cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Using Raman spectroscopy in tablet moisture surface analysis: Tablet surface markers

A method was developed to monitor the hydration of a tablet surface using chemical functional groups able to bind atmospheric water through H-bonding. In this study, generic oral dissolving loratadine tablets were used. These tablets have relatively high mannitol and lactose concentrations. Both mannitol and lactose have C-OH alcohol functional groups, several of which are potentially available for H-bonding with atmospheric water. The Raman intensity of the alcohol functional groups decreases upon hydration. This observation can be used to indirectly monitor water adsorbed to tablet surfaces at the alcohol sites. The hydration assay is based on the change in the Raman peak intensity of the alcohol C-OH stretching at 875.5 cm(-1). Consequently the decrease in the Raman intensity of this vibration can be used to monitor water adsorption. The Raman measurement of tablet surface water was compared to the direct moisture measurement method using a microbalance. The Raman spectroscopy is used to monitor the water that is specifically bound to the C-OH alcohol functional groups available for hydration. The microbalance was used to monitor the tablets' weight change during water adsorption and desorption. The distribution of the ratio of the Raman intensity of C-OH peak at 875.5 cm(-1) divided by the intensity of loratadine's C-Cl peak at 712.6 cm(-1) was experimentally determined to be a Gaussian distribution with a mean of 3.22+/-0.277. Raman analysis indicates that there is both tightly and loosely bound water at the tablet surface. This can be a useful technique with regard to inspecting and controlling the tablet drying process.
DNA rearrangements and altered transcripts of the MLL gene in a human T-all cell line karpas 45 with a t(X;II) (q13;q23) translocation

Translocations involving chromosome band 11q23 are found in both lymphoid and myeloid leukemias as well as in lymphomas, and we have recently reported that rearrangement of the MLL gene is involved in these translocations. The chromosomes most frequently involved in reciprocal translocations include chromosomes 4, 6, 9, and 19, and we and others have reported that chromosomes 1, 2, 10, 15, 17, 18, 22, and X are also involved. In the cell line Karpas 45, which has a t(X;II) (q13;q23) translocation, we report here that the MLL gene is rearranged and that there are two altered transcripts of MLL that come from the der(11) chromosome. Genes Chrom Cancer 9:221-224 (1994). © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Ecological Correlates of Ranging Behavior in Bearded Sakis (Chiropotes sagulatus) in a Continuous Forest in Guyana

Group size and the distribution and quality of food resources are among the most important determinants of primate ranging behavior. In this study, I use the framework of the ecological constraints model to assess correlates of range size of a free-ranging group of bearded sakis (Chiropotes sagulatus). Bearded sakis are among the widest ranging neotropical primates, yet the lack of data from continuous forest populations has made understanding the factors influencing such large ranges difficult. I collected data on ranging behavior and diet during 44 full-day follows over 15 mo. The focal group used a home range of ca. 1000 ha and had daily path lengths of 2.8–6.5 km (mean = 4.0 km). Daily path length did not significantly correlate with group size, patch quality, food availability, or the spatial distribution of feeding trees. Monthly home range size significantly positively correlated with group size and patch quality. The focal group had significantly shorter paths when ripe fruit consumption was higher and had more diverse diets, visited more food patches, and used larger monthly home ranges when they consumed a higher percentage of seeds. The results of this study, combined with other recent studies of Chiropotes in continuous forest, suggest that large home ranges (approaching 1000 ha) are characteristic of the genus. Although range size may be related to group size and food patch size, I suggest nutrient mixing and the need to balance the effects of seed secondary compounds as additional explanations for the large ranges of bearded sakis.
Estimation and reduction of the adhesion forces between ionic polymer metal composite and micro-objects

This paper presents the experimental method to evaluate the adhesion forces between micro-objects and IPMC, and describes methods to reduce them. Ionic Polymer Metal Composite (IPMC) can be a key material in low-mass, high-displacement, single-moving part actuators and shows great potential for micro-gripper applications. To design fingers for a micro-gripper using IPMC, the study of the adhesion force between IPMC and micro-objects is of critical importance. Glass micro-spheres of various sizes were attached to silicon nitride Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) tips, and the adhesion forces between the micro-spheres and the IPMC sample surface were found experimentally by an AFM. These experiments were performed in dry environment. Experiments were then performed under water to see the effect on reduction of adhesion forces. It was found that for a glass micro-sphere of size 32.43-μm the adhesion force decreases from 144 nN in air to 8.64 nN in water.
ESTIMATING THE LIMIT OF BIO-AEROSOL DETECTION WITH PASSIVE INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY

To investigate the detection limits of biological aerosols using passive infrared measurements, we have developed a computational model that relies on physics-based simulations to generate a statistical sample. The simulation consists of three principal models: an atmospheric turbulence model, a radiative transfer model and a target detection model. The turbulence model is used to generate microscale atmospheric variability. Resulting temperature and density profiles, along with custom aerosol profiles, are used to generate inputs for MODTRAN5, which produces simulated atmospheric spectral radiance. The simulated data is then analyzed by using an optimal detection algorithm and a hypothesis test, resulting in receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.
The slow and long-lasting blockade of dopamine transporters in human brain induced by the new antidepressant drug radafaxine predict poor reinforcing effects

Background (2S,3S)-2-(3-Chlorophenyl)-3,5,5,-trimethyl-2-morpholinol hydrochloride (radafaxine) is a new antidepressant that blocks dopamine transporters (DAT). A concern with drugs that block (DAT) is their potential reinforcing effects and abuse liability. Using positron emission tomography (PET) we have shown that for DAT-blocking drugs to produce reinforcing effects they must induce >50% DAT blockade and the blockade has to be fast (within 15 minutes). This study measures the potency and kinetics for DAT blockade by radafaxine in human brain. Methods PET and [ 11 C]cocaine were used to estimate DAT blockade at 1, 4, 8, and 24 hours after radafaxine (40 mg p.o) in 8 controls. Plasma pharmacokinetics and behavioral and cardiovascular effects were measured in parallel. Results DAT blockade by radafaxine was slow, and at 1 hour, it was 11%. Peak blockade occurred at about 4 hours and was 22%. Blockade was long lasting: at 8 hours 17%, and at 24 hours 15%. Peak plasma concentration occurred about 4 to 8 hours. No behavioral or cardiovascular effects were observed. Conclusions The relatively low potency of radafaxine in blocking DAT and its slow blockade suggests that it is unlikely to have reinforcing effects. This is consistent with preclinical studies showing no self-administration. This is the first utilization of PET to predict abuse liability of a new antidepressant in humans based on DAT occupancy and pharmacokinetics.
TU‐C‐220‐08: Assessing Intra‐Tumor Hemodynamics and Oxygen Concentration Using Photoacoustic Computed Tomography

Purpose:The goal is to develop a method to non‐invasively assess intra‐ tumor pO2 using photoacoustic imaging. It is well established that the oxygen status of a tumor plays a critical role in the therapeutic response and resistance, resulting in treatment failure and poor disease‐free and overall survival. Clinical techniques, such as polarographic electrode, photoluminescence‐quenching, or pimonidazole, are invasive and lack the patho‐physiological etiology leading to hypoxia. A biophysical model is proposed to determine local pO2 based on fusing hemodynamic measurements acquired from dynamic contrast‐enhanced and spectroscopicphotoacoustic imaging (DCE‐PCT and PCT‐S). Methods: MCF7 and MCF7/VEGF xenograft breast tumors were first scanned within a prototype PCT scanner to obtain parametric maps of oxygen saturation and hemoglobin concentration and within a clinical CTscanner to obtain dynamic contrast‐enhanced data (DCE‐CT) to obtain parametric maps of perfusion, fractional‐plasma‐volume, and fractional‐interstitial‐volume. These maps were fused based on a mathematical model of tissue oxygen delivery, and compared to measurements taken with an OxyLite probe. To replace DCE‐CT, a new generation of PCT scanner was developed to acquire DCE‐PCT data and realize physiological maps. Mice with MDA‐ MB‐231 xenograft breast tumors were i.v. injected with ICG, and scanned prior to and every 12‐seconds for up to 4‐minutes and at 15‐minutes post‐ injection. These contrast‐enhance curves were fit compartmental models to obtain maps of tumor perfusion and fractional plasma volumes. Results: Preliminary results comparing pO2 measurements implementing biophysical models and PCT‐S and DCE‐CT and OxyLite probe measured a linear correlation of R2=0.82, and a slope of 0.975(±0.10) and an intercept of − 0.093(±2.2)mmHg. The first parametric maps of tumor perfusion and fractional plasma volume using DCE‐PCT will be presented and compared to DCE‐CT, and ICG kinematics identifying regions of high extravasation. Conclusions: A biophysical model of pO2 based on hemodynamic data and physiological maps in breast tumors obtained from photoacoustic imaging has been demonstrated. NIH/SBIR Funding from OptoSonics, Inc, OptoSonics, Inc., 108 Straight Road, Oriental, NC 28571; Consulting for Endra, Inc, 35 Research Drive, Suite 100, Ann Arbor, MI 48103.
A surface spectroscopic study of reactive ion bombardment of silicon

Abstract In this paper we report on a surface spectroscopy and etch yield study of the bombardment of Si by CF 3 + , SF 5 + and CH 4 + . The bombardment of Mo by CF 3 + is also discussed. Ion energies in the range of 0.5 to 3.0 keV were studied. Bombardment by SF 5 + yielded the lowest etchant surface concentrations and the smallest deviation from predicted etch yields. The highest surface concentration of etchant was found with CH 4 + bombardment. These observations are consistent with the conclusion that the etch yields are explained by physical sputtering perturbed by the formation of involatile surface layers.
Angle-resolved photoelectron study of the group VIB metal hexacarbonyls M(CO) 6 (M=Cr, Mo, W) from 9 to 30 eV photon energy

Abstract Theoretical MS Xα angular distribution parameters β have been calculated from 9 to 30 eV in photon energy for the metal hexacarbonyls M(CO) 6 (M=Cr, Mo, W). The theoretical results for the n t 2g −1 ( n =2 (Cr), 3 (Mo), 4 (W)) d-orbital bands are discussed and compared to experimental measurements obtained using gas-phase photoelectron spectroscopy. Evidence for shape resonances at ≈ 3.0 and ≈ 5.5 eV kinetic energy above threshold in the ϵe u and ϵt 1u channels, respectively, for each of these compounds is presented. The nature of these resonances is discussed and compared to other polyatomic systems.
Uniformly better estimators with application in two-way designs

The problem of uniformly better estimators from p linear models is considered. Sufficient conditions are given for constructing an estimator from data in p samples which is uniformly (for all values of the unknown variances) better than the estimator from one of the samples. It is suggested the results be applied to recovery of inter-row and inter-column information in two-way designs.
Editorial: Special Issue on Fundamentals of Social and Management Science for Engineering Project Organizations

The editors of the Engineering Project Organization Journal decided in August 2011 to launch Volume 2 of the EPOJ Journal with a special issue providing theoretical reviews of some of the key socia...
Genetic expression of complement factors and α1-acid glycoprotein by liver tissue during senescence

Abstract The effect of age on several messenger RNAs coding for non-specific immune factors were determined in liver RNA isolated from 6-, 12-, 24-, 29- and 37-month-old male Fischer Rats. The levels of complement factors C3 and C4, complement protein factor B, and α 1 -acid glycoprotein were determined by dot blot hybridization using cDNA probes. All four mRNAs increased slightly between 6 and 29 months of age. Only the mRNAs coding for complement factors C3 and C4 decreased significantly after 29 months of age. In addition, Northern blot analysis of the RNA preparations showed that the size of the four mRNA species did not change with increasing age. There was no evidence for age-related changes in the post-transcriptional processing or degradation of the mRNA species coding for complement factors C3 and C4, complement protein factor B, and α 1 -acid glycoprotein.
Wireless ad hoc nanoscale networking

Wireless ad hoc communication on the nanoscale will require thinking outside of the traditional radio spectrum. New applications will utilize new forms of wireless communication channels. For example, nanoscale communication will enable precise mechanisms for directly interacting with cells in vivo. Information may be sent to and from specific cells within the body, allowing detection and healing of diseases on the cellular scale. From a medical standpoint, the use of current wireless techniques to communicate with implants is unacceptable for many reasons, including bulky size, inability to use magnetic resonance imaging after implantation, potential radiation damage, surgical invasiveness, need to recharge/replace power, post-operative pain and long recovery times, and reduced quality of life for the patient. Better, more human in vivo implant communication is needed. Development of both biological and engineered nanomachines is progressing; such machines will need to communicate. Unfortunately, networking vast collections of nanoscale sensors and robots using current techniques, including wireless techniques, is not possible without communication mechanisms that exceed nanoscale volumes.
Air pollution and daily mortality: associations with particulates and acid aerosols.

The association between total daily mortality and air pollution was investigated for a 1-year period (September 1985 through August 1986) in St. Louis and in the counties in eastern Tennessee surrounding Kingston/Harriman. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relative importance of various measures of particulate and gaseous air pollution as predictors of daily mortality. Concentrations of inhalable particles (PM 10 ), fine particles (PM 2.5 ), the elemental composition of these particles, and aerosols acidity were measured daily during the period of study. The effect of each air pollutant on daily mortality was estimated after controlling for meteorologic and seasonal influences. Total mortality in St. Louis was found to increase 16% (95% CI − 1 to 33%) for each 100 μg/m 3 increase in PM 10 , and by 17% (95% CI − 12 to 57%) in eastern Tennessee. Positive but progressively weaker associations were found with PM 2.5 , sulfate, and aerosol acidity concentrations in both communities. Associations with gaseous pollutants—sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone—were all far from statistical significance. Because of the short monitoring period for daily particulate air pollution, the power of this study to detect associations was limited. Nevertheless, statistically significant associations with PM 10 were found in St. Louis, and, more importantly, the estimated effects were consistent between the two communities studied and with other reported analyses of the effects of particles on daily mortality. These data suggest that the acidity of particles is not as important in associations with daily mortality as the mass concentrations of particles.
Highly accurate frequency estimation for FNET

Frequency disturbances is one of the most important indicator that reflects the state of an electrical power system. Making accurate frequency measurement from low voltage distribution systems through the wide deployment of Frequency Disturbance Recorders (FDRs) has been the major innovation for the Frequency monitoring network (FNET). Currently, the frequency calculation algorithm based on the phasor angles (FPA) of the measured voltage signal in the FDR, has achieved high accuracy. However, this algorithm is very sensitive to noise which is inevitable in the signal sampling process. As a result, the frequency estimation accuracy will be degraded if the measured signal is not clean enough. Therefore, to achieve even more accurate and robust frequency estimation from the measured voltage signal, a novel algorithm is proposed in this paper consisting of two stages of operations. The first stage applies a band pass filter that eliminates the irrelevant harmonics; while the second stage removes the noise within the pass band and estimates the frequency fluctuation simultaneously based on the least squares nonlinear curve fitting. The experiments based on synthetic data and real data validates the effectiveness of the proposed method for improving the accuracy of frequency estimation.
Prospective CT Screening for Lung Cancer in a High-Risk Population: HIV-Positive Smokers

Background: Epidemiological evidence suggests that HIV-infected individuals are at increased risk of lung cancer, but no data exist because large computed tomography (CT) screening trials routinely exclude HIV-infected participants. Methods: From 2006 to 2013, we conducted the world's first lung cancer screening trial of 224 HIV-infected current/former smokers to assess the CT detection rates of lung cancer. We also used 130 HIV-infected patients with known lung cancer to determine radiographic markers of lung cancer risk using multivariate analysis. Results: Median age was 48 years with 34 pack-years smoked. During 678 person-years, one lung cancer was found on incident screening. Besides this lung cancer case, 18 deaths (8%) occurred, but none were cancer related. There were no interim diagnoses of lung or extrapulmonary cancers. None of the pulmonary nodules detected in 48 participants at baseline were diagnosed as cancer by study end. The heterogeneity of emphysema across the entire lung as measured by CT densitometry was significantly higher in HIV-infected subjects with lung cancer compared with the heterogeneity of emphysema in those without HIV ( p ⩽ 0.01). On multivariate regression analysis, increased age, higher smoking pack-years, low CD4 nadir, and increased heterogeneity of emphysema on quantitative CT imaging were all significantly associated with lung cancer. Conclusions: Despite a high rate of active smoking among HIV-infected participants, only one lung cancer was detected in 678 patient-years. This was probably because of the young age of participants suggesting that CT screening of high-risk populations should strongly consider advanced age as a critical inclusion criterion. Future screening trials in urban American must also incorporate robust measures to ensure HIV patient compliance, adherence, and smoking cessation.
Stereospecificity, substrate, and inhibitory properties of nucleoside diphosphate analogs for creatine and pyruvate kinases.

Abstract Antiviral α- P -borano substituted NTPs are promising chain terminators targeting HIV reverse transcriptase (RT). Activation of antiviral nucleoside diphosphates (NDPs) to NTPs may be carried out by pyruvate kinase (PK) and creatine kinase (CK). Herein, are presented the effects of nucleobase, ribose, and α-phosphate substitutions on substrate specificities of CK and PK. Both enzymes showed two binding modes and negative cooperativity with respect to substrate binding. The stereospecificity and inhibition of ADP phosphorylation by α- P -borano substituted NDP (NDPαB) stereoisomers were also investigated. The Sp -ADPαB isomer was a 70-fold better substrate for CK than the Rp isomer, whereas PK preferred the Rp isomer of NDPαBs. For CK, the Sp -ADPαB isomer was a competitive inhibitor; for PK, the Rp -ADPαB isomer was a poor competitive inhibitor and the Sp -ADPαB isomer was a poor non-competitive inhibitor. Taken together, these data suggest that, although the Rp -NDPαB isomer would be minimally phosphorylated by CK or PK, it should not inhibit either enzyme.
Role of nitric oxide in the dilator actions of capsaicin-sensitive nerves in the rabbit coronary circulation.

Abstract Perivascular sensory nerves release calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and substance P, the dilator actions of which can be regulated by nitric oxide (NO). This study investigated the role of NO in the vasodilation caused by sensory nerve stimulation, by capsaicin, or exogenous CGRP and substance P in the isolated perfused coronary circulation of the rabbit. Coronary perfusion pressure (CPP) was raised in order to observe vasodilator responses, using the thromboxane mimetic, U46619. Capsaicin (3 × 10 −6 moles), αCGRP (3 × 10 −11 moles) and substance P (3 × 10 −12 moles) caused comparable reductions in CCP. At these concentrations, responses to capsaicin and CGRP were inhibited by the antagonist CGRP (8–37) but unaffected by the neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist, CP 96,345. The nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, N G nitro L-arginine methyl ester inhibited the effects of substance P and capsaicin but not CGRP. These results suggest that CGRP release following capsaicin-induced sensory nerve activation is modulated by NO.
Compacton solutions of higher order nonlinear dispersive KdV-like equations

In this paper we confirm the existence of compacton solutions that result from genuinely nonlinear dispersive equations. We conduct our study on nonlinear dispersive forms of higher order KdV-like equations. Unlike classical solitons, compacton solutions are non-analytic solutions that generate new form of solitary waves with compact support and with width independent of amplitude. We further show that the defocusing branches of these models generate solitary patterns solutions with infinite slopes or cusps.
Multiple roles of a histaminergic afferent neuron in the feeding behavior of Aplysia

Abstract The cellular and circuit properties of individual identified neurons in invertebrates can be readily studied; hence it is possible to determine how the complex properties of nerve cells function in the generation of behavior. Recent studies of the cellular basis of feeding behavior in the marine mollusc Aplysia have focused on a neuron, C2, that has a variety of complex properties that determine the behavioral functions of the neuron. C2 conveys mechanosensory information from the mouth of the animal. It receives a complex pattern of inputs during feeding behavior, and generates diverse outputs that may shape behavior. It can act to filter out slow or sporadic sensory inputs, and its own outputs can be ‘gated' by synaptic input. C2 uses histamine as its transmitter, and some of its synaptic outputs are modulatory and contribute to the expression of an arousal state induced by food. Other outputs shape feeding behavior directly by affecting motor neurons, as well as presynaptically inhibiting the outputs of feeding motor programs. Thus, the complex properties of this neuron may contribute to the flexibility and adaptability of feeding in Aplysia . Studies of C2 have expanded our concepts of the properties of sensory neurons.
Calcium regenerative potentials inMytilus edulis gill abfrontal ciliated epithelial cells

The abfrontal cilia ofMytilus edulis gill become active when touched. The properties of the unique ciliated abfrontal cells have been determined electrophysiologically. 1. Mechanical stimulation of the abfrontal cells produces Ca++ dependent generator and regenerative potentials, strongly suggested through Ca++ removal or Cd++ substitution. 2. Sodium is not required for either motility or electrical activity in the abfrontal cells, but K+and possibly Cl− are involved in the repolarization, as indicated by TEA iontophoretic injections and Cl− free seawater substitution. EGTA iontophoretic injections produce long lasting depolarizations. A Ca++ deactivated Ca++ conductance or a Ca++ activated K+ conductance is implicated. 3. Both the activation of ciliary beat and the electrical events propagate in a decrementai manner; electron microscopy indicates extensive septate junctions but no obvious gap junctions. 4. Iontophoretic injection of EGTA, followed by mechanical stimulation, results in stepwise repolarization as one coupled cell after another repolarizes in accord with its relative degree of EGTA loading. 5. High external K+ depolarizes the abfrontal cells sufficiently that they will fire, but depolarization by current injection is ineffective since the current is apparently shunted through the low resistance cell bodies. Resistance measurements taken during the repolarization of regenerative potentials indicate little change compared to that of the resting resistance. These facts suggest that the excitable membrane is in the cilia. 6. Ca++ based regenerative potentials are the underlying basis for the activation of motility in these ciliated abfrontal cells.
Assessment of variability in biomonitoring data using a large database of biological measures of exposure.

Although intra- and interindividual sources of variation in airborne exposures have been extensively studied, similar investigations examining variability in biological measures of exposure have been limited. Following a review of the world's published literature, biological monitoring data were abstracted from 53 studies that examined workers' exposures to metals, solvents, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and pesticides. Approximately 40% of the studies also reported personal sampling results, which were compiled as well. In this study, the authors evaluated the intra- and interindividual sources of variation in biological measures of exposure collected on workers employed at the same plant. In 60% of the data sets, there was more variation among workers than variation from day to day. Approximately one-fourth of the data were homogeneous with small differences among workers' mean exposure levels. However, an almost equal number of data sets exhibited moderate to extreme levels of heterogeneity in expo...
Nutritional importance of pyrroloquinoline quinone

Mice fed a chemically defined diet devoid of pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) grew poorly, failed to reproduce, and became osteolathyritic. Moreover, severely affected mice had friable skin, skin collagen that was readily extractable into neutral salt solutions, and decreased lysyl oxidase. The identification of functional defects in connective tissue and the growth retardation associated with PQQ deprivation suggest that PQQ plays a fundamental role as a growth factor or vitamin.
Studies of Internal Disruptions and m=1 Oscillations in Tokamak Discharges with Soft-X-Ray Tecniques

Fluctuations in x-ray intensity from the ST tokamak show a characteristic sawtooth behavior. This behavior is identified as an internal disruption. The internal disruptions are preceded by growing sinusoidal $m=1$, $n=1$ oscillations. The properties of these oscillations are compared with predictions for the $m=1$ internal kink mode.
Low SNR radar signal detection using the continuous wavelet transform (CWT) and a Morlet wavelet

A continuous wavelet transform (CWT) system for low SNR radar target detection is proposed in this paper. The radar transmission signal is a pulsed complex exponential. The proposed method automatically determines the optimal scale parameter for CWT analysis by finding the peak in the return signal CWT power computed across translations. The contributions of this paper are an algorithm for determining the optimal scale range for integration of CWT data, a denoising algorithm based on analysis in a small neighborhood around the optimal scale, and analysis of computational and memory requirements. Results are analyzed for simulated radar targets corrupted by white Gaussian noise and compared to a more traditional matched filter (MF). Theoretical and simulation results show that the average CWT and MF process gain (PG) is 23.4 dB and 21.2 dB, respectively, with no Doppler shift, where the theoretical CWT PG is 24.1 dB. For Doppler shifted signals, the mean PG was 23.53 and 13.84 dB for CWT and MF, respectively. The proposed method achieves 3 to 10 dB on average higher PG than the MF method.
Active Disturbance Rejection for Bipedal Walk of a Humanoid Robot Using the Motions of the Arms

A control system for the walking of a redundant biped robot in the swing phase is considered. The biped is a humanoid with 6DOF per leg and 3DOF per arm. The controller will be based on a full kinematic model of the robot to depict a more accurate behavior of the robot. The arms of the robot are used to compensate for disturbances the robot may experience during walking. Instead of controlling the robots ZMP, keeping it within the support polygon, all six foot support reaction components are controlled. First, a “shoe” with force sensors detect the forces and moments on the foot for feedback. The feedback from the joint servos provide position and velocity information. The support reaction and the joint position/velocities are fedback to a sliding mode controller, which makes adjustments to the arm links’ acceleration to compensate the shift in the reaction components. Simulations show the comparison of the ZMP shift when disturbances are applied with and without controlling the reaction forces to prove the effectiveness of the approach.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Developmental timing of perchlorate exposure alters threespine stickleback dermal bone

Adequate levels of thyroid hormone are critical during development and metamorphosis, and for maintaining metabolic homeostasis. Perchlorate, a common contaminant of water sources, inhibits thyroid function in vertebrates. We utilized threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) to determine if timing of perchlorate exposure during development impacts adult dermal skeletal phenotypes. Fish were exposed to water contaminated with perchlorate (30 mg/L or 100 mg/L) beginning at 0, 3, 7, 14, 21, 42, 154 or 305 days post fertilization until sexual maturity at 1 year of age. A reciprocal treatment moved stickleback from contaminated to clean water on the same schedule providing for different stages of initial exposure and different treatment durations. Perchlorate exposure caused concentration-dependent significant differences in growth for some bony traits. Continuous exposure initiated within the first 21 days post fertilization had the greatest effects on skeletal traits. Exposure to perchlorate at this early stage can result in small traits or abnormal skeletal morphology of adult fish which could affect predator avoidance and survival.
Multiwavelength observations of GeV blazars

Abstract Multiwavelength observations of GeV blazars have been used to constrain physical models of the relativistic jets. Using the EGRET and COMPTEL instruments on the Compton Observatory, in concert with other spacecraft and ground-based telescopes, we can form complete spectral energy distributions from 109 to 1022 Hz. Such “snapshots” of the spectral energy distribution, especially during flares, show changes attributable to varying conditions in the jet.
An adaptive CMOS matrix-vector multiplier for large scale analog hardware neural network applications

The authors present an analog four-quadrant matrix-vector multiplier of low circuit complexity in floating gate CMOS technology, capable of on-chip weight adaptation following an arbitrary incremental outer-product local learning scheme, and with permanent storage of the weights after learning is performed. The complete adaptive circuit employs, on average, as few as two transistors per matrix element (C.F. Neugenbauer et al., 1990), allowing a very compact VLSI circuit layout (less than 30 mu m*30 mu m per synapse in standard 2 mu m CMOS technology) suitable for the use in fully interconnected neural network hardware of densities above 256 neurons per cm/sup 2/. With proper biasing techniques, an input linearity region for the multiplier ranging 800 mV at modest current levels are demonstrated. Four-quadrant outer-product weight adaptation, performed locally on-chip by floating gate voltage increments under ultraviolet illumination, has been achieved with floating gate adaptation up to 10 mV/s. >
Exascale computing - A fact or a fiction?

Summary form only given. Compute performance increased by orders of magnitude in the last few decades, made possible by continued technology scaling, increasing frequency, providing integration capacity to realize novel architectures, and reducing energy to keep power dissipation within limit. The technology treadmill will continue, and one would expect to reach Exascale level performance this decade; however, it's the same Physics that helped you in the past will now pose some barriers-Business as usual will not be an option. The energy and power will pose as a major challenge-an Exascale machine would consume in excess of a Giga-watt! Memory & communication bandwidth with conventional technology would be prohibitive. Orders of magnitude increased parallelism, let alone explosion of parallelism created by energy saving techniques, would increase unreliability. And programming system will be posed with even severe challenge of harnessing the performance with concurrency. This talk will discuss potential solutions in all disciplines, such as circuit design, test, architecture, system design, programming system, and resiliency to pave the road towards Exascale performance.
A rare case of non-metastatic cholangiocarcinoma in a long standing choledochal cyst

Choledochal cysts are rare benign growths that can develop into cancerous lesions if left untreated. The cysts are commonly discovered incidentally during imaging procedures for other reasons. Surgical resection is recommended to avoid risk of cancer or metastatic disease. A rare case of a non-metastatic cholangiocarcinoma in a longstanding choledochal cyst is presented in this case report.
Environmental Factors Influencing the Local Abundance of Equisetum scirpoides Near the Southern Extent of Its Range

Abstract We studied the influence of local site characteristics on the abundance of Equisetum scirpoides, a regionally rare, circumboreal species, at five sites in the Deerfield River watershed of Massachusetts, near the southern edge of its range. Equisetum scirpoides was most abundant on north- to northeast-facing, steep slopes (22–34°), with low total basal area (TBA) and small stem size. While E. scirpoides was always found in association with Tsuga canadensis, plots with high-density E. scirpoides were associated with lower Tsuga TBA than “low density/absent” plots. Average Tsuga and deciduous stem diameter at breast height within “high density” plots was significantly lower than in “low density/absent” plots. Our results suggest that E. scirpoides is unlikely to occur on south-facing slopes and, where it occurs on north-facing slopes, it requires low deciduous canopy cover and frequent disturbance, which exposes mineral soil. Equisetum scirpoides was absent from several similar habitats (i.e., with ...
Simple CAMAC Test System Based on the S-100 Bus

A simple CAMAC test system based upon the use of the S-100 (Hobbyist) bus has been implemented at SLAC. The IMSAI 8080 computer is used, containing 16K bytes of RAM and 1K bytes of EPROM. All programming and operator interaction takes place via a thermal printer-keyboard, and all test programs are written in IMSAI BASIC. The system has been used to test components, CAMAC modules, and complex CAMAC systems.
Transparent Conductive Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Networks with Precisely Tunable Ratios of Semiconducting and Metallic Nanotubes

We present a comprehensive study of the optical and electrical properties of transparent conductive films made from precisely tuned ratios of metallic and semiconducting single-wall carbon nanotubes. The conductivity and transparency of the SWNT films are controlled by an interplay between localized and delocalized carriers, as determined by the SWNT electronic structure, tube-tube junctions, and intentional and unintentional redox dopants. The results suggest that the main resistance in the SWNT thin films is the resistance associated with tube-tube junctions. Redox dopants are found to increase the delocalized carrier density and transmission probability through intertube junctions more effectively for semiconductor-enriched films than for metal-enriched films. As a result, redox-doped semiconductor-enriched films are more conductive than either intrinsic or redox-doped metal-enriched films.
Did ciguatera prompt the late Holocene Polynesian voyages of discovery

The famous Polynesian voyages characterized an intensive network of cultural exchange and colonization that was particularly active from ad 1000 to 1450. But, why would large groups of people leave their homelands to voyage into the unknown? Oceanic voyages are risky, albeit less so today than in the past. Landfalls were not guaranteed improvements over ports of departure. Taking the Cook Islands as an example, we ask whether harmful algal blooms that result in ciguatera fish poisoning in humans prompted past and present emigration pulses of peoples from within Polynesia. We take a multipronged approach to examine our hypothesis, involving: (1) archaeological evidence, (2) ciguatera fish poisoning reports since the 1940s, and (3) climate and temperature oscillations using palaeodatasets. The archaeological records of fish bones and hooks show abrupt changes in fishing practices in post-ad 1450 records. Sudden dietary shifts are not linked to overfishing, but may be a sign of ciguatera fish poisoning and adjustment of fishing preference. While fishes form the staple diet of Polynesians, such poisoning renders fishes unusable. We show that ciguatera fish poisoning events coincide with Pacific Decadal Oscillations and suggest that the celebrated Polynesian voyages across the Pacific Ocean may not have been random episodes of discovery to colonize new lands, but rather voyages of necessity. A modern analogue (in the 1990s) was the shift towards processed foods in the Cook Islands during ciguatera fish poisoning events, and mass emigration of islanders to New Zealand and Australia.
Upper bounds for retrieval performance and their use measuring performance and generating optimal Boolean queries: can it get any better than this?

Abstract The best-case, random, and worst-case document rankings and retrieval performance may be determined using a method discussed here. Knowledge of the best case performance allows users and system designers to (a) determine how close to optimality their search is and (b) select queries and matching functions that will produce the best results. A method for deriving the optimal Boolean query for a given level of recall is suggested, as is a method for determining the quality of a Boolean query. Measures are proposed that modify conventional text retrieval measures such as precision, E , and average search length, so that the values for these measures are 1 when retrieval is optimal, 0 when retrieval is random, and −1 when worst-case. Tests using one of these measures show that many retrievals are optimal. Consequences for retrieval research are examined.
Achalasia: Willis or Heller?

inimal-access surgery permits many older, tested procedures to be performed in new and better ways that make the operations less painful and more accurate and that reduce hospital stays and disability. These features make it reasonable to reassess the relative indications for surgery and nonsurgical therapy in achalasia of the esophagus. Achalasia comes from a Greek word that means “failure to relax.” Cardiospasm and achalasia refer to the same condition (1, 2). This report addresses esophageal achalasia—its history, diagnosis, pathophysiology, and treatment options. We report our initial experience in treating this disorder surgically using laparoscopic-modified Heller myotomy combined with partial gastric fundoplication.
Cross-Language Pseudo-Relevance Feedback Techniques for Informal Text

Previous work has shown that pseudo relevance feedback PRF can be effective for cross-lingual information retrieval CLIR. This research was primarily based on corpora such as news articles that are written using relatively formal language. In this paper, we revisit the problem of CLIR with a focus on the problems that arise with informal text, such as blogs and forums. To address the problem of the two major sources of "noisy" text, namely translation and the informal nature of the documents, we propose to select between inter- and intra-language PRF, based on the properties of the language of the query and corpora being searched. Experimental results show that this approach can significantly outperform state-of-the-art results reported for monolingual and cross-lingual environments. Further analysis indicates that inter-language PRF is particularly helpful for queries with poor translation quality. Intra-language PRF is more useful for high-quality translated queries as it reduces the impact of any potential translation errors in documents.
The Impact of Advance Directives on End-of-Life Care for Adolescents and Young Adults Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant

Abstract Background: Little is known about the role of advance directives (AD) in end-of-life (EOL) care for adolescents and young adults (AYA) undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). Objective: The study objective was to describe the frequency, type, and influence of AD on the use of life-sustaining treatment (LST) in AYA patients undergoing HSCT. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of 96 patients aged 14–26 undergoing HSCT between April 2011 and January 2015 at the University of Minnesota. LST was defined as the use of positive pressure ventilation (PPV), dialysis, or CPR. Results: Of the 96 patients, survival was 72.9%, and 23% had an AD. Of the 26 patients who died, 13 (50%) had an AD. Among the 19 patients who died in the ICU, there was no significant difference in PPV, dialysis, withholding or withdrawing of LST, or timing of do not resuscitate (DNR) orders between those with ADs preferring LST (n = 5), those naming proxies only (n = 4), and those without ADs (n = 10). P...
Directionality Based Preventive Protocol for Mobile Ad Hoc Networks

Novel preventive link maintenance scheme based on directional antennas has been proposed to extend the life of the link for Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANET). We use the ability of directional antennas to orientate radio signals into the desired directions. To be more specific, preventive orientation warning is generated and sent to previous node in the path to initiate directional pattern. Link is considered in danger when received packet power is close to minimum detectable power. We call orientation handoff to the process of changing the pattern of antenna from omnidirectional to the directional. We do a comparative performance study between omnidirectional and directional antennas for DSR (on-demand routing protocol) using simulation with OPNET. By using directional antennas, substantial gain is achieved in terms of end-to-end delay, aggregate throughput, and routing overhead. The proposed scheme is general and can be used with any other ondemand routing algorithms.
Review of the splendid perches, Callanthias (Percoidei: Callanthiidae)

This booklet provides a very detailed review of the splendid perches of the genus Callanthias. With only seven species of brightly coloured fishes in the genus, one might be tempted to think a revi...
How Often Do Non-Practicing Entities Win Patent Suits?

Much of the policy debate over the patent system has focused on the perceived problems with non-practicing entities (NPEs), also called patent trolls. Drawing on a comprehensive data set we built of every patent lawsuit filed in 2008 and 2009 that resulted in a ruling on the merits, we find that the situation is rather more complicated than simply operating companies vs. NPEs. While operating companies fare better in litigation than NPEs overall, breaking NPEs into different categories reveals more complexity. Patent Assertion Entities (PAEs) in particular win very few cases. Further, once we remove certain pharmaceutical cases from the mix, no patent plaintiff fares very well. That is particularly true of software, computer, and electronics patents.
The Invariant Subspace Lattice of a Linear Transformation

The purpose of this paper is to study the lattice of invariant subspaces of a linear transformation on a finite-dimensional vector space over an arbitrary field. Among the topics discussed are structure theorems for such lattices, implications between linear-algebraic properties and lattice-theoretic properties, nilpotent transformations, and the conditions for the isomorphism of two such lattices. These topics correspond roughly to §§2, 3, 4, and 5 respectively.
Giant Cell Arteritis Presenting as Lesser Occipital Neuralgia (P6.103)

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 77 year-old male presented with acute-onset, sharp, shooting pain in his left posterior occiput. The pain attacks lasted seconds and occurred multiple times daily without an obvious trigger. There were no associated infectious or neurological symptoms. Palpation just posterior to the mastoid process triggered a sharp pain that radiated up to the top of the head. A Head CT showed age-appropriate small vessel disease. A lesser occipital nerve block with 1ml 0.5[percnt] Bupivacaine and 40mg methylprednisolone was performed for suspected lesser occipital neuralgia, which resulted in complete pain relief. Two weeks later, he denied occipital pain, but developed gradual onset bilateral fronto-temporal headache, jaw tightness, horizontal diplopia, as well as low-grade fevers. His left temporal scalp was tender, and left temporal artery pulse was absent. Ophthalmic examination showed abduction deficit of the left eye causing horizontal diplopia upon left gaze, consistent with left 6th nerve palsy. Both optic discs were normal on dilated eye exam, but automated perimetry showed a right partial inferior arcuate defect, concordant with superior-temporal retinal nerve fiber layer thinning on OCT, suggestive of posterior ischemic optic neuropathy. ESR was elevated at 80 mm/h. The patient was started on Prednisone 60mg daily for giant cell arteritis. Ultrasound evaluation of his head and neck showed significant focal stenosis and perivascular halos in multiple facial arteries consistent with giant cell arteritis. One month later, the patient had complete resolution of his symptoms and the ESR decreased to 7 mm/h. Giant cell arteritis can affect any vessel in the scalp therefore initial symptoms are not confined to the temples or jaw. This presentation showed lesser occipital neuralgia caused by left occipital arteritis as the presenting symptom of giant cell arteritis, and responded to localized steroid injection by decreasing arterial inflammation. Disclosure: Dr. Marshall has nothing to disclose. Dr. Vardeh has nothing to disclose.
Diagnosis of one case with 7p15.3p22.1 microdeletion by applying array-based comparative genomic hybridization

Objective To investigate the diagnosis of a case with 7p15.3p22.1 microdeletion by applying array-based comparative genomic hybridization(array-CGH) and to analyze the relationship between the clinical manifestations and 7p15.3p22.1 microdeletion. Method Array-CGH technique was used to detect genomic copy number variations(CNVs) in an infant with normal karyotype after conventional chromosomal karyotyping. Results Array-CGH detected 7p15.3p22.1 deletion(chr7: 6777262-23981753), which was confirmed as pathogenic CNV after comparative analysis with database. ConclusionArray-CGH could serve as a useful complement for G-banding to be used in the clinical cytogenetic diagnosis.