cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evolution of nano-junctions in piezoresistive nanostrand composites

Abstract When nickel nanostrands (NiNs) are embedded inside of highly flexible silicone, the silicone becomes an extremely piezoresistive sensor capable of measuring a large dynamic range of strains. These sensors experience an increase in conductance of several orders of magnitude when strained to 40% elongation. It has been hypothesized that this effect stems from a net change in average junction distance between the conductive particles when the overall material is strained. The quantum tunneling resistance across these gaps is highly sensitive to junction distance, resulting in the immense piezoresistive effect. In this paper, the average junction distance is monitored using dielectric spectroscopy while the material is strained. By incorporating new barrier height measurements of the base silicone material from a nanoindentation experiment, this experiment validates previous assumptions that, on average, the junctions between NiNs decrease while the sample is strained, instigating the large piezoresistive effect. The nature of the material’s response to strain is explored and discussed.
An adaptive partitioning algorithm for distributed discrete event simulation systems

Biocomputing techniques have been proposed to solve combinatorial problems elegantly by such methods as simulated annealing, genetic algorithms and neural networks. In this context, we identify an important optimization problem arising in conservative distributed simulation, such as partitioning, synchronization and communication overhead minimization. We propose the use of a simulated annealing algorithm with an adaptive search schedule to find good (sub-optimal) partitions. The paper discusses the algorithms, its implementation and reports on the performance results of simulation of several workload models on a multiprocessor machine. The results obtained indicate clearly that a partitioning which make use of our simulated annealing significantly reduces the running time of a conservative simulation, and decreases the synchronization overhead of the simulation model when compared to Nandy-Louck's partitioning algorithm.
Establishing correspondence in mammograms and tomosynthesis projections

We are developing a computer based aid for automated analysis of digital mammograms and digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) images. The ultimate goal is to establish correspondence between regions in images obtained using different modalities. This paper is focused on establishing point correspondences between mammograms and DBT projections. Correspondence has been established utilizing two similarity criteria, one based on topology of prominent elongated anatomical structures, and another based on texture near the potential correspondence points. We evaluated robustness of the described technique with respect to variations in x-ray tube angle. The evaluation included 72 image pairs: 9 DBT projections from both left and right breasts of 4 women and corresponding mammograms. The evaluation was performed by a consensus between two trained observers. Two images with highlighted pairs of automatically established point correspondences were presented. The observers were asked to manually identify the correct correspondences and measure the displacement error. Points for which correspondences could not be manually identified were excluded. The topology method automatically generated an average of 12.2 correspondences per image pair, for which the average measured displacement error was 1.33 mm (N = 10.5). The texture method generated 18.6 correspondences with an average measured error of 1.80 mm (N = 14.7). The algorithms were found to be robust; the number of correspondences and the average displacement did not significantly change with variations in tube angle.
Thyroid-like papillary adenocarcinoma of the nasopharynx: a case report in a 19-year-old male

Primary thyroid-like papillary adenocarcinomas of the nasopharynx are rare, with only a limited number of cases reported in the literature. However, it is important that pathologists and clinicians alike recognize this entity, as these neoplasms are amenable to surgical resection and carry an excellent prognosis. In this article, we describe the case of a thyroid-like papillary adenocarcinoma of the nasopharynx in a 19-year-old male, with emphasis on clinical findings, histologic and immunohistochemical characteristics, and prognosis. In addition, we include a review of the literature to highlight what we know to date about this rare entity.
GM-CSF induces human neutrophil IgA-mediated phagocytosis by an IgA Fc receptor activation mechanism

Immunoglobulin A is the primary immunoglobulin isotype in tears, saliva, breast milk and other mucosal secretions, constituting between 6% and 15% of the total serum immunoglobulins. Human peripheral blood neutrophils have IgA receptors, but these cells do not normally participate in IgA-mediated phagocytosis. The haematopoietic factors granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) prime neutrophils to be more responsive to a variety of stimuli. We therefore studied their effect on IgA-mediated phagocytosis. GM-CSF and G-CSF both induce a change from low to high-affinity neutrophil IgA Fc crystallizable fragment receptors within 30 min; a change which is associated with the development of IgA-mediated phagocytosis. Human IL-3, which does not affect neutrophil function, is inactive in this system. These results define a new mechanism for CSF-augmented host defence whereby neutrophil function can be modulated by CSF-mediated IgA Fc receptor activation.
Pathology of acute poisoning with the insecticide Sevin in the bent-nosed clam, Macoma nasuta.

Abstract Toxicity tests of 96-hr duration of the insecticide Sevin were done with adult bent-nosed clams, Macoma nasuta . Sevin concentrations of 15, 20, 25, and 30 mg/liter were used in duplicate tests. The criterion of “death” was the inability of clams to retract siphons or to close valves. About half of the animals so affected were removed from the test solutions and returned to clean sea water to observe if recovery occurred, and others were preserved for histological examination. No “dead” clams recovered within 96 hr after return to clean water. The histopathology consisted primarily of necrosis of epithelial tissue of the gill, mantle, siphon, and suprabranchial gland, and the severity of damage was directly related to the test concentrations. Vacuolization, rupture, and pycnosis of cells occurred. The gills were the most severely affected organs. Epithelial cells of the gill filaments bearing the frontal, laterofrontal, and lateral cilia were sloughed as early as 24 hr after the beginning of exposure to Sevin. About 50% of the exposed clams had lost one or both siphons and also the epithelia on still attached segments within 96 hr of exposure. There were no deaths of control clams, and their tissues were normal.
Note on the effect of rotation on diffusion processes

A gas in solid rotation that is subjected to a radial temperature gradient develops a component of heat diffusion at right angles to the gradient. The magnitude of this diffusive flux, relative to the radial component, is 2λΩ/v?, where λ and v? are the mean free path and the mean radial speed of the molecules, respectively, and Ω is the angular velocity of the system. Corresponding effects occur in diffusion of mass and momentum. It is suggested that the same effect becomes important in the large-scale turbulent transports in the atmosphere and the oceans. The prediction is that a general eastward eddy heat flux should occur. DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1966.tb01444.x
Effectiveness of adhesive systems for a Co-Cr removable partial denture alloy.

Purpose In vitro bond strengths of traditional denture base acrylic resin (Lucitone 199) to a cobalt-chromium partial denture alloy (J.D. Partial Denture Alloy) were tested using two surface pretreatments (sandblast, sandblast and electrochemical etch) with three adhesive primers: Lee Metal Primer, Acrylic Solder, and CR Inlay cement. A sandblasted group with no primer served as the control. Materials and Methods The alloy specimens (8.0-mm bonding diameter) were cast and invested to receive a traditional denture base resin after surface treatments (sandblasted, and sandblasted-electrochemically etched) and application of adhesive primers. The bonded specimens were stored in distilled water at 37°C for 24 hours and divided into two groups. The first group was debonded in tension on a testing machine at a cross-head speed of 0.05 cm/min. The second group was subjected to thermocycling of 1,000 cycles and then tested for tensile bond strength. The force at which the bond failed was recorded, and the bond strength was calculated in megapascals (MPa). The sites of bond failure were examined, quantified under (20x) magnification, and recorded. Ten specimens were evaluated for each experimental condition for a total of 160 specimens. Data were analyzed by ANOVA with a factorial design. Means were compared by Tukey intervals at the 0.05 significance level. Results Significant differences in bond strength were observed, with primers being the most important factor, followed by pretreatment and storage and thermocycling with significant interactions. Sandblasted-electrochemically etched alloy with primers more effectively enhanced bond strength of the denture base resin to the treated alloy than sandblasted alloy with primers. Thermocycling had a greater effect on bond strength of the specimens with Acrylic Solder when compared with Lee and CR Inlay primers. The highest bond strengths (>18.0 MPa) were observed for the conditions involving electrochemical etching and the priming with CR Inlay cement (both after 24 hours and thermocycling of 1,000 cycles). For primed specimens, the bond failures occurred cohesively within the primers or the denture resin and adhesively between the primers and the denture base resin, or between primers and alloy. For nonprimed, the bond failures occurred adhesively at the denture base resin-metal interface. Conclusions Nonprimed specimens (both sandblasted and electrochemically etched) had lowest bond strength (0.4 ± 0.1 MPa; 0.3 ± 0.4 MPa). The bond strengths of the primed treated specimens were improved significantly. The CR Inlay-treated specimens exhibited the highest bond strength (20.6 ± 6.3 MPa). After thermocycling for 1,000 cycles, the bond strengths of the specimens were significantly lower than the bond strengths of the specimens after 24 hours.
Prototypes of race and gender: The invisibility of Black women

Abstract Research on racial and gender stereotyping typically focuses on the role of one of these social categories at a time rather than race/gender combinations. We suggest that the relative non-prototypicality of Black women’s race and gender results in their “invisibility” relative to White women and to Black and White men ( Fryberg and Townsend, 2008 , Purdie-Vaughns and Eibach, 2008 ). Two studies address whether Black women go “unnoticed” and their voices “unheard,” by examining memory for Black women’s faces and speech contributions. We found that photos of Black women were least likely to be recognized (Study 1), and statements said by a Black woman in a group discussion were least likely to be correctly attributed (Study 2) compared to Black men and White women and White men. The importance and implications of invisibility as a unique form of discrimination are discussed.
Hydrogen isotope fractionation of low molecular weight n-alkanes during progressive vaporization

Abstract We determined the stable hydrogen isotope fractionation during progressive vaporization of three n -alkanes (heptane or C 7 , octane or C 8 , nonane or C 9 ) at 24±1 °C, in an effort to understand the environmental isotopic fractionation of low molecular weight petroleum hydrocarbons. The measurements were carried out using continuous flow gas chromatography- high temperature conversion–isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC/TC/IRMS). During the course of vaporization, the remaining liquid compounds show progressive deuterium (D)-depletion, indicating a preferential vaporization of D-enriched species. Up to a 14‰ change in δ D values was observed during the course of vaporization, with vapor–liquid fractionation factors (α) of 1.0044±0.0002 for heptane, 1.0043±0.0001 for octane, and 1.0040±0.0002 for nonane. The observed Δ is significantly greater than the Δ 13 C reported previously for different compounds. Our data are fundamental for evaluating the isotopic fractionation of organic contaminants during natural evaporation processes. The results have potential applications for the study of petroleum hydrocarbons at contaminated sites. The large isotopic change during the experimental vaporization also highlights the importance of avoiding evaporation losses during the collection and preparation of low molecular weight compounds for hydrogen isotope analyses.
On balance equations for heterogeneous continua

Balance equations for heterogeneous continua - substances consisting of many distinct, possibly interacting constituents derived from classical continuum physics viewpoint
Diurnal temperature range trend over North Carolina and the associated mechanisms

Abstract This study seeks to investigate the variability and presence of trend in the diurnal surface air temperature range (DTR) over North Carolina (NC) for the period 1950–2009. The significance trend test and the magnitude of trends were determined using the non-parametric Mann–Kendall test and the Theil–Sen approach, respectively. Statewide significant trends (p
Method for visualization of multivariate data in a lower dimension

This paper describes a method for visualization of multivariate data in a lower dimension, primarily in 2D. The method, called Distance Conservation with Filtering (DCF), creates a parameterized mapping of a data set in a lower dimension. Special functions, called filters, extract the most important pairs of points with distances between them to be preserved. A particular construction of a filter and the corresponding algorithm for learning the mapping parameters are described in detail. The DCF is favorably compared with other visualization methods on a number of data sets.
System identification of multivariate systems with feedback

On presente une procedure generale de modelisation pouvant etre utilisee pour l'identification des systemes asservis. On aboutit a un modele simplifie, en utilisant le modele ARMA vectoriel modifie dans l'identification du systeme multivariable general avec boucle ouverte et boucle fermee. On expose alors une procedure d'estimation, pour atteindre le modele de maximum vraisemblance par des calculsiteratifs non lineaires. Des valeurs initiales etant requises pour commencer la procedure, on fournit deux methodes pour l'estimation de valeurs initiales
ANALOG OF THE NERNST EFFECT IN THE INTERMEDIATE STATE OF TYPE-I SUPERCONDUCTORS.

Abstract Transverse voltages caused by longitudinal temperature gradients were observed in the intermediate state of a Type I superconductor. The transverse voltages occur only above a “critical temperature gradient”, which decreases with increasing magnetic field.
Sourcing the Mail Order Bomb: The Evolution of the A. Q. Khan Network and Its Implications

The Khan network provided nuclear technology and assistance to at least four state nuclear programs over the course of three decades. This network was neither static nor a singular entity. Rather, it was a loose collection of actors whose methods evolved in response to a changing world. By the late 1990s, the Khan network was relying on ever increasing levels of subterfuge to procure machine tools from the West while cultivating new locales for the manufacture of centrifuge parts. The trajectory of the network's procurement methods suggests that current supply-side controls are not adequate to block a determined state proliferator.
Fast-Response Zero-Ripple Monitor for Turbine Flowmeters

A fast-response flow monitor for use with turbine flowmeters was designed, built, and tested. The speed of response of this monitor to flow changes is limited only by the turbine itself. The dynamic range of the monitor is >100:1, with an inaccuracy of <0.5 percent. It practically eliminates the output signal ripple at steady flow, which is inherent in other designs.
New insight into the disappearing Arctic sea ice

The dramatic loss of Arctic sea ice is ringing alarm bells in the minds of climate scientists, policy makers, and the public. The extent of perennial sea ice—ice that has survived a summer melt season—has declined 20% since the mid-1970s [Stroeue et al., 2005]. Its retreat varies regionally, driven by changes in winds and heating from the atmosphere and ocean. Limited data have hampered attempts to identify which culprits are to blame, but new satellite-derived information provides insight into the drivers of change. A clear message emerges. The location of the summer ice edge is strongly correlated to variability in longwave (infrared) energy emitted by the atmosphere (downward longwave flux; DLF), particularly during the most recent decade when losses have been most rapid. Increasing DLF, in turn, appears to be driven by more clouds and water vapor in spring over the Arctic.
Demyelinating experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) in the rat: treatment with a monoclonal antibody against activated T cells

We used a new version of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in the rat to investigate immunotherapy of demyelination during autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Encephalitis was induced by immunization of rats with myelin basic protein (MBP), and demyelination by systemic injection of a monoclonal antibody, 8-18C5, specific for a myelin/oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG). Antibody injection resulted in hyperacute disease progression and extensive demyelination throughout the CNS. Immunotherapy of antibody-induced demyelination was possible with another monoclonal antibody, pta-3, specific for activated rat T cells. These findings demonstrate the synergy of T cell-mediated and antibody-dependent processes in rat CNS demyelination in vivo. Histologically, immunotherapy reduced the numbers of meningeal mononuclear cell inflammatory foci, but not parenchymal inflammation in the early phase of demyelinating disease. Animals which had received pta-3 antibody had less inflammation than untreated rats in the convalescent phase. Multiple pta-3 treatments most effectively suppressed inflammation. Furthermore, antibody-treated rats with demyelination developed a series of neurologic signs, including pronounced spasticity; that were not observed in control EAE rats and thus appears to be associated with the demyelinating process.
Isotopic tracers of paleohydrologic change in large lakes of the Bolivian Altiplano

We have developed an 87Sr/86Sr, 234U/238U, and δ18O data set from carbonates associated with late Quaternary paleolake cycles on the southern Bolivian Altiplano as a tool for tracking and understanding the causes of lake-level fluctuations. Distinctive groupings of 87Sr/86Sr ratios are observed. Ratios are highest for the Ouki lake cycle (120–95 ka) at 0.70932, lowest for Coipasa lake cycle (12.8–11.4 ka) at 0.70853, and intermediate at 0.70881 to 0.70884 for the Salinas (95–80 ka), Inca Huasi (~ 45 ka), Sajsi (24–20.5 ka), and Tauca (18.1–14.1 ka) lake cycles. These Sr ratios reflect variable contributions from the eastern and western Cordilleras. The Laca hydrologic divide exerts a primary influence on modern and paleolake 87Sr/86Sr ratios; waters show higher 87Sr/86Sr ratios north of this divide. Most lake cycles were sustained by slightly more rainfall north of this divide but with minimal input from Lake Titicaca. The Coipasa lake cycle appears to have been sustained mainly by rainfall south of this divide. In contrast, the Ouki lake cycle was an expansive lake, deepest in the northern (Poopo) basin, and spilling southward. These results indicate that regional variability in central Andean wet events can be reconstructed using geochemical patterns from this lake system.
Optimum Steady-State Position and Velocity Estimation Using Noisy Sampled Position Data

The Kalman filtering technique is used to obtain analytical expressions for the optimum position and velocity accuracy that can be achieved in a navigation system that measures position at uniform sampling intervals of T seconds through random noise with an rms value of ?x. A one-dimensional dynamic model, with piecewise-constant acceleration assumed, is used in the analysis, in which analytic expressions for position and velocity accuracy (mean square), before and after observations, are obtained. The errors are maximum immediately before position measurements are made. The maximum position error, however, can be bounded by the inherent sensor error by use of a sufficiently high sampling rate, which depends on the sensor accuracy and acceleration level. The steady-state Kalman filter for realizing the optimum estimates consists of a double integrator, the initial conditions of which are reset at each observation.
Statistical multiple diffuse scattering from rough surfaces in RHEED — beyond the distorted-wave Born approximation

Abstract In reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED) of growing surfaces in molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), diffuse scattering is generated by atom vibrations, point vacancies and growth islands (or surface roughness). Most of the existing RHEED theories have been developed under the first-order diffuse scattering approximation, and thus they are restricted for surfaces whose roughness is relatively low. In fact, crystal surfaces grown by MBE are usually rough; the change of surface coverage from 0 to 1 monolayer accounts for the observed RHEED oscillation. In this paper, a formal dynamical theory of RHEED has been developed to calculate the diffuse scattering produced by both atom vibrations and point vacancies at surfaces. The theory is aimed at recovering the multiple diffuse scattering that has been dropped by the distorted-wave Born approximation (DWBA). With the inclusion of a complex potential in the dynamical calculation, a rigorous proof is given to show that the high-order diffuse scattering terms are recovered in the calculation using the equation originally derived under the DWBA. This conclusion establishes the basis for expanding the RHEED theories developed under the first-order diffuse scattering to cases where the degree of surface roughness is high, allowing dynamical calculation of RHEED rocking curves for any growing surface. The statistical time and structure averages over the distorted crystal potential are evaluated analytically before numerical calculation. The dynamic form factor is calculated with consideration of anisotropic surface atom vibration and point vacancies at a growing surface.
203mPb decay and M4 transition probabilities in neutron-deficient lead isotopes

Abstract The decay of 6.1 sec 203mPb has been examined with a high-resolution Ge(Li) spectrometer, and a 5.1 keV M2 transition was found to compete with the 825.2 keV M4 isometric transition. The M4 transition probability, thus corrected, is now found to be consistent with those of the other M4 transitions in the lead region.
Atomistic simulation of graphene nanoribbon tunneling transistors

The recently discovered graphene nanoribbon (GNR) is ideal for tunneling FETs due to its symmetric bandstructure, light effective mass, and monolayer-thin body. In this work, we examine the device physics of p-i-n GNR tunneling FETs using atomistic quantum transport simulations. The important role of the edge bond relaxation in the device characteristics is identified. The device, however, has ambipolar I-V characteristics, which are not preferred for digital electronics applications. A properly designed gate underlap can effectively suppress the ambipolar I-V. A subthreshold slope of 14mV/dec and a significantly improved on-off ratio can be obtained by the p-i-n GNR tunneling FETs. The on-current, which is low due to the tunneling barrier, can be improved by a lattice vacancy in the tunneling junction region due to the induced middle bandgap state.
When values backfire: Leadership, attribution, and disenchantment in a values-driven organization

Theory on charismatic leaders suggests that shared values play an important role in promoting employee effort and organizational performance. This article proposes a theoretical model to identify conditions under which charismatic leadership and values inadvertently give rise to employee disenchantment, despite the good intentions of leaders and followers. The model integrates findings from a qualitative longitudinal study of a small advertising firm with prior research to develop new theory on unintended negative consequences of charismatic leadership. We propose that employee sensemaking triggered by strong organizational values can increase the risk of attributions of leader hypocrisy, which lead to employee disenchantment in a process we call the hypocrisy attribution dynamic. Value expansion, organizational tenure, and perceived benefit/harm are proposed to moderate the hypocrisy attribution dynamic, influencing the chances of negative sensemaking about leaders’ behavior. This research sheds light on mechanisms through which charismatic leadership and values achieve their effects, and suggests that value expansion may be a double-edged sword—heightening followers’ experience of meaning at work but also increasing the risk of subsequent disenchantment.
A quantitative assay for assessing allelic proportions by iterative gap ligation

A variety of techniques are currently available for detecting point mutations in DNA. These techniques are frequently not sensitive enough to be applied as quantitative assays in evaluation of relative occurrence of alleles in cases of polymorphism or when variations in allelic gene expression are being evaluated at the level of RNA. We report here the establishment of an iterative gap ligation (IGL) assay that is both quantitative and sensitive. The design of the assay is such that ligation of an upstream to a downstream primer across a single nucleotide gap will only occur if the gap is filled with a deoxynucleotide complementary to the wild-type or mutant sequence. Under conditions in which excess upstream primer saturates the template concurrently with limiting amounts of downstream primer quantitative ligation is absolutely dependent on provision of the appropriate gap filling nucleotide. When gap ligation occurs in a single incubation, or cycle, the amount of ligated product is a linear function of the relative amount of mutant sequence, with a sensitivity and detection limit of approximately 3% over a range of relative concentrations of 0-100%. When the reaction occurs over multiple cycles, or iterations, gap ligation becomes a non-linear function such that small changes in the relative proportions of alleles produce a disproportionately large amount of ligation. As a consequence, the sensitivity and limits of detection of the assay improve to 0.2% after only 8 cycles. The development of this assay provides a unique means of quantifying allelic polymorphisms in both DNA and RNA (after initial amplification by PCR or RT-PCR) and should be applicable to any experimental settings in which nucleic acids from tissues or mixed populations of cells are being evaluated.
Mechanical design & analysis of a 200 MHz, bolt-together RFQ for the accelerator driven neutron source

A high-yield neutron source to screen sea-land cargo containers for shielded special nuclear materials (SNM) has been designed at LBNL. The Accelerator-Driven Neutron Source (ADNS) uses the D(d,n)3He reaction to create a forward directed neutron beam. Key components are a high-current radio-frequency quadrupole (RFQ) accelerator and a high-power target capable of producing a neutron flux of >107 n/(cm2.s) at a distance of 2.5 m. The mechanical design and analysis of the four-module, bolt-together RFQ will be presented here. Operating at 200 MHz, the 5.1 m long RFQ will accelerate a 40 mA deuteron beam to 6 MeV. At a 5% duty factor, the time-average d+ beam current on target is 1.5 mA. Each of the 1.27 m long RFQ modules will consist of four solid OFHC copper vanes. A specially designed 3-D O-ring will provide vacuum sealing between both the vanes and the modules. RF connections are made with canted coil spring contacts. A series of 60 water-cooled pi-mode rods provides quadrupole mode stabilization. A set of 80 evenly spaced fixed slug tuners is used for final frequency adjustment and local field perturbation correction.
Generation of interleukin-17 receptor-like protein (IL-17RL) in prostate by alternative splicing of RNA.

BACKGROUND Interleukin-17 receptor-like protein (IL-17RL) expressed in prostate tissues changes with advanced cancers due to extensive alternative splicing, which affects the final protein. Predominant IL-17RL splice isoform variants have not been identified, hindering functional studies. METHODS A cDNA library of IL-17RL transcripts was arrayed onto nylon membranes. Individual transcript exon structures were determined by successively probing membranes with exon-specific oligonucleotides. The most common variants were transiently over-expressed in 293T cells. RESULTS We detected >90 different IL-17RL isoforms. Three most abundant isoforms account for approximately half the total transcripts; the full-length variant just over 11%. Surprisingly, most alternative splicing does not alter the reading frame of the full-length molecule; therefore, resulting proteins vary mostly in N-terminal domains. CONCLUSIONS IL-17RL exists as multiple isoforms due to extensive alternative splicing. We identified the most abundant splices in prostate tissue and established a technique to investigate changes in RNA IL-17RL splicing that occur in advanced cancers. Prostate © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Chlamydia pneumoniae-induced macrophage foam cell formation is mediated by toll-like receptor 2

Chlamydia pneumoniae induces macrophage foam cell formation, a hallmark of early atherosclerosis, in the presence of low-density lipoprotein (LDL). This study examined the role that Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and TLR4 may play in pathogen-induced foam cell formation. Murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells either infected with C. pneumoniae or treated with the TLR4 ligand E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or the TLR2 ligand Pam(3)-Cys-Ala-Gly-OH (Pam) became Oil Red O-stained foam cells and showed increased cholesteryl ester (CE) content when cocultured with LDL. In macrophages from TLR2(-/-) mice, foam cells were induced by Escherichia coli LPS but not by C. pneumoniae or Pam. Conversely, C. pneumoniae or Pam, but not E. coli LPS, induced foam cells in the TLR4-deficient GG2EE macrophage cell line, suggesting that C. pneumoniae elicits foam cell formation predominantly via TLR2. Enhancing cholesterol efflux using the liver X receptor (LXR) agonist GW3965 significantly decreased the CE content of cells exposed to each of the three TLR ligands (C. pneumoniae, Pam, and E. coli LPS). Overall, our results suggest that activation of the LXR signaling pathway may affect potentially atherogenic processes modulated by the TLR ligands.
Confirming preferences or collecting data? Information search strategies and romantic partner selection

Abstract This article investigates two kinds of information search strategies in the context of selecting romantic partners. Confirmatory searching occurs when people ask for more information about a romantic partner in order to validate or confirm their assessment. Balanced searches are characterized by a search for risk information for partners rated as attractive and for attractiveness information about partners rated as risky in order to attain a more complete evaluation. A factorial survey computer program randomly constructed five types of partner descriptions and college-age respondents evaluated nine descriptions in terms of both health risk and romantic attractiveness outcomes. The results show little evidence of balanced search strategies: for all vignette types the respondents searched for attractiveness information. Regression analysis of the search outcomes showed no difference between males and females in the desire for attractiveness or risk information, the amount of additional information...
Using performance counters for runtime temperature sensing in high-performance processors

As energy consumption in high-performance systems has increased, thermal management has become a big challenge. Providing a cost-effective and detailed temperature sensing mechanism is crucial to effectively employ a thermal management technique. Existing hardware sensors are too costly to implement and add additional heat while software simulations fail to account for all possible hardware effects. In this paper, we describe a software solution for temperature sensing that uses real hardware resources such as performance counters. The resulting temperature model provides a detailed spatial gradient of the processor and executes at runtime. In particular, the model is configured for the Pentium 4 processor. We run SPEC2000 benchmarks to analyze the thermal behavior of applications and explain the potential benefits of using our model for temperature-aware research.
Diagnosis of stator winding inter-turn shorts in induction motors fed by PWM-inverter drive systems using a time-series data mining technique

An effective technique for diagnosis of stator winding inter-turn shorts in induction motors fed by PWM-inverter drive systems is proposed. This is done through the use of a time-series data mining technique which identifies and extracts hidden and inherent patterns (characteristics) in the machine phase currents, that can be used for fault identification. This technique can effectively detect and determine the severity of stator inter-turn faults in motors by analyzing the extracted fault signatures of these faults in comparison with the healthy performance signatures. In addition, it will be seen from the experimental results that the proposed technique is immune to motor "non-idealities" such as inherent manufacture-based motor asymmetry due to motor structural imperfections, performance measurement imperfections, and supply voltage unbalances, which result in departure of performance results from those of an ideally balanced 3-phase machine. In this paper, the case-study under investigation is a 230-volt, 60-Hz, 2-pole, 2-hp, squirrel-cage three-phase induction motor-drive system. The experimental results will demonstrate the soundness and robustness of this technique for reliable fault diagnostics.
Learning the delaunay triangulation of landmarks from a distance ordering sensor

This paper considers a robot that moves in a plane and is only able to sense the distance order of landmarks with respect to its current position. The robot has no access to either metric information about the location of landmarks and its own position, or to odometry or speed controls. We propose several algorithms for the robot that allow it to navigate to certain points in the plane and to learn global information about the landmark locations. We, furthermore, demonstrate example tasks, such as convex hull computation, that can be performed using this information.
Comparison of different bioelectrical impedance analyzers in the prediction of body composition

To investigate the influence of different bioelectrical impedance (BI) analyzers on the prediction of body composition from bioelectrical resistive impedance (R), 146 healthy white adults (73 men; 73 women) were studied at two independent laboratories: The University of Florida (UF) and the USDA, San Francisco. Whole body R was measured on each subject with three different BI analyzers. AT UF analyzers were: Valhalla Scientific model 1990-A (VH), RJL Systems model BIA-101 (RJL), and Medi-Fitness model 1000 (MF). At USDA analyzers were: VH, RJL, and Bioelectrical Sciences model 200Z (BES). The largest difference in R (36 ohms, P ⩽ 0.01) was noted between BES and VH at USDA. When applied to current BI prediction equations, the observed differences among analyzers resulted in differences in predicated % fat of up to 6.3% although most comparisons among mean values (79%) showed differences below 3%. Crossvalidation of the selected BI prediction equations with hydrostatistically determines body composition using the different R values revealed total errors of prediction (E) ranging from 3.6 to 9.8% fat. The prediction equations were most accurate when used with data collected on the same instrument that was to used to develop the equation (E = 3.6 to 5.3% fat). These findings indicate that different analyzers can be a significant source of variation when predicting body composition from R. To minimize this source of variation, it is recommended that BI prediction equations be used with the same type of instrument as that with which they were developed.
Multi-Camera Surveillance with Visual Tagging and Generic Camera Placement

A common goal in many vision applications is to identify and track human objects with distinctive visual features or "tags". Examples range from identifying distinct soccer player by his jersey number to locating the face of an individual that produces a match in a face recognition system. In this paper, we made two contributions to this "visual tagging" problem. First, we propose a general framework for camera placement. This framework can measure the performance of any particular camera placement using simulation method. The optimal placement strategy can be obtained by iterative grid-based linear programming. Second, we focus on tracking specific colored tags used in a privacy-protecting visual surveillance network. By building a color classifier for tag detection and using epipolar geometry between multiple cameras for occlusion handling, our proposed system can identify, track and visually obfuscate individuals whose privacy in the surveillance video needs to be protected.
Electrocardiographic Deep Terminal Negativity of the P Wave in V1 and Risk of Sudden Cardiac Death: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study

Background-—Identifying individuals at risk for sudden cardiac death (SCD) is of critical importance. Electrocardiographic (ECG) deep terminal negativity of P wave in V1 (DTNPV1), a marker of left atrial abnormality, has been associated with increased risk of allcause and cardiovascular mortality. We hypothesized that DTNPV1 is associated with increased risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). Methods and Results-—This analysis included 15 375 participants (54.15.8 years, 45% men, 73% whites) from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. DTNPV1 was defined from the resting 12-lead ECG as presence of biphasic P wave (positive/negative) in V1 with the amplitude of the terminal negative phase >100 lV, or one small box on ECG scale. After a median of 14 years of follow-up, 311 cases of SCD occurred. In unadjusted Cox regression, DTNPV1 was associated with an 8-fold increased risk of SCD (HR 8.21; [95%CI 5.27 to 12.79]). Stratified by race and study center, and adjusted for age, sex, coronary heart disease (CHD), and ECG risk factors, as well as atrial fibrillation (AF), stroke, CHD, and heart failure (HF) as time-updated variables, the risk of SCD associated with DTNPV1 remained significant (2.49, [1.51–4.10]). DTNPV1 improved reclassification: additional 3.4% of individuals were appropriately reclassified into a higher SCD risk group, as compared with traditional CHD risk factors alone. In fully adjusted models DTNPV1 was associated with increased risk of non-fatal events: AF (5.02[3.23–7.80]), CHD (2.24[1.43–3.53]), HF (1.90[1.19–3.04]), and trended towards increased risk of stroke (1.88[0.99–3.57]). Conclusion-—DTNPV1 is predictive of SCD suggesting its potential utility in risk stratification in the general population. ( JA m Heart Assoc. 2014;3:e001387 doi: 10.1161/JAHA.114.001387)
In‐line monitoring and analysis of polymer melting behavior in an intermeshing counter‐rotating twin‐screw extruder by ultrasound waves

An ultrasound in-line monitoring system that includes a homemade probe and a fast data acquisition system was used to investigate the melting behavior of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) in pellet form and four polyvinyl chloride (PVC) compounds in powder form in an intermeshing counter-rotating twin-screw extruder. Ultrasound signal patterns obtained from experiments revealed various melting phenomena in C-chambers, depending on materials, processing conditions, and screw configurations. The experimental results suggest that PVC particles were suspended in the polymer melt in the melting process of most PVC compounds, while melted film was still observed in the melting process of the PVC/dimethyl phthalate (DMP) system and the PVC/polybutylene adipate (PBA) system. Based on the analysis of wave attenuation, the normalized amplitude ratio K was used to characterize the melting level and uniformity across screw channels at screw speeds of 40 and 50 rpm, respectively. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 45:998–1010, 2005. © 2005 Society of Plastics Engineers
Global Stabilization of a Fully Actuated Mechanical System on a Riemannian Manifold including Control Saturation Effects

In (Chaturvedi et al., 2006), we presented the structure of a general intrinsic controller for global stabilization of an arbitrary configuration of a fully actuated simple mechanical system, evolving on a Riemannian manifold. This requires the construction of an error function on the configuration space and a choice of parameter functions. In this paper we continue this development and present results that allow one to construct these error functions explicitly. Next, we determine conditions on the parameter functions, which yield a controller that can stabilize even in the presence of control saturation effects. We illustrate our design technique by explicitly deriving controllers that stabilize the inverted position of a spherical pendulum, sleeping position of a spinning top, and upright position of a planar two-link manipulator. In all cases, global results are obtained even in the presence of control saturation effect
Unresolved Stress Analysis Problems in Kevlar Composite Pressure Vessels

Three major unresolved problems associated with the use of Kevlar/epoxy composite solid rocket motor cases were presented. This paper is a brief summary of the presentation.
Narrative introductions: discourse competence of children with autistic spectrum disorders

This article examines the discourse competence of high-functioning children with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) to participate in narrative introduction sequences with family members. The analysis illuminates the children’s own efforts to launch narratives, as well as their ability to build upon the contributions of others. Ethnographic, discourse analytic methodology is integrated with the theory of discourse organization and the weak central coherence account of autism. Introductions of both personal experience narratives as well as fictional narratives (from television programs, computer games and other media) are examined. The children were especially competent in the use of stable introductory practices when launching fictional narratives, pre-organized by the media of expression. Their challenge was not in the introduction, but in the narrative co-telling, which often was not globally organized over an extended course of propositions. The heterogeneity of the ASD children’s discourse competence a...
The “Middle Wittgenstein”: From Logical Atomism to Practical Holism

Wittgenstein arranged the Tractatus in its final form during the summer of 1918; Part I of the Philosophical Investigations was put into the form in which we now have it during the mid 1940s. The Tractatus was published in 1922; the Philosophical Investigations in 1953, two years after Wittgenstein’s death. Because the two books were widely studied and interpreted at a time when the rest of his writing was unavailable, it became common practice to speak of the author of the first book as “Early Wittgenstein”, and the author of the second as the “Late Wittgenstein”. As it gradually became clear that his writing during the intervening years was not only voluminous, but also could not simply be understood as a rejection of one view and the adoption of another, it was natural to speak of the author of this further body of writing, or at least those parts of it which could not be regarded as “Early”, or “Late”, as “Middle Wittgenstein”.
Reliable and Global Measurement of Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer Using Fluorescence Microscopes

Green fluorescence protein (GFP)-based fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) is increasingly used in investigation of inter- and intramolecular interactions in living cells. In this report, we present a modified method for FRET quantification in cultured cells using conventional fluorescence microscopy. To reliably measure FRET, three positive control constructs in which a cyan fluorescence protein and a yellow fluorescence protein were linked by peptides of 15, 24, or 37 amino acid residues were prepared. FRET was detected using a spectrofluorometer, a laser scanning confocal microscope, and an inverted fluorescence microscope. Three calculation methods for FRET quantification using fluorescence microscopes were compared. By normalization against expression levels of GFP fusion proteins, the modified method gave consistent FRET values that could be compared among different cells with varying protein expression levels. Whole-cell global analysis using this method allowed FRET measurement with high spatial resolutions. Using such a procedure, the interaction of synaptic proteins syntaxin and the synaptosomal associated protein of 25 kDa (SNAP-25) was examined in PC12 cells, which showed strong FRET on plasma membranes. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of the modified method for FRET measurement in live cell systems.
Predictors of serological failure after treatment in HIV-infected patients with early syphilis in the emerging Era of universal antiretroviral therapy use

The optimal treatment of early syphilis (primary, secondary and early latent) in HIV-infected patients remains controversial. The Center for Diseases Control STD Treatment Guidelines recommended 1 dose of benzathine penicillin G (BPG) regardless of HIV infection. However, many providers modify the treatment for early syphilis. We performed a retrospective chart review of all cases of early syphilis with positive serologic test results in HIV-infected patients from May 2006 to May 2011 in 2 large, urban HIV clinics. Early syphilis includes primary, secondary, and early latent syphilis. Serological failure was defined as a lack of 4-fold decrease in rapid plasma reagent (RPR) titers 9 to 12 months after syphilis treatment. Patients whose RPR titers decreased after treatment and subsequently increased 4-fold at 9 to 12 months were excluded from the analysis of serological response because of possibility as “reinfection”. Baseline characteristics were tested as predictive factors of serological failure using a univariate and multivariate logistic regression model, respectively. Of 560 patients with confirmed cases of early syphilis, 51 (9.0%) experienced serological failure. Multivariate logistic regression modeling demonstrated that the predictive factors associated with serological failure after early syphilis treatment were baseline RPR titer ≤ 1:16 (OR 3.91 [95% CI, 2.04-7.47]), a previous history of syphilis (OR 3.12 [95% CI, 1.55-6.26]), and a CD4 T-cell count below 350 cells/ml (OR 2.41 [95% CI, 1.27-4.56]). Of note, type of syphilis treatment (1 dose versus 3 doses of BPG) did not appear to affect the proportion of serological failure (4% versus 10%, P = 0.29), however the power of this study to detect small differences was limited. HIV-infected patients with baseline RPR titer ≤1:16, syphilis history, and/or a CD4 T-cell count 1 dose of BPG and decreased frequency of serological failure, supporting the current recommendation that one dose of BPG is adequate treatment for early syphilis in HIV-infected patients.