cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interdata now makes own power supplies

OCEANPORT, N. J., JANUARY 24, 1974 -- Interdata, Inc., leading minicomputer manufacturer, announced today it bad begun the manufacture of its own 25 and 50-amp multiple output power supplies.
Optimal design of petal-shaped occulters for extra-solar planet detection

One of the proposed methods for directly imaging extrasolar planets is via a free-flying occulter for blocking the starlight. The occulter would fly between a conventional telescope and the target star. It has long been known that a solid occulting disk does not produce a deep shadow; diffraction effects result in a bright spot in the center that would mask a planet. However, utilizing recent results in shaped pupil optimization, we have developed designs for an occulter with a shape that does effectively block the light from the star, allowing the planet light to be seen even at a small angular separation. The shadow created by the occulter is wavelength-dependent and quite sensitive to the shape of the outer edge. We present an optimization approach for producing these occulter designs to meet contrast requirements over multiple wavelengths and also discuss tolerancing requirements on the shade manufacture and control.
Helix packing in the lactose permease of Escherichia coli determined by site-directed thiol cross-linking: helix I is close to helices V and XI.

Coexpression of lacY gene fragments encoding the first two transmembrane domains and the remaining 10 transmembrane domains complement in the membrane and catalyze active lactose transport [Wrubel, W., Stochaj, U., et al. (1990) J. Bacteriol. 172, 5374-5381]. Accordingly, a plasmid encoding contiguous, nonoverlapping permease fragments with a discontinuity in the cytoplasmic loop between helices II and III (loop II/III) was constructed (N2C10 permease). When Phe27 (helix I) is replaced with Cys, cross-linking is observed with two native Cys residues, Cys148 (helix V) and Cys355 (helix XI). Cross-linking of a Cys residue at position 27 to Cys148 occurs with N,N'-o-phenylenedimaleimide (o-PDM; rigid 6 A), with N,N'-p-phenylenedimaleimide (p-PDM; rigid 10 A), or with 1,6-bis(maleimido)hexane (BMH; flexible 16 A). On the other hand, with the Phe27-->Cys/Cys355 pair, cross-linking is observed with p-PDM or BMH but not o-PDM. In neither case is cross-linking observed with iodine. It is suggested that a Cys residue at position 27 is within 6-10 A from Cys148 and about 10 A from Cys355. The results provide evidence for proximity between helix I and helices V or XI in the tertiary structure of the permease. In addition, the findings are consistent with other results [Venkatesan, P., Kaback, H. R. (1998) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 95, 9802-9807] indicating that Glu126 (helix IV) and Arg144 (helix V) are within the membrane, rather than at the membrane-water interface on the cytoplasmic face.
Chromosomal abnormalities in bronchial epithelium from smokers, nonsmokers, and lung cancer patients

Abstract The identification of individuals who are at greatest risk of developing lung cancer would greatly improve diagnosis and possibly lead to early treatment. To study the use of karyotypes for this purpose, we used short-term human bronchial epithelial (hBE) cell cultures from nonsmokers, smokers, and lung cancer patients. Twenty-five metaphases were scored for hBE cell cultures obtained from 32 patients: 8 were nonsmokers, and 24 had a history of smoking (of whom 11 had had lung cancer surgery). The number of abnormal metaphases ranged from 0 to 4 per cell culture. No overall differences in the number of abnormal metaphases were observed between nonsmokers and smokers or between lung cancer patients and non–lung cancer patients. The most commonly observed abnormalities were structural changes in chromosome 1 (six cultures), loss of chromosome 17 (six cultures), and trisomy of chromosome 20 (three cultures). These specific alterations were found almost exclusively in patients with a history of tobacco smoking. The results did not indicate that general chromosomal abnormalities are a useful marker for tobacco smoke exposure or cancer risk.
An ACO based functional module detection algorithm for protein interaction networks

Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) play fundamental roles in nearly all biological processes and differ based on the composition, affinity and lifetime of the association. A vast amount of PPI data for various organisms is available from MIPS, DIP and other sources. The identification of functional modules in PPI network is of great interest because they often reveal unknown functional ties between proteins and hence predict functions for unknown proteins.However the noise in the PPI network and the complexity of the network structure present great challenges to the functional module detection problem. In this paper, we propose a flexible framework which integrates the topological features of the network and the Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) algorithm to solve the problem. We first create an reliability measurement of the protein-protein interaction to rebuild the PPI network. Then we reformulate the problem to an optimal path detecting problem from the perspective of information flow. Last, an ACO-based functional module detection method is proposed by simulating the ants' behavior. We evaluate the proposed technique on the yeast protein-protein interaction network with MIPS functional categories and compare it with several other existing techniques. Our experiments show that our approach achieves better accuracy than other existing methods.
Obstructive Airway Disease and Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Effect of Pulmonary Function

This study sought to determine whether reduced pulmonary function in obstructive airway disease (OAD) is an independent risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This was a prospective observational study conducted at an outpatient pulmonary clinic. Adults with a known diagnosis of COPD/asthma were enrolled as OAD group. Family members without a history of COPD/asthma who accompanied these patients to the clinic were enrolled as a control group. The Berlin Questionnaire (BQ) was used to assess OSA risk in the OAD group and controls. Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1 % predicted) was determined from spirometry. The subjects at high risk for OSA were referred for a full overnight polysomnogram (PSG). The prevalence of patients with a high risk of OSA was 55.2% in the OAD group, which was higher than in the controls (7.5%, p < 0.0001). OAD subjects had a higher body mass index (BMI) and larger neck circumference than controls (p < 0.01). There was no difference in FEV1 % predicted between the OAD patients at high risk and low risk of OSA. On receiver operator curve (ROC) analysis, FEV1 % predicted was not a significant predictor of high OSA risk. Using logistic regression, FEV1 % predicted had no association with OSA risk. There was no correlation between FEV1 % predicted and total apnea–hypopnea index (AHI), oxygen desaturation index, % time spent below oxygen saturation 90%, and mean oxygen saturation on multiple regression analysis. OSA appears to be common in patients with COPD or asthma in an urban outpatient pulmonary clinic. However, the high prevalence of OSA in OAD patients appears to be due to obesity, and reduced pulmonary function is not an independent risk factor for OSA.
Pitfalls in the radiographic diagnosis of Paget's disease of the pelvis

One hundred thirty six unselected cases, radiographically diagnosed as Paget's disease of the pelvis, were reviewed in a retrospective study. In three patients below the age of 40 years purely sclerotic lesions of Paget's disease mimicking iliitis condensans or sclerosing osteomyelitis were found progressing with time to the combined osteolytic and sclerotic stage. Neither a purely lytic stage nor progression from the combined to the sclerotic stage was ever observed. A case each of histiocytic lymphoma, histiocytosis X, osteomyelosclerosis, and prostatic carcinoma, all closely mimicking Paget's disease were found in this series. In three cases radiographically undiagnosed implants from carcinoma of the breast, prostate, and myeloma were found in the Paget bone. Limitations in the radiographic diagnosis of both uncomplicated and complicated Paget's disease of the pelvis are stressed.
Topotactic transitions of the tetramer of P-acetoxybenzoic acid

Thermal and electron diffraction studies of single crystals derived from the tetramer of p-acetoxybenzoic acid have revealed the presence of two consecutive crystallographic transformations, i.e., topotactic transitions. Thus, differential scanning calorimetry of the oligomer indicated two irreversible phase transitions, an endotherm followed by an exotherm, between 150 and 180°C, in addition to the crystal-to-nematic transition at 260°C. Electron diffraction analysis further elucidated the transformation occurring during thermal treatment of the original oligomer. Hence it could be shown that the solution-crystallized material (α form) underwent a solid–solid phase transition to the β modification at a temperature corresponding to the observed endotherm. This β form then converted to a more stable modification (β′ form) which represented a superlattice structure derived from the β modification.
Prenatal care utilization and the implementation of prophylaxis to prevent perinatal HIV-1 transmission

Objectives: To describe prenatal care utilization among women with HIV-1 in 4 US states, and to determine whether the adequacy of prenatal care utilization is associated with the implementation of prenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal HIV antiretroviral therapy (ARV). Methods: Three-hundred three women completed a prenatal interview. Prenatal, labor and delivery, and infant medical records were reviewed. Results: Thirty-nine percent of women did not receive adequate prenatal care; nearly one quarter of women did not begin care within the recommended timeframe, and approximately one-fifth of women received fewer than the recommended number of prenatal care visits from the time of entry into care until delivery. Those classified as less than adequate in terms of receipt of recommended visits were at increased risk for not receiving ARV during the prenatal care period and during labor and delivery, and were more likely to have had an infant subsequently diagnosed with HIV infection. Conclusion: Although women with HIV require adequate prenatal care for their own health as well as to improve perinatal outcomes, many are at risk for not receiving this care. Lower adherence to prenatal care appointments is an important risk factor for not receiving full HIV prophylactic regimens.
Stimulation of adenyl cyclase in pupal wing epidermis by β-ecdysone☆

Abstract The injection of β-ecdysone into chilled Hyalophora gloveri pupae resulted in the stimulation of adenyl cyclase activity in the wing epidermis as measured by the incorporation of label into cyclic AMP from a prelabeled endogenous pool. Stimulation was also obtained in pupal wings in vitro and in wing epidermal homogenates. Although the sequence of responses to β-ecdysone in vitro depended on the composition of the incubation medium, the stimulation of cyclic AMP synthesis always preceded increases in the rates of RNA and protein synthesis. The increase in adenyl cyclase activity is the earliest metabolic event thus far discerned as a result of β-ecdysone action. It is suggested that β-ecdysone stimulates adenyl cyclase (and guanyl cyclase) but that the hormone also exerts effects on target cells independent of the cyclic AMP system.
Influence of surfactants in Ge and Si epitaxy on Si(001).

Epitaxial growth of heterolayers has in the past relied on optimization of growth conditions to overcome thermodynamic obstacles. When there is an intrinsic tendency of a heterolayer to either island or interdiffuse, a common strategy is to lower the growth temperature and increase the growth rate to reduce surface mobility. An alternative strategy is to introduce a surface-active species (surfactant) that modifies the growth mode without significant levels of incorporation. This paper discusses the application of As and Sb surfactants to the growth of Ge/Si(001) and Si/GeSi(001). Results from analysis by medium-energy ion scattering, x-ray photoemission, and ultraviolet photoemission are reported. By using a surfactant, island formation is suppressed in the growth of both Ge/Si(001) and Si/Ge/Si(001), resulting in thick, epitaxial films.
Base damage within single-strand DNA underlies in vivo hypermutability induced by a ubiquitous environmental agent.

Chromosomal DNA must be in single-strand form for important transactions such as replication, transcription, and recombination to occur. The single-strand DNA (ssDNA) is more prone to damage than double-strand DNA (dsDNA), due to greater exposure of chemically reactive moieties in the nitrogenous bases. Thus, there can be agents that damage regions of ssDNA in vivo while being inert toward dsDNA. To assess the potential hazard posed by such agents, we devised an ssDNA–specific mutagenesis reporter system in budding yeast. The reporter strains bear the cdc13-1 temperature-sensitive mutation, such that shifting to 37°C results in telomere uncapping and ensuing 5′ to 3′ enzymatic resection. This exposes the reporter region, containing three closely-spaced reporter genes, as a long 3′ ssDNA overhang. We validated the ability of the system to detect mutagenic damage within ssDNA by expressing a modified human single-strand specific cytosine deaminase, APOBEC3G. APOBEC3G induced a high density of substitutions at cytosines in the ssDNA overhang strand, resulting in frequent, simultaneous inactivation of two reporter genes. We then examined the mutagenicity of sulfites, a class of reactive sulfur oxides to which humans are exposed frequently via respiration and food intake. Sulfites, at a concentration similar to that found in some foods, induced a high density of mutations, almost always as substitutions at cytosines in the ssDNA overhang strand, resulting in simultaneous inactivation of at least two reporter genes. Furthermore, sulfites formed a long-lived adducted 2′-deoxyuracil intermediate in DNA that was resistant to excision by uracil–DNA N-glycosylase. This intermediate was bypassed by error-prone translesion DNA synthesis, frequently involving Pol ζ, during repair synthesis. Our results suggest that sulfite-induced lesions in DNA can be particularly deleterious, since cells might not possess the means to repair or bypass such lesions accurately.
Public capital and imperfect competition

Abstract In this paper we consider a macroeconomic model in which public capital is a productive input and there is monopolistic competition in the product market. We analyze the effects of a permanent variation in public capital investment both in the short and in the long run. Finally, we show that the optimal provision of public capital under imperfect competition is higher than that associated with the first-best policy.
Hysteresis in a swirling jet as a model tornado

A swirling jet, emerging normal to a plane, serves as a model of a tornado and is characterized by its flow force and outer circulation. This model is examined here using the full Navier–Stokes equations. Three branches of solutions are found which form a hysteresis loop and a cusp catastrophe that means jump transitions between flow regimes. One of the jumps relates to vortex breakdown and the other relates to a new (opposite) effect: abrupt vortex consolidation. These results are compared with those of Long [J. Fluid Mech. 11, 611 (1961)], who considered a near‐axis jet in the boundary layer approximation. More detailed analysis made here for high circulation values allows discovery of two new types of asymptotic solutions corresponding to a near‐plane fan jet and a two‐cell flow. It was also found that the boundary layer approach for the near‐axis jet fails to accurately yield the total flow force because the outer flow contributes a share of the momentum flux of comparable magnitude to that of the inner flow. The prediction of the jump transitions between one‐ and two‐cell flow patterns agrees with observations of abrupt changes in tornado patterns in nature.
Synthesis and applications of metal silicide nanowires

Transition metal silicides represent an extremely broad set of refractory materials that are currently employed for many applications including CMOS devices, thin film coatings, bulk structural components, electrical heating elements, photovoltaics, and thermoelectrics. Many of these applications may be improved by making 1-dimensional nanomaterials. Chemical synthesis of silicide nanowires is more complicated compared to other classes of nanomaterials due to the complex phase behaviour between metals and silicon and the complex stoichiometries and structures of their resulting compounds. Recently, several synthetic strategies have been developed to overcome this challenge resulting in increasing reports of silicide nanowires in the literature. These strategies are highlighted in this feature article, along with future synthetic challenges and a review of the applications emerging from current silicide nanowires.
Quantum cryptography with squeezed states

A quantum key distribution scheme based on the use of squeezed states is presented. The states are squeezed in one of two field quadrature components, and the value of the squeezed component is used to encode a character from an alphabet. The uncertainty relation between quadrature components prevents an eavesdropper from determining both with enough precision to determine the character being sent. Losses degrade the performance of this scheme, but it is possible to use phase sensitive amplifiers to boost the signal and partially compensate for their effect.
Comment on spin one theory

Abstract A way to explain the inconsistency of the spin one theory with anomalous magnetic moment couplings observed by Tsai and Yildiz is proposed. By suiably adding infinitely many non-minimal coupling terms which are tensor functions of the field strength F μν , the square of the energy eigenvalues can become positive definite. A particular model of replacing κ by κ (H 2 ) = κ′ (1+ 1 4 κ′ 2 e 2 H 2 m −4 ) −1 , where no restriction is imposed on κ′, is discussed.
Equity, efficiency, uncertainty, and the mitigation of global climate change.

Policies to mitigate potential damages from global climate change impose costs on the current generation to provide benefits to future generations. This article examines how comparisons among three stylized policies — business-as-usual, mitigation of climate change, and compensation for climate damages — depend on social preferences with respect to risk and intertemporal equity. Also examined is the opportunity-cost criterion, which asserts that mitigation should not be chosen if its net present value is smaller than that of business-as-usual. Analysis reveals that the discount factor used to evaluate whether mitigation satisfies this criterion depends on preferences regarding risk and intertemporal inequality of consumption, and on the risk of the compensation policy. Risk aversion favors mitigation over business-as-usual. If society is neutral to inequality, risk aversion disfavors compensation, but if society is inequality averse, the effect of risk aversion on preferences between compensation and business-as-usual is ambiguous. Inequality aversion tends to favor business-as-usual over both alternative policies provided that, roughly speaking, the anticipated future improvements in welfare exceed the anticipated climate damages.
Intelligent launch and range operations virtual testbed (ILRO-VTB)

Intelligent Launch and Range Operations Virtual Test Bed (ILRO-VTB) is a real-time web-based command and control, communication, and intelligent simulation environment of ground-vehicle, launch and range operation activities. ILRO-VTB consists of a variety of simulation models combined with commercial and indigenous software developments (NASA Ames). It creates a hybrid software/hardware environment suitable for testing various integrated control system components of launch and range. The dynamic interactions of the integrated simulated control systems are not well understood. Insight into such systems can only be achieved through simulation/emulation. For that reason, NASA has established a VTB where we can learn the actual control and dynamics of designs for future space programs, including testing and performance evaluation. The current implementation of the VTB simulates the operations of a sub-orbital vehicle of mission, control, ground-vehicle engineering, launch and range operations. The present development of the test bed simulates the operations of Space Shuttle Vehicle (SSV) at NASA Kennedy Space Center. The test bed supports a wide variety of shuttle missions with ancillary modeling capabilities like weather forecasting, lightning tracker, toxic gas dispersion model, debris dispersion model, telemetry, trajectory modeling, ground operations, payload models and etc. To achieve the simulations, all models are linked using Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA). The test bed provides opportunities for government, universities, researchers and industries to do a real time of shuttle launch in cyber space.
Luxatio Erecta: An uncommon shoulder dislocation

A 24-year-old man sustained a rare form of anterior dislocation of the shoulder known as luxatio erecta. As in this case, the presentation of these patients is nearly pathognomonic. Successful reduction was accomplished, and the patient suffered no sequelae.
Pancreatic Thread Protein Is Mitogenic to Pancreatic-Derived Cells in Culture

Abstract BACKGROUND & AIMS: Pancreatic thread proteins (PTPs) are acinar cell products and members of the regenerating gene (reg) family. reg expression increases during islet regeneration, is depressed during aging-related islet dysfunction, and may be important in beta-cell growth and maintenance. The aim of this study was to examine the genetic expression of reg in pancreatic-derived cells in vitro and the mitogenic effect of PTP/reg protein on these cells. METHODS: reg gene expression was measured by Northern analysis in three rat pancreatic cell lines: ARIP (ductal), AR42J (acinar), and RIN (beta-cell). PTP/reg protein was isolated from bovine and human pancreas. Cells were cultured with PTP/reg for 72 hours, and thymidine incorporation was measured. RESULTS: reg messenger RNA was detected in AR42J but not in ARIP or RIN. PTP/reg protein was mitogenic to RIN and ARIP in a dose- related fashion but not to AR42J. It was not mitogenic to cultured mature rat islets. CONCLUSIONS: reg messenger RNA is expressed in acinar but not in beta-cell or ductal pancreatic cell lines. PTP/reg protein was mitogenic to both beta-cell and ductal cell lines but not to mature, nondividing islets. This supports the hypothesis that PTP/reg protein is an acinar cell-derived mediator of beta-cell growth and may be involved in modulating the duct-to-islet axis. (Gastroenterology 1996 Apr;110(4):1208-14)
Lowdown on tourism research

Abstract The following paragraphs present selected highlights of the 23rd annual conference of the Travel and Tourism Research Association held in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Conference registrants and members of TTRA will automatically receive a copy of the published conference proceedings. Other readers who wish to receive a copy of the proceedings may order copies from Francine Butler, TTRA, 10200 West 44th Avenue, Suite 304, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033. The cost is $75.
Simple tandem DNA repeats and human genetic disease.

Abstract The human genome contains many repeated DNA sequences that vary in complexity of repeating unit from a single nucleotide to a whole gene. The repeat sequences can be widely dispersed or in simple tandem arrays. Arrays of up to 5 or 6 nt are known as simple tandem repeats, and these are widely dispersed and highly polymorphic. Members of one group of the simple tandem repeats, the trinucleotide repeats, can undergo an increase in copy number by a process of dynamic mutation. Dynamic mutations of the CCG trinucleotide give rise to one group of fragile sites on human chromosomes, the rare folate-sensitive group. One member of this group, the fragile X (FRAXA) is responsible for the most common familial form of mental retardation. Another member of the group FRAXE is responsible for a rarer mild form of mental retardation. Similar mutations of AGC repeats give rise to a number of neurological disorders. The expanded repeats are unstable between generations and somatically. The intergenerational instability gives rise to unusual patterns of inheritance--particularly anticipation, the increasing severity and/or earlier age of onset of the disorder in successive generations. Dynamic mutations have been found only in the human species, and possible reasons for this are considered. The mechanism of dynamic mutation is discussed, and a number of observations of simple tandem repeat mutation that could assist in understanding this phenomenon are commented on.
Strict adherence to a blood bank specimen labeling policy by all clinical laboratories significantly reduces the incidence of "wrong blood in tube".

Phlebotomy errors leading to incompatible transfusions are a leading cause of transfusion-related morbidity and mortality. Our institution’s specimenlabeling policy requires the collection date, 2 unique patient identifiers, and the ability to identify the phlebotomist. This policy, however, was initially strictly enforced only by the blood bank. In fiscal year 2005, following an educational campaign on proper specimen labeling, all clinical laboratories began strictly adhering to the specimen-labeling policy. Compared with the preceding 4 years, in the 3 years following policy implementation, the incidence of wrong blood in tube (WBIT) and mislabeled specimens detected by the blood bank decreased by 73.5% (0.034% to 0.009%; P ≤ .0001) and by 84.6% (0.026% to 0.004%; P ≤ .0001), respectively. During a short period, a simple, low-cost educational initiative and policy change can lead to statistically significant decreases in WBIT and mislabeled specimens received by the blood bank.
CFS prevalence and risk factors over time

The present natural history study examined the course of CFS from 1995-97 (Wave 1) to approximately 10 years later (Wave 2) from a random, community-based, multi-ethnic population. The rate of CFS remained approximately the same over the period of time from Wave 1 to Wave 2, although a high level of mortality was found (18% of those with medical or psychiatric exclusions group, 12.5% for the CFS group). Physical measures of disability and fatigue, along with measures of specific somatic symptoms, better differentiate individuals who later are diagnosed with CFS than more psychosocial measures such as stress and coping.
Safe handling and administration of blood components: review of practical concepts.

Abstract Context.—The more advanced we become, the more evident are the infectious and noninfectious risks of the blood supply. Infectious risks are somewhat straightforward and are addressed by implementing stricter donor criteria and testing. The noninfectious risks, however, are more complicated. Each step in the transfusion process, beginning with the physician who orders a transfusion to the actual transfusion of the component, is subject to adverse outcomes and increases the noninfectious risks of transfusion. The challenges to provide the safest blood possible with zero risk have resulted in the implementation of stringent standards from both the American Association of Blood Banks and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Objective.—A series of case scenarios serve as the basis for discussion of the risks, which affect the safety and administration of blood components, inherent in the transfusion process. Data Sources.—Journals, textbooks, Internet. Conclusions.—The tr...
The array biosensor for counterterrorism

The war against terrorism requires numerous sensor technologies for homeland security. For the detection of bioterrorist agents, 1) generic detectors that indicate something amiss, 2) biosensors for rapid screening and presumptive identification, and 3) identification systems for definitive confirmation are all required. The Array Biosensor addresses the second need. This biosensor can detect multiple agents simultaneously in less than 15 min, is automated, and can be used on site. This paper reports on the current version of the automated system and reviews data obtained in assays for bioterrorist agents.
Solitons in dispersion-managed mode-locked lasers

The dynamics and propagation of ultrashort optical pulses generated in mode-locked lasers are investigated. The mode locking process depends crucially on the gain and loss mechanisms inside the cavity. Analytical models are introduced that include dispersion management and gain-loss terms with energy and power saturation. Comparisons of the pulse dynamics with previously well-known models are discussed. Stable soliton solutions are found for wide ranges of the parameters; the only significant requirement being sufficient gain in the system. The evolution of the system ``locks'' into the pure soliton solutions obtained independently with mode finding algorithms. Such solutions can be viewed as soliton wave attractors. Finally, it is shown that these solutions satisfy an asymptotic averaged system and can be approximated by elementary, Gaussian-type, functions.
Distributed parameter thermal controllability through the Green-Galerkin method: the multi-dimensional inverse heat conduction problem in thermal processing of materials

This article investigates the applicability of the Green-Galerkin method in problems of multi-dimensional inverse heat conduction. Several simulations are conducted to prove that despite the complexities that arise from the distributed parameter nature of the system, the aforementioned method successfully solves for the surface heat input distribution necessary to achieve a desired temperature field within the volume of a solid. FEA simulations are used to validate the analytical results obtained by Green-Galerkin algorithm. The efficiency of the method when addressing higher dimensionality problems is also investigated and addressed.
The Action-Sentence Compatibility Effect in ASL: the role of semantics vs. perception

Embodied theories of cognition propose that humans use sensorimotor systems in processing language. The Action-Sentence Compatibility Effect (ACE) refers to the finding that motor responses are facilitated after comprehending sentences that imply movement in the same direction. In sign languages there is a potential conflict between sensorimotor systems and linguistic semantics: movement away from the signer is perceived as motion toward the comprehender. We examined whether perceptual processing of sign movement or verb semantics modulate the ACE. Deaf ASL signers performed a semantic judgment task while viewing signed sentences expressing toward or away motion. We found a significant congruency effect relative to the verb’s semantics rather than to the perceived motion. This result indicates that (a) the motor system is involved in the comprehension of a visual–manual language, and (b) motor simulations for sign language are modulated by verb semantics rather than by the perceived visual motion of the hands.
A Model for Shear Layer Effects on Engine Noise Radiation

Prediction of aircraft engine noise is an important aspect of addressing the issues of community noise and cabin noise control. The development of physics based methodologies for performing such predictions has been a focus of Computational Aeroacoustics (CAA). A recent example of code development in this area is the ducted fan noise propagation and radiation code CDUCT-LaRC. Included within the code is a duct radiation model that is based on the solution of FfowcsWilliams-Hawkings (FW-H) equation with a penetrable data surface. Testing of this equation for many acoustic problems has shown it to provide generally better results than the Kirchhoff formula for moving surfaces. Currently, the data surface is taken to be the inlet or exhaust plane for inlet or aft-fan cases, respectively. While this provides reasonable results in many situations, these choices of data surface location lead to a few limitations. For example, the shear layer between the bypass ow and external stream can refract the sound waves radiated to the far field. Radiation results can be improved by including this effect, as well as the rejection of the sound in the bypass region from the solid surface external to the bypass duct surrounding the core ow. This work describes the implementation, and possible approximation, of a shear layer boundary condition within CDUCT-LaRC. An example application also illustrates the improvements that this extension offers for predicting noise radiation from complex inlet and bypass duct geometries, thereby providing a means to evaluate external treatments in the vicinity of the bypass duct exhaust plane.
Food Practices and Nutrition Knowledge after Graduation from the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP)

Abstract The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) is a federally funded nutrition program designed to educate low-income families about key areas of nutrition and food safety. This study examined the benefits gained and maintained by participants in EFNEP in food practices, nutrition knowledge, nutrient intake, and other areas. A prospective, within-subject design was used to examine a randomly selected sample of 59 EFNEP graduates in two New York State counties. Self-reported information was gathered at entry into EFNEP, graduation from the program, and follow-up 1 year after completion of the program. Analyses used bivariate chisquare and t-tests and multivariate regression. Food budgeting, food preparation, food safety practices, and nutrition knowledge improved between entry and graduation. Most increases in knowledge and reported practices were maintained between graduation and follow-up. Few differences in reported nutrient intake were present between entry, graduation, and follow-up. Additional reported changes beyond food and nutrition occurred in education, employment, health, and community involvement. Overall, participation in EFNEP increased the nutrition knowledge and food management skills of low-income women. Many of these proficiencies persisted after completion of the program, and other benefits of the program occurred. Future analyses are needed to evaluate immediate and longer term effects of EFNEP in diverse audiences, with larger samples, using more powerful research designs, and including additional validated measures.
Social Markers of Mild Cognitive Impairment: Proportion of Word Counts in Free Conversational Speech

Background: Detecting early signs of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) during the pre-symptomatic phase is becoming increasingly important for costeffective clinical trials and also for deriving maximum benefit from currently available treatment strategies. However, distinguishing early signs of MCI from normal cognitive aging is difficult. Biomarkers have been extensively examined as early indicators of the pathological process for AD, but assessing these biomarkers is expensive and challenging to apply widely among pre-symptomatic community dwelling older adults. Here we propose assessment of social markers, which could provide an alternative or complementary and ecologically valid strategy for identifying the pre-symptomatic phase leading to MCI and AD. Methods: The data came from a larger randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT), where we examined whether daily conversational interactions using remote video telecommunications software could improve cognitive functions of older adult participants. We assessed the proportion of words generated by participants out of total words produced by both participants and staff interviewers using transcribed conversations during the intervention trial as an indicator of how two people (participants and interviewers) interact with each other in one-on-one conversations. We examined whether the proportion differed between those with intact cognition and MCI, using first, generalized estimating equations with the proportion as outcome, and second, logistic regression models with cognitive status as outcome in order to estimate the area under ROC curve (ROC AUC). Results: Compared to those with normal cognitive function, MCI participants generated a greater proportion of words out of the total number of words during the timed conversation sessions (p=0.01). This difference remained after controlling for participant age, gender, interviewer and time of assessment (p=0.03). The logistic regression models showed the ROC AUC of identifying MCI (vs. normals) was 0.71 (95% Confidence Interval: 0.54 – 0.89) when average proportion of word counts spoken by subjects was included univariately into the model. Conclusion: An ecologically valid social marker such as the proportion of spoken words produced during spontaneous conversations may be sensitive to transitions from normal cognition to MCI.
Religion and Presidential Politics in Florida: A List Experiment*

Objective. Although national surveys indicate that Americans have become more accepting of the prospect of a Jewish presidential candidate, this could reflect some voters' desire to be seen as having socially correct opinions. The present study uses a survey technique known as the “list experiment” to assess public reaction to the nomination of Jewish candidates for high office. Methods. Two telephone surveys of registered voters in Florida, each employing the list-experiment methodology, were conducted in October 2000 and May/June 2002. Results. We find only limited evidence of negative affect directed at either the vice presidential candidacy of Joseph Lieberman in 2000 or a hypothetical (unnamed) Jewish presidential candidate who might choose to run in the future. Conclusions. Although there still are enough voters with anti-Semitic views to affect the outcome of a close election, their numbers do not appear to be as great as some observers have feared.
Entering a city: on a lost early modern practice

City gates and walls were among the most striking features of the pre-modern city, yet we still know relatively little about their impact on daily life and what it meant to enter a city at that time. The present article explores precisely these questions. The first section outlines the general significance of city gates and walls in pre-modern times. In the second, I examine the four distinct functions of city gates in the early modern period. The third and main section presents a detailed description of the various practices, procedures and problems that accompanied the entrance to a city. Finally, and to conclude, the history of city gates is viewed in conjunction with the broader history of the early modern city and its transformation in the transition to modernity.
Electro-optically tunable delay on a silicon micro-chip

We demonstrate, for the first time, an electro-optically tunable delay element on a silicon micro-chip. We show tunable delays between 5.51 ps to −28 ps, corresponding to group indices between 37.2 and −190.
jGRASP: an integrated development environment with visualizations for teaching Java in CS1, CS2, and beyond

jGRASP is an integrated development environment that provides automatic generation of visualizations to improve the comprehensibility of software. These visualizations, which are particularly well suited for CS1 and CS2 using Java, include Control Structure Diagrams, UML Class Diagrams, and dynamic Object Views for data structures such as stacks, queues, linked lists, and binary trees. The workshop will provide an in-depth introduction to jGRASP and show how to use the visualizations to improve the learning experience. Participants are encouraged to bring programs from their own courses and experiment with the visualizations for these during the workshop. jGRASP is freely available (http://www.jgrasp.org/).
SDN shim: Controlling legacy devices

We propose a design to aid experimentation with SDN architectures using legacy network equipment. We implement a portion of the design on an FPGA and evaluate throughput and latency. Results indicate viability for testbed and research environments, especially with proposed additions to further reduce latency in broadcast- and multicast-heavy traffic.
Non-Expert Evaluation of Summarization Systems is Risky

We provide evidence that intrinsic evaluation of summaries using Amazon's Mechanical Turk is quite difficult. Experiments mirroring evaluation at the Text Analysis Conference's summarization track show that non-expert judges are not able to recover system rankings derived from experts.
No vacuum Cerenkov radiation losses in the timelike Lorentz-violating Chern-Simons theory

In a Lorentz- and $CPT$-violating modification of electrodynamics that includes a timelike Chern-Simons term, there are no energy losses through vacuum Cerenkov radiation. A charge moving with a constant velocity does not lose energy, because of an unusual cancellation. Higher frequency modes of the electromagnetic field carry away positive energy, but lower frequency modes carry away a compensating negative amount of energy.
Steel Frames with Nonlinear Connections

Various simplifying assumptions, commonly used in the design of unbraced multistory steel building frames, are explored. An analysis program was developed to account for the nonlinear flexibility of the girder-column connections as well as for the response to variable load histories. Analyses were performed on three different structures. The results show the importance of including actual connection behavior for realistic prediction of sway and internal forces. The possibility of the occurrence of alternating connection plasticity is also pointed out. The inclusion of linearly-elastic connection flexibilities in the analysis appears to lead to very satisfactory results.
Optimization of composite plates with spatially varying fiber paths for thermal buckling

Optimization of square composite laminates, with variable stiffness properties, for thermal buckling is presented. Spatially varying fiber paths produce material properties that are functions of position. In this work, a predefined fiber configuration is controlled by varying two global parameters; the angle at the edge and center of the plate. The critical buckling temperatures for such laminates are obtained numerically based on classical lamination theory and finite element method. The discretized domain simplifies analysis by transforming nonlinear fiber path functions to linear piecewise functions. Using this method, thermal responses for symmetric balanced laminates under constant thermal load is investigated. Optimal fiber angle configurations that maximize the critical buckling temperatures are obtained. Spatially varying fiber path configurations are found that increase the resistance of thermal buckling in comparison to straight fiber configurations.
A fast method to compute triply-periodic Brinkman flows

Abstract A fast method is developed to efficiently compute three-dimensional Brinkman flows induced by triply-periodic arrays of points forces and regularized forces. For point forces, we decompose the periodic Brinkman velocity into the sum of two series: one in real space and one in Fourier space. To do the splitting, we create a regularized solution with special decay properties so that both summands will decay in a Gaussian manner. For regularized forces, the same methodology is used to split the regularized velocity, and again, Gaussian decay of the summands is achieved. When there are N forces (N periodic arrays), the overall complexity is O ( N 2 ) . We discuss different ways to reduce the complexity to O ( N 3 / 2 ) and to O ( N log N ) . Finally, we present two sets of numerical results. The first validates the computational complexity of the algorithm and the second illustrates how this method can be used to study microscopic flows of organisms in a porous medium. A simple dumbbell model of swimmers is implemented that exhibits a large scale flow that varies based on the number of swimmers and the resistance within the porous medium.
Isolation and partial characterization of antibody- and globin-enriched complexes from membranes of dense human erythrocytes

In previous studies we have described a process whereby an erythrocyte in biochemical distress can initiate its own removal by macrophages of the reticuloendothelial system. This process involves the clustering of the integral membrane protein band 3 by denatured haemoglobin and the subsequent recognition of the exofacial poles of clustered band 3 and associated proteins by autologous antibodies. To determine whether this clearance pathway might mediate normal cell turnover, the fraction of normal erythrocytes containing the 0.5% densest cells, which are known to be destined for immediate removal, was isolated and characterized biochemically. This densest fraction was found to contain 6 times more membrane-bound globin (haemichromes) and 10 times more surface-bound autologous IgG than the other fractions containing cells of lower density. To determine whether the autologous IgG was physically associated with the haemichrome-stabilized membrane protein clusters, a procedure was developed for isolation and characterization of the microscopic aggregates. The isolated aggregates were found to contain a disulphide-cross-linked mixture of several membrane proteins, predominantly haemichromes, spectrin and band 3. Although the aggregates constituted only 0.09% of the total membrane protein, they still contained approximately 55% of the total cell-surface IgG. Since in control studies anti-(blood group A) antibodies, which are distributed randomly over the surface of type A cells, could not be recovered in the aggregate, we conclude that the autologous cell-surface IgGs were physically associated with the membrane protein clusters when they were co-isolated with them in our procedure. Thus the 640-fold enrichment of autologous IgG in the aggregates compared with regions of the membrane devoid of tightly clustered protein suggests that sites of integral protein clustering either are non-specifically sticky to IgG or are viewed as foreign or 'non-self' by the immune system and aggressively opsonized with IgG.
Radical cure of experimental babesiosis in immunodeficient mice using a combination of an endochin-like quinolone and atovaquone

Human babesiosis is a tick-borne multisystem disease caused by Babesia species of the apicomplexan phylum. Most clinical cases and fatalities of babesiosis are caused by Babesia microti Current treatment for human babesiosis consists of two drug combinations, atovaquone + azithromycin or quinine + clindamycin. These treatments are associated with adverse side effects and a significant rate of drug failure. Here, we provide evidence for radical cure of experimental babesiosis in immunodeficient mice using a combination of an endochin-like quinolone (ELQ) prodrug and atovaquone. In vivo efficacy studies in mice using ELQ-271, ELQ-316, and the ELQ-316 prodrug, ELQ-334, demonstrated excellent growth inhibitory activity against the parasite, with potency equal to that of orally administered atovaquone at 10 mg/kg. Analysis of recrudescent parasites after ELQ or atovaquone monotherapy identified genetic substitutions in the Qi or Qo sites, respectively, of the cytochrome bc1 complex. Impressively, a combination of ELQ-334 and atovaquone, at doses as low as 5.0 mg/kg each, resulted in complete clearance of the parasite with no recrudescence up to 122 d after discontinuation of therapy. These results will set the stage for future clinical evaluation of ELQ and atovaquone combination therapy for treatment of human babesiosis.