cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quantitative comparison of the application accuracy between NDI and IGT tracking systems

The application accuracy is a crucial factor for the stereotactic surgical localization system in which space digitization system is one of the most important part of equipment. In this study we compared the application accuracy of using the OPTOTRAK space digitization system (OPTOTRAK 3020, Northern Digital, Waterloo, CAN) and FlashPoint Model 3000 and 5000 3-D digitizer systems (FlashPoint Model 3000 and 5000, Image Guided Surgery Technology Inc., Boulder, CO 80301, USA) for interactive localization of intracranial lesions. A phantom was mounted with the implantable frameless marker system (Fischer- Leibinger, Freiburg, Germany) which randomly distributed markers on the surface of the phantom. The target point was digitized and the coordinates were recorded and compared with reference points. The differences from the reference points were used as the deviation from the `true point'. The mean square root was calculated to show the sum of vectors. A paired t-test was used to analyze results. The results of the phantom showed that the mean square roots were 0.76 +/- 0.54 mm for the OPTOTRAK system and 1.23 +/- 0.53 mm for FlashPoint Model 3000 3-D digitizer system and 1.00 +/- 0.42 mm for FlashPoint Model 3000 3-D digitizer system in the 1 mm sections of CT scan. This preliminary results showed that there is no significant difference between two tracking systems. Both of them can be used for image guided surgery procedure.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Assay of Heparin. I. Method and Qualitative and Quantitative Aspects Using Beef and Sheep Plasmas

A method of assay for heparin based on the use of frozen beef or sheep plasma is described. The clotting curves of both plasmas are essentially the same except for high concentrations of heparin for which slight differences were noted. The visual estimation of degree of coagulation is easier with beef plasma than with sheep plasma because of the greater density of the clots of the former.
Wide-field near-infrared fluorescence endoscope for real-time in vivo imaging

ABSTRACT A diode-pumped solid state laser is used to deliver excitation at O ex = 671 nm. The beam is expanded by a pair of relay lenses (f 1 = 30 and f 2 = 50 mm) to 3 mm diameter, filling the aperture of a fluid light cable that is coupled to a Hopkins® II rigid endoscope. Near-infrared fluorescence images are collected by the endoscope and transmitted by another set of relay lenses onto a CCD detector that has dimensions of 8.7x6.9 mm 2 (1388x1040 pixels). A zoom lens system (F#1.6-16 aperture) with a tunable focal length (20-100 mm) magnifies the image to fill the dimensions of the CCD. A band pass filter allows fluorescence with spectral range O em = 696 to 736 nm to be collected. The system achieves a resolution of 9.8 P m and field-of-view of 3.6 mm at a dist ance of 2.5 mm between the distal end of the endoscope and the tissue. Images are collected at a ra te of 10 frames per second. A filter wheel is incorporated into the handle of the instrument housing to rapidly switch between reflectance and fluorescence images. Cy5.5-labeled peptides were delivered through the 1 mm diameter instrument channel in the endoscope. Near-infrared fluorescence images demonstrated specific peptide binding to spontaneous adenomas that developed beginning at 2 months of age in a genetically-engineered mouse with mutation of one allele in the APC gene. This integrated methodology represents a powerful tool th at can achieve real time detection of disease in the colon and other hollow organs. Keywords : endoscope, CCD, imaging, fluorescence, ne ar-infrared, real-time, colon, cancer,
Rapid process monitoring in biotechnology

Detection of protein variants in the production of recombinant DNA products is an important and complex task. Rapid acquisition of this information permits feedback control of the production process and continuous validation of the product. Much of the technology required for rapid process monitoring is currently available or under development.
Composition operators from large weighted Hardy spaces into the Dirichlet space

Given a large weighted Hardy space we show there exists a composition operatorCϕ with ∥φ∥∞ that maps from that space into the unweighted Dirichlet space and lies in every Schatten p-class for 0<p<∞. This is in contrast to the situation in which the image space is a smaller weighted Dirichlet space. It is known that in that case it is not possible to find such a composition operator that is bounded.
Distribution of 1‑Butyl-3-methylimidazolium Bistrifluoromethylsulfonimide in Mesoporous Silica As a Function of Pore Filling

Rotational dynamics of the ionic liquid (IL) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bistrifluoromethylsulfonimide, [C4mim][Tf2N], 1, as a neat liquid, and confined in mesoporous silica were investigated by 1H spin–spin (T2) and spin–lattice (T1) relaxation measurements and 13C NMR spectroscopy. Translational dynamics (self-diffusion) were monitored via the diffusion coefficient, D, obtained with 1H pulsed field gradient NMR measurements. These data were used to determine the distribution of 1 in the pores of KIT-6, a mesoporous silica with a bicontinuous gyroid pore structure, as a function of filling fraction. Relaxation studies performed as a function of filling factor and temperature reveal a dynamic heterogeneity in both translational and rotational motions for 1 at filling factors, f = 0.2–1.0 (f = 1 corresponds to fully filled pores). Spin–lattice and spin–spin relaxation times reveal that the motion of 1 in silica mesopores conforms to that expected for a two-dimensional relaxation model. The relaxation dynam...
Solar and Heliospheric Observatory/Large Angle Spectrometric Coronagraph Polarimetric Calibration

We present a polarimetric characterization and correction for the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory/Large Angle Spectrometric Coronagraph (SOHO/LASCO) C2 and C3 white light coronagraphs. By measuring the uncorrected polarization angles in solar minimum C2 coronal images, we have determined that the coronagraph acts as an optical phase retarder which converts a small fraction of the incoming radiation polarization from linear to circular. In addition, from the measurements of polarization angle in C3 coronal images we have determined that a component of the instrumentally scattered light in that instrument is polarized. We infer the retardation angle for C2 and compute the corresponding Mueller matrix, and determine the polarized stray light spatial profile in C3. The C2 Mueller matrix and C3 polarized stray light profiles are used to correct for instrumental effects in solar minimum coronal observations to obtain polarized brightness between two and thirty-two solar radii, which show deep polar coronal holes extending to the limit of the field of view.
Nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurotoxicity of L-cysteine after stereotaxic administration into the substantia nigra of rats: Potential implications for MPTP-induced neurotoxicity and parkinson’s disease

Stereotaxic administration of L-cysteine (CySH) into the rat substantia nigra pars compacta (SNC) evokes a dose-dependent fall of striatal levels of dopamine. This, together with decreased tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity in the striatum and SNcand decreased nigral staining for Niss1 substance indicate that CySH is a dopaminergic neurotoxin. The neurotoxic effects of CySH infusion into the rat SNC were blocked by prior administration of the non-competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist MK-801. Previous studies have demonstrated that administration of the neurotoxin l-methyl-4-phenyl-l,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) not only evokes the degeneration of nigrostriatal dopamine neurons but also causes a significant fall of glutathione (GSH) without corresponding increases of glutathione disulfide (GSSG). Furthermore, microdialysis studies have demonstrated that when perfusions of l-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+), the active metabolite of MPTP, into the rat SNC are discontinued extracellular levels of GSH massively but transiently increase followed by a prolonged elevation of extracellular CySH, the latter effect being blocked by inhibition of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT). These observations, together with the present results, suggest that the delayed but prolonged elevation of extracellular CySH that occurs as a MPP+-induced dopaminergic SNccell energy impairment begins to subside might evoke NMDA receptor mediated excitotoxicity. The potential roles of elevated extracellular CySH in MPTP/MPP+-induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity and in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease are discussed.
Compression of an Anomalous Left Circumflex Artery After Aortic and Mitral Valve Replacement

A 52-year-old gentleman with a history of rheumatic fever presented with dyspnea. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed severe valvular aortic stenosis and severe mitral stenosis. A preoperative coronary angiogram revealed an anomalous left circumflex (LCX) artery arising from the right coronary sinus. The patient underwent aortic and mitral valve replacement. Postoperatively, a non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction developed, and coronary angiography confirmed subtotal occlusion of the anomalous LCX. An emergent reoperation with surgical revascularization was performed. Intraoperatively, the mechanism of injury to the LCX was determined to be compression of the distal LCX by the sewing ring of the two prosthetic valves.
Physiologically based models for bone-seeking elements. IV. Kinetics of lead disposition in humans.

For toxicants with long residence times in the body, body burden is determined largely by exposure history rather than by current exposure. There is a need for physiologically based toxicokinetic models capable of integrating exposure over time by incorporating growth, development, and aging. Such a model is presented for lead kinetics in the growing rat from birth to adulthood. The model incorporates age dependence of the physiologic and metabolic processes that control lead distribution to bone and soft tissues, as well as age dependence of lead absorption from the gastrointestinal tract and age dependence of elimination of lead. The essential features of bone structure and metabolism are integrated into a framework that determines bone lead kinetics. Parameter values used in the model are taken from the literature or are estimated from the best visual fit of the model to data from chronic and short-term studies of lead exposure in rats. The model accommodates any pattern of lead exposure. The uptake of lead by bone varies with the age at which exposure occurs. The predictions of the model are compared with data from a chronic study in rats in which lead exposure was discontinued after exposure periods varying from 3 to 12 months.
Application of Gabors Elementary-Signal Theorem to Estimation of Nonstationary Human Spectral Response

This paper addresses the problem of forming sequential gain and phase estimates needed to permit direct study of time variations in human response. The conventional Fourier transform with "boxcar" data window is shown to be unsatisfactory. Gabor's theory of elementary signals is cited to show that Fourier transformation with Gaussian data weighting yields an optimum combination of spectral and time resolution. For this window the estimation procedure is constrained by the fundamental relationship ?? . ?t = ? where ??, ?t are the standard deviations of weights across the spectral and data windows, respectively. The Gabor (Gaussianweighted Fourier) transform is introduced. Some consequences of implementing this procedure are briefly discussed and empirical results are presented in verification.
Evaluation of solution schemes for nonlinear structures

Abstract This paper investigates solution schemes of the type that can be implemented in general purpose computer codes for nonlinear finite element analysis. A very flexible solution strategy is discussed, in which a variety of solution schemes can be implemented by specifying the values of certain solution control parameters. A number of nonlinear structures with diverse nonlinear characteristics are selected and each is analyzed using different solution schemes. The results and solution efficiency are then compared to provide guidance in the selection of the most appropriate solution procedures for various types of nonlinear behavior.
In vitro mutations in dihydrofolate reductase that confer resistance to methotrexate: potential for clinical application.

Mammalian cells cultured in the presence of the chemotherapeutic agent, methotrexate, develop resistance to this drug. Sometimes this is due to mutations in the gene for dihydrofolate reductase, the primary target of methotrexate. However, it has not been possible to link such polymorphism to resistance of neoplastic disease to therapy with methotrexate. Nevertheless, interest in this possibility lead to the introduction of many mutations into the cDNA for human DHFR by mutagenesis. Most of the corresponding enzyme variants have been expressed in Escherichia coli and characterized. Many mutations in codons for hydrophobic residues at the active site greatly decrease inhibition by methotrexate, and by the related substrate analogue, trimetrexate, while allowing the retention of considerable catalytic efficiency. Introduction of some of these mutants into mammalian cells by retroviral transfer provides substantial protection from toxic effects of the inhibitors, and has promise for the myeloprotection of patients receiving therapy with methotrexate or trimetrexate. Another potential use is in therapy for inherited disorders of hematopoiesis, where genetic modification of enough cells is a perennial problem. After transplantation of bone marrow that has been transduced with a bicistronic vector encoding both the mutant DHFR and a therapeutic gene, subsequent administration of methotrexate or trimetrexate should permit selection and enrichment of genetically modified hematopoietic cells. Hum Mutat 11:259–263, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Thyroid hormone receptor coactivators and corepressors

In the absence of triiodothyronine (T3), thyroid hormone receptors (TRs) repress transcription of many genes; in the presence of T3, TRs activate transcription of those same genes. Both of these events are dependent on interactions between TRs and other nuclear proteins. TRs bind to specific DNA sequences, generally found in the 5' flanking regions of target genes. In the unliganded state, TRs interact with one of several corepressor proteins. These proteins, in turn, interact with a series of other proteins, which includes histone deacetylases. Histone deacetylation tightens chromatin structure, thus impairing access of critical transcription factors and thereby repressing transcription. In addition, corepressors may invoke mechanisms of gene repression independent of histone deacetylation. The binding of T3 causes a conformational change in the TR that results in release of the corepressor and recruitment of coactivator proteins. Several coactivator proteins appear to bind the ligand-occupied TR as a multiprotein complex. Opposite to corepressors, coactivators acetylate histones, thereby loosening chromatin structure and facilitating access of key transcription factors. Again, mechanisms independent of histone acetylation also may be involved. Overall, gene activation by T3 is a two-step process; removal of active repression, and induction of transcription to levels above the "neutral" state.
Implantation of cultured human leptomeningeal cells into rat brain

Since previous studies have shown that cells cultured from human leptomeninges can express neuronal and glial antigens under appropriate culture conditions [DeGiorgio L. A. et al. (1994) J. Neurol. Sci. 124, 141 148; Bernstein J. J. et al. (1996) Int. J. Derl Neurosci. 14(5), 681 687], we have studied the developmental characteristics of these cells further by grafting them into young adult rat brains. Cells were labeled in culture with Fast Blue and were identified unequivocally by hybridization with nick-translated human DNA. Intensely Fast Blue positive human leptomeningeal cells were concentrated in the implant pocket and adjacent rat leptomeninges al one and two weeks postimplant. Human and rat leptomeningeal cells were similar morphologically and were equally immunopositive for vimentin and fibronectin. Implanted human cells did not express the neuronal and glial proteins they had in vitro. Cells which hybridized with human DNA corresponded to the intensely Fast Blue positive cells. Small groups of human DNA hybridizing cells were also observed in the choroid plexus. Less intensely Fast Blue positive neurons and glia were found in the brain but these hybridized with rat DNA. A minority of human leptomeningeal cells implanted into rat brain are subsequently found in host leptomeninges where they demonstrate properties characteristic of leptomeningeal fibroblasts. Small numbers of implanted cells can survive for two weeks.
New stable isotope results from a 173‐year coral from Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu

Long coral records provide valuable information on pentadal-decadal scale climate variability. Previously we have reported on a preliminary analysis of a 173-year record (1806–1978) from the island of Espiritu Santo (Republic of Vanuatu). Although this record contained information in the pentadal-decadal band, low sampling resolution raised questions about the validity of the results. Herein we report new data from the Santo record, in which the sampling resolution has been doubled and the validation database expanded. Variations in coral δ18O at Santo record the combined effects of variations in SST and rainfall-induced salinity changes. The most prominent spectral peaks in the time series are at the annual cycle and 14–15 and 7.4 years. The robust occurrence of the 14–15 year peak provides additional support to the importance of this oscillation as a cause of decadal-scale climate variability. Overall, our new results provide greater credibility to the conclusions raised in the earlier study and indicate that the Santo record can more confidently be incorporated into the still-small network of multicentury coral records of climate change.
Borrelia outer membrane surface proteins and transmission through the tick.

Pathogens of the bacterial genus Borrelia differ from fellow spirochetes, Treponema and Leptospira , in their use of arthropod vectors for transmission between warm-blooded hosts. The agents of relapsing fever, Borrelia recurrentis and Borrelia hermsii , are transmitted by lice and fast-feeding soft
Lactoferrin: molecular structure and biological function.

Lactoferrin is an 80-kDa, iron-binding glycoprotein present in milk and, to a lesser extent, in exocrine fluids such as bile and tears. It consists of a single-chain polypeptide with two gobular lobes and is relatively resistant to proteolysis. The complete cDNAs for lactoferrin from human milk, neutrophils, and bovine milk have been reported, and recombinant proteins have been produced. Owing to its iron-binding properties, lactoferrin has been proposed to play a role in iron uptake by the intestinal mucosa and to act as a bacteriostatic agent by withholding iron from iron-requiring bacteria. Its presence in neutrophils and its release during inflammation suggest that lactoferrin is also involved in phagocytic killing and immune responses. Additionally, lactoferrin may function in ways not related to iron-binding, e.g. as a growth factor and as a bactericidal agent. This review attempts to evaluate these proposed functions and their biological significance in more detail.
Regional economic integration and local food: The case of Latvia during European Union accession

Latvia's agriculture sector remains economically important despite 50 years of central Soviet planning as well as rapid reorientation to a market economy after independence in 1991 and accession into the European Union in 2004. At independence, many Latvians embraced a local organic farming movement which has evolved during an era of sweeping economic and socio-political change. This article synthesises the current theoretical discourse surrounding alternative food movements with empirical evidence derived from field research in Latvia. To examine how regional economic integration has impacted Latvia's organic movement, I highlight its institutional actors and support networks then examine movement opportunities and constraints. The Latvian example may inform organic movements elsewhere as they strive to develop and maintain sustainable alternative food systems within the framework of regional economic integration and/or trade liberalisation.
On the relationship between splines, sampling zeros and numerical integration in sampled-data models for linear systems

Real systems are usually modelled in continuous-time by differential equations but, in practice, we have to deal with them through digital devices using sampled data. For linear systems, exact sampled-data models can be obtained. These models, however, will generally have more zeros than the continuous-time model. In this paper we show that there is a specific relation between the characterization of these sampling zeros and the order of the B-splines used to generate the continuous-time input to the system. Moreover, we show that this connection can also be established if the smoothness of the B-spline is taken into account in the integration strategy used to discretize the continuous-time model.
Heterospecies partition analysis reveals binding curve and stoichiometry of protein interactions in living cells

Measuring the binding curve and stoichiometry of protein complexes in living cells is a prerequisite for quantitative modeling of cellular processes. Dual-color fluorescence fluctuation spectroscopy provides a general framework for detecting protein interactions, but lacks suitable methods for quantifying protein heterointeractions in the cell. We address this challenge by introducing heterospecies partition (HSP) analysis for protein heterointeractions of the type D + nA↔DAn. HSP directly identifies the heterointeracting species from the sample mixture and determines the binding curve and stoichiometry of the protein complex. The HSP method is applied to provide the first direct characterization of the ligand-dependent binding of the retinoic X receptor to the coactivator transcription intermediate factor 2. A previous study based on protein fragments observed a higher binding stoichiometry than biologically expected. We address this difference in stoichiometry by measuring the binding curves of the full-length proteins in living cells. This study provides proof-of-principle experiments that illustrate the potential of HSP as a general and robust analysis tool for the quantitative characterization of protein heterointeractions by dual-color fluorescence fluctuation spectroscopy in living cells.
A combined clinical/computer model for the study of myocardial thallium-201 washout/reinjection kinetics

A compartmental model was used to study a number of empirical observations on myocardial thallium-201 kinetics in ischemic disease. Measurements of plasma Tl-201 and myocardial kinetics in 30 subjects and simulation studies showed that low plasma Tl-201 levels caused increased and accelerated redistribution in viable myocardium, contrary to wide-spread notions. Reinjection at rest causes a worsening of Tl-201 defects in regions with critically stenosed arteries. Reinjection produces an improvement in relative uptake in regions with impaired myocardial retention and none or mild stenoses. This benefit was more notable when plasma Tl-201 level was low. This benefit was transient and disappeared when steady state conditions were reached. This work helps in the understanding of the use of a valuable clinical tool. >
Characterizing Contract-Based Multiagent Resource Allocation in Networks

We consider a multiagent resource allocation problem where individual users intend to route traffic by requesting the help of entities across a network, and a cost is incurred at each network node that depends on the amount of traffic to be routed. We propose to study contract-based network resource allocation. In our model, users and nodes in the network make contracts before nodes route traffic for the users. The problem is an interesting self-interested negotiation problem because it requires the complete assembly of a set of distinct resources, and there are multiple combinations of distinct resources that could satisfy the goal of negotiation. First, we characterize the network allocation problem and show that finding optimal allocations is NP-complete and is inapproximable. We take both Nash equilibrium and pairwise Nash equilibrium as the solution concepts to characterize the equilibrium allocations. We find that, for any resource allocation game, Nash equilibrium and pairwise Nash equilibrium always exist. In addition, socially optimal allocations are always supported by Nash equilibrium and pairwise Nash equilibrium. We introduce best-response dynamics in which each agent takes a myopic best-response strategy and interacts with each other to dynamically form contracts. We analyze the convergence of the dynamics in some special cases. We also experimentally study the convergence rate of the dynamics and how efficient the evolved allocation is as compared with the optimal allocation in a variety of environments.
SWNT-Filled Thermoplastic and Elastomeric Composites Prepared by Miniemulsion Polymerization

SWNT-filled polystyrene (SWNT-PS) and styrene−isoprene (SWNT-SI) composites prepared by miniemulsion polymerization showed distinctive physical features such as uniform black coloration, high solubility in toluene as well as in tetrahydrofuran (THF), and semiconductor to ohmic electrical behavior. Raman spectra for both hybrid materials suggested a reduced vibrational freedom of the polymer chains as a consequence of the nanotube incorporation. An adsorbed polymer layer on the nanotube bundles contributes to a better dispersion of the inorganic nanoreinforcement.
Evaluation of 3-deaza-adenosine analogues as ligands for adenosine kinase and inhibitors of Mycobacterium tuberculosis growth.

Objectives: Analyse a series of halogenated 3-deaza-adenosine analogues for efficacy against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra and determine if adenosine (Ado) kinase plays a role in the mechanism of action of these compounds. Methods: The MIC as determined by microdilution broth assay provided a measure of antitubercular efficacy. MIC values were measured in M. tuberculosis strains H37Ra, SRICK1 (an Ado kinase-deficient strain of M. tuberculosis derived from H37Ra) and SRICK1 complemented with adoK, the gene which codes for Ado kinase in M. tuberculosis, in order to determine if Ado kinase played a role in the mechanism of action of these compounds. Furthermore, each compound was analysed as both a substrate and inhibitor for purified Ado kinases from M. tuberculosis and human sources. Results: 2-Fluoro-3-deaza-adenosine, 3-fluoro-3-deaza-adenosine and 2,3-difluoro-3-deaza-adenosine exhibited antitubercular activity that was Ado kinase-dependent. Furthermore, these compounds were at least 10-fold better substrates for M. tuberculosis Ado kinase than the human homologue. Conclusions: The Ado kinase-dependent antitubercular activity exhibited by several of the halogenated 3-deaza-adenosine analogues investigated in this study warrants further investigation of these compounds as antitubercular agents. Furthermore, substrate and inhibition studies provided insight into the Ado-binding domain of Ado kinase, indicating that steric hindrance may limit the size of exocyclic modifications at the 3-position of Ado.
Preliminary Results on the Design of a Robotic Tentacle End Effector

This paper gives preliminary results on the design of a nitinol based robotic tentacle. By electrically heating specific segments in nitinol Wires which have been annealed to a nautilus shape, the tentacle can be controlled to assume a variety of shapes and orientations. A simple experiment demonstrating feasibility is discussed.
Consequences of 1992 for Competition in Financial Services: Banking

Publisher Summary This chapter presents the consequences of 1992 for competition in financial services. While still not in place, the Community has drafted banking directives focused on allowing the unrestricted operation of banks throughout the EEC. The Cecchini Report estimates of increased efficiencies in financial markets are based on reductions in prices for a standard list of banking services. While the Cecchini report analysis provided banking market comparisons not before available, the study did not focus on the relative impact of changes in banking market competition or the potential sources of increased efficiency of service providers. Efficiencies from banking market integration could come from two basic sources—more efficiency in the provision of services and increased competition. The identification of major sources of banking market efficiencies to be expected from either increased competition or cost reductions from larger scale organizations, or both should have an important impact on the focus of policy toward banks and banking related institutions in the future.
A database design for uniform representation of hypermedia and mathematical models

Semantic data modeling techniques are used to provide a theoretical and applied basis for construction of hypermedia systems which incorporate mathematical models. Traditional hypermedia systems provide informal modeling tools and fail to represent adequately the concepts which they are intended to organize and present to users. As a result, such systems provide few services, and they must be constructed and applied with considerable manual labor. The components of the hypermedia system, including text, drawings, photographs, video, equations, plots, conceptual models, symbolic manipulations, and simulation, can be described as objects in a database. By applying sound data modeling techniques, behavior, structure, and association among concepts are formally described. Data manipulation techniques including query processing, automatic classification, and knowledge discovery can also be applied. A user interface is generated automatically once the underlying structure of concepts in a particular domain is captured in the database. This work is applied to organizing and presenting materials for a graduate level course in biological systems analysis.
Tracking nonstationary probabilities in adaptive binary arithmetic coding

Adaptive arithmetic coders sometimes exhibit nonstationary symbol probabilities when coding digital halftone images with neighborhood-template models. If these nonstationary probabilities vary nonrandomly, the variations can be tracked robustly when each context derived from the coding model is expanded by conditioning on previously coded values for that model context.
Accommodating Different Learning Styles Using e.g., “Flash Movies” in an Introductory Course on Materials Science.

In addition to a hard-copy textbook, Power-Point presentations and videos, the authors have developed a series of Flash modules and on-line quizzing tools for use in teaching and assessing the fundamentals of Materials Science and Engineering. The original thrust was aimed at non-science majors at university, but the modules are also designed for ease of use in high school curricula. In the current paper, we present our philosophy for the presentation of materials' related subject material, using different learning objects, by describing one particular module: on electronic materials.
Applying aspect oriented programming to distributed storage metadata management

High performance computing applications often must handle on the order of peta bytes of data during their operation. Such large data sets inherently require distributed storage. Emerging distributed storage solutions in this realm, such as our L-Store framework, virtualize the distributed nature of the storage by offering the notion of a single file system to applications. These virtualization schemes must manage substantial amount of metadata to handle the data sets across the distributed storage. Apart from the primary concern of virtualization, a number of secondary but crosscutting concerns related to transaction and persistence control, database connection pooling, authentication and authorization, and logging must be addressed in these metadata management schemes. This paper describes our investigations into discovering these secondary and crosscutting concerns in metadata management for large-scale distributed data storage. We describe how we have applied AspectJ to address these crosscutting concerns in metadata management for the L-store distributed storage framework.
Delineating the effects of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) on N transformation rates using laboratory mesocosms

AbstractZebra mussels might enhance denitrification rates by altering 3 primary controls: O2, NO3–, and labile C availability. We stocked mesocosms with stream sediments and either no zebra mussels (−ZM) or 10,000 mussels/m2 (+ZM) to examine these potential mechanisms. We measured sediment nitrification (nitrapyrin-inhibition technique), denitrification (chloramphenicol-amended acetylene block technique), sediment O2 profiles (microelectrodes), and a suite of water and sediment characteristics weekly for 3 wk. Nitrification (2-way analysis of variance [ANOVA], p < 0.001) and denitrification (2-way ANOVA, p < 0.001) rates were significantly higher in +ZM than in −ZM mesocosms. High-NH4+ waste from zebra mussels increased sediment nitrification rates, which increased NO3– availability for denitrification. Furthermore, coupled nitrification–denitrification was enhanced by a reduction in the sediment depth to anoxia in the presence of zebra mussels, and this reduction allowed both processes to occur in close ...
Capacitive load balancing for mobius implementation of standing wave oscillator

Resonant clocking technologies are the next generation clocking technologies with GHz range frequency generation and effective power reduction features. The resonant standing wave oscillator technology (with mobius implementation) combines the advantages of resonant traveling wave oscillator and the traditional resonant standing wave oscillator. The high frequency in the mobius standing wave oscillator implementation is often susceptible to implementation parameters such as the variation in the total capacitive load distribution between the rings topology. In this paper, a novel capacitive load balancing methodology is presented for the mobius implementation of resonant standing wave oscillator. The experiments performed on the IBM R1-R5 benchmark circuits demonstrate an average improvement of 4.66X in capacitive load balancing.
Cryopreservation of Chicken Semen of Inbred or Specialized Strains

Abstract Pooled semen from several inbred special chicken strains was diluted with solutions containing glycerol or dimethylacetamide as a cryoprotectant. One-half milliliter samples in capped glass vials were frozen at 3 C/min to −35 C in a programmable freezer and stored in a nitrogen vapor tank. One vial of thawed semen was used to inseminate 4 hens by intravaginal, intrauterine, or intramagnal procedures. The intramagnal technique required minor surgery but always produced chicks in seven lines in contrast to the nonsurgical methods. Frozen semen of one strain stored for 29 weeks produced 12 to 14 chicks per vial when inseminated into 4 hens. This method, therefore, will reliably rescue gene pools from semen after long-term storage.
Developmental compartments in the larval trachea of Drosophila

As a fruit fly develops, its cells may sort themselves into groups according to the type of cell that they will eventually become. Some groups form ‘developmental compartments’ that are separated by boundaries that cells cannot move across. All the descendants of a cell in a compartment will activate the same specific gene (called a ‘selector’ gene) that determines their identity and fate. Similar compartments also form in the developing hindbrains of mammals, but it is not clear how general this mechanism of tissue patterning is. Fruit fly larvae undergo a physical transformation called metamorphosis to become adult fruit flies. Here, Rao et al. discover that the cells in the developing airways (or trachea) of the larvae at the start of metamorphosis are organised into compartments. At this stage the cells in the trachea start to divide and grow to make the adult tracheal system. The experiments show that these cells do not spread from one main branch of the tracheal system into another. Instead, the cells cluster in locations where the different branches meet on either side of a straight boundary. The cells on each side of these boundaries activate different genes that regulate their identity and development. For example, cells in one branch of the system switch on a selector gene that makes a protein called Spalt. A pathway known as Notch signaling is activated by cells on the other side of a nearby boundary in a different branch of the tracheal system. This separation of Spalt production and Notch activation establishes a cell communication system that keeps the cells of the different compartments apart. Rao et al.’s findings reveal a role for the Notch protein in regulating the organization of cells into compartments to form branches in fruit fly airways. A future challenge is to find out if Notch plays a similar role in other branched tissues, such as blood vessels.
Second Harmonic Generation in Optical Fibres

The recent observations of efficient second harmonic generation in optical fibers have stimulated great interest, since in theory all such second-order nonlinear optical processes are disallowed. This article reviews progress to date in the understanding of this intriguing phenomenon.
Code compression

Current research in compiler optimization counts mainly CPU time and perhaps the first cache level or two. This view has been important but is becoming myopic, at least from a system-wide viewpoint, as the ratio of network and disk speeds to CPU speeds grows exponentially.For example, we have seen the CPU idle for most of the time during paging, so compressing pages can increase total performance even though the CPU must decompress or interpret the page contents. Another profile shows that many functions are called just once, so reduced paging could pay for their interpretation overhead.This paper describes:• Measurements that show how code compression can save space and total time in some important real-world scenarios.• A compressed executable representation that is roughly the same size as gzipped x86 programs and can be interpreted without decompression. It can also be compiled to high-quality machine code at 2.5 megabytes per second on a 120MHz Pentium processor• A compressed "wire" representation that must be decompressed before execution but is, for example, roughly 21% the size of SPARC code when compressing gcc.
Computational Validation of Nuclear Explosion Energy Coupling Models for Asteroid Fragmentation

The objective of this research is the formulation, implementation, and validation of a numerical method to accurately model and simulate explosion blast and shock waves for the disruption of asteroids. While the cases presented in this paper are not explosions caused by actual nuclear devices, they will aid in validation of the numerical model for future nuclear-explosion simulations. Current work employs the two-dimensional highorder correction procedure via reconstruction (CPR) method with explicit time-stepping to solve the Euler equations. Accurate capturing of shocks is obtained through a shock detector coupled with a slope limiter. The CPR method is compared with simulations from AUTODYN, a commercial hydrodynamics code by ANSYS, where excellent matchings are obtained. Additionally, all numerical simulations are completed using NVIDIA CUDA (Compute Unified Device Architecture), where superior computational speeds are demonstrated. Finally, surface and subsurface explosions are simulated, and the energy transfered to a target body is monitored. Coupling factors are computed and the desired results are obtained. This new computational tool is to be incorporated into a mission design software tool for the analysis and design of an asteroid disruption mission.
Squamous cell carcinoma of the rat endometrium produced by insertion of strings coated with paraffin and polymer.

To test the possible carcinogenic affect of cotton strings coated with paraffin and polymer in utero 12 laparotomized rats had such strings inserted and were killed at intervals of 4 months up to 18 months. Uterine tissue was examined at autopsy by light and electron microscopy. The tissues were compared with those of 14 rats which had intrauterine insertions of cotton strings coated with paraffin only and were killed at 4 months. After 10 months of polymer insertion 5 squamous cell carcinomas and 2 squamous dysplastic lesions of the endometrium were found in the 12 rats for an incidence of malignant lesion with severe pyometra of 41.6%. In the dysplastic stage nuclear abnormalities were moderate and keratinization of the superficial epithelial cells was incomplete with many vacuoles. In the middle layer of the dysplastic squamous epithelium lysosomes were markedly increased. The malignant cells had marked irregularity of the nuclei enlarged nucleoli and advanced keratinization in the superficial layers of the epithelium. The ultrastructure of the cancer cells was quite similar to that of cells of the endometrial squamous cell carcinoma induced by carcinogenic polycyclic hydrocarbons. Similar experiments with rabbits and mice failed to produce malignant neoplasms indicating that this strain of rats (NIH Black) have a definite predispostion to polymer carcinogenesis of the endometrium.
Fatty liver in the rat after intravenous infusion of orotic acid.

SummaryContinuous intravenous infusion of 44-65 mg orotic acid per 24 hours in 120-180 g rats caused fatty liver, liver nucleotide changes and disappearance of plasma β-lipoprotein, effects which were indistinguishable from those caused by feeding a 1% orotic acid diet. Thus a method for continuous, controlled administration of orotic acid, independent of the diet, is now available for the study of fatty liver induction. The results suggest that the intestine and its contents do not play a necessary role in causing orotic acid induced fatty liver.
Nanostructural Studies by MÖssbauer Spectroscopy

Application of 57 Fe MOssbauer spectroscopy to the determination of magnetic structural parameters relevant to nanostructural studies is discussed. Variable temperature and applied magnetic field strength investigations are considered in order to illustrate the power of the technique in rendering a microscopic picture of the internal spin structure and dynamical spin relaxation phenomena associated with nanoscale systems. Examples from biology and chemistry, where iron aggregates of nanometer dimensions are encountered, are presented.
Analysis of Comprehensive Surveillance Results of HIV/AIDS-related High-risk Groups in Fuzhou City in 2010

[Objective]To study the prevalence and risk factors of HIV/AIDS-related high risk groups,and provide evidence for evaluating the effectiveness of HIV prevention and developing control strategies. [Methods]In accordance with "Operation Manual of The Programs of National AIDS Sentinel Surveillance",the serological and behavioral surveillance were performed among female sex workers(FSWs),the men who have sex with men(MSM),sexually transmitted disease(STD)outpatient,drug abusers,and the male long-distance truck drivers. [Results]Totally 479 FSWs were monitored,with HIV positive rate of 0,syphilis of 0.21%,HCV of 0.63%;of 238 MSMs,147 were examined,the positive rate of HIV,syphilis and HCV was 6.8%,29.25% and 2.04%,respectively;among 400 drug abusers,those were 0.5%,8.5% and 45.5%;among 707 STD outpatients,those were 0.42%,20.93% and 0.85%;among 400 male long-distance truck drivers,those were 0,4.5% and 0.5%.The AIDS awareness rate was lowest among drug users and highest among MSMs.The frequency of condom use was low in sexual behavior of FSWs with sexual behavior and that of drug users with steady partners,the proportion of never using condom among them was 30.7% and 56.57%,respectively.The STD outpatients received a few intervention programs,such as condom promotion and distribution.The AIDS examination rate in last year of FSWs and MSMs were higher than that of drug users and STDs. [Conclusion]Risk factors such as HIV transmission is prevalent among high-risk groups of FSWs,MSMs,drug abusers,STD outpatients and male long-distance truck drivers with multiple risk factors associated with HIV transmission in Fuzhou City.It is necessary to strengthen intervention on the basis of their different characteristics.
[Pesticide exposure and Parkinson's syndrome - the epidemiological and experimental evidence].

Retrospektive Fall-Kontroll-Studien belegen bei Patienten mit idiopathischem Parkinson-Syndrom (IPS) eine positive Assoziation zu der Angabe einer – uberwiegend pramorbiden – Pestizidexposition. Fur akute Intoxikationsfalle mit Pestiziden werden in der Regel uber das Parkinson-Syndrom hinausgehende Symptome beschrieben. Bis heute ist daher MPTP (1-Methyl-4-Phenyl-1,2,3,6-Tetrahydropyridin) die am besten dokumentierte Substanz, die ein dem IPS vergleichbares Syndrom tierexperimentell und klinisch auslosen kann. Es wird diskutiert, ob noch unverstandene Wechselwirkungen zwischen exogener Pestizidexposition und schadstoffmetabolisierenden Enzymen (“xenobiotisches Enzymsystem”) bei genetisch empfanglichen Individuen die Entstehung eines IPS nach sich ziehen kann. Die bisher bekannten Daten zum Problem der Pestizidexposition bei IPS haben fur die aktuelle gutachterliche Praxis keine Relevanz.
CREEP FRACTURE IN CERAMIC POLYCRYSTALS—II. EFFECTS OF INHOMOGENEITY ON CREEP RUPTURE

Abstract Creep rupture in ceramics occurs by the nucleation, growth and coalescence of cavities in localized, inhomogeneous arrays. The cavities grow by diffusive mechanisms; a process which has previously been analyzed for uniform cavity distributions. Experimental results indicate that the inhomogeneity exerts substantial perturbations upon the failure sequence and hence, on the failure time. The failure sequence in the presence of inhomogeneity effects is examined in this paper. A model is developed that accounts for the experimentally observed damage accumulation features and predicts the influence of inhomogeneity upon the failure time. Resume—La rupture au fluage des ceramiques se produit par germination, croissance et coalescence de cavites localisees, formant des arrangements heterogenes. Les cavites croissent par des mecanismes de diffusion; ce processus a ete analyse anterieurement pour des repartitions uniformes de cavites. Les resultats experimentaux montrent que l'heterogeneite exerce des perturbations notables sur la sequence des ruptures et donc sur le temps de rupture. Dans cet article, nous etudions la sequence des ruptures en presence d'effets d'heterogeneite, Nous developpons un modele qui rend compte des caracteristiques de l'accumulation de dommages observee experimentalement et qui prevoit l'influence de l'heterogeneite sur le temps de rupture. Zusammenfassung—Der Kriechbruch von Keramiken ruhrt her von der Keimbildung, dem Wachstum und der Zusammenlagerung von Hohlraumen in lokalisierten inhomogenen Bereichen. Die Hohlraume wachsen mit Diffusionsmechanismen; dieser Wachstumsmechanismus wurde fruher schon bei gleichformigen Hohlraumverteilungen gefunden. Experimentelle Ergebnisse deuten darauf hin, das die Inhomogenitat starke Storungen der Bruchabfolge und damit der Kriechstandzeit mit sich bringt. In dieser Arbeit wird die Bruchabfolge in Gegenwart solcher Inhomogenitatseffekte behandelt. Es wird ein Modell entwickelt, welches die experimentell beobachteten Anzeichen fur Akkumulation der Schadigung berucksichtigt und den Einflus der Inhomogenitaten auf die Kriechstandzeit beschreibt.