cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A near-vanishing 0+ → 0+ E0 matrix element in 58Ni

Abstract The branching ratio of the 0+ state of 58Ni at 2.94 MeV for decay by e+ − e− pair emission to the 0+ ground state is measured to be (2.2 ± 0.5) × 10−4. This corresponds to a matrix element of 35 × 10−5 single-particle units which is three orders of magnitude smaller than any previously measured E0 matrix element. The near-vanishing of this matrix element is discussed.
Efficient Multiresolution Counterparts to Variational Methods for Surface Reconstruction

Variational methods have been employed with considerable success in computer vision, particularly for surface reconstruction problems. Formulations of this type require the solution of computationally complex Euler?Lagrange partial differential equations (PDEs) to obtain the desired reconstructions. Further, the calculation of reconstruction error covariances for such approaches are usually neglected.In this paper we describe a computationally efficient multiscale approach to surface reconstruction which differs fundamentally from other multiresolution methods that are used to solve the Euler?Lagrange PDEs. Instead, we interpret the variational problem as a statistical estimation problem in order to define a nearby, but slightlydifferent, multiscale estimation problem that admits efficient solutions for both surface reconstructionandthe calculation of error statistics. In particular, the membrane and thin-plate variational models for surfaces are interpreted as 1/f2prior statistical models for the surface and its gradients, respectively. Such 1/f2behavior is then achieved using a recently introduced class of multiresolution models that admits algorithms with constant per-pixel computational complexity.
A numerical algorithm for singular optimal control synthesis using continuation methods

This paper presents an efficient computational method for the synthesis of singular optimal control problems. The proposed numerical procedure consists of two phases. In the first phase the original singular optimal control problem is converted into a non-singular one by adding to the performance index a perturbed (or weighted) energy term. The resultant boundary value problem can easily be solved for an appropriately large value of the perturbation parameter. In the second phase the solution obtained from the first phase is refined in a systematic manner based on continuation methods (imbedding methods or homotopy methods) until the optimal (or suboptimal) solution to the original problem is achieved. One of the major advantages of the proposed algorithm is that the resultant two-point boundary value problem need be solved just once for a properly large perturbation parameter and the refinement of the solution is accomplished by solving a set of initial value problems sequentially and/or in parallel as the perturbation parameter goes to zero. The proposed algorithm is therefore computationally efficient and applicable to a large class of optimal control problems with various boundary conditions (e.g. fixed and free terminal time). The practicability of the method is demonstrated by computer simulations on an example problem.
Analysis of magnetic circuits with given D-C. Excitation

Abstract The conventional method for determining the intensity of flux in magnetic circuits with given excitation is well known to be of the trial and error type of solution. Since this procedure entails considerable labor and is, in general, lacking in neatness and formality, it would seem desirable to develop a simple direct method of solution. The solution developed here is unique in the sense that it reduces the problem to the utilization of a single curve which is dependent upon the material alone and is strictly independent of the geometry of the core itself. This means that for a given material, the correct value of the flux may be obtained by employing the same curve for all magnetic circuits, regardless of the length and area of the core or the length and area of the air gap (or gaps).Since direct methods of the past require that a separate distinct curve be plotted for a given core, the method derived here presents a definite improvement over previous practices.
A pneumo-hydrostatic skeleton in land crabs

A sophisticated dual support system enables a crab to stay mobile immediately after moulting.
Deformation of Polycrystalline MgO at Elevated Temperatures

Stress-strain curves for five types of polycrystalline MgO are presented as a function of temperature. All types were nominally dense and pure but differed in grain size, composition, and porosity. Above 1200°C deformation occurred by grain boundary shearing accompanied in some cases by slip; below 800°C, specimens fractured primarily by grain boundary parting with little permanent strain. Between 800° and 1200°C, one type deformed plastically by slip; the other four types were brittle. The observed behavior is analyzed in terms of the presence of mobile dislocations, the resistance to dislocation motion, and the strength of grain boundaries.
Long-term projections of non-fuel minerals: We were wrong, but why?

Abstract This article revisits global projections made in 1981 of eight metallic and fertilizer minerals for the year 2000. The principal objectives of the present study are to quantify the differences between the projected and observed levels of consumption for the year 2000 for eight of the 26 non-fuel minerals covered in the earlier study, and, then, to attempt to attribute these (often) large differences to the major determinants of minerals demand: income, technological, regulatory and other public policy changes, and changes in the recycling rates of the metallic minerals. The eight minerals are: aluminum, copper, iron, mercury, nickel, phosphate rock, potash and tin. This follow-up study begins with a discussion of the need for long-term projections of minerals. This section also includes a summary of the major determinants of the long-term demand for, and supply of, minerals, and a review of some of the earlier assessments of mineral needs and availability. Section 3 of the article begins with a short summary of the World Input–Output Model, the main methodological tool used in the earlier study that was developed by Prof. Wassily Leontief, the 1973 Nobel laureate in economics, and the way in which non-fuel minerals were represented in that system. This section also provides a summary of other global modeling efforts of non-fuel minerals that were carried out at a similar point in time for a similar interval. Section 4 presents the actual population, GDP and per capita GDP changes over the 1970–2000 time interval compared with the projected rates for these important determinants of mineral use, along with the projected and observed growth rates of minerals consumption for the eight non-fuel minerals included in this study. When the projections are compared to the observed global consumption rates for the year 2000, the differences range from +43% for nickel to +229% for potash. Section 5 discusses the apparent reasons for the differences between the projected and observed global consumption rates of these non-fuel minerals that include differences in the growth of GDP and GDP per capita, changes in recycling rates (for the metallic minerals), technological change, and regulatory or other public policy changes that have affected mineral use over the 30-year-interval ending in 2000. In light of the data and analysis presented in Projected versus observed rates of growth in the production and consumption of selected minerals for the year 2000 , Explaining the differences between the projected and observed levels of consumption of non-fuel minerals in the year 2000 , the article concludes with some remarks, made almost a quarter of a century ago, by Prof. Leontief on the need and justification for long-term projections.
Recent advances on all-fiber tunable filter

A unique all-fiber tunable filter is based on the combination of a single resonant band long period grating (LPG) and an electro-optic polymer second cladding layer. The single resonant band LPG is fabricated by etching the cladding of a standard 125 μm thick fiber and using either ultraviolet (UV) illumination or electric arc discharge to write the grating. Once a single resonant band has been achieved, a polymer second cladding layer is applied to the LPG. The refractive index of the polymer cladding determines the resonant wavelength of the filter and is tuned by applying an external electric field. The grating fabrication method and type of polymer used for the second cladding affect filter performance, and both must be considered when designing an application specific all-fiber filter.
Writing the “Show-Me” Standards: Teacher Professionalism and Political Control in U.S. State Curriculum Policy

This qualitative case study analyzes the process of writing academic standards in one U.S. state, Missouri. The researchers took a critical pragmatic approach, which entailed close examination of t...
Run-time behavior of SASL programs: A performance study

This paper describes the results of a study to measure the performance of various searching and sorting algorithms, and the combinatory behavior of the SASL (St. Andrew's Static Language) run-time system for a wide range of algorithms, abstract data types and programming styles. The study shows that sequential algorithms perform much better than non-sequential algorithms in the SASL environment. The study also shows that there are families and strings of combinators that are used frequently. Optimization of such combinators promises an efficient sequential reduction machine based upon the combinator model.
Development of a plasmid addicted system that is independent of co-inducers, antibiotics and specific carbon source additions for bioproduct (1-butanol) synthesis in Escherichia coli

Synthetic biology approaches for the synthesis of value-based products provide interesting and potentially fruitful possibilities for generating a wide variety of useful compounds and biofuels. However, industrial production is hampered by the costs associated with the need to supplement large microbial cultures with expensive but necessary co-inducer compounds and antibiotics that are required for up-regulating synthetic gene expression and maintaining plasmid-borne synthetic genes, respectively. To address these issues, a metabolism-based plasmid addiction system, which relies on lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis and maintenance of cellular redox balance for 1-butanol production; and utilizes an active constitutive promoter, was developed in Escherichia coli. Expression of the plasmid is absolutely required for cell viability and 1-butanol production. This system abrogates the need for expensive antibiotics and co-inducer molecules so that plasmid-borne synthetic genes may be expressed at high levels in a cost-effective manner. To illustrate these principles, high level and sustained production of 1-butanol by E. coli was demonstrated under different growth conditions and in semi-continuous batch cultures, in the absence of antibiotics and co-inducer molecules.
Global warming and hurricanes: the potential impact of hurricane intensification and sea level rise on coastal flooding

Tens of millions of people around the world are already exposed to coastal flooding from tropical cyclones. Global warming has the potential to increase hurricane flooding, both by hurricane intensification and by sea level rise. In this paper, the impact of hurricane intensification and sea level rise are evaluated using hydrodynamic surge models and by considering the future climate projections of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. For the Corpus Christi, Texas, United States study region, mean projections indicate hurricane flood elevation (meteorologically generated storm surge plus sea level rise) will, on average, rise by 0.3 m by the 2030s and by 0.8 m by the 2080s. For catastrophic-type hurricane surge events, flood elevations are projected to rise by as much as 0.5 m and 1.8 m by the 2030s and 2080s, respectively.
Synthesis and conservation of ribosomal RNA in adult mosquito ovaries.

Abstract RNA synthesis in the mosquito ovary after adult emergence is predominantly ribosomal. The rate of synthesis remains at a low level except for a rapid increase between 6 and 20 hr. Most of the RNA synthesized between 0 and 48 hr is conserved. Most of the RNA synthesized in the 48 to 120 hr period turns over. The ribosomal RNA's synthesized during the early period, prior to the time an animal can take a needed meal of blood, may be conserved for later use by the developing embryo.
Synthesis of Novel Analgesic Agents III: 1,2-Dialky1-4-aryl and 1,2,4-Trialkyl-4-aryl Piperidazines

Several members of both 1,2-dialkyl-4-aryl and 1,2,4-trialkyl-4-aryl piperidazines were synthesized and investigated for analgesic activity. The most potent compound was 1,2-dimethyl-4-n-propyl-4-(m-hydroxyphenyl)piperidazine.
Natural history, prognosis, and lipid abnormalities of idiopathic ischemic childhood stroke.

A study was performed to assess the natural history, prognostic factors, and lipid and apolipoprotein abnormalities of idiopathic ischemic childhood stroke. A case series of 42 children, retrospectively identified with idiopathic ischemic strokes, were reassessed an average of 7.4 years (range, 1 to 19 years) after presentation. Patients were interviewed and examined, and fasting serum was obtained for lipid and apolipoprotein analysis. Poor outcome was defined as moderate to severe hemiparesis, special educational needs, epilepsy, recurrent stroke, or stroke-related death. Eighteen (43%) of the patients had a poor outcome. Among them were moderate to severe hemiparesis in 14 (78%), recurrent strokes in seven (39%), and one death. Poor outcome was evident early in their clinical course. Independent of outcome, lipid abnormalities including an elevated triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and a depressed high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were seen in one third of all patients. A depress...
On the processing of leaky guided waves propagating in immersed plates

We present a non-destructive inspection method for the structural health monitoring of underwater structures. A laser operating at 532 nm is used to excite leaky guided waves on an aluminum plate immersed in water. The plate has a few artificial defects namely vertical notch, horizontal notch, corrosion, and small hole. An array of five immersion transducers arranged in half-circle is used to detect the propagating waves. A signal processing technique is implemented to assess the presence of damage; the method is based on continuous wavelet transform to extract a few damagesensitive features fed to an artificial neural network for damage classification. The experimental results show that the proposed system can be employed for the inspection of underwater plates.
From camaraderie to the cash nexus: Economic reforms, social stratification and their political consequences in China

He Qinglian, The Pitfalls of Modernization: Economic and Social Problems in Contemporary China [Xiandaihua de xianjing: dangdai zhongguo de jingji shehui wenti] (Beijing: Jinri zhongguo chubanshe, January 1998), 394 pp. Liang Xiaosheng, An Analysis of Social Strata in China [Zhongguo shehui gejieceng fengxi] (Beijing: Jingjiribao chubanshe, December 1997), 426 pp. Li Tongwen, ed., A Report on the Lives of Chinese People: The Current Situation and the Future of Social Strata in China [Zhongguo minsheng baogao: Zhongguo shehui gejieceng de xianzhuang yu weilai] (Beijing: Jincheng chubanshe, January 1998), 513 pp. Wu Junping and Xu Ying, Who Am I? The Contemporary Chinese Social Location [Woshishui? Dangdai zhongguoren de shehui dingwei] (Huhehot: Neimenggu Renmin chubanshe, November 1997), 467 pp.
Gas-phase anionic complexes of alkali metal ions and peptides: Structure and collision activated decompositions

Alkali metal ions and anionic peptides can be desorbed into the gas phase to give metal-bound peptides and bis(peptide) complexes bearing a − 1 charge. Although amide nitrogens of peptide bonds are deprotonated in the gas phase by alkali metal ions, this reacion does not occur in solution. Metal-bound dipeptide anions exist as a single structure, whereas those of tripeptide complexes have three structures as revealed by tandem mass spectrometric studies. Ions of bis(peptide) complexes of alkali metals decompose upon collisional activation principally to form deprotonated peptides, in contrast to bis(peptide) complexes of alkaline earth metal ions, which undergo elimination of a neutral peptide.
A Microprocessor Speed Control System

An approach using digital techniques to control the speed of a chopper-fed D.C. motor is discussed. This digital system consisting of random logic circuits and an Intel 8080 microcomputer offers overall advantages in performance, price, flexibility, reliability and power requirements.
Low-temperature transformation kinetics of electron-beam deposited 5 wt.% yttria-stabilized zirconia

Abstract The transformation kinetics of ZrO2 coatings stabilized with 5.6 mol% YO1.5 (5YSZ), and deposited by electron-beam physical vapor deposition, were studied between room temperature and 600 °C using in situ Raman spectroscopy, and are described in the form of a transformation-time–temperature diagram. The coatings were found to be monoclinic (m) at temperatures below 375 °C, while above 400 °C they transformed to the tetragonal (t) phase. On cooling, the coatings transformed back to monoclinic below ∼375 °C. Between 375 and 400 °C, the transformation rates approached zero, indicating that the thermodynamic driving force for the transformation also approaches zero in this temperature range. This provides a direct measurement of the T0(m–t) temperature for the 5YSZ composition.
VISCOSITY AS A FUNCTION OF SHEAR RATE.

Abstract : A paper is presented in which polymer viscosity is derived as a function of rate of shear. The basic idea introduced is that the polymer attains a limiting strain in the melt viscosity instrument. This limiting strain is perhaps a breaking strain. (Author)
Length of Stay, Leave and Re-Offending by Patients from a Queensland Security Patients Hospital

Objective: The release of patients from a security patients hospital has been the subject of public controversy. The present study uses empirical data to examine the length of stay, leave, and re-offending of patients from a security hospital.Methods: Survival analysis was used to examine factors that may be predictive of length of stay and time under restriction, as well as time to first overnight leave. Data on re-offending were obtained from a variety of sources and were compared with seriousness of index offences.Results: Consistent with international research, patients with more serious offences had longer hospitalisations. Patients with more serious offences were also hospitalised for longer periods before leave was granted. Compared with international studies, re-offending was in the lower range.Conclusions: Despite concerns raised in the media regarding patient ‘dangerousness’, time spent in hospital and the granting of leave, patients with serious offences were more likely to be hospitalised long...
An electrical gridlike structure excited at infinity

The voltage-current regime of an infinite resistive network, whose current sources are distributed throughout the network and also connected to the network at infinity, is shown to be the limit in a certain Hilbert space of the regimes of an expanding sequence of subnetworks. This result is then applied to an infinite gridlike structure. A decomposition of that structure into ∞-ports yields an equivalent ladder network of operators. A procedure is established for determining the exact solution of the infinite gridlike structure by solving the finite truncations of the operator ladder and then passing to the limit appropriately. This closes a lacuna appearing in a number of prior finite-difference analyses of several exterior problems based upon infinite network theory.
Ordinary Hall Effect in Fe 3 O 4 and ( NiO ) 0.75 ( FeO ) 0.25 ( Fe 2 O 3 ) at Room Temperature

Room temperature Hall measurements on a synthetic crystal of ${\mathrm{Fe}}_{3}$${\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ and on a synthetic single crystal of ${(\mathrm{NiO})}_{0.75}$${(\mathrm{FeO})}_{0.25}$${(\mathrm{F}\mathrm{e}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$) are reported. The thermoelectric power of the sample of ${\mathrm{Fe}}_{3}$${\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ was also measured and verified that the sign of the charge carrier was negative. The ordinary Hall measurement of ${\mathrm{Fe}}_{3}$${\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ suggests that the number of conduction electrons at room temperature is of the order of 3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{21}$/${\mathrm{cm}}^{3}$, in rough agreement with Verwey's model. The ordinary Hall coefficient of ${(\mathrm{NiO})}_{0.75}$${(\mathrm{FeO})}_{0.25}$${(\mathrm{F}\mathrm{e}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$) also suggests a large carrier concentration, of the order of 5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{20}$/${\mathrm{cm}}^{3}$ at room temperature. The Hall mobility of ${\mathrm{Fe}}_{3}$${\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ is of the order of 0.5 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$/volt-sec and the Hall mobility of ${(\mathrm{NiO})}_{0.75}$${(\mathrm{FeO})}_{0.25}$${(\mathrm{F}\mathrm{e}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$) is of the order of 0.05 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$/volt-sec. The conductivities of ${(\mathrm{NiO})}_{0.75}$${(\mathrm{FeO})}_{0.25}$(${\mathrm{Fe}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$) and of a synthetic single crystal of ${(\mathrm{NiO})}_{0.56}$${(\mathrm{ZnO})}_{0.14}$${(\mathrm{FeO})}_{0.30}$(${\mathrm{Fe}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$) have been measured and compared with the conductivity of ${\mathrm{Fe}}_{3}$${\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ employing a simple model for the mobility and associating the activation energy obtained from resistivity data with the number of conduction electrons. The observed data are in good agreement with the simple model.
The Response of Laying Hens to Dietary Oils and Purified Fatty Acids

Abstract THE response of laying hens to dietary oils containing linoleic acid has been studied recently by a number of researchers. Hopkins and Nesheim (1962) reported that fat deficient laying hens apparently do not need a source of dietary linoleic acid in order to maintain egg production, fertility and hatchability. However, the feeding of safflower oil as a source of linoleic acid resulted in hens laying somewhat heavier eggs. In contrast, it has been shown by Machlin and Dudley (1962), Marion and Edwards (1962 Marion and Edwards (1963) and Menge et al. (1963) that laying hens respond to dietary sources of linoleic acid by maintaining higher egg production, larger egg size and a higher rate of hatchability. Jensen et al. (1958) reported that adding corn oil to a low fat diet would increase egg size. This response was attributed to the presence of a fat soluble unidentified factor in corn oil. More recently, Jensen…
Theology in the Life of the Lutheran Church

: This article is intended as a brief introduction to the essays that occur in this issue of Dialog. Written for seminar discussion during the concluding consultation in the Lutheran World Federation five-year study “Theology in the Life of the Church,” these papers were presented in Augsburg, Germany, in March 2009. Each article explores the connection between academic theological reflection and the practical needs of faith communities throughout the world, especially the global South.
Risk factors for locoregional failure in patients with inflammatory breast cancer treated with trimodality therapy.

Abstract Purpose To compare patterns of local and regional failure between patients with inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) and non-IBC in patients treated with trimodality therapy. Materials and Methods We reviewed records of 463 patients with stage II/III breast cancer, including IBC, who completed trimodality therapy from January 1999 to December 2009. Results The median follow-up was 46.3 months (range, 4-152 months). Clinical stage was 29.4% (n = 136) II, 56.4% (n = 261) non-IBC III, 14.2% (n = 66) IBC, 30.5% (n = 141) cN0/Nx, and 69.5% (n = 322) N1-N3c. All the patients received neoadjuvant therapy and mastectomy (98%, n=456 with axillary dissection), and all had postmastectomy radiation therapy to the chest wall with or without supraclavicular nodes (82.5%, n=382) with or without axilla (6%, n=28). The median chest wall dose was 60.4 Gy. Patients with IBC presented with larger tumors ( P P = .003) and more had ≥ 4 positive nodes ( P P P P = .005). Conclusion In this cohort of patients who completed trimodality therapy, the patients with IBC were more likely to have residual disease in the axilla after neoadjuvant therapy and were at greater risk of regional recurrence. Future study should focus on optimizing regional nodal management in IBC.
Performance of Vapor Compression Systems with Compressor Oil Flooding and Regeneration

Vapor compression refrigeration technology has seen great improvement over the last several decades in terms of cycle efficiency through a concerted effort of manufacturers, regulators, and research engineers. As the standard vapor compression systems approach practical limits, cycle modifications should be investigated to increase system efficiency and capacity. One possible means of increasing cycle efficiency is to flood the compressor with a large quantity of oil to achieve a quasi-isothermal compression process, in addition to using a regenerator to increase refrigerant subcooling. In theory, compressor flooding and regeneration can provide a significant increase in system efficiency over the standard vapor compression system. The effectiveness of compressor flooding and regeneration increases as the temperature lift of the system increases. Therefore, this technology is particularly well suited towards lower evaporating temperatures and high ambient temperatures as seen in supermarket refrigeration applications. While predicted increases in cycle efficiency are over 40% for supermarket refrigeration applications, this technology is still very beneficial for typical air-conditioning applications, for which improvements in cycle efficiency greater than 5% are predicted. It has to be noted though that the beneficial effects of compressor flooding can only be realized if a regenerator is used to exchange heat between the refrigerant vapor exiting the evaporator and the liquid exiting the condenser.
islet reveals segmentation in the Amphioxus hindbrain homolog.

The vertebrate embryonic hindbrain is segmented into rhombomeres. Gene expression studies suggest that amphioxus, the closest invertebrate relative of vertebrates, has a hindbrain homolog. However, this region is not overtly segmented in amphioxus, raising the question of how hindbrain segmentation arose in chordate evolution. Vertebrate hindbrain segmentation includes the patterning of cranial motor neurons, which can be identified by their expression of the LIM-homeodomain transcription factor islet1. To learn if the amphioxus hindbrain homolog is cryptically segmented, we cloned an amphioxus gene closely related to islet1, which we named simply islet. We report that amphioxus islet expression includes a domain of segmentally arranged cells in the ventral hindbrain homolog. We hypothesize that these cells are developing motor neurons and reveal a form of hindbrain segmentation in amphioxus. Hence, vertebrate rhombomeres may derive from a cryptically segmented brain present in the amphioxus/vertebrate ancestor. Other islet expression domains provide evidence for amphioxus homologs of the pineal gland, adenohypophysis, and endocrine pancreas. Surprisingly, homologs of vertebrate islet1-expressing spinal motor neurons and Rohon-Beard sensory neurons appear to be absent.
Sonographic diagnosis of toddler's fracture in the emergency department.

We describe 3 cases of toddler's fracture of the tibia that were diagnosed via sonographic examination. In cases, initial radiographs did not show the fracture, whereas sonographic examination revealed a layer of low reflectivity superficial to the tibial cortex and an elevated periosteum, suggesting a fracture hematoma. The diagnosis was confirmed at 2–3 weeks with radiographs demonstrating periosteal reaction. Both fractures were treated with cast immobilization for 4 weeks and made a full recovery. The third case was diagnosed via sonography and was confirmed by the initial radiographs. These results strongly suggest that sonography can detect the presence of a fracture hematoma and thus may help diagnose this injury earlier. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 34:190–194, 2006
What is ECO for high-level synthesis?

Functional verification at the Register Transfer Level is quite often the most time and resource consuming step of the entire design flow of a digital integrated circuit. For this reason, designers are moving towards high-level design methods in which they explore different algorithmic approaches, change memory organization, and modify area, power and performance constraints, in order to delimit the trade-off space and select points worthy of deeper investigation. During these phases, functional verifications are carried out continuously using fast simulation models in C, C++ or SystemC, in order to ensure that the design is correct with respect to its specifications. The result is a "golden" RTL specification that becomes very expensive to modify once the following logical and physical design steps have started, because executing functional verification is very time consuming. Moreover, any significant changes to the logic circuit are extremely risky, since the physical design steps may no longer satisfy performance constraints, and lengthy iterations are required to properly re-constrain the implementation.
Airborne Infrared Radiometry and Hailswaths

Abstract The method of analysis and display of airborne infrared radiometer data is presented. The method involves recording, enhancing, digitizing, filtering, compressing, calibrating and displaying on contour radiation temperature maps, the ground temperatures measured with a Texas Instrument RS-310 scanning radiometer and a Barnes PRT-6 starring radiometer. The method is applied to the analysis of a hailswath near Fort Morgan, Colo., on 13 June 1972. Final conclusions on the research and operational uses of this technique for the analysis of hailswaths are presented.
From anabolic to oxidative: reconsidering the roles of IL-15 and IL-15Rα in skeletal muscle.

Interleukin 15 (IL-15) and its receptor IL-15 receptor-α (IL-15Rα) are suggested to function in the determination of skeletal muscle phenotypes, with IL-15 originally proposed as an anabolic cytokine. This review will focus on recent work demonstrating that manipulation of IL-15 and IL-15Rα in vivo
Gastrointestinal disorders and renal failure: exploring the connection

Gastrointestinal complications are known to commonly occur in patients with renal failure. Uremia and dialysis have long been speculated to increase the risk of lesions in the gastrointestinal tract and accessory organs. In addition, gastrointestinal procedures such as gastrointestinal bypass surgery and the administration of colonoscopy preparations can lead to the development of renal complications. Results from studies that have attempted to define the association between renal dysfunction and gastrointestinal complications are, however, conflicting and limited by small and varied sample populations. No clear management guidelines currently exist for many of the gastrointestinal problems that accompany renal failure. This Review examines the existing data on gastrointestinal complications in patients with chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease and aims to outline the etiology and management of common gastrointestinal disorders in such patients.
Finding meaning in error terms

Four decades ago, Mikio Sato and John Tate predicted the shape of probability distributions to which certain “error terms” in number theory conform. Their prediction—known as the Sato-Tate Conjecture—has been verified for an important class of cases, thanks to the recent work of Laurent Clozel, Michael Harris, and Richard Taylor [3], and of Michael Harris, Nicholas Shepherd-Barron, and Richard Taylor [16], combined with Richard Taylor’s most recent [50] which establishes this advance in our understanding.
A Comparison of Mandated Versus Volunteer Adolescent Participants in Youth Tobacco Cessation Programs

A national evaluation of community-based youth cessation programs delivered in group format provided the opportunity to compare mandated and volunteer program participants on demographics, smoking patterns, other health behaviors and motivation to quit. A total of 857 youth participants completed surveys prior to the start of their treatment program. Mandated youth comprised 24% of the sample (n=202). Both bivariate and multivariate comparisons were conducted. Mandated participants reported lower levels of stress, higher extrinsic motivation and lower intrinsic motivation to quit, and were more likely to be in the earlier (precontemplation) stage of readiness to quit. Mandated and volunteer smokers did not differ in their smoking patterns, school-related smoking behaviors, or binge drinking. Rates of smoking, school problems, and binge drinking were higher among cessation program participants than in general samples of youth. Programs with mixed voluntary-mandatory participation may benefit from extra attention to motivational issues.
Prediction of capsular perforation and seminal vesicle invasion in prostate cancer.

AbstractPurpose: Capsular perforation and seminal vesicle invasion are unfavorable, prognostic factors in prostate cancer. Accurate preoperative prediction of these factors would be clinically useful for planning treatment, especially in patients being considered for radiation therapy, nerve sparing radical prostatectomy and watchful waiting. However, current methods are imprecise at predicting the presence and extent of these factors. We determined which combination of commonly available preoperative variables provides the best prediction of capsular perforation and seminal vesicle invasion in patients with clinically localized prostate cancer.Materials and Methods: We reviewed the preoperative medical records and biopsy findings from 314 patients with clinical stages T1cN0M0 to T2cN0M0 cancer who underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy and bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy between September 1991 and June 1993. Radical prostatectomy specimens were embedded and evaluated by whole mount sections.Results:...
Sinus rhythm is associated with fewer heart failure symptoms: insights from the AFFIRM trial

Background The AFFIRM trial demonstrated no mortality benefit from a rhythm control strategy compared with rate control of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, AF is associated with greater morbidity and mortality and poorer functional status than sinus rhythm, which is more likely to be achieved with a rhythm control strategy. Objective This study sought to compare heart failure (HF) symptoms in the different AFFIRM (Atrial Fibrillation Follow-Up Investigation of Rhythm Management) subgroups depending on the prevalence of AF or sinus rhythm throughout the follow-up period. Methods This study analyzed a limited-access dataset from the AFFIRM trial, provided by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Results Symptomatic HF was more common in the rate control than in the rhythm control arm. On analysis based on actual rhythm, New York Heart Association functional status was the best in patients who were in stable sinus rhythm, worse if they were consistently in AF, and much worse if they were changed back and forth between the rhythm control and rate control strategies. Patients in all groups had fewer HF symptoms and required less HF medications when they were in sinus rhythm compared with AF, except for those who crossed over from the rhythm to the rate control strategy. Conclusion Patients in the rhythm control arm had fewer HF symptoms than those in the rate control arm. Stable sinus rhythm was associated with the best functional status. Patients who are the most symptomatic in AF but are unable to maintain normal sinus rhythm if treated by the means used in the AFFIRM trial may be candidates for other treatment options, such as ablation.
Genetic analysis of the Drosophila beta3-tubulin gene demonstrates that the microtubule cytoskeleton in the cells of the visceral mesoderm is required for morphogenesis of the midgut endoderm.

Abstract We have investigated the cellular basis for lethality of mutant alleles of theDrosophila melanogasterβ3-tubulin gene,βTub60D.Lethal β3 mutations can be grouped into two classes: the most severe mutations (Class I alleles) cause death during the first larval instar, while weaker alleles (Class II) cause death in later larval stages or in early pupal development. Since β3 is not expressed during larval development, lethality of the Class I mutations must reflect essential functions of β3 in embryogenesis. β3-tubulin is zygotically expressed during midembryogenesis in the developing mesoderm, and the major site of β3 accumulation is in the developing muscles during myogenesis. We show that the embryonic pattern of β3 expression, including accumulation in the developing musculature, is conserved in otherDrosophilaspecies. However, we found that loss of β3 function does not cause discernible defects in either the ultrastructure or function of the larval muscle. Thus β3-tubulin is dispensable in its highest site of accumulation. Rather, the essential site of function of β3 in embryos is in cells of the visceral mesoderm. Lethality of Class I alleles is caused by defects in midgut morphogenesis and failure of gut function. Although the folding pattern is irregular and the gut is smaller than normal, a complete folded gut forms in mutant larvae, and the visceral muscle functions normally to move food through the gut. However, mutant larvae cannot absorb nutrients across the gut wall. Thus loss of β3 function in the mesoderm results in defects in the underlying endodermally derived layer of the gut. Our data provide an assay for cellular interactions between mesoderm and endodermal tissues and reveal a role for the microtubule cytoskeleton of the visceral mesodermal cells in differentiation of the endodermal cell layer of the larval gut.
[Fe‐Fe]‐hydrogenase reactivated by residue mutations as bridging carbonyl rearranges: A QM/MM study

In this work, we found aqueous enzyme phase reaction pathways for the reactivation of the exogenously inhibited [Fe-Fe]-hydrogenases by O2, or OH−, which metabolizes to H2O (Dogaru et al., Int J Quantum Chem 2008, 108; Motiu et al., Int J Quantum Chem 2007, 107, 1248). We used the hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) method to study the reactivation pathways of the exogenously inhibited enzyme matrix. The ONIOM calculations performed on the enzyme agree with experimental results (Liu et al., J Am Chem Soc 2002, 124, 5175), that is, wild-type [Fe-Fe]-hydrogenase H-cluster is inhibited by oxygen metabolites. An enzyme spherical region with a radius of 8 A (from the distal iron, Fed) has been screened for residues that prevent H2O from leaving the catalytic site and reactivate the [Fe-Fe]-hydrogenase H-cluster. In the screening process, polar residues were removed, one at a time, and frequency calculations provided the change in the Gibbs' energy for the dissociation of water (due to their deletion). When residue deletion resulted in significant Gibbs' energy decrease, further residue substitutions have been carried out. Following each substitution, geometry optimization and frequency calculations have been performed to assess the change in the Gibbs' energy for the elimination of H2O. Favorable thermodynamic results have been obtained for both single residue removal (ΔGΔGlu374 = −1.6 kcal/mol), single substitution (ΔGGlu374His = −3.1 kcal/mol), and combined residue substitutions (ΔGArg111Glu;Thr145Val;Glu374His;Tyr375Phe = −7.5 kcal/mol). Because the wild-type enzyme has only an endergonic step to overcome, that is, for H2O removal, by eliminating several residues, one at a time, the endergonic step was made to proceed spontaneously. Thus, the most promising residue deletions which enhance H2O elimination are ΔArg111, ΔThr145, ΔSer177, ΔGlu240, ΔGlu374, and ΔTyr375. The thermodynamics and electronic structure analyses show that the bridging carbonyl (COb) of the H-cluster plays a concomitant role in the enzyme inhibition/reactivation. In gas phase, COb shifts towards Fed to compensate for the electron density donated to oxygen upon the elimination of H2O. However, this is not possible in the wild-type enzyme because the protein matrix hinders the displacement of COb towards Fed, which leads to enzyme inhibition. Nevertheless, enzyme reactivation can be achieved by means of appropriate amino acid substitutions. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010
Ground-penetrating radar surveying in support of archeological site investigations

Abstract In April and July of 1996, ground-penetrating radar (GPR) surveys were conducted in support of archeological investigations at Flagstaff, Arizona and Sebastian, Florida, respectively. A GSSI SIR System 8 radar unit with a 500-MHz monostatic antenna was used for both surveys. The Flagstaff, Arizona survey was conducted at Elden Pueblo Ruins. The site is located in a coniferous forest and characterized by a myriad of surficial and subsurface features. Surficial features consisted mostly of pottery shards and the remnants of rock walled structures. The subsurface features consist mostly of rock lined pits, stone walls, and grave sites covered by a soil layer of variable thickness. The soil is derived from volcanic clastics and the underlying Kaibab Limestone bedrock. GPR profiles were acquired across various locations, some of which had been previously excavated and backfilled by archeologists. The main objectives were to determine the utility of the GPR technique with respect to locating subsurface features of archeological interest, determine the optimum field parameters in the area, and direct further field work. The Sebastian, Florida survey was conducted along the Atlantic coastline. Data were acquired along five beaches and one coastal sand dune. The beaches and dunes of the area are composed of a medium to coarse grained sand, containing quartz grains and carbonates. The principle objective of the Sebastian, Florida survey was to locate wreckage from a Spanish treasure fleet. A secondary objective was to determine the utility of GPR in a near shore marine environment.
A Simple Bioassay for Herbicidal Substances of Microbial Origin by Determining de novo Starch Synthesis in Leaf Segments

A simple and sensitive assay system was developed in the search for new herbicidal substances. The system is based on the following two phenomena observed in photosynthesis: (1) de novo starch synthesis, determined in excised leaf segments of barnyard millet (Panicum crus-galli), a C4 plant, and Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), a C3 plant; and (2) oxygen evolution in the cells of Scenedesmus obliquus, detected by using an oxygen electrode. The system can detect photosynthesis-inhibiting herbicides at a concentration as low as 0.1 ppm. After assaying 6,500 microbial culture broths, 6 culture filtrates were selected for further study.
Startup and Shutdown Strategies of Simulated Moving Bed for Insulin Purification

A tandem simulated moving bed (SMB) process, which consists of two SMBs in series, was developed for insulin purification in a previous study (Xie, Y.; Mun, S.-Y.; Kim, J.-H.; Wang, N.-H. L. Biotec...
Using elliptically contoured distributions to model hyperspectral imaging data and generate statistically similar synthetic data

Developing proper models for Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) data allows for useful and reliable algorithms for data exploitation. These models provide the foundation for development and evaluation of detection, classification, clustering, and estimation algorithms. To date, most algorithms have modeled real data as multivariate normal, however it is well known that real data often exhibits non-normal behavior. In this paper, Elliptically Contoured Distributions (ECDs) are used to model the statistical variability of HSI data. Non-homogeneous data sets can be modeled as a finite mixture of more than one ECD, with different means and parameters for each component. A larger family of distributions, the family of ECDs includes the multivariate normal distribution and exhibits most of its properties. ECDs are uniquely defined by their multivariate mean, covariance and the distribution of its Mahalanobis distance metric. This metric lets multivariate data be identified using a univariate statistic and can be adjusted to more closely match the longer tailed distributions of real data. One ECD member of focus is the multivariate t-distribution, which provides longer tailed distributions than the normal, and has an F-distributed Mahalanobis distance statistic. This work will focus on modeling these univariate statistics, using the Exceedance metric, a quantitative goodness-of-fit metric developed specifically to improve the accuracy of the model to match the long probabilistic tails of the data. This metric will be shown to be effective in modeling the univariate Mahalanobis distance distributions of hyperspectral data from the HYDICE sensor as either an F-distribution or as a weighted mixture of F-distributions. This implies that hyperspectral data has a multivariate t-distribution. Proper modeling of Hyperspectral data leads to the ability to generate synthetic data with the same statistical distribution as real world data.
Studies on the Subunits Involved in the Interaction of Soybean 11S Protein and Myosin

Protein-protein interaction between soybean 11S protein and myosin in a buffer system was studied using gel filtration chromatography and electrophoresis after incubating the single or combined proteins at temperatures between 4°C and 100°C. The elution profiles of 11S protein and myosin indicated that interaction between these two proteins occurred only at temperatures between 85° C and 100°C. The degree of interaction increased as temperature increased from 85 to 100°C. The interaction was not between native soy 11S and myosin, but between partially dissociated soy 11S (intermediary subunits, IS) or fully dissociated soy 11S (basic subunits) and myosin heavy chains. The rate of interaction was proposed as being more rapid between myosin and the basic subunits than between myosin and IS.
Multiple mechanisms underlie metastasis suppressor function of NM23-H1 in melanoma

nm23-h1 was the first metastasis suppressor gene to be identified in humans, with early studies demonstrating its ability to inhibit the metastatic potential of breast carcinoma and melanoma cell lines. This report outlines recent findings from our laboratory indicating that the metastasis suppressor function of NM23-H1 in human melanoma involves a spectrum of molecular mechanisms. Analysis of NM23-H1-dependent profiles of gene expression in human melanoma cell lines has identified a host of target genes that appear to mediate suppression of directional motility. Of particular interest is a subset of motility-suppressing genes whose regulation by NM23-H1 is independent of its known kinase and 3′–5′ exonuclease activities. In parallel, we have recently observed that NM23-H1 expression appears to be required for genomic stability and for optimal repair of DNA damage produced by ultraviolet radiation and other agents. Thus, NM23-H1 might oppose not only the motile and invasive characteristics of metastatic cells but also the acquisition of mutations that drive malignant progression to the metastatic phenotype itself.