cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Algebraic Constraints on the Gain Matrix

Conventional decentralized state feedback and its variations need not always be adequate control strategies for practical large-scale problems. It often happens, for example, that certain subsystem state variables are not available for control purposes, in which case it is necessary to apply some form of output feedback. This type of control requires a special factorization of the gain matrix, which can be represented as a set of algebraic constraints in the LMI optimization. It turns out that similar constraints also arise in the context of singular systems, as well as in problems where the gain matrix has an arbitrary structure. With that in mind, in the following we will consider how such requirements can be incorporated into the design strategy described in Chap. 2. In doing so, we will devote special attention to techniques that are capable of reducing the computational effort (which is a critical consideration in the context of large-scale systems).
Temperature and depth profiles of Chinook salmon and the energetic costs of their long-distance homing migrations.

Abstract River warming poses an existential threat to many Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp) populations. However, temperature-mediated risks to salmon are often complex and addressing them requires species- and population-specific data collected over large spatial and temporal scales. In this study, we combined radiotelemetry with archival depth and temperature sensors to collect continuous thermal exposure histories of 21 adult spring- and summer-run Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha) as they migrated hundreds of kilometers upstream in the Columbia River basin. Salmon thermal histories in impounded reaches of the Columbia and Snake rivers were characterized by low daily temperature variation but frequent and extensive vertical movements. Dives were associated with slightly cooler salmon body temperatures (~ 0.01 to 0.02 °C/m), but there was no evidence for use of cool-water thermal refuges deep in reservoirs or at tributary confluences along the migration route. In tributaries, salmon were constrained to relatively shallow water, and they experienced ~ 2–5 °C diel temperature fluctuations. Differences in migration timing and among route-specific thermal regimes resulted in substantial among-individual variation in migration temperature exposure. Bioenergetics models using the collected thermal histories and swim speeds ranging from 1.0 to 1.5 body-lengths/s predicted median energetic costs of ~ 24–40% (spring-run) and ~ 37–60% (summer-run) of initial reserves. Median declines in total mass were ~ 16–24% for spring-run salmon and ~ 19–29% for summer-run salmon. A simulated + 2 °C increase in water temperatures resulted in 4.0% (spring-run) and 6.3% (summer-run) more energy used per fish, on average. The biotelemetry data provided remarkable spatial and temporal resolution on thermal exposure. Nonetheless, substantial information gaps remain for the development of robust bioenergetics and climate effects models for adult Chinook salmon.
Home-based technologies for stroke rehabilitation: A systematic review.

Abstract Background Many forms of home-based technology targeting stroke rehabilitation have been devised, and a number of human factors are important to their application, suggesting the need to examine this information in a comprehensive review. Objective The systematic review aims to synthesize the current knowledge of technologies and human factors in home-based technologies for stroke rehabilitation. Methods We conducted a systematic literature search in three electronic databases (IEEE, ACM, PubMed), including secondary citations from the literature search. We included articles that used technological means to help stroke patients conduct rehabilitation at home, reported empirical studies that evaluated the technologies with patients in the home environment, and were published in English. Three authors independently conducted the content analysis of searched articles using a list of interactively defined factors. Results The search yielded 832 potentially relevant articles, leading to 31 articles that were included for in-depth analysis. The types of technology of reviewed articles included games, telerehabilitation, robotic devices, virtual reality devices, sensors, and tablets. We present the merits and limitations of each type of technology. We then derive two main human factors in designing home-based technologies for stroke rehabilitation: designing for engagement (including external and internal motivation) and designing for the home environment (including understanding the social context, practical challenges, and technical proficiency). Conclusion This systematic review presents an overview of key technologies and human factors for designing home-based technologies for stroke rehabilitation.
Effect of temperature on nano- and microscale creep properties of organic-rich shales

Abstract Understanding the creep properties of gas shales at elevated temperatures is critical for accurately predicting reservoir performance and assessing the effect of viscous behavior on closure rate, production rate, and conductivity loss. In order to better understand creep properties at in-situ conditions, a quantitative relationship between temperature, mechanical properties, and complex chemo-physical mechanisms that cause thermal alteration needs to be obtained. In this study, the elastic, strength, and creep properties of organic-rich shales are investigated by a combination of nanoindentation, energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, and micromechanical modeling over a range of temperatures (23–350 °C). Within the allotted temperature range, the elastic and strength properties of the porous clay/kerogen phase remain unchanged. A similar behavior is noticed in the creep modulus from temperatures 23–200 °C where it remains relatively unchanged and shows an isotropic characteristic. However, the creep modulus of the clay phase increases at 300 °C in both parallel and perpendicular directions to the bedding plane. While the analysis of creep data at lower temperatures shed light on the dictating role of organic matter and porosity on creep properties of organic-rich shales (Slim et al., 2018), at high temperature (above 200 °C) creep properties are affected by removal of clay-bound water. The results show that this small water content assists in mechanical compaction and grain sliding responsible for time-dependent deformation. We argue that the removal of clay-bound water at temperatures above 200 °C increases the frictional coefficient between clay particles and between clay particles and organic matter.
Zero-inflated sum of Conway-Maxwell-Poissons (ZISCMP) regression

While excess zeros are often thought to cause data over-dispersion (i.e. when the variance exceeds the mean), this implication is not absolute. One should instead consider a flexible class of distr...
Cardiovascular Response and Adaptation to Exercise

Exercise can be classified into two broad categories according to mechanical activity and these are dynamic or isotonic and static or isometric. In dynamic exercise there are changes in muscle length and movements in joints caused by rhythmic muscle contractions which develop little tension. In static exercise there is a relatively large generation of muscle tension caused by contractions with little or no change in muscle length and little or no movement in joints. Physical activities such as long distance running or cross-country skiing (classic technique) are pure dynamic exercise and weight-lifting or water-skiing are pure static exercise. However, these two types of activity should be thought of as the two opposite poles of a continuum in which most physical activity has components of both static and dynamic exercise. For example, rowing and speed skating involve both dynamic and static exercise.
The lost gallstone. Complication after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become the treatment of choice for most patients with gallstones. During this procedure it is not uncommon for the gallbladder to be entered inadvertently, spilling gallstones freely into the peritoneal cavity. Finding and removing all of the spilled gallstones can be difficult and time consuming. The natural history of stones left in the peritoneal cavity, outside the gallbladder, bile ducts, or intestine, is not known.
Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of multi- drug-resistant Escherichia coli isolates harboring bla CTX-M group extended-spectrum β-lactamases recovered from pediatric patients in Shenzhen, southern China

Aims and Objectives: The emergence and spread of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) particularly CTX-M producing multi-drug-resistant (MDR) Escherichia coli (E. coli) is one of the greatest challenges for community health globally. The study investigated the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of ESBLs-producing E. coli recovered from pediatric patients from Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, China. Materials and methods: Present study, a total of 2,670 isolates of E. coli were collected from Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, China of which 950 were ESBLs producer. ESBLs production was confirmed by using the combination disc diffusion method, and antimicrobial susceptibility test was detected. In addition, β-lactamase-producing genes and co-existence of carbapenem/colistin resistance genes were determined by PCR assay and sequencing. The diversity and phylogenetic relationship were determined by multi-locus sequence typing method. Results: Thirty-five percent (n=950) prevalence of ESBLs-producing E. coli we reported in Shenzhen, China of which 50 ESBLs producing E. coli were randomly selected for a further characterization. All 50 ESBLs- producing E. coli isolates revealed MDR phenotype and 100% were resistant to Ampicillin/sulbactam, Ampicillin, Cefazolin, and Ceftriaxone. All 50 ESBLs producers harbored at least one type of β-lactamase gene particular blaCTX-M. The PCR and sequencing revealed the most common CTX-M subtype was blaCTX-M-15 (n=18), followed by blaCTX-M-14 (n=16), blaCTX-M-90 (n=9), blaCTX-M-55 (n=3), blaCTX-M-27, blaCTX-M-101, and blaCTX-M-211 each (n=1). Co-existence of blaCTX-M with blaTEM, blaSHV, blaGES, and blaVEB was detected in few isolates. Among identified sequence types, ST131 (12%) was more dominant in ESBLs-producing E. coli. Phylogenetic group A was the most prominent group among the ESBLs-producing E. coli based on multiplex PCR. Conclusion: Our study shows the prevalence of blaCTX-M gene in ESBLs-producing E. coli in pediatric patients in Shenzhen, China. We highlight the importance to monitor the emergence and trends of ESBLs-producing isolates in a pediatric healthcare setting.
Amorphous phase formation in Al70Si17Fe13 alloy

The alloy Al70Si17Fe13 was subjected to a range of rapid solidification conditions and the resulting microstructures were evaluated. It was found that when solidification was sufficiently rapid to bypass the formation of primary intermetallic phases, the alloy consisted of spherical regions of amorphous (or microquasicrystalline) material surrounded by a crystalline phase(s). This microstructure is interpreted as the result of solidification of the amorphous phase from the melt by a first-order transformation. The structure of the amorphous phase is different from that of a liquid (or usual metallic glass).
Midkine-a is required for cell cycle progression of Müller glia during neuronal regeneration

Summary In zebrafish, Muller glia function as intrinsic retinal stem cells that can regenerate ablated neurons. Understanding the mechanisms governing neuronal stem cells may provide clues to regenerate neurons in mammals. We report that in Muller glia the cytokine/growth factor, Midkine-a, functions as a core autocrine regulator of the cell cycle. Utilizing midkine-a mutants, we determined that Midkine-a regulates elements of an Id2a-retinoblastoma network in reprogrammed Muller glia that controls the expression of cell cycle genes and is required for transition from G1 to S phases of the cell cycle. In mutants, Muller glia that fail to divide undergo reactive gliosis, a pathological hallmark of Muller glia in mammals. Finally, we show that activation of the Midkine-a receptor, ALK, is required for Muller glia proliferation. These data provide mechanistic insights into Muller glia stem cells in the vertebrate retina and suggest avenues for eliciting neuronal regeneration in mammals.
Tagging and Why it Matters

With tagging, the readers of a Web resource (typically a Web page or a photograph posted on a photo-posting site) can associate a word or phrase with that resource; the resource can then be found by searching for that tag. Tagging is catching on with early adopters. It is likely to go mainstream because it empowers readers, it is social and it has business benefits. As tagging becomes popular, it will face challenges, including increased ambiguity of tags and tag spam.
Invited Talk 1

Provides an abstract of the invited presentation and may include a brief professional biography of the presenter. The complete presentation was not made available for publication as part of the conference proceedings.
The Role of Social Issues on Food Procurement among Corner Store Owners and Shoppers.

Objective: We assessed corner store shopper and owner perceptions, barriers, and enablers related to food procurement in a sample of neighborhood corner stores where over 50% of families are SNAP e...
Abstract 512: Extracellular Matrix Components Isolated From Diabetic Mice Alters Cardiac Fibroblast Function Through the AGE/RAGE Signaling Cascade

Roughly 30 million Americans suffer from diabetes and these individuals are at an increased risk of developing cardiovascular complications. A common complication is heart failure which occurs due ...
Building Knowledge Advantage: Internal Market Imperatives

It is becoming increasingly clear that traditional ways of managing activities within knowledge services organizations are no longer appropriate. In a departure for 20 th century models, this chapter develops an internal market framework for controlling knowledge centers, units and workers engaged in the generation of value-added solutions and knowledge stocks within the organization. In this chapter, market principles are brought into the firm as a nonconventional way of nourishing creativity within knowledge services and as a foundation for managerial control.
Expanding the potential of redox carriers for flow battery applications

Using theoretical modeling to guide our approach, substituents were selected to improve the negative and positive potentials associated with a representative metal-based redox carrier, a phenyl spaced nickel bispicolinamide complex, [Ni(bpb)], 1. To broaden the cell potential, electron donating groups were selected and installed on the pyridyl moieties, [Ni(bpb-(NMe2)2)], 2, while electron withdrawing groups were incorporated on the phenyl linker, [Ni(bpb-R)] (R = –F, –CF3, and –NO2), 3–5. Our model predicts an increase of ∼300 mV and ∼500 mV for the first and second negative waves of Ni(bpb-NMe2), 2, and up to ∼330 mV and ∼210 mV increase to the first and second positive waves in 3–5. The modeled complexes were synthesized in good yields using a modification of the literature procedure. Due to limited solubility, the differential pulse voltammetry was measured on complexes 2–5 using a drop cast technique. Comparison of the observed and predicted potentials is discussed in acetonitrile (MeCN) and dimethylformamide (DMF) solvents.
On flux vacua and modularity

Geometric modularity has recently been conjectured to be a characteristic feature of flux vacua with W = 0. This paper provides support for the conjecture by computing motivic modular forms in a direct way for several string compactifications for which such vacua are known to exist. The analysis of some Calabi-Yau manifolds which do not admit supersymmetric flux vacua shows that the reverse of the conjecture does not hold.
Surviving the Promotion and Tenure Process

Academic institutions use the promotion and tenure process to appraise the long-term value of a faculty member. To apply for promotion and tenure, faculty members typically submit a dossier of their work in the areas of teaching, research, and service. For each of these three areas, this chapter provides a definition, explains typical evaluation criteria, and presents strategies for documenting one’s work. Suggestions are also provided for obtaining specific information from one’s institution and successfully navigating the promotion and tenure process.
Adverse Physical and Mental Health Effects of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Among Gulf Coast Children: An Environmental Justice Perspective

Background: This study applies an environmental justice lens to examine whether racial/ethnic minority and low socioeconomic status affected children's physical and mental health after the Deepwate...
Conflict of Laws (Private International Law) and Remedies

In copyright infringement cases a discrepancy can exist between the claims that copyright owners raise and the remedies that the copyright owners request and that courts sometimes grant. This contribution discusses the discrepancy, which stems from the different territorial scopes of the claims raised and the remedies requested and awarded. The contribution reviews the causes of the territorial discrepancy, provides examples of the discrepancy, explores the problems that the discrepancy may generate, and discusses actual and possible solutions for the problems.
Relative Mutant N501Y SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein RBD Inhibition of Anti-Spike Protein IgG and ACE-2 Binding to Spike Protein Species

In the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic of 2019 (COVID-19), it has become evident that the ACE-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the viral spike protein (SP) is the target of neutralizing antibodies that comprise a critical element of protective immunity to the virus. The most definitive confirmation of this contention is that the two mRNA COVID-19 vaccines in general use, which elicit antibodies specific for the RBD, exhibit approximately 95% protective efficacy against COVID-19. A potential challenge to vaccine efficacy is the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants possessing multiple mutations affecting amino acid residues in the RBD. Of concern are variants that arose in the United Kingdom, Brazil and South Africa. One of the variants, designated B.1.351, has shown a higher transmissibility due to greater affinity for the ACE-2 receptor and decreased neutralization by convalescent plasma, therapeutic monoclonal antibodies, and post-vaccination plasma. Common to several of the variants is the N501Y mutation in the RBD, which may be responsible for at least part of the observed variant properties. To test this hypothesis, we measured the ability of the Y501 RBD to inhibit binding of the wild type RBD and full SP (S1 + S2) to the ACE-2 protein and a human monoclonal IgG antibody elicited to the wild type RBD, relative to the wild type RBD in two enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). We found no significant difference in the IC50 of the two RBD species inhibition of ACE-2 binding, but unexpectedly found that the IC50 of the wild type RBD inhibition of antibody binding was nearly twice that of the Y501 RBD, reflecting a lower affinity. These results suggest that the individual N501Y mutation does not contribute to altered viral properties by itself, but may contribute to a collective conformational shift produced by multiple mutations.
A scoping review of the roles, training, and impact of community health workers in oral health.

Objective To synthesize English or Spanish-language literature on community health workers' (CHWs') roles, training, and impact in oral health. Basic research design A scoping review conducted in accordance with the Arksey and O'Malley (2005) methodological framework. Method Electronic literature searches were conducted in Medline (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), DOSS, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Global Health CAB from inception of the databases to April 2020. Three reviewers independently conducted the title and abstract and full-text reviews. This was followed by data charting by three reviewers and data summarizing by two reviewers. Results Out of the 36 articles that met the inclusion criteria, most took place in the United States (n=15) with most published between 2012 and 2019 (12). CHWs were incorporated in programs that focused on access to dental care (n=10), oral health promotion only (9), early childhood caries (8), oral health promotion and services (5), and oral cancer screening (4). Common roles included providing oral health education and behavior change motivation to community members, facilitating utilization of dental services, and the delivery of diagnostic and dental services to community members. Training and outcomes were not consistently described across studies. Conclusion CHWs have been used in oral health programs and interventions across a wide range of locations and contexts. The implementation and scaling-up of oral health CHW programs requires appropriate provision of training as well as community embedded monitoring and evaluation structures based on rigorous methods with clearly defined outcomes.
INVESTMENT LIBERALIZATION, CREDIT CONSTRAINTS, AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE

This paper investigates the effect of bilateral investment treaties (BITs) on the extensive and intensive product margins of exports in sectors with different credit constraints. The model in this ...
Procedural Treatments: Ex-PRESS Mini Glaucoma Shunt

The Ex-PRESS™ (Optonol Ltd, Neve Ilan, Israel) is a miniature stainless steel glaucoma implant approved by the FDA in March 2002 that has been in use since then all over the world for the treatment of glaucoma. Currently in the U.S. alone, over 14,000 implantations have been performed in hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers to treat primary, secondary, pseudophakic, and refractory glaucomas. Advocates of its use cite more reliable outcomes, which are attributed to the uniformly sized outflow path for aqueous flow. Those who have not adopted it cite the increased cost incurred by using a device during surgery that is billed as a trabeculectomy, and the small number of prospective randomized controlled trials to show its superiority over trabeculectomy [1]
Real Analysis and Foundations

Number Systems The Real Numbers The Complex Numbers Sequences Convergence of Sequences Subsequences Limsup and Liminf Some Special Sequences Series of Numbers Convergence of Series Elementary Convergence Tests Advanced Convergence Tests Some Special Series Operations on Series Basic Topology Open and Closed Sets Further Properties of Open and Closed Sets Compact Sets The Cantor Set Connected and Disconnected Sets Perfect Sets Limits and Continuity of Functions Basic Properties of the Limit of a Function Continuous Functions Topological Properties and Continuity Classifying Discontinuities and Monotonicity Differentiation of Functions The Concept of Derivative The Mean Value Theorem and Applications More on the Theory of Differentiation The Integral Partitions and the Concept of Integral Properties of the Riemann Integral Another Look at the Integral Advanced Results on Integration Theory Sequences and Series of Functions Partial Sums and Pointwise Convergence More on Uniform Convergence Series of Functions The Weierstrass Approximation Theorem Elementary Transcendental Functions Power Series More on Power Series: Convergence Issues The Exponential and Trigonometric Functions Logarithms and Powers of Real Numbers Differential Equations Picard's Existence and Uniqueness Theorem Power Series Methods Introduction to Harmonic Analysis The Idea of Harmonic Analysis The Elements of Fourier Series An Introduction to the Fourier Transform Fourier Methods and Differential Equations Functions of Several Variables A New Look at the Basic Concepts of Analysis Properties of the Derivative The Inverse and Implicit Function Theorems Advanced Topics Metric Spaces Topology in a Metric Space The Baire Category Theorem The Ascoli-Arzela Theorem Normed Linear Spaces What Is This Subject About? What Is a Normed Linear Space? Finite-Dimensional Spaces Linear Operators The Three Big Results Applications of the Big Three Appendix I: Elementary Number Systems Appendix II: Logic and Set Theory Appendix III: Review of Linear Algebra Table of Notation Glossary Bibliography Index Exercises are included at the end of each section.
Ontogeny of B-lymphocyte function: XII. Evidence that the ability to generate memory cells precedes the ability to produce antibody-secreting cells

Abstract Using a cell transfer system it was shown that lymphoid cells of B.C-9 mice mature to be able to generate a primary response of high magnitude and high affinity to dinitrophenylated γ-globulin at about 4 weeks of age. Irradiated mice reconstituted with lymphoid cells from B.C-9 or C57BL/6 donors younger than 4 weeks of age fail to produce high-affinity plaque-forming cells and their serum antibody responses were of low magnitude. Nevertheless such recipients give adult-like, high-affinity, high-magnitude secondary responses when assayed at both the plaque-forming cell and serum antibody levels. The antibody produced by the reconstituted mice, in both the primary and secondary responses, was shown to be of donor cell origin in transfers between allotype congenic pairs. Thus, naive, immature lymphoid cells, although not capable of giving rise to high-affinity antibody-secreting cells in a primary response, are capable of giving rise to high-affinity memory B cells which in turn can give an adult-like, high-affinity secondary response following boosting.
Computing the All-Pairs Longest Chain in the Plane

Many problems on sequences and on circular-arc graphs involve the computation of longest chains between points in the plane. Given a set S of n points in the plane, we consider the problem of computing the matrix of longest chain lengths between all pairs of points in S, and the matrix of “parent” pointers that describes the n longest chain trees. We present a simple sequential algorithm for computing these matrices. Our algorithm runs in O(n2) time, and hence is optimal. We also present a rather involved parallel algorithm that computes these matrices in O(log2n) time using O(n2/log n) processors in the CREW PRAM model. These matrices enables us to report, in O(1) time, the length of a longest chain between any two points in S by using one processor, and the actual chain by using k processors, where k is the number of points of S on that chain. The space complexity of the algorithms is O(n2).
Novel phosphoglucans from the cytoplasm of Phytophthora palmivora and their selective occurrence in certain life cycle stages.

Abstract The cytoplasm of Phytophthora palmivora is rich in soluble β-(1 → 3)-glucans of which two different types can be recognized. The glucans extracted from the mycelium are all neutral molecules. In the asexual reproductive stages (sporangia, zoospores, and cysts) neutral glucan is also present but the main component is a family of novel phosphoglucans. By ion exchange chromatography, five different phosphoglucan fractions were detected with glucose to phosphate ratios ranging from 33:1 to 18:1. The phosphate was largely removed from the phosphoglucans by phosphomonoesterases. Phosphodiesterase had no effect. On enzymatic dephosphorylation, all phosphoglucans yielded a neutral glucan similar to, if not identical with, the neutral glucan concurrently found in the cytoplasm. The mobility of phosphoglucans in gel filtration was highly affected by the ionic strength of the cluant. The phosphoglucans have an average degree of polymerization of ∼30 and contain one or two phosphate groups linked by monoester linkage to the C-6 hydroxyl of a glucose residue(s). The absence of phosphoglucans in the mycelium, their subsequent appearance in the sporangia, and their partial utilization by the zoospores during encystment suggest that these polymers may play a major role in the biochemistry of cellular differentiation.
Luminous Magnetic Rotator Theory

This paper describes the development of a wind theory that combines forces associated with magnetic rotators with those operating in line-driven winds. It has relevance to cyclic variability because if a rotating star has a magnetic field that changes from one longitude sector to the next, the wind speed can also change and this could lead to fast wind / slow wind co-rotating interaction regions. This paper focuses on effects that can increase the radial velocity of a line-driven wind within a sector.
Adsorption and desorption dynamics of associative polymers onto particulates of titanium dioxide, alumina and quartz

The authors have been investigating the adsorption and desorption dynamics of nonionic water soluble polymers on inorganic particles. The influence of the nature of polymers with and without associating hydrophobic end groups, the nature of adsorbents [TiO2, Al2O3 (neutral, acid and basic), and SiO2], polymer concentrations, linear velocity of fluids, and mutual diffusion of polymer molecules on the patterns of adsorption and desorption distribution of polymer concentrations are shown. The model polymer is a nonionic polyurethane polymer based on ethylene oxide. The polymer's structure is R-O-(DI-PEO)6-DI-O-R (R is C16H33, DI is isophorone diisocyanate, and PEO is CARBOWAXTM with a molecular weight of 8200). The phenomenological models of association and dissociation kinetics of associative polymers are suggested. The half-lives of clusters into adsorption and desorption layers are estimated. It is shown that heats of desorption of associative polymers are dependent essentially on heats of dissociation of clusters.
Search for high energy alpha emitters in monazite minerals

We have attempted to find evidence for high energy alpha particles from Malaysian, Madagascan and Indian monazite minerals (rare earth and actinide phosphates) which might indicate the presence of naturally occurring superheavy elements in nature. A silicon surface barrier detector was used to detect alpha particles in conjunction with a cosmic-ray anti-coincidence detector. The results are consistent with no alphas above 12.5 MeV. This agrees with results of Fireman and Brandt 1978 but does not agree with results of Chevalier et al. 1978.
Theory of the Ellipsoidal Concave Grating. II. Application of the Theory to the Specific Grating Mountings

A recent treatment of ellipsoidal concave grating is applied to the Seya-Namioka monochromator and the grazing incidence spectrograph. Numerical data which are considered to be useful in designing the instruments are presented in the form of graphs and tables.
Expression of Fibroblast Growth Factors (FGFs) and FGF Receptors in Human Prostate

ABSTRACTPurpose: To evaluate the expression of fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and FGF receptors (FGFRs) in human prostate.Materials and Methods: RNA was extracted from surgically excised human prostate glands and from primary cultures of human prostatic epithelial and stromal cells. Expression of FGFs and FGF receptors was evaluated by Northern blotting and reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) techniques.Results: FGF7 (KGF) is the major FGF mRNA expressed in the human prostate, with smaller amounts of FGF2 and extremely small amounts of FGF1. For all three FGFs, the prostatic stromal cells were the primary site of expression. Prostatic epithelial cells express primarily the FGFR-3 IIIc isoform, which preferentially binds FGF1 over FGF2, with smaller amounts of the FGFR-2 IIIb (FGF7 binding) isoform. Prostatic stromal cells express primarily the FGFR-3 IIIc isoform and smaller amounts of FGFR-1 IIIc and FGFR-2 IIIc isoforms, which bind both FGF1 and FGF2.Conclusion: The pattern of exp...
Singularity detection for structural health monitoring using Holder exponents

The majority of structural health monitoring studies reported in the technical literature focus on identifying damage sensitive features that can be extracted from dynamic response data. However, many of these studies assume the structure can be modeled as a linear system before and after damage and use parameters of these models as the damage sensitive features. The study summarized in this paper proposes a damage sensitive feature that takes advantage of the nonlinearities associated with discontinuities introduced into the dynamic response data as a result of certain types of damage. Specifically, the Holder exponent, a measure of the degree to which a signal is differentiable, is the feature that is used to detect the presence of damage and when that damage occurred. A procedure for capturing the time varying nature of the Holder exponent based on wavelet transforms is demonstrated through applications to non-stationary random signals with underlying discontinuities and then to a harmonically excited mechanical system that contains a loose part. Also, a classification procedure is developed to quantify when changes in the Holder exponent are significant. The results presented herein show the Holder exponent to be an effective feature for identifying damage that introduces discontinuities into the measured dynamic response data.
A front-side-illuminated InP/GaInAs/InP p-i-n photodiode with a &#8212;3-dB bandwidth in excess of 18GHz

High-speed front-side illuminated InP/GaInAs / InP p-i-n 1-1.6-µm photodetectors have been fabricated from materials grown by atmospheric pressure organometallic vapor phase epitaxy (OMVPE). The AR-coated devices have external quantum efficiencies of > 85 percent at 1.3 µm and the temporal response has a full-width half-maximum (FWHM) of < 18 ps. Dark current density is 6 × 10-6A . cm-2at an operating bias of -4 V. The interface is abrupt to two monolayers at the InP (substrate)-GaInAs heterojunction and five monolayers at the GaInAs-InP p-layer heterojunction.
Another random telegraph signal

The correlation function and power spectral density are derived for a random telegraph signal of fixed amplitude where the probability of n changes of sign during an interval is governed by the Bose-Einstein distribution. The results are compared to the usual Poisson case.
Anti-inflammatory Cytokines and Cytokine Antagonists

Cytokines are critical mediators of protective host responses, including defense against microbial invasion and tumorigenesis. However, the production of specific proinflammatory cytokines must be tightly regulated and compartmentalized to prevent the overzealous expression of these molecules that can culminate in unabated inflammation and tissue injury. Cytokine production and/or biologic effects can be inhibited by a variety of endogenous molecules, including anti-inflammatory cytokines, soluble cytokine receptors, and receptor antagonist proteins. Additionally, synthetic molecules have been constructed to selectively block the synthesis, post-translation processing, or receptor binding of proinflammatory cytokines. Relevant anti-inflammatory cytokines and cytokine inhibitors (both endogenous and synthetic) will be the subject of this review, with a particular emphasis on those anti-inflammatory cytokines and cytokine inhibitors that have been used experimentally or clinically in the treatment of diseases that are believed to be mediated by excessive proinflammatory cytokine responses.
Texture segmentation using Gabor modulation/demodulation

Abstract Two-dimensional Gabor filters are used to segment images into regions of specific spatial frequency or orientation characteristic. The images are transformed into a modulated narrowband signal whose envelope coincides with the region(s) whose characteristics the filter is tured to.
Microfabrication of High-Resolution Porous Membranes for Cell Culture.

Abstract Microporous membranes are widely utilized in cell biology to study cell–cell signaling and cell migration. However, the thickness and low porosity of commercial track-etched membranes limit the quality of cell imaging and the degree of cell–cell contact that can be achieved on such devices. We employ photolithography-based microfabrication to achieve porous membranes with pore diameter as small as 0.9 µm, up to 40% porosity, and less than 5% variation in pore size. Through the use of a soap release layer, membranes as thin as 1 µm can be achieved. The thin membranes minimally disrupt contrast enhancement optics, thus allowing good quality imaging of unlabeled cells under white light, unlike commercial membranes. In addition, the polymer membrane materials display low autofluorescence even after patterning, facilitating high quality fluorescence microscopy. Finally, confocal imaging suggests that substantial cell–cell contact is possible through the pores of these thin membranes. This membrane technology can enhance existing uses of porous membranes in cell biology as well as enable new types of experiments.
Experiments with point-contact diodes in the 30–130 THz frequency region

A number of different point-contact diodes were made by mechanically contacting various metals, semimetals and semiconductors with different metallic whiskers. The diodes have been tested as frequency mixers and harmonic generators using CO2 and CO lasers. The results suggest that two mechanisms, electron tunnelling through a potential barrier and another slower process are responsible for the operation of the diodes. Some of the new devices are electrically and mechanically more stable than the commonly used tungsten-nickel diode and show better responsivity.
Preoptic Area Grafts Implanted in Mammillary Bodies of Hypogonadal Mice: Patterns of GNRH Neuronal Projections

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) axons project to the median eminence, where the peptide is released to stimulate pituitary gonadotrophs. Hypogonadal mice (hpg) do not synthesize GnRH due to a deletion in the gene. When neonatal preoptic area (POA) tissue from normal mice containing GnRH neurons is transplanted into the third ventricle of hpg mice, GnRH axons exit the graft and specifically project to the median eminence, where the release of GnRH in the portal circulation induces the stimulation of the pituitary-gonadal axis. To test the hypothesis that the median eminence region is critical to targeting, we placed POA grafts in the region of the mammillary bodies, which never contains GnRH cell bodies, but is nevertheless close to the median eminence. Control mice received bilateral grafts into the anterior hypothalamus. GnRH axons innervated the median eminence in animals with grafts in the mammillary bodies and posterior hypothalamus. Mice with such grafts for 4-5 months had gonadal development, while those with grafts for shorter periods did not. Anterior hypothalamic grafts merged into the third ventricle and, consistent with previous studies, this resulted in GnRH innervation of the median eminence and gonadal development. However, when grafts were located within dorsal regions such as the thalamus, no median eminence innervation was seen. In these cases, GnRH axons borrowed other bundles of fibers to travel within the host brain. The pattern of innervation from grafts within ventro-caudal regions of the hypothalamus vs. that from dorsal regions supported the hypothesis that the median eminence releases diffusible substances directing GnRH outgrowth.
Adherence inhibition of enteric pathogens to epithelial cells by bovine colostrum fractions

Abstract To initiate colonization, microbial pathogens express adhesins that recognize and adhere to host tissue cells. One strategy for inhibiting adherence relies on the presence of molecules that mimic epithelial receptor sites. In this study, in vitro experiments using HEp-2 cells were performed to assess the anti-adherence properties of bovine colostrum fractions against enteropathogenic Escherichia coli , Cronobacter sakazakii, and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhymurium. The results showed that protein-reduced colostrum significantly inhibited binding (from 68 to 99%) of all three pathogens to tissue culture cells. Ultrafiltration ( Salmonella . Mass spectrometry revealed minor differences in the oligosaccharide profile, with the acidic oligosaccharides being the predominant species. This study provides evidence that bovine colostrum contains a heterogeneous mixture of anti-adherence components.
Venusian Channels and Valleys: Distribution and Volcanological Implications

An updated map is presented which shows the distribution of more than 200 channels and valleys on Venus. A large number of channels are concentrated in equatorial regions characterized by highlands, rift and fracture zones, an associated volcanic features. Many channels associated with flow deposits are similar to typical terrestrial lava drainage channels. They are associated with a wide range of volcanic edifices. More than half of the sinuous rilles are associated with coronae, coronalike features, or arachnoids. Corona volcanism driven by mantle plume events may explain this association. Many valley network are observed in highlands and in association with coronae, coronalike features, or arachnoids. This indicates that highlands and coronae provided fractures and flow-viscosity lavas, both of which seem to be required for network formation by lava sapping processes. Canali-type channels have a unique distribution limited to some plains regions.
The Large Scale Structure of Logical Empiricism: Unity of Science and the Elimination of Metaphysics

Two central and well‐known philosophical goals of the logical empiricists are the unification of science and the elimination of metaphysics. Textual analysis shows, however, that these two apparently distinct planks of the logical empiricist party platform are actually intimately related. From the 1920s through 1950, one abiding criterion for judging whether an apparently declarative assertion or descriptive term is metaphysical is that that assertion or term cannot be incorporated into a language of unified science. I explore various versions of this criterion throughout the works of Carnap and Neurath.
Rapidity of marine carbonate cementation — implications for carbonate diagenesis and sequence stratigraphy: perspective

Abstract Lithification is a rapid process, but how rapid is rapid? A year after one of my visits to Joulter's Cay (Bahamas) I found a sardine can from my previous visit. The cementation of carbonate particles in and around the can was surprising. 382 g of ooids and skeletal material had filled the can and lithified therein, or had become cemented to the outside of the can. The rapidity of marine carbonate cementation implies that during highstand of sea level shallow-water platform carbonate sediments are subject to marine lithification which retards erosion. This conclusion is at variance with that of other workers who rely on freshwater cementation during lowstands to generate cement which retards reworking. Clearly the historical debate over highstand versus lowstand of shallow-water marine carbonates is not yet over.
The question of allylic rearrangement in the reactions of tribenzylaluminum

Abstract In order to evaluate the structural factors leading either to normal or to allylic reactions with allylic carbon—aluminum bonds, the behavior of pure samples of tribenzylaluminum and of tribenzylaluminum diethyl etherate has been examined. Analysis of their NMR spectra as a function of temperature between +25° and −90° was consistent with the presence of monomeric, non-fluxional species. Their cleavage reactions under agency of deuterium oxide, diphenylacetylene, or ultraviolet radiation proceeded normally, while that with carbon dioxide occurred only with allylic rearrangement. The case of benzophenone anil was one where principally normal cleavage, succeeded by an elimination reaction, was observed.
An empirical investigation of sources of application-specific computer-self-efficacy and mediators of the efficacy: performance relationship

Integrating theory from research on training, computer self-efficacy (CSE), and motivation, this research validated a model of four factors that contribute to application-specific computer self-efficacy (AS-CSE) formation (previous experience, personality, learning goal orientation and computer anxiety) and three factors that mediate the relationship between AS-CSE and performance (goal level, goal commitment and performance goal orientation (PGO)). Using data from 313 individuals in an introductory computer skills course, the model was validated for database software. Results indicate that previous database software experience, trainee personality and learning goal orientation were positively related to AS-CSE, whereas computer anxiety was negatively related to AS-CSE. Additionally, goal level, goal commitment and PGOs were related to database test performance, and the relationship between AS-CSE and database test performance was also partially mediated by goal level and goal commitment. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Marking the Fall of Sparrows

Electronic systems change the flow of work, the habits of thought, the way we perceive our activities. In the case of healthcare, such changes could easily produce a system that is radically different from the one we know.
An adolescent boy with blistered feet.

QUESTION: During the summer, a 16-year-old boy sees his physician because of itching, burning feet. He has not changed his diet, he has not put any new medications or cosmetics on his feet, and he has not started wearing a new pair of shoes. He feels well. There is no history of travel outside the city or country or of nature hikes. He says the problem began several weeks ago and has progressively worsened. The boy had a similar dermatitis last year. The current rash began as itchy, slightly raised, red firm papules but progressed into bullae. A few of the original lesions persist along with the bullae (figure 1). Figure 1 Bullous lesions on the sole of a teenaged boy What is the diagnosis? ANSWER: The boy has pompholyx, also called dyshidrotic eczema. Despite the name dyshidrotic, the condition is not caused by a disorder of sweating. Although the cause is unknown, half of all patients have a history of atopy.1 The pruritic red or pink round, flat lesions, which may progress to bullae in severe cases, are often mistaken for a staphylococcal skin infection. The tiny vesicles can coalesce to form bullae. In severe cases, the bullae will eventually burst and weep, and the skin becomes dried out, cracked, and painful.2 The feet and/or both hands are involved symmetrically. The hands can exhibit similar lesions, but often the problem is limited to small firm 1- to 2-mm papules on the skin between the fingers (figure 2). It is far more common on the hands than the feet, but it is rare for both sites to be involved. Figure 2 Small papules on the skin between the fingers
In vivo regional levels of PGE and thromboxane in mouse brain: Effect of decapitation, focused microwave fixation, and indomethacin

A focused microwave fixation technique was tested for use in determining basal PGE and thromboxane B2 levels of mouse brain. Focused microwave irradiation (3.5 Kw/0.4 sec) to the head of C3H mice produced basal values of PGE and TXB2 which were five-fold less than those in animals killed by decapitation. Indomethacin (10 mg/kg) pretreatment blocked the decapitation rise in PGE and TXB2 levels and gave values similar to focused microwave irradiation. Indomethacin pretreatment combined with microwave fixation did not reduce PG levels more than microwave treatment alone. When microwave fixation was used, there was no difference in regional (cerebral cortex, whole cerebellum, midbrain, hypothalamus) levels of either PGE or TXB2. However, PGE levels were significantly higher than TXB2 in all regions. After decapitation there was a greater increase in TXB2 than PGE. The cerebellum produced less PGE and TXB2 after decapitation compared to the other regions. Our results confirm the usefulness of the focused microwave irradiation technique for examining in vivo basal prostaglandin levels in mouse brain.