cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
CONNECTIVE TISSUE MEMBRANES AND THEIR APPARENT ROLE IN TRANSPORTING NEUROSECRETORY AND OTHER SECRETORY PRODUCTS IN INSECTS.

Abstract Circumstantial evidence is presented, in the fly, for the direct transport of secretory products from secretory cells to cells of target organs, by way of continuous connective-tissue membranes. Secretory material passes to the periphery of the secreting cell and accumulates in channels within the basement membrane. The channels converge and pass along connective tissue strands, or may pass directly, into channels within the sheath of the target organ; there they diverge , in some cases opening into a system of interconnecting channels. Organs for which such a system is described include the ring gland complex, the larval lateral and dorsal nerves, the recurrent nerve to the larval gut, stretch receptor-type organs, pericardial cells, ventral nephrocytes, and oenocytes. Secretion-filled channels have further been found within the basement membrane overlying the imaginal buds in the prepupal stage; channels within the basement membrane of the leg rudiments and external genitalia have been traced to connective tissue strands originating from “stretch receptor-type organs”. These ultimately connect with the lateral segmental nerves and contain suspected secretory cells; such groups of cells could well be the source of origin of an intercellular agent regulating development, and the cells could thus function as regional “differentiation centers”. Electron microscope observations by other workers have suggested a close spatial relationship between the basement membranes and the various cellular membranes. Whereas the endoplasmic reticulum is possibly involved in intra cellular electron transport, the basement membranes would here appear to be concerned in inter cellular transport of cellular secretory products. It is suggested that the transport by way of basement membranes may also exist in groups other than insects.
Conception: A Personal History

November 19 is Remembrance Day in Gettysburg, the day that Lincoln dedicated part of the battlefield as a cemetery for the Civil War dead in 1863. That year in July the dead lay on the battlefield, on the farmers’ fields planted with crops and in the summer-green woods where they had taken positions behind boulders and tree trunks. Some lay covered with dirt, and others just lay bare to the weather. When land for a cemetery was set aside, the townspeople moved the dead to proper graves. As a citizen of Gettysburg more than a century later, I carry no responsibilities as burdensome as moving thousands of dead bodies for burial. My children and I climb the steep trail of Round Top, scaling the hill’s crowning boulders and dropping down behind them, pushing leaves off of low plaques to learn which soldiers fought where. We acquaint ourselves with the town’s history—I was impressed to hear that the main building on the Gettysburg College campus had been a Civil War hospital. Later I realized that nearly every building standing in 1863 had been, of necessity, a hospital, too. A colleague who commuted here from Maryland once asked, “How can you live in that town? You’re living on the most blood-soaked piece of ground in America.” But this place doesn’t feel blood-soaked. The former hospital buildings are bed-and-breakfasts, or dormitories, or offices. The battlefields roll out like velvet, their hems bordered with silent cannons and marble monuments. Although there was so much death, to my mind it’s safely tucked into the past. [excerpt]
Biases in Predicting Preferences for the Whole Visual Patterns from Product Fragments

This research examines the ability of consumers to predict the appeal of complete visual patterns from small sample fragments. In a task designed to mimic the dilemma of choosing wallpaper from small swatches, study participants are shown fragments taken from a large pattern design and are asked to predict how attractive they would find the complete image. Drawing on prior research on affective forecasting, predictions are hypothesized to be driven by an anchoring-and-adjustment process that skews forecasts toward the attractiveness of fragments when judged in isolation. Results from 3 laboratory studies support this basic hypothesis: Respondents consistently overestimate the degree to which their initial reactions to fragments predict their subsequent evaluations of wholes. The size of this projection bias is, in turn, conditioned by such moderators as prior familiarity with product fragment, cognitive load, and visualization abilities—effects that are consistent with an anchoring-and-adjustment explanation for the data.
Reversible electrochemical reduction of polyacetylene, (CH)x

Abstract Cycling studies have been carried out on Li/LiClO4(THF)/[Liy+(CH)−y]x cells. During each of 100 deep discharge cycles coulombic efficiencies of ∼ 100% were maintained, while overall cell capacity decreased gradually to 60% of its original value. High coulombic efficiencies were maintained during each of 1100 shallow discharge cycles, while cell capacity fell to 43% of its original value. Similar deep discharge results were obtained with Na/NaPF6(THF)/[Nay+(CH)−y]x cells.
Renewable energy-aware grooming in optical networks

The optical layer of a network is the energy-efficient technology to provision high bandwidths for data transport. Unfortunately, occasional electronic processing is unavoidable in current networks. This process is much more energy-consuming than the optical transport. Recent research has already yielded great improvements in terms of energy efficiency. It is, however, observed that increased energy efficiency typically leads to higher overall energy consumption. Therefore, it is imperative to reduce the environmental impact by additional means: maximizing the use of renewable energy. We present an approach to greenhouse gas (GHG) emission-reducing grooming by considering the heterogeneous distribution of fossil and renewable energy sources. We analyze various two-step solutions for the route calculation and lightpath provisioning problem in IP-over-WDM mesh networks. We show that it is possible to reduce GHG emissions at a stable level of energy consumption and improved blocking performance compared to previous energy-efficient solutions.
Remarks on the very large array (VLA) radio telescope project

Abstract The Very Large Array (VLA) radio telescope which is presently under construction in central New Mexico is considered the highest priority new astronomical facility in the U.S.A. during the next decade. The instrument will consist of 27 separate parabolic antennas each of which will be movable along the arms of a Y-configuration. The technique of earth-rotation aperture synthesis will allow an aperture of 25 miles dia. to be synthesized. When the VLA is completed in 1981 it will be better than any other radio telescope, by one or two orders of magnitude, in terms of resolution, sensitivity and speed.
Generation and propagation of kilometric radiation in the auroral plasma cavity

The two-dimensional particle simulations and three-dimensional ray-tracing calculations presently used to characterize the generation and propagation of EM radiation due to the auroral plasma cavity's electron cyclotron maser instability incorporate a continuous flow of primary energetic electrons along the magnetic field. The magnetic field gradient is found to be unimportant in accounting for various quasi-local properties of the maser instability. The maser instability can produce the observed amplification of auroral kilometric radiation above cosmic background levels within a distance smaller than the dimensions of the auroral cavity.
Stable and unstable growth in molecular beam epitaxy

We consider the growth of films by molecular beam epitaxy in the presence of step-edge (Schwoebel) barriers using numerical simulation and experiments. We show that the growth of a singular surface is unstable, but that a miscut above a certain critical slope (which depends on growth conditions) leads to stable growth in a step-flow mode. For singular surfaces the instability gives rise to the formation of large mounded structures on the surface for which the slope is in the stable regime. We identify these in GaAs epitaxy using atomic force and scanning tunneling microscopy. We propose a continuum equation which exhibits these features.
Laryngeal regulation of respiratory airflow.

Abstract We measured laryngeal resistance in spontaneously breathing anesthetized cats and upper airway resistance in unanesthetized, unrestrained cats. In anesthetized cats breathing air, the vocal cords were abducted during inspiration and moved toward the midline during expiration, thus increasing laryngeal resistance. With CO2 administration the inspiratory abduction of the cords was more pronounced, and the cords remained open throughout most of expiration as well. Thus hypercapnia decreased laryngeal resistance, especially during expiration. Electromyographic (EMG) studies indicated that the respiratory movements of the cords are caused by phasic contractions of the posterior cricoarytenoid (PCA) muscles. The responses to hypercapnia and lung inflation suggested that PCA motoneurones have central connections with both inspiratory and expiratory neurones. In unanesthetized cats, upper airway resistance was higher during expiration than during inspiration. CO2 administration reduced upper airway resistance, especially during expiration. These findings, together with those reported in the accompanying paper, indicate that the larynx is a significant respiratory effector organ, which provides fine regulation of respiratory airflow, particularly during expiration.
Pulmonary vascular occlusions initiated by endothelial lysis in monocrotaline-intoxicated rats☆

Abstract Rats were fed a diet containing the toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloid monocrotaline for 8 months. This alkaloid was presented to the rats as ground Crotalaria spectabilis seed at levels varying from 0.02 to 0.08% of the diet. Distinct vascular alterations developed in the lungs of these animals. Initially there was marked swelling of the endothelial and smooth muscle cells in the arteries throughout the lung. Later, the injury was characterized by swelling, disruption, dehiscence, and lysis of the endothelial cells of vessels varying in size from the interalveolar capillaries to large pulmonary arteries. Fibrin and platelet thrombi developed in capillaries devoid of endothelium. As a result of altered permeability in the arteries, blood components, particularly fibrin and plasma, accumulated in the intercellular spaces of the vessel wall and accentuated the disruption of the smooth muscle fibers. Large collections of amorphous and fine fibrillar material inseparable from the basal lamina surrounded the smooth muscle cells of the arterioles and small muscular arteries. Following fibrin accumulation throughout the walls of the larger arteries, swelling of the cellular components, and reduplication of the basal lamina in the small muscular arteries, their lumens were either reduced in diameter or obliterated.
IVB-4 probing the minority-carrier quasi-Fermi level in epitaxial Schottky-barrier diodes

An experimental technique for probing the minority-carrier quasi-Fermi level in epitaxial Schottky-barrier diodes has been developed and verified for the first time. The technique uses a novel self-aligned floating guard ring as a probe for the hole quasi-Fermi level in the quasi-neutral epitaxial region of an epitaxial Schottky-barrier diode [1]. The anode of the Schottky diode is separated from the guard ring by a thin sidewall oxide, thereby allowing the guard ring to be electrically isolated from the anode. It is shown through both simple physical arguments and two-dimensional numerical simulations that the potential on the floating guard ring assumes the value of the plateau of constant-hole quasi-Fermi level in the quasi-neutral epitaxial region under the anode when bias is applied to the anode. Experimental measurements on both low- and high-barrier Schottky diodes agree very well with two-dimensional numerical simulations as well as computer simulations of a detailed equivalent-circuit model. The result provides direct evidence of the fact that the hold quasi-Fermi level in the silicon does not line up with the metal level at large forward bias and indicates that Schottky-barrier diodes can be scaled further than previously predicted.
Combustion intensity and burning rate integral of premixed flames

The burning velocity and burning rate integral in premixed combustion are considered as measures of the local combustion rate for both laminar and turbulent flames. An unambiguous definition of the burning velocity is sought and following Dixon-Lewis it is assumed that a burning velocity exists only as an eigen-value of the progiess variable equation. A sufficient condition for this to occur is found to be the existence of either normal or oblique flames. The burning rate integral is suggested as a generally applicable measure of local combustion rate. A definition for it, valid in both laminar and turbulent flames, is obtained by explicit consideration of the relationship between the burning rate integral and the total combustion rate of a flame. In the process, a definition for the flame surface and a new method for determination of the burning rate integral by experiment are developed. Certain aspects of these results are closely related to recent work of Shepherd and Kostiuk and Cant et al. and may be viewed as a generalization of these works. Conditional velocity data and the new method are used to determine the burning rate integral of nine turbulent V flames. The results demonstrate the feasibility of the new method—provided good estimates for the mean mass flux normal to mean progress variable constant surfaces and for relevant turbulent fluxes are available- and indicate that existing turbulent burning velocity data may significantly overestimate the effects of turbulence on combustion rates.
Direct Three-Dimensional Layer Metal Deposition

Multi-axis slicing for solid freeform fabrication manufacturing processes can yield nonuniform thickness layers or three-dimensional (3D) layers. The traditional parallel layer construction approach to building such layers leads to the so-called staircase effect, which requires machining or other postprocessing to form the desired shape. This paper presents a direct 3D layer deposition approach that uses an empirical model to predict the layer thickness. The toolpath between layers is not parallel; instead, it follows the final shape of the designed geometry and the distance between the toolpath in the adjacent layers varies at different locations. Directly depositing 3D layers not only eliminates the staircase effect but also improves manufacturing efficiency by shortening the deposition and machining times. Simulation and experimental studies are conducted that demonstrate these advantages. Thus, the 3D deposition method is a beneficial addition to the traditional parallel deposition method.
Fluorogenic substrates for the enkephalin-degrading neutral endopeptidase (Enkephalinase).

Abstract Rat brain neutral endopeptidase (“Enkephalinase”) was shown to hydrolyze a series of fluorogenic substrates of the general structure 2-aminobenzoyl-(amino acid) n -leucylalanylglycine-4-nitrobenzylamide. The hydrolysis of these substrates was competitively inhibited by Leu 5 -enkephalin, demonstrating that these are indeed substrates for the rat brain neutral endopeptidase. Cleavage of the fluorogenic substrates yielded leucylalanylglycine-4-nitrobenzylamide as a common product. In addition, a series of inhibitors previously shown to inhibit thermolysin-like enzymes inhibited the hydrolysis of both Leu 5 -enkephalin and the synthetic substrates. The results of this study (a) demonstrate that the enkephalin-degrading endopeptidase is similar in specificity to thermolysin, (b) provide a continuous sensitive assay system for the enzyme, and (c) point out the potential use of this substrate class for probing the specificity of the enzyme.
Cognitive Reorganization and the development of chess expertise

Abstract One current research strategy in the study of expertise is to compare experts and novices. An important aspect of decision making involves looking for similarities among problem types. Little is known about such processes. We used grid technique to examine similarity judgments associated with different levels of chess expertise. Novice, expert, and master chess players evaluated 4 sets of 12 chess boards. Average FIC scores showed a curvilinear relation to expertise, suggesting increasing differentiation followed by integration in cognitive frameworks for construing board positions. Additional cognitive measures based on move generation tended to support and extend this structural model.
Electrochemistry of supported bilayer lipid membranes: background and techniques for biosensor development

Abstract Biomembranes play a pivotal role in signal transduction and information processing. This is due to the fact that most physiological activities involve some kind of lipid bilayer-based receptor-ligand contact interactions. There are many outstanding examples such as ion sensing, antigen-antibody binding, and ligand-gated channels, to name a few. One approach to study these interactions in vitro has been facilitated by employing self-assembled bilayer lipid membranes (BLMs). Our efforts have been focused on ion and/or molecular selectivity and specificity using easy-to-prepare self-assembled BLMs on solid support (i.e., s-BLMs and sb-BLMs) which, with their enhanced stability, greatly aid in research areas of membrane biophysics, biochemistry, and cell biology as well as in biosensor designs and molecular devices development. In this paper, our current work along with the experiments done in close collaboration with others on supported BLMs towards biosensor development will be discussed.
Alternative treatments for sibling aggression

Eighteen clinic-referred, aggressive pairs of siblings and their mothers participated in one of three brief clinical interventions. Participant observation of aggressive episodes in the home setting served as the treatment outcome measurement. All sibling pairs participated in four clinic treatment sessions consisting of one of three treatments: Social Skills (SS), Timeout (TO), or Combination (COMBO). Training procedures consisted of observation of videotaped child models reacting to typical conflict situations, verbal rehearsals, role-playing, and parent training. Between treatment sessions, all mothers recorded aggressive episodes in the home and consequated such behavior with either discussion, timeout, or a combination of these events. The data indicated that timeout training was more effective than social skill training. Social skill training may also have been useful, however, especially for children from higher socioeconomic status homes. It was concluded that initial treatments for sibling aggression should include a discipline component.
Regge trajectories and the principle of maximum strength for strong interactions

In previous publications, the authors have discussed the possibility that strong interactions “saturate” the unitarity condition; i.e., that they have the maximum possible strength consistent with the unitarity and analyticity of the S matrix.(1) Our earlier discussion was confined to elastic scattering, however, and although the conjectured existence of Regge poles underlay our arguments, we did not at the time of the earlier work appreciate certain essential properties of these poles.
Promise Neighborhoods The Promise and Politics of Community Capacity Building as Urban School Reform

The purpose of this inquiry is to consider how the U.S. Department of Education’s Promise Neighborhoods (PNs) program can improve persistently low-achieving urban schools by making their “neighborh...
In vitro susceptibilities of Bartonella and Rickettsia spp. to fluoroquinolone antibiotics as determined by immunofluorescent antibody analysis of infected Vero cell monolayers

Abstract The in vitro susceptibilities of Bartonella and Rickettsia spp. to different concentrations of ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, ofloxacin and sparfloxacin in Vero cell cultures, were determined by enumeration of immunofluorescent-stained bacilli. After incubation in a CO 2 -enriched atmosphere, inocula were replaced and tested with media containing 12 different concentrations of each antibiotic in replicate for each species and the monolayers were re-incubated. Growth status was determined by evaluation of immunofluorescent staining bacilli. Effective inhibitory antibiotic dilution endpoints were determined by counting Bartonella- and Rickettsia-specific fluorescent foci across a range of antibiotic dilutions with an epi-fluorescent microscope, and were compared with an antibiotic-negative control. Based upon the use of C max :MIC and AUC:MIC data, levofloxacin exhibited activity against Bartonella elizabethae and B. quintana .
Information state for Markov decision processes with network delays

We consider a networked control system, where each subsystem evolves as a Markov decision process (MDP). Each subsystem is coupled to its neighbors via communication links over which the signals are delayed, but are otherwise transmitted noise-free. A controller receives delayed state information from each subsystem. Such a networked Markov decision process with delays can be represented as a partially observed Markov decision process (POMDP). We show that this POMDP has a sufficient information state that depends only on a finite history of measurements and control actions. Thus, the POMDP can be converted into an information state MDP, whose state does not grow with time. The optimal controller for networked Markov decision processes can thus be computed using dynamic programming over a finite state space. This result generalizes the previous results on Markov decision processes with delayed state information.
GPR implications of miniaturized antenna developments

Recent advance in low-loss, high dielectric ceramic has triggered developments of miniature antennas. Utilizing such material on antenna could greatly reduce the antenna size. A compact antenna size could make GPR survey easier and allow for array configuration. In this paper, we will present examples of narrowband and broadband miniature antennas and address the major design considerations that must be taken as the presence of high-dielectric material significantly reduces antenna impedance and may excite leaky waves. We will analyze possible benefits of these new designs in GPR.
Epidemiological analysis of imipenem-resistant Serratia marcescens in hospitalized patients.

Abstract Our objective was to examine epidemiological characteristics of hospitalized patients with imipenem-resistant Serratia marcescens . We performed a case-control study using data collected from computerized databases and chart review. Molecular typing by pulsed field gel electrophoresis of available isolates was performed. One hundred and ten patients had Serratia spp isolated during the 23-month study period. Twelve were infected or colonized with S. marcescens resistant or of intermediate susceptibility to imipenem. Eleven of the 12 patients were detected during a seven-month period between August 1994 and February 1995, suggesting the possible occurrence of an outbreak. However, the patients were admitted to different wards and services and, in eight patients, imipenem- resistant S. marcescens were isolated within 48 h of admission. None of the patients had epidemiological links within other institutions. The 12 cases were not more likely to have been exposed to β-lactam antibiotics, including imipenem, than patients with imipenem-susceptible isolates. Six isolates were available for typing by PFGE; three were indistinguishable or closely related whereas each of the other three isolates were unique. In conclusion both the prevalence of imipenem-resistant S. marcescens and its unusual epidemiologic characteristics warrant further study.
Rapid and differential losses of in vivo dopamine transporter (DAT) and vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT2) radioligand binding in MPTP-treated mice.

The dose- and time-dependent changes of in vivo radioligand binding to the neuronal membrane dopamine transporter (DAT) and vesicular monoamine trans- porter type 2 (VMAT2) were examined in mouse brain after MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenyl- 1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine) administrations. Regional brain distribution studies were done in male C57BL/6 mice using simultaneous injections of d-threo-( 3 H)methylpheni- date (DAT) and (1)-a-( 11 C)dihydrotetrabenazine (VMAT2). Single (55 mg/kg i.p.) or multiple (4 3 10 mg/kg i.p., 1-hour intervals) administration of MPTP caused significant reductions in ( 3 H)methylphenidate and ( 11 C)dihydrotetrabenazine specific striatal bind- ing, measured 14 days later. The single high dose of MPTP produced greater losses of ( 11 C)dihydrotetrabenazine binding than did the multiple MPTP dosing regimen. Using the single high dose of MPTP, changes of in vivo binding of the two radioligands were determined at 1, 3, and 14 days after neurotoxin injection. At 1 day, there are large losses of ( 3 H)methylphenidate binding (DAT) but no changes in ( 11 C)dihydrotetrabenazine binding to the VMAT2 site in the striatum. At 3 and 14 days, there were .50% losses of binding of both bot radioligands, but significantly (P , 0.001) greater losses of VMAT2 binding of ( 11 C)dihydrotetrabenazine. These studies indicate that the losses of the neuronal membrane and vesicular transporters are not always equal, and do not occur in the same time frame, after administration of the neurotoxin MPTP. Synapse 35:250-
Production of ethanol by Clostridium thermosaccharolyticum: II. A quantitative model describing product distributions.

The study of the continuous culture of Clostridium thermosaccharolyticum on xylose showed multiple steady states and hysteresis. A quantitative model based on the biochemistry and physiology of xylose fermentation by C. thermosaccharolyticum was developed. The objective in developing this model was to bring together the observations both of this study and of other researchers on the fermentation of xylose. The model equations were written based on the metabolic pathway for xylose utilization by C. thermosaccharolyticum and the requirement that the carbon, ATP, and NADH within the cell be balanced. Given the specific growth rate μ and the specific xylose utilization rate qs, a set of product distributions (ethanol, acetate, and lactate) satisfying these balances was obtained. This set was plotted on a triangular plot and named the permitted region. The product distributions within this permitted region were shown to be affected by the environmental parameters such as iron concentration and hydrogen partial pressure. The model predicted trends in product distribution which correlate with experimentally observed phenomena. The model was also used to analyze the continuous-culture data from our experimental work.
Steps involved in updating an older data acquisition and control system

Several companies and labs have older automated instrumentations systems that they may want to update to newer, move supportable equipment. This paper describes the parting of an older data acquisition system controlled by a Rocky Mountain BASIC (RMB) workstation to newer VXI based instruments controlled by a modern PC. Since there was a considerable investment in the RMB program running the system, the company wanted to continue to use it if possible. The use of a Windows software package that runs RMB programs allowed this program to be ported to a PC with few changes. The resultant system is Y2K compliant and will provide many years of supportable service. The challenges encountered and the methods used to overcome them are relevant since there are many installed systems of this sort which will require a similar process to make them useful into the future. Engineers will want to be aware of the scope of the modifications and the time and resources required to accomplish them.
Rate constants for OH with selected large alkanes: shock-tube measurements and an improved group scheme.

High-temperature rate constant experiments on OH with the five large (C5−C8) saturated hydrocarbons n-heptane, 2,2,3,3-tetramethylbutane (2,2,3,3-TMB), n-pentane, n-hexane, and 2,3-dimethylbutane (2,3-DMB) were performed with the reflected-shock-tube technique using multipass absorption spectrometric detection of OH radicals at 308 nm. Single-point determinations at ∼1200 K on n-heptane, 2,2,3,3-TMB, n-hexane, and 2,3-DMB were previously reported by Cohen and co-workers; however, the present work substantially extends the database to both lower and higher temperature. The present experiments span a wide temperature range, 789−1308 K, and represent the first direct measurements of rate constants at T > 800 K for n-pentane. The present work utilized 48 optical passes corresponding to a total path length of ∼4.2 m. As a result of this increased path length, the high OH concentration detection sensitivity permitted pseudo-first-order analyses for unambiguously measuring rate constants. The experimental result...
Induced Polarization—A Tool for Mapping Titanium-Bearing Placers, Hidden Metallic Objects, and Urban Waste on and Beneath the Seafloor

Recent experiments with a new marine induced polarization (IP) streamer system show that the system is capable of identifying and mapping placer concentrations of titanium-rich minerals on and beneath the seafloor, as well as facies changes in the substrate beneath sandy shoals. Examination of profile data acquired in the Mississippi Sound and Cape Fear shows that the system can also detect ferrous∕non-ferrous metallic objects buried beneath the seafloor which are not discernible by seismic or other geophysical means. The streamer system was originally designed to detect and map polarizeable titanium-bearing placer deposits to at least 6meters below the sediment-water interface. Recent data show broad phase-shift (a measure of the IP effect) anomalies from titanium sands along the east side of Cat Island (off the coast of Biloxi, Mississippi), and possibly over the now-submerged portion of the PeeDee river on the Atlantic Continental shelf southwest of Cape Fear (North Carolina-South Carolina border). Int...
How Much Does Growth Determine SMEs’ Capital Structure?

The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which growth determines the capital structure of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This is done by considering some theories of capital structure in relation to SMEs and then testing the resulting ideas empirically. This, in turn involves identifying the likely determinants of SME capital structure, in addition to growth, in order to assess the relative contribution of growth.
Hyperelastic Modeling of Wide-Base Tire and Prediction of Its Contact Stresses

Description of tire model development using the finite element (FE) method is presented. Three-dimensional tire-pavement contact stresses were predicted for braking, traction, and free rolling using the FE method. Measured load-deflection curves, contact area, and contact stresses were used for model outcome validation. Slide-velocity-dependent friction and accurate input regarding geometry and material properties were considered. The developed tire model, which helped in studying contact stresses variation in each direction, was used to explain the various phenomena taking place at the tire-pavement interface during straight-line rolling. The analysis matrix includes nine rolling conditions and various loads, tire inflation pressures, and speeds. Vertical contact stresses were not significantly affected by speed or slip ratio; however, contact stresses were greatly modified along the in-plane directions by rolling conditions. Analytical expressions were introduced to represent vertical and longitudinal contact stresses for full braking and full traction. Formulas are presented for low speed and full braking, which are relevant for roadway intersections design.
Direct extraction of the AlGaAs/GaAs heterojunction bipolar transistor small-signal equivalent circuit

The authors describe a novel, direct technique for determining the small-signal equivalent circuit of a heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT). The parasitic elements are largely determined from measurements of test structures, reducing the number of elements determined from measurements of the transistor. The intrinsic circuit elements are evaluated from y-parameter data, which are DC-embedded from the known parasitics. The equivalent-circuit elements are uniquely determined at any frequency. The validity of this technique is confirmed by showing the frequency independence of the extracted circuit elements. The equivalent circuit models the HBT s-parameters over a wide range of collector currents. Throughout the entire 1-18-GHz frequency range, the computed s-parameters agree very well with the experimental data. >
Evaluating existing security and privacy requirements for legal compliance

Governments enact laws and regulations to safeguard the security and privacy of their citizens. In response, requirements engineers must specify compliant system requirements to satisfy applicable legal security and privacy obligations. Specifying legally compliant requirements is challenging because legal texts are complex and ambiguous by nature. In this paper, we discuss our evaluation of the requirements for iTrust, an open-source Electronic Health Records system, for compliance with legal requirements governing security and privacy in the healthcare domain. We begin with an overview of the method we developed, using existing requirements engineering techniques, and then summarize our experiences in applying our method to the iTrust system. We illustrate some of the challenges that practitioners face when specifying requirements for a system that must comply with law and close with a discussion of needed future research focusing on security and privacy requirements.
Design of defect tolerant tile-based QCA circuits

In this paper, a novel CAD-based approach is presented for defect tolerance of QCA circuits. This approach is based on using QCA tiles and provides defect tolerance at circuit level with, in most cases, no area overhead. A ranking methodology is introduced to determine the tile configurations and logic functions that are optimal for logic synthesis of QCA circuits. Simulations on benchmark circuits show that the proposed methodology provides significant improvements in defect tolerance compared with QCA gate-based designs.
Venusian k2 tidal Love number from Magellan and PVO tracking data

The k(sub 2) potential ove number which scales the tidal deformation of Venus by the Sun has been estimated from Doppler tracking of Magellan and Pioneer Venus Orbiter (PVO) spacecraft data. The nominal range for k(sub 2) from theoretical models is 0.23(less than or equal to)k(sub 2)(less than or equal to)0.29 for a liquid iron core and about 0.17 if the iron core has solidified. Our best estimate of this parameter is k(sub 2) = 0.295 +/- 0.662 (2X formal {delta}) and supports the hypothesis that Venus core is solid.
Bidding for the S.S. Kuniang

New England Electric was pondering whether to bid for the salvage rights to a grounded ship, the S.S. Kuniang. The ship could be repaired and used to haul coal for the utility's power stations, recently converted from oil. A bid was determined using a decision tree, a simulation, and net present value calculations.
Hands-off seismic wavelet compression

Seismic data for imaging the subsurface layers of the Earth are often modeled as a convolution of a source wavelet and a reflectivity sequence of the propagation medium. The process of separating these two signals is called deconvolution. It is often performed by applying a filter that compresses the wavelet to a delta function. Such a filter is estimated using some a priori knowledge of the wavelet. The author shows that this filter can be determined, theoretically, without a priori knowledge of the wavelet and with no assumptions in regards to its statistical properties. Such a process is referred as hands-off deconvolution. The author formulates this as an optimization problem and shows that it can be solved using a constrained least-squares minimization technique. The solution can be shown to reduce to an eigenvalue problem. Several examples will be used to illustrate the result.
A distributed approach to node clustering in decentralized peer-to-peer networks

Connectivity-based node clustering has wide-ranging applications in decentralized peer-to-peer (P2P) networks such as P2P file sharing systems, mobile ad-hoc networks, P2P sensor networks, and so forth. This paper describes a connectivity-based distributed node clustering scheme (CDC). This scheme presents a scalable and efficient solution for discovering connectivity-based clusters in peer networks. In contrast to centralized graph clustering algorithms, the CDC scheme is completely decentralized and it only assumes the knowledge of neighbor nodes instead of requiring a global knowledge of the network (graph) to be available. An important feature of the CDC scheme is its ability to cluster the entire network automatically or to discover clusters around a given set of nodes. To cope with the typical dynamics of P2P networks, we provide mechanisms to allow new nodes to be incorporated into appropriate existing clusters and to gracefully handle the departure of nodes in the clusters. These mechanisms enable the CDC scheme to be extensible and adaptable in the sense that the clustering structure of the network adjusts automatically as nodes join or leave the system. We provide detailed experimental evaluations of the CDC scheme, addressing its effectiveness in discovering good quality clusters and handling the node dynamics. We further study the types of topologies that can benefit best from the connectivity-based distributed clustering algorithms like CDC. Our experiments show that utilizing message-based connectivity structure can considerably reduce the messaging cost and provide better utilization of resources, which in turn improves the quality of service of the applications executing over decentralized peer-to-peer networks.
Pimagedine: a novel therapy for diabetic nephropathy.

Hyperglycaemia is directly involved in causing long-term diabetic complications. The non-enzymatic glycation of proteins, yielding irreversible advanced glycation end products and advanced glycation end products-derived protein crosslinking, participates in the development of diabetic complications, such as diabetic nephropathy. Diabetic nephropathy is becoming a major medical problem with increasing numbers of these patients progressing to end stage renal disease, thus requiring renal replacement therapy. While several interventions may slow the development and progression of diabetic nephropathy, there is no effective treatment to prevent or reverse the disease. Pimagedine (aminoguanidine HCl) has been shown to be an effective agent in reducing the severity of the structural and functional alterations associated with experimental diabetic nephropathy. Preliminary studies suggest a beneficial effect of pimagedine in treating patients with diabetic nephropathy. In summary, these observations support a rol...
TreePi: A Novel Graph Indexing Method

Graphs are widely used to model complex structured data such as XML documents, protein networks, and chemical compounds. One of the fundamental problems in graph databases is efficient search and retrieval of graphs using indexing techniques. In this paper, we study the problem of indexing graph databases using frequent subtrees as indexing structures. Trees can be manipulated efficiently while preserving a lot of structural information of the original graphs. In our proposed method, frequent subtrees of a database are selected as the feature set. To save memory, the set of feature trees is shrunk based on a support threshold function and their discriminative power. A tree-partition based query processing scheme is proposed to perform graph queries. The concept of center distance constraints is introduced to prune the search space. Furthermore, a new algorithm which utilizes the location information of indexing structures is used to perform subgraph isomorphism tests. We apply our method on a wide range of real and synthetic data to demonstrate the usefulness and effectiveness of this approach.
PTILONCODUS HARRIS, 1962; A LAURENTIAN ENIGMA

Abstract Ptiloncodus Harris, 1962, a hook-shaped microfossil, is present in late Floian through Hirnantian [ = late Ibexian through Gamachian] rocks in regions marginal to Laurentia. Specimens from the Great Basin provide additional information about this enigmatic microfossil. Two fused clusters of Ptiloncodus elements from western Utah do not duplicate clusters reported previously from coeval strata in central Nevada. EDS spectra confirm the long-standing assumption that these fossils are composed of calcium phosphate. SEM images show that short crystallites are aligned to provide fibrous surficial ultrastructure in the hooked part of these fossils, but more open arrangement is displayed at the top of the shank where paired lobate structures are attached. The join between the lobes and the shank is weak; these two parts of the fossil separate easily so that most specimens did not retain lobes. The shanks end in rounded terminations or in paired knobs that range from low protuberances to near horn-like f...
Appropriate Dispensing of Prescription Medications and Recognition of Substance Abuse: The Pharmacist’s Perspective

Substance Abuse is epidemic in our society and despite systems and policies at every level to ensure safe dispensing of medicines; many problems exist, resulting in tragic morbidity and mortality in every community in the United States. This chapter examines the role of the Pharmacists, in terms of safeguarding the many potent agents available through prescriptions and nonprescriptions, illicit availability, and systems available to minimize risks such as drug testing and Risk Evaluation & Mitigation Strategies (REMS). The role of the Pharmacist includes effective communication with other healthcare professionals and utilization of Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMP), which allow for identification of patients who are also being prescribed substances of abuse by other Physicians within the same state. The Pharmacist plays a critical role in ensuring safe prescribing practice of drugs of abuse and in identification of patients with Substance Abuse issues.
Capillary blood flow and tissue metabolism in skeletal muscle during sympathetic trunk stimulation

NADH fluorescence at tissue sites 15–20 μm in diameter and red blood cell velocity in adjacent capillaries were measured in resting sartorius muscle of the anesthetized cat during a 3-min period of...
The Reversal Sign: An Ominous Imaging Finding.

A 60-year-old man was admitted with anoxic brain injury after surviving a cardiopulmonary arrest in an apartment fire. The patient’s initial rhythm was pulseless electrical activity and an estimated 45 minutes elapsed until return of spontaneous circulation. The patient had also suffered carbon monoxide poisoning, (carboxyhemoglobin of 35% on 100% supplemental oxygen), severe inhalation injury, and multiple first- and second-degree burns to face and extremities. A noncontrast head computed tomography (NCCT) on admission (Figure 1A and ​andB)B) showed inversion of the normal relative densities of gray and white matter with gray matter exhibiting lower attenuation than the white matter, a pattern known as the “reversal sign.”1-3 Care was withdrawn on the third day of admission when patient met brain death criteria. Figure 1. The reversal sign represents severe anoxic–ischemic brain injury and can include diffuse, symmetric bilateral reversal of the gray and white matter density relationship on noncontrast head computed tomography (NCCT; A) and relative preservation ...
Human Factors in the Design of Technical Information: A Case Study

A human factors system perspective was used to identify problems that end users have with an existing technical manual and to develop a strategy for redesigning the technical information to eliminate the problems. The use of human factors methods and techniques allowed for the consideration of the variables that affect the end product, a usable technical manual. Elements in the design and development of technical manuals that were considered included the task analysis and source data, writing process, quality assurance, and customer verification. The approach used to document problems included (1) a human factors review of the existing technical manual to identify deficiencies and (2) the collection, collation, and evaluation of inputs from the end users to determine how technicians use the existing manual and what types of technical information are needed by the user. As a result of this approach, it was recommended that the technical manual be systematically redesigned to provide a concise set of docume...
High-k Oxide Growth on III-V Surfaces: Chemical Bonding and MOSFET Performance

The growth of high-k oxides on III-V surfaces is of vital importance if high-mobility channels are to replace Si in upcoming CMOS technology nodes. Whether these dielectrics are deposited directly on the channel material itself for surface channel devices or on a III-V barrier layer for reduced leakage in buried channel devices, the chemical bonding at these interfaces must be understood to control its impact on transport properties. We have investigated the chemical bonding of ALD deposited high-k oxides on various III-V semiconductors with multiple surface chemical treatments via in-situ, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). A correlation of these interfacial chemical bonds to defect states and device performance of MOS devices fabricated with these same interfaces has been achieved.
How other members of the top management team see the nurse executive

This study compared how top-level organizational groups within Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) top management teams perceived nurse executives' participation in strategic decision making. Nurse executives' perceptions of their own involvement in strategic decision making generally agreed with the views of both chiefs of staff and directors. However, the associate director's perceptions of the nurse executive's involvement often differed significantly with those of the nurse. Nurse executives will be better prepared to function effectively within the top management team if they are aware of patterns in how they are perceived by other members.
Bacterial Oxidation and Cyanide Leaching Process for Carbonaceous Carlin-Type Gold Deposit

Bacterial oxidation by mixed acidophilic bacteria and cyanide leaching experiments for a carbonaceous Carlin-type gold deposit in Yunnan province were carried out.The results showed that the gold recovery of direct cyanide leaching is very low(12.9%).The sulfide minerals packing problem can be effectively solved by bacterial oxidation process,which greatly increases the gold recovery.But the pre-robbing effect can't be eliminated by this process.The absorption effect of carbonaceous substances can be effectively inhibited by carbon cyanide leaching,which can further improve gold recovery for bacterial oxidation residue.Through bacterial oxidation and carbon cyanide leaching process,the gold recovery can reach 82.39% and the cyanide reagent is reduced by 49.68%.So the bacteria oxidation and carbon cyanide leaching process is an effective method for carbonaceous Carlin-type gold deposits..
Leveraging Area Bounds Information for Autonomous Multirobot Exploration

In this paper, we propose an approach, the Space-Based Potential Field (SBPF) approach, to control multiple robots for area exploration missions that focus on robot dispersion. The SBPF method is based on a potential field approach that leverages knowledge of the overall bounds of the area to be explored. This additional information allows a simpler potential field control strategy for all robots but which nonetheless has good dispersion and overlap performance in all the multirobot scenarios while avoiding potential minima. Both simulation and robot experimental results are presented as evidence.