cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A class of suboptimal linear controls

A suboptimal solution of the linear regulator problem which affords some computational simplicity over the optimal solution is presented. A linear first-order matrix differential equation whose solution gives the value of the performance index for the sub-optimal control is then derived. A simple example is included to illustrate the method, and a comparison with optimal performance is made. The advantages and disadvantages of the technique are discussed, and problem areas for future study are indicated.
Reduced Hospital Charges and Length-of-stay With Continued Use of Clinical Practice Guidelines for Pelvic Inflammatory Disease.

Background Clinical practice guidelines (CPG) were developed to promote improved, consistent care and decrease costs associated with hospitalization of adolescents for pelvic intlammatory disease (PID). This study was undertaken to evaluate the impact of continued use of the CPG for PID on hospital charges, length-of-stay, and appropriate care. Methods A CPG was initiated for the inpatient management of PID in adolescents in April 1993. Patients were admitted to the CPG if they met three minimum criteria for PID (in the absence of another established cause): lower abdominal tenderness, cervical motion tenderness, and adnexal tenderness. Time 1 was defined as April 1993 -June 1994 (CPG pilot phase) (N = 69), Time 2 as July 1994 – July 1995 (established CPG) (N = 18). Data analyzed included demographic characteristics, time to treatment, use and results of diagnostic tests, hospital charges, length-of-stay, and discharge diagnosis. Chi square tests were used for categorical variables and Fisher's exact t tests were used for continuous variables. Results Eighty-seven patients were admitted with a clinical diagnosis of PID: mean age 16.9 years (range 13–22), 69% black, 23% Hispanic, 82% English-speaking, and 45% on Medicaid. PID was the discharge diagnosis in 64 patients (74%). One-third of patients (29) had positive cultures: 17 (25%) Chlamydia trachomatis, 7 (12%) Neisseria gonorrheae, and 5 (6%) both chlamydia and gonorrhea. Laparoscopy was performed on 5 patients, revealing endometriosis (2), normal pelvis (2), and PID (1). There were no differences between the two time periods in demographics characteristics, discharge diagnoses, positive cultures, time to antibiotics, or number of laparoscopies. Pelvic ultrasounds were obtained in 45 patients (65%) in Time 1 and 6 (33%) in Time 2 (p = 0.014), with no difference in the proportion of positive readings. Mean length-of-stay was reduced from 3.8 to 2.8 days (p = 0.036) and total hospital charges from $5489 to $4081 (p = 0.034). Conclusions Continued use of a CPG during hospitalization of adolescents with uncomplicated PID can result in reduced length-of-stay and hospital charges without compromising appropriate care.
Protein Targeting to Exosomes/Microvesicles by Plasma Membrane Anchors

Animal cells secrete small vesicles, otherwise known as exosomes and microvesicles (EMVs). A short, N-terminal acylation tag can target a highly oligomeric cytoplasmic protein, TyA, into secreted vesicles (Fang, Y., Wu, N., Gan, X., Yan, W., Morell, J. C., and Gould, S. J. (2007) PLoS Biol. 5, 1267–1283). However, it is not clear whether this is true for other membrane anchors or other highly oligomeric, cytoplasmic proteins. We show here that a variety of plasma membrane anchors can target TyA-GFP to sites of vesicle budding and into EMVs, including: (i) a myristoylation tag; (ii) a phosphatidylinositol-(4,5)-bisphosphate (PIP2)-binding domain; (iii), a phosphatidylinositol-(3,4,5)-trisphosphate-binding domain; (iv) a prenylation/palmitoylation tag, and (v) a type-1 plasma membrane protein, CD43. However, the relative budding efficiency induced by these plasma membrane anchors varied over a 10-fold range, from 100% of control (AcylTyA-GFP) for the myristoylation tag and PIP2-binding domain, to one-third or less for the others, respectively. Targeting TyA-GFP to endosome membranes by fusion to a phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate-binding domain induced only a slight budding of TyA-GFP, ∼2% of control, and no budding was observed when TyA-GFP was targeted to Golgi membranes via a phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate-binding domain. We also found that a plasma membrane anchor can target two other highly oligomeric, cytoplasmic proteins to EMVs. These observations support the hypothesis that plasma membrane anchors can target highly oligomeric, cytoplasmic proteins to EMVs. Our data also provide additional parallels between EMV biogenesis and retrovirus budding, as the anchors that induced the greatest budding of TyA-GFP are the same as those that mediate retrovirus budding.
Persistent hippocampal CA1 LTP in mice lacking the C-terminal PDZ ligand of GluR1

The C-terminal PDZ ligand of the AMPA receptor GluR1 subunit may be important for expression of CA1 hippocampal long-term potentiation. To test this directly in vivo, we generated a knock-in mouse lacking the last seven residues of GluR1, comprising the PDZ ligand. This deletion did not affect basal GluR1 synaptic localization, basal synaptic transmission, long-term potentiation or long-term depression, indicating that the ligand is not required for CA1 hippocampal synaptic plasticity.
Enhanced thermoelectric properties of bulk TiNiSn via formation of a TiNi2Sn second phase

The effect of phase-segregated Heusler TiNi2Sn on high temperature thermoelectric properties of bulk half-Heusler TiNiSn has been studied. In samples expressed by the composition TiNi1+xSn, a significant decrease in thermal conductivity (between 10% and 30%) is observed for two-phase TiNi1.15Sn, despite the second-phase particles existing at the micrometer scale; a 50% increase in the electrical conductivity is also measured. These result in a maximum figure of merit, ZT, of 0.44 at 800 K, which is 25% greater than is observed for the x = 0 sample. Density functional calculations of TiNiSn and TiNi2Sn suggest that the latter should deplete carriers at 0 K.
Inhibition of gastric acid secretion in vitro by prostaglandin E1.

ADMINISTRATION of gastrin or histamine leads to the secretion of hydrochloric acid by the vertebrate stomach. The details of this process are so far largely unknown. The effects of a variety of hormones in other tissues are mediated by the intracellular level of cyclic AMP (adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate)1. In several such examples the naturally occurring unsaturated fatty acid, prostaglandin E1 (PGE1), blocks hormonal action. Thus inhibition of epinephrine-induced lipolysis2 and vasopressin-induced changes in osmotic permeability3 by PGE1 have been attributed to interference with the accumulation of cyclic AMP induced by the respective hormone in the target organ or tissue.
Nutrition in Alcoholic Liver Disease

Liver disease secondary to alcohol ranges from alcoholic fatty liver disease to acute hepatitis to cirrhotic liver disease. It is imperative that alcohol be discontinued to allow for any potential improvement in liver function, with most benefit being seen in the early stages of the disease. Alcoholic liver disease has a profound effect on nutrient intake, nutrition status, and metabolism, contributing to a high prevalence of malnutrition in this population. Early intervention with nutrition therapy may improve response to treatment, alleviate symptoms, and improve quality and quantity of life. In this review, nutrition assessment parameters and medical nutrition therapy goals for alcoholic liver disease are discussed.
New Class of Two-Photon-Absorbing Chromophores Based on Dithienothiophene

Novel two-photon absorption (TPA) chromophores are synthesized; they have dithienothiophene (DTT) as a π-center which is attached by electron donor (D) or electron acceptor (A) at each end through a π-conjugation. Their TPA cross section, measured using nanosecond- as well as femtosecond-pulsed laser, exhibits one of the largest values known so far. This is attributable mainly to the unique electronic properties of DTT.
Effects of heat-stress on behavior and the pituitary adrenal axis in rats

Abstract Three experiments were performed in order to analyse the behavioral and biochemical correlates of four different intensities of the same stressor. In experiment 1, rats were exposed to heat stress (hot-plate) of varying temperatures for 30 seconds. Activity was recorded in an open field immediately after stress for 30 minutes. The data revealed that the milder temperatures increased (21, 47, 52°C), while the higher temperature (57°C) decreased activity. Experiment 2 assessed the pituitary-adrenal response to the different temperatures by measuring levels of plasma corticosterone 30 minutes after stress. The four levels of hot-plate temperatures induced differential levels of corticosterone which may best be described as an inverted U-shaped function, with only the extreme temperature (57°) inducing a significant elevation in levels of the steroid. Experiment 3 further manipulated the pituitary adrenal axis by administering dexamethasone 25 hr and 1 hr before stress and ACTH 15 min before stress. Both affected activity levels by depressing locomotion regardless of the stress intensity. These results are compared to other studies that have addressed the question of stress-induced activation and it is suggested that stress is not a unitary concept, but interacts with the performance of certain behaviors to produce both facilatory or inhibitory results.
Oral administration of a bone morphogenetic protein type I receptor inhibitor prevents the development of anemia of inflammation.

Anemia of inflammation (AI), the second most frequent form of anemia, complicates inflammatory and chronic diseases.[1][1] Although typically mild to moderate, AI is associated with increased morbidity and mortality.[1][1] One of the mechanisms contributing to the development of AI is a persistent
Oxidized Phospholipids Induce Changes in Hepatic Paraoxonase and ApoJ but Not Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 via Interleukin-6

In this study, we tested if interleukin-6 (IL-6) plays a role in mediating the effects of oxidized phospholipids (OXPL). Treatment of HepG2 cells with oxidized 1-palmitoyl-2-arachidonyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoryl choline (OX-PAPC), or biologically active lipids present in mildly oxidized low density lipoprotein, increased apolipoprotein J (apoJ), and decreased paraoxonase (PON) mRNA levels. Antibodies to IL-6 blocked these changes. IL-6 treatment in the absence of OXPL produced the same pattern of mRNA changes observed with OXPL treatment alone.In vivo, OX-PAPC injected into C57BL/6J mice resulted in a marked reduction in PON activity and an increase in apoJ levels in plasma after 16 h. Injection of OX-PAPC into IL-6-deficient C57BL/6J mice (IL-6 −/−) did not alter either PON activity or apoJ levels. We then tested if other mechanisms involved in fatty streak formation depended upon IL-6. Antibody to IL-6 had no effect on OX-PAPC-induced secretion of MCP-1 by endothelial cells nor on MCP-1 mRNA expression in HepG2 cells. C57BL/6J and IL-6 −/− mice fed an atherogenic diet both demonstrated markedly reduced plasma PON activities and the IL-6 −/− mice developed fatty streaks to a greater degree than wild-type mice. We conclude that IL-6 is critical to short term but not long term regulation of PON and that IL-6 is not required for OXPL regulation of MCP-1.
a Chewa cosmology of the body

For the Chewa peasantry of Malawi, conceptions of the body are based on agricultural metaphors, drawn from the routines of farm life and formalized as cosmology and physiology by rainmakers and midwives. In this article I describe Chewa body symbolism, focusing first on the agrarian lifestyle and then on the cross-referencing symbolisms of body and terrain in rainmaking ritual and in domestic practice. Menstruation and pregnancy are especially susceptible to cosmological schematizations. [Chewa, Malawi, body, reproduction, rainmaking, cosmology]
Improved query performance with variant indexes

The read-mostly environment of data warehousing makes it possible to use more complex indexes to speed up queries than in situations where concurrent updates are present. The current paper presents a short review of current indexing technology, including row-set representation by Bitmaps, and then introduces two approaches we call Bit-Sliced indexing and Projection indexing. A Projection index materializes all values of a column in RID order, and a Bit-Sliced index essentially takes an orthogonal bit-by-bit view of the same data. While some of these concepts started with the MODEL 204 product, and both Bit-Sliced and Projection indexing are now fully realized in Sybase IQ, this is the first rigorous examination of such indexing capabilities in the literature. We compare algorithms that become feasible with these variant index types against algorithms using more conventional indexes. The analysis demonstrates important performance advantages for variant indexes in some types of SQL aggregation, predicate evaluation, and grouping. The paper concludes by introducing a new method whereby multi-dimensional group-by queries, reminiscent of OLAP/Datacube queries but with more flexibility, can be very efficiently performed.
Alcohol droplet combustion

Abstract Theoretical analyses are reported on the combustion of spherical alcohol droplets under microgravity conditions. The theory addresses burning rates, water dissolution in the droplet during combustion, possible instabilities that can lead to liquid-phase circulation, and conditions for flame extinction. Comparisons are made between theoretical predictions and results of drop-tower experiments. The primary conclusions are that internal circulation occurs for methanol droplets and that the extinction conditions predicted under this assumption agree with experiment.
Demonstration of thermomechanical recording at 641 Gbit/in/sup 2/

Ultrahigh storage areal densities can be achieved by using thermomechanical local-probe techniques to write, read back, and erase data in the form of nanometer-scale indentations in thin polymer films. This paper presents single-probe experimental results in which large data sets were recorded at 641 Gbit/in/sup 2/ and read back with raw bit-error rates better than 10/sup -4/. (d,k) modulation coding is used to mitigate the effect of partial erasing, occurring when subsequent indentations are spaced too closely together, and to increase the effective areal density. The physical indentation profile, the sensitivity of the probe in readback mode, and noise sources that affect data detection are also discussed. Quantitative measurements of the partial erasing effect in both the on-track and cross-track directions are reported.
Using Integrated Optical Feedback to Counter Pixel Aging and Stabilize Light Output of Organic LED Display Technology

We define a metric of useful operating lifetime of an organic light-emitting device (OLED) display and relate it to the commonly measured half-life of constituent OLED pixels. We enumerate sources of OLED operational instability and propose an optical feedback solution in a novel integrated configuration to counter pixel aging and maintain stable light output across all of the pixels of an OLED display. Such optical feedback can correct pixel imperfections in both active matrix and passive matrix OLED displays. As an example, we analyze lifetime data previously published by Kwong et al., in 2002, and demonstrate that our optical feedback technique could maintain 100 cd/m2 display light output within a 2% brightness accuracy for more than 25 000 hours of continuous use for this specific OLED system. From this example we draw conclusions generally applicable to extending stable operating lifetime of other OLED structures.
Revision of the Genus Tolono Rolston and Kumar, 1975 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Acanthosomatidae), with Descriptions of Two New Species

Abstract The acanthosomatid genus Tolono Rolston and Kumar is revised. The generic description is modified slightly to accommodate the two new species described herein: Tolono confusus n. sp. is described from Ecuador and Colombia and T. pallidus n. sp. is described from Colombia. The first host plant record, Baccharis floribunda (Ruiz and Pav.) (Asteraceae), is provided for T. pallidus. A key for the identification of the species is provided.
Distribution of carbohydrate epitopes among disjoint subsets of leech sensory afferent neurons

Carbohydrate recognition plays an important role in the development of normal projections of sensory afferent neurons in the leech CNS. Four different carbohydrate epitopes are expressed by sensory afferents on their 130 kDa surface proteins: all sensory afferents share a common carbohydrate epitope (CE0) that helps them to enter and project diffusely across the synaptic neuropil; a restricted expression of three other carbohydrate epitopes (CE1, CE2, and CE3) serves to distinguish three subsets of sensory afferents. We examined the subsets of sensory afferents defined by their subset carbohydrate epitopes in the leech lip, skin, gut, and CNS. We established that the CE1, CE2, and CE3 subset epitopes define disjoint subsets of neurons by double labeling sensory afferents with monoclonal antibodies for different pairs of subset epitopes. We found that CE2 and CE3 afferents populate the lip and skin, but not the gut, and that these two subsets of sensory afferents have convergent projection patterns in the CNS. We found that CE1 afferents populate the gut and skin, but not lips; furthermore, their CNS projections diverge from those of CE2 and CE3 afferents. Our data fit the hypothesis that these carbohydrate epitopes are related to sensory modality of afferent subsets.
The Non-Use of Computers in Undergraduate Engineering Science Courses

Based on visits to twelve institutions spread across the United States, a survey was made of how engineering science courses have been influenced by the ready availability of computers. Although the sample was too small to support general conclusions, the findings were so consistent that they are presented as a possible stimulus to faculty members and others to make the same observations at other institutions. The survey supports the conclusion that computers are usually not used effectively in undergraduate engineering science courses. Often, they are not used at all. Problem-solving approaches and calculation methods are little influenced by the availability of computers. Typically, faculty members reacted to this conclusion with disbelief and denial until they made their own observations. Speculation is offered on why faculty members do not use computers effectively in engineering science courses and why they initially deny the conclusion above. The challenge suggested for faculty members and industrial advisory board members is to make similar observations. The results may be eye-opening.
A 4-ns 4K*1-bit two-port BiCMOS SRAM

The authors introduce a two-port BiCMOS static random-access memory (SRAM) cell that combines ECL-level word-line voltage swings and emitter-follower bit-line coupling with a static CMOS latch for data storage. With this cell, referred to as a CMOS storage emitter access cell, it is possible to achieve access times comparable to those of high-speed bipolar SRAMs while preserving the high density and low power of CMOS memory arrays. The memory can be read and written simultaneously and is therefore well-suited to applications such as high-speed caches and video memories. A read access time of 3.8 ns at a power dissipation of 520 mW has been achieved in an experimental 4K*1-bit two-port memory integrated in a 1.5- mu m 5-GHz BiCMOS technology. The access time in this prototype design is nearly temperature-insensitive, increasing to only 4 ns at a case temperature of 100 degrees C. >
Effects of even-order nonlinear terms on power amplifier modeling and predistortion linearization

Power amplifier (PA) is an essential component in communication systems and is nonlinear in nature. Digital baseband predistortion is an emerging cost effective approach to linearize a PA. To study PA nonlinear characteristics and to construct a predistorter, accurate nonlinear models are often necessary. Polynomials have been used extensively for modeling the behavior of the PA or the predistorter. For bandpass communication signals, attention has been paid mainly to odd-order nonlinear terms. In this paper, we reveal the benefit of including even-order nonlinear terms in baseband modeling of the PA and in enhancing predistortion performance.
Why significant variables aren’t automatically good predictors

Thus far, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have been disappointing in the inability of investigators to use the results of identified, statistically significant variants in complex diseases to make predictions useful for personalized medicine. Why are significant variables not leading to good prediction of outcomes? We point out that this problem is prevalent in simple as well as complex data, in the sciences as well as the social sciences. We offer a brief explanation and some statistical insights on why higher significance cannot automatically imply stronger predictivity and illustrate through simulations and a real breast cancer example. We also demonstrate that highly predictive variables do not necessarily appear as highly significant, thus evading the researcher using significance-based methods. We point out that what makes variables good for prediction versus significance depends on different properties of the underlying distributions. If prediction is the goal, we must lay aside significance as the only selection standard. We suggest that progress in prediction requires efforts toward a new research agenda of searching for a novel criterion to retrieve highly predictive variables rather than highly significant variables. We offer an alternative approach that was not designed for significance, the partition retention method, which was very effective predicting on a long-studied breast cancer data set, by reducing the classification error rate from 30% to 8%.
Demonstration of the TrajStore system

The proliferation of GPS devices has led to a substantial interest in location based services. In particular, modern vehicles can generate an incredible amount of drive data. However, current storage systems are not optimized for storing and querying such large spatial-temporal data sets. In this demonstration, we show the performance of the TrajStore system, a dynamic storage system optimized for quickly accessing data in a particular spatial-temporal region. In particular, TrajStore uses a novel adaptive indexing technique that dynamically adjusts itself to co-locate spatially close trajectories on disk, as well as a number of compression techniques in the storage layer that significantly reduce access time for a given index cell. In this demonstration, we will store a set of real world taxi cab drive traces in TrajStore, and users will be able to query the data through a map based interface.
A new ubiquitous information agent system for cloud computing - Example on GPS and Bluetooth techniques in Google Android platform

This paper preliminarily proposed a new ubiquitous information agent system with the GPS and Bluetooth techniques in the Google Android platform and related interaction diagrams with OntoIAS in cloud computing environments. The system prototype can also reveal the feasibility of the system architecture proposed in this paper.
Modeling and analysis of read (RD) disturb in 1T-1STT MTJ memory bits

The paper presents a RD disturb model study of STT-MTJ memory bits. It shows that high-current short-pulsed RD may cause failure under hammer conditions. Analytical models for such have been developed and validated against numerical simulations.
The VIP Treatment: Lessons From an Incentive System in a Hybrid-Economic Peer-Production Community

This paper present findings from an ethnographic investigation examining the degree to which the community, marketplace, and information systems interact to shape identity and social learning in a ...
Learning executable agent behaviors from observation

We present a method for learning a human understandable, executable model of an agent's behavior using observations of its interaction with the environment. By executable we mean that the model is suitable for direct execution by an agent. Traditional models of behavior used for recognition tasks (e.g., Hidden Markov Models) are insufficent for this problem because they cannot respond to input from the environment. We train an Input/Output Hidden Markov Model where the output distributions are mixtures of learned low level actions and the transition distributions are conditional on features detected by the agent's sensors. We show that the system is able to learn both the behavior and human-understandable structure of a simulated model.
A Note on “Impossible” Paper Folding

(1996). A Note on “Impossible” Paper Folding. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 103, No. 3, pp. 240-241.
Huge isotope effect on the vibrational lifetimes of an H 2 * (C) defect in Si

The hydrogenation of C-rich Si leads to the formation of two (almost) energetically degenerate ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}^{*}(\mathrm{C})$ complexes, each containing one substitutional C (${\mathrm{C}}_{\mathrm{s}}$) and two interstitial H atoms which are located at a bond-centered (bc) and an antibonding (ab) site, respectively. The two defects are trigonal: ${\mathrm{C}}_{\mathrm{s}}\ensuremath{-}{\mathrm{H}}_{\mathrm{bc}}\ensuremath{\cdots}\mathrm{Si}\ensuremath{-}{\mathrm{H}}_{\mathrm{ab}}$ and ${\mathrm{H}}_{\mathrm{ab}}\ensuremath{-}{\mathrm{C}}_{\mathrm{s}}\ensuremath{\cdots}{\mathrm{H}}_{\mathrm{bc}}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{Si}$. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) absorption spectra of these two defects should show two ${\mathrm{C}}_{\mathrm{s}}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{H}$ and two $\mathrm{Si}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{H}$ stretch modes, but the ${\mathrm{H}}_{\mathrm{ab}}\ensuremath{-}{\mathrm{C}}_{\mathrm{s}}$ mode was absent in earlier studies. The missing line has now been observed by FTIR in especially C rich Si material. The line is unexpectedly broad, suggesting a very short vibrational lifetime. Partial D substitutions result in the formation of a ${\mathrm{H}}_{\mathrm{ab}}\ensuremath{-}{\mathrm{C}}_{\mathrm{s}}\ensuremath{\cdots}{\mathrm{D}}_{\mathrm{bc}}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{Si}$ center. In this defect, the ${\mathrm{H}}_{\mathrm{ab}}\ensuremath{-}{\mathrm{C}}_{\mathrm{s}}$ line shifts by only $0.3\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}{\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ but becomes very sharp, suggesting a long lifetime. The IR line widths show that the vibrational lifetime of the ${\mathrm{H}}_{\mathrm{ab}}\ensuremath{-}{\mathrm{C}}_{\mathrm{s}}$ mode in ${\mathrm{H}}_{\mathrm{ab}}\ensuremath{-}{\mathrm{C}}_{\mathrm{s}}\ensuremath{\cdots}{\mathrm{D}}_{\mathrm{bc}}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{Si}$ is about 16 times longer than that of the same ${\mathrm{H}}_{\mathrm{ab}}\ensuremath{-}{\mathrm{C}}_{\mathrm{s}}$ mode in ${\mathrm{H}}_{\mathrm{ab}}\ensuremath{-}{\mathrm{C}}_{\mathrm{s}}\ensuremath{\cdots}{\mathrm{H}}_{\mathrm{bc}}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{Si}$. This paper contains experimental data and first-principles calculations which explain this isotope effect.
Analysis of Diffuse K+ and Mg2+ Ion Binding to a Two-Base-Pair Kissing Complex by Single-Molecule Mechanical Unfolding

The folding and stability of RNA tertiary interactions depend critically on cationic conditions. It is usually difficult, however, to isolate such effects on tertiary interactions from those on the entire RNA. By manipulating conformations of single RNA molecules using optical tweezers, we distinguished individual steps of breaking and forming of a two-base-pair kissing interaction from those of secondary folding. The binding of metal ions to the small tertiary structure appeared to be saturable with an apparent Kd of 160 mM for K(+) and 1.5 mM for Mg(2+). The kissing formation was estimated to be associated with binding of ~2-3 diffuse K(+) or Mg(2+) ions. At their saturated binding, Mg(2+) provided ~3 kcal/mol more stabilizing energy to the structure than K(+). Furthermore, the cations change the unkissing forces significantly more than the kissing ones. For example, the presence of Mg(2+) ions increased the average unkissing force from 21 pN to 44 pN, surprisingly high for breaking merely two base pairs; in contrast, the mean kissing force was changed by only 4.5 pN. Interestingly, the differential salt effects on the transition forces were not caused by different changes in the height of the kinetic barriers but were instead attributed to how different molecular structures respond to the applied force. Our results showed the importance of diffuse cation binding to the stability of tertiary interaction and demonstrated the utility of mechanical unfolding in studying tertiary interactions.
Diagnosis and Management of the Adnexal Mass

Adnexal masses are frequently found in both symptomatic and asymptomatic women. In premenopausal women, physiologic follicular cysts and corpus luteum cysts are the most common adnexal masses, but the possibility of ectopic pregnancy must always be considered. Other masses in this age group include endometriomas, polycystic ovaries, tubo-ovarian abscesses and benign neoplasms. Malignant neoplasms are uncommon in younger women but become more frequent with increasing age. In postmenopausal women with adnexal masses, both primary and secondary neoplasms must be considered, along with leiomyomas, ovarian fibromas and other lesions such as diverticular abscesses. Information from the history, physical examination, ultrasound evaluation and selected laboratory tests will enable the physician to find the most likely cause of an adnexal mass. Measurement of serum CA-125 is a useful test for ovarian malignancy in postmenopausal women with pelvic masses. Asymptomatic premenopausal patients with simple ovarian cysts less than 10 cm in diameter can be observed or placed on suppressive therapy with oral contraceptives. Postmenopausal women with simple cysts less than 3 cm in diameter may also be followed, provided the serum CA-125 level is not elevated and the patient has no signs or symptoms suggestive of malignancy.
Cell and Tissue Display: An Alternative Multipurpose Tool for Microscopy

We developed a method, termed Cell and Tissue Display (CTD), for embedding 16 or more different tissue samples in multi-compartment agarose blocks. The CTD-generated blocks allow uniform multiplexing of cell lines and small tissue fragments within a single histologic block. The distribution of individual cells within the CTD blocks is improved, likely because the individual agarose compartments are small and uniform. The composition of each CTD block can be customized based on intended use. Some potential uses of CTD histologic blocks include improved sectioning of small tissue fragments, such as needle biopsy specimens or punch biopsies; multiplexing of tissue fragments within a single block; and the generation of control slides for laboratory proficiency testing. .
Corporate Science: Sagane

When the atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki on August 9, 1945, an anonymous letter addressed to Ryōkichi Sagane was attached to three recording instruments that were parachuted by the Americans.1 The handwritten letter implored Sagane to do your utmost to stop the destruction and waste of life which can only result in the total annihilation of all your cities, if continued. As scientists, we deplore the use to which a beautiful discovery has been put, but we can assure you that unless Japan surrenders at once, this rain of atomic bombs will increase many fold in fury2
Evidence for the Involvement of the Mitochondrial Electron Transport Chain in Photorespiratory Glycine Oxidation

Inhibitors of mitochondrial electron transport and its coupling to phosphorylation were used to study the fate of the NADH produced during glycine oxidation in pea leaf protoplasts. Glycine decarboxylation was stimulated by the uncouplers, FCCP and DNP, and decreased by the electron transport inhibitors, rotenone and antimycin A. The level of glycine in the cells was lowered by the uncouplers and elevated by the inhibitors. Photorespiration, measured as CO2 release in the light by intact pea leaves, was depressed by rotenone. These results indicate that the NADH produced in the mitochondria by glycine oxidation is oxidized by the mitochondria electron transport chain. The reducing equivalents are not exported to the cytosol for hydroxypyruvate reduction.
Supporting Life Cycle Management of Bridges Through Multi-Hazard Reliability and Risk Assessment

Bridge infrastructure is susceptible to damage from a large host of threats including natural hazards, aging and deterioration, and demands that increase with population growth and urbanization. Life cycle management of bridge infrastructure requires an understanding of the relative contribution of these threats to the risk of damage or impending consequences, such as life cycle costs. Traditionally, limited attention has been given to understanding the hazard risk profile to bridge infrastructure, defined as the relative risks posed by multiple hazards and the synergies or trade-offs in protecting for different hazards. Furthermore, effective strategies are needed to jointly consider cumulative damage (e.g., from aging) and punctuated damage (e.g., from natural hazards) when assessing the influence of design or upgrade decisions that may mitigate risks from multiple potentially competing hazards. This chapter utilizes metamodels as an efficient strategy for developing parameterized time-dependent bridge fragilities for multiple hazards, thereby facilitating multi-hazard risk assessment and life cycle management. Threats considered in the case studies include earthquakes, hurricanes, aging and deterioration, and live loads. The applications illustrate the relative contribution of earthquake and hurricane hazards to the risk of losses given variation in bridge parameters, the influence of considering aging when assessing the hazard risk profile, and the impact of concurrent threats (e.g., truck and earthquake) on the life cycle risk.
Innovative physical therapy practice: a qualitative verification of factors that support diffusion of innovation in outpatient physical therapy practice

Background and purpose New ideas, methods, and technologies spread through cultures through typical patterns described by diffusion of innovation (DOI) theory. Professional cultures, including the physical therapy profession, have distinctive features and traditions that determine the adoption of practice innovation. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) proposes a framework of innovation implementation specific to health care services. While the CFIR has been applied to medical and nursing practice, it has not been extended to rehabilitation professions. The purpose of this qualitative study was to verify the CFIR factors in outpatient physical therapy practice. Design Through a nomination process of area rehabilitation managers and area directors of clinical education, 2 exemplar, outpatient, privately owned physical therapy clinics were identified as innovation practices. A total of 18 physical therapists (PTs), including 3 owners and a manager, participated in the study. Methods The 2 clinics served as case studies within a qualitative approach of directed content analysis. Data were collected through observation, spontaneous, unstructured questioning, workflow analysis, structured focus group sessions, and artifact analysis including clinical documents. Focus group data were transcribed. All the data were analyzed and coded among 4 investigators. Results Through data analysis and alignment with literature in DOI theory in health care practice, the factors that determine innovation adoption were verified. The phenomena of implementation in PT practice are largely consistent with models of implementation in health care service. Within the outpatient practices studied, patient-centered care and collaborative learning were foundational elements to diffusion of an innovation. Conclusion Innovation in outpatient physical therapy practice can be understood as a social process situated within the culture of the physical therapy professional that follows predictable patterns that strongly align with DOI theory and the CFIR.
Management of Aneurysms and Vascular Malformations During Pregnancy and Puerperium

Abstract In this chapter, we review the management of aneurysms and vascular malformations in women during pregnancy and puerperium. The lesions discussed include moyamoya disease, dural arteriovenous fistula, arteriovenous malformations, and cavernous malformations.
Setting the mood for love

McHenry and colleagues delineate a neural circuit controlling female sexual behavior. These experiments shed light on how the brain optimizes reproductive behavior to coincide with phases of peak fertility.
Democracy at Work: Moving beyond Elections to Improve Well-Being

How does democracy work to improve well-being? In this article, we disentangle the component parts of democratic practice—elections, civic participation, expansion of social provisioning, local administrative capacity—to identify their relationship with well-being. We draw from the citizenship debates to argue that democratic practices allow citizens to gain access to a wide range of rights, which then serve as the foundation for improving social well-being. Our analysis of an original dataset covering over 5,550 Brazilian municipalities from 2006 to 2013 demonstrates that competitive elections alone do not explain variation in infant mortality rates, one outcome associated with well-being. We move beyond elections to show how participatory institutions, social programs, and local state capacity can interact to buttress one another and reduce infant mortality rates. It is important to note that these relationships are independent of local economic growth, which also influences infant mortality. The result of our thorough analysis offers a new understanding of how different aspects of democracy work together to improve a key feature of human development.
Predation of a Golden Swallow ( Tachycineta euchrysea ) nest by the Indian mongoose ( Herpestes javanicus ) in the Sierra de Bahoruco, Dominican Republic

Golden Swallows ( Tachycineta euchrysea ) have recently been observed nesting on or near the ground. In May 2004 I observed an introduced Indian mongoose (Herpestes javanicus) enter a recently depredated Golden Swallow nest cavity located 2 m above the ground in the Sierra de Bahoruco, Dominican Republic. Deforestation of high elevation pine forests may force the Golden Swallow to nest in sub-optimal habitat where it is more vulnerable to mongoose predation. Las golondrinas doradas ( Tachycineta euchrysea ) han sido observadas recientemente nidificando en o cerca del suelo. En mayo del 2004 observe una mangosta introducida (Herpestes javanicus) entrando a una cavidad de nidificacion de Golondrina Dorada recientemente depredada, que estaba localizada a una altura de 2 m en la Sierra de Bahoruco, Republica Dominicana. La deforestacion de los pinares ubicados a grandes alturas pueden forzar a la Golondrina Dorada a nidificar en habitat sub-optimos donde es mas vulnerable a la depredacion por mangostas. Des Hirondelles dorees ( Tachycineta euchrysea ) ont ete observees recemment nichant au sol ou a proximite. J’ai observe en mai 2004 une Petite Mangouste indienne (Herpestes javanicus), espece introduite, penetrant une cavite de nidification recemment predatee d’Hirondelle doree situee 2 m au dessus du sol dans la Sierra de Bahoruco, Republique Dominicaine. La deforestation de la foret d’altitude de pins pourrait obliger l’Hirondelle Doree a nicher dans un habitat sub-optimal ou elle devient plus vulnerable a la predation par la mangouste.
Fission Cross Section of Berkelium-249 Between 0.7 and 3.0 MeV

The neutron-induced fission cross section of 249Bk was measured over the threshold region near 1 MeV by time-of-flight techniques in conjunction with the underground nuclear explosion, Physics-8. T...
Variation and best linear unbiased predictors in a novel source of orchardgrass germplasm with increased winter hardiness

Evaluation of orchardgrass families at two Utah locations identified significant genetic variation for winter injury but not for flowering or biomass production. Repeatability estimates ranged from 0.06 (biomass production) to 0.65 (winter hardiness). This population has utility for the development of cultivars with increased winter hardiness.
Tolerogenic Ag-PLG Nanoparticles Induce Tregs to Suppress Activated Diabetogenic CD4 and CD8 T Cells

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is mediated by destruction of pancreatic β cells by autoantigen-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, thus the ideal solution for T1D is the restoration of immune tolerance to β cell antigens. We demonstrate the ability of carboxylated 500 nm biodegradable poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG) nanoparticles PLG nanoparticles (either surface coupled with or encapsulating the cognate diabetogenic peptides) to rapidly and efficiently restore tolerance in NOD.SCID recipients of both activated diabetogenic CD4+ BDC2.5 chromagranin A-specific and CD8+ NY8.3 islet-specific glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit-related protein (IGRP)-specific TCR transgenic T cells in an antigen-specific manner. Further, initiation and maintenance of Ag-PLG tolerance operates via several overlapping, but independent, pathways including regulation via negative-co-stimulatory molecules (CTLA-4 and PD-1) and the systemic induction of peptide-specific Tregs which were critical for long-term maintenance of tolerance by controlling both trafficking of effector T cells to, and their release of pro-inflammatory cytokines within the pancreas, concomitant with selective retention of effector cells in the spleens of recipient mice.
Surpassing Single Line Width Active Tuning with Photochromic Molecules Coupled to Plasmonic Nanoantennas.

Active plasmonic nanostructures with tunable resonances promise to enable smart materials with multiple functionalities, on-chip spectral-based imaging and low-power optoelectronic devices. A variety of tunable materials have been integrated with plasmonic structures, however, the tuning range in the visible regime has been limited to less than the line width of the resonance resulting in small on/off ratios. Here we demonstrate dynamic tuning of plasmon resonances up to 71 nm through multiple cycles by incorporating photochromic molecules into plasmonic nanopatch antennas. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light switches the molecules into a photoactive state enabling dynamic control with on/off ratios up to 9.2 dB and a tuning figure of merit up to 1.43, defined as the ratio between the spectral shift and the initial line width of the plasmonic resonance. Moreover, the physical mechanisms underlying the large spectral shifts are elucidated by studying over 40 individual nanoantennas with fundamental resonanc...
Parallel Processing of Packets with a PRAM

The operation of policy tables, for access control (firewalls) and for routing (flow tables), is a major component in networks. For example, one of the most important bottlenecks in the Internet is the time taken by backbone routers to resolve packets. In practice, such routers use special hardware such as Ternary Content-Addressable Memory.How well do standard architectures for parallel computing work to speed up such operations? At first glance, it appears that firstmatch policies such as firewalls might force a serial approach, where the only mechanism for speeding up packet processing is to handle different packets on different cores. However, we show in this paper that the operation of packet-processing policies for each individual packet can in fact be sped up with a PRAM parallel computer. We go on to demonstrate how to build a policy engine for XMT (Explicit Multi Threading), a practical near-PRAM architecture and instruction set, and present some performance results.
Precision nutrition for prevention and management of type 2 diabetes

Summary Precision nutrition aims to prevent and manage chronic diseases by tailoring dietary interventions or recommendations to one or a combination of an individual's genetic background, metabolic profile, and environmental exposures. Recent advances in genomics, metabolomics, and gut microbiome technologies have offered opportunities as well as challenges in the use of precision nutrition to prevent and manage type 2 diabetes. Nutrigenomics studies have identified genetic variants that influence intake and metabolism of specific nutrients and predict individuals' variability in response to dietary interventions. Metabolomics has revealed metabolomic fingerprints of food and nutrient consumption and uncovered new metabolic pathways that are potentially modified by diet. Dietary interventions have been successful in altering abundance, composition, and activity of gut microbiota that are relevant for food metabolism and glycaemic control. In addition, mobile apps and wearable devices facilitate real-time assessment of dietary intake and provide feedback which can improve glycaemic control and diabetes management. By integrating these technologies with big data analytics, precision nutrition has the potential to provide personalised nutrition guidance for more effective prevention and management of type 2 diabetes. Despite these technological advances, much research is needed before precision nutrition can be widely used in clinical and public health settings. Currently, the field of precision nutrition faces challenges including a lack of robust and reproducible results, the high cost of omics technologies, and methodological issues in study design as well as high-dimensional data analyses and interpretation. Evidence is needed to support the efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and additional benefits of precision nutrition beyond traditional nutrition intervention approaches. Therefore, we should manage unrealistically high expectations and balance the emerging field of precision nutrition with public health nutrition strategies to improve diet quality and prevent type 2 diabetes and its complications.
TOWARDS A PROCESS-DRIVEN INTELLIGENT FORUM SYSTEM (PIFS) FOR EFFICIENT ORGANIZATIONAL KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER

As organizations grow more dispersed globally, efficient knowledge transfer becomes crucial for large organizations. Information systems such as workflow management systems, web forums, and recommendation systems have been used to support knowledge transfer under various environments. While each of these systems has its unique strengths in supporting knowledge transfer, each has its own limitations. We propose a new type of information system that combines the advantages of workflow, web forum, and recommendation systems, resulting in a Process-driven Intelligent Forum System (PIFS). In this paper, we investigate the efficiency issue of organizational knowledge transfer and delineate a novel design of the PIFS architecture and its basic functions. In addition, we propose a measurement of knowledge transfer efficiency and explain how PIFS might help improve the efficiency of knowledge transfer within an organization.
The Digital Ultrasonic Instrument

In order to provide a capability for performing advanced signal processing on ultrasonic and acoustic emission signals at speeds that are sufficient for practical applications, a high speed Digital Ultrasonic Instrument (DUI) has been developed. The DUI performs its processing entirely digitally and therefore can do the phase- and frequency-sensitive processing which is necessary in many advanced NDE techniques. Its speed of computations is sufficient to handle pulse repetition frequencies (PRFs) of several hundred Hertz. Three applications of the DUI are described, one each in the areas of flaw detection, flaw characterization and acoustic emission source characterization. The first application is improved near surface flaw detection by the use of subtraction of front surface echoes. The second application is a real-time operator-interactive method for correcting a flaw signal to remove system response and interface signals and thereby prepare the flaw signal for flaw characterization techniques such as the Born Inversion. The third application is the automatic identification of sources of acoustic emission in a fastener-hole geometry.