cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ECONOMIC POWER GENERATION AT SEA: THE WASTE HEAT RECOVERY PLANT/CONSTANT-SPEED SHAFT-DRIVEN GENERATOR COMBINATION

This paper presents an alternative method of generating electrical power onboard motor ships at sea. Consisting of a waste heat recovery plant and turbogenerator supplemented by a constant-speed shaft-driven generator, the generating plant offers significant potential fuel savings. Details of the plant, together with the results of several different case studies, are presented. Each case study consists of a selected set of operating conditions for the waste heat recovery plant, an estimate of the cost of the entire plant, and a preliminary economic analysis. Although the paper emphasizes the application of the proposed plant to a lowspeed diesel installation, both the plant and the method of analysis are easily adaptable to medium-speed diesel and gas turbine installations.
Statement of Commissioner Gail Heriot on the U.S.Commission on Civil Rights Report 'Sex Trafficking: A Gender-Based Violation of Civil Rights'

On September 30, 2014, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights published a report entitled "Sex Trafficking: A Gender-Based Violation of Civil Rights.” This Statement was part of that report. It argues that the Commission's report sensationalizes the issue it intends to grapple with in a counter-productive way. It also takes the position that the Commission’s report conflates very different problems (actual sexual slavery, teenage runaway prostitution and adult prostitution) that must be dealt with in very different ways.
Personalized Mobile Health Intervention for Health and Weight Loss in Postpartum Women Receiving Women, Infants, and Children Benefit: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study.

Abstract Background: Prepregnancy maternal obesity and excessive weight gain during pregnancy lead to significant morbidities in mothers and their children. Mothers who never return to their prepregnancy weight begin subsequent pregnancies at a greater weight and have a larger propensity for excess gestational weight gain and postpartum weight retention. Methods: In this pilot study, 40 postpartum women credentialed to receive postpartum women, infants, and children (WIC) service were randomized to usual care (“WIC Moms”) or a personalized health intervention delivered via a SmartPhone (“E-Moms”). Assessments, including body weight, vital signs, circumferences, and body composition, were completed at week 0 (6–8 weeks postpartum), week 8, and week 16. Results: Results are presented as change from week 0 at 16. As per the completers analysis, body weight change was not different between the groups (WIC Moms vs. E-Moms; 1.8 ± 0.9 vs. −0.1 ± 0.9 kg; p = 0.10), neither was the change in percent body fat (1.7 ...
Thermogenic alterations in the woman. II. Basal body, afternoon, and bedtime temperatures.

Abstract Nineteen female college students recorded their basal, afternoon, and bedtime temperatures during an ovulatory cycle. Three parallel curves were found with the afternoon temperature being 0.7 degrees Fahrenheit (F.) higher than the basal and 0.3 degrees F. higher than the bedtime temperature. A clinically useful alternative to the basal body temperature is proposed.
Radiological findings of two neoplasms with perivascular epithelioid cell differentiation

Perivascular epithelioid cell tumors (PEComas) constitute a rare subset of mesenchymal neoplasms classified by the World Health Organization in 2002. We present two cases of PEComas; the first is a cervical PEComa in a 35-year-old woman with no known past medical history who presented with a palpable pelvic mass; the second is an adnexal PEComa in a 39-year-old woman with a history of colitis who presented with abdominal pain and diarrhea. The rarity of these tumors has led to little information about imaging characteristics which we hope these two cases will help expand.
Small town composition: sketching a shared area of argument

Even with the rise of megacities, small towns remain significant places. They embody accumulations of sunk capital, social and political investment, culture, and local knowledge. Agricultural, mini...
Deconstructing post-exertional malaise in myalgic encephalomyelitis/ chronic fatigue syndrome: A patient-centered, cross-sectional survey

Background Post-exertional malaise (PEM) is considered to be the hallmark characteristic of myalgic encephalomyelitis/ chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Yet, patients have rarely been asked in formal studies to describe their experience of PEM. Objectives To describe symptoms associated with and the time course of PEM Methods One hundred and fifty subjects, diagnosed via the 1994 Fukuda CFS criteria, completed a survey concerning 11 symptoms they could experience after exposure to two different types of triggers. We also inquired about onset and duration of PEM and included space for subjects to write in any additional symptoms. Results were summarized with descriptive statistics; McNemar’s, paired t-, Fisher’s exact and chi-square goodness-of-fit tests were used to assess for statistical significance. Results One hundred and twenty-nine subjects (90%) experienced PEM with both physical and cognitive exertion and emotional distress. Almost all were affected by exertion but 14 (10%) reported no effect with emotion. Fatigue was the most commonly exacerbated symptom but cognitive difficulties, sleep disturbances, headaches, muscle pain, and flu-like feelings were cited by over 30% of subjects. Sixty percent of subjects experienced at least one inflammatory/ immune-related symptom. Subjects also cited gastrointestinal, orthostatic, mood-related, neurologic and other symptoms. Exertion precipitated significantly more symptoms than emotional distress (7±2.8 vs. 5±3.3 symptoms (median, standard deviation), p<0.001). Onset and duration of PEM varied for most subjects. However, 11% reported a consistent post-trigger delay of at least 24 hours before onset and 84% endure PEM for 24 hours or more. Conclusions This study provides exact symptom and time patterns for PEM that is generated in the course of patients’ lives. PEM involves exacerbation of multiple, atypical symptoms, is occasionally delayed, and persists for extended periods. Highlighting these characteristics may improve diagnosis of ME/CFS. Incorporating them into the design of future research will accelerate our understanding of ME/CFS.
Multiphoton π Pulses

Multiphoton excitation in a two-level system is exceedingly weak because of small multiphoton coupling strengths, large ac Stark shifts, and ionization. I will discuss a three-level system in which the ac Stark shift is greatly reduced and the multiphoton coupling strength is greatly enhanced over a two-level system, to such an extent that multiphoton $\ensuremath{\pi}$ pulses can be produced. I will also present two-electron calculations in a model potential, including ionization that shows a 12-photon $\ensuremath{\pi}$ pulse driven with 800-nm photons. This three-level configuration may provide the basis for an amplifying medium in the vacuum ultraviolet, as well as multiphoton adiabatic passage and innershell ionization.
Neurologic Conditions Affecting the Equine Athlete

EPM, CVSM, and EDM are currently recognized as the 3 most common neurologic diseases in US horses, with the latter 2 conditions being most prevalent in young animals. Moreover, horses competing at shows and performance events are at greater risk for exposure to highly contagious, neurologic EHV-1 outbreaks. A clinical diagnosis of any neurologic disease should be based on a careful history, complete neurologic examination, and appropriate diagnostic testing and interpretation. However, mild or early neurologic signs can often mimic or be mistaken for an orthopedic condition when horses present for performance-related concerns.
Geographic Variation in Obesity, Behavioral Treatment, and Bariatric Surgery for Veterans.

Objective This study aims to describe geographic variation in veterans' prevalence of obesity, participation in Veterans Health Administration's behavioral weight management program (MOVE!), and receipt of bariatric surgery in fiscal year (FY) 2016. Methods In this retrospective cohort study of veterans with obesity who received Veterans Health Administration care in FY2016, electronic health record data were obtained on weight, height, outpatient visits to the MOVE! program, and bariatric surgeries. For each Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) region, the prevalence rate of veterans with obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 ), MOVE! participation rates, and bariatric surgery rates are presented. Results The prevalence of obesity in veterans ranged from 30.5% to 40.5% across VISNs in FY2016. MOVE! participation among veterans with obesity was low (2.8%-6.9%) across all VISNs, but veterans with class II and III obesity (BMI ≥ 35) had higher MOVE! participation rates (4.3%-10.8%) than veterans with class I obesity. There was 20-fold variation across VISNs in receipt of bariatric surgery among veterans with BMI ≥ 35, ranging from 0.01% to 0.2%. Among veterans with BMI ≥ 35 participating in MOVE!, there was 46-fold variation in bariatric surgery provision, ranging from 0.07% to 3.27%. Conclusions Despite veterans' high prevalence of obesity, behavioral and surgical weight management participation is low and varies across regions.
Signatures of divergent antimalarial treatment responses in peripheral blood from infants and adults in Malawi

Abstract Background Heterogeneity in the immune response to parasite infection is mediated in part by differences in host genetics, sex, and age group. In neonates and infants, ongoing immunological maturation often results in increased susceptibility to infection and variable responses to drug treatment, increasing the risk of complications. Even though significant age-specific effects on host cytokine responses to Plasmodium falciparum infection have been identified, age effects on uncomplicated malaria infection and antimalarial treatment remain poorly understood. Methods In samples of whole blood from a cohort of naturally infected malaria-positive individuals in Malawi (n=63 total; 34 infants 18 years old), we assessed blood cytokine levels and characterized monocyte and dendritic cell frequencies at two timepoints: acute infection, and four weeks post antimalarial treatment. We modeled the effects of age group, sex, and timepoint, and evaluated the role of these factors on infection and treatment outcomes. Results Regardless of treatment timepoint, in our population age was significantly associated with overall blood hemoglobin, which was higher in adults, and plasma nitric oxide, IL-10, and TNF-α levels, which were higher in infants. We found a significant effect of age on the hemoglobin treatment response, whereby after treatment, levels increased in infants and decreased in adults. Furthermore, we observed significant age-specific effects on treatment response for overall parasite load, IFN-γ and IL-12(p40), and these effects were sex-dependent. We uncovered significant age effects on the overall levels and treatment response of myeloid dendritic cell frequencies. In addition, within each age group, we found continuous age effects on gametocyte levels (Pfs16), TNF-α, and nitric oxide. Conclusions In a clinical study of infants and adults experiencing natural malaria infection and receiving antimalarial treatment, we identified age-specific signatures of infection and treatment responses in peripheral blood. We describe host markers that may indicate, and potentially mediate, differential post-treatment outcomes for malaria in infants versus adults.
Neuroergonomic Applications in Information Visualization

Information visualization affords us the ability to reason, understand, and gain insight into data. Traditional behavioral and subjective methods of evaluating visualizations are inadequate. Neuroergonomic techniques can be used to complement traditional evaluation methods by assessing noninvasively and unobtrusively participants’ working memory as they engage with the information visualization. In this chapter, we discuss information visualization techniques with an emphasis on evaluating visualizations from a cognitive load perspective. In particular, we review noninvasive functional brain monitoring techniques—electroencephalography (EEG) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS)—and how they have been used in information visualization research. Both measures of neural activity and task-related performance measures can be combined in a manner that enables the relationship between neural activity and performance to be quantified in terms of efficiency. In this chapter, we discuss visual efficiency, a neuroergonomic metric of information visualization. Finally, we review neuroadaptive interfaces—interfaces that modify their functionality in response to changes in the operator’s cognitive state and needs.
Outcome of Everolimus-Based Therapy in Hormone-Receptor-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients After Progression on Palbociclib.

Background:Despite the approval of mTOR inhibitor everolimus and CDK4/6 inhibitors in the management of hormone-receptor-positive HER2 non-amplified metastatic breast cancer (HR+ HER2-MBC), the opt...
Continuous infusion of ceftolozane-tazobactam resulted in high cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of ceftolozane in a patient with multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa meningitis.

Multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa has limited treatment options. Treatment of healthcare-associated meningitis requires agents active against the organism in vitro and able to penetrate the cerebrospinal fluid adequately. Ceftolozane-tazobactam has been recently approved to treat various Gram-negative organisms, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa; however, ceftolozane’s penetration into human cerebrospinal fluid is unknown. Here, we present a case of a patient with multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa meningitis treated with a continuous infusion of ceftolozane-tazobactam. Samples of both serum and cerebrospinal fluid were analyzed for ceftolozane concentration on continuous infusion. Cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of ceftolozane were 83% of that in serum. Treatment with ceftolozane-tazobactam, along with combinations of other antibiotics, resulted in clearance of organism from the patient’s cerebrospinal fluid and marked decrease in inflammatory cells. Studies are warranted to determine the efficacy of ceftolozane-tazobactam for patients with healthcare-associated meningitis.
Apoiando as inquirições matemáticas dos alunos através da leitura

O proposito deste artigo e identificar funcoes especificas que a leitura, em combinacao com a escrita e a expressao oral, pode cumprir na inquiricao matematica e deste modo contribuir para uma melhor compreensao do modo como as experiencias de inquiricao podem ser planeadas e apoiadas nas aulas de matematica. Este proposito e atingido atraves de uma analise de 3 experiencias de sala de aula em que alunos do ensino secundario se envolvem em "ciclos de inquiricao" sobre topicos bastante diferentes. Estas experiencias de ensino foram desenvolvidas por uma equipa formada por professores, investigadores em educacao matematica e um investigador da area da leitura no contexto da investigacao-accao e da investigacao sobre os professores. A analise dos dados permitiu identificar 30 funcoes da leitura que sao caracteristicas de diferentes elementos do ciclo de inquiricao. Com base nestas descobertas sugerimos que a leitura pode cumprir diferentes papeis nas aulas de matematica baseadas na inquiricao e que pode proporcionar aos alunos oportunidades unicas para aprender matematica. Artigo publicado sob o titulo “Supporting Students’ Mathematical Inquires Through Reading”. Journal for Research in Mathematics Education, 29(4), 378-413,1998. Traducao elaborada por Fernando Nunes e Joana Porfirio e revista por Helia Oliveira e Lurdes Serrazina.
Gender–sexuality alliance membership and activities: associations with students’ comfort, confidence and awareness regarding substance use resources

Belonging to a school Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) is associated with lower substance use among LGBTQ+ youth. However, it is unknown whether GSA participation facilitates access to resources for substance use concerns. Using longitudinal data from 38 Massachusetts high schools, we compared sources of support for substance use concerns listed by GSA members (n = 361) and nonmembers (n = 1539). Subsequently, we tested whether GSA membership was associated with comfort, confidence and awareness regarding substance use resources in school and the community. Finally, we assessed whether specific GSA activities and discussions (e.g. social support) were associated with these outcomes. Among students with recent substance use, GSA membership was associated with greater comfort, confidence and awareness regarding school-based substance use resources in the spring semester, adjusted for fall semester levels and non-GSA club involvement. Furthermore, students in GSAs where members reported more advocacy and social support activities reported higher levels of comfort, confidence and awareness regarding community-based substance use resources. These results indicate that among students using alcohol or nicotine products, GSA members may be more receptive to school-based substance use prevention efforts. Furthermore, GSA-based social support and activism experiences may promote access to community-based substance use resources.
A continuum membrane model can predict curvature sensing by helix insertion.

Protein domains, such as ENTH (Epsin N-terminal homology) and BAR (bin/amphiphysin/rvs), contain amphipathic helices that drive preferential binding to curved membranes. However, predicting how the physical parameters of these domains control this ‘curvature sensing’ behavior is challenging due to the local membrane deformations generated by the nanoscopic helix on the surface of a large sphere. We here use a deformable continuum model that accounts for the physical properties of the membrane and the helix insertion to predict curvature sensing behavior, with direct validation against multiple experimental datasets. We show that the insertion can be modeled as a local change to the membrane’s spontaneous curvature, c_0^ins, producing excellent agreement with the energetics extracted from experiments on ENTH binding to vesicles and cylinders, and of ArfGAP helices to vesicles. For small vesicles with high curvature, the insertion lowers the membrane energy by relieving strain on a membrane that is far from its preferred curvature of zero. For larger vesicles, however, the insertion has the inverse effect, de-stabilizing the membrane by introducing more strain. We formulate here an empirical expression that accurately captures numerically calculated membrane energies as a function of both basic membrane properties (bending modulus and radius R) as well as stresses applied by the inserted helix (c_0^ins and area A_ins). We therefore predict how these physical parameters will alter the energetics of helix binding to curved vesicles, which is an essential step in understanding their localization dynamics during membrane remodeling processes.
Field emission from GaAs pyramids fabricated using selected area vapor phase epitaxy

We report the fabrication of GaAs pyramids using selected area organometallic vapor phase epitaxy (SA-OMVPE) and field emission characteristics obtained from these structures. The use of crystal planes to define structure surfaces offers an attractive way of fabricating atomically sharp tip apexes in field emitter arrays (FEAs). For example, diamond crystals typically form such sharp apex structures. To use crystal structures as field emitters in a FEA, the orientation and size of the crystal surfaces must be controllable and consistent over the array, and the crystal should have electronic properties compatible with field emission. When high transconductance or high emission currents are required, these electronic properties should include a low resistance electron injecting contact, high bulk conductivity, and a modest surface potential barrier for electron field emission. In addition, formation of the tip structure must be compatible with formation of an adequate gate aperture. III-V semiconductor crystals grown by SA-OMVPE may provide a material and fabrication system capable of satisfying all these requirements.
Conceptualizing voter choice for directional and discounting models of two-candidate spatial competition in terms of shadow candidates

In contrast to the traditional modeling of voter choice based on proximity, under directional models, selection of candidates is based on the direction and/or intensity of change from a status quo or neutral point. Voter choice can also be modeled as representing both approaches, e.g., as a directional model with proximity restraint, or alternatively, in terms of proximity to discounted positions. We provide a unified perspective for these seemingly disparate models in terms of what we call "shadow" positions. We demonstrate that voter choice in a variety of spatial models including directional components can be viewed as proximity-based choices. Voters choose the candidate whose shadow is nearer, where shadow locations are defined by a simple trans- formation. We apply this approach to equilibrium analysis, showing that results for a discount- ed proximity model can be carried over - via shadows - to a variety of directional models.
Cross-sectional Evaluation Supports Face Validity of Theory-driven Digital Nutrition Education Program About Dietary Sodium for SNAP-Ed

Increased sodium intake has been implicated in poor health outcomes such as an increased risk of cardiovascular disease especially for those with lower incomes. Education for SNAP participants (SNAP-Ed) requires use of evidence-based materials. The objective of this study was to examine the evidence-base of a digital nutrition education program, Should I Eat Less Salt?, using a formative evaluation. The program was designed to increase awareness about health benefits from eating less salt. Program concepts aligned with the consumer information processing model and social cognitive theory. The program was analyzed for readability (F-K, Fry 4th grade) and comprehension (SMOG 8th grade). Lower income Pennsylvania residents were recruited using a Facebook ad that directed them to the program and online evaluation. Features examined included interest, message effectiveness, attention to the message, and program appeal. Participants (n=99) were mostly white (80%), female (74%), and 72% were overweight or obese....
Climatic and biophysical controls on conifer species distributions in mountain forests of Washington State, USA

Aim The purpose of this study was to quantify relationships between conifer species distributions and climatic and biophysical variables, in order to provide better insight into the potential for redistribution of species on the landscape in response to climatic change. Location Data are from 10,653 georeferenced sites in Washington State, USA, along a longitudinal gradient from west of the crest of the Cascade Range to the beginnings of the western slope of the Rocky Mountains, and across two physiographic provinces, the Northern Cascades, characterized by steep, rugged topography, and the Okanogan Highlands, presenting moderate slopes and broad rounded summits. Methods Tree data were drawn from the USDA Forest Service Area Ecology Program database, collected in mature, undisturbed stands. We compared simple climatic variables (annual temperature, growing-degree days, annual and seasonal precipitation) to biophysical variables (soil, hydrologic, and solar radiation) derived from climatic variables. Climatic and biophysical variables were taken from the output of climatological and hydrological simulation models and estimated for each plot in the tree database. Generalized linear models were used, for each of fourteen tree species, at multiple spatial extents, to estimate the probability of occurrence of that species as a function of climatic and biophysical predictors. Models were validated by a combination of bootstrapping and estimating receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results For the majority of species, we were able to fit variables representing both moisture and temperature gradients, and in all but a few cases these models identified a unimodal response of species occurrence to these gradients. In some cases the ecological/ environmental niche of a species had been clearly captured by the model, whereas in others a longer gradient in the predictor variable(s) would be needed. Responses of most species were consistent across three spatial scales.
Substance Use and Abuse in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Populations

Despite many gaps in the research on substance abuse and sexual orientation, recent data suggest that, overall, substance use among lesbians and gay men—particularly alcohol use—has declined over the past two decades. However, both heavy drinking and use of drugs other than alcohol appear to be prevalent among young lesbians and gay men. Much less is known about bisexual and transgender women and men, but these groups appear to be at heightened risk for substance abuse. This paper describes current research on prevalence and patterns of substance use and abuse in LGBT populations, examines potential risk and protective factors associated with substance abuse in these populations, and discusses implications for prevention, including prevention research.
Plant energetics and population density

Enquist et al. reply — Energy equivalence, as originally defined1, was an empirical relationship observed in animals: species differing in body mass, M, by many orders of magnitude tend to have almost equal rates of energy use per unit area by the population, because of an inverse allometric scaling relationship between energy use by the individual, or its metabolic rate, B, and the maximal population density, Nmax. Because B ∝M3/4 and Nmax∝M−3/4, energy use is proportional to BNmax∝M3/4M−3/4∝M.
Significance of chemical enhancement effects in surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) signals of aniline and aminobiphenyl isomers

Abstract Surface-enhanced Raman scattering is a useful technique for detecting low levels of aromatic amines as environmental contaminants because it can be used to detect and distinguish among their isomers based on their distinctive SERS spectra. This paper demonstrates the feasibility of measuring the concentrations of aminobiphenyls (ABPs) including 4-ABP, 3-ABP, and 2-ABP down to the levels of about 5, 50, and 250 μg/mL, respectively. The SERS signal intensities of ABPs are dependent on the pH values of the samples and colloidal media. The optimal sample pH values were found to be 6.86, 7.83, and 7.36, for 2-ABP, 3-ABP, and 4-ABP, respectively, whereas the optimum silver colloidal pH ranges from 5.0 to 6.5. A detailed analysis of the different vibrational modes of aniline and the ABP isomers was carried out using computational modeling based on the density functional theory (DFT). Compared to aniline, the ABPs produced greater SERS enhancement of the intensities for the biphenyl ring-breathing mode. The SERS signal for the NH2 wagging band shows the order of enhancement as given by 4-ABP > 2-ABP > 3-ABP, which correlates well with the HOMO-LUMO energy gap based on the DFT modeling of the amines adsorbed on the silver cluster.
Protein storage and root:shoot reallocation provide tolerance to damage in a hybrid willow system

To determine the mechanistic basis of tolerance, we evaluated six candidate traits for tolerance to damage using F2 interspecific hybrids in a willow hybrid system. A distinction was made between reproductive tolerance and biomass tolerance; reproductive tolerance was designated as a plant’s proportional change in catkin production following damage, while biomass tolerance referred to a plant’s proportional change in biomass (i.e., regrowth) following damage. F2 hybrids were generated to increase variation and independence among candidate traits. Using three clonally identical individuals, pre-damage candidate traits for tolerance to damage (root:shoot ratio, total nonstructural carbohydrate, and total available protein) and post-damage candidate traits (relative root:shoot ratio, phenolic ratio, and specific leaf area ratio) were measured. The range of variation for these six candidate traits was broad. Biomass was significantly increased two years after 50% shoot length removal, and catkin production was not significantly reduced when damaged, suggesting that F2 hybrids had great biomass tolerance and reproductive tolerance. Based on multiple regression methods, increased reproductive tolerance was associated with increased protein storage and decreased relative root:shoot ratio (reduced root allocation after damage). In addition, a positive relationship between biomass tolerance and condensed tannins was detected, and both traits were associated with increased reproductive tolerance. These four factors explained 57% of the variance in the reproductive tolerance of F2 hybrids, but biomass tolerance explained the majority of the variance in reproductive tolerance. Changes in plant architecture in response to plant damage may be the underlying mechanism that explains biomass tolerance.
Issues in phonological theory

(1967). Issues in phonological theory. Quarterly Journal of Speech: Vol. 53, No. 3, pp. 256-263.
Is maximum sustainable yield independent of body size for mammals (and others)

Provided carrying capacity (K) for non-primate mammals scales with the −0.75 power of adult body weight (W), MSY (in weight) should be approximately one-sixth ofC, whereC is defined byK =CW−0.75.
MODIFICATION OF MATERIALS FORMED FROM POLY(L-LACTIC ACID) TO ENABLE COVALENT BINDING OF BIOPOLYMERS: APPLICATION TO HIGH-DENSITY THREE- DIMENSIONAL CELL CULTURE IN FOAMS WITH ATTACHED COLLAGEN

We describe a method for increasing the hydrophilicity of materials formed from biodegradable polymers and introducing chemical functional groups on their surfaces. Poly(L-lactic acid) was blended with poly(ɛ-CBZ-L-lysine) at an 80:20 ratio. Films of the mixture were prepared and foams were made by solvent casting and salt leaching. Amino groups on the surface of the polymer mixture were deprotected by acid hydrolysis. As an example of the applicability of the technique for attachment of biomolecules, we covalently linked collagen to the deprotected amino groups, creating a surface capable of high density growth of a differentiated cell type (bovine adrenocortical cells). The method should be generally useful for surface modification of biodegradable polymer materials used in tissue engineering.
Invited paper FR008 embedded ferroelectric memory for RFID tag applications

Single chip passive RFID tag applications use mixed signal circuits including embedded nonvolatile memory, analog radio frequency circutry and digital logic circuitry. Use of ferroleectric memory has certain advantages over other semiconductor memory types. Fast write cycles guarantee completion of write cycles and uncorrupted data. Low voltage write cycles provide long write distances that are equal to read distances. Circuit design is simplified because charge pumps typically are not required for operation of the ferroelectric memory.
Near-goal punishment of avoidance running

A fixed-distance punishment near the goal box increased resistance to extinction of avoidance running.
Currently Practical Acoustic Surface Wave Devices

This paper presents a survey of the presently available surface wave devices and the range of frequency, bandwidths, etc ., which can be considered practical at this time. The discussion is limited to devices intended for various analog signal processing functions. A short term projection of the next generation of devices is also included.
Calibration methods and avoidance of errors in measurement of intracellular pH (pHcyt) using the indicator bis(carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF) in human platelets.

Determinations of pHcyt in suspensions of human platelets using BCECF [bis(carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein] can be seriously biased by leakage of the fluorescent indicator. Two methods (“pH jump” and “Mn2+”) are presented for determining the fraction of external indicator (B ext) and eliminating this error. Both methods rely on rapid perturbations (pH jump or Mn2+ addition), which affect the fluorescence of the external dye immediately and the intracellular dye more slowly. Identical values ofB ext are reported. Failure to correct for dye leakage can result in overestimation of pHcyt by as much as 0.4 unit at physiological external pH (pHext). Two methods of calibration of the cytoplasmic signal were compared after correcting forB ext: the “digitonin lysis” method and the “nigericin calibration” method. In the digitonin method the dye is released at the end of the experiment and the dependence of its fluorescence is determined as a function of pH. The method assumes that the fluorescence and titration characteristics of the dye in the cytoplasm are not different from those in solution. It gives pHcyt=6.75±0.07 for pHext=7.3. In the nigericin method, 150 mM external K+ and 10 μM nigericin are used for the purpose of setting pHcyt=pHext to accomplish anin situ calibration. The method was complicated by extra leakage induced by nigericin. Assuming that the ionophore could equilibrate pH in the alkaline range, the fluorescence of the anionic form of BCECF in the cytoplasm would be 15% lower than in solution and pHcyt would be 0.3 unit higher than presented above. A number of observations favor the digitonin lysis method of calibration. The fluorescence polarization of BCECF in platelets is small and indistinguishable from that in solution (0.000±0.022). The spectrofluorimetric characteristics of the intracellular dye are identical to those in solution (150 mM NaCl or KCl). There was no evidence for self-quenching or binding to cellular elements for cytoplasmic BCECF concentrations up to 1.8 mM. The following agents are capable of introducing error: (1) the Na+ substituteN-methyl-d-glucamine doubles theK d and decreases by 13% the ΔF max of BCECF; (2) the Na+/H+ exchange inhibitor amiloride quenches BCECF fluorescence and is intrinsically fluorescent; and (3) bovine serum albumin (used to remove nigericin) quenches external BCECF with kinetics mimicking acidification of the cytoplasm.
The impact of the Arab spring on the oil and gas industry in North Africa: a preliminary assessment

In 2011, popular movements toppled the leaders of Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya. These uprisings are likely to have a short- and long-term impact on these societies with global ramifications. This study focuses on Egypt and Libya and highlights how the oil and gas industry in these two North African countries has been impacted by political upheavals. Specifically, I examine the impact on production, consumption, shipping, and investment.
Human-Robot Interactive Planning using Cross-Training: A Human Team Training Approach

Robots are increasingly introduced to work in concert with people in high-intensity domains, such as manufacturing, space exploration and hazardous environments. Although there are numerous studies on human teamwork and coordination in these settings, very little prior work exists on applying these models to human-robot interaction. In this paper we propose a novel framework for applying prior art in Shared Mental Models (SMMs) to promote eective human-robot teaming. We present a computational teaming model to encode joint action in a human-robot team. We present results from human subject experiments that evaluate human-robot teaming in a virtual environment. We show that cross-training, a common practice used for improving human team shared mental models, yields statistically signicant improvements in convergence of the computational teaming model (p=0.02) and in the human participants’ perception that the robot performed according to their preferences (p=0.01), as compared to robot training using a standard interactive reinforcement learning approach.
Detecting occlusion inside a ventricular catheter using photoacoustic imaging through skull

Ventricular catheters are used to treat hydrocephalus by diverting the excess of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to the reabsorption site so as to regulate the intracranial pressure. The failure rate of these shunts is extremely high due to the ingrown tissue that blocks the CSF flow. We have studied a method to image the occlusion inside the shunt through the skull. In this approach the pulsed laser light coupled to the optical fiber illuminate the occluding tissue inside the catheter and an external ultrasound transducer is applied to detect the generated photoacoustic signal. The feasibility of this method is investigated using a phantom made of ovis aries brain tissue and adult human skull. We were able to image the target inside the shunt located 20mm deep inside the brain through about 4mm thick skull bone. This study could lead to the development of a simple, safe and non-invasive device for percutaneous restoration of patency to occluded shunts. This will eliminate the need of the surgical replacement of the occluded catheters which expose the patients to risks including hemorrhage and brain injury.
Effects of acivicin and pala, singly and in combination, on de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis

The inhibitory activities of two oncolytic amino acid analogs, acivicin and n-(phosphonacetyl)-l-aspartate, on pyrimidine biosynthesis have been examined in a murine tumor line, the Lewis lung carcinoma. Acivicin, an antimetabolite elaborated by Streptomyces sviceus, inhibits a spectrum of l-glutamine utilizing enzymes including carbamoyl phosphate synthetase II, the inaugurating enzyme of de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis. Profound inhibition of carbamoyl phosphate synthetase II activity by acivicin is demonstrated in vitro as well as in vivo. n-(Phosphonacetyl)-l-aspartate, a rationally-designed transition-state analog of the reaction catalyzed by l-aspartate transcarbamylase, the second enzyme of the pathway, is a potent and specific inhibitor of l-aspartate transcarbamylase. Both agents, at therapeutic doses, exert marked inhibitions of their respective target enzymes and impede flux through the pathway as monitored by inhibition of pyrazofurin-provoked accumulation of orotate and orotidine. Additionally, synergistic effects are observed when acivicin and n-(phosphonacetyl)-l-aspartate are used in combination, both in terms of biochemical and therapeutic endpoints. The salient features of the actions of these drugs on pyrimidine biosynthesis in the Lewis lung carcinoma are summarized in Table 6. Comparison of the effects of acivicin with those of n-(phosphonacetyl)-l-aspartate suggest divergent actions on nucleotide biosynthesis. In spite of its pronounced sensitivity to acivicin, carbamoyl phosphate synthetase II appears not to be a critical target for the antineoplastic activity of this drug.
xOMB: extensible open middleboxes with commodity servers

This paper presents the design and implementation of an incrementally scalable architecture for middleboxes based on commodity servers and operating systems. xOMB, the eXtensible Open MiddleBox, employs general programmable network processing pipelines, with user-defined C++ modules responsible for parsing, transforming, and forwarding network flows. We implement three processing pipelines in xOMB, demonstrating good performance for load balancing, protocol acceleration, and application integration. In particular, our xOMB load balancing switch is able to match or outperform a commercial programmable switch and popular open-source reverse proxy while still providing a more flexible programming model.
Changes in gene expression profiles of multiple myeloma cells induced by arsenic trioxide (ATO): possible mechanisms to explain ATO resistance in vivo.

Summary Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable plasma cell malignancy marked by eventual resistance to therapy. Although arsenic trioxide (ATO) can induce apoptosis in MM cell lines, the in vivo activity of ATO in MM has been disappointing. The existence of ATO resistance mechanisms in MM can be inferred. We sought to generate hypotheses for ATO resistance by studying the gene expression profiles of MM cells that survived in culture with 0·5 μmol/l ATO. Among the 31 genes whose quantitative levels of expression (QLE) significantly increased in ATO were haem oxygenase 1 (HO-1) and metallothionein-2A (MT-2A). Among the 56 genes whose QLE were significantly decreased were genes that modulate cell cycling [BTBD2 and IGFBP7 (mac25)] and sensitivity to reactive oxygen species (ROS) (BACH2). HO-1 exerts an anti-apoptotic effect in ischaemic cells, and MT-2A chelates ATO intracellularly. Inhibition of HO-1 with tin protoporphyrin enhances ROS in MM cells in ATO, and addition of N-acetylcysteine increases MT-2A. Protective antioxidant responses occur in MM cells exposed to ATO, and may occur in stromal cells as well, and act to quench ROS and provide diffusible anti-apoptotic factors. They may also involve cysteine-rich proteins that chelate ATO and modulate redox-sensitive residues on proteins, such as nuclear factor κB and p53. A better understanding of ATO resistance will enable ATO to be combined with other agents for MM.
Comparing activated alumina with indigenous laterite and bauxite as potential sorbents for removing fluoride from drinking water in Ghana

Abstract Fluoride is considered beneficial to teeth and bones when consumed in low concentrations, but at elevated concentrations it can cause dental and skeletal fluorosis. Most fluoride-related health problems occur in poor, rural communities of the developing world where groundwater fluoride concentrations are high and the primary sources of drinking water are from community hand-pump borehole drilled wells. One solution to drinking high fluoride water is to attach a simple de-fluoridation filter to the hand-pump; and indigenous materials have been recommended as low-cost sorbents for use in these filters. In an effort to develop an effective, inexpensive, and low-maintenance de-fluoridation filter for a high fluoride region in rural northern Ghana, this study conducted batch fluoride adsorption experiments and potentiometric titrations to investigate the effectiveness of indigenous laterite and bauxite as sorbents for fluoride removal. It also determined the physical and chemical properties of each sorbent. Their properties and the experimental results, including fluoride adsorption capacity, were then compared to those of activated alumina, which has been identified as a good sorbent for removing fluoride from drinking water. The results indicate that, of the three sorbents, bauxite has the highest fluoride adsorption capacity per unit area, but is limited by a low specific surface area. When considering fluoride adsorption per unit weight, activated alumina has the highest fluoride adsorption capacity because of its high specific surface area. Activated alumina also adsorbs fluoride well in a wider pH range than bauxite, and particularly laterite. The differences in adsorption capacity are largely due to surface area, pore size, and mineralogy of the sorbent.
Ant colony simulation as an engaging, extendable, and easily gradable programming project(abstract only)

Simulations offer an engaging way to learn about decomposition of complex systems. Here I describe a project where the goal is to build a simulation of an ant colony consisting of five different ant behaviors in a 2D environment. Students design and build their simulations with no code provided except for the required GUI. Design issues include choice of appropriate data structures; traversal issues; and using inheritance to model ant behaviors. Students also learn about emergence, as characterized by the development of organized foraging trails by ants that respond only to their immediate surroundings. The visualization requirement enables students to quickly determine whether or not requirements have been met, and provides a way to rapidly grade a moderately large and complex assignment.
ProCEED: an expert system for multivariate process control systems design

Design and implementation of effective control systems is vital to the competitiveness of the process industry. Process control system design requires knowledge based systems which are capable of efficient numeric computing along with the symbolic reasoning. A brief survey presented in this paper shows that many industrial and academic research groups, are actively developing such knowledge based tools, in the U.S. and other countries.ProCEED, the expert system described in this paper has been developed on Digital's A.I. work-station and using Intellicorp's Knowledge Engineering Environment (KEE). This ideally combines the KEE and LISP based reasoning and Fortran based number crunching. The modular structure and the user interface permit easier integration of additional knowledge about existing systems, as well as incorporation of completely new controllers and processes.A controller design session begins with process modeling. Then the extent of interaction in the multivariable process is determined using a variety of techniques, including relative gain analysis and singular value decomposition, and conflicts among them are resolved. Based on the apparent interaction and controller implementation resources available to the user, multi-loop or completely multivariable forms of one or more control strategies, including proportional-integra-derivative mode control and simplified model predictive control, are chosen. The control systems are designed to achieve the specified performance criteria, utilizing the available numeric software in Fortran. The expert system presents the user with the design results and the simulation of the controlled system, in a graphical form.
Critical Appraisal of Limiting Strain Rates for Compression Testing of Ceramics in a Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar

The split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) is being widely used to determine the dynamic compressive strength of ceramics and ceramic composites. However, extreme caution needs to be exercised while testing these high-strength ceramics at high strain rates. The highest strain rate at which ceramics can be tested using an SHPB without violating the underlying assumptions is found to be in the range of 2500-3000/s. It is also shown that at very high loading rates, dispersion in the transmitted pulse can lead to discrepancies in measuring the dynamic failure strength of ceramics.
In Vitro and In Vivo Activity of a Synthetic Halogenated Quinoline Against Cryptococcus neoformans

The minimum inhibitory concentrations of a halogenated quinoline, 3-amino-7-chloro-3,4-dihydro-1-hydroxycarbostyril (CBS), against nine clinical strains of Cryptococcus neoformans were determined by in vitro testing. The CBS was fungistatic at a minimum concentration of 0.2 mug/ml at 48 h for several strains. In vivo toxicity studies were carried out in mice. Mice were also infected with C. neoformans strain Price and injected with various concentrations of CBS. Mean life expectancy of treated groups of animals was increased over infected untreated controls.
Can You Belly Dance? Methodological questions in the era of transnational feminist research

Power imbalances between the researcher and the researched, in particular with respect to Western (‐trained) scholars researching among women in the Third World, have been the focus of feminist debate on field research methodology for over two decades. This research note present paper, drawing on an example of field research carried out among female heads of households in Mexico, stresses the significance of this debate in the context of the globalization of research. It highlights the need to revisit and extend the feminist methodological discussion of insider/ outsider to reflect the current transnationality of research and praxis as mobility among Third World feminist researchers increases.