cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Estimation of time to stationarity in geometrically nonlinear structural responses

Abstract The determination of the time to stationarity is defined here through the convergence, to its stationary limit, of the nonstationary variance. This function is estimated through Monte Carlo simulations and a two-step, autoregressive-based modeling approach is employed to minimize the effects of randomness introduced by the limited number of simulations that can be carried out. The methodology is applied extensively to nonlinear single-degree-of-freedom models but is also demonstrated on 8-mode reduced order models of clamped–clamped straight and curved beams. In the latter case, it is found that the time to stationarity is strongly dependent on the excitation level, i.e. varying from one case to another by a factor at least larger than 4, thereby emphasizing the interest in estimating it beforehand. It is finally shown that the single-degree-of-freedom results tabulated here may be used for these reduced order models to obtain a first estimate of the time to stationarity.
Global Justice for Humans or for all Living beings and what Difference it Makes

I begin with an account of what is deserved in human ethics, an ethics that assumes without argument that only humans, or rational agents, count morally. I then take up the question of whether nonhuman living beings are also deserving and answer it in the affirmative. Having established that all individual living beings, as well as ecosystems, are deserving, I go on to establish what it is that they deserve and then compare the requirements of global justice when only humans are taken into account with the requirements of global justice when all living beings are taken into account.
Crossover from Fermi liquid to multichannel Luttinger liquid in high-mobility quantum wires.

We investigate the electrical conductance of long, high-mobility quantum wires formed by the split-gate technique, which allows for adjustment of the wire width and the number of one-dimensional electron subbands, n. In wires with 3 � n � 8, a logarithmic temperature dependence of the conductance is observed for 1 <T <10 K, which reaches as much as 30% of the Drude conductance. In even narrower wires, the logarithmic dependence changes to a power-law variation. Our observations are shown to be in good agreement with recent theoretical studies, which attribute the logarithmic term to interaction effects in a weakly disordered quasi-one-dimensional conductor. This interaction correction is associated with the emergence of a crossover from a quasi-one-dimensional weakly disordered Fermi liquid to a multichannel Luttinger liquid.
Adsorption Entropies and Enthalpies and Their Implications for Adsorbate Dynamics

Experimental adsorption data is typically analyzed within the context of a Langmuir adsorption model. Such an analysis can yield values for adsorption entropies which are far too large based on a comparison with predictions from statistical mechanics. This is due to the fact that the Langmuir model does not always adequately replicate the dynamics of the adsorbate, and thus other prototypical models incorporating different dynamical assumptions should be considered. We extend prior work on adsorption entropies by providing a framework for the interpretation of adsorbate dynamics based on a comparison of experimentally determined adsorption entropies, saturation coverages, and enthalpies to those that are predicted for prototypical models of surface dynamics. Models that have been considered in this work include various Langmuir-type adsorption and 2D gas models. We demonstrate that a two-dimensional gas can display a low apparent saturation coverage when adsorption is facilitated by a subset of surface si...
The study of adsorbed species during the photoassisted reduction of carbon dioxide at a p-CdTe electrode

Resultats de l'etude par spectrometrie IR des electrodes illuminees dans des solutions de fluorure de tetrabutylammonium dans de l'acetonitrile, saturees de dioxyde de carbone
DELETION OF Y-CHROMOSOME SPECIFIC GENES IN HUMAN PROSTATE CANCER

Purpose: The present study is based on the hypothesis that deletion of Y-chromosome-specific genes is associated with prostate cancer. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed the deletion of six Y-chromosome-specific genes in prostate cancer samples. Materials and Methods: Fifty human prostate cancer specimens were processed for microdissection of pure epithelial cells. DNA was extracted from these cells and amplified using PCR and analyzed for loss of six different Y-chromosome-specific genes (SRY, ZFY, BPY1, SMCY, RBM1 and BPY2). We used D8S262 primer (chromosome 8p23) for internal control to assess the quality and loading of DNA for each sample. Results: Deletion was observed in most of the prostate cancer specimens with at least one Y-chromosome-specific gene. The loss of SRY gene (Yp11.32) was shown in 38% of cases whereas the other genes show 18% loss in ZFY (Yp11.31), 14% in BPY 1 (Yq11.2), 52% in SMCY (Yq11.22), 32% in RBM1 (Yq11.23) and 42% in BPY 2 (Yq12.1). The loss of most genes analyzed is seen more frequent in advanced stages and grades of prostate cancer. Conclusion: There was a significant loss of Y-chromosome-specific genes in prostate cancer. The loss of SRY and BPY2 genes was more frequent in higher stages and grades of prostate cancer. This is the first report to demonstrate that the loss of Y-chromosome-specific genes is associated with prostate cancer, suggesting their role in pathogenesis of this disease.
A Heart Murmur and Dyspnea in a 65-Year-Old Runner

A 65-year-old veteran distance runner noticed shortness of breath during his 5-mile walk-jog, which he performed three times a week. He particularly noticed the dyspnea while running with the Olympic torch for 0.1 miles.
Sensor design and evaluation for on-machine probing of extruded tool joints

Abstract This paper describes the design and evaluation of two contact probes used to measure the length and bore concentricity of cylindrical, extruded tool joints while clamped in a production lathe spindle. The probes consisted of an LVDT, a spring-preloaded shaft supported by linear bearings used to isolate the LVDT from side loads, and a hardened steel sphere to contact the rough surface. For bore concentricity measurements, a parallelogram leaf-type flexure and 45° surface was used to transfer radial deviations to the spindle/part/LVDT axis. The LVDT output was used in conjunction with the lathe turret position to determine the extruded part dimensions prior to machining. Experimental results are provided for measurements of multiple parts; variations in length, internal diameter, and bore concentricity are compared to the nominal dimensions. Additionally, a calibration artifact is described which enabled evaluation of the measurement accuracies for the two probes. Given the pre-machining part dimensions, it is shown how this information can be used to select from a pre-defined matrix of part programs to reduce cycle time and machining cost.
Reproductive potential and output of the Bahama Parrot Amazona leucocephala bahamensis

We evaluated reproductive investment and loss in the endangered Bahama Parrot Amazona leucocephala bahamensis using a fitness components model that corresponds to stages of the reproductive cycle. On average, a pair produced 3.6 eggs but fledged only 0.8 young, a 77% loss on their initial investment. While losses accrued throughout the cycle, they were highest during the hatching and post-hatching stages. Partial hatching failure and total brood failure, respectively, were the primary sources of loss at these stages. These components did not change significantly over the four years of the study. Total nesting failure changed significantly over time and exacerbated losses during the incubation stage in two of the four years of the study. The implementation of a conservation management plan that would reduce total nest and brood failures is urgently needed.
New approaches to identification of antigenic candidates for future prostate cancer immunotherapy

Abstract Prostate cancer is currently the most commonly diagnosed malignancy, and the second leading cause of cancer-related death, of men in the United States. There is a great deal of interest in the development of molecularly targeted approaches, including immunotherapies, to the treatment of prostate cancer. Immunotherapies can be broadly classified into passive and active treatments. Passive approaches generally involve the infusion of monoclonal antibodies with specificity to a desired target antigen, or adoptive transfer of antigen- or tumor-specific lymphocytes. Vaccines represent an active immunotherapeutic approach in which the goal is to elicit, rather than exogenously supply, antigen-specific antibodies or lymphocytes. In this article, we review recent developments and methods for the identification of antigens for both passive and active immunotherapies. In addition, we highlight some of the current ongoing clinical applications of several of these approaches.
Biomarker guided therapy for heart failure: focus on natriuretic peptides

The management of heart failure remains challenging despite many therapeutic advances. Rigorous clinical trial evidence supports administration of multiple therapies, but utilization of evidence-based treatment remains inconsistent and suboptimal. Disease management programs appear effective, but remain costly and difficult to implement in today's care system. Another approach involves optimizing therapy based on serial monitoring of cardiac biomarkers. Emerging results suggest that guiding therapy based on serial changes in natriuretic peptides may be an effective strategy. Although pilot work has provided encouraging results, appropriately designed, large-scale, prospective randomized trials are needed to confirm these preliminary findings and definitively establish this therapeutic approach.
Content-driven trust propagation framework

Existing fact-finding models assume availability of structured data or accurate information extraction. However, as online data gets more unstructured, these assumptions are no longer valid. To overcome this, we propose a novel, content-based, trust propagation framework that relies on signals from the textual content to ascertain veracity of free-text claims and compute trustworthiness of their sources. We incorporate the quality of relevant content into the framework and present an iterative algorithm for propagation of trust scores. We show that existing fact finders on structured data can be modeled as specific instances of this framework. Using a retrieval-based approach to find relevant articles, we instantiate the framework to compute trustworthiness of news sources and articles. We show that the proposed framework helps ascertain trustworthiness of sources better. We also show that ranking news articles based on trustworthiness learned from the content-driven framework is significantly better than baselines that ignore either the content quality or the trust framework.
Hysteresis and Franck-Condon relaxation in insulator-semiconductor tunneling

We analyze electron tunneling between semiconductor bands and insulator traps at a semiconductor-insulator interface in terms of a Born-Oppenheimer model. For insulator traps which exhibit large electron-phonon interactions this model predicts tunneling processes analogous to optical Franck-Condon transitions, i.e., tunneling followed by atomic relaxation at the defect. Such ideas go back to Gurney's treatment of electrolysis, but have not appeared in the current interface literature. We estimate the relaxation energies for a model of the E' center in silicon dioxide and argue that the hysteresis observed by Zvanut et al. in band-to-trap tunneling in Si-${\mathrm{SiO}}_{2}$ most likely arises from such a process, which we call hysteretic tunneling. We suggest that such processes should occur in other cases involving insulating defects which exhibit large electron-lattice coupling.
Evidence for the role of fluxoids in enhancing NMR spin-lattice relaxation and implications for intrinsic pinning of the flux lattice in organic superconductors.

The authors report [sup 1]H NMR spin-lattice relaxation rates, [ital T][sub 1][sup [minus]1], in the quasi-2D organic superconductor [kappa]-(ET)[sub 2]Cu[N(CN)[sub 2]]Br ([ital T][sub [ital c]]=11.6 K), for an aligned single crystal. The relaxation in the normal-state obeys the Korringa law ([ital T][sub 1][ital T]=const). In the superconducting state, for weak fields ([ital H][sub 0]=0.59 T), [ital T][sub 1][sup [minus]1] is greatly enhanced and displays strong orientation dependence for field directions nearly parallel to the superconducting layers. This behavior indicates that motion of the fluxoid system is the cause of the extra relaxation, and is evidence for a lock-in'' transition of the flux lattice.
Minimum Bounded Degree Spanning Trees

We consider the minimum cost spanning tree problem under the restriction that all degrees must be at most a given value k. We show that we can efficiently find a spanning tree of maximum degree at most k+2 whose cost is at most the cost of the optimum spanning tree of maximum degree at most k. This is almost best possible. The approach uses a sequence of simple algebraic, polyhedral and combinatorial arguments. It illustrates many techniques and ideas in combinatorial optimization as it involves polyhedral characterizations, uncrossing, matroid intersection, and graph orientations (or packing of spanning trees). The result generalizes to the setting where every vertex has both upper and lower bounds and gives then a spanning tree which violates the bounds by at most two units and whose cost is at most the cost of the optimum tree. It also gives a better understanding of the subtour relaxation for both the symmetric and asymmetric traveling salesman problems. The generalization to l-edge-connected subgraphs is briefly discussed.
Are some of the effects of ethanol mediated through NPY

Central administration of neuropeptide Y (NPY) in low concentrations has been shown to produce anxiolysis and suppression of locomotor activity, a behavioral profile not dissimilar to that of ethanol. The present study was conducted to ascertain whether NPY and ethanol have similar electrophysiological profiles and to evaluate the combined actions of NPY and ethanol. Eighty-five Wistar rats were stereotaxically implanted with electrodes aimed at dorsal hippocampus, amygdala, and frontal cortex. Rats were administered NPY [or saline (SAL)] intracerebroventricularly (ICV) whereas the doses of alcohol (or SAL) were given intraperitoneally (IP). Two doses of alcohol (0.75, 1.5 g/kg) and two doses of NPY (1, 3 nmol) were given alone and in combination. Drug effects were assessed using event related potentials (ERP) recorded in response to an auditory ”oddball” plus noise paradigm between 30 and 40 min post-drug. Multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVA) revealed that NPY produced a significant decrease in the amplitude and increase in the latency of the N1 component in cortex and a decrease in the amplitude of the P3 component in amygdala, but no overall effects in hippocampus. Ethanol produced identical effects to NPY on the N1 and P3 components of the ERP in cortex and amygdala. Combined administration of EtOH and NPY (1 nmol) produced effects equivalent to those seen following the higher doses of NPY (3 nmol) or EtOH (1.5 g/kg). These studies demonstrate that NPY and ethanol have a similar electrophysiological profile. In addition, the combined administration of NPY and ethanol produced additive effects.
Resolution of cardiomyopathy after ablation of atrial flutter

Abstract Objectives. We sought to serially assess left ventricular (LV) function before and after catheter ablation of atrial flutter (AFl). Background. The relation of tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy to AFl and its response to direct catheter ablation are unknown. Methods. LV function was assessed in a series of 59 consecutive patients with successful radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of AFl before and after the procedure. Eleven patients had dilated cardiomyopathy (LV ejection fraction [LVEF] Results. Patients were 59 ± 8 years old, and were all male. Five patients had a preablation diagnosis of idiopathic cardiomyopathy. The preablation LVEF was 30.9 ± 11.0% and improved to 41.3 ± 16% (p = 0.005) when measured 7 months after successful ablation. NYHA CHF class improved from 2.6 ± 0.5 to 1.6 ± 0.9 (p = 0.002). Six (55%) of 11 patients had normalization of the LVEF, with complete resolution of CHF symptoms. A lower preablation LVEF and functional class predicted nonresolution of dilated cardiomyopathy (p = 0.002 and 0.001, respectively). Conclusions. Restoration of normal sinus rhythm by RFA in patients with chronic AFl and cardiomyopathy substantially improved LV function. Resolution of dilated cardiomyopathy occurred in the majority of patients. Tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy may be a more common mechanism of LV dysfunction in patients with AFl than expected, and aggressive treatment of this arrhythmia should be considered.
Multiplicative representations of integers

Lehh ≧ 2, and let ℬ=(B 1, …,B h ), whereB 1 ⊆ N={1, 2, 3, …} fori=1, …,h. Denote by gℬ(n) the number of representations ofn in the formn=b 1 …b h , whereb i ∈B i . If v (n) > 0 for alln >n 0, then ℬ is anasymptotic multiplicative system of order h. The setB is anasymptotic multiplicative basis of order h ifn=b 1 …b n is solvable withb i ∈B for alln >n 0. Denote byg(n) the number of such representations ofn. LetM(h) be the set of all pairs (s, t), wheres=lim gℬ (n) andt=lim gℬ (n) for some multiplicative system ℬ of orderh. It is proved that {fx129-1} In particular, it follows thats ≧ 2 impliest=∞. A corollary is a theorem of Erdos that ifB is a multiplicative basis of orderh ≧ 2, then lim gℬ g(n)=∞. Similar results are obtained for asymptotic union bases of finite subsets of N and for asymptotic least common multiple bases of integers.
University of Pennsylvania's CB Warfare Controversy

University of Pennsylvania In 1965, it became public knowledge that the United States was actively engaged in the use of anti-personnel and nonspecific anti-area chemical-biological (CB) weapons (nausea and tear gases, defoliants, and anti-crop chemicals) in Vietnam. There can be little doubt that these revelations triggered the 2-year controversy on the Penn campus, for it was the connection to the Vietnam war that focused the attention of Penn students on the specific objectives of the secret CB research projects sponsored by the University. Using information derived from a variety of sources (book orders, annual reports of the Institute for Cooperative Research [ICR], word of mouth), anti-war students concluded that CB Projects Spicerack and Summit were directly connected with U.S. military activities in Southeast Asia and thereupon petitioned University of Pennsylvania President Gaylord Harnwell to terminate the contracts as immoral, inhuman, illegal, and unbefitting to an academic institution. To most of the faculty these revelations came as a surprise, despite the fact that CB research had been going on at Penn since the early fifties and neither its secret nature nor its general character had been concealed. A number of concerned faculty members verified the substance of the students' allegations and established that Projects Spicerack and Summit were, in fact, involved in studies of psycho-chemicals, anti-crop weapons (e.g., rice blast), the economic effects of crop destruction, relations to Southeast Asian ecology, and the development of CB delivery and dispersal systems. It was urged by many faculty members that classified research be banned from the campus, and the Department of Physics voted unanimously for such a prohibition. These demands reflected unfinished business on the campus, since the University had never officially adopted an earlier (1953) faculty recommendation on secrecy, nor had it implemented detailed survey recommendations on research policy. Thus, by early November, 1965, a number of the key issues relating to research policy were placed before the University community and a conflict between faculty and Administration seemed imminent. The prospective confrontation was delayed when, at the Faculty Senate meeting of November 4, 1965, President Harnwell formulated and proposed, and the faculty adopted, a policy requiring free publishability for all University-sponsored research contracts. The Senate also voted that the activities of the ICR, the University agency responsible for CB projects Spicerack and Summit, be re-examined in the light of this new policy.
Robust video watermarking via optimization algorithm for quantization of pseudo-random semi-global statistics

In this paper, we propose a novel semi-blind video watermarking scheme, where we use pseudo-random robust semi-global features of video in the three dimensional wavelet transform domain. We design the watermark sequence via solving an optimization problem, such that the features of the mark-embedded video are the quantized versions of the features of the original video. The exact realizations of the algorithmic parameters are chosen pseudo-randomly via a secure pseudo-random number generator, whose seed is the secret key, that is known (resp. unknown) by the embedder and the receiver (resp. by the public). We experimentally show the robustness of our algorithm against several attacks, such as conventional signal processing modifications and adversarial estimation attacks.
Electrochemical and Stress Corrosion Cracking Behavior of Digester Steels in Kraft White Liquors

Abstract Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of ASTM A516 Grade 70 and A285 Type C steels was found to occur in a simulated white liquor containing 90 g/L NaOH + 35 g/L Na2S. Cracking in constant poten...
Language-based software engineering

We present a language-centric view of the software development process. We argue that success of the domain-specific language (DSL) methodology depends on being able to rapidly craft a DSL's implementation infrastructure. We present logic programming as a rapid way of developing this implementation infrastructure. We also present a language-centric view of a software system as a processor of its input language. A language-centric view of software engineering is presented.A software system is a processor of its input language.Success of DSLs depends on rapidly building their implementation infrastructure.Implementation infrastructure can be developed rapidly via logic programming.
Sampling and physico-chemical analysis of precipitation: a review.

Wet deposition is one of two processes governing the transfer of beneficial and toxic chemicals from the atmosphere on to surfaces. Since the early 1970s, numerous investigators have sampled and analyzed precipitation for their chemical constituents, in the context of "acidic rain" and related atmospheric processes. Since then, significant advances have been made in our understanding of how to sample rain, cloud and fog water to preserve their physico-chemical integrity prior to analyses. Since the 1970s large-scale precipitation sampling networks have been in operation to broadly address regional and multi-regional issues. However, in examining the results from such efforts at a site-specific level, concerns have been raised about the accuracy and precision of the information gathered. There is mounting evidence to demonstrate the instability of precipitation samples (e.g. with N species) that have been subjected to prolonged ambient or field conditions. At the present time precipitation sampling procedures allow unrefrigerated or refrigerated collection of wet deposition from individual events, sequential fractions within events, in situ continuous chemical analyses in the field and even sampling of single or individual rain, cloud and fog droplets. Similarly analytical procedures of precipitation composition have advanced from time-consuming methods to rapid and simultaneous analyses of major anions and cations, from bulk samples to single droplets. For example, analytical techniques have evolved from colorimetry to ion chromatography to capillary electrophoresis. Overall, these advances allow a better understanding of heterogeneous reactions and atmospheric pollutant scavenging processes by precipitation. In addition, from an environmental perspective, these advances allow better quantification of semi-labile (e.g. NH4+, frequently its deposition values are underestimated) or labile species [e.g. S (IV)] in precipitation and measurements of toxic chemicals such as Hg and PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls). Similarly, methods now exist for source-receptor studies, using for example, the characterization of reduced elemental states and/or the use of stable isotopes in precipitation as tracers. Future studies on the relationship between atmospheric deposition and environmental impacts must exploit these advances. This review provides a comprehensive and comparative treatment of the state of the art sampling methods of precipitation and its physico-chemical analysis.
Equipoise and the Ethics of Clinical Research Revisited

The orthodox dogma of clinical equipoise no longer reigns uncontested. I am happy to see the thoughtful and incisive target article by Chiong (2006) and welcome another ally in the struggle to free...
Effects of Food Deprivation on the Feedback Regulation of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Thyroid Axis of the Rat*

We have studied the effects of food deprivation on the plasma concentrations of T4, T3, and TSH, the TSH MCR, the pituitary TSH content, and the pituitary TSH response to TRH in female rats. Two days before the beginning of the experiment all rats were prepared with chronic intraatrial catheters through which TRH (100 ng/100 g BW) or [125I]iodo-TSH was administered, and sequential blood samples were obtained. The plasma concentrations of T4 and T3 in food-deprived rats were significantly (P less than 0.05) reduced compared to those in control rats 6, but not 2, days after food removal. Despite the fall in plasma concentrations of T4 and T3, no compensatory rise in the plasma TSH concentration was observed in the food-deprived rats. Plasma TSH concentrations did not differ between groups at any time. The change in the plasma TSH concentration (delta plasma TSH) was significantly greater 15, 30, and 45 min after iv bolus injection of TRH in food-deprived rats than in control rats. To further evaluate the basal TSH secretion rate (MCR X plasma TSH concentration) and the amount of TSH secreted in response to TRH (MCR X area under delta plasma TSH curve), the MCR of TSH was determined in control and food-deprived rats from the plasma disappearance curves of injected [125I]iodo-TSH. No differences were found in the TSH MCR or the calculated basal plasma TSH secretion rate (micrograms per day/100 g BW) of control or 6-day food-deprived rats. However, the change in the amount of TSH secreted in response to TRH was significantly greater in food-deprived rats than in control rats (17.7 +/- 2.1 vs. 11.0 +/- 1.0 micrograms/100 g BW; P less than 0.05). In addition, pituitary weight was significantly decreased in food-deprived rats (8.3 +/- 0.3 vs. 10.8 +/- 0.5 mg; P less than 0.05), but the pituitary TSH concentration (micrograms per mg tissue) was unchanged. These results are consistent with the development of tertiary hypothyroidism (i.e. decreased TSH stimulatory input to the pituitary by TRH or some other agent) during food deprivation in the rat.
Conventional Lithium Bases as Unconventional Sources of Methyl Anion: Facile Me−Si and Me−C Bond Cleavage in RLi, R2NLi, and BR4- by an Electrophilic Osmium Dihydride

cis,trans-Os(H)2(OTf)(NO)(PiPr3)2 (1-OTf) and several other precursors (1-X) to Os(H)2(NO)(PiPr3)2+ (1+) react with (Me3Si)2NLi, (Me3Si)2CHLi, lithium 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidide (TMPLi), Me3SiCH2Li, and B(CH2SiMe3)4- by a highly unusual, facile β-Me- transfer, the exclusive reaction pathway for the first two in nonpolar solvents. A series of lithium alkyls and alkylamides and organoborate reagents have been examined to reveal widespread occurrence of the direct β-R‘- transfer (R‘ = H, Me) to the Os electrophile, being completely selective for β-H- over β-Me-, with the sole (surprising) exception of NpLi. The β-R‘ elimination was ruled out as the mechanism of the net β-R‘- transfer for two representative RLi cases with R‘ = H, Me, and a single-electron-transfer mechanism was shown to be inoperative for tetraalkylborates. The mechanistic studies also uncovered the important role of Li in RLi and R2NLi, which acts as a potent Lewis acid to abstract the halide/pseudohalide X from 1-X in generating the unsa...
Optoelectronic arrays for hybrid optical/electronic computing

The use of new interconnection technologies to address the interconnect problem encountered in massively parallel computing are discussed. Emphasis is given to a new approach in which the computational units are stacked in the third dimension rather than spread out horizontally on a board. The average interconnect length decreases significantly, resulting in large reduction in system power consumption due to much lower parasitic impedances. Another advantage of shorter interconnects lies in reduced interconnect delays, alleviating problems associated with memory-access/logic-cycle-time discrepancies. This three-dimensional architecture uses wafer-scale integration for each of the planes, eliminating costly and space-consuming packaging at both the chip and board levels.© (1990) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Regulating polarity by directing traffic: Cdc42 prevents adherens junctions from Crumblin' aPart

The GTPase Cdc42 was among the original genes identified with roles in cell polarity, and interest in its cellular roles from yeast to humans remains high. Cdc42 is a well-known regulator of the actin cytoskeleton, but also plays important roles in vesicular trafficking. In this issue, Harris and Tepass (Harris, K.P, and U. Tepass. 2008. J. Cell. Biol. 183:1129-1143) provide new insights into how Cdc42 and Par proteins work together to modulate cell adhesion and polarity during embryonic morphogenesis by regulating the traffic of key cell junction proteins.
Biodegradation of 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid in liquid culture and in soil by the white rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium

Extensive biodegradation of [14C]-2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid ([14C]-2,4,5-T) by the white rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium was demonstrated in nutrient nitrogen-limited aqueous cultures and in [14C]-2,4,5-T-contaminated soil inoculated with this fungus and supplemented with ground corn cobs. After incubation of [14C]-2,4,5-T with aqueous cultures of the fungus for 30 days, 62.0%±2.0% of the [14C]-2,4,5-T initially present was degraded to 14CO2. Mass balance analysis demonstrated that water soluble metabolites were formed during degradation, and HPLC and thin layer chromatography (TLC) of methylene chloride-extractable material revealed the presence of polar and non-polar [14C]-2,4,5-T metabolites. It was also shown that only ∼5% of the [14C]-2,4,5-T initially present in cultures remained as undegraded [14C]-2,4,5-T. In incubations composed of [14C]-2,4,5-T-contaminated soil, ground corn cobs, and 40% (w/w) water, 32.5%±3.6% of the [14C]-2,4,5-T initially present was converted to 14CO2 after 30 days of incubation. These results suggest that it may be possible to develop practical systems based on the use of this fungus to detoxify 2,4,5-T-contaminated water and soil.
A Practical Approach for Problem-Based Learning in Engineering

Problem-based Learning (PBL) is a motivating, problem-centered teaching method with exciting potential in engineering education. PBL can be used in engineering education to bridge the gap between theory and practice in a gradual way. The most common problem encountered when attempting to integrate PBL into the undergraduate engineering classroom is the time requirement to complete a significant, useful problem. Because PBL has such potential in engineering, mathematics, and science education, professors from engineering, mathematics, and physics have joined together to solve small pieces of a large engineering problem concurrently in an effort to reduce the time required to solve a complex problem in any one class. This is a pilot project for a National Science Foundation (NSF) supported Science Talent Expansion Program (STEP) grant entitled Increasing Numbers, Connections, and Retention in Science and Engineering (INCRSE) (NSF 0622442). The students involved are undergraduate mechanical engineering students that are co-enrolled in Engineering Statics, Calculus II, and Engineering Physics I. These classes are linked using PBL to increase both student engagement and success. The problem addresses concepts taught in class, reinforces connections among the courses, and provides real-world applications. Student, faculty, and industry assessment of the problem reveals a mutually beneficial experience that provides a link for students between in-class concepts and real-world application. This method of problem-based learning provides a practical application that can be used in engineering curricula.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Infants reach to location A without practice or training

Thelen and her colleagues' model overemphasizes the role of action in cognitive development. Recent research has shown that infants do not have to be trained to reach for a hidden object. By 7.5 months of age, infants can recall the location of a hidden object with no practice trials. Thelen at al.'s goal to design a parsimonious account of A-not-B behaviors was successful, but at the expense of focusing primarily on implicit and ignoring explicit memory.
Problems in estimating hemodynamic response parameters from fMRI data

The temporal (time-analysis) component of the statistical parametric mapping of the method of Friston et al. ([1994]: Human Brain Mapping 1:153-171) is evaluated using stimulated time-course data sets and images acquired during a motor-task activation study. The results indicate that their method for estimating hemodynamic delay parameters is unreliable when the hemodynamic delay time is greater than 1-2 image frames. Problems also arise when system noise is present in addition to physiologic noise. These conditions apply for most task-activation studies with image acquisition rates (TRs) shorter than about 3 sec, and for images acquired at field strengths below 3-4 tesla. Modifications are suggested that may make their method usable under these conditions.
Local stability analysis of an inviscid transverse jet

(Received 18 August 2006 and in revised form 4 January 2007) A local linear stability analysis is performed for a round inviscid jet with constant density that is injected into a uniform crossflow of the same density. The baseflow is obtained from a modified version of the inviscid transverse jet near-field solution of Coelho & Hunt (J. Fluid Mech. vol. 200, 1989, p. 95) which is valid for small values of the crossflow-to-jet velocity ratio λ. A Fourier expansion in the azimuthal direction is used to couple the disturbances with the three-dimensional crossflow. The spatial growth rates of the modes corresponding to the axisymmetric and first helical modes of the free jet as λ → 0 increase as λ increases. The diagonal dominance of the dispersion relation matrix is used as a quantitative criterion to estimate the range of velocity ratios (0 0 positive and negative helical modes have different growth rates, suggesting an inherent weak asymmetry in the transverse jet.
Sociodemographic predictors of response to antidepressant treatment

OBJECTIVE Our goal was to assess whether sociodemographic variables such as gender, marital status, level of education, and employment status are related to the changes in social functioning that have been reported after drug treatment in outpatients with major depressive disorder. METHOD Eligible subjects were 166 depressed outpatients participating in a study involving open treatment with fluoxetine 20 mg/day for eight weeks. Diagnosis of major depressive disorder was made with the use of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R-Patient Edition (SCID-P), and patients were required to have a seventeen-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D-17) score > or = at study entry. All subjects were administered the HAM-d-17 and the Social Adjustment Scale-Self-Report (SAS-SR) before and after treatment with fluoxetine. RESULTS We found that SAS-SR scores decreased significantly following treatment with fluoxetine from a mean score at baseline of 2.6 +/- 0.7 to a mean score at endpoint of 2.3 +/- 0.6. After adjusting for the degree of change in HAM-D-17 scores, we found a significant relationship between degree of change in SAS-SR and level of education. No statistically significant relationships were observed between SAS-SR change and age, gender, marital status, and employment status. CONCLUSION The degree of improvement in psychosocial functioning observed in depressed outpatients following antidepressant treatment appears to be related to the level of education at study entry, but not to other sociodemographic variables. Further studies need to investigate the nature of this relationship.
The Two Faces of Hepatitis E Virus

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) has at least 2 distinct epidemiological profiles: (1) large outbreaks and epidemics in developing countries, usually caused by HEV genotype 1, resulting in high morbidity and mortality among pregnant women and young children, and (2) very few symptomatic cases of HEV genotype 3, most cases without symptoms or clear source(s) of infection, but frequent seroreactivity in 5%-21 % of asymptomatic persons in developed countries. We urge more epidemiological studies and public health interventions, including the promotion and development of existing and future vaccine candidates and the availability of US Food and Drug Administration-approved serological assays for this underappreciated and poorly understood virus, a major cause of disease throughout the world.
Iron antagonism of MSMA herbicide applied to bermudagrass: characterization of the Fe2+-MAA complexation reaction

Abstract Discoloration of bermudagrass often results from application of MSMA herbicide used to control southern crabgrass and other weeds. However, when products containing iron sulfate (FeSO4) are tank-mixed with MSMA, this discoloration is reduced. Experiments investigated the effect of tank-mixing organic arsenical herbicides with FeSO4 or a chelated iron source (Sprint 330) in terms of southern crabgrass control and injury to bermudagrass. Tank-mixing MSMA with FeSO4 reduced bermudagrass injury. However, southern crabgrass control was also reduced by at least 50% with the addition of ≥0.38 kg Fe2+ ha−1. Neither antagonism nor safening of bermudagrass was observed when the chelated Fe2+ source was used. Applying FeSO4 as a separate treatment 1 to 4 d before or after MSMA application did not reduce visual burmudagrass injury 1 wk after treatment. Solution pH and FeSO4 concentration controlled the extent of complexation and level of antagonism observed in the field; inorganic Fe2+ reacted with MSMA to f...
Evidence of Chronic Damage to the Pulmonary Microcirculation in Habitual Users of Alkaloidal (“Crack”) Cocaine

Study objective To evaluate BAL cells obtained from habitual users of alkaloidal (“crack”) cocaine alone or in combination with tobacco, for evidence of cocaine-associated alveolar injury. Design Prospective cohort study. Patients A total of 36 healthy men and women (mean age [SD], 37.5 [7.5] years), including 10 cocaine-only smokers (CS), 6 cocaine-plus-tobacco smokers (CTS), 10 tobacco smokers (TS), and 10 nonsmokers (NS), underwent fiberoptic bronchoscopy and BAL. Methods Cytospins were prepared from BAL cells and stained with Wright-Giemsa for cell differentials and Gomori's stain for detection of hemosiderin. Endothelin (ET)-1 levels were determined from lavage fluid by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results None of the cocaine users reported episodes of hemoptysis or respiratory distress, and routine spirometry findings were within normal limits in all subjects. While there was little effect on total cell numbers or differential counts, the percentages of hemosiderin-positive alveolar macrophages (AMs) were markedly increased in CS (33.8 ± 8.7% [SEM]) compared to TS and NS ( r = 0.64; p = 0.0004). Conclusion Clinically inapparent alveolar hemorrhage occurs frequently in otherwise healthy crack cocaine smokers and is associated with elevated levels of ET-1, indicative of cocaine-induced pulmonary microvascular injury.
Forest Degradation and the Structure of Biomass Utilization in a Himalayan Foothills Village

The linkage between socio-economic change in the Uttar Pradesh (Indian) Himalaya and forest resource condition is investigated through a case-study of Munglori village. Research focused on the village biomass utilization system, particularly fodder- and fuel-flows, as the key link through which socio-economic conditions can be translated into actual forest-use patterns.In 1984, agriculture and animal husbandry in Munglori was dominantly subsistence-oriented. Rain-fed rice, wheat, and various millets, were the main food-crops. Animal fodder and fuel were derived from a variety of sources near the village, and demand for these resources was dispersed via a seasonal migration-cycle which provided access to resources outside of the immediate village area. This basic pattern of resource use has prevailed in the area throughout historic time, and has led to gradual degradation of forest resources primarily through inhibiting regeneration of Camus Oak (Quercus leucotrichophora), the dominant fodder- and fuel-species.
A Novel Ray Tracing Based Multipath Modeling Approach for Site-Specific WLAN Simulations

Current propagation models used in network simulations neglect obstacles of a propagation environment and employ over-simplified assumptions that the received signal strength is a simple function of distance and the transmission area of a node is circular. These assumptions are in contradiction with the actual tests and the measurement results. To run reasonable simulations for evaluating the performance of a specific outdoor wireless testbed, a novel multipath propagation framework is proposed in this paper, which is based on the ray tracing technique and uses site-specific geographic data of the analyzed area. It provides accurate propagation predictions, and it does not significantly prolong the simulation duration.
Using Student Tracking Data from an Institutional Perspective.

This chapter describes several examples of institutional use of state- and college-level tracking data to benchmark performance, improve student success, and enhance program effectiveness.
Complementary and alternative medical therapies in multiple sclerosis - The American Academy of Neurology Guidelines: A commentary

Abstract Background Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) is common, but its use has been limited by a lack of evidence-based guidance. Methods In March 2014, the American Academy of Neurology published the most comprehensive literature review and evidence-based practice guidelines for CAM use in MS. The guideline author panel reviewed and classified articles according to the American Academy of Neurology therapeutic scheme, and recommendations were linked to the evidence strength. Findings Level A recommendations were found for oral cannabis extract effectiveness in the short term for spasticity-related symptoms and pain and ineffectiveness of ginkgo biloba for cognitive function improvement in MS. Key level B recommendations included: Oral cannabis extract or a synthetic cannabis constituent, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is probably ineffective for objective spasticity improvement in the short term; Nabiximols oromucosal cannabinoid spray is probably effective for spasticity symptoms, pain, and urinary frequency, but probably ineffective for objective spasticity outcomes and bladder incontinence; Magnetic therapy is probably effective for fatigue reduction in MS; A low-fat diet with fish oil supplementation is probably ineffective for MS-related relapses, disability, fatigue, magnetic resonance imaging lesions, and quality of life. Several Level C recommendations were made. These included possible effectiveness of gingko biloba for fatigue; possible effectiveness of reflexology for MS-related paresthesias; possible ineffectiveness of the Cari Loder regimen for MS-related disability, symptoms, depression, and fatigue; and bee sting therapy for MS relapses, disability, fatigue, magnetic resonance imaging outcomes, and health-related quality of life. Implications Despite the availability of studies evaluating the effects of oral cannabis in MS, the use of these formulations in United States may be limited due to a lack of standardized, commercial US Food and Drug Administration–regulated preparations. Additionally, significant concern about prominent central nervous system–related adverse effects with cannabis was emphasized in the review.
Using Microfluidics to Decouple Nucleation and Growth of Protein Crystals.

A high-throughput, low-volume microfluidic device has been designed to decouple the physical processes of protein crystal nucleation and growth. This device, called the Phase Chip, is constructed o...
Power Distribution Fault Diagnosis Based on Rough-Cloud Sets

The volume of data with a few uncertainties overwhelms classic information systems in the distribution control center and exacerbates the existing knowledge acquisition process of expert systems. To deal with the uncertainty and deferent structures of the system, rough sets and cloud theorem are introduced and the rough-cloud sets are proposed. The reduction algorithm based on them is improved. By which, the current and voltage information is employed to fault diagnosis. The paper describes a systematic approach for detecting superfluous data. It is considered as a "white box" rather than a "black box" like in the case of neural network. The approach therefore could offer user both the opportunity to learn about the data and to validate the extracted knowledge. The simulation result of a power distribution system shows the effectiveness and usefulness of the approach.
Understanding smart data disclosure policy success: the case of Green Button

Open data policies are expected to promote innovations that stimulate social, political and economic change. In pursuit of innovation potential, open data has expanded to wider environment involving government, business and citizens. The US government recently launched such collaboration through a smart data policy supporting energy efficiency called Green Button. This paper explores the implementation of Green Button and identifies motivations and success factors facilitating successful collaboration between public and private organizations to support smart disclosure policy. Analyzing qualitative data from semi-structured interviews with experts involved in Green Button initiation and implementation, this paper presents some key findings. The success of Green Button can be attributed to the interaction between internal and external factors. The external factors consist of both market and non-market drivers: economic factors, technology related factors, regulatory contexts and policy incentives, and some factors that stimulate imitative behavior among the adopters. The external factors create the necessary institutional environment for the Green Button implementation. On the other hand, the acceptance and adoption of Green Button itself is influenced by the fit of Green Button capability to the strategic mission of energy and utility companies in providing energy efficiency programs. We also identify the different roles of government during the different stages of Green Button implementation.
Applications of fuzzy algebra in automata theory and coding theory

We apply fuzzy semigroup theory to show that (fuzzy) automata with fuzzy input are equivalent to (fuzzy) automata with crisp input. We use fuzzy group theory to show how abstract pattern recognition problems can be used to examine the faithfulness of a device which decodes messages transmitted across a noisy channel.