cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stem cell persistence in chronic myeloid leukemia

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) of BCR-ABL have turned chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) from a deadly disease into a chronic ailment. Unfortunately, evidence is accumulating that TKIs are not curative, since CML stem cells are not addicted to BCR-ABL, and persist despite TKI therapy. On closer view this is not surprising, as it reflects fundamental principles of CML pathogenesis. Strategies to eradicate CML stem cells will most likely be based on synthetic lethality though parallel inhibition of BCR-ABL and other critical pathways.
Design and synthesis of cleavable biotinylated dideoxynucleotides for DNA sequencing by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS)-based methods have been widely explored for DNA sequencing. We report here the design, synthesis, and evaluation of a novel set of chemically cleavable biotinylated dideoxynucleotides, ddNTPs-N₃-biotin, for the DNA polymerase extension reaction and its application in DNA sequencing by mass spectrometry (MS). These nucleotide analogs have a biotin moiety attached to the 5 position of the pyrimidines (C and U) or the 7 position of the purines (A and G) via a chemically cleavable azido-based linker, with different length linker arms serving as mass tags that contribute to large mass differences among the nucleotides. We demonstrate that these modified nucleotides are efficiently incorporated by DNA polymerase, and the DNA strand bearing biotinylated nucleotides is captured by streptavidin-coated beads and efficiently released using tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine in aqueous solution, which is compatible with DNA and downstream procedures. We performed Sanger sequencing reactions using these nucleotides to generate DNA fragments for MALDI-TOF MS analysis. Both synthetic DNA and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products were accurately decoded, and a read length of approximately 37 bases was achieved using these nucleotides in MS sequencing.
Policy mandates and re-election among single issue parties

Abstract Recent studies point to dramatic ‘mandate switches’ by elected politicians, while others suggest higher levels of mandate loyalty. Yet, two of the oldest party systems in Latin America, Colombia and Venezuela, have not been extensively examined. Legislative activity across single issue parties is examined to determine whether they are able to stay focused and consistent with the party's policy goals. The analysis identifies the importance of stated policy goals, which are likely to provide long-term electoral benefits, and nomination procedures as important determinants of legislative action among single issue parties. The results shed a new light on parties in Latin America by suggesting that parties are capable of acting in accordance with their stated single-issue platforms.
Comparative morphology of the leaf epidermis in the genera Codonanthe (Martius) Hanstein and Nematanthus Schrader (Gesneriaceae)

The leaf epidermis of 14 species ofCodonanthe and 10 species of Nematanthus has been examined. Species of Codonanthe section Codonanthe are geographically restricted to south-eastern Brazil, and are diploid. They possess multicellular-uniseriate nonglandular trichomes, glandular trichomes with a four-celled head and a short body, anisocytic stomata and lack extrafloral nectaries. Species of Codonanthe section Spathuliformae and Codonanthe subgenus Codonanthella are distributed from southern Mexico through Central America to north-western South America and are tetraploid. They possess unicellular non-glandular trichomes (except C. caribaea), glandular trichomes with a two-celled head (except C. caribaea) and a short body, anisocytic stomata and extrafloral nectaries (except C. caribaea). All Nematanthus species are distributed in south-eastern Brazil and are diploid (N=8). Six species of Nematanthus consistently have multicellular-uniseriate nonglandular trichomes, glandular trichomes with a four-celled head and a short (unicellular) or long (multicellular) body, anisocytic stomata and lack extrafloral nectaries. Four species of Nematanthus have multicellular-uniseriate non-glandular trichomes, glandular trichomes with a head of more than four cells and a short body, anisocytic and helicocytic stomata and lack extrafloral nectaries.
Reduction of the geological noise in magnetotelluric soundings

Abstract The author believes that it is hardly possible to reduce the effect of geological noise on magnetotelluric soundings by solving forward and inverse problems for two- and three-dimensional bodies. Therefore, two new approaches are suggested for the purpose. In the first approach a spectrum of the ratio of the diagonal tensors at the frequencies ω and ω0 is calculated, ω0 being relatively high so that the field is defined by the geoelectrical parameters of the upper section. The second approach suggests a spatial spectrum analysis of the diagonal impedance tensor.
Eigenfilter design of MIMO equalizers for channel shortening

The advent of discrete multitone modulation (DMT) systems in recent years has brought to light the importance of channel shortening equalizers. In this paper, we present a method for the design of one such equalizer for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) linear dispersive channels. This method is a generalization of one that was used for shortening of single-input single-output (SISO) channels. Experimental results presented show that our design method performs better than the minimum mean-squared error (MMSE) technique in terms of effective channel energy compaction. 1
Metadata in a global world

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review best practices in metadata interoperability, and briefly describe the RDA Forum held at the 2006 ALA Midwinter Meeting held in San Antonio, TX.Design/methodology/approach – The article reviews a draft of the DLF/NSDL publication, Best Practices for Shareable Metadata.Findings – The article highlights the areas that are especially troublesome vis‐a‐vis metadata interoperability. It is recommended that data providers take time to plan how their repository will be searched in the larger information community.Originality/value – Readers will gain an understanding of how best to structure metadata so that they are retrievable by users of OAI services.
A kinetic aerosol model for the formation and growth of secondary sulfuric acid particles

Abstract A numerical kinetic aerosol model is utilized to study conditions under which secondary sulfuric acid particle formation followed by condensation and coagulation growth may substantially increase the concentration of submicron size aerosols which can contribute significantly to visibility degradation, adverse health effects, injuries to agricultural products and inadvertent weather modification. This model incorporates the mechanisms of photochemical reactions, heteromolecular nucleation, heteromolecular condensation and thermal coagulation. Microphysical and chemical input parameters include: the rate constant for the formation of gaseous sulfuric acid molecules, the surface tension and equilibrium vapor pressure for sulfuric acid solution droplets and the accommodation coefficient for nucleation and condensation growth of secondary sulfuric acid aerosols. Sensitivity of the model calculations to uncertainties in the rate constant data, surface tension and vapor pressure data and the accommodation coefficient is analyzed. Possible errors arising from the numerical approximations used in the calculations are investigated. The difficulties of model validation by comparison with laboratory and field experiments are also discussed. The main purpose of this model calculation is to demonstrate qualitatively the sensitivity of various chemical and microphysical input parameters and the nonlinear interaction between the mechanisms in the study of secondary aerosol formation and growth. Secondary aerosol formation and growth in the presence of preexisting particles is studied under different atmospheric conditions by varying relative humidity, temperature, initial particle size distribution and rate of production of gaseous sulfuric acid molecules. Our model calculations show that the rate limiting factor for the formation and growth of secondary acid aerosols into the submicron size range is the amount of sulfuric acid gaseous molecules available in the atmosphere. It is also shown that the increased number of submicron size particles which results from secondary aerosol formation can contribute an increase in the light extinction coefficient and, therefore, a decease in visibility.
Bis{μ-2,2'-[(butane-2,3-diylidene)bis(azanylylidene)]dibenzenethiolato}dizinc(II)-dimethyl sulfoxide-methanol (2/0.18/0.82).

The asymmetric unit in the crystal structure of the title compound, [Zn2(C16H14N2S2)2]2·0.18C2H6OS·0.82CH3OH, con­sists of two ordered bis­{μ-2,2′-[(butane-2,3-diyl­idene)bis­(aza­nylyl­idene)]di­benzene­thiol­ato}dizinc(II) mol­ecules and a disordered solvent combination at the same location which refined to 18.1 (7)% dimethyl sulfoxide and 81.9 (7)% methanol. The compound has a metallic cluster structure formed by the joining together of two zinc(II) complex mol­ecules, forming a rhomboidal Zn2S2 arrangement. This complex was previously suggested on the basis of nonstructural evidence to be a monomer [Jadamus, Fernando & Freiser (1964). J. Am. Chem. Soc. 86, 3056–3059]. Each ZnII atom is five-coordinated and exhibits distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry. The structure may be of inter­est with respect to zinc–thiol­ate bonds, the coordination chemistry of Schiff bases and the folding of proteins. The structure displays weak inter­molecular C—H⋯S, C—H⋯O and C—H⋯N inter­actions, and contains a unique bonding arrangement of the ligands around the Zn2S2 rhomboid.
Tapered block bootstrap

SUMMARY We introduce and study tapered block bootstrap methodology that yields an improvement over the well-known block bootstrap for time series of Kiinsch (1989). The asymptotic validity and the favourable bias properties of the tapered block bootstrap are shown. The important practical issues of optimally choosing the window shape and the block size are addressed in detail, while some finite-sample simulations are presented validating the good performance of the tapered block bootstrap.
High-resolution ice-volume estimates for the early Miocene: Evidence for a dynamic ice sheet in Antarctica

Ice-volume estimates for the early Miocene (23–16 Ma ATS) were determined by applying d 18 O to sea-level calibrations to high-resolution d 18 O records from ODP Sites 1090 and 1218. These calibrated records indicate that ice-volume ranged between 50% and 125% of the present day East Antarctic Ice Sheet (EAIS) during most of the early Miocene (23–17 Ma). Maximum icevolume occurred at each of the early Miocene isotopic events (i.e., Mi-events) concomitant with bottom water temperatures generally between ~1 and 2 8C. Rapid (bb 1 myr) and high amplitude ice-volume changes also occurred intermittently during this period, with some fluctuations ranging from a fully glaciated East Antarctic continent to a partial collapse of the ice sheet (equivalent to a 50–70% reduction in the EAIS). These large-scale ice-volume changes often occurred at b100 kyr time scales suggesting an orbitally driven dynamic EAIS existed during the early Miocene. In contrast, the calibrated d 18 O record from Site 1090 indicates significantly less ice-volume (25–70% of the present-day EAIS) was present between 17 and 16 Ma. These results are supported by numerical climate–ice sheet modeling studies that show increased orbitally driven ice-volume variability with elevated levels of atmospheric CO2. The distribution of bottom water masses during the Miocene was likely significantly different from today, owing to variability in the production of deep-water near the Antarctic continent (i.e., proto-Antarctic Bottom Water, proto-AABW). Weakening of proto-AABW is suggested to have occurred during the early Miocene especially during glacial minima, resulting in it becoming more spatially restricted to the Southern Ocean and becoming entrained into a warmer deep-water mass. Increased production of a warmer bottom water mass is also considered to have been important in the lighter isotopic values observed in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. These changes are supported by evidence of a large dynamic EAIS based on strata cored on the Antarctic margin, and require a reevaluation of the view that Antarctic ice-volume was significantly reduced for most of the early Miocene. Previous estimates have been constrained by the lack of deep-water isotopic records proximal to Antarctica, and unduly influenced by the expansion of warmer deep-water into most of the ocean basins at this time. D 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
What Causes Speculative Fund Inflow to China

The determinants of the massive overseas speculative fund inflow to China in recent years are investigated. Results indicate that appreciation of the Chinese currency is the primary underlying force for the influx of funds. Speculative funds aim to earn a short-term profit due to the relatively higher interest rate in China as opposed to that in the United States. On the other hand, housing and stock markets do not directly cause the inflow of speculative funds, even though the funds may appear to target investment in these markets.
Pan-body computed tomographic scanning for patients with intracranial hemorrhage after low-energy falls.

Abstract Background We sought to determine if a liberal policy of pan-body computerized tomography (CT) scanning was useful in patients with intracranial hemorrhage after low falls. Methods Patients with intracranial hemorrhage after low falls, with a Glasgow Coma Score of greater than or equal to 14 and systolic blood pressure of greater than 100 mm Hg, were included. The primary outcome was any torso or spine injury requiring surgical or radiologic intervention. The secondary outcome was any torso or spine injury. Results Of 365 patients, 71% underwent pan-body CT. Eight (2%) patients had a primary outcome and 66 (18%) a secondary outcome. Only signs and symptoms of cervical injury were associated with a cervical-related outcome (4/23 vs 3/316, P = .005). Only signs and symptoms of torso injury were associated with a torso-related outcome. Conclusions A liberal policy of pan-body CT in these patients is of low yield. Signs and symptoms of trauma should dictate the judicious use of CT.
Nicotine withdrawal increases threat-induced anxiety but not fear: Neuroadaptation in human addiction

Background Stress response neuroadaptation has been repeatedly implicated in animal addiction models for many drugs, including nicotine. Programmatic laboratory research that examines the stress response of nicotine-deprived humans is necessary to confirm that stress neuroadaptations observed in animal models generalize to humans. Methods Two experiments tested the prediction that nicotine deprivation selectively increases startle response associated with anxiety during unpredictable threat but not fear during imminent, predictable threat. Dependent smokers ( n = 117) were randomly assigned to 24-hour nicotine-deprived or nondeprived groups and participated in one of two experiments wherein electric shock was administered either unpredictably (noncontingent shock; Experiment 1) or predictably (cue-contingent shock; Experiment 2). Results Nicotine deprivation increased overall startle response in Experiment 1, which involved unpredictable administration of shock. Age of first cigarette and years of daily smoking were significant moderators of this deprivation effect. Self-reported withdrawal symptoms also predicted startle response during unpredictable shock. In contrast, nicotine deprivation did not alter overall or fear-potentiated startle in Experiment 2, which involved predictable administration of shock. Conclusions These results provide evidence that startle response during unpredictable threat may be a biomarker of stress neuroadaptations among smokers in nicotine withdrawal. Contrast of results across unpredictable versus predictable shock experiments provides preliminary evidence that these stress neuroadaptations manifest selectively as anxiety during unpredictable threat rather than in every stressful context. Individual differences in unpredictable threat startle response associated with withdrawal symptoms, age of first cigarette, and years daily smoking link this laboratory biomarker to clinically relevant indexes of addiction risk and relapse.
Temperature and pH/CO2 modulate respiratory activity in the isolated brainstem of the bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana)

The effects of temperature and pH/CO(2) were examined in isolated brainstem preparations from adult North American bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana). These experiments were undertaken to determine the effects of temperature on fictive breathing, central pH/CO(2) chemoreception, and to examine potential alphastat regulation of respiration in vitro. Adult bullfrog brainstem preparations were isolated, superfused with an artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF) and respiratory-related neural activity was recorded from cranial nerves V, X and XII. In Series I experiments (N=8), brainstem preparations were superfused with aCSF equilibrated with 2% CO(2) at temperatures ranging from 10 to 30 degrees C. Neural activity was present in all preparations in the temperature range of 15-25 degrees C, but was absent in most preparations when aCSF was at 10 or 30 degrees C. The absence of fictive breathing at high (30 degrees C) temperatures was transient since fictive breathing could be restored upon returning the preparation to 20 degrees C. In Series II experiments (N=10), preparations were superfused with aCSF equilibrated with 0%, 2% and 5% CO(2) at temperatures of 15, 20 and 25 degrees C. Fictive breathing frequency (f(R)) was significantly dependent upon aCSF pH at all three temperatures, with slopes ranging from -0.82 min(-1) pH unit(-1) (15 degrees C) to -3.3 min(-1) pH unit(-1) (20 degrees C). There was a significant difference in these slopes (P<0.02), indicating that central chemoreceptor sensitivity increased over this temperature range. Fictive breathing frequency was significantly dependent upon the calculated alpha-imidazole (alpha(Im)) ionization (P<0.05), consistent with the alphastat hypothesis for the effects of temperature on the regulation of ventilation. However, most of the variation in f(R) was not explained by alpha(Im) (R(2)=0.05), suggesting that other factors account for the regulation of fictive breathing in this preparation. The results indicate that the in vitro brainstem preparation of adult bullfrogs has a limited temperature range (15-25 degrees C) over which fictive breathing is consistently active. Although there is a close correspondence of ventilation in vitro and in vivo at low temperatures, these data suggest that, as temperature increases, changes in ventilation in the intact animal are likely to be more dependent upon peripheral feedback which assumes a greater integrative role with respect to chemoreceptor drive, respiratory frequency and tidal volume.
Tsuji functions with segments of Julia

A rectilinear segment S lying in D except for one endpoint e io on C is called a segment of Julia for w, provided in each open triangle in D having one vertex at e i~ and meeting S, the function w assumes all values on the Riemann sphere except possibly two. A point e ;~ is a Julia point for w provided each rectilinear segment lying in D except for one endpoint at e ~ is a segment of Julia for w. Corresponding to each 0 and each e (I e l < ~/2), let S(O, e) be the segment that joins the points d ~ and (1 d " cose) ei~ in other words, let S(O, ~) denote the chord of the circle with diameter [0, e zo] that forms a directed angle c~ with [0, e i~ at e i~ In case w(z) approaches a limit as z ~ e is on S(O, cO, we denote this limit by w(O, ~). The present note answers a question that W. SNDEL raised concerning a theorem of M. TsuJI [3]. In terms of the notation introduced in the preceding paragraph, we can state Tsuji's theorem as follows. Let w be a Tsuji function, and let A(O, c 0 denote the spherical length of the image under w of S(O, c~). Then, for each c~ in Ic~[<~/2, A(O, c 0 is an integrable function of 0; and for almost all O, A(O, ~) is an integrablefunction of c~. Moreover, for all 0 in a set of measure 2~ on [0, 2~), the relation w(O, e)=w(O, fl) holds whenever both limits exist, while S(O, 7) is a segment of Julia if A (0, 7) = Go. In particular, the theorem implies that if w is a Tsuji function, then A (0, a) < oo except for a set of points (0, e) of two-dimensional measure 0.
Effect of moisture content on mechanical properties of rice kernels under quasi-static compressive loading.

Abstract Quasi-static compressive tests to determine the static mechanical properties of individual rice kernals were carried out on specimens tested uniaxially along the longitudinal axis. Apparent elastic modulus, failure stress, failure strain and energy density at failure were determined at five or six different moisture content levels ranging from 5% to 30% on dry basis (db). Compression speeds of 5 mm min−1 and 10 mm min−1 were used. Statistical analysis of the test results showed that moisture content had profound influence on the properties examined, especially in the range of 12% db to 18% db where quite drastic changes occur. An explanation in terms of bound water and free water in the kernel is given.
Effect of borate on colorimetric determinations of carbohydrates by the phenol-sulfuric acid method☆

Abstract Absorbance of solutions containing hexoses is reduced slightly, and of pentoses or pentosans is lowered significantly, by the presence of borate in solutions tested by the phenol-sulfuric acid procedure. The absorbance-lowering effect is related to borate concentration. The presence of borate has no effect on wavelength of maximum absorbance, and lowers height of maximum absorbance by interference with formation of intermediate furan derivatives rather than with chromogen formation.
Explicit asymptotic solution for the maximum-energy-release-rate problem

Abstract An explicit 3-term asymptotic solution is obtained for the problem for small branch angles. Comparison with the numerical solution shows that the asymptic formulae are reasonably accurate for branch angles as large as 72°.
TRENDS IN SINGLE PARENTING IN THE U.S. ARMY

Dramatic increases in the percentage of female soldiers, married enlisted soldiers, spouses in the labor force, female single-parent soldiers, and dual military couples have changed the demography ...
Highly stereoselective Brønsted acid catalyzed synthesis of spirooxindole pyrans.

A Bronsted acid-catalyzed Prins-type cyclization sequence to construct spirooxindole pyrans in high yields and excellent diastereoselectivity has been developed. The combination of a β-hydroxy dioxinone fragment and isatin dimethyl acetal generate oxa-spirooxindoles efficiently. These compounds are diversifiable scaffolds that tap into the rich chemistry of dioxinones.
Of mice and man: TLR11 (finally) finds profilin

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are primordial pathogen-recognition proteins that function as sentinels for the innate immune system. One of the TLR mysteries relates to TLR11, a receptor present in mice, but not humans, and known to recognize uropathogenic Escherichia coli. The first defined ligand for TLR11 has now been described as a profilin-like protein from Toxoplasma gondii. This discovery potentially gives us important clues as to how a gene expressed in mice, but not humans, actually relates to human infectious diseases.
Optimization of metabolic capacity and flux through environmental cues to maximize hydrogen production by the Cyanobacterium "Arthrospira (Spirulina) maxima"

Environmental and nutritional conditions that optimize the yield of hydrogen (H2) from water using a two-step photosynthesis/fermentation (P/F) process are reported for the hypercarbonate-requiring cyanobacterium “Arthrospira maxima.” Our observations lead to four main conclusions broadly applicable to fermentative H2 production by bacteria: (i) anaerobic H2 production in the dark from whole cells catalyzed by a bidirectional [NiFe] hydrogenase is demonstrated to occur in two temporal phases involving two distinct metabolic processes that are linked to prior light-dependent production of NADPH (photosynthetic) and dark/anaerobic production of NADH (fermentative), respectively; (ii) H2 evolution from these reductants represents a major pathway for energy production (ATP) during fermentation by regenerating NAD essential for glycolysis of glycogen and catabolism of other substrates; (iii) nitrate removal during fermentative H2 evolution is shown to produce an immediate and large stimulation of H2, as nitrate is a competing substrate for consumption of NAD(P)H, which is distinct from its slower effect of stimulating glycogen accumulation; (iv) environmental and nutritional conditions that increase anaerobic ATP production, prior glycogen accumulation (in the light), and the intracellular reduction potential (NADH/NAD ratio) are shown to be the key variables for elevating H2 evolution. Optimization of these conditions and culture age increases the H2 yield from a single P/F cycle using concentrated cells to 36 ml of H2/g (dry weight) and a maximum 18% H2 in the headspace. H2 yield was found to be limited by the hydrogenase-mediated H2 uptake reaction.
Three-dimensional delaunay refinement for multi-core processors

We develop the first ever fully functional three-dimensional guaranteed quality parallel graded Delaunay mesh generator. First, we prove a criterion and a sufficient condition of Delaunay-independence of Steiner points in three dimensions. Based on these results, we decompose the iteration space of the sequential Delaunay refinement algorithm by selecting independent subsets from the set of the candidate Steiner points without resorting to rollbacks. We use an octree which overlaps the mesh for a coarse-grained decomposition of the set of candidate Steiner points based on their location. We partition the worklist containing poor quality tetrahedra into independent lists associated with specific separated leaves of the octree. Finally, we describe an example parallel implementation using a publicly available state-of-the art sequential Delaunay library (Tetgen). This work provides a case study for the design of abstractions and parallel frameworks for the use of complex labor intensive sequential codes on multicore architectures.
MetaRef: a pan-genomic database for comparative and community microbial genomics

Microbial genome sequencing is one of the longest-standing areas of biological database development, but high-throughput, low-cost technologies have increased its throughput to an unprecedented number of new genomes per year. Several thousand microbial genomes are now available, necessitating new approaches to organizing information on gene function, phylogeny and microbial taxonomy to facilitate downstream biological interpretation. MetaRef, available at http://metaref.org, is a novel online resource systematically cataloguing a comprehensive pan-genome of all microbial clades with sequenced isolates. It organizes currently available draft and finished bacterial and archaeal genomes into quality-controlled clades, reports all core and pan gene families at multiple levels in the resulting taxonomy, and it annotates families' conservation, phylogeny and consensus functional information. MetaRef also provides a comprehensive non-redundant reference gene catalogue for metagenomic studies, including the abundance and prevalence of all gene families in the >700 shotgun metagenomic samples of the Human Microbiome Project. This constitutes a systematic mapping of clade-specific microbial functions within the healthy human microbiome across multiple body sites and can be used as reference for identifying potential functional biomarkers in disease-associate microbiomes. MetaRef provides all information both as an online browsable resource and as downloadable sequences and tabular data files that can be used for subsequent offline studies.
Monolithic 2-18 GHz low loss, on-chip biased PIN diode switches

Two state-of-the-art monolithic GaAs PIN diode switches have been designed, fabricated and tested. These single-pole double-throw (SPDT) switches exhibit insertion losses of 1.15/spl plusmn/0.15 dB over a 2-18 GHz band, which is an unprecedented performance in loss and flatness for monolithic wideband switches incorporating on-chip bias networks. Isolation and return loss are greater than 43 dB and 12 dB, respectively, and the input port power handling is 23 dBm at 1-dB insertion loss compression. These performance characteristics were measured at a nominal bias setting of -8 V, which corresponds to 3.7 mA of series diode bias current and a total dc power consumption of 55 mW. The input power at the third-order interception is 40 dBm. The switches can handle up to 31 dBm (1.25 W) at a higher bias of -18 V and 9.3 mA. >
CAM-based ASOCS implementation

We describe an implementation of adaptive self-organizing concurrent system (ASOCS) using content addressable memory (CAM). ASOCS is an artificial neural network with supervised online learning trained by incrementally introduced Boolean propositional logic rules or instances. Words stored in CAM represent modified instances after they are processed by ASOCS to ensure consistency and minimality of the entire collection of instances. CAM permits fast training and execution. Main advantages of our implementation are simplicity, scalability to handle wider input and output vectors, ability to preset the network structure in advance based on software simulation. >
People Identification Using Floor Pressure Sensing and Analysis

This paper presents an approach to people identification based on gait using floor pressure data. By using a large-area, high-resolution pressure sensing floor, we are able to obtain both the 1D pressure profile and 2D position trajectories of the centers of pressure (COP) of both feet to form a 3D COP trajectories over a footstep. From the 3D COP trajectories of a pair of footsteps, a set of features are extracted and used together with other features such as the mean pressure and stride length for people identification. The Fisher linear discriminant is used as the classifier. The speed-invariant properties of different features are examined and we have shown that the pressure features have good speed-invariance properties, much better than the stride length feature. The proposed algorithm has been extensively tested using a floor pressure dataset collected from 11 subjects in different walking styles, including varying speed walking and free style walking. Decent people identification results have been obtained using the proposed method with an average recognition rate of 92.3% and false alarm rate of 6.79% using the best performing feature set.
Schoolchildren with dysphagia associated with medically complex conditions.

Purpose This article reviews population trends and general characteristics of children with dysphagia in schools, provides an overview of dysphagia teams and the roles of the speech-language pathol...
Seeing Is Believing: The Transitory Influence of Reputation Information on E‐Commerce Trust and Decision Making

This research examines the transitory influence of reputation information on consumer decision making regarding an e-vendor. Using social judgment theory to explain how reputation information's effect on perceptions may be fleeting, we specifically examined how user trusting beliefs related to an e-vendor change after a simple exposure to the Web site. A total of 369 college students participated in an experiment that found that reputation information was initially strongly related to trusting beliefs regarding the e-vendor, but a brief nonpurchase-related exposure to the e-vendor's Web site—that is, direct experience—reduced reputation's effects significantly. This research provides insights into why reputation information may be more important in certain circumstances than in others and enhances our understanding of how consumer decision making is affected by different purchasing contexts. This research also has implications on the design and use of trust-building technologies.
In Vitro Comparison of the Debonding Characteristics of 2 Pliers Used for Ceramic Brackets

Recently, a new type of debonding instrument designed to be used with ceramic brackets was introduced. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the debonding characteristics of the new instrument when removing ceramic and metal brackets and to compare these characteristics to those produced by conventional debonding pliers. Forty-five maxillary premolars were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups. In group 1, Clarity Collapsible Ceramic Brackets (3M Unitek, Monrovia, CA) were debonded using conventional Utility/Weingart pliers (3M Unitek, Monrovia, CA). In group 2, the ceramic brackets were debonded using the new Debonding Instrument (3M Unitek). In group 3, Metal brackets (Victory series 3M Unitek) were debonded using conventional pliers. In group 4, the metal brackets were debonded using the new debonding instrument. For all teeth, the same bracket bonding system was used. After debonding, all the teeth and brackets were examined under 10x magnifications. Adhesive remaining after debonding was assessed using the modified adhesive remnant index. The comparisons (χ 2 = 8.73) of the adhesive remnant index scores indicated that the 2 pliers have significantly different ( P = 0.013) bracket failure modes when debonding ceramic brackets. For both groups 1 and 2, most of the adhesive remained on the tooth; however, significantly less adhesive was observed on the teeth that were debonded with the new debonding pliers. There were no significant differences (χ 2 = 0.10, P = 0.919) in the debonding mode of the metal brackets when using the 2 pliers. The results from this study suggest that the new Instrument may remove more of the adhesive during the debonding of ceramic brackets, which in turn may save the clinician chair time.
FPGA architectures for ASIC hardware emulators

The increasing complexity available in application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and the requirement for reduced design time have increased the importance of hardware emulators for ASIC system verification prior to first silicon. The authors review current ASIC hardware emulators based on field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), including their limitations and constraints. Based on these characteristics, FPGA kernel architectures and related technologies are identified that will significantly improve the performance and capabilities of ASIC hardware emulators. >
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons with Five-Membered Rings: Distributions within Isomer Families in Experiments and Computed Equilibria

Previous studies of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) from a variety of combustion and pyrolysis systems have shown that certain aspects of the PAH product distribution, such as the relative abundance of certain isomers, are invariant over a range of fuels and reactor configurations. One possible explanation is that fast isomerization, facilitated by the presence of internal and external five-membered rings, may serve to normalize the product distributions, independent of the fuel or reactor configuration. To examine this possibility, we have compared experimentally measured PAH product distributions (within isomer families) to computed theoretical equilibrium distributions-first evaluating several quantum chemical methods for thermodynamic property computation: corrected AM1 semiempirical, HF/3-21G, B3LYP/STO-3G, and B3LYP/6-31G(d). Of the four methods, the corrected AM I method is chosen for the equilibrium computations, since its root-mean-square deviation of the computed vibrational frequencies proves to be very close to that of the higher-order HF/3-21G method and since its computation is 100 times faster-a major consideration for the large molecules (3-9 rings) of this study. Using the corrected AM1 method, we have computed the Gibbs free energies and equilibrium distributions from 250 to 1500 K for the following sets of PAH isomers containing internally or externally fused five-membered rings: C 1 6 H 1 0 = fluoranthene, aceanthrylene, and acephenanthrylene; C 1 8 H 1 0 = cyclopent[hi]acephenanthrylene, cyclopenta[cd]fluoranthene, and benzo[ghi]fluoranthene; C 2 0 H 1 0 = dicyclopenta[cd,fg]pyrene, dicyclopenta[cd,jk]pyrene, and dicyclopenta[cd,mn]pyrene; C 2 8 H 1 2 = dicyclopenta[bc,ef]coronene, dicyclopenta[bc,hi]coronene, and dicyclopenta[bc,kl]coronene; C 2 0 H 1 2 = benzo-[a]fluoranthene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, and benzo[k]fluoranthene; C 2 8 H 1 6 = benzo[a]-naphtho[2,3-j]fluoranthene, benzo[a]naphtho[2,3-k]fluoranthene, and benzo[a]naphtho[2,3-l]fluoranthene; C 1 3 H 1 0 = fluorene, benz[e]indene, benz[f]indene, and benz[g]indene. Comparing the computed equilibrium distributions to those found experimentally in catechol (o-dihydroxybenzene) and anthracene pyrolysis products, we find close agreement only for the C 1 6 H 1 0 isomers-corroborating previous evidence of a facile route for interconversion of internally and externally fused five-membered rings in this isomer group. Because C 1 6 H 1 0 isomers are prominent among PAH in a wide range of pyrolysis and combustion systems, the investigation and incorporation (into PAH growth models) of C 1 6 H 1 0 isomerization kinetics are very important. None of the other PAH isomer families investigated is found to exhibit such agreement between experimental and computed results, indicating that other isomerization mechanisms, such as ethylene migration around the PAH periphery or internal rearrangement of five-membered rings in fluoranthene benzologues, are of less significance over the time scales considered.
Dustfall as a Source of Water Quality Impairment

An investigation was made of dustfall during the months of June, July, and August, 1964, in Seattle, Wash., and surrounding areas to determine the possible effects of dustfall on reservoir water quality. Several components of dustfall were measured at 46 stations located within Seattle and its suburbs. The methods of sampling and analysis are described. The dustfall rates and their significance in terms of water quality, source, and meteorological factors are examined.
Statutes of limitations for accident cases: Theory and evidence

This paper provides a theoretical and empirical analysis of statutes of limitations for accident cases. The theoretical model formalizes the tradeoff underlying a finite statute of limitations; while a shorter statute limits injurers' exposure to liability, thereby curbing incentives for care, it also limits costly litigation associated with legal error. The model yields several comparative static results that are tested using cross-state variation in statutes of limitations for personal injury cases and accidental damages to property. In order to minimize the impact of historical inertia in the statutes, we used census data from 1910 and statute lengths from 1916. This represents the earliest period when there were both adequate census data to construct the explanatory variables, and a convenient survey of the statutes for the forty-seven states. Despite difficulties in constructing the data, the empirical model performs reasonably well in explaining variation in the statute lengths.
Effects of Reservoir Impoundment on Water Quality

The problem of correcting the adverse effects of thermal stratification and low dissolved oxygen content in large reservoirs and controlling physical, chemical, and biological parameters of released water from impoundments in the South-eastern United States is described. The results of water quality investigations at the Clark Hill and Hartwell Reservoirs are outlined along with predictions of quality expected at West Point Reservoir. Comparisons are made of various possible corrective solutions investigated such as: (1) multilevel penstock intakes; (2) submerged weirs; (3) tailrace and turbine aeration; and (4) destratification systems. Emphasis is placed on a diffused air pumping system prototype equipment test at Allatoona Reservoir in North Georgia. A description is given of the destratification equipment being tested, and details the types and methods of sampling and data processing are described.
A wave-energy-based precondition approach to full-waveform inversion in the time domain

Using the Hessian matrix to scale the gradients in fullwaveform inversion can reduce the artifacts caused by the geometrical spreading and defocusing effects caused by incomplete data coverage. However, it is computationally expensive to calculate the Hessian matrix. We develop a new wave-energy-based precondition method for full-waveform inversion to reduce the artifacts in the gradients caused by the geometrical spreading and defocusing effects. This method scales the gradients using the square root of the wave energy of the forward propagated wavefields from sources and that of backpropagated synthetic wavefields from receivers. We use a complex model to validate the improvements of our new wave-energy-based precondition method for full-waveform inversion. Our results show that our new method provides a faster convergence rate and converges to a more accurate result than the existing precondition methods, particularly for the deep region of the model.
Plant Susceptibility to and Seasonal Occurrence of Phaedon desotonis Balsbaugh, a Leaf Beetle Attacking Coreopsis

Phaedon desototonis Balsbaugh, a leaf beetle, occurred in large numbers in plantings of wildflowers in central Georgia. Although the species was previously considered rare, large populations of the beetle were associated with Coreopsis spp. Peak larval abundance occurred in April, while greatest numbers of adults were observed in May. One generation was observed. Thirty-eight plant taxa in 11 families were evaluated for susceptibility to feeding and injury by the beetle. The composits Coreopsis lanceolata (L.), Coreopsis tinctoria Nuttall, C. verticillata (L.), and Bidens aristosa (L.) were consistently fed on by adults and larvae of P. desotonis. Of those plants, B. aristosa was the least preferred and least damaged. Index words: leaf beetle, Chrysomelidae, Coreopsis, pest management, host plant susceptibility. Species used in this study: Achillea millefolium L., Aquilegia cerulea James, Aster laevis L. Per., Bidens aristosa (L.), Brassica napis ‘Iris’, Brassica napis ‘Falcon’, Cassia fasiculata Michaux, Centaurea cyanus L., Cerastium bierbersteinii DC., Chrysanthemum leucanthemum L., Consalida ambigua (L.) P.W. Ball & Heywood, Coreopsis lanceolata L., Coreopsis tinctoria Nuttall, C. verticillata (L.), Dianthus deltoides L., Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench., Eschscholzia californica Chamisso, Eupatorium colestinum L., Gaillardia aristata Pursh, Gaillardia pulchella Fougeroux de Bondaroy, Lobularia maritima (L.) Desv., Monarda citriodora Cervantes ex Lagaska y Seguera., Myosotis sylvatica Hoffm., Nemophila menziesii Hook & Walker-Arnott, Oenothera fruticosa L., Oenothera missouriensis Sims, Oenothera lamarkia deVries, Oenothera speciosa Nuttall, Papaver rhoeas L., Penstemon sp., Ratibida pinnata (Venten.) Barnh., Ratibida columnaris (Nuttall) Woot. & Standl., Rudbeckia hirta L., Rudbeckia fulgida Ait.‘Goldsturm’, Salvia farinacea Bentham, Senecio smallii L., Solidago sp. L. (local), Solidago sp. L. (dwarf), Verbena rigida K. Spreng., Vicia sativa L., Viola cornuta L, Viola spp.
Conceptions of nature in Iran science, nationalism, and heteroglossia

In the midst of mounting environmental problems in urban Iran, the status of science is becoming more prestigious among various segments of the population. Consequently, debates and discussions about the environment are increasingly taking place, especially among Iranian environmentalists. Are environmental problems in Iran addressed and understood synonymously as in the West, where scientific rationality is expected to provide objective explanations about environmental problems and their solutions? Viewing conceptions of nature as a key investigation site, this study explores distinctive manners in which discourses and practices of the environment unfold in Iran. I argue that, while the scientific-ecological conception of nature is the mainstream framework assumed in environment-related research and programs, another conception of nature—related to Iranian nationhood—also makes key contributions to the environmentalists’ understandings of recurring environmental problems. It is further argued that the co...
A clinical trial of duo positive airway pressure ventilation versus nasal continuous positive airway pressure in treatment of preterm infant with neonatal respiratory distress syndrome after INSURE

Objective To explore the efficacy of duo positive airway pressure ventilation in treating preterm infant with neonatal respiratory distress syndrome(RDS). Methods 65 preterm infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit from December 2012 to December 2013 were randomly divided into DuoPAP group(34 cases) or NCPAP(31 cases) group. Blood gas analysis(pH value, PaO2, PaCO2 and OI) at 1h, 12 h, 24 h, and 72 h, and incidence of apnea, pulmonary air leak, repeated application of pulmonary surfactant and non-invasive ventilation failure at 72 h in the two groups were measured and compared after using intubate surfactant extubate(INSURE). Results OI after non-invasive ventilation at 1h, 12 h, and 24 h was significantly higherin DuoPAP group than that in NCPAP group P0.01). PaCO2 after non-invasive ventilation at 1h, 12 h, 24 hand 72h was significantly lower in DuoPAP group than that in NCPAP group(P0.01). PaO2 after non-invasive ventilation at 1h and 12 h was higher in DuoPAP group than that in NCPAP group, and there was significant difference between the two groups(P0.01). The incidence of non-invasive ventilation failure, apnea in 72 h was lower in DuoPAP group than that in NCPAP group, and there was significant difference between the two groups(P0.05). Conclusions Compared with NCPAP, DuoPAP is more feasible for improving oxygenation, decreasing the need for mechanical ventilation in 72 h in preterm infants with neonatal RDS.