions of a 3 year hydrologic study (Skinner, 1963) in Prospect Valley, Colorado. A general description of the area is presented, including a brief review of the geology and hydrology with special emphasis on the surface and ground-water supplies for irrigation. The effects of an artificial ground-water recharge operation on ground-water levels and ground-water quality are discussed. Based on historical water deliveries some water resource management aspects are proposed involving conjunctive use of surface and ground-water supplies.
Global imbalances, triangular trading patterns, and the yen/dollar exchange rate

Trade imbalances between Japan and the U.S. could cause the yen to appreciate against the dollar. Evidence presented here indicates that this could increase the U.S. trade deficit with Japan. An appreciation of the yen against the dollar would also cause the yen to appreciate against the RMB and other currencies in East Asia with heavily managed exchange rate regimes. Results reported here indicate that this would reduce the flow of capital and intermediate goods from Japan to East Asia, forcing firms to economize on sophisticated technology-intensive inputs that are difficult to procure elsewhere. This problem would be mitigated if countries in developing Asia adopted more flexible exchange rate regimes. J. Japanese Int. Economies 22 (4) (2008) 503–517.
Fibrinolytic activity in the normal and inflamed rectal mucosa.

In an attempt to determine whether an abnormal hemostatic mechanism may account for mucosal friability in active ulcerative colitis, rectal biopsy specimens from normal subjects and from patients with ulcerative colitis, or other inflammatory or radiation-induced disorders of the colon, were studied for fibrinolytic activity by the histochemical fibrin slide technique. Fibrinolytically active sites occurred more frequently in specimens from patients with active ulcerative colitis than in normal specimens. Plasminogen activator was present at sites in the edematous lamina propria.
MACHINE RECOGNITION AS REPRESENTATION AND SEARCH — A SURVEY

Generality, representation, and control have been the central issues in machine recognition. Model-based recognition is the search for consistent matches of model and image features. We present a comparative framework for the evaluation of different approaches, particularly those of ACRONYM, RAF, and Ikeuchi et al. The strengths and weaknesses of these approaches are discussed and compared, and remedies are suggested. Various trade-offs made in the implementations are analyzed with respect to the systems' intended task domains. The requirements for a versatile recognition system are motivated. Several directions for future research are pointed out.
Investigation of lifestyle choices of individuals following a vegan diet for health and ethical reasons

Abstract The proportion of individuals choosing to follow a vegan diet has increased in recent years. The choice is made for different reasons, primarily concern for animals (ethics) and health, which may impact both specific food choices and other lifestyle behaviors linked to health outcomes. To determine the extent to which the reason for following a vegan diet was associated with health behaviors, we conducted an online survey recruiting an international sample of 246 individuals who reported adhering to a vegan diet. We hypothesized that compared to those following the diet for ethical reasons, those doing so for health reasons would consume foods with higher nutritional value and engage in other healthier lifestyle behaviors. Our hypotheses were partially supported in that those citing health reasons (n = 45) reported eating more fruit (U = 3503.00, p = 0.02) and fewer sweets (U = 3347.00, p
Control/structure covariance optimization including performance robustness

The goal of this paper is to examine the benefits of integrated control/structure design optimization using covariance control in the presence of saturation limits and performance robustness. A key element of this approach is the use of a covariance parameterization of the control law, allowing saturation and performance robustness to be easily included. The controller design variables are the elements of the Cholesky decomposition of the closed loop system covariance matrix. Applying the approach to an example from the literature it was found that the total structural mass and the control effort were reduced while output rms for the nominal model was decreased. In addition, the optimizer was also able to meet the performance robustness constraints while reducing the performance robustness control effort measure. In examining the results, it was found that the optimizer judiciously altered the closed-loop system by adding phase between the modal resonance frequencies to improve the overall broad-band performance and to help with improving the robustness of the system.
Solution conformation of an essential region of the p53 transactivation domain

Background: The peptide segment surrounding residues Leu22 and Trp23 of the p53 transactivation domain plays a critical role in the transactivation activity of p53. This region binds basal transcriptional components such as the TATA-box binding protein associated factors TAF II 40 and TAF II 60 as well as the mdm-2 and adenovirus type 5 E1B 55 kDa oncoproteins. Results: The structure of residues 14–28 of p53 was studied by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and found to prefer a two- β -turn structure stabilized by a hydrophobic cluster consisting of residues known to be important for transactivation and binding to p53-binding proteins. A peptide segment in which Leu22 and Trp23 were replaced by Gln and Ser displays a random structure. Conclusions: This structural propensity observed in the wild-type p53 peptide is important for understanding the mechanism of transcriptional activation, because very few structural data are available on transactivation domains to date. These results should aid in the design of therapeutics that could competitively inhibit binding of p53 to the oncogene product mdm-2.
The quantitative effect of electronic noise on the accuracy of timing signals from a detector

Abstract Analysed in detail is the problem of the time distribution of pulses from a perfect trigger circuit (leading-edge, constant-fraction or other) fed by signal pulses of arbitrary but constant shape superposed on electronic noise. Evaluated for two particular cases are the full shape of the time distribution, its height, its width and the probability of missing an event. Methods are given for easily measuring all relevant parameters, so there are no adjustable parameters. For a linear, zero-crossing signal the noise results in an amplitude-dependent walk of ≥0.2 of the time required for the signal to change by a voltage equal to the standard deviation of the noise. For a rectangular signal pulse, the time distribution is a delta-function followed by an exponential, and the probability of missing it is evaluated. Also calculated is the complete noise spectrum as observed in a multichannel pulse-height analyser.
Short gravity wave periodicities during AIDA

Abstract During the AIDA campaign in Puerto Rico 1–12 April 1989, the intensities of four airglow emissions were monitored: 557.7 nm (OI), 589.3 nm (Na doublet), 630.0 nm (OI) and 732.5 nm (OH 8-3). Various average brightnesses are reported. We present a summary of the periodicities from one minute to one hour observed in the three emissions originating from the lower thermosphere, based on 36 h of observing time. The periods show a preference for shorter time scales and there is a noticeable midnight minimum in wave activity, although not in brightness level. Detailed data on 19 well-defined periodicities are presented. Evidence is also presented to indicate that when a disturbance was present simultaneously in more than one airglow layer, its period was usually somewhat longer in emission layers at higher altitudes.
Study of the reaction π−p → pπ+π−π−πo at 18.5 GeV/c☆

Abstract Analysis of 168 000 pictures of π−p interactions at 18.5 GeV/c in the BNL 80 inch hydrogen bubble chamber has yielded a clean sample of 3583 events of the type π−p → pπ+π−π−πo. The cross section for this reaction was determined to be 0.86 ± 0.12 mb. The reaction is peripheral, 77% of the events having four-momentum-transfer squared from target proton to outgoing proton less than 1.0 (GeV/c)2. Evidence is presented for the production of several resonances, the most abundant being ϱo,ϱ−,ωo,ηo,B−,ϱ(1710), and Δ++(1236). Masses, widths and production cross sections are given for the resonances. A cross section of 0.007 ± 0.002 mb was obtained for the production of the A−2 followed by an ηoπ− decay. The ratio [A 2 − ] → η o π − ] [A 2 − → (ϱπ) − ] was determined to be 0.28 ± 0.09.
Host/Parasite Interactions in Bacterial Endophthalmitis

Bacterial infections within the eye arise as complications of intraocular surgery, penetrating injury, or hematogenous spread from distant anatomical sites. Because: 1) the interior surfaces of the eye are lined with sensitive, nonregenerating tissues, 2) the inner chambers of the eye are relatively sequestered from circulating immunological components, 3) the integrity of blood-ocular barriers provides poor penetration of systemically administered antibiotics, and 4) aqueous and vitreous humor represent rich, relatively acellular culture media; endophthalmitis often progresses rapidly and total loss of vision frequently results. Years of clinical experience have shown that current therapies for endophthalmitis, including antimicrobials, antiinflammatory agents, and vitrectomy, are frequently unsuccessful in ameliorating destruction of intraocular tissues. While bacterial and host factors were thought to play key roles in the course and severity of endophthalmitis, it is only recently that their contributions have been experimentally defined. Molecular-based techniques are gaining increased use in the study of infectious eye diseases. Current findings regarding the host/parasite interactions within the eye are reviewed, and a resulting integrative model of the natural course of endophthalmitis proposed. A molecular-level understanding of the roles of both bacterial and host factors during endophthalmitis will likely reveal potential targets for therapeutic intervention aimed at salvaging vision.
Ultra-low power read-out integrated circuit design

In this paper, an ultra-low power, small size CMOS read-out-integrated-circuit (ROIC) is presented. This ROIC can interface wide dynamic range signal up to six orders (100pA-6mA) from deployable sensors, such as biomedical sensors, chemical sensors etc. A high performance automatic gain control (AGC) trans-impedance amplifier (TIA), is included in this ROIC. A novel technology of sub-threshold technique is applied in this design, which can save up to 96% (from 25.2mW to 0.89mW) power consumption comparing to the circuit operating in super-threshold. The proposed circuit also has the capability to output digital signals that can be transmitted wirelessly to the data center for further signal processing.
The thermolysis of heterocyclic aminimines

Aminimines derived from six heterocyclic tertiary amines were thermolyzed in t-butyl alcohol at ca. 80°. N-Methylindoline gave a good yield of the ring-opened product, and a double elimination on 1,4,4-trimethyl-piperidine gave 3,3-dimethyl-1,4-pentadiene. The aminimine derived from quinuclidine was stable to elimination under these conditions. Simple elimination products were not obtained from N-methyl-pyrrolidine, N-methylpiperidine, or N-methyltetrahydroisoquinoline.
A Proof‐of‐Concept Study of the Use of Complex Borides for Disassembly of Decommissioned Nuclear Reactor Containment Vessels

Tool specimens of hot pressed AlMgB14 were employed in lathe turning tests cutting exterior surface material from 6061 aluminum, 304 stainless steel, Inconel, and concrete at various cutting rates. Performance was measured via analysis of mass change (removal rate), wear mechanisms, surface chemistry (reactivity), and fracture mechanisms. Preliminary results indicate that this new family of ultra‐hard materials exhibits good cutting performance against all four workpiece materials, while combining favorable toughness with an unusual absence of tool heating, leading to minimal wear and anticipation of long life in application for sectioning of ferrous‐based metals and structures such as reinforced concrete containing such metals. The potential value of these new materials for use in disassembly of decommissioned nuclear reactor pressure vessels is discussed.
The detection of foot-and-mouth disease virus in oesophagealpharyngeal samples by a polymerase chain reaction technique

Abstract A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique was used to detect the presence of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) in oesophageal-pharyn-geal(OP) samples from experimentally infected steers. Ten-fold dilutions of OP samples were also diluted, inoculated onto lamb kidney cell cultures, and incubated overnight. The cultures that did not show overt cytopathogenic effects (CPE) of FMDV infection were frozen and thawed; both the fluid and the cell pellet were tested by the PCR technique. The PCR detected FMDV in the fluids of 57% of the cell cultures inoculated with 2–20 tissue culture infective doses-50% (TCID50) and of 33% of cell cultures inoculated with the 0.4–2 TCID50. The PCR detected FMDV in cell pellets of all cell cultures inoculated with 20 TCID50, of 71% of cell cultures inoculated with 2–20 TCID50 and of 50% of cell cultures inoculated with 0.2-2 TCID50. A diagnostic scheme using PCR and cell culture that would provide rapid and sensitive detection of FMDV in OP samples is proposed.
The Influence of Host Nutrition On the Morphometrics of Three Aphelenchoides Species (Nematoda: Aphelenchoidea)

The effects of nutrients on the dimensions and the sex of Aphelenchoides sacchari Hooper, A. rutgersi Hooper & Myers, and A. dactylocercus Hooper, were studied. Each species was reared on the fungus, Pyrenochaeta terrestris. Minor variations in body length, tail length, tail area and the length/breadth ratio were observed but the basic morphological characters of none of the species were significantly changed. The ratio of body length to tail length was consistently significantly different in the three Aphelenchoides species studied. A. rutgersi Hooper & Myers, 1971 appears to be a valid species: its tail length and the ratio of its length to tail length are intermediate between those of A. sacchari and A. dactylocercus. A. dactylocercus has the greatest tail length and the smallest ratio of body length to tail length. Males and intersexes were observed in Aphelenchoides sacchari and Aphelenchoides rutgersi, but there was no evidence of either in A. dactylocercus.
The Interface problem in Interactive systems

On-line computing implies a man-machine dialogue. It could be looked at as a communication channel with built-in constraints. We see a need to study in a systematic way how such constraints modify human behavior. Such studies will facilitate the needed specification for effective strategies in man-machine communication.