cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Sasaki-Ricci Flow and Compact Sasaki Manifolds of Positive Transverse Holomorphic Bisectional Curvature

We show that Perelman’s \({\mathcal{W}}\) functional on Kahler manifolds has a natural counterpart on Sasaki manifolds. We prove, using this functional, that Perelman’s results on Kahler–Ricci flow (the first Chern class is positive) can be generalized to Sasaki–Ricci flow, including the uniform bound on the diameter and the scalar curvature along the flow. We also show that positivity of transverse bisectional curvature is preserved along Sasaki–Ricci flow, using Bando and Mok’s methods and results in Kahler–Ricci flow. In particular, we show that the Sasaki–Ricci flow converges to a Sasaki–Ricci soliton when the initial metric has nonnegative transverse bisectional curvature.
Distributions of the activities of aspartate aminotransferase isoenzymes in rat retinal layers

Distributions of the activities of the cytosolic (cAAT) and mitochondrial (mAAT) isoenzymes of aspartate aminotransferase were determined in rat retinal layers. cAAT was highest in the photoreceptor inner segments, inner nuclear layer and inner plexiform layer; mAAT was highest in the inner segments. The high activity in the inner segments indicates that both isoenzymes are involved in energy metabolism in addition to a possible role in neurotransmission.
Phase coherence and control of stored photonic information

We report the demonstration of phase coherence and control for the recently developed ``light-storage'' technique. Specifically, we employ a dynamic form of electromagnetically induced transparency to bring the group velocity of a light pulse to zero, thereby mapping the photonic information into an ensemble spin coherence in warm Rb vapor. We then apply a pulsed magnetic field to vary the phase of the atomic spin excitations and map the altered information back into light. We detect the resultant phase shift in an optical interferometric measurement, thus confirming that the storage process preserves phase coherence.
SENSORY CHARACTERISTICS OF SODIUM LACTATE AND SODIUM TRIPOLYPHOSPHATE IN A MODEL SYSTEM

The purpose of this study was to assess the sensory characteristics of sodium lactate (SL) in combination with sodium tripolyphosphate (STP) in a model system at common usage levels for meat products. Using a gelatin-based (2 %) system containing various concentrations of sodium lactate (0%, 1%, 2 %, or 3%) and sodium tripolyphosphate (0%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, or 0.4%) a thirteen-member trained sensory panel scored samples for saltiness, bitterness, and soapiness. As sodium lactate and sodium tripolyphosphate levels increased, saltiness increased. Bitterness decreased with addition of 1 % SL and increased with 2 and 3% SL. Soapiness also increased with increasing levels of SL. Bitterness and soapiness were not affected by increasing STP concentrations.
Efficient solution method for unified nonlinear microwave circuit and numerical solid-state device simulation

A simple and very efficient harmonic-balance technique is presented that is suitable for the steady-state analysis of nonlinear microwave and millimeter-wave circuits that require physics-based, fully numerical simulations of charge carrier transport in the solid-state device. The practical integration of a numerical device simulator with a nonlinear circuit simulator requires a robust and fast circuit solution algorithm. The new circuit solution algorithm was applied to a test simulation of a 100- to 300-GHz multiplier circuit, achieving a savings in computational effort of 98% and a reduction in execution time by a factor of 33 over contending harmonic-balance techniques. >
Distribution of Mahogany/Attractin mRNA in the rat central nervous system

The Mahogany/Attractin gene (Atrn) has been proposed as a downstream mediator of Agouti signaling because yellow hair color and obesity in lethal yellow (A(y)) mice are suppressed by the mahogany (Atrn(mg)) mutation. The present study examined the distribution of Atrn mRNA in the brain and spinal cord by in situ hybridization. Atrn mRNA was found widely distributed throughout the central nervous system, with high levels in regions of the olfactory system, some limbic structures, regions of the brainstem, cerebellum and spinal cord. In the hypothalamus, Atrn mRNA was found in specific nuclei including the suprachiasmatic nucleus, the supraoptic nucleus, the medial preoptic nucleus, the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus, the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus, and the arcuate nucleus. These results suggest a broad spectrum of physiological functions for the Atrn gene product.
Cation Vacancy Energetics in the Gadolinium Titanate/Zirconate System

Atomistic simulations of coupled anion/cation disorder in the pyrochlore structure of Gd{sub 2}(Zr{sub x}Ti{sub 1{minus}x}){sub 2}O{sub 7} show that homoatomic cation vacancy migration energies range from 3.8 to 7.9 eV, and increase with the addition of anion defects. For ordered materials, the energies for heteroatomic Ti or Zr vacancy migrations to Gd sites are 1.4 and 1.9 eV, respectively, but the addition of neighboring oxygen defects generally reduces these energies to less than 1 eV. The heteroatomic migration of Gd vacancies to Ti or Zr sites remains rather large ({gt}2.7 eV) even with the presence of oxygen defects.
The molecular basis of hypodactyly (Hd): a deletion in Hoxa13 leads to arrest of digital arch formation

Hypodactyly (Hd) is a semidominant mutation in mice that maps in a genetic interval overlapping the Hoxa cluster. The profound deficiency of digital arch structures in Hd/Hd mice is consistent with a defect in a gene activated late in limb morphogenesis. We have determined the structure of the Hoxa13 gene and describe a 50–base pair deletion in the first exon of the Hd allele that probably arose from unequal recombination or misalignment between triplet repeats. It is predicted that no Hoxa13 protein is made from Hd mRNA. The hypodactyly limb phenotype is similar to that of Hoxd13–deficient mice in sharing defects along multiple axes and alterations in cartilage maturation; however, the overall effects on digital arch formation are more severe in Hd/Hd mice. Our results confirm the critical role of AbdB–like Hox genes in the development of the autopod, and add to the spectrum of mutations involving triplet repeats
Restless legs syndrome : Clinicoetiologic correlates

Despite recent attempts to better characterize restless legs syndrome (RLS), this neurologic disorder remains poorly understood. The relationship between idiopathic and secondary and between familial and sporadic (nonfamilial) cases have not been previously defined. We studied 54 patients (29 women and 25 men) who satisfied the diagnostic criteria for RLS. The mean age of the patients was 62.69 +/- 13.82 years, and the mean age at onset was 34.13 +/- 20.30 years. We found that 92% of patients with idiopathic RLS (without neuropathy) had a family history of RLS, whereas only 13% of those with neuropathic RLS (associated with peripheral neuropathy) had a positive family history. The sporadic/neuropathic patients were older at symptom onset and tended to have a more rapid progression than the familial/idiopathic patients. There were no other significant differences between the subgroups. Levodopa and dopamine agonists were the most effective treatments. We conclude that there are two major etiologic subgroups of RLS but that the two share central pathophysiologic mechanisms.
44. Carbonization of 2, 4, 6 octatriyne

Abstract Investigation of the pyrolysis of 2, 4, 6 octatriyne was undertaken because of the evidence from earlier work that conjugated, highly unsaturated, aliphatic molecules or radicals play an important role as intermediates in formation of nuclei for gas carbon. The compound is available in crystalline form as well as vapor, so it offers a useful material for investigation and comparison with other sources of carbon. In gas phase the octatriyne carbonizes more readily than acetylene. At lower temperatures it forms a “carbon” which is a simple polymer, but above about 500°C decomposes to gas carbon. The solid polymerizes slowly under influence of light or mild heating. The liquid forms a black, glassy carbon on slow heating, and decomposes in a thermal explosion to a gel of carbon particles on more rapid heating. The primary decomposition product other than carbon is methane, with hydrogen and acetylene also forming in the thermal explosion reactions. Oxygen from air adds readily in the thermal reaction but has no appreciable effect on carbon formation. Comparative data are given on the energy relations and on possible reaction mechanisms for the polymerization and decomposition.
Trace-Level Automated Mercury Speciation Analysis

An automated system for methyl Hg analysis by purge and trap gas chromatography (GC) was evaluated, with comparison of several different instrument configurations including chromatography columns (packed column or capillary), detector (atomic fluorescence, AFS, or inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, ICP-MS, using quadrupole and sector field ICP-MS instruments). Method detection limits (MDL) of 0.042 pg and 0.030 pg for CH3Hg+ were achieved with the automated Hg analysis system configured with AFS and ICP-MS detection, respectively. Capillary GC with temperature programming was effective in improving resolution and decreasing retention times of heavier Hg species (in this case C3H7Hg+) although carryover between samples was increased. With capillary GC, the MDL for CH3Hg+ was 0.25 pg for AFS detection and 0.060 pg for ICP-MS detection. The automated system was demonstrated to have high throughput (72 samples analyzed in 8 h) requiring considerably less analyst time than the manual method for CH3Hg+ analysis described in EPA 1630.
Abstract 2600:SLX4mutation in hereditary breast cancer

SLX4 is a DNA repair protein that serves as a docking platform for three structure-specific endonucleases. Recent studies have reported mutations in SLX4 in a new subtype of Fanconi Anemia (FA-P). Monoallelic defects in several Fanconi Anemia genes are known to confer susceptibility to breast and ovarian cancer. Therefore, we resequenced the entire SLX4 coding region in 739 (288 Ashkenazi Jewish and 480 Non-Ashkenazi Jewish) breast cancer patients with 3 or more family members affected by breast cancer and no known BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations, to determine if SLX4 is involved in breast cancer susceptibility. We found a novel nonsense (p.W823*) mutation in one patient. We are sequencing the gene in the breast tumor from the patient to determine the status of the wild-type allele. In addition we also found 8 novel, 33 rare (MAF 0.5) missense variants, of which 12 (5 novel and 10 rare) are predicted as damaging by Polyphen2. Functional analysis of these missense mutations is being performed to determine their role in the pathogenicity of the SLX4 gene. Acknowlegements- This project was funded by The Starr Cancer Consotium (Agata Smorgorzewska and Kenneth Offit), The Rita Allen Foundation Scholars Program Grant (Agata Smorgorzewska) and Burroughs Wellcome Fund Career Award for Medical Scientists (Agata Smorgorzewska). We would like to thank the Geoffrey Beene Translational Oncology and Diagnostic Molecular Genetics laboratories for their help with the study. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2600. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-2600
Revisiting Reuben Hill's Theory of Familial Response to Stressors: The Mediating Role of Mental Outlook for Offspring of Divorce

With data from the National Survey of Families and Households (NSFH), the authors probe the link between parental and second-generation divorce. They investigate whether parental divorce and offspring's subsequent marital behavior are related to mental outlook. Existing literature maintains that children who experience parental divorce are more likely to divorce than their counterparts, yet explanations for this pattern remain contested. Drawing from Reuben Hill's classic ABCX model, the authors derive an analytical model that includes personal as opposed to interpersonal aspects of family crises. Only one factor produces mediating effects. Parental divorce depresses offspring self-satisfaction as opposed to their marital commitment, which subsequently leads to greater odds of their divorce and marital unhappiness. These results suggest the utility of mental outlook in future analytical models and lend continuing support to the viability of Reuben Hill's perspective for disentangling the complexities of family behaviors.
Multiple concurrent immunoregulatory defects in cancer patients with depressed PHA-induced lymphocyte DNA synthesis

Abstract Peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes (PBL) from 12 of 30 patients with untreated disseminated solid tumors exhibited lymphoproliferative responses to the T-cell mitogen, phytohemagglutinin (PHA), which fell greater than 2 standard deviations (SD) below those of age-matched normal subjects. The possible contribution of immunoregulatory suppressor cell activity to impaired responsiveness was assessed by measuring, at a single assessment point for each patient, the percentages and absolute numbers of the T-cell subsets TG and TM, concanavalin A (Con A)-inducible suppressor cells, and the effects of 24-hr preculture and glass-adherent cell depletion on resultant PHA responses. The values obtained for each of these parameters in individual patients was considered to be abnormal if the patient value fell greater than 2 SD above or below the corresponding mean value exhibited by a group of age-matched normal subjects. All patients studied exhibited at least one abnormal immunoregulatory mechanism, while 9 of 12 patients had multiple immunoregulatory defects. Six patients exhibited depressed Con A-inducible suppression in confunction with increased 24-hr preculture-sensitive and/or glassadherent cell-mediated suppression, one of these having, in addition, aberrant TG/TM profiles. Two patients had increased levels of Con A-inducible suppression in association with increased glass-adherent suppressor cell activity, one of these having decreased percentages of TM cells and the other having increased percentages of TG cells. The final patient with multiple immunoregulatory defects had increased percentages of TG cells and increased levels of 24-hr preculture-sensitive and glass-adherent cell-mediated suppressor activity. We conclude that multiple immunoregulatory defects may coexist and contribute to immunodeficiency in cancer patients.
Partially adaptive beamforming for correlated interference rejection

Conventional linearly constrained adaptive beamformers often suffer from severe signal cancellation in the presence of interferers correlated with the signal. We propose a partially adaptive beamforming technique for correlated interference rejection in broadband signal environments. The beamformer output mean squared error is decomposed into an interference mean squared error term and an additional signal cancellation term that is due to the presence of correlated interference. Both mean squared errors depend on the adaptation space. The partially adaptive beamforming technique proposed here chooses an adaptation space which results in little signal cancellation while maintaining satisfactory interference cancellation. It is shown that, for a given interference scenario, a partially adaptive beamformer can be designed such that maximum interference cancellation is achieved without any signal cancellation. In practice, an approximate design procedure is provided to accommodate a set of likely interference scenarios. Analysis of the feasibility of this approach is presented. The effectiveness of the technique is demonstrated through examples. >
A newly-isolated marine methanogen harbors a small cryptic plasmid.

Of 21 recently isolated strains of methanococci, one was found to harbor a small, cryptic, low copy number plasmid. Reproducible recovery was achieved by alkaline lysis of cells pretreated with proteinase K in an osmotically stabilizing buffer. The plasmid was found to contain a singleAval site. No homology was detected between the plasmid and DNA from any of the other new strains or from five known species of methanococci.
Chicana/Latina Testimonios: Mapping the Methodological, Pedagogical, and Political

While the genre of testimonio has deep roots in oral cultures and in Latin American human rights struggles, the publication and subsequent adoption of This Bridge Called My Back (Moraga & Anzaldua,...
A comparison of state university defined benefit and defined contribution pension plans: a Monte Carlo simulation

Abstract This paper examines investment risk in comparing defined benefit (DB) and defined contribution (DC) plans by employing a Monte Carlo simulation. Using a bivariate normal distribution, two general types of risk are associated with a DC-plan. The first is that not enough is being earned by an allocation rule to cover DB-plan outflows. Secondly the portfolio may experience runs of losses that can’t be overcome by waiting for a better year because the money runs out. The general result is that higher stock allocations allow the higher earning potential of stocks, even if the losses are occasionally experienced, to accumulate enough wealth to see a DC portfolio match the promised benefits of a DB-plan.
Micromechanics of crack bridging in sapphire/epoxy composites

Fracture-mechanics analyses of matrix-cracking stress and fracture toughness of brittle-matrix composites require knowledge of the crack-closure tractions applied by the bridging fibers. The closure traction is expressed as a relationship between a distributed closure stress (p) and the local crack-opening displacement (u). The p/u relationship is typically derived from a micromechanics analysis of stress transfer from the matrix to the fiber in the vicinity of the matrix crack. This paper describes measurements of bridging stresses and crack openings in a model composite made of a brittle epoxy matrix and sapphire filaments coated with release agents to prevent interfacial bonding. Stresses in the crack-bridging sapphire filaments were determined by measuring the shift of the fluorescence lines of trace chromium impurity with a laser microprobe. The measured p/u data were compared with micromechanical models applicable to composites with unbonded, frictional interfaces and found to be consistent with models that predict a lower-bound bridging stress at the crack tip equal to the far-field fiber stress. The implications of this finding for the prediction of the matrix-cracking stress of brittle-matrix composites are discussed in the paper.
Lower Flammability Limit of Difluoromethane and Percolation Theory

Measurements of flammability limits by the ASTM E 681 method are believed to be affected by vessel size. In order to investigate the effect of volume on measured lower flammability limits in air, experimental measurements of the lower flammability limit of difluoromethane (R-32) are made at 21°C using 3, 5, 12, and 20 L vessels. A spark ignition source is used with the voltage adjusted to the value where dielectric breakdown just begins to occur (approximately 7–12 kV). The results demonstrated a higher concentration for the lower flammability limit for the vessels smaller than 5 L suggesting that wall effects quench the flame propagation. The lower flammability limit for vessels with a 5 L or greater volume are in good agreement with those obtained in earlier investigations. For 5 L and larger vessels the lower flammability limits systematically shift to higher concentrations of difluoromethane with increasing vessel size which is consistent with a percolation model for spatial flame propagation. Extrapolation of the data to infinite vessel size using a percolation model yielded a lower flammability limit of 15.2 vol.%. The results are consistent with the work of Richard for refrigerant mixtures, R134a/R152a and R125/R152a, in large volume vessels (200 L) where effects of vessel walls are negligible.
Centroid-moment tensor solutions for October-December 1988

Abstract Centroid-moment tensor solutions are presented for 184 earthquakes that occurred during the fourth quarter of 1988. The solutions are obtained using corrections for aspherical Earth structure.
INTEGRATED ANALYSIS OF PHYSICAL AND BIOLOGICAL PAN-ARCTIC CHANGE

We investigate the recent large changes that have occurred in the Arctic over the period of 1965-1995 through examination of 86 regionally-dispersed time series representing seven data types: climate indices, atmosphere, ocean, terrestrial, sea ice, fisheries, and other biological data. To our knowledge, this is the first semi-quantitative analysis of Arctic data that spans multiple disciplines and geographic regions. Although visual inspection and Principal Component Analysis of the data collection indicate that Arctic change is complex, three patterns are evident. The temporal pattern of change calculated as the first Principal Component (PC1), representing 23% of the variance, has a single regime-like shift near 1989 based on a large number of time series, which include projections from a strong stratospheric vortex in spring, the Arctic Oscillation, sea ice declines in several regions, and changes in selected mammal, bird, and fish populations. The pattern based on the second Principal Component (PC2) shows interdecadal variability over the Arctic Ocean Basin north of 70 ◦ N; this variability is observed in surface wind fields, sea ice, and ocean circulation, with the most recent shift near 1989. Contributions to PC1 cover a larger geographic area than PC2, and are consistent with a recent amplification of the interdecadal mode due to polar processes such as increased incidence of cold stratospheric temperature anomalies or internal feedbacks. Most land processes - such as snow cover, greenness, Siberian runoff, permafrost temperatures - and certain subarctic sea ice records show a third pattern of a linear trend over the 30-year interval, which is qualitatively different than either PC1 or PC2. These variables are from lower latitudes and often integrate the atmospheric or oceanographic influence over several seasons including summer. That more than half of the data collection projects strongly onto one of the three patterns, suggests that the Arctic is responding as a coherent system over the previous three decades. However, no single index or class of observations exclusively tracks change in the Arctic, a conclusion that emerges from a multivariate analysis.
Aging effects on auditory and vestibular responses: A longitudinal study

Purpose: To identify age-related changes in the auditory and vestibular systems in normal older subjects followed serially over time. Methods: Pure tone hearing levels, speech reception threshold, speech discrimination scores, and vestibulo-ocular responses were measured in 57 normal older subjects (mean age, 82) on 5 yearly examinations. Results: There was a significant (P .01). Conclusion: This is the first longitudinal study to show age-related decreases in auditory and vestibular responses in normal older subjects. Because the age-related changes in the auditory system were not correlated with age-related changes in the vestibular system, the 2 systems may age at different rates in the same individual. These changes likely result from degeneration in both peripheral and central structures, although age-related changes in the central nervous system probably are more important from a functional point of view.
Gender differences in colorectal polyps and tumors.

Abstract OBJECTIVES: To use a national endoscopy database (CORI) to determine 1) whether gender differences are noted in the prevalence and location of polyps and tumors; 2) whether women have a higher rate of right-sided polyps or tumors; and 3) whether age influences these results. METHODS: CORI database from April 1, 1997 to February 19, 1999, captured in a computer-generated report, was analyzed. Polyps for this study were defined as sessile or pedunculated and as >9 mm. Tumors were defined as lesions characteristic of adenocarcinoma (mass, apple-core). Pure right-sided colon (PRS) was defined as cecum, ascending, hepatic flexure; right-sided as PRS plus the transverse colon; and left-sided as the splenic flexure, descending, sigmoid and rectum. RESULTS: Men have a greater risk of polyps [odds ratio (OR), 1.5] and tumors (OR, 1.4) than women. The risk of finding polyps and tumors at colonoscopy increases with age, with the highest risk noted in those >69 yr of age relative to patients 60 yr of age. Women have a greater risk of developing pure right-sided polyps (OR, 1.2), tumors (OR, 1.6) and right-sided tumors (OR, 1.5) than men. CONCLUSIONS: Men have a higher prevalence of colon polyps and tumors than women. A progressive risk of polyp or tumor formation is noted with aging. Women had a greater number of pure right-sided polyps and tumor development. Colonoscopy is needed to correctly diagnose an increasing prevalence of right-sided pathology in the elderly.
Chemical and electrical characteristics of low temperature plasma enhanced CVD silicon oxide films using Si2H6 and N2O

Abstract Silicon oxide films have been deposited at low temperatures in the range of 30–250 °C using Si2H6 and N2O by conventional plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition technique. The dependencies of deposition temperatures on the film properties are studied. The leakage current and the etch rate of these low temperature films compare favorably to films deposited by silane and TEOS at higher temperatures, respectively.
Detection and Localization of Specific Sequences on Single Microfluidically Trapped DNA Molecules using PNA Probes

We propose a single molecule fluorescence-based approach to rapidly locate specific sequences on DNA. Using the roughly 50,000 base pair lambda-DNA as a model molecule, we demonstrate that patterns of targeted sequences can be detected using peptide nucleic acid (PNA)-based probes. These bisPNAs, modified with biotin and Tamra on opposing ends, bind to target sequences on double-stranded lambda-DNA. While PNA probes were chosen for their specificity and versatility, they are prone to bind to non-target sites that differ from the target site by one terminal base pair. PNA binding to these single-end mismatch (SEMM) sites can be minimized by a moderate amount of additional heating following the binding reaction and this step must be optimized to achieve the requisite specificity.Here we demonstrate the single-molecule analysis of the binding of two PNAs, with three and two target sites on lambda-DNA, respectively. Neutravidin-coated 40 nm fluorescent polymer spheres are attached to the DNA-bound biotinylated PNAs and the DNA is fluorescently stained. The locations of the bound beads along single DNA molecules are determined by stretching the DNA on slides and by trapping and stretching single DNA molecules in a microfluidic cross-slot, utilizing a stagnation-point extensional flow. In comparing to previously published results, we find that the end modifications have substantial effects on binding conditions. Furthermore, the effects of additional heating on individual target sites and mismatched sites were quantified.
Computer-generated fMRI phantoms with motion-distortion interaction

As an extension of previous work on computer-generated phantoms, more accurate, realistic phantoms are generated by integrating image distortion and signal loss caused by susceptibility variations. With the addition of real motions and activations determined from actual functional MRI studies, these phantoms can be used by the fMRI community to assess with higher fidelity pre-processing algorithms such as motion correction, distortion correction and signal-loss compensation. These phantoms were validated by comparison to real echo-planar images. Specifically, studies have shown the effects of motion-distortion interactions on fMRI. We performed motion correction and activation analysis on these phantoms based on a block paradigm design using SPM2, and the results demonstrate that interactions between motion and distortion affect both motion correction and activation detection and thus represent a critical component of phantom generation.
Test application time reduction for sequential circuits with scan

Scan designs alleviate the test generation problem for sequential circuits. However, scan operations substantially increase the total number of test clocks during test application stage. Classical methods used to solve this problem perform test compaction and obtain fewer test vectors. In this paper we show that such a strategy does not always reduce the test clocks or test application time. Our approach is to associate a scan strategy function with each test vector during test generation for circuits with full or partial scan. The paper presents two algorithms to generate test sequences that reduce the number of test clocks required to apply the test sequences. The algorithms are based on: (1) heuristics that determine the need for scan operations; and (2) controlling sequential test generation process by choosing an appropriate target fault. In this paper we define and investigate different scan strategies for full and partial scan designs. We propose approximate measures that can be used for selection of a target fault during sequential test generation. These concepts are integrated into the algorithms Test Application time Reduction for Full scan (TARF) and Test Application time Reduction for Partial scan (TARP). The algorithms are implemented, and their efficiencies are demonstrated by using them for a set of ISCAS sequential benchmark circuits. The experiments show that, in full scan designs, TARF generated vectors require 36% fewer test clocks compared to the vectors from COMPACTEST that produces near optimal test sets. Similarly for partial scan designs, TARP achieves over 30% cumulative test clock reduction compared to the results from FASTEST which produced generally fewer vectors than other ATPG systems. >
Measurement of Wheat Hardness by Seed Scarifier and Barley Pearler and Comparison with Single-Kernel Characterization System

ABSTRACT A new procedure based on a seed scarifier (SS) for measuring wheat hardness was described and investigated along with methods using a barley pearler (BP) and the single kernel characterization system (SKCS). Hardness measured by SS and BP is expressed as a percentage of kernel weight remaining after abrading and defined as abrasion resistance index (ARI). For a given sample weight, increased abrading time decreased ARI but improved the ability to differentiate variation among samples. The effect of sample moisture was also statistically significant. For improved performance of SS and BP, based on distinct patterns of relationships between surface removal rates and surface removal levels among soft and hard wheats, a combination of parameters that produces ARI values in the range of 80–20, and a run for a set of reference material are recommended. Differences in measured hardness values from SS, BP, and SKCS existed within a wheat group, but they were very much method-dependent. Nevertheless, all ...
Specialization-generalization trade-off in a Bradyrhizobium symbiosis with wild legume hosts

Background: Specialized interactions help structure communities, but persistence of specialized organisms is puzzling because a generalist can occupy more environments and partake in more beneficial interactions. The “Jack-of-all-trades is a master of none” hypothesis asserts that specialists persist because the fitness of a generalist utilizing a particular habitat is lower than that of a specialist adapted to that habitat. Yet, there are many reasons to expect that mutualists will generalize on partners. Plant-soil feedbacks help to structure plant and microbial communities, but how frequently are soil-based symbiotic mutualistic interactions sufficiently specialized to influence species distributions and community composition? To address this question, we quantified realized partner richness and phylogenetic breadth of four wild-grown native legumes (Lupinus bicolor, L. arboreus, Acmispon strigosus and A. heermannii) and performed inoculation trials to test the ability of two hosts (L. bicolor and A. strigosus) to nodulate (fundamental partner richness), benefit from (response specificity), and provide benefit to (effect specificity) 31 Bradyrhizobium genotypes. Results: In the wild, each Lupinus species hosted a broader genetic range of Bradyrhizobium than did either Acmispon species, suggesting that Acmispon species are more specialized. In the greenhouse, however, L. bicolor and A. strigosus did not differ in fundamental association specificity: all inoculated genotypes nodulated both hosts. Nevertheless, A. strigosus exhibited more specificity, i.e., greater variation in its response to, and effect on, Bradyrhizobium genotypes. Lupinus bicolor benefited from a broader range of genotypes but averaged less benefit from each. Both hosts obtained more fitness benefit from symbionts isolated from conspecific hosts; those symbionts in turn gained greater fitness benefit from hosts of the same species from which they were isolated. Conclusions: This study affirmed two important tenets of evolutionary theory. First, as predicted by the Jack-of-alltrades is a master of none hypothesis, specialist A. strigosus obtained greater benefit from its beneficial symbionts than did generalist L. bicolor. Second, as predicted by coevolutionary theory, each test species performed better with partner genotypes isolated from conspecifics. Finally, positive fitness feedback between the tested hosts and symbionts suggests that positive plant-soil feedback could contribute to their patchy distributions in this system.
Investigation of Flow through Orifices in Riser Pipes

In this study the discharge coefficient for circular orifices of different size in two different sizes of riser pipe is investigated experimentally. This type of outlet structure is common in detention ponds to achieve runoff volume control from developed areas in order to meet outflow discharge and water quality requirements. The discharge coefficient is determined by recording the drop in pond water level with time as water flows out of the orifice. The discharge coefficient is found to be a function of head over the orifice, location of the orifice above the floor of the tank, and the ratio of the orifice diameter to riser pipe diameter. The discharge coefficient increases as the head over the orifice decreases and height of the orifice above the floor of the tank decreases. The discharge coefficient reduces as the ratio of the orifice diameter to pipe diameter increases and eventually reaches an asymptotic value. Also, with all other variables being the same, the discharge coefficient is lower for larger size riser pipe. An equation that is a function of head over the orifice and height of the orifice above the floor of the tank is fitted for each ratio of orifice diameter to piper diameter. The coefficients of the equation are found to be a function of the ratio of orifice diameter to piper diameter. A minimum coefficient of determination of 0.78 for the fitted equation suggests that the fit can be used to determine the discharge coefficient for orifices in circular riser pipes.
Evaluation of the Scottsdale Loop 101 automated speed enforcement demonstration program

Speeding is recognized as a major contributing factor in traffic crashes. In order to reduce speed-related crashes, the city of Scottsdale, Arizona implemented the first fixed-camera photo speed enforcement program (SEP) on a limited access freeway in the US. The 9-month demonstration program spanning from January 2006 to October 2006 was implemented on a 6.5 mile urban freeway segment of Arizona State Route 101 running through Scottsdale. This paper presents the results of a comprehensive analysis of the impact of the SEP on speeding behavior, crashes, and the economic impact of crashes. The impact on speeding behavior was estimated using generalized least square estimation, in which the observed speeds and the speeding frequencies during the program period were compared to those during other periods. The impact of the SEP on crashes was estimated using 3 evaluation methods: a before-and-after (BA) analysis using a comparison group, a BA analysis with traffic flow correction, and an empirical Bayes BA analysis with time-variant safety. The analysis results reveal that speeding detection frequencies (speeds> or =76 mph) increased by a factor of 10.5 after the SEP was (temporarily) terminated. Average speeds in the enforcement zone were reduced by about 9 mph when the SEP was implemented, after accounting for the influence of traffic flow. All crash types were reduced except rear-end crashes, although the estimated magnitude of impact varies across estimation methods (and their corresponding assumptions). When considering Arizona-specific crash related injury costs, the SEP is estimated to yield about $17 million in annual safety benefits.
Fertility, Marriage, and Culture: Demographic Processes Among Norwegian Immigrants to the Rural Middle West

The image of the `backward immigrant has enjoyed a prominent place in American history in large part because of the perceived `non-American fertility behavior of many immigrant groups. The European perspective on these migrants however has been to see them as innovators breaking free from the demographic constraints of the Old World. Drawing upon a large sample of reconstituted Norwegian immigrant families this article examines the rising and then declining fertility of this group over the second half of the nineteenth century. It concludes that their fertility experience was influenced both by cultural tenacity and economic opportunity. (EXCERPT)
Chains of Empire, Projects of State: Political Education and U.S. Colonial Rule in Puerto Rico and the Philippines

In October of 1899, General George W. Davis of the United States military government in Puerto Rico issued General Order No. 160. By that time, General Davis and his forces had been occupying Puerto Rico for over a year. The war with Spain which had initially brought them to the island was finally over, and they now claimed complete control over the territory. General Order No. 160 thereby called for the establishment of municipal governments in Puerto Rico. It established municipal elections with a restricted suffrage, and empowered the newly-elected officials to carry out various duties, from policing to taxation to basic administration. Of course, the Puerto Ricans already had municipal governments, established by the Spaniards during their three hundred year reign over the island. But General Order No. 160 was supposed to mark something entirely new in that it manned the municipal governments exclusively with elected Puerto Ricans. The idea was that the Puerto Ricans, “for the first time in their history,” should be given an opportunity to manage their own affairs and acquire practical education in modern liberal governance. As General Davis stated, the new municipal governments were to serve as “a sort of kindergarten” in which Puerto Ricans could learn the ways of “popular government,” Anglo-American style.Headquarters Department of Porto Rico (1899a); United States Congress (1904: 222).
Hospital Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Surveillance of Resistance to Gentamicin and Transfer of Aminoglycoside R Factor

Tube dilution susceptibility tests in Trypticase soy broth showed that resistance to gentamicin (minimum bactericidal concentration ≧12.5 μg/ml) among hospital isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa increased from 13.9% in 1969 to 38.9% in 1972. Transfer of drug resistance to six aminoglycosides from one wild Pseudomonas strain to another was accomplished in recombination experiments. A carbenicillin-resistant, beta-lactamase-producing strain served as the recipient. The exconjugant was resistant not only to aminoglycosides, including amikacin, but also to all clinically employed antimicrobials. Aminoglycoside resistance in the exconjugant was cured by sodium dodecyl sulfate. This transferable aminoglycoside resistance was not mediated by adenylylation or, as judged by bioassay, by other antibiotic-inactivating or -modifying processes. Images
Fatal air embolism: a complication of manipulation of a cavitating metastatic lesion of the liver

A patient undergoing emergency laparotomy for an acute abdomen developed fatal air embolism as a result of surgical manipulation of a cavitating metastatic lesion of the liver. The diagnosis was made at postmortem examination. This cause of air embolism has apparently not been reported before. The causes and management of air embolism are briefly reviewed. It is concluded that in exceptional circumstances when intubated patients are sent to a recovery area, the continuation of CO2 monitoring into the post-operative period should be considered.
The Total Synthesis of the Anti-Coccidial Agents Ws-5995

Abstract A total synthesis of the three anti-coccidial agents WS-5995 A, B, and C by a Diels-Alder route is described. An intramolecular lactonization involving the displacement of a chlorine atom on a naphthoquinone was the key step in the synthesis of A.
Urban and rural households' fresh chicken meat consumption behaviors in Turkey

Purpose – The major purpose of this study was to compare the fresh chicken meat consumption structure of urban and rural households of different income levels in Van province, Turkey.Design/methodology/approach – The sample size of 96 urban and 95 households were selected randomly using sampling selection method where the population is limited. The data were collected by personnel interviewing from the households in eight districts and eight villages of Van province, Turkey between 15 November 2004 and 5 March 2005. The households were classified as the lowest, medium, upper medium and the highest income groups. Independent‐samples t‐students, one‐way ANOVA, chi‐square and linear regression statistical tests were used.Findings – The average yearly fresh chicken meat consumption per head was 19.1 and 14.6 kg for urban and rural households, respectively. According to regression test results $1,000 increase in yearly income will raise the yearly chicken meat consumption of urban and rural households by 3.8 a...
The Benefits of Summer Programming for Gifted Adolescents

For several years, Talent Search programs at five American universities have offered intensive summer experiences for a select group of highly gifted young adolescents in core academic areas. It ha...
Design, execution, interpretation, and reporting of economic evaluation studies in obstetrics.

Abstract Objective The purpose of this article was to propose guidelines for the design, execution, interpretation, and reporting of economic evaluation studies in obstetrics. Study design We performed a PubMed search of economic evaluation articles to identify those articles that deal with the quality of published economic evaluation studies, the development of guidelines, and the development of checklists/guidelines for the reporting of economic evaluation studies. All other articles were excluded from the review. Results We identified 160 articles. We included 8 articles in our review that reported on the quality of published economic analyses, 12 articles that reported on guidelines, and 3 articles that reported on checklists/guidelines that are used by journals. There were 2 articles that dealt with the quality of published economic evaluations in obstetrics and gynecology, both of which showed less than optimal quality. There were only 4 articles that provided some general guidelines for the reporting of economic evaluations in obstetrics and gynecology. We found no articles on any checklist/guidelines for the reporting of economic evaluation studies in obstetrics and gynecology. Conclusion There is a need to improve the design, execution, interpretation, and reporting of economic evaluation studies in obstetrics.
An approach to improvisation pedagogy in post-secondary jazz programmes based on negative dialectics

This article argues that an approach to jazz improvisation pedagogy based on negative dialectics may provide a viable solution to the threat of codification of the jazz language as a result of the academisation of improvisation studies at the post-secondary level. Some tentative means of incorporating such an approach into the design of university improvisation courses are also suggested. Building on an Adornian framework, the author argues that key to developing a (negative) dialectical approach to improvisation pedagogy is the understanding that the practice of jazz improvisation, at its best, reflects a critical stance that is in opposition to, yet, informed by the more commodified ‘piece’ of jazz music. In essence, the problem of balancing discipline and freedom in improvisation pedagogy is best approached if improvisation is understood as a continual act of criticism in reaction to its own inevitable commodification.
Rotation Effects on Hub Drag

The effects of rotation in a freestream on the drag, side force and torque of a generic helicopter rotor hub are studied using azimuth-resolved load measurements in a low speed wind tunnel. The hub is directly mounted to a stepper motor placed on a load cell, enabling extraction of all 6 load components with sufficiently high azimuthal resolution. The results confirm findings in the prior literature that rotation does not significantly increase hub drag in a freestream. However, the addition of a scissors linkage to the hub resulted in a 10 percent increase in drag above the prior generic configuration, but reduces the amplitude of periodic drag variation. The side force was found to be highly unsteady depending on flow conditions, and its azimuth-averaged value can change sign with Reynolds number. The torque required to drive the hub increased with rotation speed and freestream speed, and is found to be of the same order as that expected from the drag difference between shanks on the advancing and retreating sides. The azimuth-resolved force and torque data suggests that transient torque values peak at certain portions of the azimuth that slightly lead those of highest drag. The total power demand attributed to the hub is still mostly due to drag. Scaling to vehicle flight speed and size should improve this approximation, unless interactions with pylons, nacelles or other components cause asymmetries sufficient to change the result. In addition to aerodynamic loads measurement, the unsteady wake of the rotating hub was measured using constant temperature anemometry technique. Wavelet transforms in addition to Fourier transforms are used to characterize the unsteady wake. A clear asymmetry is observed in the 4/rev energy content of the hub wake.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome

Despite the growing knowledge of recognition, treatment, and outcomes, NAS continues to challenge clinicians. An increasing number of women receiving prescribed medications for chronic pain conditions and mental illness also have changed the population needing prenatal counseling and postnatal monitoring. NAS develops in more than 50% of all newborns exposed to narcotics in utero, but the signs of withdrawal remain nonspecific, and couplet care or rooming-in on postpartum wards often hinders monitoring and evaluation. Several abstinence scoring systems can assist nurses and physicians in assessing the severity of withdrawal and providing appropriate therapy. Medical therapy is recommended for severe cases, and several medications have proven safe and effective. Although the duration of therapy varies, medications can be titrated so infants can tolerate mild symptoms of withdrawal, and the process can be monitored with abstinence scores. This article reviews the signs of NAS from various substances, existing abstinence scoring systems, current treatment and weaning strategies, and relevant points for prenatal counseling.