cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimal Adaptive Control of Partially Uncertain Linear Continuous-Time Systems with State Delay

In this chapter, the optimal adaptive control (OAC) of partially unknown linear continuous-time systems with state delay is introduced by using integral reinforcement learning (IRL). A quadratic cost function over infinite time horizon is considered and a value function is defined by considering the delayed state. A delay algebraic Riccati equation (DARE) is obtained using the value functional and utilized along with stationarity condition to obtain optimal control policy. Subsequently, it has been shown that the optimal control policy renders the closed-loop system asymptotically stable under mild conditions when the dynamics are known. Then, to overcome the need for drift dynamics, an actor–critic framework using the IRL approach is introduced for OAC. A novel update law for tuning the parameters of the critic function is derived. Lyapunov theory is employed to demonstrate the boundedness of the closed-loop system when the OAC uses periodic and event sampled feedback. Finally, future work involving an image sensor as part of the OAC loop using deep neural network based RL is reported. A simulation example is included to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Someone Must Be Lying

There is no rule that governs all cases when determining whether it's permissible for prosecutors to argue in closing that the jury would have to find that police officers lied in order to find a defendant not guilty. This article examines the issue of the credibility of law enforcement officers in United States v. Ruiz, 710 F.3d 1077 (9th Cir. 2013), United States v. Wilkes, 662 F.3d 524 (9th Cir. 2011), and United States v. Tucker, 641 F.3d 1110 (9th Cir. 2011).
International Decisions, GATT Dispute Settlement Panel, United States – Section 337 of Tariff Act of 1930

The European Economic Community (EEC) requested that the Council of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) establish a panel under GATT Article XXIII(2) to consider the application of section 337 of the United States Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. § 1337 (1982 & Supp. V 1988)). The Community sought a finding that the procedures applied under section 337 in patent-based cases were inconsistent with the GATT obligation to accord national treatment to imported goods and thus constituted prima facie nullification or impairment of benefits accruing to the Community under the GATT. The panel established under the authority of the Council found: (1) that certain aspects of section 337 procedure accord less favorable treatment to imported goods than is accorded to goods of domestic origin by the comparable procedures of patent litigation in the federal district courts, and are therefore inconsistent with the national treatment obligation of GATT Article III(4); and (2) that these instances of less favorable treatment cannot in many respects be justified as “necessary” under the exception for enforcement measures in GATT Article XX(d). The panel recommended that the GATT contracting parties ask the United States to bring its procedures into conformity with the General Agreement. This article reviews and analyzes the panel’s decision.
Least Upper Bounds For Minimal Pairs of $|alpha$-R.E. $|alpha$ Degrees

The application of priority arguments to study the structure of the upper semilattice of α-r.e. α-degrees for all admissible ordinals α was first done successfully by Sacks and Simpson [5] who proved that there exist incomparable α-r.e. α-degrees. Lerman and Sacks [3] studied the existence of minimal pairs of α-r.e. α-degrees, and proved their existence for all admissible ordinals α which are not refractory. We continue the study of the α-r.e. α-degrees, and prove that no minimal pair of α-r.e. α-degrees can have as least upper bound the complete α-r.e. α-degree. The above-mentioned theorem was first proven for α = ω by Lachlan [1]. Our proof for α = ω differs from Lachlan's in that we eliminate the use of the recursion theorem. The proofs are similar, however, and a knowledge of Lachlan's proof will be of considerable aid in reading this paper. We assume that the reader is familiar with the basic notions or α-recursion theory, which can be found in [2] or [5]. Throughout the paper a will be an arbitrary admissible ordinal. We identify a set A ⊆ α with its characteristic function, A(x) = 1 if x ∈ A , and A(x) = 0 if x ∉ A . If A ⊆ α and B ⊆ α, then A ⊕ B will denote the set defined by A ⊕ B ( x ) = A ( y ) if x = λ + 2 z , λ is a limit ordinal, z y = λ + z, = B ( y ) if x = λ + 2 z + 1, λ is a limit ordinal, z y = λ + z .
Taxation of Beards

This article makes a compelling case that the United States could learn from the imaginative tax policy-maker Peter the Great and institute a tax on beards. Such a tax could raise a little revenue, decrease scruffiness, and provide a new subject for cutting-edge law review notes.
Temporal response of hydraulic head, temperature, and chloride concentrations to sea-level changes, Floridan aquifer system, USA

Three-dimensional density-dependent flow and transport modeling of the Floridan aquifer system, USA shows that current chloride concentrations are not in equilibrium with current sea level and, second, that the geometric configuration of the aquifer has a significant effect on system responses. The modeling shows that hydraulic head equilibrates first, followed by temperatures, and then by chloride concentrations. The model was constructed using a modified version of SUTRA capable of simulating multi-species heat and solute transport, and was compared to pre-development conditions using hydraulic heads, chloride concentrations, and temperatures from 315 observation wells. Three hypothetical, sinusoidal sea-level changes occurring over 100,000 years were used to evaluate how the simulated aquifer responds to sea-level changes. Model results show that hydraulic head responses lag behind sea-level changes only where the Miocene Hawthorn confining unit is thick and represents a significant restriction to flow. Temperatures equilibrate quickly except where the Hawthorn confining unit is thick and the duration of the sea-level event is long (exceeding 30,000 years). Response times for chloride concentrations to equilibrate are shortest near the coastline and where the aquifer is unconfined; in contrast, chloride concentrations do not change significantly over the 100,000-year simulation period where the Hawthorn confining unit is thick.
Recent lattice QCD results on nucleon structure

I review recent developments in lattice calculations of nucleon structure. In particular, I cover the calculations of nucleon matrix elements related to generalized parton distribution functions, structure functions and form factors.
Needs Assessments in the Private Sector

While needs assessments are clearly embedded in education and social programs, assessments are also a long-standing tradition in business and industry. A needs assessment is conducted to enhance organizational development and improve individual and group performance. This chapter includes a short history of needs assessment in the private sector context and brief examples of its use in identifying solutions that will improve performance and business results. Wedman's Performance Pyramid is used as the framework for examining selected examples. The chapter closes with discussions of how to “sell” the needs assessment and performance improvement process, and how needs assessment and evaluation are linked.
Mirage resolution of cosmological singularities

We study time-dependent backgrounds in the low energy regimes of string theories. In particular the emphasis is on the general study of exotic phenomena such as positive acceleration and gravitational bounces. We generalize the usual Hawking-Penrose cosmological singularity theorems to higher-dimensional spacetimes and discuss their implications for time-dependent solutions in supergravity theories. The explicit examples we consider fall in two categories. First we consider effective lower-dimensional gravitational theories obtained from compactifications of ten and eleven-dimensional supergravity. We argue and explain why non-singular solutions (e.g., with positive acceleration and possibly a bounce) can in principle be obtained. However we show that their uplift to higher dimensions is always singular as predicted by the theorems. Secondly we revisit the issue of supergravity s-branes. Our main result is to propose a generic mechanism by which the usual singularities can be resolved.
Cycladophora davisiana: a stratigraphic tool for Pleistocene North Atlantic and interhemispheric correlation

Abstract A study of three North Atlantic cores, containing Radiolaria throughout their length and two correlative volcanic ash layers, shows that the radiolarian speciesCycladophora davisiana goes through important relative abundance changes that appear to be synchronous over an area of more than 300,000 square miles during the late Pleistocene (⋍300,000 years). A comparison of theC. davisiana abundance changes with the oxygen isotope records in a North Atlantic and a subantarctic core strongly suggests that theC. davisiana fluctuations in the North Atlantic and Antarctic are also synchronous. Although the reason for the changes in the abundance ofC. davisiana is not yet understood, the apparent synchroneity of these changes between the subantarctic and North Atlantic suggests a similarity of some related environmental factors.
Single-Event Effects in Low-Cost, Low-Power Microprocessors

ARMs and microcontrollers are low-cost, low-power microprocessors that are frequently used in embedded computing. While not immune to the naturally occurring radiation environment in space, these microprocessors can be worthwhile replacements for space-grade microprocessors for non-mission-critical computational tasks. In this paper results from radiation testing for several available ARMs and microcontrollers are presented.
Constriction Resistance and Current Crowding in Vertical Thin Film Contact

The constriction resistance and the current flow pattern are calculated analytically in a vertical thin film contact in which the thin film base is an equipotential surface. Both Cartesian and cylindrical thin film contacts are studied. The resistivities and the geometric dimensions in the individual contact members may assume arbitrary values. General scaling laws are constructed for the constriction resistance for arbitrary resistivity ratios and geometric aspect ratios. The analytic solutions are validated using a simulation code. Current crowding at the edges is displayed. In the limit of small film thickness, we show that current crowding in the vertical contact is far less serious than the current crowding in the horizontal contact. The data show that the normalized constriction resistance depends predominantly on the geometry of the thin film, but is relatively insensitive to the height and to the resistivity of the member with which the thin film is in contact.
The Teaching Assessment Blank

A form which students can use to assess their class experiences was presented. A factor analysis based on evaluations filled out by 1,648 students revealed four factors which measured (a) the quality of the instructors’ presentations, (b) the evaluation process and the student-instructor interactions, (c) the degree to which the students were stimulated and motivated by the instructors, and (d) the clarity of the tests. A further analysis indicated that subscale scores which reflected the factor scores could be developed from the total item pool.
Click Chemistry as a Powerful Tool for the Construction of Functional Poly(p-phenyleneethynylene)s: Comparison of Pre- and Postfunctionalization Schemes

1,3-Dipolar cycloadditions have been used to prepare a series of functionalized poly(p-phenyleneethynylene)s (PPEs). This was accomplished by employing a PPE with pendent triisopropylsilylacetylene groups. The triisopropylsilyl groups can be removed in situ, exposing free alkynes in the side chains of the polymer to react with azides in a postpolymerization functionalization strategy in a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition. The properties of these polymers were explored and compared to polymers of the same molecular structure but synthesized by a prepolymerization functionalization approach. Polymers of the same structure exhibit identical 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and IR spectra regardless of whether they were obtained by a conventional route or by postfunctionalization of a suitable PPE. UV−vis and fluorescence spectra are similar in solution. Postmodification through click chemistry, when compared to premodification, is an excellent method to produce functionalized, defect-free PPEs. Reaction of the azides with the main...
Pattern of daily weights among low birth weight neonates in the neonatal intensive care unit: data from a multihospital health-care system

We sought to generate a contemporary postnatal weight grid for low birth weight (LBW, <2500 g) neonates using actual data, not mathematically derived idealized weight curves. To do this, we collected electronic data from all neonatal intensive care units (NICU) patients weighing 400–2600 g at birth, during 30 consecutive months (January 2003–June 2005) in all four NICU's within a single health system, Intermountain Health Care (IHC). A deidentified limited data set was collected from electronic IHC records. Data were limited to the birth weights and all subsequent daily weights, until discharge, death, or transfer to a non-IHC facility. Lines were drawn connecting the exact daily means of body weight for patients in 200 g birth weight groupings, ranging from 400 to 2600 g. We assessed differences in growth patterns predicted by this grid vs three previously published NICU longitudinal weight grids. All recorded weights were electronically extracted for 1813 consecutive patients with dates of birth from January 1, 2003 through June 30, 2005. The daily weights of each patient totaled over 48 000 individual data points. The new grid differed from previously published grids, in that the new grid showed; (1) no predicted postnatal weight loss among neonates in categories <900 g birth weight, (2) less initial weight loss among neonates 900–2500 g, (3) fewer days to regain birth weight among neonates ⩽2000 g, and (4) fewer days to gain 100 and 300 g above birth weight in neonates ⩽1500 g. For charting serial weights of LBW neonates in the NICU the new grid may be a useful standard.
Synthesis of some oligosaccharides containing the O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-(1→2)-O-α-d-mannopyranosyl unit. Potential substrates for UDP-GlcNAc: α-d-mannopyranosyl-(1→6)-N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminyl-transferase (GnT-V)

Abstract Four different oligosaccharides containing the 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β- d -glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-α- d -mannopyranosyl sequence as a terminal disaccharide unit were synthesized, namely: 4-nitrophenyl O -(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β- d -glucopyranosyl)-(1→2)- O -α- d -mannopyranosyl-(1→6)-β- d -mannopyranoside ( 27 ), 4-nitrophenyl O -(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β- d -glucopyranosyl)-(1→2)- O -α- d -mannopyranosyl-(1→6)-β- d -glucopyranoside ( 29 ), allyl O -(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β- d -glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-α- d -mannopyranosyl-(1→6)-β- d -glucopyranoside ( 31 ), and allyl O -(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β- d -glucopyranosyl)-(1→2)- O -α- d -mannopyranosyl-(1→6)- O -β- d -glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-β- d - glucopyranoside ( 33 ). A common glycosyl donor, namely, 2- O -(2-acetamido-3,4,6-tri- O -acetyl-2-deoxy-β- d -glucopyranosyl)-3,4,6-tri- O -acetyl-α- d -mannopyranosyl bromide was employed for the synthesis of 27 , 29 , 31, and 33 , the structures of which were all established by 13 C-n.m.r. spectroscopy.
Nutrient-rich saltwater and its influence on the phytoplankton of the patos lagoon estuary, Southern Brazil

Five cruises carried out in the main navigation channel of the Patos Lagoon estuary, southern Brazil, between June and December 1989, showed high concentrations of ammonium (up to 3.0 μM), nitrate (up to 13.0 μM), and phosphate (up to 3.0 μM) in the surface saltwater close to the lagoon's mouth. High values of chlorophyll a were also measured in euhaline waters. The influence of nutrient-rich saltwater on phytoplankton production was found in a sequence of weekly measurements conducted at a shallow fixed station between September and November 1989. Peaks of carbon uptake coincided with high nitrate concentration measured during the intrusion of saltwater. Possible causes for the positive relationship between salinity and nutrients such as sewage input, sediment resuspension and return of previously exported estuarine water to the lagoon are discussed.
183 TREATMENT OF ENDOTOXIN SHOCK IN NEWBORN ANIMALS WITH INDOMETHACIN, DOBUTAMINE AND DOPAMINE

183 TREATMENT OF ENDOTOXIN SHOCK IN NEWBORN ANIMALS WITH INDOMETHACIN, DOBUTAMINE AND DOPAMINE
Periodic boundary layer near an axisymmetric stagnation point on a circular cylinder

Abstract An analysis is presented to investigate the time-mean characteristics of the laminar boundary layer near an axisymmetric stagnation point when the velocity of the oncoming flow relative to the body oscillates. Different solutions are obtained for the small and high values of the reduced frequency parameter. The range of Reynolds number considered was from 0.01 to 100. Numerical solutions for the velocity functions are presented, and the wall values of the velocity gradients are tabulated.
Beef Blood Proteins in Chick Diets

Abstract BLOOD meal is known to be a poor source of protein for poultry when fed as the principal protein carrier, but the reason for the poor quality has been unknown (Mussehl and Ackerson, 1931; Titus, Byerly, Ellis and Nestler, 1936; Almquist, 1939). In order to obtain more specific information on the nutritional value of the blood proteins for chickens, whole beef blood was fractionated into three parts: fibrin, serum and blood cells. The fractions were then investigated as sources of protein in the diets of growing chicks. A preliminary report of this work has been made (Grau and Almquist, 1943a). METHODS AND RESULTS Fibrin was prepared by whipping fresh beef blood, washing the coagulated material thoroughly with water, and drying it in air at 49°C. The whipped blood was centrifuged at 0°C. to separate the blood cells from the serum. The blood cell paste was dried directly in the same . . .
Mechanical and electrical responses of the squid giant axon to simple elongation

There is a limited amount of information available on the mechanical and functional response of the nervous system to loading. While deformation of cerebral, spinal, or peripheral nerve tissue can have particularly severe consequences, most research in this area has concentrated on either demonstrating in-vivo functional changes and disclosing the effected anatomical pathways, or describing material deformations of the composite structure. Although such studies have successfully produced repeatable traumas, they have not addressed the mechanisms of these mechanically induced injuries. Therefore, a single cell model is required in order to gain further understanding of this complex phenomena. An isolated squid giant axon was subjected to controlled uniaxial loading and its mechanical and physiological responses were monitored with an instrument specifically designed for these experiments. These results determined that the mechanical properties of the isolated axon are similar to those of other soft tissues, and include features such as a nonlinear load-deflection curve and a hysteresis loop upon unloading. The mechanical response was modeled with the quasi-linear viscoelastic theory (Fung, 1972). The physiological response of the axon to quasi-static loading was a small reversible hyperpolarization; however, as the rate of loading was increased, the axon depolarized and the magnitude and the time needed to recover to the original resting potential increased in a nonlinear fashion. At elongations greater than twenty percent an irreversible injury occurs and the membrane potential does not completely recover to baseline.
Modeling amino acid side chains in proteins: 15N NMR spectra of guanidino groups in nonpolar environments.

Natural-abundance 15N NMR spectroscopy on dodecylguanidine reveals solvent and protonation effects that model those that could occur for the arginine side chain in proteins. Our results demonstrate that the 15N chemical shifts of the terminal guanine nitrogens strongly depend on the solvent chosen for measurements. A polar H-bond-donating solvent like water has strongly deshielding effects on the neutral guanidine group (with the latter acting predominantly as an H-bond acceptor). As a result, a substantial upfield shift occurs when neutral guanidine is dissolved instead in a non-H-bonding solvent (chloroform). These solvent effects can be as large as those induced by protonation changes. This limits the ability of 15N chemical shifts to distinguish the protonation state of the arginine side chain, at least without specific knowledge of its environment. These results help to reconcile previous interpretations about the protonation state arg-82 in the M state of bacteriorhodopsin based on FTIR and 15N NMR ...
Robust Estimation of Area Under ROC Curve Using Auxiliary Variables in the Presence of Missing Biomarker Values

Summary In medical research, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves can be used to evaluate the performance of biomarkers for diagnosing diseases or predicting the risk of developing a disease in the future. The area under the ROC curve (ROC AUC), as a summary measure of ROC curves, is widely utilized, especially when comparing multiple ROC curves. In observational studies, the estimation of the AUC is often complicated by the presence of missing biomarker values, which means that the existing estimators of the AUC are potentially biased. In this article, we develop robust statistical methods for estimating the ROC AUC and the proposed methods use information from auxiliary variables that are potentially predictive of the missingness of the biomarkers or the missing biomarker values. We are particularly interested in auxiliary variables that are predictive of the missing biomarker values. In the case of missing at random (MAR), that is, missingness of biomarker values only depends on the observed data, our estimators have the attractive feature of being consistent if one correctly specifies, conditional on auxiliary variables and disease status, either the model for the probabilities of being missing or the model for the biomarker values. In the case of missing not at random (MNAR), that is, missingness may depend on the unobserved biomarker values, we propose a sensitivity analysis to assess the impact of MNAR on the estimation of the ROC AUC. The asymptotic properties of the proposed estimators are studied and their finite-sample behaviors are evaluated in simulation studies. The methods are further illustrated using data from a study of maternal depression during pregnancy.
Significance of adenosine-induced atrioventricular block in patients with unexplained syncope.

Objectives The purpose of this study was to test whether a prolonged (≥6 seconds) period of AV block in response to adenosine triphosphate (ATP) identifies additional patients at risk for bradycardia who may benefit from pacemaker implantation. Background Bradycardia is a common etiology for syncope in patients without underlying structural heart disease. Conventional testing using electrophysiologic and tilt table studies often fail to identify patients prone to episodes of symptomatic bradycardia. Methods Adenosine testing was performed in 92 consecutive patients (64 women, age 55 ± 21 years) with syncope of uncertain origin referred for tilt table testing. The adenosine test measured the maximal R-R interval after bolus administration of intravenous adenosine 150 μg/kg to upright patients. A positive adenosine AV block response was defined as a maximal R-R interval ≥6 seconds. Results A total of 21 patients (23%) had a positive response. During mean follow-up of 14.3 ± 5.9 months, 14 patients (16%) had recurrent syncope. Among patients with a positive adenosine response, 3 patients (14%) had recurrent syncope. In comparison, 11 of 69 patients (16%) without adenosine-induced AV block had recurrent syncope ( P = 1.00). Conclusions Prolonged adenosine-induced AV block in patients with unexplained syncope failed to predict recurrent syncopal episodes. These data do not support therapeutic interventions (e.g., pacemaker implantation) based on a positive adenosine AV block response alone.
Gadgets for ‘Floaters’ prevention in the histopathology laboratory

‘Floaters’, or extraneous tissues, or contaminants, are processing errors in surgical pathology. This technical note presents gadgets (processing board, brushes for cleaning grossing and embedding forceps) which can be helpful in floaters prevention in the histopathology laboratory practice.
A Faceted Taxonomy for Rating Student Bibliographies in an Online Information Literacy Game

This study measured the quality of student bibliographies through creation of a faceted taxonomy flexible and fine-grained enough to encompass the variety of online sources cited by today’s students. The taxonomy was developed via interviews with faculty, iterative refinement of categories and scoring, and testing on example student bibliographies. It was then applied to evaluate the final bibliographies created in BiblioBouts, an online social game created to teach undergraduates information literacy skills. The scores of players and nonplayers were compared and showed a positive impact from the game. Findings of the evaluations of these student bibliographies are discussed.
Effects of dynamic tensile loading on TGF and BMP signaling pathways in mesenchymal stem cells on aligned nanofibrous scaffolds

Mechanical cues are crucial factors in regulating cellular functions such as proliferation and differentiation. However, it is unclear how external mechanical cues are transduced to the cell nucleus. In this study, we investigated how applied dynamic tensile loading (DL) influences both cell signaling through differentiation pathways and sub-cellular changes in the nucleus of mesenchymal stem cells. DL without exogenous growth factors resulted in a reorganized Lamin A/C (LMAC) network and induced heterochromatin formation and increased fibro-chodrongenic gene expression. Blockade of TGF signaling with SB431542 in DL conditions decreased TGFβ and aggrecan gene expression, and increased BMP2 gene expression. The opposite was observed with the BMP inhibitor LDN193198. However, neither inhibitor blocked LAMC network reorganization and heterochromatin condensation.
Design of data structures for mergeable trees

Motivated by an application in computational topology, we consider a novel variant of the problem of efficiently maintaining dynamic rooted trees. This variant allows an operation that merges two tree paths. In contrast to the standard problem, in which only one tree arc at a time changes, a single merge operation can change many arcs. In spite of this, we develop a data structure that supports merges and all other standard tree operations in O(log2n) amortized time on an n-node forest. For the special case that occurs in the motivating application, in which arbitrary arc deletions are not allowed, we give a data structure with an O(log n) amortized time bound per operation, which is asymptotically optimal. The analysis of both algorithms is not straightforward and requires ideas not previously used in the study of dynamic trees. We explore the design space of algorithms for the problem and also consider lower bounds for it.
WebSphere connector architecture evolution

The ability of applications to communicate with resources that are outside of the application server process and to use those resources efficiently has always been an important requirement for application developers. Equally important is the ability for vendors to plug in their own solutions for connecting to and using their resources. These capabilities have evolved over time in the IBM WebSphere Application Server, from the JDBC™ application programming interface to the Common Connector Framework and later to the J2EE™ Connector Architecture, the latter providing functions such as application server inbound communications, life cycle management, and work management. In this paper, the evolution of the WebSphere Application Server implementation of these architectures, their benefits, and their trade-offs are discussed. A preview of an important new architecture, the WebSphere Channel Framework Architecture (a logical extension to the J2EE Connector Architecture) is also presented.
Electrophysiological evidence for the topographical arrangement of taste and tactile neurons in the facial lobe of the channel catfish

Abstract Neural responses in the facial lobe of the channel catfish to chemical and mechanical stimulation of the external skin surface were studied electrophysiologically. Taste and tactile neurons in the lobe were organized in a somatotopic manner, which confirms the anatomical reports of the facial lobe in the bullhead catfish, but is markedly different from that of the Cyprinidae. The taste neurons were arranged generally in the more dorsal regions of the tactile sensitive areas and responded with highest frequency to l -alanine or l -arginine HCl among several amino acids tested. The mechanically responsive neurons in the deeper layer of the antero-medial portion of the lobe, possibly corresponding to the intermediate nucleus of the facial lobe, had large receptive fields ranging from 100 mm 2 to the whole body surface; in addition, some of these neurons showed lateral inhibition. The present study revealed that the facial lobe of the channel catfish is a center not only for gustatory input, but also for tactile information.
Biopterin cofactor biosynthesis: GTP cyclohydrolase, neopterin and biopterin in tissues and body fluids of mammalian species

Levels of GTP cyclohydrolase, neopterin and biopterin were determined in tissues and body fluids of humans, monkey, dog and mouse. Highest levels of GTP cyclohydrolase and biopterin were found in pineal, liver, spleen, bone marrow, whole adrenal gland and small intestine. High levels of biopterin were found in the urine of all species examined. High levels of neopterin were found only in the urine of humans and monkeys, very low levels could be detected in dog, while none could be detected in mouse, rat, guinea pig or hamster urine.
The effect of urea on actin polymerization.

Abstract Urea establishes equilibrium between globular and fibrous actin, which depends on the urea concentration. Short treatment with high concentrations of urea depolymerizes actin irreversibly. If adenosine triphosphate, adenosine diphosphate, or inosine triphosphate is present during depolymerization, the depolymerization is reversible.
Faithful Pattern Transfer: What Are The Limits In Production?

As the Semiconductor industry moves toward 1 micron and submicron lithography, it is critical that anisotropic dry-etching reproduce the pattern linewidth control of the lithographic tools generating the patterns. The strength of custom processing individual wafers as opposed to batch treatments lies in creating an identical chemical and physical environment for each wafer (absence of loading effects) and in individual process monitoring and control to compensate for variations among the wafers themselves: the result is exceptional process-consistency and pattern-transfer control. This paper will discuss the correlation between real-time optical process signature monitoring and post-etch patttern-transfer analysis. Elimination of contamination via load-locked reactor design and contaminant monitoring will be discussed, as well as new methods for precision control and maintaining consistent accuracy of process parameters such as pressure, gas-flow rates, residence time and RF power.
Composing for the machine

Most recent analyses of the importance of automata in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries dramatically overestimate their novelty and glamour. The technology of clockwork and pinned barrel at the heart of all true automata, a fundamentally musical technology, was so widespread and so widely‐applied by 1820 that even highly complex symbioses of human and machine were no longer philosophically provocative – though striking examples exist of projects that ought to have been. In 1813, Beethoven’s spent several enthusiastic weeks composing the first orchestral work intended for a machine, an orchestrion, or mechanical orchestra, obviously feeling no ambivalence about programming his inspirations into a lifeless mechanism. A second example is Diederich Winkel’s “Componium” of 1821: an orchestrion that could create original variations on a theme. Given the routinized process of composing variations, the Componium’s performance was slightly more than analogical to human creativity; but at Winkel’s ...
Human lymphoblast mutagens in urban airborne particles

While it is known that urban airborne particles typically contain trace levels of bacterial mutagens and rodent carcinogens, little work has been done to identify chemicals in such particles that can genetically alter human cells. In this paper, we describe the analysis of an organic extract of a Washington, DC, airborne particle sample (SRM 1649) for human cell mutagens. Due to the chemical complexity of the extract, a bioassay-directed fractionation method was used to separate mutagenic constituents into chemically simplified fractions. Mutagenicity testing was done using the h1A1v2 cell line, a line of human B-lymphoblastoid cells that have been engineered to overexpress the human cytochrome P4501A1. Chemical analysis of mutagenic fractions was accomplished using GC−MS and HPLC−UV techniques. Our results indicate that ∼20% of the total mutagenicity the extract was accounted for in two fourth-order fractions that contained ∼3% of the total extract mass. These fractions were composed largely of polycycli...
Nutritional vitamin B12 deficiency and folate deficiency in an adolescent patient presenting with anemia, weight loss, and poor school performance.

Vitamin B/12 is an essential vitamin for hematopoiesis and neurologic and psychiatric health. Because it is not synthesized in the human body it must be supplied exogenously in the diet. Deficiency of cobalamin is rare and usually results from malabsorption. Other rare causes include the use of nitrous oxide transcobalamin deficiency and inadequate dietary intake. Vitamin B/12 is primarily found in meat and dairy products. The recommended dietary allowance for adults is 2-4 µg/day; however most adults consume approximately 1-2 mg/day. Because the body also stores approximately 4-5 mg of vitamin B/12 predominantly in the liver it takes 3-6 years before dietary vitamin B/12 deficiency may become clinically evident. Of the few reported adult and neonatal cases of symptomatic deficiency secondary to inadequate dietary intake vegetarian diets are usually implicated although cobalamin deficiency has also been associated with nonvegetarian diets. (excerpt)
Thermally Induced Failure of Microelectronic Structures

The purpose of this paper is to perform a theoretical evaluation to assess mechanical failure of an idealized two-dimensional, narrow, thin microelectronic structure, modelled as a plate, composed of a homogeneous, isotropic, linear-elastic material. The proposed steady-state model examines the effects of imposing a constant-uniform-uniaxial mechanical load, whose magnitude is a fraction of the yield strength of the material at room temperature, on a plate with an existing thermal stress profile generated by a gaussian temperature gradient across the plate width. The temperature dependence of the mechanical properties of the material requires that a new approach to failure evaluation be implemented. The model shows that failure can occur anywhere in the cross-section of the plate and at loads well below the yield strength of the material at room temperature, depending on the particular conditions which the plate experiences. These preliminary results may find applicability in the evaluation of microelectronic structures, e.g., a silicon chip mounted on a substrate and subjected to convective cooling due to fluid (gas or liquid) flow in a preferred direction. Resulting thermal gradients and stresses, in conjunction with mechanical loading generated from thermal expansion mismatch between the chip and the substrate, may cause component failure.
Understanding King's Ecological Inference Model a Method-of-Moments Approach

(2001). Understanding King's Ecological Inference Model a Method-of-Moments Approach. Historical Methods: A Journal of Quantitative and Interdisciplinary History: Vol. 34, No. 4, pp. 170-188.
Characterization of the Southwestern Desert Aerosol, Meadview, AZ

Sulfate, organic carbon, and soil dust were the major components of the fine aerosol at Meadview, AZ, during the summer of 1992. Sulfate mass median diameters (typically 0.15-0.27 μm) were much smaller than mass median diameters for organic carbon (typically 0.43-0.83 μm). Organic carbon size distributions were broader and more varied. Intersampler comparisons show that sulfur and sulfate measurement technology provided precise and relatively accurate (within 2-22%) concentrations. However, large differences were observed between IMPROVE filter and MOUDI impactor carbon concentrations. This is indicative of the large uncertainties with which carbon concentrations are measured. The IMPROVE backup filter subtraction procedure was partially responsible for these differences. Meadview sulfate was not completely neutralized by ammonium; SO2 concentrations were comparable to sulfate concentrations; and virtually all of the nitrate was present as gas-phase nitric acid. Our estimates suggest that primary organic aerosol from urban areas accounts for no more than 24% on average of the organic aerosol found at Meadview, AZ. The remainder is most likely secondary and biogenic OC, as well as OC from local and regional anthropogenic sources.
Manganese in the U.S. gasoline supply

Methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT) is an organic manganese compound recently approved for use in the United States as a gasoline additive. MMT use is expected to increase. This Commentary analyzes the impact of MMT use on population exposure to manganese, the health effects associated with manganese exposure, and the possibility that MMT use will lead to toxicity in the population. Although MMT use would result in only a small increment in most people's manganese exposure, certain populations will be disproportionately exposed. Although manganese is an essential nutrient at low levels, high-level manganese exposure leads to a characteristic severe nervous system toxicity. Pulmonary toxicity also occurs at high levels of exposure, and developmental toxicity to fetuses is an important concern based on more limited data. Selected subpopulations may be especially susceptible to the toxic effects of manganese. The critical question is whether the additional population exposure to manganese that would result from widespread MMT use would lead to toxic effects. Currently available evidence does not permit firm conclusions. Common sense and prudence therefore dictate that MMT not be used until further data are available and its safety is confirmed. Several measures are recommended to address the impending use of MMT in the U.S. gasoline supply. Am. J. Ind. Med. 31:107–115 © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Measuring intent: There's nothing “mere” about mere measurement effects

Prior work has established that measuring intents can influence the likelihood of behavior. Laboratory and field experiments extend past work and show that intentions are unique memorial structures that, once accessible, have profound influences on information processing and behavior. The results consistently demonstrate that measurement influences behavior and that measuring intent has a stronger influence on behavior than measuring attitudes. In addition, the laboratory experiment shows that measuring intents influences the accessibility and extremity of related yet previously unmeasured attitudes. However, measuring attitudes did not influence previously unmeasured intents. The research furthers our understanding of measurement effects and their impact on cognitive structure and behavior, and has implications for survey methodology and public policy. In addition, the research highlights the need for additional research on how intentions are represented in memory. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Acid invertase (sucrose hydrolysis) is not required for sucrose mobilization from the vacuole

The possible involvement of acid invertase (sucrose hydrolysis) as a prerequisite for sucrose mobilization from the vacuole of storage cells was investigated. Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) stalks, carrot (Daucus carota) roots and red beet (Beta vulgaris) hypocotyls were planted under greenhouse conditions and allowed to growth. The plants, however, were not permitted to become photosynthetically autotrophic by removing the new expanded leaves. Sucrose levels declined significantly in all three tissues without the development of acid invertase (EC 3.2.1.26) during the 21-day experimental period. Acid invertase and thus sucrose hydrolysis within the vacuole was, therefore, not required for sucrose mobilization.
Educating for the new technology

It is the responsibility of the colleges and universities to provide the engineering student of today with a competent technical background without overemphasizing specialization. The education of the engineer should be founded on a broad-based program designed to equip the graduate with sociological insight and capability, thus providing society with a useful and cognizant citizen as well as a competent engineer.
Performance comparison analysis of GeSi and Si bipolar transistors

Performance improvements of Si/Ge/sub x/Si/sub 1-x//Si heterojunction bipolar transistors with linearly graded Ge profile in the epitaxial base layer are compared with Si transistors without Ge by using a combined DC and low-frequency (1 kHz) small-signal AC measurements. Quantitative analysis of the minority-carrier transport parameters in the GeSi base layer, and of the current gain and recombination current components, for both GeSi and Si transistors are reported for the first time. The two fold improvement of the base transit time in GeSi transistors is due to the built-in electric field from Ge grading, rather than to improved diffusivity.
Ion implantation technology in the national laboratories: Four decades of technology transfer

Abstract The Department of Energy national laboratories and their predecessor organizations have played a prominent role in the development of ion implantation technology for the past four decades. Beginning with the birth of ion beam technology in the large-scale electromagnetic separation of isotopes in the 1940s, the national laboratories have made major advances in ion source technology and in the use of ion beams for materials processing. Many of these advances have found their way into the private sector in the form of new equipment and processes. The history of this technology transfer is reviewed along with examples of recent successes in ion implantation technology at the national laboratories. The positive impact of new legislation promoting technology transfer and the increased emphasis on making unique facilities at the national laboratories available to outside users is also discussed.
Pragmatism and Practical Rationality

Establishing the value of a pragmatic approach to philosophy is not only a matter of providing illustrative examples. General principles of rationality at large also speak in favor of such an approach.
Specialized mouse embryonic stem cells for studying vascular development

Vascular progenitor cells are desirable in a variety of therapeutic strategies; however, the lineage commitment of endothelial and smooth muscle cell from a common progenitor is not well-understood. Here, we report the generation of the first dual reporter mouse embryonic stem cell (mESC) lines designed to facilitate the study of vascular endothelial and smooth muscle development in vitro. These mESC lines express green fluorescent protein (GFP) under the endothelial promoter, Tie-2, and Discomsoma sp. red fluorescent protein (RFP) under the promoter for alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). The lines were then characterized for morphology, marker expression, and pluripotency. The mESC colonies were found to exhibit dome-shaped morphology, alkaline phosphotase activity, as well as expression of Oct 3/4 and stage-specific embryonic antigen-1. The mESC colonies were also found to display normal karyotypes and are able to generate cells from all three germ layers, verifying pluripotency. Tissue staining confirmed the coexpression of VE (vascular endothelial)-cadherin with the Tie-2 GFP+ expression on endothelial structures and smooth muscle myosin heavy chain with the α-SMA RFP+ smooth muscle cells. Lastly, it was verified that the developing mESC do express Tie-2 GFP+ and α-SMA RFP+ cells during differentiation and that the GFP+ cells colocalize with the vascular-like structures surrounded by α-SMA-RFP cells. These dual reporter vascular-specific mESC permit visualization and cell tracking of individual endothelial and smooth muscle cells over time and in multiple dimensions, a powerful new tool for studying vascular development in real time.
Scientific opportunities for FEL amplifier based VUV and X-ray research

Abstract It has become increasingly clear to a wide cross section of the synchrotron radiation research community that FELs will be the cornerstone of fourth generation radiation sources. Through the coherent generation of radiation, they provide as much as 12 orders of magnitude increase in peak power over the third generation storage ring machines of today. Facilities have been proposed which will extend the operating wavelength of these devices well beyond the reach of existing solid state laser technology. In addition, it appears possible to generate pulses of unprecedented brevity, down to a few femtoseconds, with mJ pulse energies. The combination of these attributes has stimulated considerable interest in short wavelength FELs for experiments in chemical, surface and solid state physics, biology and materials science. This paper provides a brief overview of how the features of these FELs relate to the experimental opportunities.
Design of template to fabricate magnetic torquer coils for nano and picosatellite missions

Purpose – Recent advances in nano and picosatellite missions and future such missions require three axis attitude control system hardware for attitude control purposes. A simple, cost effective, yet an efficient devise that is used for active attitude control is magnetic torquer coil. The purpose of this paper is to describe the design and fabrication of a template to manufacture magnetic torquer coils of varying sizes and shapes.Design/methodology/approach – Details about the development of the template design, analysis, and fabrication are discussed. The development status of the system is outlined and the working prototype of the device is described and some preliminary test results are given.Findings – A fully functional prototype of the template has been developed and testing has been conducted that demonstrated the effectiveness of the device. Magnetic torquer coils of varying sizes were fabricated and tested. A finite element analysis was performed by modeling the characteristics of the fabricated ...