cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Regenerative justice, beyond restoring

AbstractThis paper outlines a new form of justice, called regenerative justice. Regenerative justice is the coupling of restorative justice with the notion of generative justice, which involves the explicit and intentional discovery and building of life meanings, as well as the consideration of the relationships that those meanings have with wrongdoing and ‘making things right’. This exploration comes about after first considering restorative justice, then providing a critique that uncovers potential blind spots in restorative practice. Logotherapeutic techniques, including: Socratic dialogue, attitude modulation, and dereflection, are used by therapists to help people discover meaning and purpose and have successfully assisted crime victims and offenders. Borrowing from these techniques and specific questioning approaches, restorative dialogue facilitators can enhance restorative practice, particularly in the phases of preparation for restorative dialogue and follow-up after restorative dialogue, by deli...
The Human Leydig Cell

This chapter provides an overview of the functional morphology of the mature human Leydig cell with emphasis on the adult developmental phase. The morphology of the organelles involved with steroidogenesis is described and correlated with pertinent literature on the location of the enzymes involved. A second major topic revolves around cholesterol uptake, transfer and storage within the cell, and delivery to the mitochondria. Morphological correlates include the endosomal system, lysosomes, microperoxisomes, lipid droplets, mitochondrial associated membranes, and lipid-associated membranes. The described intimate associations of these various intracellular structures suggest extensive membrane fusion being the mechanism of cholesterol transfer and delivery to the cristae compartment of the mitochondria. A revised structural analysis of mitochondria in these steroid-producing cells is included, as well as previously unpublished evidence of a continuity of microperoxisomes with the smooth endoplasmic reticulum. The emerging picture from these transmission electron microscopy images is an organelle assemblage which is highly dynamic, with membrane fusion likely being an important aspect of cellular function in steroidogenesis. Other ultrastructural features of Leydig cells are discussed, including “neuronal features.” A brief overview of the triphasic nature (fetal phase, neonatal phase, and adult phase) of Leydig cell development in human is provided, as is a description of the immature Leydig cells of childhood.
Microbial occurrence and antibiotic resistance in ready-to-go food items

Foodborne pathogens, such as Escherichia coli, and Salmonella, are commonly prevalent in contaminated food products seen through annual food recalls. Excessive use of antibiotics through the past few decades has led to a multitude of antibiotic resistant bacteria, including foodborne pathogens. We investigated microbial occurrence and their antibiotics resistances in ready-to-go food items, i.e. canned food, bagged food, and baby food. A total of 112 isolates were isolated from varying food items, and 21 of these isolates were identified through 16S rRNA sequencing revealing Bacillus sp., Staphylococcus sp. and Micrococcus sp. Bagged food items showed the most microbial diversity as well as the largest colony forming unit (log 20–25 CFU/g). Isolates showed antibiotic resistance to ampicillin, streptomycin, chloramphenicol, and kanamycin at concentrations of 100, 500, and 1000 µg/mL. 57% isolates were ampicillin resistance followed by kanamycin (26%). A variety of microorganisms present in ready-to-go food items may not be pathogenic, however their occurrence and multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) poses risk of transferring their genes to foodborne pathogens.
A synthetic polymer system with repeatable chemical recyclability.

The development of chemically recyclable polymers offers a solution to the end-of-use issue of polymeric materials and provides a closed-loop approach toward a circular materials economy. However, polymers that can be easily and selectively depolymerized back to monomers typically require low-temperature polymerization methods and also lack physical properties and mechanical strengths required for practical uses. We introduce a polymer system based on γ-butyrolactone (GBL) with a trans-ring fusion at the α and β positions. Such trans-ring fusion renders the commonly considered as nonpolymerizable GBL ring readily polymerizable at room temperature under solvent-free conditions to yield a high–molecular weight polymer. The polymer has enhanced thermostability and can be repeatedly and quantitatively recycled back to its monomer by thermolysis or chemolysis. Mixing of the two enantiomers of the polymer generates a highly crystalline supramolecular stereocomplex.
37-P: FORMATION OF HLA ANTIBODIES IN NON-SENSITIZED PATIENTS AFTER IMMEDIATE GRAFT LOSS FOR NON-IMMUNOLOGICAL CAUSES

Aim This case report aimed to evaluate the occurrence of HLA antibodies in non-sensitized patient following immediate allograft loss. Methods Luminex single antigen beads antibodies profile and HLA antigens epitope analysis were used to analyze the HLA antibodies in a 25-year-old female with end-stage renal disease secondary to focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). The patient presents for a second renal allograft with a potential living donor. The patient’s first renal allograft was a 0 antigen mismatched organ from her father. The first transplant failed ∼29 months after the transplant due to recurrence of FSGS. The Patient’s typing was: A2, A23, B37, B44, Bw4, Bw4, C2, C5, DRB1 ∗ 11, DRB1 ∗ 15 DQB1 ∗ 06, DQB1 ∗ 03:01 (7). The donor’s typing was: A2, A30, B42, B53, Bw6, Bw4, C4, C17, DRB1 ∗ 13, DRB1 ∗ 18 DQB1 ∗ 04, DQB1 ∗ 03:01 (7). Prior to transplantation the recipient has no IHLA antibodies as determined by solid phase testing and the allogeneic flow cytometry crossmatch was T- and B- cell negative. Twenty-four hours post transplantation the patient undergone transplant nephrectomy for non-immunological causes. Results Strikingly, the post graft-nephrectomy PRA was 98% class I and 0% class II. Antibody specificities were identified to A25, A30 , A31, A34, A66, A68, Bw6 , B13, B27, B38, B49, B51, B52, B53 , B57, B59, B63, B77, C15 antigens (DSAs is highlighted). Immediately after the second graft nephrectomy, the patient became highly sensitized with 98% PRA. Conclusions Short term exposure to allo-antigens under immunosuppression can result in formation of HLA antibodies after allograft nephrectomy and withdrawal of immunosuppressive drugs. High PRA after nephrectomy could be partially attributed to the fact that the patient is homozygous Bw4, and the second donor was positive for the Bw6 public epitope.
Primary Gastric Melanoma: A Rare Cause of Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Primary gastrointestinal malignant melanoma is an unusual clinical entity. Rarer still is primary gastric melanoma. Most melanomas found in the stomach are metastases from cutaneous sources.1 Primary gastric melanoma is underdiagnosed, its symptoms and signs are nonspecific, and specific staining techniques must be used to confirm the diagnosis. The following case of primary gastric melanoma involves a middle-aged white man who initially presented with upper gastrointestinal bleeding.
Numerical Studies of Green Water Impact On Fixed And Moving Bodies

A numerical time domain simulation model has been developed to study green water phenomena and its impact loading on structures. In this model, a volume-of-fluid (VOF) technique is used to capture the violent free-surface motion. The incompressible Euler/Navier-Stokes equations, written in an arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) frame, are solved using projection schemes and a finite element method on unstructured grids. Numerical simulations of green water problems carried out in this study include: green water overtopping a fixed 2D deck; green water impact on a fixed 3D body with or without a vertical wall on the deck; and green water impact on the deck and deckhouse of a moving floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) model. Numerical results obtained using the present model are compared with experimental measurements for each case; and very good qualitative and relatively good quantitative agreements are obtained. The present numerical model can be used for simulating green water effects.
The Changing Landscape of Course Content: Electronic Textbooks and Electronic Coursepacks

This fall, Michigan State University (MSU) implemented electronic textbook (eText) and electronic course pack pilot projects. Faculty and over 1,000 students in several pilot courses used either eTexts from one of two major publishers or faculty generated electronic course packs. All course content was accessible through MSU’s course management system via the Courseload platform. Courseload offers searching, highlighting, note taking/annotations, sharing, printing, and the ability to embed and add other electronic content, user statistics, and more. This paper describes these pilots in detail and provides readers interested in eTexts and electronic course packs an overview of one university’s experiences from initial planning to implementation and assessment. The central role of the MSU Libraries as part of the planning and implementation team for both pilots is discussed, as are the specific tasks executed by the MSU Libraries. Research plans and procedures, accessibility issues, and future considerations and plans are also outlined.
Ubiquitous Video Streaming: A System Perspective

Video streaming has become a popular form of transferring video over the Internet. With the emergence of mobile computing needs, a successful video streaming solution demands 1) uninterrupted services even with the presence of mobility and 2) adaptive video delivery according to current link properties. In this paper we study the need and evaluate the performance of adaptive video streaming in vertical handoff scenarios. We created a simple handoff environment with Universal Seamless Handoff Architecture (USHA), and used Video Transfer Protocol (VTP) to adapt video streaming rates according to the “Eligible Rate Estimates”. Using testbed measurements experiments, we verify the importance of service adaptation, as well as show the improvement of user-perceived video quality, via adapting video streaming in the vertical handoffs.
A taxonomic summary and revision of Rozella ( Cryptomycota )

Rozella is a genus of endoparasites of a broad range of hosts. Most species are known by their morphology and host specificity, while only three have been examined ultrastructurally and had portions of their genome sequenced. Determined in molecular phylogenies to be the earliest diverging lineage in kingdom Fungi, Rozella currently nests among an abundance of environmental sequences in phylum Cryptomycota, superphylum Opisthosporidia. Here we briefly summarize a history of Rozella, provide descriptions of all species, and include a key to the species of Rozella.
Identification and characterization of Urokinase substrates by screening one bead one compound (OBOC) combinatorial libraries

1106 Uro-plasminogen activator (u-PA) interacts with its receptor UPAR and converts tissue plasminogen to plasmin. Plasmin plays a major role in destroying the extra-cellular matrix to metastasis cancer cells. Inhibitors for urokinase have shown to control the metastasis of cancer cells. However, efficient and metabolically stable small molecule inhibitors are much needed to control the disease. The goals of this project are to identify and characterize both urokinase substrates and inhibitors using the OBOC combinatorial chemistry methods. Several fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) OBOC combinatorial libraries were constructed using 2-amino benzoic acid (fluorescence) and 2-nitrotyrosine (quencher) as the FRET pair. During library screening, freshly collected human plasma was incubated with the peptide libraries. The resulting fluorescent beads signify cleavage of the peptide or removal of the quencher from those beads. The fluorescent beads were removed and the remaining beads were then incubated with 500mU uPA for 1 hour. Over 20 fluorescent beads were isolated and microsequenced. These peptide leads can potentially be used substrates for the development of urokinase specific imaging agents as well as highly potent inhibitors for this enzyme.
An adaptive learning and control architecture for mitigating sensor and actuator attacks in connected autonomous vehicle platoons

Summary In this paper, we develop an adaptive control algorithm for addressing security for a class of networked vehicles that comprise a formation of n^ human‐driven vehicles sharing kinematic dat...
UNIT 11.1 Using NCBI BLAST

BLAST is the most widely used software in bioinformatics research. Its main function is to compare a sequence of interest, the query sequence, to sequences in a large database. BLAST then reports the best matches, or “hits,” found in the database. This simple program has two primary applications. First, if the function of the query sequence is unknown, it may be possible to infer its function based on the recognized functions of similar sequences. Second, if the researcher has a query sequence with a known function, it may be possible to identify sequences in the database that have similar functions. The utility of BLAST therefore depends on the researcher's choice of query sequence and database. An appreciation for the functions and limitations of BLAST are vital to using this program effectively. This unit will introduce the basic concepts behind BLAST, walk through BLAST searching protocols, and interpret common results. Curr. Protoc. Essential Lab. Tech. 1:11.1.1-11.1.36. © 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Keywords: BLAST; sequence alignment; sequence analysis; sequence annotation
Explorations in the Avantgarde. Review of: Георгий Левинтон. Статьи о поэзии русского авангарда (Slavica Helsingiensia 51). Helsinki: Department of Modern Languages, 2017. 275 pp.

The present review addresses a recent book by Georgy Levinton Stat’i o poezii russkogo avangarda ( Articles on the Poetry of the Russian Avantgarde ), published in 2017, in the well-known book series Slavica Helsingiensia . Keywords: Russian Avantgarde, Velimir Khlebnikov (1885–1922), Georgy Levinton (b. 1948), Book Review.
A Deep Pattern Recognition Approach for Inferring Respiratory Volume Fluctuations from fMRI Data

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is one of the most widely used non-invasive techniques for investigating human brain activity. Yet, in addition to local neural activity, fMRI signals can be substantially influenced by non-local physiological effects stemming from processes such as slow changes in respiratory volume (RV) over time. While external monitoring of respiration is currently relied upon for quantifying RV and reducing its effects during fMRI scans, these measurements are not always available or of sufficient quality. Here, we propose an end-to-end procedure for modeling fMRI effects linked with RV, in the common scenario of missing respiration data. We compare the performance of multiple deep learning models in reconstructing missing RV data based on fMRI spatiotemporal patterns. Finally, we demonstrate how the inference of missing RV data may improve the quality of resting-state fMRI analysis by directly accounting for signal variations associated with slow changes in the depth of breathing over time.
Evolution of chromosomal DNA libraries using CRISPRm

The directed evolution of biomolecules to improve or change their activity is central to many engineering and synthetic biology efforts. However, selecting improved variants from gene libraries in living cells requires plasmid expression systems that suffer from variable copy number effects, or the use of complex marker-dependent chromosomal integration strategies. We developed quantitative gene assembly and DNA library insertion into the Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome by optimizing an efficient single-step and marker-free genome editing system using CRISPR-Cas9. With this Multiplex CRISPR (CRISPRm) system, we selected an improved cellobiose utilization pathway in diploid yeast in a single round of mutagenesis and selection, which increased cellobiose fermentation rates by over ten-fold. Mutations recovered in the best cellodextrin transporters reveal synergy between substrate binding and transporter dynamics, and demonstrate the power of CRISPRm to accelerate selection experiments and discoveries of the molecular determinants that enhance biomolecule function.
Direct numerical simulation of turbulent particle-laden flows: effects of Prandtl and Stokes numbers

Abstract The effect of molecular Prandtl number on the turbulent heat transfer of a non-isothermal turbulent channel flow laden with particles with four different Stokes number is investigated using direct numerical simulation coupled with a Lagrangian particle tracking. The flow configuration is a downward vertical channel with side walls kept at constant temperature. A total of 16 test cases with four different Prandtl numbers of Pr = 0.71, 1, 3, 7, and four particle sizes with the Stokes numbers of St= 40, 60, 100, 190 are considered. The mass loading, particle-to-fluid density ratio, and specific heat ratio are constant for all cases and they are equal to 0.57, 7298, and 0.39, respectively. It is shown that by the addition of particles, the heat transfer rate decreases and the thickness of the conductive sublayer thickness increases for all cases. The percentage of heat transfer modulation resulting from the addition of particles is almost independent of the Prandtl number but it slightly depends on the size of the particles, with the maximum being for smaller particles. The mean and rms values of temperature, temperature-velocity correlations, mean energy equation, and temperature variance budgets are presented. Contours of temperature in planes parallel to the wall and normal to the streamwise direction are also reported. At higher Prandtl numbers, the temperature contours clearly visualize the mushroom shaped structures formed as a result of the ejection of low-speed fluid from the wall.
Retrospective Distortion and Motion Correction for Free-Breathing DW-MRI of the Kidneys Using Dual-Echo EPI and Slice-to-Volume Registration.

BACKGROUND Diffusion-weighted MRI (DW-MRI) of the kidneys is a technique that provides information about the microstructure of renal tissue without requiring exogenous contrasts such as gadolinium, and it can be used for diagnosis in cases of renal disease and assessing response-to-therapy. However, physiological motion and large geometric distortions due to main B0 field inhomogeneities degrade the image quality, reduce the accuracy of quantitative imaging markers, and impede their subsequent clinical applicability. PURPOSE To retrospectively correct for geometric distortion for free-breathing DW-MRI of the kidneys at 3T, in the presence of a nonstatic distortion field due to breathing and bulk motion. STUDY TYPE Prospective. SUBJECTS Ten healthy volunteers (ages 29-38, four females). FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE 3T; DW-MR dual-echo echo-planar imaging (EPI) sequence (10 b-values and 17 directions) and a T2 volume. ASSESSMENT The distortion correction was evaluated subjectively (Likert scale 0-5) and numerically with cross-correlation between the DW images at b = 0 s/mm2 and a T2 volume. The intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) and diffusion tensor (DTI) model-fitting performance was evaluated using the root-mean-squared error (nRMSE) and the coefficient of variation (CV%) of their parameters. STATISTICAL TESTS Statistical comparisons were done using Wilcoxon tests. RESULTS The proposed method improved the Likert scores by 1.1 ± 0.8 (P < 0.05), the cross-correlation with the T2 reference image by 0.13 ± 0.05 (P < 0.05), and reduced the nRMSE by 0.13 ± 0.03 (P < 0.05) and 0.23 ± 0.06 (P < 0.05) for IVIM and DTI, respectively. The CV% of the IVIM parameters (slow and fast diffusion, and diffusion fraction for IVIM and mean diffusivity, and fractional anisotropy for DTI) was reduced by 2.26 ± 3.98% (P = 6.971 × 10-2 ), 11.24 ± 26.26% (P = 6.971 × 10-2 ), 4.12 ± 12.91% (P = 0.101), 3.22 ± 0.55% (P < 0.05), and 2.42 ± 1.15% (P < 0.05). DATA CONCLUSION The results indicate that the proposed Di + MoCo method can effectively correct for time-varying geometric distortions and for misalignments due to breathing motion. Consequently, the image quality and precision of the DW-MRI model parameters improved. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 2 TECHNICAL EFFICACY STAGE: 1.
Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: Surgical outcomes and survival analysis.

Abstract Background Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors are rare, with rising incidence and limited clinicopathological studies. Methods Adult patients with pNET at a single tertiary care center were retrospectively evaluated. Results In total, 87 patients with histologically confirmed pNET who underwent resection were evaluated. 11% of patients had functioning pNETs: 9 insulinoma and 1 VIPoma. The majority (88.5%) were nonfunctioning. The most common surgical procedure performed was distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy (36.8%). 35.6% of cases were performed with minimally invasive surgery (MIS). MIS patients had fewer postoperative complications, shorter length of stay, and fewer ICU admissions.Disease-free survival (DFS) was unaffected by tumor size (p = 0.5) or lymph node status (p = 0.62). Patients with high-grade (G3) tumors experienced significantly shorter DFS (p = 0.02). Conclusions This series demonstrates that survival in patients with pNET is driven mostly by tumor grade, though overall most have long-term survival after surgical resection. Additionally, an MIS approach is efficacious in appropriately selected cases.
My Work is Yours to Do What I Want

My Work is Yours to Do What I Want narrates the trajectory of two companies, one of them actual (Best Made Co.), and the second (Re Made Co.), an artwork posing as a company that uses remix to strategically confuse, conflate, and disrupt consumer culture. Re Made appears to be an online company founded by the fictitious character Peter Smith-Buchanan, and selling $350 hand-painted plungers. The entire event of Re Made offers an alternate universe—both digital and real—for Best Made Company, which was founded by (the real) Peter Buchanan-Smith, and specializes in $350 artisanal axes. Like a cloned twin or digital virus, Re Made and Buchanan-Smith mimic Best Made and Smith-Buchanan. If Best Made posts a decapitated pig’s head with an axe in its mouth on social media, Re Made’s BBQ pig gnashes a plunger on Instagram. When a New York Times feature refers to the Best Made axe as “manly,” a divergent NYTimes article heralds the masculine plunger. Peter Buchanan-Smith declares the axe to be “embedded in men’s DNA,” and Smith-Buchanan proclaims the plunger an extension of men’s bodies. The real Peter Buchanan-Smith emails Re Made’s CEO Peter Smith-Buchanan insisting he stop this plunder of reality. Acting as Smith-Buchanan’s intern, I (the female creator of the artwork) reply. Best Made’s lawyers send Re Made’s lawyers a 32-page cease-and-desist documenting the paths converging too closely for their liking. Just as the artwork Re Made uses remix via a media-based platform to intentionally confuse “original” content and appropriated material, My Work is Yours to Do What I Want playfully narrates the impulses and parasitic manipulations
A 14 nm Embedded STT-MRAM CMOS Technology

We present the first Embedded Spin-Transfer-Torque MRAM (eMRAM) technology in a 14 nm CMOS node. A novel integration supports the highest eMRAM density (0.0273 um2 cell size), optimal magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) placement between M1-M2 for performance and density, and the lowest-cost integration scheme, with only 3 added mask levels (2 critical + 1 non-critical) and a single added electrode module. An advanced 400°C-compatible MTJ stack is read and written by innovative reference-cell sensing circuitry. We demonstrate digital functionality and write performance down to 4 ns, with companion parametric analysis for magnetoresistance, switching voltage, retention, and endurance cycling. Finally, we checked the 14 nm eMRAM hardware BEOL EM and TDDB at the critical levels, verifying good reliability after the embedding process.
Serum levels of antioxidants and its supplementation in people living with HIV: integrative review

Objective: To conduct an integrative review of serum levels of antioxidants and the effects of their supplementation on people living with HIV (PLHIV). Methods: A research was performed in the electronic databases LILACS and MEDLINE, using the descriptors "HIV" AND "antioxidants"; 110 publications were identified, 92 of which were available in the MEDLINE database and 3 in the LILACS database. After applying the exclusion criteria, 8 articles were selected for final evaluation.Results: The studies selected for the review were divided into 4 prospective observational studies and 4 clinical trials with supplementation of antioxidants or food sources of antioxidants. We observed that the initiation of antiretroviral therapy and its prolonged use negatively influenced the parameters of oxidative stress, and that deficiency of antioxidants was associated with more significant damage to mitochondrial DNA. Supplementation of foods that are sources of antioxidants, such as dark chocolate and spirulina, has had beneficial effects on serum lipids and antioxidant capacity. Conclusion: Clinical trials with a more robust methodology, supplementation of isolated nutrients, for more extended periods of intervention, and with the assessment of food consumption are necessary to elucidate their effects on oxidative stress in PLHIV faced with factors such as the use of antiretroviral therapy and changes in metabolic rates of this population.
Student degree program and attitudes toward gays and lesbians in the military: is there a connection?

Individuals routinely experience discrimination based on sexual orientation. Since the implementation of Don't Ask, Don't Tell in 1994, over 13,000 military personnel have been discharged from the U.S. military on the basis of sexual orientation. As helping professionals, social workers will often provide services to returning gay and lesbian veterans. Therefore, social work programs must ensure that students develop positive attitudes toward and understanding of the needs presented by this population. Little is known about whether a specific degree program can be a predictor of student attitude toward gay and lesbian individuals in the military. Eighty-nine graduate students completed the Attitudes Toward Homosexuals in the Military (ATHM) scale, and scores were compared between two graduate degree programs: Social Work and Business Administration. A statistically significant relationship was found between degree program and ATHM scores. Implications for policy, practice and research related to gay and l...
Minimax control of discrete nonlinear stochastic systems with noise uncertainty

The author presents a minimax design of linear dynamic compensators for a class of discrete-time nonlinear stochastic systems with uncertain second-order statistical properties. The quadratically optimal linear dynamic compensator for the class of discrete-time nonlinear stochastic systems when the noise covariances are known is derived. It is then assumed that their exact values are unknown but that they belong to known compact sets, and saddle points for this problem are characterized. The time-invariant steady state case is considered where the characterization of saddle points and the relation between the necessary conditions in the optimization problem and the sufficient conditions for controlled systems stability are brought out. >
The Impact of File Systems on MPI-IO Scalability

As the number of nodes in cluster systems continues to grow, leveraging scalable algorithms in all aspects of such systems becomes key to maintaining performance. While scalable algorithms have been applied successfully in some areas of parallel I/O, many operations are still performed in an uncoordinated manner. In this work we consider, in three file system scenarios, the possibilities for applying scalable algorithms to the many operations that make up the MPI-IO interface. From this evaluation we extract a set of file system characteristics that aid in developing scalable MPI-IO implementations.
The effects of organic impurities on the partitioning of iodine

The effects of four common organic species (methanol, phenoxide, acetone, and methane) on the partitioning of iodine were studied over a range of concentrations, pHs, and radiation dose rates at --20/sup 0/C. The primary goal of the study was to identify conditions leading to the production of significant quantities of volatile organic iodides. For all of the conditions studied, only the case of irradiated methane-iodine-air-water systems yielded sufficient volatile organic iodides to bring about decreases in the iodine partition coefficient.
A geometric investigation of reach

This book focuses on a problem of fundamental importance in the robotics field, that of manipulating a geometric linkage resembling a human arm (or leg) with the intent of reaching specific points in space. Many analytic and numerical solutions have been developed for robot manipulators. Recently, a number of researchers have begun to investigate methods for the generation of manipulator workspaces (sometimes called reach envelopes). This work offers two new solutions to the reach problem-an analytic solution for the special case of singly redundant chains of the type exemplified by human arms and legs, and a solution for chains of arbitrary length which makes use of workspace descriptions. An algorithm is also developed for the approximation of workspaces by polyhedra, leading to an examination of the problem of sweeping polyhedra through space. Contents: Introduction; Body Model; Joint Adjustment and Limitations; Overview of the Cartesian Positioning Problem; Analytic Positioning Methods; Numerical/Optimization Methods; Reach Hierarchy Methods; Workspace Generation; Sweeping Polyhedra; Conclusions; The Modelling System. James U. Korein received his doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania. He is currently a researcher at IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center, Yorktown Heights, NY A Geometric Investigation of Reach is a 1984 ACM Distinguished Dissertation.
Inhibiting the Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Blocks the Development of Experimental Cerebral Malaria

ABSTRACT Malaria is an infectious disease caused by parasites of several Plasmodium spp. Cerebral malaria (CM) is a common form of severe malaria resulting in nearly 700,000 deaths each year in Africa alone. At present, there is no adjunctive therapy for CM. Although the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of CM are incompletely understood, it is likely that both intrinsic features of the parasite and the human host9s immune response contribute to disease. The kinase mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a central regulator of immune responses, and drugs that inhibit the mTOR pathway have been shown to be antiparasitic. In a mouse model of CM, experimental CM (ECM), we show that the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin protects against ECM when administered within the first 4 days of infection. Treatment with rapamycin increased survival, blocked breakdown of the blood-brain barrier and brain hemorrhaging, decreased the influx of both CD4 + and CD8 + T cells into the brain and the accumulation of parasitized red blood cells in the brain. Rapamycin induced marked transcriptional changes in the brains of infected mice, and analysis of transcription profiles predicted that rapamycin blocked leukocyte trafficking to and proliferation in the brain. Remarkably, animals were protected against ECM even though rapamycin treatment significantly increased the inflammatory response induced by infection in both the brain and spleen. These results open a new avenue for the development of highly selective adjunctive therapies for CM by targeting pathways that regulate host and parasite metabolism. IMPORTANCE Malaria is a highly prevalent infectious disease caused by parasites of several Plasmodium spp. Malaria is usually uncomplicated and resolves with time; however, in about 1% of cases, almost exclusively among young children, malaria becomes severe and life threatening, resulting in nearly 700,000 deaths each year in Africa alone. Among the most severe complications of Plasmodium falciparum infection is cerebral malaria with a fatality rate of 15 to 20%, despite treatment with antimalarial drugs. Cerebral malaria takes a second toll on African children, leaving survivors at high risk of debilitating neurological defects. At present, we have no effective adjunctive therapies for cerebral malaria, and developing such therapies would have a large impact on saving young lives in Africa. Here we report results that open a new avenue for the development of highly selective adjunctive therapies for cerebral malaria by targeting pathways that regulate host and parasite metabolism.
Kinetic and thermodynamic assessments of the mediator-template assembly of nanoparticles.

The understanding of kinetic and thermodynamic factors governing the assembly of nanoparticles is important for the design and control of functional nanostructures. This paper describes a study of the kinetic and thermodynamic factors governing the mediator−template assembly of gold nanoparticles into spherical assemblies in solutions. The study is based on spectrophotometric measurements of the surface plasmon (SP) resonance optical property. Gold nanoparticle cores (∼5 nm) encapsulated with tetraoctylammonium bromide shells were studied as a model system. The mediator−template assembly involves a thioether-based multidentate ligand (e.g., MeSi(CH2SMe)3) which functions as a mediator, whereas the tetraoctylammonium bromide capping molecules function as template agents. On the basis of the temperature dependence of the SP optical property in the mediator−template assembly process, the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters such as the reaction rate constant and reaction enthalpy have been determined. The re...
Importance of a Methodology to Evaluate Technology of Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV's) for Deep Waters

International Petroleum Industry has invaded deep water for oil and gas exploitation, Pemex has also started plans towards this objetive however, at this moment Pemex is studying deep waters technology, but in the near future will require it. An important point is that maintenance activities in deep water can not be carried out by divers. Therefore remotely operated vehicles are necessary. Since ROV's technology is complicated it is important to have a methodology to evaluation in order to make the best decisions in the selection and buying process. This paper is interesting, because shows the main parameters to be consider, problems, methods and procedures for ROV's technology evaluation.
The Cold War's cultural ecosystem: angry young men in British and Soviet cinema, 1953–1968

Using examples from postwar British and Soviet cinema, this article interprets European Cold War culture within the framework of a shared cultural ecosystem. The case study of reformist movements in 1950s and 1960s British and Soviet cinema makes clear that analogous sociopolitical and economic developments across postwar Europe inspired film heroes, narratives, and aesthetics that transcended national and ideological borders. The concept of a continent-wide cultural ecosystem elucidates how and why specific cultural phenomena—such as the figure of the “angry young man”—reflect an existence of a dynamic trans-systemic Cold War culture.
Transient isotopic labeling studies under steady-state conditions in partial oxidation of methane to formaldehyde over MoO3 catalysts

The oxygen insertion pathway over MoO[sub 3] catalysts has been investigated for the partial oxidation of methane to formaldehyde using transient isotopic labeling under steady-state reaction conditions. Catalyst samples preferentially exposing basal (010) and side (100) planes have been characterized using various techniques including scanning electron microscopy with three-dimensional imaging, BET surface area, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and laser Raman spectroscopy. In addition to isotopic labeling studies, these catalysts have also been examined under steady-state reaction conditions to assess the effect of the concentration of gas-phase oxygen. Results of the characterization and reaction studies suggest that the production of HCHO proceeds via utilization of lattice oxygen through the Mo[double bond]O sites. These sites are then preferentially replenished through bulk diffusion of oxygen. The bridging Mo-O-Mo sites, on the other hand, appear to be involved in complete oxidation and are more easily regenerated by gas-phase oxygen. 19 refs., 8 figs., 3 tabs.
Hyperspherical harmonics applied to an exactly solvable three-body problem: A simple illustration of current techniques

Abstract The exactly solvable three-body model of Crandall et al. is used to demonstrate the effectiveness and limitations of currently popular hyperspherical-harmonic expansions.
Proton spin relaxation and methyl and hydroxy group motion

Proton spin-lattice relaxation rates R = T1−1 have been measured in powdered samples of 4-methyl-2,6-di-tertiarybutyl phenol between 77 and 170 K. Deuteration of the hydroxy proton leads to a large change in R in the vicinity of the 120-K R maximum and in the high-temperature region. The data are successfully, although probably not uniquely, fitted and the interpretation suggests that in addition to the motion of the hydroxy proton playing a significant role in the relaxation, the two pairs of t-butyl methyl groups also contributing are inequivalent. The departure, at low temperatures, from an ω−2 dependence of R where ω is the nuclear Larmor angular frequency is also investigated.
Determination of thermal maturity and organic matter type by principal components analysis of the distributions of polycyclic aromatic compounds

Abstract The thermal maturity and organofacies sensitivity of polycyclic aromatic compound (PAC) distributions was explored by examination of the aromatic fractions of solvent extracts from a diverse set of 53 shales, coals and kerogen macerals which have undergone either natural or artificial maturation and which represent all three principal sedimentary organic matter (OM) types. Systematic changes with maturation were observed in the following groups of isomers: tri- and tetramethylnaphthalenes, methyl- and dimethylphenanthrenes, methyl- and dimethyldibenzothiophenes, methylpyrenes, and methylchrysenes. The maturity differences were quantified by mathematical ratios of the relative concentrations of the more thermally stable isomers to the less stable, on the basis of theoretical considerations and empirical observations. The PAC maturity parameters, unlike those derived from saturated biomarker stereoisomers, are typically effective across the entire oil generation window. To compensate for the effects of OM type on the maturity parameters, they were combined using principal components analysis. The resulting first principal component was in good agreement with independent indicators of maturity. The relative distributions of C0–C3 alkylphenanthrenes, dibenzothiophene, methyldibenzothiophenes and methyldibenzofurans were evaluated by a separate principal components analysis. The results permitted an independent grouping of the samples by OM type and suggested additional, simple molecular ratios that allow graphical recognition of OM type, including the ratio of dibenzothiophenes to dibenzofurans and a ratio using C2-alkylphenanthrene isomers.
Coronary heart disease mortality in China: age, gender, and urban rural gaps during epidemiological transition

OBJECTIVE: To examine and describe coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality and its pattern of change (trend) by sex, age, and area of residence (urban versus rural) in Tianjin, China, within the context of epidemiological transition, and compare it with current trends in the Americas and Europe. METHODS: A total of 104 393 cases of CHD death in Tianjin occurring between 1999 and 2008 were monitored. Death due to CHD was coded using International Classification of Diseases (ICD) standards (ninth and tenth revisions). Standardized CHD mortality rates and their trends were analyzed by age, sex, and urban versus rural residence. RESULTS: During the 10-year study period, the proportion of total deaths due to CHD in Tianjin increased significantly (from 16% to 24%) and age-standardized CHD mortality increased slightly (with no statistical differences), in contrast to CHD mortality trends in various countries in the Americas and Europe, which are declining. No difference was found in Tianjin's CHD mortality trend by sex. Overall CHD mortality was consistently higher among older age groups, males, and residents of urban areas. The proportion of CHD deaths occurring outside hospitals was 55.81%, with a declining trend over the study period. Rural areas had a higher proportion of outside-hospital CHD mortality than urban areas, but no difference was found across age groups. CONCLUSIONS: From 1999 to 2008, CHD mortality in Tianjin varied by sex, age, and urban versus rural area of residence. Future research to identify CHD risk factors and the populations most vulnerable to the disease is recommended to help strengthen CHD prevention. Strategies for CHD control similar to those used in various developed countries in the Americas and Europe should be developed to reduce the CHD burden in China.
Regional Variation in Mortality and Subsequent Hospitalization of Nursing Residents With Heart Failure

Objective Do demographics, clinical characteristics, care structures, mortality, and rehospitalization differ by region among a national sample of nursing home (NH) residents with heart failure (HF)? Methods Retrospective observational study of NH residents with HF by ICD-9 CM codes or Minimum Data Set (MDS) diagnosis, using the Linked Nursing Home/Skilled Nursing Facility Stay File, containing MDS, hospitalization, and mortality data for all residents in a 10% random sample of NHs (n = 1840) during 2003–2004. Facility characteristics, demographics, functional characteristics, comorbidity, and outcomes were described by geographic region. Baseline characteristics and care structures for subjects who experienced a subsequent HF hospitalization or death were compared with those who did not, using unadjusted odds ratios and chi-square tests or Fisher’s exact test s for categorical, and t tests or Wilcoxon Rank Sum tests for continuous variables. Predictive logistic regression models for mortality in all subjects and HF hospitalization in subjects with a single NH stay of fewer than 90 days were developed. Time to first HF hospitalization in longer-stay subjects was analyzed using Cox models. Results Mortality of NH residents with HF exceeds 45%; HF hospitalization exceeds 50% annually. Residing in a facility with 50 or fewer beds or in the rural South were both associated with lower risk of death. Older age and residing in the Midwest were associated with higher risk of HF hospitalization. Conclusion Age, comorbidity, and functional impairment were not clinically different among regions of the country, but both mortality and HF hospitalization rates differed significantly by region.
Efficient transferred electron device simulation method for microwave and millimeter wave CAD applications

Abstract A set of hydrodynamic transport equations, which govern a physical model for GaAs transferred electron devices, are formulated using phenomenological transport parameters derived from large scale Monte Carlo particle simulations. A fast and efficient numerical solution method is developed, allowing inexpensive and systematic investigations of a wide variety of TED samples under many operating conditions. The method not only permits insight into important semiconductor transport processes, but also permits the identification of candidate device samples for microwave and millimeter wave circuit applications.
13-cis-retinoic acid stimulates in vitro mannose 6-phosphate hydrolysis and inhibits retinol esterification and benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylation by rat-liver microsomes.

Abstract 13-cis-Retinoic acid, a drug used at high doses in the treatment of recalcitrant acne, increased the permeability of rat-liver microsomal membranes to mannose 6-phosphate in vitro, as indicated by an increase in mannose-6-phosphatase activity. At the same concentrations, four other amphiphiles, including all-trans-rerinoic acid, were much less effective. 13-cis-Retinoic acid also inhibited retinol esterification and benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylation in microsome preparations in vitro. Although the molecular mechanism and the reversibility of these effects have not yet been studied, the interaction of 13-cis-retinoic acid with cell membranes may well be involved in both its therapeutic and toxic manifestations.
The effect of the vulcanization network topology on the elasticity constants of synthetic rubbers

The crosslinking characteristics in a synthetic rubber (SKMS-30 ARK) diluted with Stabiloil 18, the topology of the vulcanization network and its effect on the elasticity constants C1 and C2 have been studied. The lastnamed have been found to decrease when the volume fraction of the polymer was reduced in the system during crosslinking, which reduces the crosslinking efficiency while simultaneously increasing the intramolecular reaction probability and the formation of cyclic structures; the amount of physical entanglements is reduced. The topological features of the networks produced in the presence of the diluent are discussed.
The effect of tax rates and uncertainty on contributory crowding out

This uncertain dictator experiment found support for partial crowding out. Ninety-seven percent of private contributions were crowded out when tax rates were increased from 0 to 10 percent of income. Subjects who were uncertain whether they would be the donor or charity recipient pledged larger contributions and had lower levels of crowding out. Crowding out appeared asymmetric in that decreases in government contributions did not stimulate equivalent increases in private contributions. In the case of certainty, donors actually decreased contributions when government contributions decreased. The donor's gender did not influence contributory behavior.
The clinical behavior of desmoplastic melanoma.

Abstract Background: Desmoplastic melanoma (DM) is a rare variant of malignant melanoma. A better understanding of the clinical course of DM will impact on its treatment. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 59 patients with DM seen at the Mayo Clinics Scottsdale and Rochester since 1985. Results: Thirty-seven (63%) patients were male with a mean age of 62.8 years. The mean DM thickness was 6.5 mm. A total of 23 patients (39%) experienced local recurrence (LR). LR correlated with positive, unknown, or Conclusions: LR is a significant problem and correlates with an increased risk of systemic metastatic disease. With the rare occurrence of lymphatic spread, we recommend patients undergo SLN biopsy only. DM appears to preferentially metastasize to the lungs and should be targeted when evaluating the patient for metastatic disease.
DWM-PUF: A low-overhead, memory-based security primitive

Physically Unclonable Function (PUF) is a security primitive to address hardware security issues such as chip authentication, Intellectual Property (IP) protection etc. Conventional CMOS PUFs are built on delay (inverter chains, scan chains etc.) or memory structures (like SRAM). In this paper, we propose a novel PUF which works on the principles of spintronic Domain Wall Memory (DWM). Conventional DWM is limited by pinning due to process variations induced surface roughness of the nanowire. We exploit this limitation towards chip-authentication. We propose two flavors of PUFs namely relay-PUF and memory-PUF. The proposed PUFs show excellent entropy (measured by Hamming Distance). We also analyze metrics such as robustness, area and power of the DWM-PUFs. The memory-PUF indicated up to an order of magnitude reduction in power compared to SRAM PUF.