cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Oxalate and phytate concentrations in seeds of soybean cultivars [Glycine max (L.) Merr.].

This study analyzed soybean seeds from 116 cultivars for total, insoluble, and soluble oxalate (Ox), phytate (InsP6), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) because of their potential beneficial or harmful effects on human nutrition. These cultivars were divided into four groups (A−D) on the basis of the year and geographic location where they were grown. Oxalate concentration ranged from about 82 to 285 mg/100 g of dry seed. The InsP6 concentration ranged from 0.22 to 2.22 g/100 g of dry seed. There was no correlation between Ox and InsP6 within or among the four groups of cultivars. There was a significant correlation between total Ox and Ca, but not Mg, in group D cultivars (r = 0.3705; p < 0.0005). No significant relationship was found in the group A−C cultivars. Eleven group D cultivars had InsP6 less than 500 mg/100 g, but all had total Ox of 130 mg/100 g or greater. Five cultivars from groups A−C had relatively low InsP6 (group B; ≤1.01 g/100 g) and low Ox (<140 mg/100 g). These cultivars could be useful...
Localization of I131 Labeled Antibody to Rat Fibrin in Transplantable Rat Lymphosarcoma.

SummaryRabbits were immunized with rat fibrin and the resulting antisera clotted with normal rat plasma. From the clot a substance was isolated and labeled with I131 that showed a strong tendency to bind to rat fibrin clots formed in its presence. This substance, presumably an antibody to rat fibrin, when injected intravenously into rats bearing the transplantable Murphy-Sturm lymphosarcoma localized with a high degree of preferentiality in this tumor.
Comparison of massively parallel hand-print segmentors

NIST has developed a massively parallel hand-print recognition system that allows components to be interchanged. Using this system, three different character segmentation algorithms have been developed and studied. They are blob coloring, histogramming, and a hybrid of the two. The blob coloring method uses connected components to isolate characters. The histogramming method locates linear spaces, which may be slanted, to segment characters. The hybrid method is an augmented histogramming method that incorporates statistically adaptive rules to decide when a histogrammed item is too large and applies blob coloring to further segment the difficult item. The hardware configuration is a serial host computer with a 1024 processor SIMD machine attached to it. The data used in this comparison is `NIST Special Database 1' which contains 2100 forms from different writers where each form contains 130 digit characters distributed across 28 fields. This gives a potential 273,000 characters to be segmented. Running the massively parallel system across the 2100 forms, blob coloring required 2.1 seconds per form with an accuracy of 97.5%, histogramming required 14.4 seconds with an accuracy of 95.3%, and the hybrid method required 13.2 seconds with an accuracy of 95.4%. The results of this comparison show that the blob coloring method on a SIMD architecture is superior.
Data security in high-speed optical links

Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) is a photonic technology capable to transport over a single fiber more than a Tbit/s aggregate traffic. Currently, WDM is the only deployed method in transcontinental and transoceanic applications. In the optical network, each fiber link consists of segments, each several kilometers long, the connecting points of which are amenable to tapping. When a small amount of optical signal is extracted from a tap, when the signal is properly amplified it can be monitored by unauthorized personnel thus threatening communications and land-security. Since each WDM channel carries traffic from one customer, it is not difficult for the connoisseur to demultiplex a specific channel, isolate a specific payload and break the encrypted datagram. Therefore, in addition to data encryption, high-speed communications security should also rely on securing the optical links. In this paper, we present a WDM link security method that, even if fiber is tapped, constitutes channel monitoring and information decrypting by an eavesdropper or unauthorized personnel virtually impossible. In addition, we describe the circuit building blocks behind the method that makes eavesdropping impossible.
Pavlovian conditioning and preparedness: effects of initial fear level.

Abstract Preparedness theory holds that prevalent fears (e.g. snake phobia) reflect a biological predisposition to fear objects and situations that threatened the human species throughout its evolutionary history (Seligman, 1971). This predisposition is postulated as responsible for the resistance to extinction characteristic of untreated phobias. Consistent with the theory, experiments have found that skin conductance responses conditioned to fear-relevant pictorial stimuli (e.g. slides of snakes) exhibit more resistance to extinction than those conditioned to fear-irrelevant stimuli (e.g. slides of flowers). The present experiment tested the alternative hypothesis that these findings may be attributable to prior snake fear. Ss reporting either high or low fear of snakes were exposed to a Pavlovian electrodermal conditioning procedure in which they were shown slides of a snake, a flower and a triangle. During the acquisition phase, the snake and the flower pictures were reinforced with an electric shock unconditioned stimulus whereas the triangle picture was not. The extinction data revealed that differential conditioned responding between the snake and triangle persisted, whereas differential responding between the flower and triangle stimuli disappeared. However, responding to the snake did not exceed responding to the flower. Therefore, the results provide, at best, equivocal support for preparedness theory. No evidence was found for the prior fear hypothesis.
An efficient synthesis of symmetrical oligothiophenes: Synthesis and transport properties of a soluble sexithiophene derivative

We report a new approach for the synthesis of symmetrical oligothiophenes based on a highly efficient palladium-catalyzed Ullmann coupling reaction. This synthetic route enables the simple preparation of substituted oligothiophenes with a wider range of functionalities and in higher yield compared to previously reported syntheses. We demonstrate our procedure by preparing a novel, highly soluble α,ω-substituted sexithiophene, dibutylphosphonate-α-sexithiophene (DBP-α-6T). We present spectroscopic characterization of this compound in solution and solution cast thin films. Thin film transistors (TFTs) fabricated using solution cast thin films of DBP-α-6T as the p-type semiconducting channel have high on/off ratios, demonstrating the utility of this synthetic approach in the preparation of highly pure materials for solution-deposited organic electronic devices.
External and internal streamlines and deformation of drops in linear two-dimensional flows

The creeping flow of a Newtonian fluid around a neutrally buoyant, immiscible spherical liquid drop has been studied theoretically. The streamlines inside and outside the drop and its deformation have been calculated for the family of linear two-dimensional flows, members of which are determined by a dimensionless parameter −1 ⩽ α ⩽ 1. These flows include pure shear flow (α = 1) as one limit and pure rotation (α = −1) as the other, with simple shear (α = 0) as an intermediate case. In the bulk medium, it is found that both an open and a closed streamline region exists for 0 ⩽ α < 1, with the distance from the drop to the limiting streamline dividing the two regions being determined by the ratio of the drop viscosity to that of the medium, λ. All streamlines are open in pure shear flows (α = 1) regardless of λ and for all flows when 0 ⩽ α ⩽ 1 and λ = 0. For flows having −1 ⩽ α < 0, streamlines are always closed. The circulation established in the drop due to the external flow varies according to α and λ. In particular, as many as four pockets of circulation are found for flows with 0 < α ⩽ 1 while for −1 < α ⩽ 0 only two such “pockets” exist. In the trivial case α = −1 there is a single pocket in the drop. Equations giving the axis ratio and orientation of a deformed drop are also derived.
T1 mapping is abnormal before decline in EF in patients with Becker and Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Background Patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) develop cardiomyopathy (CM) at an earlier age compared to Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD), but the age of onset within each diagnosis is variable. A method to predict CM onset associated with dystrophinopathy could alter therapeutic approaches and improve outcomes. Shortened post-contrast T1 relaxation times are an early marker of myocardial fibrosis and are abnormal in patients with DMD as described in our previous work. To our knowledge, T1 mapping has not been evaluated in BMD patients. We hypothesized that patients with BMD would also have abnormal T1 times and that these abnormalities would precede LV dysfunction. Methods Twenty-six CMR scans from these 2 dystrophinopathy populations (N=5 BMD and N=21 DMD) were compared with 10 CMR scans from control patients without cardiovascular disease. T1 maps were created from the Look-Locker sequence, obtained 10 minutes after gadolinium injection, using MRMap. Using MatLab, T1 times were obtained for every voxel in 6 standard myocardial segments in the short axis at the level of the papillary muscles. Mean T1 times were compared between BMD, DMD and controls using a Kruskal Wallis test. A subset of patients with normal LVEF and dystrophinopathy (BMD or DMD) was compared to controls using a Mann-Whitney U test. Results The mean age of patients was 25.4 ± 8.1 years in the BMD group, 15.7 ± 4.3 years in the DMD group, and 16.9 ± 1.3 years in controls. One patient with BMD and 13 patients with DMD had LVEF < 55%. Two patients from both BMD and DMD had LV dilatation. BMD and DMD patients had significantly shorter mean postcontrast T1 compared with controls (BMD: 355 ms, 95% CI (314, 395), DMD:357 ms, 95% CI (323, 390), control: 420 ms, 95% CI (389, 451), p=0.035) (Figure 1). The subset of BMD and DMD patients and normal LVEF also had a significant decrease in post-contrast T1 when compared to controls (-52.4 ms, 95% CI (-7.2, -97.5), p=0.018) (Figure 2). Conclusions Myocardial post-contrast T1 relaxation times in BMD and DMD are significantly shorter than in controls. They remain significantly decreased in the subset of patients with normal LVEF, suggesting that CMR may have prognostic utility in detecting subclinical myocardial damage associated with loss of dystrophin prior to a decline in LVEF. Further longitudinal study is necessary to evaluate whether T1 times can predict future onset of CM in BMD and DMD. Funding none.
Synthesis of [2‐13C, 2‐14C]2‐aminoethanol, [1‐13C, 1‐14C]2‐chloroethylamine, N,N′‐bis([1‐13C, 1‐14C]2‐chloroethyl)‐N‐nitrosourea(BCNU) and N‐([1‐13C, 1‐14C]2‐chloroethyl)‐N‐nitrosourea(CNU)

[2-13C, 2-14C]2-Aminoethanol hydrochloride was prepared in good yield from Na*CN in a two step sequence by first converting the Na*CN to OHCH2*CN and then reducing the nitrile directly with a solution of borane-tetrahydrofuran complex. The reaction procedure was simple and the pure product could be obtained readily. Using this specifically labelled precursor, the synthesis of [1-13C, 1-14C]2-chloroethylamine hydrochloride, N-([1-13C, 1-14C]2-chloroethyl)-N-nitrosourea(CNU) and N,N′-bis([1-13C, 1-14C]2-chloroethyl)-N-nitrosourea(BCNU) in good yield without isotope scrambling was also reported.
Stabilization of nucleic acids by proteins toward enzymic digestion.

Abstract Ribonuclease and deoxyribonuclease were less active towards RNA and DNA, respectively, in the presence of proteins, especially fractionated histones. Basic proteins complex with nucleic acids and stabilize them against digestion by nucleases. Stabilization depends on the nature of the protein; the effect was lost when the protein was acetylated. Basic proteins reduce RNA synthesis in a rat liver nuclei RNA polymerase system, at the same time protect the newly synthesized RNA against ribonuclease action.
Prediction of thiopental induction dose based on caffeine volume of distribution

Similarities in the physicochemical properties of caffeine and thiopental would suggest that the apparent volume of distribution of caffeine (aVd) may be comparable to the initial volume of distribution of thiopental. It is the initial volume of distribution of thiopental that is critical in the early minutes of anesthetic induction. A comparison of the aVd of caffeine and thiopental induction dose was made in 21 male New Zealand white rabbits. The aVd of caffeine was determined from serial saliva determinations following intravenous injection of caffeine (7.5 mg/kg). The loss of the pupillary light reflex was used as the end point for induction with thiopental. A statistically significant correlation (r = .722, P less than .0001) was found between the aVd of caffeine and thiopental induction dose. Also, both thiopental induction dose and caffeine aVd decreased significantly with age in these animals. These findings provide a basis for development of an uninvasive test for predicting thiopental dose in humans.
The Effect of Reduced Alcohol on the Sensory Profiles and Consumer Preferences of White Wine

Dealcoholization, the removal of alcohol from wine, is a technique used to combat rising alcohol levels in wine. However, little is known about how changes in alcohol levels affect wine sensory composition. The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of dealcoholization on wine sensory profiles using trained panelists and consumers. A portion of a Californian Chardonnay was dealcoholized and blended back to the original wine at 0.2%v/v increments up to 2%v/v reduction. From a descriptive sensory analysis, with a minimum alcohol difference of 0.4%v/v, wines differed (P ≤ 0.05) in overall aroma intensity and hot mouthfeel, which were positively correlated with alcohol. Unlike panelists, consumers were unable to detect changes among wines with a 1%v/v difference. These results suggest that a moderate reduction of alcohol in oaked Chardonnay wines has a minimal impact on sensory composition and consumer preferences. Practical Implications This work suggests that reducing the alcohol levels of oaked white wine using dealcoholization techniques results in minimal perceptible changes to the sensory profile. Alcohol reduction technology is of beneficial use to the wine industry. It would be advantageous for wine producers and consumers to be better informed, regarding the financial, social and health benefits of partially dealcoholized wine, without reduction in wine quality.
Creating intelligent agents through shaping of coevolution

Creating agents that behave in complex and believable ways in video games and virtual environments is a difficult task. One solution, shaping, has worked well in evolution of neural networks for agent control in relatively straightforward environments such as the NERO video game, but is very labor-intensive. Another solution, coevolution, promises to establish shaping automatically, but it is difficult to control. Although these two approaches have been used separately in the past, they are compatible in principle. This paper shows how shaping can be applied to coevolution to guide it towards more effective behaviors, thus enhancing the power of coevolution in competitive environments. Several automated shaping methods, based on manipulating the fitness function and the game rules, are introduced and tested in a “capture-the-flag”-like environment, where the controller networks for two populations of agents are evolved using the rtNEAT neuroevolution method. Each of these shaping methods as well as their combinations are superior to a control, i.e. direct evolution without shaping. They are effective in different and sometimes incompatible ways, suggesting that different methods may work best in different environments. Using shaping, it should thus be possible to employ coevolution to create intelligent agents for a variety of games.
A moving overset grid method for interface dynamics applied to non-Newtonian Hele-Shaw flow

We present a novel moving overset grid scheme for the accurate and efficient long-time simulation of an air bubble displacing a non-Newtonian fluid in the prototypical thin film device, the Hele-Shaw cell. We use a two-dimensional generalization of Darcy's law that accounts for shear thinning of a non-Newtonian fluid. In the limit of weak shear thinning, the pressure is found from a ladder of two linear elliptic boundary value problems, each to be solved in the whole fluid domain. A moving body fitted grid is used to resolve the flow near the interface, while most of the fluid domain is covered with a fixed Cartesian grid. Our use of body-conforming grids reduces grid anisotropy effects and allows the accurate modeling of boundary conditions.
Decision-making in the leech nervous system.

SYNOPSIS. Previous models of behavioral choice have described two types of hierarchy, a decision hierarchy, in which different classes of decisions are made at each level (Tinbergen, 1951), and a behavioral hierarchy, in which one behavior will take precedence over others (Davis, 1985). Most experimental work on the neuronal basis of decision-making has focussed on the latter of these: a behavioral hierarchy is described for an animal, and the neuronal basis for this hierarchy, hypothesized to depend on inhibitory interactions, is investigated. Although the concept of ‘‘dedicated command neurons’’ has been useful for guiding these studies, it appears that such neurons are rare. We present evidence that in the leech, most neurons, including high-level decision neurons, are active in more than one behavior. We include data from one newly-identified neuron that elicits both swimming and crawling motor patterns. We suggest that decisions are made by a ‘‘combinatorial code’’: what behavior is produced depends on the specific combination of decision neurons that are active at a particular time. Finally, we discuss how decision neurons may be arranged into a decision hierarchy, with neurons at each sequential level responsible for choosing between a narrower range of behaviors. We suggest additional sensory information is incorporated at each level to inform the decision. Based on studies of animal behavior—mostly that of birds and fish—Nikko Tinbergen proposed that an animal chooses among behaviors in hierarchical steps (Tinbergen, 1951). He proposed that the most general decisions (e.g., whether to migrate or to reproduce) are made in response to levels of hormones, which themselves are controlled by external signals ( e.g., length of the day) and by internal states. Once a general decision is made (e.g., to reproduce), animals must decide among a number of potential behaviors (e.g., attracting a mate vs. fighting with a rival vs. building a nest) based on sensory input and previous history. These decisions, Tinbergen proposed, were likely to be made by ‘‘inhibitive interactions’’ between brain centers: the parts of the brain responsible for producing attract-a-mate behaviors would inhibit those responsible for fighting off a rival and for building a nest. Once one path was selected—say, building a nest—there would be other decisions like where to build it, what materials to use, how to construct the nest, etc. He saw these, too, as competing behaviors, with similar inhibitory interactions among the brain areas responsible for producing each of them. At the lowest hierarchical level—the actual production of the motor acts—Tinbergen assumed that the interactions would be cooperative, with modules of behavioral components that need to be called upon in different temporal and spatial combinations to produce each
An application of artificial neural networks and genetic algorithms to personnel selection in the financial industry

Personnel selection in the financial industry can improve the performance of this critical corporate resource when done properly. This paper introduces a neural net classifier to aid this selection process. A novel application of a genetic algorithm to speed up the neural learning process is presented. >
Caenorhabditis elegans Generates Biologically Relevant Levels of Genotoxic Metabolites from Aflatoxin B1 but Not Benzo[a]pyrene In Vivo

There is relatively little information regarding the critical xenobiotic-metabolizing cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes in Caenorhabditis elegans, despite this organism's increasing use as a model in toxicology and pharmacology. We carried out experiments to elucidate the capacity of C. elegans to metabolically activate important promutagens via CYPs. Phylogenetic comparisons confirmed an earlier report indicating a lack of CYP1 family enzymes in C. elegans. Exposure to aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1)), which is metabolized in mammals by CYP1, CYP2, and CYP3 family enzymes, resulted in significant DNA damage in C. elegans. However, exposure to benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), which is metabolized in mammals by CYP1 family enzymes only, produced no detectable damage. To further test whether BaP exposure caused DNA damage, the toxicities of AFB(1) and BaP were compared in nucleotide excision repair (NER)-deficient (xpa-1) and NER-proficient (N2) strains of C. elegans. Exposure to AFB(1) inhibited growth more in xpa-1 than N2 nematodes, but the growth-inhibitory effects of BaP were indistinguishable in the two strains. Finally, a CYP-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate reductase-deficient strain (emb-8) of C. elegans was found to be more resistant to the growth-inhibitory effect of AFB(1) exposure than N2, confirming that the AFB(1)-mediated growth inhibition resulted from CYP-mediated metabolism. Together, these results indicate that C. elegans lacks biologically significant CYP1 family-mediated enzymatic metabolism of xenobiotics. Interestingly, we also found that xpa-1 nematodes were slightly more sensitive to chlorpyrifos than were wild type. Our results highlight the importance of considering differences between xenobiotic metabolism in C. elegans and mammals when using this alternative model in pharmaceutical and toxicological research.
Correlations of earthquake focal mechanisms

SUMMARY We performed a statistical analysis of the Harvard catalogue of seismic moment tensor solutions. We investigated the distribution of hypocentres on focal spheres of earthquakes. The hypocentres are concentrated along fault planes; the hypocentre distribution does not significantly differ for earthquakes in different depth ranges. To study the rotation of focal mechanisms, we have solved an inverse problem of a 3-D rotation of double-couple earthquake sources, i.e., for each pair of focal mechanisms we find all four 3-D rotations which rotate one mechanism into another. The stochastic disorientation of focal mechanisms is well approximated by the rotational Cauchy distribution which has previously been identified through theoretical arguments and simulations as the result of stress perturbations caused by random defects in the medium. The Cauchy distribution is characterized by one parameter, K; K = 0 means no rotations, and K > 0.5 corresponds to approximately random rotation. For earthquake focal mechanisms the value of K is between 0.05 and 0.1 in a fault zone, and it increases with distance between pairs of events. In directions other than a fault plane, K reaches the value 0.5; the Cauchy distribution is then close to completely random rotations. Although K increases slowly with depth, in general, disorientations of focal mechanisms in various depth ranges display the same dependence. Therefore, we can conclude that deep earthquakes are controlled by the same stress interaction regime as shallow events. The results of these measurements made us question the suitability of some terms and models that are commonly used in the theory of an earthquake source. For example, we argued that tectonic earthquakes rupture rock material which has large-scale defects (or faults), comparable in size with tectonic blocks in which they originate. Properties of the rocks should be significantly different from those of regular materials where the size of defects is typically much smaller than the scale of interest. These properties should strongly depend on the geometry (location and orientation) of major defects.
Malignant Catarrhal Fever in Bison, Acute and Chronic Cases

Acute malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) was diagnosed in 10 bison from 6 herds and ranging from 1 to 6 years of age. The pattern of clinical signs and morphologic lesions differed among bison. Combinations of corneal opacity, lacrimation, nasal discharge, depression, excess salivation, anorexia, diarrhea, melena, and hematuria were observed. Vasculitis characterized by lymphoid infiltrates in the adventia with variable extension into media and intima was found in multiple tissues in each animal. Fibrinoid vascular necrosis was rare. Ulceration in the alimentary tract was found in 9/10 bison, and ulceration or hemorrhage in the urinary bladder was found in 8/10 bison. Lymphoid infiltrates were present in 7 of 9 livers and 9 of 9 kidneys examined histologically. Hyperplasia of lymph nodes was observed in 5 bison. Chronic MCF was diagnosed in 1 bison with an 80-day course of illness that began with lacrimation, corneal opacity, mucoid nasal discharge, depression, and anorexia. These signs ceased after 15 days ...
Implementing a knowledge management solution: from scattered, individual tools to a shared, fully-stocked workshop

Too often the knowledge in the heads of individual support staff can become like a messy, poorly-equipped workshop. Each staff member has a few favorite tools close at hand in a drawer or back pocket and tends to use those few tools to fix a wide range of problems, even if there's a more suitable tool available. Disseminating best practices to all staff members in such a way that the knowledge will be accessed when needed is an ongoing struggle.Knowledge management involves taking an inventory of the existing tools, cleaning them up, discarding the broken ones, adding any needed tools and organizing the tools in a central location. But that's the easy part. The real challenge of knowledge management is to make the new, large selection of tools very easy to access and to encourage staff members to readily use each other's tools and share their own. Otherwise, it's too easy to keep reaching for that old trusted utility knife to do everything from tightening a screw to prying off a lid. In addition, a mechanism is needed to keep the tools up-to-date and "rust-free" and to provide an easy way for colleagues to share any new tools they discover in the course of their work.This paper presents the story of how the "shop" at Duquesne University's computer Help Desk gradually organized and shared knowledge tools through simple methods at first and then implemented a comprehensive knowledge management solution which included commercial knowledge management software. Issues covered include starting with existing knowledge, knowledge capture, knowledge management theory, developing a knowledge-sharing culture, using and customizing knowledge management software, problems and solutions, lessons learned and tips for other shops. The use of commercial software to capture, organize and access knowledge is also discussed.
Aspartame exposure and in vitro hippocampal slice excitability and plasticity.

Abstract Aspartame (APM) is a low-calorie sweetener recently approved and released for widespread use in the United States. However, concerns still exist that APM consumption may be responsible for adverse neurological and psychological effects in some people. In addition, recent reports indicate that APM exposure may alter regional brain neurotransmitter levels. The present study assessed the effects of APM and its amino acid moieties on rat hippocampal slice excitability and plasticity. Specifically, tests of excitatory systems, inhibitory systems, and synaptic plasticity (induction of long-term potentiation—LTP) were administered postexposure. Exposures of 0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10 m m APM potentiated the response of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells, but had no apparent effect on local inhibitory systems. APM exposure did not block the establishment of LTP at any dose despite the potentiation of pyramidal cell response observed postexposure. In addition, 0.1 m m phenylalanine (PHE) produced a greater increase in excitability than that produced by an equivalent dose of APM, 0.1 m m aspartic acid (ASP) and 0.1 m m phenylalanine methyl ester (PM) produced effects comparable to those produced by an equivalent dose of APM, and combined exposure of 0.1 m m ASP and 0.1 m m PHE produced a smaller, but reliable, change in hippocampal CA1 excitability relative to baseline. Like APM, none of the amino acids produced detectable changes in inhibitory systems or neuronal plasticity.
Physics of waveguide photodetectors with integrated amplification

The promising concept of waveguide photodetection with integrated amplification is evaluated by self-consistent device simulation. Such integrated amplification detectors have the potential to achieve simultaneously high saturation power, high speed, high responsivity, and quantum efficiencies well above one. Our example design vertically combines a bulk photodetector ridge region with laterally confined quantum wells for amplification. The current flow in the three-terminal device exhibits ground current reversal with increasing light power. The net optical gain is evaluated for different waveguide modes. For the dominating mode, the detector responsivity is shown to scale with the device length, reaching quantum efficiencies larger than 100%.
The estimated short-term discard mortality of a trawled elasmobranch, the spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias)

To estimate the short-term bycatch discard mortality of otter trawl captured spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias), individuals caught by a Northwest Atlantic commercial bottom-trawl vessel using 45–60 min tows were held in held in pens for 72-h trials in lieu of being released. Mortality rates were compared to those in minimally stressed hook-and-line (control) dogfish subjected to the same protocols. To interpret physiological consequences of trawl capture, blood acid–base parameters were also assessed in dogfish following capture by both trawling and the hook-and-line control. Whole-blood pH (significantly depressed), pCO2 (significantly elevated) and pO2 (significantly depressed) were all markedly disturbed in trawled dogfish, indicating that trawl capture elicited a far greater disruption to vascular acid–base balance. However, 72 h mortality was not negligible for control dogfish (24%) but similar to trawling (29%), indicating that pens likely caused the observed (72 h) mortality associated with both capture methods. Still, in evaluating the range of 72 h trawling mortalities found across pen trials, estimated tow-weight was a significant predictor of mortality, explaining 67% of the variation. This suggests that penning stress was merely an additive factor compounding initial capture stress that dictated the 72 h mortality of trawled individuals. When normalized by subtracting out hook-and-line pen mortality, 72 h trawling mortality generally remained well below the 50.0% spiny dogfish discard mortality rate currently estimated for trawling in the Northwest Atlantic and was even superceded by penning stress in lighter tows; a testament to the resiliency of this species. However, catch-weights exceeding 200 kg yielded rapid elevations in 72 h mortality that more closely approached current estimates. This intimates that as tows become more heavily packed, potentially fatal damage inflicted on this species can heighten quickly. Spiny dogfish discard mortality is thus postulated as more commensurate with current estimations for otter trawling when tows are heavily packed.
Optimizing matrix multiplication for a short-vector SIMD architecture - CELL processor

Matrix multiplication is one of the most common numerical operations, especially in the area of dense linear algebra, where it forms the core of many important algorithms, including solvers of linear systems of equations, least square problems, and singular and eigenvalue computations. The STI CELL processor exceeds the capabilities of any other processor available today in terms of peak single precision, floating point performance, aside from special purpose accelerators like Graphics Processing Units (GPUs). In order to fully exploit the potential of the CELL processor for a wide range of numerical algorithms, fast implementation of the matrix multiplication operation is essential. The crucial component is the matrix multiplication kernel crafted for the short vector Single Instruction Multiple Data architecture of the Synergistic Processing Element of the CELL processor. In this paper, single precision matrix multiplication kernels are presented implementing the C=C-AxB^T operation and the C=C-AxB operation for matrices of size 64x64 elements. For the latter case, the performance of 25.55 Gflop/s is reported, or 99.80% of the peak, using as little as 5.9 kB of storage for code and auxiliary data structures.
PARENT AND TEEN PERCEPTIONS REGARDING PARENTAL EFFORTS AT CONTROLLING TEEN DRUNK DRIVING

This research examined the potential utility of a parental control technique to prevent adolescent drunk driving by identifying parent and teen sources of resistance to an ignition interlock system. The research also examined the theoretical issue of parental control over adolescents by identifying factors parents consider when deciding to use a control technique. Parent and teen receptivity to the interlock was examined in relation to teen drunk driving. General parental control orientations (controlling vs. permissive) were examined in relation to the factors that influence parental decisions to implement such a control technique. Factors related to sources of reluctance to use the device were also examined. The findings revealed that parents were generally ambivalent toward the interlock. In contrast, teens responses varied, with approximately 20% of the sample reporting favorable attitudes toward having an interlock installed in the their cars. In addition, both parents and teens expressed concern about how the interlock would affect their relationship with each other. Finally, controlling parents tended to place less emphasis on the perceived effectiveness of the control technique when forming their attitudes toward its implementation compared to permissive parents. The findings are discussed in the context of prevention efforts for adolescent drunk driving.
Depth Prediction for Earth-Penetrating Projectiles

An empirical equation is developed for the prediction of total penetration distance of a projectile in many natural earth targets. Development of this equation was based on approximately 160 full-scale penetration tests into a variety of targets, including rock, gypsite, permafrost, ice, desert alluvium, silt, sand and saturated clay. The parameters considered in the development (other than target materials) were (1) projectile weights from 222 to 5,750 lb, (2) projectile diameters from 3.1 to 18 in., (3) impact velocities from 78 to 1,077 fps, and (4) 11 projectile nose shapes. The equation fits 91% of the data within 20% and fits 98.5% of the data within 25%. The necessary tables of nose-performance coefficients and soil constants are presented for practical engineering usage.
Phylogenomics: Improving Functional Predictions for Uncharacterized Genes by Evolutionary Analysis

The ability to accurately predict gene function based on gene sequence is an important tool in many areas of biological research. Such predictions have become particularly important in the genomics age in which numerous gene sequences are generated with little or no accompanying experimentally determined functional information. Almost all functional prediction methods rely on the identification, characterization, and quantification of sequence similarity between the gene of interest and genes for which functional information is available. Because sequence is the prime determining factor of function, sequence similarity is taken to imply similarity of function. There is no doubt that this assumption is valid in most cases. However, sequence similarity does not ensure identical functions, and it is common for groups of genes that are similar in sequence to have diverse (although usually related) functions. Therefore, the identification of sequence similarity is frequently not enough to assign a predicted function to an uncharacterized gene; one must have a method of choosing among similar genes with different functions. In such cases, most functional prediction methods assign likely functions by quantifying the levels of similarity among genes. I suggest that functional predictions can be greatly improved by focusing on how the genes became similar in sequence (i.e., evolution) rather than on the sequence similarity itself. It is well established that many aspects of comparative biology can benefit from evolutionary studies (Felsenstein 1985), and comparative molecular biology is no exception (e.g., Altschul et al. 1989; Goldman et al. 1996). In this commentary, I discuss the use of evolutionary information in the prediction of gene function. To appreciate the potential of a phylogenomic approach to the prediction of gene function, it is necessary to first discuss how gene sequence is commonly used to predict gene function and some general features about gene evolution.
Cardiac Arrest in a Physician-Directed Cardiac Rehabilitation Program: A Clinical and Angiographic Profile of Two Cases

Two cases of ventricular fibrillation occurring during a physician-directed exercise program are described. Both were successfully resuscitated. No single clinical parameter can predict which patient is at increased risk for exercise-in duced ventricular fibrillation. We conclude that all cardiac patients who wish to exercise should do so only with physician supervision.
Performance modeling of SCTP multihoming

Stream control transmission protocol (SCTP) is a new transport layer protocol which is being standardized by IETF. Multi-homing, one of the most attractive features of SCTP, makes it competitive in high-availability and mobile environments. In this paper, we propose an analytical model for evaluating the performance of SCTP multi-homing. The proposed model has been validated against and found to agree well with simulation results.
CHAPTER 12 – Relays

This chapter describes relays with the help of some examples. The ordinary type of relay is an electromagnet that operates a switch. Relays are analogous to water faucets because both allow small amounts of energy to control very large amounts of energy. The experiments provided in the chapter touches on simple relay circuits, timing with the oscilloscope, positive feedback and latching, circuit breaker, and negative feedback and oscillation. The various times involved in a relay's operation can be measured with an oscilloscope even though they are just thousandths of a second long. Commercially available circuit breakers ordinarily have more than one coil, with the extra one being a separate relay that can cause the main one to operate, disconnecting the power.
Optimizing Irrigation and Fertilization of Gardenia jasminoides for Good Growth and Minimal Leaching

Excessive irrigation and leaching are of increasing concern in container plant production.Itcanalsonecessitate multiplefertilizerapplications,whichiscostlyforgrowers. Our objective was to determine whether fertilizer and irrigation water can be applied more efficiently to reduce leachate volume and nutrient content without negatively impacting aboveground growth of Gardenia jasminoides 'MAGDA I'. Plants were fertilized with one of three rates of a controlled-release fertilizer (subplots) (Florikan 18-6-8, 9-10 month release; 18.0N-2.6P-6.6K) (100 (40 g/plant), 50 (20 g/plant), and 25% of bag rate (10 g/plant)) and grown in 5.4-L containers outside for 137 days. Soil moisture sensor-controlled, automated irrigation was used to provide plants with one of four irrigation volumes (whole plots) (66, 100, 132, or 165 mL) at each irrigation event. All plants were irrigated when the control treatment (66 mL irrigation volume, 100% fertilizer treatment) reached a volumetric water content (VWC) of 0.35 m 3 ·m L3 . Plants in the different irrigation treatments were irrigated for 2, 3, 4, or 5 minutes, thus applying 66, 100, 132,or 165 mL/plant in the different irrigation treatments. Fertilizer rate had a greater effect on aboveground growth than irrigation volume with the 25% fertilizer rate resulting in significantly lower shoot dry weight (18.7 g/plant) than the 50% and 100% rates (25.3 and 27.3 g/plant respectively). Growth index wasalsolowestinthe25%fertilizerrate.Leachatevolumevariedgreatly duringthegrowing season due to rainfall and irrigation volume effects on leachate were most evident during the third, eighth, and ninth biweekly leachate collections, during which there was minimal or no rainfall. For these collections the control treatment of 66 mL resulted in minimal leachate (less than 130 mL over the 2-week leachate collection period), whereas leachate volume increased with increasing irrigation volumes. Pore water electrical conductivity (EC), leachate EC, NO3-N content, and PO4-P content were all highest with the 100% fertilizer rate, with the 66 mL irrigation treatment having the highest leachate EC for all fertilizer treatments. Cumulative leachate volumes for the 66 and 100 mL irrigation treatments were unaffected by fertilizer rate, whereas the 132 and 165 mL had greater leaching at the 25% fertilizer rate. Lower irrigation volumes resulted in reduced water and nutrient leaching and higher leachate EC. The higher leachate EC was the result of higher concentration of nutrients in less volume of leachate. The results of this study suggest that a combination of reduced fertilizer rates (up to 50%) and more efficient irrigation can be used to produce salable plants with reduced leaching and thus less environmental impact.
Evapotranspiration and Infiltration in Rain Garden Systems

Quantification of evapotranspiration (ET) and infiltration from vegetated stormwater control measures (SCMs), such as rain gardens, is necessary to properly assess their volume reduction potential. Weighing lysimeters at Villanova University mimic three bioretention rain garden designs and measure water budget parameters to determine how design elements impact ET and infiltration (percolation). The designs compare two soil medias: a loamy sand (72% sand, 12% silt, 1% clay) and sand (96% sand, 4% silt, 0% clay), and different drainage systems: a controlled valve and internal water storage (IWS) outflow. The controlled valve outflow allows a user defined flow rate. The IWS outflow maintains a storage volume within the media. A custom distribution system was built to simulate excess rain delivered to a rain garden during natural storm events. In Pennsylvania, SCMs are often sized to control a multiple (typically 5:1 for rain gardens) of a selected rain event. Trials were performed in April and August 2014 for half open controlled valve configurations. Both loamy sand and sand soils with a controlled valve configuration showed an average ET of 3.1 mm per day for 7 days after simulated 5:1 events. Sand soil with an IWS showed an average of 6.0 mm per day for 7 days after simulated 5:1 events. Simulated storm events produced larger ET rates, on average, than that of a 1:1 ratio. Comparisons of predictive equations show the ASCE Penman-Monteith (uncorrected for water stress or crop type) under-predicting and Hargreaves (corrected for water availability) over-predicting observed ET, but follows the trend of each lysimeter.
Sparse parameter recovery from aggregated data

Data aggregation is becoming an increasingly common technique for sharing sensitive information, and for reducing data size when storage and/or communication costs are high. Aggregate quantities such as group-average are a form of semi-supervision as they do not directly provide information of individual values, but despite their wide-spread use, prior literature on learning individual-level models from aggregated data is extremely limited. This paper investigates the effect of data aggregation on parameter recovery for a sparse linear model, when known results are no longer applicable. In particular, we consider a scenario where the data are collected into groups e.g. aggregated patient records, and first-order empirical moments are available only at the group level. Despite this obfuscation of individual data values, we can show that the true parameter is recoverable with high probability using these aggregates when the collection of true group moments is an incoherent matrix, and the empirical moment estimates have been computed from a sufficiently large number of samples. To the best of our knowledge, ours are the first results on structured parameter recovery using only aggregated data. Experimental results on synthetic data are provided in support of these theoretical claims. We also show that parameter estimation from aggregated data approaches the accuracy of parameter estimation obtainable from non-aggregated or "individual" samples, when applied to two real world healthcare applications- predictive modeling of CMS Medicare reimbursement claims, and modeling of Texas State healthcare charges.
A Simple Model for a Superfluid Stirling Refrigerator at High Operating Temperature

The superfluid Stirling refrigerator (SSR) is a Stirling machine that uses the ideal gas behavior of the 3 He Component of a 3 He- 4 He mixture to provide cooling at temperatures below 2 K. The design of SSR's to date has used the Schmidt model to predict the performance of a given machine. Unfortunately, the Schmidt model does not account for the phonon and roton excitations present in 4 He component of the mixture. These excitations significantly change the performance of the SSR. An analytical model of the SSR that accounts for the phonon and roton excitations is presented. High temperature SSR experimental data is also presented and found to compare well with the model.
Emotional availability at bedtime, infant temperament, and infant sleep development from one to six months

Infant sleep consolidates rapidly during the first half year of life in the context of a dynamic, bidirectional exchange between infant characteristics and the caregiving environment. The current study examined the relationship between mothers' emotional availability (EA) at bedtime and infant temperament, and objectively assessing infant sleep development from one to six months, particularly focus on whether infant temperament moderated linkages between EA at bedtime and infant sleep development. The sample consisted of 72 mother-infant dyads, and the measures included actigraphy-assessed infant sleep at one and six months, observed maternal EA coded from bedtime videos at 3 and 6 months, and maternal reports of infant temperament at three and six months. The analysis showed significant positive effects of maternal EA at bedtime on developmental changes in infant sleep minutes. Additionally, infant temperamental surgency moderated the influence of EA at bedtime on the increase in infant sleep minutes. In other words, highly surgent infants whose mothers were emotionally available at bedtime showed a greater increase in their sleep time than other infants. The results are discussed in terms of the transactional model of infant sleep development.