cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the abstraction of conventional dynamic systems: from numerical analysis to linguistic analysis

Linguistic dynamic systems (LDS) are dynamic processes involving mainly computing with words instead of numbers for modeling and analysis of complex systems and human-machine interfaces. The goal of studying LDS is to establish a methodology of design, modeling, and analysis of complex decision-making processes bridging the machine world in numbers and the human world in words. Specifically in this paper, conventional dynamic systems are converted to different types of LDS for the purpose of verification and comparison. The evolving laws of a type-I LDS are constructed by applying the fuzzy extension principle to those of its conventional counterpart with linguistic states. The evolution of type-I LDS represents the dynamics of state uncertainty derived from the corresponding conventional dynamic process. In addition to linguistic states, the evolving laws of type-II LDS are modeled by a finite number of linguistic decision rules. Analysis of fixed points is conducted based on point-to-fuzzyset mappings and linguistic controllers are designed for goals specified in words for type-II LDS. An efficient numerical procedure called α-cuts mapping is developed and applied to obtain extensive simulation results.
The glyceride structure of swine depot fat

A male pig was reared for three months on a diet containing about 1% fat and 0.2% dienoic acid. The back fat was fractionated into glyceride types by crystallization methods, and the fatty acid composition of each was determined by the spectrophotometric procedure. The relative amounts of the glyceride types almost perfectly fit the hypothesis that there is an oleic acid in the 1 position of each glyceride molecule, that the residual oleic acids are in the 3 position, that the linoleic acid is in the 2 position of the resultant dioleins, and that the saturated acids complete the structure.
Noise-margin limitations on gallium-arsenide VLSI

Two factors which limit the complexity of GaAs MESFET VLSI circuits are considered. Power dissipation sets an upper complexity limit for a given logic circuit implementation and thermal design. Uniformity of device characteristics and the circuit configuration determines the electrical functional yield. Projection of VLSI complexity based on these factors indicates that logic chips of 15000 gates are feasible with the most promising static circuits if a maximum power dissipation of 5 W per chip is assumed. While lower power per gate and therefore more gates per chip can be obtained by using a popular E/D FET circuit, yields are shown to be small when practical device parameter tolerances are applied. Further improvements in materials, devices, and circuits will be needed to extend circuit complexity to the range currently dominated by silicon. >
Management of Amikacin Overdose

A woman with subarachnoid hemorrhage inadvertently received 18 g of amikacin over a 4-hr period, 20 times the recommended total daily dose. Intravenous fluids were administered to expedite renal excretion of the amikacin, and a peritoneal dialysis was performed to augment drug elimination. Drug levels were measured sequentially in serum, urine, and peritoneal dialysate. Renal clearance of the drug was increased compared to clearance following a standard dose and the drug was rapidly excreted in the urine. Amikacin was not detected in the peritoneal dialysate. There were no apparent toxic effects from the overdose. A patient with normal renal function who receives a potentially toxic dose of amikacin can be appropriately managed by careful hydration and maintenance of a generous diuresis.
SENSORY EVALUATION OF CHEESES: A PART OF MENU ITEM1

Ten varieties of cheeses were presented to taste panelists for sensory evaluation as an additional item (garnish and source of calcium) on a dinner plate in a restaurant setting. A hedonic scale system was used for evaluation and the panelists ranked Colby cheese as their first choice. Statistical analysis revealed that 90% of the participants agreed on the idea of including cheese on the dinner plate as a source of calcium.
Cyclic voltammetry for the study of polymer film adhesion to platinum neurological electrodes.

Abstract Many epoxy and polymeric coatings, with a broad spectrum of bulk and surface properties, are available for microelectrode insulators in neurophysiology. One of the premier properties of a biomaterial must be its ability to adhere to the underlying substrate. The technique of cyclic voltammetry has been applied to neurological electrodes to compare the adhesion of various insulating films. We found that this technique was advantageous over conventional ones (i.e. pull tests) in that we could observe the synergistic effects of water, ions, and electric fields.
Surface plasmon enhanced IR absorption: Design and experiment

Abstract Metal corrugated surfaces have the potential of enhancing optical absorption through surface plasmon (SP) excitation facilitated by light-metal interactions. The successful utilization of metal corrugation induced optical absorption can improve the response of free carrier absorption (FCA), based HEterojunction Interfacial Workfunction Internal Photoemission (HEIWIP) detectors. This article reports theoretical and experimental investigations of SP-induced infrared (IR) absorption in GaAs based structures, exhibiting absorption peak wavelength ( λ p ) in the 10–14 μm region. Moreover, substantial absorption and responsivity improvement using metallic corrugation on typical heterojunction detector is predicted. Proposed design and optimization approaches will be useful for improving the performance of IR detectors.
Intrapulmonary and extrapulmonary shunt in ducks

Abstract We measured shunt in seven anesthetized, mechanically ventilated Pekin ducks by the multiple inert gas elimination technique (MIGET) and by the oxygen method during 100% O 2 breathing (O 2 shunt). MIGET shunt measures only intrapulmonary shunt bu O 2 shunt measures intra- and extrapulmonary shunt ( e.g. bronchial drainage). O 2 shunt was calcualted from oxygen contents of blood estimated from measured P O 2 and standard O 2 equilibrium curves at appropriate pH and hematocrit measured in 4 other ducks. In normal lungs MIGET shunt was 1.3 ±_0.4 (mean ± SEM) percent of cardiac output and O 2 shunt was 6.3 ±_1.3%. O 2 shunt exceeded MIGET shunt by 5.4 ± 1.4% which we attribute to extrapulmonary shunts. These include part of the bronchiat circulation, thebesian veins and vertebral venous-pulmonary circulation connections. Both MIGET and O 2 shunts increased when water was introduced into the lungs. Overall, the relationship between % MIGET shunt and %O 2 shunt was described by teh equation: O 2 shunt = 0.86·MIGET + 5.67 (r = 0.96, n = 24).
FUNCTIONALISM, FALLIBILISM, AND ANTI–FOUNDATIONALISM IN WIEMAN'S EMPIRICAL THEISM

. Empirical philosophy of religion is usually appraised in light of its theological uses, rather than in terms of its relation to philosophical forms of empiricism. The present paper examines the empirical theism of Henry Nelson Wieman by relating it to Carl Hempel's critique of functionalism, Karl Popper's use of falsifiability, and the growth of post–empiricist anti–foundationalism in epis–temology. It is concluded that Wieman's argument commits the fallacy of affirming the consequent; that his theistic perspective nevertheless offers an important heuristic device in line with fal–libilism, and that his radical empiricism anticipates recent anti–foundationalist trends.
On the nature of Oöcytin, the fertilising and cytolysing substance in mammalian blood-sera

1) The purest preparation of the Oocytin from ox-serum which has as yet been obtained yields the protein reactions. The active substance, therefore, either is a protein or peptone or else the method of preparation which is employed precipitates a protein or peptone along with it. 2) The amount of this substance which is obtainable from one litre of ox-serum lies between 10 and 40 milligrams. 3) Oocytin is present inWitte's Peptone, hence it is either digested with difficulty or not at all by pepsin. 4) Oocytin is not a lipoid.
Relation of Increase in Muscle Mass to Performance of Hypertrophied Right Ventricle in the Dog

Right ventricular hypertrophy was produced by chronic constriction (banding) of the pulmonary artery in the dog. Right ventricular muscle mass increased by 40% in 6 to 12 weeks after banding. Maximal work performance of this ventricle also increased; at 12 weeks the mean was 175% more than that of the normal right ventricle. It was concluded that, per unit of gross myocardial mass, the work performance of the hypertrophied right ventricle of the dog was no less than that of the normal right ventricle.
Redox regulation of insulin sensitivity due to enhanced fatty acid utilization in the mitochondria

Obesity enhances the risk for the development of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Loss in insulin sensitivity and diminished ability of muscle to take up and use glucose are characterist...
Beneath the Surface: The Impact of Radical Economic Reforms on the Outward Orientation of Argentine and Mendozan Firms, 1989–1995

The main argument of this article is that in order to assess accurately the impact of a market liberalisation programme such as the one Argentina has undergone, one must look beneath the aggregate statistics and analyse underlying changes in critical market structure and organisational variables. While aggregate trade figures imply that the country has been successful at reintegrating itself into the world economy, two underlying trends reveal potential threats to the country's long-term development. These trends relate to the level of value added being created in the country, particularly with regard to its exports, and to changes in the composition of its trading partners. Despite four decades of relative decline, Argentina is still the third largest economy in Latin America and ranks at the top of the region in terms of per capita income and most standard indicators of social development. Furthermore, since I990 it has been the second largest destination of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the region after Mexico.1 In spite of the impact of the recent economic reforms, however, Argentina still has one of the largest government sectors, highest average trade tariffs, and least outward-oriented economies in the region.2 And while Argentina was home to some of the first multinationals in any developing country,3 Brazil and Mexico currently have more firms both in Latin America's Top 500 ranking and on the United Nation's list of the largest multinationals headquartered outside the Triad (USA, Japan, European Union) economies.4 The purpose of this article is to assess the differential
Bandwidth allocation for connectionless traffic in ATM networks

Asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) is the emerging standard for broadband networking (B-ISDN) with its ability to support integrated traffic (data/voice/image/video). Information is exchanged in ATM networks by prior establishment of connection between source and destination(s). This brings up the question of how one can interconnect connectionless oriented LANs and MANs (non-ATM based networks) with connection oriented ATM. Bandwidth negotiation with the ATM network to meet the quality of service (QoS) requirements of the source traffic is one of the primary concerns of internetworking LAN/MAN and ATM. The paper initially assesses existing protocols in terms of the bandwidth allocation with respect to QoS requirements. The merits and demerits of these protocols are also discussed. A new protocol, "bandwidth allocation on source demand," is proposed in which the data transfer is based on "establishing a communication channel" to the destination utilizing the bandwidth advertisement feature. The proposed protocol is more reliable, in terms of presenting source traffic to the network, and will provide better performance over existing protocols. A framework to measure the performance of the proposed protocol is identified.
Differential Effect of Hemodialysis Membranes on Human Lymphocyte Natural Killer Function

: Lymphocytes exposed to cuprammonium cellulose membranes have been shown to exhibit depressed natural killer (NK) function. In the present study we investigated the extent to which three dialyzer membranes of different compositions suppressed human lymphocyte NK activity. Peripheral blood lymphocytes or T cells from normal donors were exposed in vitro to cuprammonium cellulose, cellulose acetate, or polycarbonate dialyzer membranes. After exposure to the membranes, NK activity of the cells was studied by using the NK-sensitive cell line K562 as targets. All three membranes adversely affected human lymphocyte NK function, with cuprammonium cellulose producing the most (70–80%) and polycarbonate producing the least (10–15%) suppression. Our results suggest that the composition of dialyzer membranes affects the extent to which the membranes impair human lymphocyte function. The use of more biocompatible membranes might lessen the potential clinical impact of abnormal NK function in hemodialysis patients.
Estimation of arrival-departure capacity tradeoffs in multi-airport systems

The accurate estimation of airport capacity is critical for the efficient planning of landing and takeoff operations, and the mitigation of congestion-induced delays. The analysis of tradeoffs between arrival and departure capacity at an airport, represented by the airport capacity envelope, has been the main focus of prior research. The increasing demand for air traffic operations has resulted in the growth of multi-airport systems, in which several major airports that are in close proximity of each other serve the same geographical region. The arrival and departure flows into these airports interact with each other, and it is necessary to consider inter-airport arrival-departure capacity tradeoffs while scheduling operations. This paper proposes a statistical technique based on quantile regression, for systematically analyzing arrival-departure capacity tradeoffs in multi-airport systems using observations of flight operations. The proposed technique enables the identification of key factors (such as, runway configuration geometry, weather conditions, etc.) that influence both the capacity envelopes of individual airports, and the capacity envelope of the multi-airport system as a whole. The approach is demonstrated through an analysis of the capacity envelopes of the New York area multi-airport system (comprising Newark (EWR), John F. Kennedy (JFK) and LaGuardia (LGA) airports).
Optimizing Process Aid Performance by Controlling Fluoropolymer Particle Size

Fluoropolymer process aids (PPAs) are commonly used to eliminate melt fracture during the extrusion of polyolefins, and their performance may be quantified directly by measuring the fluoropolymer deposition rate on internai die surfaces, or indirectly by measuring the time needed for the PPA to eliminate melt fracture under a particular set of conditions. Historically, the performance of PPA has been considered optimal when the fluoropolymer enters the die in the form of small discrete particles, less than about 1 um in diameter. Using both direct and indirect measurements, the present study shows that the reverse is true - performance improves when the PPA is more coarsely dispersed, so that fluoropolymer particles larger than about 2 pm in diameter enter the extrusion die. Based on these observations, a quantitative model ofthe fluoropolymer coating process is developed. The model fits the experimental data on fluoropolymer coating thickness as a function of fluoropolymer particle size and extrusion shear rate, and aise provides insight on other aspects of the PPA coating process. These findings culminated in the development of the Z Technology PPAs, which use interfacial agents and a fluoroelastomer having a distinctly different rheology from the traditional fluoroelastomers in PPAs to deliver the large fluoropolymer particles needed to provide reliable, quick elimination of polyolefin melt fracture at low PPA usage levels.
CD4+ T Cell-Dependent IFN-γ Production by CD8+ Effector T Cells in Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection

Both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells contribute to immunity to tuberculosis, and both can produce the essential effector cytokine IFN-γ. However, the precise role and relative contribution of each cell type to in vivo IFN-γ production are incompletely understood. To identify and quantitate the cells that produce IFN-γ at the site of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in mice, we used direct intracellular cytokine staining ex vivo without restimulation. We found that CD4+ and CD8+ cells were predominantly responsible for production of this cytokine in vivo, and we observed a remarkable linear correlation between the fraction of CD4+ cells and the fraction of CD8+ cells producing IFN-γ in the lungs. In the absence of CD4+ cells, a reduced fraction of CD8+ cells was actively producing IFN-γ in vivo, suggesting that CD4+ effector cells are continually required for optimal IFN-γ production by CD8+ effector cells. Accordingly, when infected mice were treated i.v. with an MHC-II-restricted M. tuberculosis epitope peptide to stimulate CD4+ cells in vivo, we observed rapid activation of both CD4+ and CD8+ cells in the lungs. Indirect activation of CD8+ cells was dependent on the presence of CD4+ cells but independent of IFN-g responsiveness of the CD8+ cells. These data provide evidence that CD4+ cell deficiency impairs IFN-γ production by CD8+ effector cells and that ongoing cross-talk between distinct effector T cell types in the lungs may contribute to a protective immune response against M. tuberculosis. Conversely, defects in these interactions may contribute to susceptibility to tuberculosis and other infections.
A comparison between industry and observer catch compositions within the Gulf of Alaska rockfish fishery

Stock assessment scientists and fishery managers operate under the necessary assumption that the identities of species in official catch reports are known without error. To test this assumption, the incidence, magnitude, and possible causes of species misidentification between industry and fishery-observer data sources were investigated for 29 rockfish landings made in Kodiak, AK. Rockfish species were misidentified in nearly all these landings, and the incidence of misidentification between data sources differed among species rather than the processing plant examined. Although observers failed to identify species recorded by processing plant staff as a result of small sampling fractions, the industry missed species that were identified by observers in more than half the offloads examined. The presence of management species complexes did not reduce the likelihood of erroneous quota debiting as a result of species misidentification. In one landing, the misidentification of the main rockfish species corresponded to the release of a weekly report on total allowable catch and resulted in a delayed fishery closure. Efforts to improve the accuracy of species identifications reported by industry in landing reports are warranted in Alaska, and methods to accomplish this through efficient deployment of observers are discussed.
Pomalidomide is strongly antiangiogenic and teratogenic in relevant animal models.

In characterizing the activity of pomalidomide in chicken and zebrafish embryos, Mahony et al. (1) were unable to detect teratogenic or antiangiogenic effects, but did detect anti-inflammatory effects. Because of the absence of antiangiogenic or teratogenic effects in their models, the authors conclude that “Pomalidomide likely represents a more effective and potentially safer option for treatment …
From stable to chaotic juggling: theory, simulation, and experiments

Recent results of dynamical systems theory are used to derive strong predictions concerning the global properties of a simplified model of a planar juggling robot. In particular, it is found that certain lower-order local (linearized) stability properties determine the essential global (nonlinear) stability properties, and that successive increments in the controller gain settings give rise to a cascade of stable period-doubling bifurcations that comprise a universal route to chaos. The theoretical predictions are verified by simulation and corroborated by experimental data from the juggling robot. >
A finite state/frame difference interpolative vector quantizer for low rate image sequence coding

A finite-state vector quantizer (VQ) suitable for both intraframe and interframe coding is presented. Interblock and interframe memory is expressed through a state variable driven by an improved classifier which keys on the intensity gradients of a block's neighbours and its own interframe motion. A bilinear interpolator reduces the energy of foreground residuals encoded by the quantization, improving edge rendition and limiting blocking artifacts. Background blocks are vector predictive coded using simple frame differencing and codebooks built with a gradient design algorithm. The codec at 0.4 bit/pixel outperforms a similar but non-finite-state intraframe VQ at 1.0 bit/pixel by 4 dB. >
Two-Year Study Evaluating the Potential Loss of Methicillin Resistance in a Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Culture Collection

A reported loss of mecA prompted us to monitor 360 cryostocked methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains for stability. Concurrently, 14 well-characterized strains were stored in a Microbank preservation system and subjected to multiple freeze-thaw events. There were no significant declines in the methicillin-resistant populations with either method over a two-year period.
Evidence and Interpretation: Teachers' Reflections on Reading Writing in an Introductory Science Course

The use of writing as a means of assisting students to learn and of assessing their understanding in an introductory science course intended primarily as a terminal course for non-science majors is considered in the context of a discussion of cognitive development. We suggest that, particularly where students are asked to justify their understanding by referring to concrete evidence, writing samples are a sensitive indicator of cognitive position. We demonstrate this with examples of four different types of writing used in our course: short answer exam questions, exam essays, take-home essays which may be revised, and informal journal writing. The information gained from writing assignments can be useful as feedback to an instructor regarding (a) an individual student’s assumptions about what can be known in science and what form this knowledge takes, (b) what individuals and the class as a whole are prepared to understand, and (c) in what ways particular subject material is likely to be misunderstood. We conclude that these different probes can reveal different aspects of development, and that the use of any of them requires attentive reading by the instructor.
Male athletes, female aesthetics: the continued ambivalence toward female athletes in ESPN's The Body Issue.

Previous studies have suggested that media reify frames that subtly enforce sex differences in a manner that detracts from women athletes’ athleticism. This phenomenon is referred to as ambivalence. To analyze ambivalence, this study introduces a theoretically and empirically supported coding scheme that was used to conduct a quantitative frame analysis of 157 images featured in ESPN’s The Body Issue. These images were coded for frames that de-emphasize athleticism, sexualize athletes, or deny a sporting context. Results suggest that athlete sex is associated with de-emphasized athleticism and sexualized frames, and sport gender is associated with context frames. Results also support longitudinal trends in The Body Issue series, which suggest that the series has become more sexualized and removed from a sports context but has decreased the use of frames that de-emphasize athleticism. In general, The Body Issue continues to reinforce established media trends that trivialize female athletes, despite claimin...
In Vitro Protein-Synthesizing Activity of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus-Infected Cell Extracts

Crude cytoplasmic extracts from vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV)-infected HeLa cells incorporate radioactive amino acids into hot trichloroacetic acid-precipitable material linearly for 10 to 20 min. The material synthesized in vitro corresponds in molecular weight to four of the five VSV structural proteins. However, synthesis of the viral glycoprotein (G) is significantly reduced, whereas the relative amounts of viral structural proteins L and NS synthesized are increased compared with the ratio of the proteins found in the virion. Fractionation of a VSV-infected crude cytoplasmic extract into a cytoplasmic pellet (20,000 x g for 30 min) and a cytoplasmic supernatant results in a significant reduction in protein synthesizing activity of both fractions, although both contain polysomes. The products synthesized by a cytoplasmic supernatant-directed system included all the VSV structural proteins except the glycoprotein, whereas in an in vitro system directed by the cytoplasmic pellet there is a marked reduction in synthesis of the nucleoprotein (N) and also a small relative increase in synthesis of the glycoprotein. Addition of uninfected, preincubated HeLa or L-cell S10 or a HeLa ribosomal fraction to the VSV-infected cytoplasmic pellet results in a 30- to 60-fold stimulation of (35)S-methionine incorporation. However, these uninfected extracts do not stimulate (35)S-methionine incorporation by the infected crude cytoplasmic extract or the cytoplasmic supernatant. The products synthesized by the stimulated cytoplasmic pellet now include sizeable amounts of the glycoprotein in addition to the other VSV structural proteins.
Making Curriculum from Scratch: Testimonio in an Urban Classroom

Testimonio, as a genre of the dispossessed, the migrant, and the queer, is a response to larger discourses of nation-building and has the potential to undermine the larger narratives that often erase and make invisible the expendable and often disposable labor and experiences of immigrants, the working class, African Americans, and others. This essay explores the use of testimonio in urban classrooms in Los Angeles and its use as a mediating tool in critical thinking and community based learning projects. I argue that there is a pedagogy to testimonio that is intersubjective and accessible and that, under certain circumstances, re-centers and revitalizes curriculum in this era of standardization and accountability, a hearkening to social justice movements that begin in education.
Localized Adaptive Bounds for Online Approximation Based Control

This article develops new methods for adaptively bounding approximation accuracy with methods that involve localized forgetting. The existing results use global forgetting. The importance of local versus global forgetting is motivated in the text. Such bounds have utility for self-organizing approximators that could adjust the number of basis elements N by adding additional approximation resources in the regions where the approximation error bound is large.
The influence of conditioned media and nonessential amino acid supplementation on the growth of cells in vitro.

The growth enhancing effect of media conditioned by cells from established lines (BHK and L60) is comparable to that of media conditioned by cells of primary origin (chick embryo). However, the properties of the conditioned media from these two systems show marked differences: the growth enhancing factors in the former are dialyzable and heat-stable, in contrast to the non-dialyzable and heat-labile factors in the latter. Media conditioned for only four hours by BHK or L60 cells stimulated cell growth. Amino acid analyses revealed that non-essential amino acids had appeared in these conditioned media. To verify this as the metabolic basis of conditioning by cells from established lines, media containing dialyzed serum were supplemented with each of six non-essential amino acids, and assayed on BHK and L60 at various population densities. Serine was the most stimulatory and alanine the most inhibitory of the amino acids tested. Mixed supplementation of the medium showed that when low levels of alanine and serine were added simultaneously, cell growth was enhanced but any increase in the level of alanine required an increase in the level of serine also to achieve growth stimulation.
Assessing the effectiveness and optimal structure of trauma systems : A consensus among experts

Objective: To determine whether a consensus exists among experts regarding the effect of organized trauma systems on patient outcomes based on peer-reviewed, published evidence. Second, to ascertain whether experts agree on the optimal structure of trauma systems. Methods: A multistage, longitudinal survey was administered to trauma system experts participating in a national symposium designed to assess the published evidence regarding trauma system effectiveness. Survey questions assessed published evidence by evaluating study designs, potential biases, and sample case mix. Trauma system structure was assessed by asking participants to rate the merit of previously identified key trauma system characteristics. Analyses were conducted using consensus theory. Results: Ninety symposium participants (99%) completed all five surveys. Respondents considered the evidence to be moderately supportive of trauma system effectiveness when considering severely injured patients in urban settings. Several key trauma system characteristics were identified as mandatory or - highly desirable components of trauma system implementation and maintenance. Experts currently favor exclusive rather than inclusive trauma systems. Conclusion: A consensus does exist among trauma system experts regarding the effectiveness of trauma systems and the optimal structure of trauma systems. Additional research is needed to determine whether trauma system benefits extend to other patient subgroups in other geographic regions. Consensus theory provides an impressive model for assessing rater agreement by controlling for response bias and providing a probability measure to determine whether a true consensus exists.
Deadtime compensation for nonlinear processes

Many industrially important processes feature both nonlinear system dynamics and a process deadtime. Powerful deadtime compensation methods, such as the Smith predictor, are available for linear systems represented by transfer functions. A Smith predictor structure in state space for linear systems is presented first and then directly extended to nonlinear systems. When combined with input /output linearizing state feedback, this Smith-like predictor makes a nonlinear system with deadtime behave like a linear system with deadtime. The control structure is completed by adding an external linear controller, which provides integral action and compensates for the deadtime in the input/output linear system, and an open-loop state observer. Conditions for robust stability with respect to errors in the deadtime and more general linear unstructured multiplicative uncertainties are given. Computer simulations for an example system demonstrate the high controller performance that can be obtained using the proposed method.
The role of zoos in the 21st century

Zoos have been overtaken by the rapidity of wildlife extinction and most of their conservation programmes are unresponsive. To fulfil their obligations to society, and to survive, zoos must become proactive conservation organizations, applying their popularity to win support for wildlife protection and their expertise to help sustain reduced numbers of wildlife in marginal habitats.
SNOWBALL: Representational issues in the design of a knowledge documentation system for expert system development

The authors review the implications of their efforts to develop knowledge elicitation tools and techniques. The three roles of a knowledge engineer as programmer, interviewer and communicator each have different implications for the type of tools that will be useful. The communicator role of the knowledge engineer requires a tool that facilitates the communication of visual representations between the domain expert and end users of the expert system. SNOWBALL is a hypertext knowledge documentation tool which supports flexible use of both computer- and paper-based representations. SNOWBALL facilitates expert review of the elicited knowledge. Limitations and future directions in the development of SNOWBALL are discussed. >
Applications of analytical model for characterizing the pear-shaped tribotest for tube hydroforming. Part 2

Applications of the analytical model for characterizing the pear-shaped tribotest are presented. Details on the derivations of the analytical model can be found in Part 1 of this paper (published in Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Journal of Engineering Manufacture, 2008, Vol. 222). In this test, a tubular specimen is pressurized, forcing the material to flow towards the apex of a pear-shaped die. The height of the pear-shaped tube is a function of the magnitude of friction stress at the tube-die interface. The analytical model is used rapidly to establish the calibration curves for determination of friction coefficient in the pear-shaped tribotest. The model is also used to optimize both process and die geometric variables to suit specific tribological needs. The paper pre- sents examples of how optimal pear-shape tribotest conditions pertaining to die geometry, tubular material properties, tube sizes, and pressure loading can be achieved via this model.
Measuring Phonon Mean Free Path Distributions by Probing Quasiballistic Phonon Transport in Grating Nanostructures

Heat conduction in semiconductors and dielectrics depends upon their phonon mean free paths that describe the average travelling distance between two consecutive phonon scattering events. Nondiffusive phonon transport is being exploited to extract phonon mean free path distributions. Here, we describe an implementation of a nanoscale thermal conductivity spectroscopy technique that allows for the study of mean free path distributions in optically absorbing materials with relatively simple fabrication and a straightforward analysis scheme. We pattern 1D metallic grating of various line widths but fixed gap size on sample surfaces. The metal lines serve as both heaters and thermometers in time-domain thermoreflectance measurements and simultaneously act as wire-grid polarizers that protect the underlying substrate from direct optical excitation and heating. We demonstrate the viability of this technique by studying length-dependent thermal conductivities of silicon at various temperatures. The thermal conductivities measured with different metal line widths are analyzed using suppression functions calculated from the Boltzmann transport equation to extract the phonon mean free path distributions with no calibration required. This table-top ultrafast thermal transport spectroscopy technique enables the study of mean free path spectra in a wide range of technologically important materials.
Food hoarding is increased by pregnancy, lactation, and food deprivation in Siberian hamsters

Food hoarding by male Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus sungorus) is increased only when body mass (fat) is decreased. Pregnancy and lactation result in marked decreases in lipid reserves (approximately 50%) in female Siberian hamsters. Therefore, the present experiments addressed the following questions: 1) Is food hoarding increased after food deprivation in female Siberian hamsters? and 2) How do food hoarding and food intake change during pregnancy, lactation, and their combination? During measurements in a simulated burrow system food hoarding increased after a 32-h fast (approximately 2- to 3-fold) to a level similar to that seen previously in males and was markedly increased during pregnancy (approximately 12- to 18-fold, lactation, and concurrent pregnancy and lactation (approximately 10- to 25-fold for each of the latter 2 conditions). Postfast food intake was not different from prefast baseline measures. Food intake was increased only during the last few days of pregnancy and was elevated throughout lactation. These impressive increases in the level of food hoarding during pregnancy, lactation and their combination suggest that food hoarding may play an important role in supplying easily accessible energy to subserve these reproductive conditions.
Examining the Effects of Ecological Models of Situation Displays on Human Cognitive Effort

This paper reports on an observational study of cognitive efforts associated with ecological-based situation displays. The major performance measure is an 8-item subjective questionnaire. Participants in the study indicated on a 100-point scale, from zero (poor) to 100 (absolutely useful), their agreement with statements addressing information factors contributing to cognitive effort measurement. Two types of situation displays were compared: scenario and ecotopic displays, respectively. A scenario-based display portrays complete information about a problem context. An ecotopic display presents only local information and adapts to the user's mental model in a problem context. Results revealed that an ecotopic display provides better information filtering and mental model mapping than a scenario-based display (96.53% agreement versus 75.10%). Further, there was no statistically significant difference between ecotopic and scenario-based displays in terms of the user's perception of information integration t...
Prognostics and Health Management of Aircraft Engine EMA Systems

In this study, the authors conducted a model-based, engine system analysis of Electro-Mechanical Actuators (EMAs). This effort employed an existing, NASA developed, aircraft engine model. A critical engine actuator within the model was replaced by a dynamic, physics based EMA model that includes: controller, motor, drivetrain and feedback sensor sub-models. The actuator model includes simulation of the electrical, mechanical and thermal response of the system. The resulting platform was used to simulate a range of critical actuator fault conditions including: feedback resolver fault, ball-screw degradation, motor winding short, and LVDT non-linearity. Since the available experimental data from propulsion system EMAs is very limited, this platform provides an ideal opportunity to evaluate and enhance prognostic capability for critical engine applications. The model fault tests were used to demonstrate a prototype prognostics and health management (PHM) system for engine EMAs. First, the system response was used to develop an appropriate mode detection algorithm to identify the ideal system conditions for collection of diagnostic evidence. Then, using the acquired transient and steady-state system response, diagnostic data features were derived from EMA related sensors and engine performance parameters. Using these features as a starting point, a system level reasoner was created using multiple classification techniques including LDA, QDA and SVM. Using model generated data with simulated system variance, it was demonstrated that the reasoner provides excellent fault detection, isolation and severity assessment capability for all considered fault modes. Finally, a suitable actuator life model was developed and a probabilistic prognostic approach was used to determine the remaining useful life of the system. The demonstrated PHM system will significantly enhance the ability to safely operate aircraft, schedule maintenance activities, optimize operational life cycles, and reduce support costs.© 2011 ASME
Effects of diflubenzuron on the litter spider and orthopteroid community in a Central Appalachian forest infested with gypsy moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae)

We searched for effects of diflubenzuron treatment on numbers and diversity of two groups of litter arthropods-spiders (Araneae) and orthopteroid insects (Orthoptera and Dictyoptera)-in a West Virginia hardwood forest infested with gypsy moth. We established sampling stations consisting of pitfall traps in treated and untreated plots (four each) and sampled for up to 75 d following spray. Variability in dependent variables (habitat differences) was reduced by performing principal components analysis on habitat variables and by introducing the principal components into the treatment effect models as covariates. A treatment effect was apparent from 21 to 42 d after spray in both spider and orthopteroid insect abundance, although the effect was significant on only two sample dates for orthopteroid insects. There was no treatment effect on species diversity for these two groups.
Somatic Mutations in NEK9 Cause Nevus Comedonicus

Acne vulgaris (AV) affects most adolescents, and of those affected, moderate to severe disease occurs in 20%. Comedones, follicular plugs consisting of desquamated keratinocytes and sebum, are central to its pathogenesis. Despite high heritability in first-degree relatives, AV genetic determinants remain incompletely understood. We therefore employed whole-exome sequencing (WES) in nevus comedonicus (NC), a rare disorder that features comedones and inflammatory acne cysts in localized, linear configurations. WES identified somatic NEK9 mutations, each affecting highly conserved residues within its kinase or RCC1 domains, in affected tissue of three out of three NC-affected subjects. All mutations are gain of function, resulting in increased phosphorylation at Thr210, a hallmark of NEK9 kinase activation. We found that comedo formation in NC is marked by loss of follicular differentiation markers, expansion of keratin-15-positive cells from localization within the bulge to the entire sub-bulge follicle and cyst, and ectopic expression of keratin 10, a marker of interfollicular differentiation not present in normal follicles. These findings suggest that NEK9 mutations in NC disrupt normal follicular differentiation and identify NEK9 as a potential regulator of follicular homeostasis.
NONLINEAR RESPONSE ANALYSIS OF A CRACKED JEFFCOTT ROTOR IN ACTION OF DIVE-HIKE

A maneuver load model for action of dive-hike is set up,and motion equations for a cracked Jeffcott rotor in action of dive-hike are derived.Numerical method is employed to analyze its nonlinear response.The response results show that there are three ways leading to chaos: quasi-periodic bifurcation,intermittent bifurcation and unstable period-3 motion.Generally,the action of dive-hike will depress the nonlinear response of the rotor.But its swing amplitude increases obviously,and it may make the rotor lose its stability.If the rotor is with a deeper crack,the depressing effect of the action of dive-hike is unconspicuous.These results can be helpful for fault diagnose or design of aircraft rotor systems.
HPLC Gradient Wavelength Method for the Simultaneous Determination of 6 Ingredients in Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Produced in Different Regions in Gansu and Principal Component Analysis

Objective:A HPLC quantitatively method was used to determinate glycyrrhizin,liquiritigenin,isoliquiritigenin,licorice chalcone A,glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid in Glycyrrhizae radix et rhizoma simultaneously and to identify the quality of licorice by principal component analysis.Methods:Acetonitrile-0.1% aqueous solution of phosphoric acid was used as mobile phase for gradient elution and using collection method with gradient-wavelength.The flow rate was 0.6 mL·min-1 and data analysis was used by SPSS 17.0.Results:Six Ingredients in Glycyrrhizae radix et rhizoma were separated well.They had good linear relationships in their respective range of concentration.Evaluation results of samples from different areas using principal component analysis were almost consistent with that by traditional evaluation.Conclusion:The method was accurate and simple.It could be used for quality control of Glycyrrhizae radix et rhizoma
A COMBINATORIAL METHOD FOR GENERATING NEW ZEOLITE FRAMEWORKS

ABSTRACT We show that by applying crystallographic and topological constraints to 2 unique tetrahedrally coordinated atoms (T-atoms, such as Si or Al) within the space group P6/mmm, 46 fully-connected frameworks can be generated. Of these, 29 can be refined to give acceptable interatomic distances and bond angles. This combinatorial approach to enumerating frameworks can, in principle, be generalized to other space groups with any number of basis atoms, and provides a systematic method for identifying and classifying new zeolite frameworks.
Durable superoleophobic polypropylene surfaces.

Polypropylene (PP) is a popular plastic material used in consumer packaging. It would be desirable if such plastic containers were liquid repellent and not so easily fouled by their contents. Existing examples of superoleophobic surfaces typically rely on poorly adhered coatings or delicate surface structures, resulting in poor mechanical durability. Here, we report a facile method for creating superoleophobic PP surfaces via incorporation of nanoparticles (NPs) into the polymer surface. A solvent–NP–PP mixture was spin coated at high temperature to achieve the necessary roughness. Such surfaces were further functionalized with fluorosilane to result in a durable, super-repellent surface. They were also found to exhibit some repellency towards shampoos. This method of incorporating NPs into polymer surfaces could also prove useful in improving the anti-bacterial, mechanical and liquid-repellent properties of plastic devices. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Bioinspired hierarchically structured surfaces for green science’.
The Welfare State for the New Rich

The new upper class can finance their social services privately, but they cannot finance their economic needs privately! There is a remarkable paradox emerging worldwide in terms of high-tech industrial capitalism, as an economic system.
Hyalinoecia artifex: Field notes on a charismatic and abundant epifaunal polychaete on the US Atlantic continental margin

Hyalinoecia artifex is an abundant species on the US Atlantic margin, although little is known about its behavior, ecology, or reproduction. We provide field notes and high-resolution in situ imagery of this species observed and collected in 2013 and 2015. Hyalinoecia artifex occurred primarily on soft sediment at a density of 10.9±0.95 individuals m−2 (mean±standard error). Although they were found adjacent to mussel beds associated with methane seeps, worms were negatively associated with authigenic carbonate and other epibenthic megafauna in the study area. Quill worms moved across the sediment by extending their heads from the tubes and dragging the tubes forward. Stable isotope analysis indicated that H. artifex is a secondary consumer. Most individuals collected in 2015 were ripe, with mature oocytes up to 400 μm. Oocytes were yolky, yellow in color and positively buoyant; no brooding was observed.
X. Functionalism, Darwinism, and intersectionality: Using an intersectional perspective to reveal the appropriation of science to support the status quo:

Why should anyone care about long-dead 19th-century scientists’ thoughts about the differences between women and men? And what does such a paper have to say to our contemporary concerns? I believe ...