cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lung biodurability and free radical production of cellulose nanomaterials

AbstractThe potential applications of cellulose nanomaterials in advanced composites and biomedicine makes it imperative to understand their pulmonary exposure to human health. Here, we report the results on the biodurability of three cellulose nanocrystal (CNC), two cellulose nanofibril (CNF) and a benchmark cellulose microcrystal (CMC) when exposed to artificial lung airway lining fluid (SUF, pH 7.3) for up to 7 days and alveolar macrophage phagolysosomal fluid (PSF, pH 4.5) for up to 9 months. X-ray diffraction analysis was used to monitor biodurability and thermogravimetry, surface area, hydrodynamic diameter, zeta potential and free radical generation capacity of the samples were determined (in vitro cell-free and RAW 264.7 cell line models). The CMC showed no measurable changes in crystallinity (xCR) or crystallite size D in either SUF or PSF. For one CNC, a slight decrease in xCR and D in SUF was observed. In acidic PSF, a slight increase in xCR with exposure time was observed, possibly due to diss...
CMOS LC quadrature oscillators with enhanced tuning range by selective mode switching

Quadrature oscillators (QOSCs) can operate in two selective modes of quadrature oscillation. By controlling the mode of oscillation, different wide tuning range CMOS LC QOSCs have been designed. The measured tuning range is 60% for 3.7 GHz design and 94% for 1.3 GHz design. Phase noise measurement shows that by this modified series coupled QOSC (S-QOSC) a FOMT (figure of merit with tuning range) of 199 dB can be achieved.
Identification of Thermally Homogeneous Subunits in a Steep Appalachian Pasture

Abstract Pasture improvement in the central Appalachian region is facilitated by knowledge of spatial relationships in microclimate attributable to complex topography. A small, steep horseshoe-shaped pasture watershed, with aspects encompassing 210°, in southern West Virginia was instrumented to measure microclimatic variability under low-maintenance pasture conditions and to identify thermally homogeneous subunits. Temperature measurements were made at 32 sites on a 30-m grid in the 3-ha pasture. Average two-week temperatures were measured using chemical temperature integrators located 35 cm above the ground and at 25- and 35-cm soil depths. Temperatures were measured during the growing seasons (MaySeptember) of 1985 through 1988. Principal components analyses (PCA) were performed on the combined growing season data as well as on each year individually. The first two components delineated homogeneous areas related to topographic-induced conditions and soil water status. Topographic-induced conditions we...
Lead intoxication psychosis in an adolescent.

Abstract A case of a schizophreniform-like psychosis in an adolescent secondary to moderate lead intoxication is presented. This represents a possible manifestation of lower levels of lead not previously discussed in the literature. A possible psychobiological vulnerability to the effects of lead is discussed. Implications for screening and treatment are reviewed.
Temporal Trends in Sudden Cardiac Arrest. A 25-Year Emergency Medical Services Perspective

Background— Little is known about temporal trends in survival and prognostic characteristics of patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest treated by emergency medical services (EMS). We hypothesized that an evolving combination of beneficial and adverse factors may contribute to temporal patterns of survival. Methods and Results— We evaluated a population-based cohort of EMS-treated adult patients with cardiac arrest (n=12 591) from 1977 to 2001 in King County, Washington. Time was grouped into an initial 5-year period and 5 successive 4-year periods. We sought to determine the potential impact of temporal changes in prognostic factors typically beyond EMS control termed “fate” factors (for example, patient age) and factors implemented by EMS termed “program” factors (programs of dispatcher-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation and basic life support defibrillation). Several characteristics associated with survival changed over time. Observed survival did not change over time among all patients with c...
Scaled-up production and purification of Clostridium perfringens type A enterotoxin

Methods for small-scale production of Clostridium perfringens type A enterotoxin were unsuitable for large-scale culture of this organism. Rapid, efficient harvesting of 40 1 batch culture of Cl. perfringens was achieved by tangential flow micro-filtration with the Millipore Pellicon cassette system. Enterotoxin-containing extracts were prepared by passing concentrated suspensions of the harvested cells through a French pressure cell. The overall yield of purified enterotoxin was 38.8%. The toxin gave a single band on native polyacrylamide gels but formed high molecular weight aggregates in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate. These aggregates frequently occurred during storage of non-sterile enterotoxin preparations but could be separated from the monomer toxin by gel filtration on Sephadex G-100. Purified monomer enterotoxin had biological activities of 119.3 micrograms/kg mouse lethal dose when injected intraperitoneally and 3333 capillary permeability increasing units/mg protein in guinea pig skin. Thirty micrograms of the enterotoxin caused fluid accumulation in ligated rabbit ileal loops. Aggregated enterotoxin had no demonstrable biological or immunological activity.
Empirical Analysis of Space-Filling Curves for Scientific Computing Applications

Space-Filling Curves are frequently used in parallel processing applications to order and distribute inputs while preserving proximity. Several different metrics have been proposed for analyzing and comparing the efficiency of different space-filling curves, particularly in database settings. In this paper, we introduce a general new metric, called Average Communicated Distance, that models the average pair wise communication cost expected to be incurred by an algorithm that makes use of an arbitrary space-filling curve. For the purpose of empirical evaluation of this metric, we modeled the communications structure of the Fast Multipole Method for n-body problems. Using this model, we empirically address a number of interesting questions pertaining to the effectiveness of space-filling curves in reducing communication, under different combinations of network topology and input distribution settings. We consider these problems from the perspective of ordering the input data, as well as using space-filling curves to assign ranks to the processors. Our results for these varied scenarios point towards a list of recommendations based on specific knowledge about the input data. In addition, we present some new empirical results, relating to proximity preservation under the average nearest neighbor stretch metric, that are application independent.
The Embodied and Negotiated Production of Assessments in Instructed Actions

Based on video recordings of instructions produced by a car dealer for a customer who has just bought a car, this article deals with assessments produced in professional interactions in which participants' attention is focused on a copresent object that is pointed at, described, or explained. It contributes to the study of the systematic organization of assessments, relying on their sequential positions and on the multimodal actions manipulating the assessable object, as well as on the identities of the assessors, their epistemic stances, and their relations to the assessable. The sequential organization of assessments has been previously described in two sequential environments: At the end of extended sequences, they work as closing-implicative resources. In the context of sequences of assessments, the first is preferentially upgraded by the second. The corpus studied here shows alternative formats, sensitive to the context and the activity. Participants orient to the interactional metrics of asssessment...
Probabilistic street-intersection reconstruction from GPS trajectories: approaches and challenges

Analyzing and mining geo-referenced trajectory data has different aspects to researchers from different communities. For example, animal location data provides ecologists live points of contact between ecologies and the species. And by studying movements of individual animals, they have gained insight into population distributions, important resources, dispersal settings, social interaction or general patterns of how the space was used in an ecological system. Similarly, geologists and environmentalists use earthquake positional data for predicting the location of the next earthquake. Intelligent Transportation Systems and GIS communities use heuristic algorithms on vehicle trajectory data sets to construct or update digital street-maps that represent the data set. Recently, the Computational Geometry community started to give attention to the street-map construction problems as well, applying different approaches and providing quality guarantees. Although different communities use different types or aspects of the GPS data, they face one challenge in common: how to model or incorporate the impreciseness of the input data in their output. In this paper we discuss specifically the impact of spatial inaccuracy of GPS trajectory data on street-map reconstruction algorithms. In particular, we discuss approaches and challenges to associate that impreciseness with the reconstructed street-intersections.
SU‐E‐T‐213: Development of a Web Wrapper to Facilitate Radiotherapy Research

Purpose:Researchers write many computer programs with unique implementations, usually requiring a great amount of effort for other researchers to learn how to install, configure, and use. Some programs require specialized hardware platforms such as GPU workstation or CPU cluster, which may not readily available for many researchers. This work develops a general web platform to ‘wrap’ radiotherapysoftware tools into a user friendly, browser‐based interface.Methods: We developed a web wrapper based on existing technologies (e.g. HTML5, JavaScript, PHP, Python, XML) to interface with command line‐based research tools. This wrapper enables users to easily perform various tasks in any modern web browser, while underlying tools are launched remotely. Visitors can upload data, configure settings, process data remotely, then view, share, and download results with minimal effort. This web wrapper is developer friendly; new tools are easily integrated by editing XML configuration files. Results: As a test case, we have successfully wrapped a set of command line tools, developed by our group, into a single web app, providing fluence map generation, CTimage processing, and GPU‐based Monte Carlo (MC)dose calculation. The result is a web‐based quality assurance tool. With this tool, users can upload compressed DICOM‐RT files, recompute dose using the MC method, and evaluate the results by viewing dose distribution, 3D gamma index distribution and DVH curves. The entire work‐flow can be completed within 2 minutes provided users have a reasonable Internet connection speed. Conclusions: We have developed an web wrapper to increase the accessibility of radiotherapy tools and reduce users' learning curve through a friendly web‐based interface. This work also allows quick and easy deployment and distribution of software tools developed by researchers to the whole community.
Note on the computation of product-moment correlation coefficients.

This paper describes a systematic plan for computing all of the product-moment correlation coefficients among a number of variables that has been taught by Professor Toops for many years. It offers several advantages over a scheme presented by Kossack in a recent issue of this journal.
Older adults fail to see the periphery in a Web site task

Eye movement deficiencies are inherent with age and tend to increase in distracting visual fields, in the useful field of view (UFoV), and when information is located in the periphery. Despite well-known age-related differences in eye movement, there has been limited empirical study into how older adults look at Web sites. The study of eye movement during Web site interaction is advantageous to the study of UFoV theory because Web sites are typically complex, with important navigational elements located in the periphery. Using non-invasive eye tracking, eye movement patterns were investigated in young, middle, and older adults while they initially interacted with a typical Web site (i.e., standard top and left navigation). Older adults looked less frequently at peripheral parts of the screen compared to young adults, with the left and top navigation accounting for the greatest age-related differences. Age-related differences in eye movement emerged during the initial 10 s and were independent from Internet experience, suggesting differences in eye movement while interacting with Web sites are inherent with aging. Results show age-related differences in eye movement during a Web site task. These applied, experimental results directly support UFoV cognitive theory in a real-world setting.
Coadsorption Phenomena in the Separation of Pyrite from Coal by Reserve Flotation

The reverse flotation of pyrite from coal was studied to determine surface chemical aspects of this system. Included in the research was determination of the effect of dextrin on the adsorption of xanthate by pyrite, measurement of rest (mixed) potentials for crystal- and coal-pyrite electrodes and evaluation of the bench scale flotation response with respect to the understanding of the adsorption reactions. Although little dextrin is adsorbed by crystal pyrite in the absence of xanthate, significant adsorption of dextrin in the presence of xanthate occurs. These results further support the general hypothesis that dextrin adsorption involves a hydrophobic bonding mechanism, In this system hydrophobic bonding is thought to occur at the surface between the non-polar portion of the dextrin and the dixanthogen oil which forms on the crystal pyrite surface. On the other hand, the slightly hydrophobic character of coal pyrite (pyrite associated with locked coal) exhibits a higher adsorption potential for dextri...
Regulation of intracellular protein degradation in IMR‐90 human diploid fibroblasts

Human diploid fibroblasts (IMR-90) regulate their overall rates of proteolysis in response to the composition of the culture medium and the ambient temperature. The magnitude and, in some cases, the direction of the response depend on the half-lives of the cellular proteins that are radioactively labeled and the time chosen for measurements of protein degradation. Fetal calf serum, insulin, fibroblast growth factor, epidermal growth factor, and amino acids selectively regulate catabolism of long-lived proteins without affecting degradation of short-lived proteins. Fetal calf serum reduces degradative rates of long-lived proteins and is maximally effective at a concentration of 20%, but the effect of serum on proteolysis is evident only for the first 24 hr. Insulin inhibits degradation of long-lived proteins in the presence or absence of glucose and amino acids in the medium, but is maximally effective only at high concentrations (10(-5) M). Amino acid deprivation increases degradative rates of long-lived proteins for the first 6 hr, but then decreases their catabolism for the subsequent 20 hr. Lowered temperature is the only condition tested that significantly alters degradative rates of short-lived proteins. Although cells incubated at 27 degrees C have reduced rates of degradation for both short-lived and long-lived proteins compared to cells at 37 degrees C, lowered temperature reduces catabolism of long-lived proteins to a greater extent.
Thin-oxide silicon-gate self-aligned 6H-SiC MOSFETs fabricated with a low-temperature source/drain implant activation anneal

We have demonstrated self-aligned (SA) n+ polysilicon gate n-channel inversion MOSFETs in 6H-SiC with 25-nm thick gate oxides. The nitrogen-implanted source/drain regions were activated with a furnace anneal at 1050/spl deg/C. These devices exhibit a positive threshold voltage (about +1 V), and peak transconductance of 3.6 mS/mm at V/sub g/=7 V, comparable to the best nonself-aligned 6H-SiC MOSFETs. The subthreshold slope is 200 mV/decade, about two times higher than that of typical silicon MOSFETs. This represents the first demonstration of a viable process for silicon-gate self-aligned MOSFETs in 6H-SiC.
Shifting microbial community structure across a marine terrace grassland chronosequence, Santa Cruz, California

Changes in the biomass and structure of soil microbial communities have the potential to impact ecosystems via interactions with plants and weathering minerals. Previous studies of forested long-term (1000s – 100,000s of years) chronosequences suggest that surface microbial communities change with soil age. However, significant gaps remain in our understanding of long-term soil microbial community dynamics, especially for non-forested ecosystems and in subsurface soil horizons. We investigated soil chemistry, aboveground plant productivity, and soil microbial communities across a grassland chronosequence (65,000–226,000 yrs old) located near Santa Cruz, CA. Aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) initially increased to a maximum and then decreased for the older soils. We used polar lipid fatty acids (PLFA) to investigate microbial communities including both surface ( 1 m) cycles in the old, slowly eroding landscape we investigated, indicating that this separation, commonly observed in tropical and subtropical ecosystems, can also occur in temperate climates. This study is the first to investigate subsurface microbial communities in a long-term chronosequence. Our results highlight connections between soil chemistry and both the aboveground and belowground parts of an ecosystem. 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Artificial muscles based on synthetic dielectric elastomers

Acrylic copolymers, silicone, and thermoplastic block copolymers have been investigated as artificial muscles. These dielectric elastomers exhibit high actuation strain, pressure, and specific energy density when a high driving voltage is applied across the thin polymer films. I will discuss the chemical and processing aspects that are critical to achieving high actuation performance. One successful example is the highly prestrained acrylic elastomer. We have developed interpenetrating polymer networks (IPN) in which the acrylic network is under high tension balanced by the compression of an additive network were investigated to further enhanced actuation performance. The IPN films at zero or nominal prestrain showed up to 300% actuation strain. The calculated values of maximum actuation energy density and electromechanical coupling factor are 3.5 J/g and 93.7%, respectively. Important actuators enabled by the IPN films and prestrained acrylic films will also be presented.
Nutrition: Its role in wound healing

Nutritional deficits may contribute to poor wound healing, decreased immunocompe tence, and increased susceptibility to infection. Malnutrition has been shown to influ ence the lack of healing of existing wounds and is a factor in the development of pressure sores. This article is packed with practical information for the home health care provider, including tables on the most current data available.
Classification and behavior of free-ranging Weddell seal dives based on three-dimensional movements and video-recorded observations

Abstract The goal of this study was to classify free-ranging (FR) dives of Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii) and to compare them to isolated hole (IH) dives. Classification and comparisons were based on 58 descriptors for three-dimensional dive paths computed from data obtained by attaching video and data recorders to the backs of 12 adult Weddell seals that were free-ranging in eastern McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. We then inferred behavioral functions for the dive classes based on video-recorded observations. Three of the four dive types previously identified from seals diving at an IH occurred in FR seals. Although there were differences associated with location, Types 1, 2 and 3 dives clustered in a similar pattern in the discriminant analysis for FR and IH dives. Most prey (79%) captures occurred during Type 1 dives, and the primary (99%) prey was Antarctic silverfish (Pleuragramma antarcticum). Type 1 dives were the deepest (mean maximum depth 324–378 m), longest in duration (15.0–27.0 min), covered the greatest total distance (1470–2197 m), and had the steepest dive angles (descents: −30°; ascents: +27°). Types 2 and 3 dives formed a continuum from short duration (3.6–7.5 min), shallow (mean maximum depth 30–66 m) dives that were close to the ice hole (farpoint distance 75–130 m) and often involved aggressive interactions with other seals for breathing opportunities (Type 2) to progressively longer (7.9–17.2 min), deeper (mean maximum depth 81–143 m) dives that covered greater total distances (878–1194 m) and were associated with transiting between holes, exploring and occasionally foraging (Type 3). Very long distance Type 4 exploratory dives that were identified in the IH study were completely absent in FR seals.
Cloud cover detection algorithm for EO-1 Hyperion imagery

A cloud cover detection algorithm was developed for application to EO-1 Hyperion hyperspectral data. The algorithm uses only band in the reflected solar spectral regions to discriminate clouds from surface features such as snow, ice, and desert sand and was designed to be used on-board the EO-1 satellite as part of the EO-1 Extended Mission Phase of the EO-1 Science Program. The code was developed using 20 Hyperion scenes with varying cloud amount, cloud type, underlying surface characteristics and seasonal conditions. Results from the application of the algorithm to these test scenes are given with a discussion on the accuracy of the procedure used in the cloud cover discrimination.
Shear deformation analysis for woven fabrics

A new mechanical model is proposed in this paper to evaluate the shearing properties for woven fabrics during the initial slip region. Compared to the existing mechanical model for fabric shear, this model involves not only bending but also torsion of curved yarns. This model has the advantage of taking into consideration the yarn undulation in fabrics while keeping mathematical rigor. Moreover, an erroneous formula in the previous research work from a referenced paper is modified. Analytical results show that this model provides better agreement with the experiments for both the initial shear modulus and slipping angle than the existing model. The approach for this model can be extended to predict other mechanical properties of fabrics in order to obtain more precise results.
Applying Formal Evaluation to Worm Defense Design

We discuss the early insertion of formal analyses in distributed malware defense evaluation, and provide an example method for applying an executable rewriting logic specification to drive both simulation and property validation of a collaborative group-based worm defense. An important aspect of the algorithm under consideration is its distributed and probabilistic nature, which makes the defense system harder to attack but unfortunately also complicates the ability of designers to fully understand its behavioral properties. We demonstrate one approach to formally analyze our case study worm defense algorithm, employing tools that facilitate both statistical simulation and property validation. Our approach is posed as complementary to the current practice of informal design specification and evaluation through network simulation.
PINing for things past.

Long-term memories are thought to be maintained by persistent changes in the strength of synaptic connections among neurons, but how such changes can persist for days to years has been one of the fundamental enigmas of neuroscience. Recently, however, one mechanism that is dependent on the persistent increased activity of an enzyme has been shown to be necessary for the persistence of long-term memory. The transient inhibition of the brain-specific, constitutively active protein kinase C isoform PKMζ erases memories that are even months old. This finding raises a number of issues; chief among them is the question, how can PKMζ maintain memories for months when its half-life is probably much shorter? New data suggest how the high abundance of PKMζ can be maintained over long periods of time. The synthesis of PKMζ is inhibited by Pin1 (protein interacting with NIMA 1), a peptidyl-prolyl isomerase that represses dendritic translation. Signals mediated by the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate, which induces long-term potentiation (LTP) and memory formation, inhibit Pin1, enabling PKMζ synthesis. PKMζ, once translated, in turn inhibits Pin1, permitting persistent PKMζ synthesis. In this way, PKMζ may be up-regulated to the appropriate amounts for maintaining LTP and perpetuating our mental representations of the past.
Vegetation Management Across Colorado Plateau BLM Lands: 1950–2003

Abstract Large tracts of land across the western United States have been managed over the last century in an effort to increase forage production, reduce the risk of wildland fires, and/or restore ecosystem structure and function. Yet documentation of this land-treatment history is lacking. With the use of data collected from Bureau of Land Management (BLM) field offices across the Colorado Plateau, we quantified the number, spatial extent, and implementation cost of tree-reduction and seeding treatments done in pinon ( Pinus edulis )–juniper ( Juniperus osteosperma, Juniperus monophylla, Juniperus scopulorum ) woodlands between 1950 and 2003. Over 247 000 hectares of land were treated, corresponding to 6.6% of the pinon–juniper vegetation type within BLM-owned lands. Tree-reduction treatments involving chaining, bulldozing, or cabling were most prevalent between the 1950s and 1970s, with over 163 000 ha of land treated with these methods. Prescribed burning became increasingly prevalent in the 1980s, with over 43 000 ha burned. In more recent years, hydroaxe treatments have become common (4 400 ha treated), but to a much lesser extent than prescribed burns. Over 60% of these tree-reduction treatments were done in conjunction with revegetation or seeding treatments. Implementation costs of these tree-reduction treatments were over $26.7 million, with the hydroaxe treatment having nearly three times the cost of implementation than all other tree-reduction treatments. The spatial extent of these tree-reduction treatments and associated implementation costs highlight the importance of research examining the efficacy of these treatments and the potential legacy effects. The land-use history reported in this study and the accompanying freely accessible on-line database is a useful tool to guide research and management objectives and methodology.
Corporate Liability for Illegal Downloading of Copyrighted Music

Abstract This article deals with the liability of corporations when their employees download copyrighted material. It discusses the basis for copyright protection and for the legal doctrine of respondeat superior, which holds employers liable for the acts of their employees. Concrete recommendations for avoiding problems are included.
Remote sensing of the earth by microwaves

Extant techniques for remotely sensing the earth with instruments operating at microwave frequencies are surveyed. Microwave sensors can provide day-night operation and almost an all-weather capability due to higher transmission through clouds at microwave than at visible or infrared wavelengths. Passive (radiometers), active (radars, altimeters, and scatterometers), and composite (passive-active) microwave sensors are in use or planned for such diverse applications as measuring ocean surface dynamics, Ocean salinity, soft moisture content, atmospheric temperature and atmospheric constituents; detecting sea ice, oil slicks, and storm cells; and identifying agricultural crops. These measurements have been taken with sensors located in towers, aircraft, and most recently satellites.
Use of a Once-Daily NSAID in Treatment of Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome

Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) is a rare disorder characterized by episodes of intense vomiting and nausea separated by symptom-free periods. We report the case of a 71-year-old man who presented with a long history of poorly controlled CVS whose symptoms resolved with the addition of a once-daily dose of meloxicam, a semi-selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). This is the first report of symptom alleviation in a CVS patient using a once-daily NSAID, as well as one with selectivity to COX-2 inhibition. This is important due to both the increased compliance seen with once-daily medications, as well as the decreased gastrointestinal effects seen with selective COX-2 inhibitors compared to nonselective NSAIDS.
Elements of a Science of Education.

This conference is being held in the old electoral territory of Gough Whitlam at thethirtieth anniversary of the fall of his government. At the rhetorical heart of his primeministership were the beliefs that education could be a modernising force and that itcould be a means to achieve a just and equitable society. The Whitlam era was alsoa high point in the push to ‘progressivist’ approaches to schooling and pedagogy, asexemplified by the work of the Australian Schools Commission.Over the decades that have since elapsed, the public rhetoric around education hasshifted considerably. Today the mantra is freedom and choice, and these articles ofneoliberal faith have been translated into a market-oriented view of education. Inthese decades, some aspects of progressivism have been developed and extended, inthe form, for example of a broader and more flexible curriculum and a more learner-centred approach to teaching and learning. However, in the same time we have alsowitnessed a contrary push ‘back to the basics’. This has manifest itself in a focus onhigh stakes standardised tests, curriculum to fit, and the re-emergence of pre-progressivist conceptions of what constitutes worthwhile knowledge and goodschooling.Education has become a domain of considerable ideological division. I want to tracethe contours of this division by taking two steps back from the contemporary fray.One step is to situate present day discussions in a larger historical context. In thiscontext, today’s points of debate and disagreement are not so new. The other step isto interrogate the protagonists’ underlying understanding of the nature of knowledge,in other words their epistemological assumptions.
A new approach to feedback stabilization

This paper considers the problem of stabilizing a given linear time-invariant plant using a fixed order compensator. As a first step, attention is focused on the constant gain stabilization problem. An appropriately generalized version of the Hermite-Biehler Theorem is given and shown to be useful in providing a solution to this problem. A complete analytical characterization of all stabilizing feedback gains is provided as a closed form solution. This is in stark contrast to the highly nonlinear inequalities that one may have to deal with in trying to solve this problem using the Routh-Hurwitz criterion or the graphical procedures which must be followed while using the Nyquist criterion or the Root Locus technique. The development of similar approaches for stabilization using PID or first order controllers is a topic of current research.
Mid-air display experiments to create novel user interfaces

Displays are the most visible part of most computer applications. Novel display technologies strongly influence and inspire new forms of computer use and interaction. We are particularly interested in the interplay of novel displays and interaction for ubiquitous computing or ambient media environments, as emerging display technologies may become game-changers in how we define and use computers, possibly changing the context of computing fundamentally. We present some of our experiments and lessons learnt with a new category of displays, the "immaterial" FogScreen. It can be described as a novel media platform, exhibiting some fundamental differences to and advantages over other displays. It also enables novel kinds of user interfaces and experiences. In this paper we give insights about the special properties and strengths of the FogScreen by looking at a set of successfully demonstrated interfaces and applications. We also discuss its future potential for user interface design.
Molecular mechanisms for protein-encoded inheritance

In prion inheritance and transmission, strains are phenotypic variants encoded by protein 'conformations'. However, it is unclear how a protein conformation can be stable enough to endure transmission between cells or organisms. Here we describe new polymorphic crystal structures of segments of prion and other amyloid proteins, which offer two structural mechanisms for the encoding of prion strains. In packing polymorphism, prion strains are encoded by alternative packing arrangements (polymorphs) of beta-sheets formed by the same segment of a protein; in segmental polymorphism, prion strains are encoded by distinct beta-sheets built from different segments of a protein. Both forms of polymorphism can produce enduring conformations capable of encoding strains. These molecular mechanisms for transfer of protein-encoded information into prion strains share features with the familiar mechanism for transfer of nucleic acid-encoded information into microbial strains, including sequence specificity and recognition by noncovalent bonds.
Activation of the amino acid response modulates lineage specification during differentiation of murine embryonic stem cells

In somatic cells, a collection of signaling pathways activated by amino acid limitation have been identified and referred to as the amino acid response (AAR). Despite the importance of possible detrimental effects of nutrient limitation during in vitro culture, the AAR has not been investigated in embryonic stem cells (ESC). AAR activation caused the expected increase in transcription factors that mediate specific AAR pathways, as well as the induction of asparagine synthetase, a terminal AAR target gene. Neither AAR activation nor stable knockdown of activating transcription factor (Atf) 4, a transcriptional mediator of the AAR, adversely affected ESC self-renewal or pluripotency. Low-level induction of the AAR over a 12-day period of embryoid body differentiation did alter lineage specification such that the primitive endodermal, visceral endodermal, and endodermal lineages were favored, whereas mesodermal and certain ectodermal lineages were suppressed. Knockdown of Atf4 further enhanced the AAR-induced increase in endodermal formation, suggesting that this phenomenon is mediated by an Atf4-independent mechanism. Collectively, the results indicate that, during differentiation of mouse embryoid bodies in culture, the availability of nutrients, such as amino acids, can influence the formation of specific cell lineages.
Response of vitamin B6-deficient rats to non-hypophyseal gonadotropins.

SummaryThe response of Vit. B6-deficient rats to graded doses of 2 non-hypophyseal gonadotrophins, HCG and PMS, was determined and compared with that of normal immature rats. Follicular growth, cor...
DEVELOPMENTAL DETERMINANTS OF BLOOD PRESSURE IN ADULTS

Over the past 20 years a large and varied body of research has attempted to make the case for the developmental origins of elevated adult blood pressure (BP). Experimental animal research has identified plausible biological mechanisms through which fetal nutritional insufficiency may affect adult BP. The majority of human epidemiologic studies demonstrate an inverse association of birth weight (the most commonly used marker of fetal nutrition) with adult BP and higher risk of hypertension among individuals with lower weight at birth. The most adverse BP outcomes occur among individuals who were small at birth but relatively large as adults, a finding that suggests a role for postnatal growth. We critically review the literature on proposed mechanisms and epidemiologic evidence for developmental origins of adult BP and hypertension, considering associations with birth weight, maternal nutrition during pregnancy, child growth patterns, and infant feeding.
Radiometric age confirmation and growth of a deep-water marine fish species: The bank rockfish, Sebastes rufus

The bank rockfish, Sebastes rufus, is part of a deep-water (31–454 m) rockfish community that is fished commercially off California and has experienced population decline. This species is considered very difficult to age with traditional methods of counting growth increments in otolith cross-sections, creating the need to confirm age estimates with an independent, objective method. We measured the disequilibria of 210 Pb/ 226 Ra in S. rufus otoliths to compare with ages estimated from traditional methods. Radiometric ages corroborated mean otolith increment counts, with closest agreement for the oldest samples. We conclude that it is appropriate to use traditional cross-section methods to estimate age for S. rufus. Further, our results suggest longevity of 50 years or more for this deep-water rockfish. von Bertalanffy growth parameters calculated from these confirmed ages (with 95% confidence limits) were: L∞ = 488 mm (46.2) TL, K = 0.0482 (0.019), to = −8.372 (4.91), n = 81 males; L∞ = 594 mm (89.5) TL, K = 0.039 (0.018), to = −6.96 (4.97), n = 86 females. Comparison of age data from our study with length at maturity data from other researchers indicates that S. rufus reach sexual maturity at approximately 15 years of age. Like other deep-water members of this genus, S. rufus is slow growing and matures at an advanced age, important characteristics to consider for management of the species. Published by Elsevier B.V.
Extensions of Mantel–Haenszel for Multilevel DIF Detection

Multilevel data structures are ubiquitous in the assessment of differential item functioning (DIF), particularly in large-scale testing programs. There are a handful of DIF procures for researchers to select from that appropriately account for multilevel data structures. However, little, if any, work has been completed to extend a popular DIF method to this case. Thus, the primary goal of this study was to introduce and investigate the effectiveness of several new options for DIF assessment in the presence of multilevel data with the Mantel–Haenszel (MH) procedure, a popular, flexible, and effective tool for DIF detection. The performance of these new methods was compared with the standard MH technique through a simulation study, where data were simulated in a multilevel framework, corresponding to examinees nested in schools, for example. The standard MH test for DIF detection was employed, along with several multilevel extensions of MH. Results demonstrated that these multilevel tests proved to be prefe...
How Far Have We Come, and Where Are We Going? 3 Years After 1990

In 1972, Dr. Baruch Blumberg delivered an eloquent review entitled ‘Australia Antigen: The History of its Discovery with Comments on Genetic and Family Aspects’ to an enthusiastic audience at the first International Symposium on Viral Hepatitis and Liver Disease conducted at the University of California Medical Center in San Francisco. Although Dr. Blumberg observed that familial aggregation of Australia antigen may also be indicative of a common environmental exposure, his genetic predisposition theory was challenged by two participants at the meeting, Nicholas Petrakis from the University of California Medical Center and Joshua Lederberg from the Stanford University Medical Center. His response to these challenges was ‘…that one makes hypotheses to generate experiments in an attempt to disprove them’. More importantly, he stated that he was prepared to abandon his genetic hypothesis any time that it is clearly rejected. This spirit of openness, of a willingness to debate the issues and to seek truth in science no matter what the outcome, is what these triennial meetings have come to symbolize. The comprehensive nature of the program, covering the latest research findings in viral hepatitis delivered by internationally recognized experts, is what sets these symposia apart from all other hepatitis gatherings.
A Novel Technique for the Surgical Treatment of Chronic Osteomyelitis of Long Bones: A Case Report.

Case: A twenty-eight-year-old man sustained an open, comminuted tibial plateau fracture from a gunshot wound. Treatment included external fixation, serial debridements, and subsequent open reduction and internal fixation. Five months later, he developed chronic osteomyelitis of the proximal part of the tibia. Intraosseous debridement and irrigation with an arthroscope and arthroscopic tools was performed through existing bone screw holes. At the time of the final follow-up, he had resolution of pain and no recurrent infection. Conclusion: This minimally invasive technique may be considered for the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis of long bones to prevent structural destabilization and minimize disability.
Distributed-Feedback Laser Action in Ce3+-doped Colquiriites

Distributed-feedback laser action in the Ce3+-doped colquiriites is described. Lasing occurs near 290 nm, with linewidths narrower than 1 A.
Potential of a Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus for Control of the Velvetbean Caterpillar in Soybean

A nuclear polyhedrosis virus was isolated from larvae of Anticarsia gemmatalis Hubner, collected from Chapeco, Santa Catarina in southern Brazil. Electron microscope studies revealed that the virus was multiply embedded with 1–11 virions/envelope. Average size of polyhedral bodies was 1.31 µm and virions, 195×25 nm. Infectivity studies revealed the virus was an effective pathogen at dosages as low as 17 PIB’s/larva. Mortality occurred in 8–12 days at 26.7°C. In small plot field tests, the virus at 49 LE/ha significantly reduced populations of A. gemmatalis .
Comparisons of Three Insecticide Resistance Detection Methods for the German Cockroach (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae)

Tarsal exposure is considered the most common route of insecticide uptake by the German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.), in the field. To monitor resistance, we developed and used a procedure for making topical applications to the tarsal pads. We also examined the more conventional topical-thoracic and jar methods of insecticide exposure. chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin were used to test these exposure methods on one susceptible and two resistant strains of the German cockroach. Two statistically based ratios (able to indicate significant differences) were used to compare probit analysis results from these exposure methods. First, the resistance ratio (at LD or LT 50 and LD or LT 95 ) was used to make comparisons for all three exposure methods. Second, the tarsal-thoracic ratio was used to specifically compare lethal doses (at LD 50 and LD 95 ) from tarsal applications to thoracic applications. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) procedure was also used to analyze three factors contributing to the production of the resistance ratios. Results of resistance ratio by strain and insecticide showed a rank of tarsal > thoracic > jar for all but three comparisons. Tarsal-thoracic ratios for cypermethrin indicated no significant differences between tarsal and thoracic LD 50 s and LD 95 s, but did indicate significant differences for chlorpyrifos. Finally, ANOVA of resistance ratios showed that the effects of strain had the most variation, followed by bioassay (i.e. , exposure method) in the production of resistance ratios in this study. We discuss the implications of the resistance ratio, tarsal-thoracic ratio, and results of ANOVA, as well as the benefits of accurately determined body weight bioassays. We emphasize relevant uses for the tarsal application and statistically based ratio methods, and how our results affect the process of selecting insecticide exposure methods to be used for monitoring resistance in the German cockroach.
Additive manufacturing technologies for near-and far-field energy harvesting applications

This paper reviews the fabrication and design of two different types of energy harvesting systems, that utilize ambient energy to power up connected wireless modules. A 3D/inkjet-printed origami-style (morphing) cube with orthogonally-placed patch antennas is presented which enhances the nodes diversity reception capabilities. The cube changes its shape upon heating upto 60°C. In contrast, the presented near-field energy harvester utilizes the ambient RF energy of a handheld two-way radio to convert the RF signal with an efficiency of 82.5%. For proof-of-concept purposes, an E-field energy harvesting receiver is fabricated on a flexible LCP substrate with inkjet printing technology featuring an open-circuit voltage of 17.87V for an output power of 43.2 mW for the E-field energy harvester placed 7 cm away from a 1W Walkie-Talkie transmitter.
Within-person changes in mindfulness and self-compassion predict enhanced emotional well-being in healthy, but stressed adolescents.

Meditation training programs for adolescents are predicated on the assumptions that mindfulness and self-compassion can be directly cultivated, and further, that doing so is beneficial for emotional well-being. Yet, very little research with adolescents has tested these assumptions directly. In the current study, I examined longitudinal relationships between changes in mindfulness and self-compassion and changes in emotional well-being among healthy, but stressed adolescents who participated in five-day, intensive meditation retreats. Immediately before and after the retreats, and then three months later, 132 adolescents (Mage = 16.76 years, 61% female) completed questionnaires measuring mindfulness, self-compassion, and emotional well-being. Repeated measures ANOVA showed adolescents improved in mindfulness, self-compassion, and all indices of emotional well-being immediately following the retreat (Cohen's d = |0.39-1.19|), and many of these improvements were maintained three months later (Cohen's d = |0.04-0.68|). Further, multilevel growth curve analyses with time-varying covariates indicated within-person changes in self-compassion predicted enhanced emotional well-being more consistently than within-person changes in mindfulness. Specifically, increases in self-compassion predicted reductions in perceived stress, rumination, depressive symptoms, and negative affect, and conversely, increases in positive affect and life satisfaction (pseudo-R(2) variance explained = 5.9% and 15.8%, ps < 0.01).
Multiple local optima for seemingly unrelated regression models

This paper provides an example of multiple local maxima to the likelihood function for a seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) model with a cross equation restriction. Since this is the least complex of the various structural equations models (SEM) and since maximum likelihood is often the preferred technique for SEM the problem of multiple local maxima is expected to be pervasive.