cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Timing and signal integrity analysis in a cell based SOI design

Partially Depleted (PD) SOI CMOS has become increasingly popular due to its performance advantages over bulk CMOS. However signal integrity analysis of SOI designs continues to be a challenging task. One of the major problems is accurate prediction of circuit behavior due to history effect associated with SOI MOS devices. Prior switching effects floating body voltage, which in turn has impact on MOS device threshold and channel current. These effects, if not accounted for can cause huge errors in predicting cell delays and glitch noise. In this paper, we step through our adopted methodology and analysis results to show how the history of possible prior switching is efficiently captured and is used in timing and SI analysis for predicting noise and delay push-out on nets. Finally we will establish that with this automation and, SOI design methodologies are simple to setup, adopt and is as stable as their bulk counterparts.
Platelet apheresis for extreme thrombocytosis in an 11‐year‐old girl with CML

This report describes the dramatic reduction in the platelet count and ablation of symptoms by consecutive platelet apheresis in a young girl with CML who presented with an extremely high platelet count of 10,320 x 10(9)/l. Extreme thrombocytosis, although quite rare, can be symptomatic and life-threatening in paediatric patients and should be considered an emergency. The mechanical removal of platelets by apheresis is effective therapy and should begin as soon as possible.
Crossed fused renal ectopia: Sonographic diagnosis

Five cases of crossed fused renal ectopia, all confirmed by either computed tomographic scan or intravenous urography, were diagnosed sonographically. The sonographic appearance of this entity consists of a characteristic anterior and/or posterior notch, difference in orientation of the 2 collecting systems in the fused kidneys, and absence of a kidney in the contralateral renal fossa, or elsewhere in the body, such as the pelvis. The inability to diagnose this condition correctly may lead to the misdiagnosis of a renal mass or infiltrative disease occupying the contralateral renal fossa. Computed tomographic scans will also identify the anomaly.
The impact of a new pediatric epilepsy diagnosis on parents: Parenting stress and activity patterns

The purpose of this study was to compare parenting stress and activity patterns in parents of children with new-onset epilepsy (NOE, n=30) and parents of children without epilepsy (controls, n=29). Participants completed parenting stress measures and Daily Phone Diaries, a cued-recall procedure to track parents through their activities over a 24-h period. No significant differences were found in parenting stress, with the exception of a higher proportion of parents of children with NOE experiencing life stress compared with parents of controls (P<0.05). Results indicated parents of children with NOE spent more time in medical care (F=4.4, P<0.05) and less time in recreation outside of the home (F=5.6, P<0.05) compared with parents of controls. These findings have important implications for family adaptation to a new epilepsy diagnosis.
Impact of breast pumping on lactogenesis stage II after cesarean delivery: a randomized clinical trial.

Objective. Women at risk for delayed onset of lactation are often advised to pump their breasts before lactogenesis stage II to hasten the timing of this process. The effectiveness of this clinical practice has not been previously evaluated. This study investigates the effects of breast pumping before the onset of lactation on early milk transfer and subsequent breastfeeding duration among women giving birth by cesarean delivery. Methodology. Sixty women were randomly assigned to either the pumping group ( n = 30), which used a double electric breast pump for six 10- to 15-minute sessions from 24 to 72 hours postpartum, or to the control group ( n = 30), which held the pump to their breasts without suction for the same amount of time. Milk transfer was assessed by test weighing infants before and after 3 breastfeeding sessions daily. Test weight data were fitted to a second-order polynomial curve, to predict milk transfer over time. Results. Breast pumping between 24 and 72 hours after cesarean delivery did not improve milk transfer. Participants in the pumping group tended to have lower milk transfer than did controls. Primiparae in the pumping group breastfed for ∼5 months less than their counterparts in the control group; however, this difference was not statistically significant. Conclusions. Breast pumping did not improve milk transfer during the first 72 hours postpartum and may negatively affect breastfeeding duration among primiparous women. lactation, lactogenesis, breast milk, breast pumping, milk expression, breastfeeding, cesarean delivery.
Socioeconomic, Demographic, and Educational Characteristics of Pregnant Adolescents.

The socioeconomic, demographic, and educational characteristics of 24 pregnant and 24 non-pregnant adolescents, 17 years and under, living in Travis County, Texas, were deter mined. The objectives of phase 1 of an ongoing longitudinal study were to initiate the study, to obtain base line data, and to define the descriptive data. Findings in the population studied in cluded the following: 38 percent of the pregnant adolescents were Mexican-American; 38 per cent of the pregnant adolescents had a gynecologic age of 3 or less; the grade level discrepancy ranged from 1 to 3 years for all subjects, both controls and pregnant adolescents; and 63 per cent of the students planned to place their child in the school nursery while completing their education. Socioeconomic and demographic data included age, age at menarche, home environment, parents' occupation and educational level, number of children living at home, and percentage of students working while they are pregnant.
Measurements of the energy response functions of scintillators for monoenergetic electrons

Abstract The energy response functions of plastic, anthracene, NaI(Tl), and CsI(Tl) scintillators for electrons of 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.0 and 1.25 MeV at normal incidence and of plastic and NaI(Tl) scintillators for 0.50 and 1.0 MeV electrons at angles of incidence up to 70° from the normal are reported. The response functions are interpreted in terms of number and energy reflection coefficients and the latter are compared with the results of backscattering measurements by other methods and of Monte Carlo calculations.
Arterial pressure-flow relationships in the anesthetized dog

Arterial pressure-flow (Pa-\(\dot Q\)) and closing arterial pressure-flow (Pc-\(\dot Q\)) relationships of the systemic vascular bed were determined in anesthetized dogs with the aid of a right heart bypass preparation.Pc was estimated from plateau values of arterial pressure obtained during stop-flow procedures and plotted against the flow which existed immediately prior to the procedure. Two types of arterial pressure-flow relationships were observed. With type I, thePa-\(\dot Q\) curve was steep and extrapolated to a positive arterial pressure at zero flow which was equal to the meanPc occurring over the experimental flow range. With type II, the slope of thePa-\(\dot Q\) curve was relatively shallow and extrapolated to right atrial pressure (0 mm Hg). ThePc-\(\dot Q\) relationships were identical for all dogs. These data suggest the existence of a pressure regulatory function in the downstream arterial vasculature in type-I animals which established an effective back pressure to arterial perfusion and decouples the arterial pressure-flow characteristics from the remainder of the systemic circulation.
Some statistical properties of a genetic selection index

The genetic selection index proposed by Smith ( 1936) is an optimal linear index involving parametric weighting coefficients. In practical applications, these weights have to be estimated using sample data. The statistical properties of the resulting index, which will be called the estimated index, are still in doubt although some approximations to the moments of estimated weights and the expected gain due to selection have been obtained by Bartlett (1939) and Nanda (1949). The framework of the estimation problem for an additive normal vector of observations can be summarized as follows. Let p be a vector of q observable variables (phenotypes), g a vector of q non-observable worth variables (genotypes), and e a vector of q observation errors (environment) where p= ,u+g+e,
Experimental Transport Phenomena and Optimization Strategies for Thermoelectrics

When a new and promising thermoelectric material is discovered, an effort is undertaken to improve its ’figure of merit’. If the effort is to be more efficient than one of trial and error with perhaps some "rule of thumb guidance" then it is important to be able to make the connection between experimental data and the underlying material characteristics, electronic and phononic, that influence the figure of merit. Transport and fermiology experimental data can be used to evaluate these material characteristics and thus establish trends as a function of some controllable parameter, such as composition. In this paper some of the generic-materials characteristics, generally believed to be required for a high figure of merit, will be discussed in terms of the experimental approach to their evaluation and optimization. Transport and fermiology experiments will be emphasized and both will be outlined in what they can reveal and what can be obscured by the simplifying assumptions generally used in their interpretation.
Computer-Aided Fixture Design Verification. Part 3. Stability Analysis

In fixture design, a workpiece is required to remain stable throughout the fixturing and machining processes in order to achieve safety and machining accuracy. This requirement is verified by a function of the computer-aided fixture design verification (CAFDV) system. This paper presents the methodologies of fixturing stability analysis in CAFDV. A kinetic fixture model is created to formulate the stability problem, and a fixture stiffness matrix (FSM) is derived to solve the problem. This approach not only verifies fixturing stability, but also finds the minimum clamping forces, fixture deformation, and fixture reaction forces. The clamping sequence can also be verified with this approach.
Biosynthesis of clavine alkaloids: Proton magnetic resonance studies

Abstract A detailed proton magnetic resonance spectral analysis has been made for the clavine alkaloids setoclavine, penniclavine, agroclavine, and elymoclavine as a necessary preliminary to a biosynthesis study. The PMR spectra are used to establish the isotopic composition of elymoclavine biosynthesized in D 2 O with selected hydrogen substrates. These results indicate a large, and previously unsuspected, degree of solvent participation in the biosynthesis of the alkaloid. The PMR data also establish the conformation of the normal alkaloids.
Effects of acute inhalation of aerosols generated during resistance spot welding with mild-steel on pulmonary, vascular and immune responses in rats

AbstractSpot welding is used in the automotive and aircraft industries, where high-speed, repetitive welding is needed to join thin sections of metal. Epoxy adhesives are applied as sealers to the metal seams. Pulmonary function abnormalities and airway irritation have been reported in spot welders, but no animal toxicology studies exist. Therefore, the goal of this study was to investigate vascular, immune and lung toxicity measures after exposure to these metal fumes in an animal model. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed by inhalation to 25 mg/m3 to either mild-steel spot welding aerosols with sparking (high metal, HM) or without sparking (low metal, LM) for 4 h/d for 3, 8 and 13 d. Shams were exposed to filtered air. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), lung gene expression and ex vivo BAL cell challenge were performed to assess lung toxicity. Lung resistance (RL) was evaluated before and after challenge with inhaled methacholine (MCh). Functional assessment of the vascular endothelium in isolated rat tail...
Project managers: can we make them or just make them better?

As the documented importance of project management grows for all organizations world wide, skilled successful project managers have become a valuable asset to have in an organization. In Information Technology these project managers need a good understanding of technology, an exceptional grasp of basic project management principles, and business leadership skills to be successful. This paper will discuss the organization's need for project managers, the skills a project manager must have to be proficient and whether these skills are innate or can be imbibed overtime. This paper will also discuss, for those skills that can be learned, how best to obtain these skills in a college or university IT curriculum using results from our own experiences. With this information, colleges or universities can begin preparing students for a career as an effective project manager.
12th update in gastroenterology and hepatology for the primary care practitioner

The 12th Update in Gastroenterology and Hepatology for the Primary Care Practitioner is an annual course organized by the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the University of California, Davis, and held in beautiful Monterey, California. The course was geared towards primary care physicians, nurse practitioners and other allied health professionals. The goals of this symposium were to provide current information regarding the diagnosis and management of digestive diseases commonly seen in the primary care setting and to provide practical guidelines for disease management. Topics covered during this symposium included viral hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease, hepatocellular carcinoma, dysphagia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, chronic diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, dyspepsia, gastroparesis and bariatric surgery. The course was organized into two sessions each morning, over 2 days, with three or four 30-min lectures. A brief question-and-answer session followed ...
Phosphorus-31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy of experimentally induced arthritis in rats.

Phosphorus-31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) of the hind paws of rats was performed at 1.5 Tesla before and during the course of an experimentally-induced inflammatory arthritis. Arthritis was induced by daily subcutaneous administration of 6-sulfanilamidoindazole, an antibacterial sulfa known to produce an acute, self-limited arthritis and periarthritis in the hind paws of rats. Phosphorus-31 spectra obtained after the development of clinical arthritis showed a significant (p<0.01) increase in the intensity of a group of resonances occurring downfiled from phosphocreatine as compared to spectra obtained before treatment. In all rats, this increase correlated well with histological evidence of inflammation as well as with the degree of inflammation judged clinically (r=0.89, p<0.001), and was present before roentgenographic evidence of bony involvement. The use of 31P MRS may permit evaluation of the severity of an inflammatory arthritis with greater accuracy than the bony changes definable by plain roentgenograms.
Vesicle-associated membrane protein 2 mediates trafficking of α5β1 integrin to the plasma membrane

Integrins are major receptors for cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix (ECM). As transmembrane proteins, the levels of integrins at the plasma membrane or the cell surface are ultimately determined by the balance between two vesicle trafficking events: endocytosis of integrins at the plasma membrane and exocytosis of the vesicles that transport integrins. Here, we report that vesicle-associated membrane protein 2 (VAMP2), a SNARE protein that mediates vesicle fusion with the plasma membrane, is involved in the trafficking of α5β1 integrin. VAMP2 was present on vesicles containing endocytosed β1 integrin. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) silencing of VAMP2 markedly reduced cell surface α5β1 and inhibited cell adhesion and chemotactic migration to fibronectin, the ECM ligand of α5β1, without altering cell surface expression of α2β1 integrin or α3β1 integrin. By contrast, silencing of VAMP8, another SNARE protein, had no effect on cell surface expression of the integrins or cell adhesion to fibronectin. In addition, VAMP2-mediated trafficking is involved in cell adhesion to collagen but not to laminin. Consistent with disruption of integrin functions in cell proliferation and survival, VAMP2 silencing diminished proliferation and triggered apoptosis. Collectively, these data indicate that VAMP2 mediates the trafficking of α5β1 integrin to the plasma membrane and VAMP2-dependent integrin trafficking is critical in cell adhesion, migration and survival.
1116 REYES' SYNDROME: EVIDENCE FOR ABNORMAL POLYAMINE (PA) METABOLISM

Four children, ages 1-16, were admitted with a history of a prodrome viral illness and, after an interval, pernicious vomiting and the onset of disordered psychomotor activity. Abnormal liver function tests including blood ammonia were present in all during the course of their illness. Patients sampled for PAs were staged with respect to CNS status, I-IV, after Huttenlocher Serial serum-free PAs, namely spermine (SPM) and spermidine (SPD) were determined from serum sample aliquots by radioimmunoassay. All patients had elevated SPD values (mean peak value of 2.06 nanomol/ml) which declined rapidly to a post-admission value of 0.45 nanomol/ml in the 3 surviving children. Highest SPD value (4.20 nanomol/ml) was observed in the patient with the most severe neurological score (III) on admission. SPM levels, by contrast, were much lower and there was a 1-2 day delay in SPM peak development in the 3 surviving children. Clinical improvement paralleled the decline in serum PAs. PA administered I.V. to man causes prompt and persistent vomiting. Specific PA binding sites have been identified on animal brain cell membranes. SPM has been demonstrated to markedly reduce oxygen consumption by brain tissue. In vitro Na, K-ATPase activity is also depressed by PA addition. Parenteral PA doses to experimental animals may cause somnolence, ataxia, coma and death.
SHUNTING OF PHENYTOIN IN VITRO METABOLIC ACTIVATION BY GLUTATHIONE TO LESS REACTIVE METABOLITES: ANIMAL AND HUMAN FETAL TISSUE

SHUNTING OF PHENYTOIN IN VITRO METABOLIC ACTIVATION BY GLUTATHIONE TO LESS REACTIVE METABOLITES: ANIMAL AND HUMAN FETAL TISSUE
Prunus Stem Pitting

Prunus stem pitting disease was first described and recognized as a specific, infectious disease in 1967 and is now known to affect a number of Prunus species. Apricot trees affected by stem pitting show stunted terminal growth and chlorotic, drooping leaves that curl upward and lengthwise. The lower trunk may become enlarged at ground level or below with very thick, spongy bark. Removal of the bark from the affected lower trunk reveals pits and grooves on the woody cylinder. Wood pitting begins below ground, then gradually spreads into the roots and the trunk above ground. Stem pitting is caused by certain strains of the tomato ringspot virus. The causal agent is soil-borne and also graft transmissible but is not uniformly distributed through infected trees. Naturally infected apricot trees may show a slow decline, or rapid dieback of the terminal growth. The severity of symptoms is determined by the cultivar and the strain of tomato ringspot virus. Control measures for Prunus stem pitting should include: use of propagation material from healthy trees and rogueing of pitted trees in nurseries and orchards. Repeated use of infested nursery sites for stone fruit nurseries should be avoided
Robust power converters in integrated systems

Integrated DC-DC converters are widely used in the realization of power converters suitable for energy harvesting and computing systems. In such systems, spiral inductors are typically used to achieve high levels of integration and perfor-mance. However, the integrated converter with spiral inductor requires careful modeling and optimization to achieve maximum efficiency. In this paper, we provide a parasitic aware design technique that takes into account the spiral inductor resistance as well as the switching parasitics, utilizing numerical techniques in order to yield designs that meet the desired performance requirements.
Hot-carrier cooling in GaAs: Quantum wells versus bulk.

Hot-electron cooling dynamics in photoexcited bulk and quantum-well GaAs structures were determined using time-correlated single-photon counting of photoluminescence (PL) decay. Hot-electron cooling curves were generated from analyses of the time-resolved PL spectra. The time constant characterizing the hot-electron energy-loss rate, ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\tau}}}_{\mathrm{avg}}$, was then determined, taking into account electron degeneracy and the time dependence of the quasi-Fermi-level. This analysis was also applied to earlier data obtained by Pelouch et al. with the same samples, but based on PL up-conversion experiments with 80 fs temporal resolution. Both sets of experiments and analyses show that the hot-electron cooling rate can be much slower in GaAs quantum wells compared (at the same photogenerated carrier density) to bulk GaAs when this density is above a critical value. This critical density was found to range from high ${10}^{17}$ to low ${10}^{18}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}3}$, depending upon the experimental technique; at the highest carrier densities, values of ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\tau}}}_{\mathrm{avg}}$ for quantum wells were found to be many hundreds of ps.
The Law and Economics of Public Health

The fundamental question addressed by this paper is whether or not and the extent to which imposing tort liability on potential injurers improves the public’s health. Conceptually, imposing the threat of litigation on potential injurers gives them an incentive to exercise more care than they would absent the threat. While the conclusion might seem to be obvious at first glance, in reality, the conclusion is far from obvious. For one, insurance coverage may blunt incentives to take care. Also, the tort system may operate far less perfectly than the theory would have it. In the end, the question must be answered on the basis of empirical evidence.
Tidal wetlands natural and human-made changes from 1973 to 1979 in Delaware: Mapping techniques and results

Coastal wetlands are dynamic ecosystems subject to the manipulative powers of both humans and sea. Areal changes in the tidal wetlands of Delaware were monitored over a six year period with color and color infrared aerial photography. Wetland changes were interpreted directly from the photography and were classified according to natural and legal categories of change. Human activities in tidal wetlands destroyed an average 8.1 ha of wetlands annually from 1973 to 1979. During the same period 3.9 ha of wetlands were eroded and 2.8 ha of wetlands were formed annually by natural processes. A total net loss of 55.1 ha of wetlands was estimated for the six year period. The enactment of state and federal legislation protecting wetlands in 1972–1973 resulted in a decrease of wetlands loss in Delaware from an average of 179.7 ha yr−1 from 1954 to 1971 to the 8.1 ha yr−1 determined by this study. The dynamic nature of these wetlands exemplifies the need for frequent monitoring and remapping, if an effective and accurate management program is to remain in operation
Finite deformation of flexible composites

This paper examines the nonlinear elastic behaviour of flexible composites under finite deformation. The constitutive relations have been derived based on a strain-energy density which, in a fourth-order polynomial form, is assumed to be a function of the lagrangian strain components referring to the initial principal material coordinates. The constitutive equations thus obtained are verified by the following experiments: (1) off-axis tension and simple shear for unidirectional composites, and (2) uniaxial tension for flexible composites with wavy fibres. Good agreement has been found between the theory and experiments.
Some Effects of Groundwater on Brown Trout Redds

Abstract A field study investigating the role of groundwater in trout spawning was conducted on Poplar Creek in northern Lower Michigan during 1969-1971. Seventy-eight natural brown trout (Salmo trutta) redds were instrumented with Mark VI standpipes during the study. Three Vibert boxes, each containing 100 fertilized brown trout eggs, were buried near each standpipe. Periodic measurements were made of gravel permeability, apparent water velocity, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and sand content of the redd gravels. Extensive measurements showed temperatures of 8.5 to 10 C and dissolved oxygen contents of 2 to 8 mg/liter in the groundwater at considerable depth beneath the streambed. The density of redds was the same in areas with or without groundwater inflow. Where there was groundwater inflow, the trout preferred zones of intermediate surface-groundwater mix, but avoided zones of undiluted groundwater inflow. Redds had higher and less variable temperatures as the percentage of groundwater increased. Thi...
End-stage renal disease preceded by rapid declines in kidney function: a case series

Few studies have defined alternate pathways by which chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients transition into end-stage renal disease (ESRD). We studied all consecutive patients initiated on maintenance hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis over several years at two dialysis units in Northern California. Rapid decline in kidney function was considered to have occurred if a patient was documented to have estimated GFR > 30 ml/min/1.73 m2 within three months prior to the initiation of chronic dialysis. We found that 8 out of 105 incident chronic dialysis patients one dialysis unit (7.6%; 95% confidence interval 3.4-14.5%) and 9 out of 71 incident patients at another (12.7%, 95% CI 6.0%-22.7%) suffered rapid decline in kidney function that was the immediate precipitant for the need for permanent renal replacement therapy. All these patients started hemodialysis and all relied on catheters for vascular access. Documentation submitted to United States Renal Data System did not fully reflect the health status of these patients during their "pre-ESRD" period. A sizeable minority of ESRD cases are preceded by rapid declines in kidney function. The importance of these periods of rapid decline may have been under-appreciated in prior studies of the natural history of CKD and ESRD.
Influence of Species Differences on the Neuropathology of Transgenic Huntington's Disease Animal Models

Transgenic animal models have revealed much about the pathogenesis of age-dependent neurodegenerative diseases and proved to be a useful tool for uncovering therapeutic targets. Huntington's disease is a well-characterized neurodegenerative disorder that is caused by expansion of a CAG repeat, which results in expansion of a polyglutamine tract in the N-terminal region of huntingtin (HTT). Similar CAG/glutamine expansions are also found to cause eight other neurodegenerative diseases that affect distinct brain regions in an age-dependent manner. Identification of this CAG/glutamine expansion has led to the generation of a variety of transgenic animal models. Of these different animal models, transgenic mice have been investigated extensively, and they show similar neuropathology and phenotypes as seen in their respective diseases. The common pathological hallmark of age-dependent neurodegeneration is the formation of aggregates or inclusions consisting of misfolded proteins in the affected brain regions; however, overt or striking neurodegeneration and apoptosis have not been reported in most transgenic mouse models for age-dependent diseases, including HD. By comparing the neuropathology of transgenic HD mouse, pig, and monkey models, we found that mutant HTT is more toxic to larger animals than mice, and larger animals also show neuropathology that has not been uncovered by transgenic mouse models. This review will discuss the importance of transgenic large animal models for analyzing the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases and developing effective treatments.
Why do many ruminal bacteria die and lyse so quickly

Studies using 15N have indicated that as much as 50% of the microbial mass turns over before N passes to the lower gut, and this N recycling significantly decreases the availability of microbial protein. Protozoa digest bacteria and smaller protozoa, but bacterial protein can turn over even if protozoa are not present. Fibrobacter succinogenes cultures lyse even when they are growing, and the lysis rate is independent of growth rate. When extracellular sugar is depleted, F. succinogenes secretes an extracellular proteinase that inactivates the autolysins. This method of autolytic regulation decreases the turnover of stationary cells. Bacteriophage and anaeroplasma can cause lysogeny, but, as yet, there is little proof that these processes are important determinants of bacterial turnover in vivo. Dietary manipulations (e.g., salt feeding and particle size reduction) that increase liquid and solid dilution rates can increase bacterial flow by decreasing bacterial residence time and turnover. Some dead ruminal bacteria are able to maintain their cellular integrity, and the ratio of dead to live cells in ruminal fluid may be as great as 10:1. Bacterial survival appears to be at least partially explained by the method of sugar transport. When bacteria rely solely on mechanisms of ion-coupled sugar symport, an energized membrane is necessary for the reinitiation of growth. If group translocation (phosphotransferase system) is the mechanisms of transport, uptake can be driven by phosphoenolpyruvate, and an energized membrane and the storage of intracellular reserve materials are not an absolute criteria for survival. In some cases, N deprivation accelerates death. When Prevotella ruminicola was limited for N under conditions of excess energy, methylglyoxal production caused a rapid decrease in viability. The impact of bacterial death in the rumen is not clear-cut. If the rate of fermentation is zero-order with respect to cell concentration (substrate-limited), cell death would have little impact on digestion.
New Digital Control Technique for Improving Transient Response in DCDC Converters

A new digital control scheme aiming to improve the transient response of an FPGA–based digitally controlled DC–DC converters is presented in this paper. The proposed approach enhances the transient response by dynamically controlling the ramp of the Digital Pulse Width Modulator (DPWM) unit through applying either linear or nonlinear shift to the conventional ramp–based DPWM. This allows the compensator to reach steady–state faster. The advantages and disadvantages of both techniques are presented and weight against improvement on transient response. Detailed analysis, simulation results and experimental waveforms are presented to verify the concept.
Beyond receptors and signaling: epigenetic factors in the regulation of innate immunity

The interaction of innate immune cells with pathogens leads to changes in gene expression that elicit our body’s first line of defense against infection. Although signaling pathways and transcription factors have a central role, it is becoming increasingly clear that epigenetic factors, in the form of DNA or histone modifications, as well as noncoding RNAs, are critical for generating the necessary cell lineage as well as context-specific gene expression in diverse innate immune cell types. Much of the epigenetic landscape is set during cellular differentiation; however, pathogens and other environmental triggers also induce changes in histone modifications that can either promote tolerance or ‘train’ innate immune cells for a more robust antigen-independent secondary response. Here we review the important contribution of epigenetic factors to the initiation, maintenance and training of innate immune responses. In addition, we explore how pathogens have hijacked these mechanisms for their benefit and the potential of small molecules targeting chromatin machinery as a way to boost or subdue the innate immune response in disease.
Pleistocene Pluvial Climates as Indicated by Present Day Climatic Parameters of Cryptotis parva and Microtus mexicanus

The Mexican vole, Microtus mexicanus , and the least shrew, Cryptotis parva , were both found in Pleistocene deposits (10,730 ± 150 B.P.) at Dry Cave, New Mexico. Present day climatic parameters for the two species were assessed in an attempt to delineate pluvial climatic conditions for the southwestern United States. The ranges of the two species most closely approach each other, geographically and topographically, in Mexico. Competition may prevent the two species from occurring together in Mexico and the United States. It is hypothesized that pluvial conditions were more temperate as well as more mesic, because such conditions characterize those areas of Mexico where the ranges of the two species now approach one another.
Superconducting vortex avalanches.

We monitor the dynamics of superconducting vortices in the Bean state, as the system is driven to the threshold of instability by the slow ramping of an external field. Individual avalanches, containing as few as 50 vortices, are detected in real time. Thus our experiment is the superconducting analog of monitoring the granular avalanches produced by slowly dropping sand on a sandpile. The observed distribution of vortex avalanche sizes shows a power-law behavior over two decades, proving that the vortex dynamics in the Bean state is characterized by avalanches of many length scales.
Clarification on the Scoring of the Mini-BESTest

This letter provides a clarification regarding the scoring method for the Mini-BESTest used in our previous publication1 that compared the Mini-BESTest with the Brief-BESTest. King and Horak2 recently published a letter to the editor that highlighted a discrepancy in how studies were scoring the Mini-BESTest. Many studies were summating the total score from all items (a 32-point scale), whereas the original publication3 summated scores on a 28-point scale that included only the most-affected side for items …
High-pressure torsion of copper samples containing columns of highly aligned nanotwins

Copper disks containing columns of aligned nanotwins were subjected to high-pressure torsion (HPT) involving a half turn under a 3 GPa compressive stress. The overall shear strain of 21 at 1 mm from the center of rotation is concentrated at the surfaces, where the columns of twins have been transformed into a 3-D grain structure to a depth of about 5 μm. The remaining columns of twins were sheared in the direction of the shear stress with little rotation of the twin boundaries.
Studies of the luteotropic and mammotropic factor found in trophoblast and maternal peripheral blood of the rat at mid‐pregnancy

Bioassay data demonstrate that trophoblastic elements of the midpregnancy rat placenta contain a substance or substances possessing luteotropic and mammotropic properties. This material is also present in high potency in maternal serum but only at midpregnancy. The standard bioassay animal preparation utilized in demonstrating these properties was the immature, PMSG-stimulated, hypophysectomized female Long-Evans rat. The end point for detection of luteotropic activity was the deciduoma reaction and that for detection of mammogenic activity was proliferation of locally treated mammary parenchyma. The local injection of one day 12 placental equivalent daily for seven days consistently induced deciduoma formation and mammary parenchymal proliferation. Similar responses were observed in animals injected with 0.1 ml serum from peripheral blood of the day 12 pregnant rat. These biological extracts also possessed lactogenic activity, which was demonstrated by mammary secretory response to trophoblastic extracts and midpregnancy serum containing prednisolone acetate in suspension. Assay animals used in detecting this activity had been hypophysectomized, ovariectomized, and adrenalectomized. The pigeon crop sac responded weakly and tibial epiphyseal cartilage failed to respond to large doses of the biological extracts. No target organs other than the corpus luteum and mammary gland were found. It is proposed that an appropriate designation for this hormone would be Rat Chorionic Mammotropin (RCM).
[3H]5-Hydroxytryptamine binding sites: species and tissue variation.

: The characteristics of spiperone inhibition of [3H]5-hydroxytryptamine ([3H]5-HT; [3H]serotonin) binding were examined in dorsal (DH) and ventral (VH) hippocampus, corpus striatum (CS) or caudate nucleus (CN), and frontal cortex (FC) in the rabbit, guinea pig, and cat. Some of the properties of spiperone inhibition of [3H]5-HT binding in these species were similar to the properties previously found in the rat. Spiperone was significantly more potent in DH, VH, and FC than in CS or CN. It produced shallow or biphasic inhibition curves, resulting in Hill slopes of less than 1.0. Nonlinear regression analysis of the data showed that the inhibition curves fit a two-site binding model significantly better than a one-site model in each brain region. The dissociation constants of spiperone for the high-affinity binding site (KH) for all the tissues and species, except cat FC and rabbit DH, were very close to those previously found in the rat (2-13 nM). However, the dissociation constants for the low-affinity binding site (KL) were different from those in the rat in all species and tissues examined, except cat FC and CS. The present data are consistent with the concept of multiple 5-HT1 binding sites and suggest the presence of at least two, and perhaps as many as three, groups of sites in the mammalian brain.
Of power and powerlessness: The EU and its neighbours

EU's policies towards neighbouring countries and subregions are often blamed for their ineffectiveness. This article explores the sources and dynamics of the Union's leverage. Surveying the literature on eastern enlargement and the European Neighbourhood Policy, it draws on IR conceptual apparatus to distinguish two modes of interaction between the EU and its neighbours – gatekeeping and power projection. Its core claim is that the former mode is central to the Union's influence in ‘near abroads’, including parts of the former Soviet Union and the Western Balkans.
Small mammal responses to forest management for oak regeneration in southern Indiana

Abstract We used a 5-decade chronosequence of harvest openings to characterize population and community-level responses of small mammals to forest management targeting oak regeneration in southern Indiana. Live-trapping at 42 different sites allowed modeling of occupancy and relative abundance using environmental covariates while incorporating imperfect detection. Species richness was higher in smaller openings on southwest-facing aspects. Similarity between species richness of different age classes decreased with increasing site age. Eastern chipmunk ( Tamias striatus ) relative abundance was greater in early seral stages, i.e., at young sites with low basal areas. Relative abundance of white-footed mice ( Peromyscus leucopus ) exhibited different responses to coarse woody debris on sites versus microsites. Pine voles ( Microtus pinetorum ) and short-tailed shrews ( Blarina brevicauda ) were more likely to occupy older sites. We observed a greater relative abundance of short-tailed shrews at sites with steep and northeast-facing slopes. Northeast-facing slopes also resulted in higher short-tailed shrew occupancy rates. Incorporating detection probability enabled us to derive more accurate estimates of relative abundance and, when coupled with a Bayesian framework, permitted the estimation of occupancy for uncommon species. Our estimated responses can be used by forest managers to determine the potential impacts of even-aged and uneven-aged oak management on small mammals, and the statistical methodology we used can be applied even more broadly to improve understanding of wildlife responses to forest management.
Optical molasses and multilevel atoms: theory

A theoretical analysis is given for laser cooling of a two-level atom with magnetic sublevels in the presence of polarization gradients. The optical Bloch equations for the multilevel system are solved numerically for four combinations of polarizations in one-dimensional optical molasses. The light-pressure force on the atom as given by a simple two-level theory is recovered in the absence of polarization gradients, whereas a spatial variation of the polarization is found to lead to a strong cooling force for slow atoms. The increased cooling force is responsible for the recent observations of atoms cooled in optical molasses to temperatures an order of magnitude below the Doppler limit.
LANGUAGE AND DEMENTIA: NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS

This article reviews recent evidence for the relationship between extralinguistic cognitive and language abilities in dementia. A survey of data from investigations of three dementia syndromes (Alzheimer's disease, semantic dementia and progressive nonfluent aphasia) reveals that, more often than not, deterioration of conceptual organization appears associated with lexical impairments, whereas impairments in executive function are associated with sentence- and discourse-level deficits. These connections between extralinguistic functions and language ability also emerge from the literature on cognitive reserve and bilingualism that investigates factors that delay the onset and possibly the progression of neuropsychological manifestation of dementia.
Simulation of the Effects of Bathymetry and Land–Sea Contrasts on Hurricane Development Using a Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere Model

Abstract A version of the Naval Research Laboratory Limited Area Dynamical Weather Prediction Model is coupled with the DieCAST ocean circulation model, which is particularly well suited for the specification of realistic bathymetry. The resulting coupled model, with 11 levels in the atmosphere and 20 in the ocean, is used to study the sensitivity of hurricane formation, intensification, and weakening in the Gulf of Mexico and the Carribean region to the presence of land–sea contrasts and bathymetry in this region. Numerical simulations with the fully coupled model, Gulf of Mexico, and Carribean geography and bathymetry are compared with simulations with coupling and no geometry or bathymetry and also with simulations using the uncoupled atmospheric model. The primary finding is that land–sea contrast and bathymetry reduce the intensification of the tropical disturbance, even when the hurricane is far from shore. The effect of drier air coming off the land masses surrounding the Gulf, which can penetrate ...
Soft-tissue material properties under large deformation: strain rate effect

Biomechanical model of soft tissue derived from experimental measurements is critical for developing a reality-based model for minimally invasive surgical training and simulation. In our research, we have focused on developing a biomechanical model of the liver with the ultimate goal of using this model for local tool-tissue interaction tasks and providing feedback to the surgeon through a haptic display. We are interested in finding the local effective elastic modulus (LEM) of the liver tissue under different strain rates. We have developed a tissue indentation equipment for characterizing the biomechanical properties of the liver and compared the local effective elastic modulus (LEM) derived from experimental data with plane stress, plane strain, and axisymmetric element types in ABAQUS under varying strain rates. Our results show that the experimentally derived local effective modulus matches closely with the plane stress analysis in ABAQUS.
Quarter-wave layers with 50% reflectance for obliquely incident unpolarized light.

The conditions under which light interference in a transparent quarter-wave layer of refractive index n1 on a transparent substrate of refractive index n2 leads to 50% reflectance for incident unpolarized light at an angle φ are determined. Two distinct solution branches are obtained that correspond to light reflection above and below the polarizing angle, φp, of zero reflection for p polarization. The real p and s amplitude reflection coefficients have the same (negative) sign for the solution branch φ>φp and have opposite signs for the solution branch φ<φp. Operation at φ<φp is the basis of a 50%-50% beam splitter that divides an incident totally polarized light beam (with p and s components of equal intensity) into reflected and refracted beams of orthogonal polarizations [Opt. Lett.31, 1525 (2006)] and requires a film refractive index n1≥(√2+1)n2. A monochromatic design that uses a high-index TiO2 thin film on a low-index MgF2 substrate at 488 nm wavelength is presented as an example.
The BACK algorithm for sequential test generation

A test-generation algorithm called the BACK algorithm is proposed for sequential test generation. The BACK algorithm is a modified D-algorithm. Instead of forward fault propagation to generate sensitized paths, the BACK algorithm creates the sensitized paths backwards by justifying the required sensitized values. The BACK algorithm not only is easier to implement but also requires less run-time memory than the D-algorithm. A testability measurement which guides the justification of sensitized values is also presented. The BACK algorithm has been implemented and used very successfully for AT&T sequential circuits. >
Designing safe, profitable automated stock trading agents using evolutionary algorithms

Trading rules are widely used by practitioners as an effective means to mechanize aspects of their reasoning about stock price trends. However, due to the simplicity of these rules, each rule is susceptible to poor behavior in specific types of adverse market conditions. Naive combinations of such rules are not very effective in mitigating the weaknesses of component rules. We demonstrate that sophisticated approaches to combining these trading rules enable us to overcome these problems and gainfully utilize them in autonomous agents. We achieve this combination through the use of genetic algorithms and genetic programs. Further, we show that it is possible to use qualitative characterizations of stochastic dynamics to improve the performance of these agents by delineating safe, or feasible, regions. We present the results of experiments conducted within the Penn-Lehman Automated Trading project. In this way we are able to demonstrate that autonomous agents can achieve consistent profitability in a variety of market conditions, in ways that are human competitive.
Model based spectrum estimation for planar array signal processing

The authors present two-dimensional (2-D) random field modeling for the estimation of the power spectral density function of planar array data. They review noncausal autoregressive and Gaussian Markov random field modeling of stationary 2-D random processes. A method for obtaining robust parameter estimates in the nonGaussian situation is also presented. The application of 2-D method model-based spectrum estimation to the determination of directions of arrival of plane waves impinging on a planar array is discussed, and examples of spectrum estimates are included to illustrate the utility of 2-D model-based spectrum estimation. >