cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
P‐119: 2H‐NMR Study of Nanohorn Doped Liquid Crystals for Improved Dynamic Response in Liquid Crystal Displays

The doping of liquid crystals with nanotube technology has been shown to improve the electro-optic performance of liquid crystal displays. Here we present a basic study using electro-optic measurements and nuclear magnetic resonance to better understand the underlying phenomenon of this effect and propose a simple phenomenological model.
In-plane compression porometry of battery separators

We have designed equipment that measures, by means of capillary flow porometry, the pore structure of sheet materials. The equipment measures the influence of superimposed compressive stress on pore structure as well. The bubble point pressure, mean flow pressure, and flow distribution of a battery separator have been measured, and the influence of compressive stresses on these parameters have been observed. Our results demonstrate that the pore structure for in-plane flow is considerably different from that for flow in the perpendicular direction, and the effect of superimposed compressive stress is appreciable.
Qualitative changes in the basic protein fraction of developing embryos

Abstract Acrylamide gel electrophoretic studies were carried out on basic protein extracts of developmental stages of the frog Rana pipiens, the salamander Ambystoma punctatum, and the sea urchin Arbacia punctulata. Qualitative changes were detected in early cleavage and during gastrulation in all three species. Exogastrulation experiments indicate that those proteins appearing during normal gastrulation are absent in exogastrulae. The results are discussed in relation to the findings of previous investigators.
“How Do You Get Two Houses Cleaned?”: Accomplishing Family Caregiving in Commuter Marriages

This interpretive study focused on messages reported by commuter wives from social network members concerning unpaid family labor, including domestic work and relational work with spouses and children, and wives' subsequent communication about the accomplishment of such labor within their marriages and families. We conducted a thematic analysis of interview transcripts with commuting wives from five focus groups (n = 25) and 50 individual interviews through the lens of gendered role expectations. We found commuter wives received messages from social network members portraying men as incapable of family labor and expressing traditional gendered expectations for wives to perform caregiving. Commuting wives discussed how they and their families implemented several strategies for accomplishing the domestic chores of family labor. In addition, many couples needed to negotiate new strategies for relational maintenance, and communication emerged as a discrete form of caregiving labor. In spite of the fact that t...
The effects of radiation on ferrites

The effects of reactor exposures in the range 1016?1018 fast neutrons per cm2 (square centimeter) on the magnetic properties of 16 polycrystalline ferrites and garnets are presented. Measured properties included coercive force, remanence, saturation induction, complex permeability, and FMR (ferromagnetic resonance) linewidth. It was found that the hysteresis properties and FMR linewidth were slightly affected by exposures of 1018 neutrons per cm2. Complex permeability was affected by exposures as small as 1016 neutrons per cm2. All of the observed changes were small.
An examination of the accuracy of the linearization of a mesoscale model with moist physics

The accuracy of tangent linear and adjoint versions of a primitive-equation model with moist physics is examined with respect to growing perturbations having significant initial magnitudes. The Jacobians for the convective parametrizations are approximated using a perturbation method. These Jacobians are then quality controlled to ensure that the approximations are suitable. Results show that: (I) linearization of the diabatic moist physics can have a significant impact; (2) even where such impacts are large, the linearized versions of the model can yield good approximations to the nonlinear behaviour for significant perturbations, especially if there is sufficient dynamical influence: (3) poor approximations can be obtained when convection dominates the results; and (4) a straightforward linearization of some parametrization schemes may be inadequate. The results are encouraging for quantitative applications of some moist adjoint models to extratropical cyclones in the winter, but suggest some tangent linear approximations may be unsuitable in the tropics or over continents in the summer, except if qualitative agreements with nonlinear results are sufficient. Detailed comparisons of linear and nonlinear results should be made. particularly using optimal perturbations, prior to any applications of tangent linear or adjoint models.
HIV and the Older Adult

Infection with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, is now considered a chronic disease of years rather than an acute condition resulting in death. AIDS in older adults accounts for 11% of all AIDS cases. This article discusses current epidemiological trends and statistics; HIV risk factors related to aging; immunity and the aging process; diagnosis and treatment challenges; as well as gerontological nursing implications related to HIV prevention and counseling for adults age 50 and older. HIV infection is preventable. Nurses have a unique opportunity to develop theory-based intervention programs to reduce risk behaviors, while encouraging healthy behaviors in the older adult population.
Data-clustering algorithm using a self-organizing method

A new data clustering algorithm using a self organizing method is presented. This algorithm forms clusters and is trained without supervision. The clustering is done on the basis of the statistical properties of the set of data. This algorithm differs from the K-means algorithm and other clustering algorithms in that the number of desired clusters is not required to be known a priori. It also removes noise and is fast. The convergence of the algorithm is shown. An example is given to show the application of the algorithm to clustering data and to compare the results obtained using this algorithm with those obtained using the K-means algorithm.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Discontinuities driven by a billion connected machines

We have witnessed an explosion of Internet use that has tremendous implications for our industry, particularly on the test requirements put upon us. At Intel we have a vision. We see a world in which we're marching toward a billion connected computers being served by high-performance networks and millions of servers. On those servers we see billions of transactions worth trillions of dollars, conducted on a daily and a yearly basis. This connected world is changing everything-everything that we do and everything that we need to deliver as an industry.
Radioiodine absorption and secretion by the calf abomasum.

Abstract The bidirectional passage of radioiodine between the blood and abomasum was investigated in 12 anesthetized calves. Ratios of abomasal venous to arterial 131 I concentrations averaged 0.84±0.13 (sd) during 24 minutes and 0.72±0.13 at 24 hours after intravenous administration indicating 16 to 28% removal of circulating iodine by the abomasum. Recovery of 125 I in abomasal contents 25 minutes after injection into the abomasum averaged 72±23%. Movement of iodine from the abomasal lumen to the blood was further indicated by rapid appearance of 125 I in abomasal venous blood which plateaued between 2 and 3% of the 125 I dose per liter within seven minutes. A negative relationship (r = 0.96, P 131 I uptakes by the thyroid and abomasum 24 hours after dosing.
The consequence of species loss on ecosystem nitrogen cycling depends on community compensation.

Repercussions of species loss on ecosystem processes depend on the effects of the lost species as well as the compensatory responses of the remaining species in the community. We experimentally removed two co-dominant plant species and added a 15N tracer in alpine tundra to compare how species’ functional differences influence community structure and N cycling. For both of the species, production compensated for the biomass removed by the second year. However, the responses of the remaining species depended on which species was removed. These differences in compensation influenced how species loss impacted ecosystem processes. After the removal of one of the co-dominant species, Acomastylis rossii, there were few changes in the relative abundance of the remaining species, and differences in functioning could be predicted based on effects associated with the removed species. In contrast, the removal of the other co-dominant, Deschampsia caespitosa, was associated with subsequent changes in community structure (species relative abundances and diversity) and impacts on ecosystem properties (microbial biomass N, dissolved organic N, and N uptake of subordinate species). Variation in compensation may contribute to the resulting effects on ecosystem functioning, with the potential to buffer or accelerate the effects of species loss.
Surgical thrombectomy: Current role in thromboembolic occlusions

Abstract Thromboembolic disease occurs in a heterogeneous group of patients with significant co-morbidities and variable presentations, resulting in high morbidity and mortality rates. To decrease these complications, multiple different endovascular modalities have been developed and used to treat this challenging problem. Physicians are now left with a broad array of endovascular and surgical options. Unfortunately, there are little data that accurately compare these modalities. Therefore, an individual approach to each patient with acute ischemia from thromboembolic disease must be employed. In order to tailor the treatment to the needs of each patient, the physician must be familiar with the techniques, complications, technology, and relative strengths and weaknesses of each treatment modality. This article will first outline the main technical considerations for performing surgical thromboembolectomy. The complications of operative thromboembolectomy will then be discussed followed by the data comparing operative and nonoperative therapy. Finally, clinical scenarios that are best treated by surgical intervention will be described. © 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Comments on "Bioaerosol lung damage in a worker with repeated exposure to fungi in a water-damaged building".

Comments on "Bioaerosol Lung Damage in a Worker with Repeated Exposure to Fungi in a Water-Damaged Building'' In their case report of a worker with lung damage associated with microbial exposure, Trout et al. (1) emphasized the need for further research on markers of exposure to bioaerosols, particularly fungi that produce mycotoxins. The authors presented an interesting pilot serologic investigation for IgG and IgM antibodies to roridin (a macrocyclic trichothecene mycotoxin pro? duced by Stachybotrys chartarum) and found no elevation of antibodies in the index case, an individual with repeated exposure to a water-damaged building. The clinical evaluation of the index case did not reveal elevation of IgG or IgE responses to S. chartarum, although precipitating anti? bodies were reportedly positive "only to Thermoactinomyces vulgaris" Although the environmental evaluation and subsequent discussion on bioaerosols focuses on fungi (particularly S. chartarum) and mycotoxins, Trout et al. (1) did not discuss the role that inhaled bacterial anti?
A Case Study of Realistic Two-Scale Modeling of Water Permeability in Fibrous Media

Abstract There are several 3-D analytical models available for predicting the permeability of fibrous media. These models are developed based on the assumption that the medium is homogeneous with fibers oriented either in one specific direction, randomly oriented in the plane of the material, or isotropically oriented in a 3-D space. Unlike the homogeneous geometries normally considered for modeling, real media have a rather inhomogeneous Solid Volume Fraction (SVF), fiber orientations, and/or diameters. The presence of such non-uniformities in a real medium renders the models' predictions inaccurate. Sectioning-imaging, MRI imaging, or tomographic methods are often used to obtain a 3-D image of the real media for the purpose of calculating the permeability. These techniques, however, require extensive computational resources making the simulations limited to very small sub-domains. To circumvent this problem (required computational memory), a two-scale modeling approach is proposed that allowed modeling ...
Large Forecast Degradations due to Synoptic Surveillance during the 2004 and 2005 Hurricane Seasons

Abstract Though operational tropical cyclone synoptic surveillance generally leads to smaller track forecast errors in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Global Forecasting System (GFS) than would occur otherwise, not every case is improved. Very large GFS forecast degradations due to surveillance are investigated. Small perturbations to model initial conditions may have a large impact locally or downstream in a short time. In these cases, the perturbations are due either to erroneous data assimilated into the models or to issues with the complex data assimilation system itself, and may have caused the forecast degradations. Investigation of forecast and observing system failures can lead to procedural changes that may eliminate some causes of future large forecast errors.
In Vitro Characterization of chB6 Positive and Negative Cells from Early Avian Embryos

Abstract Density gradient-separated embryonic spleen and bone marrow cells were enriched for chB6+ cells with positive and negative selection procedures and magnetic cell sorting. The majority of chB6+ cells, consisting of small, dense, strongly chB6+ cells, were prone to apoptosis, which was further accentuated after exposure to monoclonal antibodies directed against chB6 alloantigen, but was largely inhibited by PDBU, leading to maintenance and frequently numerical increases of chB6+ cells after an initial decline. sIgM+ cells within that population followed a very similar pattern, suggesting a PDBU-induced upregulation of sIgM expression on a proportion of chB6+ cells. The protective effect of PDBU on anti-chB6-exposed cells was confirmed with bursal lymphocytes and shown to be entirely PDBU concentration dependent. It was calculated that each 14-day embryonic spleen contained a minimum of 250,000 chB6+ and 3000–4000 sIgM+ cells, respectively. Endogenous apoptosis appeared to be increased with embryonic age, reaching a peak with bursal cells in the posthatching period. A second population of larger, less dense, and weak chB6+ cells, often with vacuoles in a more abundant cytoplasm, differed functionally, expanding numerically in unstimulated cultures and being inhibited by PDBU. No sIgM+ cells developed within this population. It is proposed that this chB6+ fraction may represent progenitors of a previously suggested chB6+ subset of macrophages, in contrast to the dense chB6+, small cells, viewed as B cell progenitors. chB6− cells, consisting predominantly of granulocytes, proliferated vigorously in unstimulated cultures, but were consistently inhibited by PDBU. Coculture of age-matched embryonic bursal stroma with positively and negatively enriched chB6+ cells revealed enhanced protection from apoptosis for chB6+ cells and a PDBU-induced upregulation of sIgM expressing cells. Bursal stroma also had a pronounced positive effect on the proliferation of chB6− cells.
Pulse radiolysis investigation of solvent effect on the reactivity of benzhydryl cation

Abstract The effect of solvent on the reactivity of benzhydryl cation in solution has been investigated by pulse radiolysis. Rate constants were determined for two types of reaction: cation-anion reactions and cation-neutral molecule reactions. Six different solvents were used with static dielectric constants ranging from 1.96 to 10.63 and viscosities ranging from 0.4 to 1.2 cP. The correlation of the rate constants with these parameters was examined.
X rays generated in the interaction of subpicosecond laser pulses with solid targets (Invited Paper)

We are investigating the generation of short pulse short wavelength x-rays for pumping inner- shell x-ray lasers by photo-ionization. In contrast with previous proposals, we are looking at the use of a single line as an efficient means of pumping these lasers. As a first step we are optimizing the flashlamp x-ray conversion efficiency and characterizing the x-ray pulse length.
Influence of the interplanetary magnetic field on cometary and primordial dust orbits - Applications of Lorentz Scattering

The equations describing the change in orbital elements of interplanetary dust due to Lorentz-force accelerations are presented in a simplified form. Such accelerations depend on the charge state of the dust; results of theoretical calculations for five possible dust materials are presented. Under present-day conditions, it is possible that semiconducting material such as graphite might carry a net voltage near zero, compared with a roughly 10-V charge expected for other grains. The scattering of dust by a randomly changing magnetic field can be viewed analogously to the dust diffusing in space; the equations presented thus can be used to interpret observations of the present distribution of dust in terms of its possible sources and sinks. The stronger magnetic fields of the early solar system would have led to more vigorous scattering of the dust; particles as large as 1 mm could have been significantly transported by Lorentz scattering during this time.
Characterization of infrared vibrational activity in specific totally symmetric bridging modes of mixed-valence systems near the localized-to-delocalized transition

Abstract The presence or absence of infrared (IR) activity in totally symmetric bridging vibrations of ligand-bridged mixed-valence molecular systems has often been taken, on the basis of electronic (a)symmetry arguments, as markers for electronic localization (class II) or delocalization (class III) on the vibrational time scale. However, because IR absorption intensity in such nominally-forbidden modes may be anomalously enhanced due to vibronic coupling effects, especially for cases in the localized-to-delocalized (class II/III) transition regime, a direct and continuous correlation between the extent of (de)localization and IR activity is challenged. In order to experimentally illustrate such phenomena, here we provide a detailed comparison of relevant IR signatures across a series of structurally related, symmetric dinuclear complexes of the type [(bpy) 2 (Cl)M-pz-M(Cl)(bpy) 2 ] n + (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, pz = pyrazine, M = Ru II,III or Os II,III ; n = 2, 3, or 4), in which the “mixed valency” (II,III; n = 3) has been characterized as largely localized for M = Ru and approaching the near-delocalized behavior for M = Os. To improve analytical accuracy and facilitate standardization in the comparison of results spanning the various isovalent and mixed-valent redox species, the IR spectroscopic features were probed via an in situ spectroelectrochemical (SEC) approach, in identical medium (solution) conditions. The parent monomers, i.e. [(bpy) 2 (Cl)M-pz] n + (M = Ru II,III or Os II,III ; n = 1 or 2), which represent the extreme examples of structural and electronic symmetry breaking in the series, were also investigated and compared with the dimers. In all cases reported here, the spectroscopic assignments of vibrational modes were supported by isotopic modification (deuteration) of the bridging pyrazine ligand.
Robot-assisted Microsurgery: A Feasibility Study in the Rat

Objective Telerobotic surgery is a novel technology that can improve a surgeon's manual dexterity as well as the results achieved with microsurgical procedures. Methods A prototype Robot-Assisted MicroSurgery (RAMS) microdexterity enhancement system developed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and MicroDexterity Systems, Inc., was tested in 10 rats. Carotid arteriotomies were created and closed using either the RAMS system or conventional microsurgical techniques. The time required, the technical quality (vessel patency and suture line integrity), the error rate, and subjective difficulty were compared. Results All procedures were successfully completed using the RAMS system to manipulate the vessel but not to hold the needle or place the sutures. The precision, technical quality, and error rate of telerobotic surgery were similar to those of conventional techniques. However, the use of the RAMS system was associated with a twofold increase in the length of the procedure. Conclusion Surgery using a microdexterity enhancement system, or RAMS prototype, is feasible. With further development, such as a stereotelevisualization and haptic feedback system, this system could be used for telerobotic surgery in neurosurgical practice.
Facial assessments: identifying the suitable pathway to facial rejuvenation.

Objectives There are now numerous ways in which a patient can rejuvenate their facial appearance, including various types of expensive, invasive, surgical procedures, and an ever increasing gamut of products that can be inserted or injected beneath the skin to restore a youthful look to the face. The importance of facial assessments in identifying the most suitable treatment option is discussed here. Results Before a patient commits to any one of these corrective options, it is the responsibility of the physician to conduct a thorough assessment of the patient's face. All of the facial characteristics should be examined closely: underlying bone and musculature, shape, proportion, and features including folds, wrinkles, fine lines, volume deficits and changes in pigmentation. The degree of ptosis in the facial tissues should be assessed by light palpation. Following assessment of the face, digital photographs should be taken of the patient's full face and profile, allowing the physician to indicate areas, on a visual display, that need correction and there are now computer programs which can ‘morph’ the features of a facial photograph, providing an approximation of the post-treatment result. Shape and proportion are neglected facets in the assessment of the face prior to corrective treatment. A treatment or technique which rejuvenates a ‘thin’ face may not work so successfully on a ‘round’ face and vice versa. Most importantly, the physician should aim to understand the patient's objective and subjective perceptions of their face and ascertain the results that are desired by the patient before evaluating what can be achieved. Appropriate corrective options can then be discussed in detail, highlighting the risks, side effects, costs, invasiveness, logistics and anticipated outcomes of each. Conclusion A comprehensive assessment of the patient's face allows the physician to formulate a regimen of treatments that will reach or exceed the expectations of the patient.
Role of flexion-extension radiographs in blunt pediatric cervical spine injury.

. Objective: To determine whether flexion—extension cervical spine radiography (FECSR) is abnormal in children who have sustained blunt cervical spine injury (CSI) when standard cervical spine radiography (SCSR) demonstrates no acute abnormalities. Methods: This was a blinded radiographic review of 129 patients ≤16 years of age evaluated at an academic pediatric trauma center during July 1990—March 1996. All patients had SCSR (anteroposterior/lateral views) and FECSR performed for a trauma-related event within seven days of injury. Results: Of 46 patients without acute abnormalities on SCSR, one patient (with final clinical diagnosis of “no CSI”) had acute abnormalities on FECSR (95% CI = 0.06% to 11.5%). Of 50 patients with isolated loss of lordosis on SCSR, no patient had acute abnormalities on FECSR (95% CI = 0% to 5.8%). The FECSR review revealed no acute abnormalities in 75 of 83 patients (90.4%) with suspicious findings for CSI viewed on SCSR (95% CI = 81.9% to 95.7%). Complications during FECSR were noted in one patient with transient paresthesias (0.8%) (95% CI = 0.02% to 4.2%). Conclusions: In children who underwent acute radiographic evaluation of blunt cervical spine trauma, FECSR was unlikely to be abnormal when no acute abnormality or isolated loss of lordosis was evident on SCSR. In a subset of patients with suspicious findings for occult CSI on SCSR, FECSR was useful in ruling out ligamentous instability in the acute, posttrauma setting.
Health Care Utilization in HIV-Infected Patients: Assessing the Burden of Hepatitis C Virus Coinfection

Health care utilization for HIV-1–infected patients appears to be declining in the United States as a result of highly active antiviral therapy (HAART); yet the opposite appears true in the HIV/hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfected population. The reasons for this difference are not well understood. We examined the rates and reasons for emergency department visits and hospital admissions at an academic tertiary care medical center for HIV/HCV coinfected patients as compared to HIV-1 monoinfected patients, using a retrospective matched cohort study design. HIV/HCV coinfected patients had higher rates of health care utilization (emergency department visits 43.9 versus 7.1 per 100 person-years; hospital admissions 18.2 versus 6.7 per 100 person-years, for HIV coinfected and monoinfected, respectively). This increase was not solely due to liver related events. Instead, comorbidities such as diabetes, renal disease, and psychiatric/substance abuse played a larger role in the health-care utilization in the HIV/HCV coinfected population.
Atomic Structure of Dislocations and Interfaces in Semiconductor Heterostructures

We have studied and analyzed critical thickness required for the formation of misfit dislocations in semiconductor heterostructures. The present analysis has been carried out assuming that the nucleation of a misfit dislocation is controlled by the activation energy. The energy of the cohernt interface and the misfit dislocation configuration has been evaluated using a discrete dislocation analysis. Further, atomic structures of coherent and semicoherent interfaces containing misfit dislocations of the type a/2<110={111} ↑ <110= (600 dislocation), a/2<110={001} ↑ <110= (90° dislocation) and a/6<112={111} ↑ <110= (90° partial dislocation) in Ge/Si system were simulated. The total energy, consisting of both core and elastic energy components, was calculated using Stillinger-Weber interatomic potentials. The results show that the energy is a strong function of the nature of dislocations. A 60° dislocation is found to exist in undissociated form in shuffle configuration, but the core contains a dangling bond at the interface. The core of a 90° dislocation reconstructs at the Ge/Si interface with no dangling bonds. The calculated atomic configurations of dislocations and interfaces are found to be in good agreement with high resolution transmission electron microscopy observations.
Infinite Systems in SM Explanations: Thermodynamic Limit, Renormalization (Semi-) Groups, and Irreversibility

This paper examines the justifications for using infinite systems to 'recover' thermodynamic properties, such as phase transitions (PT), critical phenomena (CP), and irreversibility, from the micro-structure of matter in bulk. Section 2 is a summary of such rigorous methods as in taking the thermodynamic limit (TL) to recover PT and in using renormalization (semi-) group approach (RG) to explain the universality of critical exponents. Section 3 examines various possible justifications for taking TL on physically finite systems. Section 4 discusses the legitimacy of applying TL to the problem of irreversibility and assesses the repercussions for its legitimacy on its home turf.
EFFECT OF TIMING OF ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION ON SEX RATIO

For a number of years, the time of insemination or mating during estrus has been believed to influence the sex ratio of offspring, with early insemination resulting in more females and late insemination, more males. Possible mechanisms of altering the sex ratio include facilitating or inhibiting the transport of either X- or Y-chromosome-bearing sperm through the reproductive tract, preferential selection of sperm at fertilization, or sex-specific death of embryos after fertilization. In livestock species, there is evidence for preferential selection of X- or Y-bearing sperm, based on the maturational state of the oocyte at fertilization. In deer and sheep, early and late insemination appears to skew the sex ratio toward females and males, respectively. In cattle, conflicting reports on the effect of time of insemination on sex ratio make the premise less clear. Many of the published studies lack adequate observations for definitive conclusions and/or are based on infrequent observations of estrus, making it difficult to assess the effect of time of insemination on sex ratio. It is likely that any effect of time of insemination on sex ratio in cattle is relatively small. Evidence is accumulating that treatments used for synchronization of estrus or ovulation in cattle may influence the sex ratio.
Psychometric Evaluation of the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List–Short Form in the ARIC Study Cohort

The impact of social support on health outcomes is well documented. The current study evaluated a short form of the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (ISEL-SF) administered to 14,257 participan...
Distribution of viral antigen gp85 and provirus in various tissues from commercial meat-type and experimental White Leghorn Line 0 chickens with different subgroup J avian leukosis virus infection profiles

Immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used to test for the presence of avian leukosis virus (ALV) J viral antigen gp85 and proviral DNA, respectively, in various tissues (adrenal gland, bone marrow, gonad, heart, kidney, liver, lung, pancreas, proventriculus, sciatic nerve, spleen, and thymus). Tissues were collected from 32-week-old commercial meat-type and Avian Disease and Oncology Laboratory experimental White Leghorn Line 0 chickens with the following different infection profiles: tV + A−, included in ovo-tolerized viraemic chickens with no neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) on any sampling; ntV + A−, included chickens that were viraemic and NAb-negative at the time of termination at 32 weeks post hatch, but had NAbs on up to two occasions; V+ A+, included chickens that were viraemic and NAb-positive at the time of termination at 32 weeks post hatch, and had NAbs on more than two occasions; V − A+, included chickens that were negative for viraemia and NAb-positive at the time of t...
Symbiotic jobscheduling with priorities for a simultaneous multithreading processor

Simultaneous Multithreading machines benefit from jobscheduling software that monitors how well coscheduled jobs share CPU resources, and coschedules jobs that interact well to make more efficient use of those resources. As a result, informed coscheduling can yield significant performance gains over naive schedulers. However, prior work on coscheduling focused on equal-priority job mixes, which is an unrealistic assumption for modern operating systems.This paper demonstrates that a scheduler for an SMT machine can both satisfy process priorities and symbiotically schedule low and high priority threads to increase system throughput. Naive priority schedulers dedicate the machine to high priority jobs to meet priority goals, and as a result decrease opportunities for increased performance from multithreading and coscheduling. More informed schedulers, however, can dynamically monitor the progress and resource utilization of jobs on the machine, and dynamically adjust the degree of multithreading to improve performance while still meeting priority goals.Using detailed simulation of an SMT architecture, we introduce and evaluate a series of five software and hardware-assisted priority schedulers. Overall, our results indicate that coscheduling priority jobs can significantly increase system throughput by as much as 40%, and that (1) the benefit depends upon the relative priority of the coscheduled jobs, and (2) more sophisticated schedulers are more effective when the differences in priorities are greatest. We show that our priority schedulers can decrease average turnaround times for a random jobmix by as much as 33%.
Management Education: Shifting Our Assumptions

Management educators are under increasing scrutiny and criticism for the quality of work they produce. This article proposes that to address these criticisms warrants a shift in our assumptions regarding education. In particular, a shift from the assumptions that the world is inherently ordered, that knowledge leads to action, and that action leads to results to the assumptions that the world is inherently chaotic, that results call for action, and that action generates knowledge is articulated. An example of its application to a classroom setting is provided.
Stroke volume estimation incorporating a nonlinear arterial system compliance model

A frequently used model of the arterial system is the three-element modified Windkessel. The elements of the model are generally assumed to be constant, although it is known that the arterial compliance varies with pressure. A computer simulation of the modified Windkessel model using a pressure-dependent compliance was used to predict stroke volume. The results show a linear correlation between the predicted stroke volume and the measured stroke volume. >
Some ideas for a method-independent requirements environment

There exist dozens of unique approaches for the specification of software and system-level requirements. Some are state-based some are dataflow-based and some are asynchronous machine-based. Each approach possesses some unique characteristic or quality that makes it appropriate for the specification of some aspect of requirements. The paper explores the problem of using multiple approaches for requirements specification, and offers alternative solutions. One particular solution, a requirements environment based on a method-independent metamodel of requirements will be further explored. The authors describe the Lucite box approach to method-independent requirements engineering. They describes three alternatives for the development of the Lucite box: a classical database; an object repository; and a graph theoretic alternative. Finally they summarise their progress in building the Lucite box. >
Congenital gastrointestinal pacemaker cell tumor.

Abstract The interstitial cells of Cajal complex within the gut wall function as a pacemaker to direct peristalsis. Their neoplastic counterpart is the gastrointestinal pacemaker cell tumor, a spindle and/or epithelioid cell mesenchymal tumor previously known as gastrointestinal stromal tumor or incorrectly called leiomyosarcoma in some cases of older reports. Although numerous cases of gastrointestinal leiomyosarcomas have been documented in the English-language literature, no pediatric case of gastrointestinal stromal tumor or gastrointestinal pacemaker cell tumor has, to our knowledge, been recorded. Herein, we report a case of congenital gastrointestinal pacemaker cell tumor confirmed by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy in a full-term male newborn.
Calculating electrostatic forces from grid-calculated potentials

The accurate calculation of forces from finite difference potentials is very important, especially in the area of Brownian dynamics simulations. Test charge methods are typically used to calculate these forces. In these methods, the potential is calculated with one group of charges present, then the force on a second set of charges is calculated as the negative of the gradient of the potential times the charge. The test charge methods for calculating forces between solute molecules have been compared with more accurate methods and then regions of validity of the test charge methods explored. The test charge methods neglect certain reaction field effects. It is found for the simple charged systems studied that beyond a center-to-center separation of about twice the sum of the molecular radii the test charge approximations can be quite good. For polar molecules with no net charges, however, the corrections can be significant to even longer ranges.
Can proper motions of dark-matter subhalos be detected?

One of the goals of NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope (formerly GLAST) will be the detection of gamma rays from dark-matter annihilation in the Galactic halo. Theoretical arguments suggest that dark matter may be bound into subhalos with masses as small as 10^-4–10^2M⊕. If so, it may be possible to detect individual subhalos as point sources in the Fermi Telescope. It has further been argued that some of these point sources may exhibit proper motions. Here we show that upper limits to the diffuse gamma-ray background constrain the number of subhalos close enough to exhibit proper motions to be less than one.
Human genomes as email attachments

Summary: The amount of genomic sequence data being generated and made available through public databases continues to increase at an ever-expanding rate. Downloading, copying, sharing and manipulating these large datasets are becoming difficult and time consuming for researchers. We need to consider using advanced compression techniques as part of a standard data format for genomic data. The inherent structure of genome data allows for more efficient lossless compression than can be obtained through the use of generic compression programs. We apply a series of techniques to James Watson's genome that in combination reduce it to a mere 4MB, small enough to be sent as an email attachment. Availability: Our algorithms are implemented in C++ and are freely available from http://www.ics.uci.edu/~xhx/project/DNAzip. Contact:[email protected]; [email protected] Supplementary information:Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Melt rheology of high density polyethylene/polyamide‐6 blends

Commercial high density polyethylene and polyamide-6 (PA) resins were melt blended in the Brabender Plasticorder twin-screw extruder. The blends containing zero to 30 wt percent of polyamide-6 were examined in dynamic and steady state shear at 150, 200, and 250°C. The Theological test results are discussed in terms of morphology of the samples as observed under scanning electron microscope. Microscopy of the extrudates has shown a temperature dependent movement of the polyamide in the capillary during the extrusion and that fibrillation of the PA phase in the extensional field occurred at all temperatures.
“Double-Hit” Mature B-Cell Lymphomas Show a Common Immunophenotype by Flow Cytometry That Includes Decreased CD20 Expression

Lymphomas with 2 translocations involving c-MYC and BCL2 or BCL6 are a subset of biologically aggressive mature B-cell lymphomas now frequently categorized under the entity of B-cell lymphoma, unclassifiable, with features intermediate between Burkitt lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. We identified a cohort of these lymphomas in our databases and retrospectively reviewed corresponding in-house flow cytometric data to determine whether a common immunophenotype might be present. Herein we report on our findings on 10 lymphomas, each with translocations involving c-MYC and BCL2 or BCL6 and show that these cases frequently showed a common immunophenotype that includes decreased expression of CD20. Because these lymphomas often show aggressive biologic behavior and poor clinical outcome, recognition of this relatively common immunophenotype may be useful for identifying cases for confirmatory cytogenetic studies, as often, flow cytometry provides the first assessment of these clinical specimens.
Evaluating the etiology of mechanical valve obstruction: Use of clinical parameters, fluoroscopy, and echocardiography

Prosthetic valve obstruction is a life-threatening complication most commonly caused by thrombus, pannus, or both. We report a St. Jude tricuspid valve obstruction, initially treated with thrombolytic therapy, found to be caused by pannus on pathologic examination. Clinical evaluation and diagnostic evaluation with fluoroscopy and echocardiography in distinguishing pannus from thrombus are reviewed.
Kant's Argument for the Principle of Intensive Magnitudes

In the first Critique, Kant attempts to prove what we can call the ‘principle of intensive magnitudes’, according to which every possible object of experience will possess a determinate ‘degree’ of reality. Curiously, Kant argues for this principle by inferring from a psychological premise about internal sensations (they have intensive magnitudes) to a metaphysical thesis about external objects (they also have intensive magnitudes). Most commentators dismiss the argument as a failure. In this article I give a reconstruction of Kant's argument that attempts to rehabilitate the argument back into his broader transcendental theory of experience. I argue that we can make sense of the argument's central inference by appeal to Kant's theory of empirical intuition and by an analysis of the way in which Kant thinks sensory matter constitutes our most basic representations of objects.
Virtualizing network I/O on end-host operating system: operating system support for network control and resource protection

In the recent past, with the advent of more powerful networks, computations have become more distributed in nature and control of network resources has become essential for operating systems (OS). Nevertheless, proposed primitives for network control at end-host OS are designed without an OS design perspective and have been in disagreement with existing OS constructs, causing a variety of problems. We propose a new OS service for network control, namely, hierarchical virtualization of network interface. The virtual network interface is hierarchically structured and attached to various OS constructs, such as threads, processes, and sockets, for the control of their network I/O. We show that our proposed mechanism provides the following properties: 1) flexible control granularity, 2) resource protection, 3) reasonable abstraction and application programming interface (API), and 4) various types of packet scheduling and control in a single framework, such as work-conserving and nonwork-conserving, in accordance with existing OS mechanisms. For a proof of concept, we present an implementation on a PC-Unix, using the file system abstraction, and carry out systematic profiling. The system exhibited the expected control behavior, that is, good responsiveness to the control commands while keeping the performance penalty small.
Socioeconomic status and childhood leukaemia: a review

Results Case–control studies conducted in North America since 1980 have involved subject interviews or self-administered questionnaires and have consistently reported inverse (negative) associations of childhood leukaemia with individual-level measures of family income, mother’s education, and father’s education. In contrast, associations have been consistently positive with father’s occupational class in record-based case–control studies and with average occupational class in ecological studies. Conclusions Connections of SES measures to childhood leukaemia are likely to vary with place and time. Validation studies are needed to estimate SES-related selection and participation in case–control studies. Because different socioeconomic measures (such as income and education) and individual-level and ecologicallevel measures may represent different risk factors, we advise researchers to report these measures separately rather than in summary indices of social class.
The MindMine comment analysis tool for collaborative attitude solicitation, analysis, sense-making and visualization

This paper describes a study to explore the integration of group support systems (GSS) and artificial intelligence (AI) technology to provide solicitation, analytical, visualization and sense-making support for attitudes from large distributed marketing focus groups. The paper describes two experiments and the concomitant evolutionary design and development of an attitude analysis process and the MindMine comment analysis tool. The analysis process circumvents many of the problems associated with traditional data gathering via closed-ended questionnaires and potentially biased interviews by providing support for online free response evaluative comments. MindMine allows teams of raters to analyze comments from any source, including electronic meetings, discussion groups or surveys, whether they are Web-based or same-place. The analysis results are then displayed as visualizations that enable the team quickly to make sense of attitudes reflected in the comment set, which we believe provide richer information and a more detailed understanding of attitudes.
Back-face culling applied to collision detection of polyhedra

Back-face culling is a preprocessing technique used in computer graphics to speed up the rendering of polyhedra. In this paper we show how this technique can be modified to reduce unnecessary checking of boundary elements in collison detection for a physical-based simulation and animation systems. At each time step, we determine a priori which faces cannot be part of the contact between two polyhedra and thus can be culled. In the computer graphics technique, the normal vector of a polygon is compared with the view direction. Here, the normal is compared to one or possibly several relative-velocity vectors, and the face is culled when its motion is in the opposite direction of the normal vector. We also give an algorithm that takes linear time in terms of the number of faces, and on the average eliminates half of the polygons. Owing to its low computational overhead, when it is used as a front end to a collision detection system, a noticeable improvement in performance can be achieved.
Run by run control of chemical-mechanical polishing

A prototype hardware/software system has been developed and applied to the control of single wafer chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) processes. The control methodology consists of experimental design to build response surface and linearized control models of the process, and the use of feedback control to change recipe parameters (machine settings) on a lot by lot basis. Acceptable regression models for a single wafer polishing tool and process were constructed for average removal rate and nonuniformity which are calculated based on film thickness measurement at nine points on 8-in blanket oxide wafers. For control, an exponentially weighted moving average model adaptation strategy was used, coupled to multivariate recipe generation incorporating user weights on the inputs and outputs, bounds on the input ranges, and discrete quantization in the machine settings. We found that this strategy successfully compensated for substantial drift in the uncontrolled tool's removal rate. It was also found that the equipment model generated during the experimental design was surprisingly robust; the same model was effective across more than one CMP tool, and over several months. We believe that the same methodology is applicable to patterned oxide wafers; work is in progress to demonstrate patterned wafer control, to improve the control, communication, and diagnosis components of the system, and to integrate real-time information into the run by run control of the process.