cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Design of observer-based robust stabilizing controllers

Abstract This paper is concerned with the problem of designing stabilizing control laws for linear systems with time-varying uncertainty. Since the entire state cannot be measured, the controller must operate on some estimate of the state. The approach used is to first obtain a linear robust controller based on the assumption that the complete state is available. Then an estimated state is generated via an observer and this estimate used in the implementation of the controller. Examples indicate that the use of an observer usually reduces the magnitude of the tolerable uncertainty. The amount of this reduction depends on the choice made for the measured state variables.
Infrared absorption of amorphous boron films containing carbon and hydrogen

Optical transmission spectra of vacuum deposited amorphous boron films are obtained, at room temperature, in the near infrared over the range 700 to 4000 cm−1 (14 to 2.5 μm). Absorption bands are observed and identified as due to hydrogen and carbon which are deliberately introduced into the films during deposition. The concentrations of hydrogen and carbon present in each film are determined by secondary-ion mass-spectrometry analysis. Intensities of IR bands attributed to hydrogen and carbon are found to correlate with hydrogen and carbon content, respectively. On a etudie dans l'infrarouge proche entre 700 a 4000 cm−1 (14 a 2,5 μm), le spectre optique de transmission a temperature ambiente, pour couches minces du bore amorphe obtenu sous vide. Les bandes d'absorption dues a l'hydrogene et au carbone introduit expressement dans les echantillons au cours de la deposition ont ete observees et identifiees. La concentration de l'hydrogene et du carbone dans chaque echantillon a ete determine par spectrometrie de masse des ions secondaires. On a trouve une correlation entre les intensites des bandes infrarouges attribuees a l'hydrogene et au carbone et les concentrations respectives de l'hydrogene et du carbone.
Hypoxia-mediated impaired differentiation by LLC-PK1 cells: Evidence based on the protein kinase C profile

Hypoxia-mediated impaired differentiation by LLC-PK 1 cells: Evidence based on the protein kinase C profile. We recently reported that mild hypoxia in LLC-PK 1 cells, grown in standard fashion under a still layer of overlying medium at 5% CO 2 /18% O 2 environment, result in decreased oxidative metabolism and impaired differentiated functions in comparison to adequately oxygenated cultures maintained either under a higher oxygen (36% O 2 ) environment or conditions of continuous rocking of the media fluid. In the present study, subcellular distribution of a regulatory enzyme protein kinase C (PKC) was examined between hypoxic still and normoxic rocked LLC-PK 1 cells. Subconfluent cultures of hypoxic LLC-PK 1 cells exhibited significantly lower and predominantly membrane-bound PKC activity in comparison to mostly cytosolic localization of this enzyme in normoxic rocked cells. One hour of exposure of adequately oxygenated-rocked LLC-PK 1 cells with the phorbol ester TPA, a dedifferentiating agent that did not effect the cell ATP content, resulted in significant inhibition of dome formation and sodium-dependent glucose transport activity, a partial loss of pH-responsive ammoniagenesis, and almost complete translocation of protein kinase C activity from cytosol to the membrane pool; all of which resembles the behavior of hypoxic still cultured cells. In addition, acute re-oxygenation of hypoxic still cultures by rocking the media fluid for one hour resulted in an increase in cell ATP content to the cellular levels of ATP observed in normoxic rocked cells. However, all the parameters of differentiation were unaffected by re-oxygenation. These studies support the notion that hypoxia can act in some primary fashion, independent of its effects on energy metabolism, to impair cellular differentiation in LLC-PK 1 cells. They also raise the possibility that activation of protein kinase C may act as an important mediator in this process.
Optimal, Coupled-Modal Control of Distributed Parameter Systems With Discrete Actuators

Optimal control of flexible continuous structures subjected to arbitrary time-varying distributed loads is considered. The control is to be implemented by discrete sets of sensors and actuators that monitor the response and apply the necessary forces. The dynamics of the uncontrolled structure is assumed to be governed by a linear, self-adjoint partial differential equation. The control forces at any time are determined on the basis of minimization of the total energy of the system at that time. This leads to a causal optimal algorithm whereby control forces are determined solely on the basis of information available up to the time at which control is being implemented. The effectiveness of the algorithm is demonstrated by applying it to a beam subjected to an impulse
Relationally-parametric polymorphic contracts

The analogy between types and contracts raises the question of how many features of static type systems can be expressed as dynamic contracts. An important feature missing in prior work on contracts is parametricity, as represented by the polymorphic types in languages like Standard ML.We present a contract counterpart to parametricity. We explore multiple designs for such a system and present one that is simple and incurs minimal execution overhead. We show how to extend the notion of contract blame to our definition. We present a form of inference that can often save programmers from having to explicitly instantiate many parametric contracts. Finally, we present several examples that illustrate how this system mimics the feel and properties of parametric polymorphism in typed languages.
Points to consider in preventing unfair discrimination based on genetic disease risk: a position statement of the American College of Medical Genetics.

Points to Consider in Preventing Unfair Discrimination Based on Genetic Disease Risk: A Position Statement of the American College of Medical Genetics
Distributed Inference and Fusion Algorithms for Real-Time Supervisory Controller Positions

The failure of traditional expert system algorithms and mathematics in real-time tasks is described, and an alternative inference engine design more appropriate to real-time problem solving is explored. The approach is generic, but to facilitate its description an example is used involving human supervisory operators of a semiautomated telecommunication network. Each human's real-time process control tasks are first decomposed into several types of subtasks under cases of certain, uncertain, and conflicting information. Two divergent calculi are seen to be required for these various tasks: 1) the "situational calculus" for real-time deterministic control, and 2) the "calculus of uncertainty" for fusion of conflicting information from diverse knowledge sources and for propagating uncertainty through the inference net to reach conclusions that can be executed by the situational calculus. The distributed architecture ramifications of a dual-calculus appoach are explained, and the fusion technique is elaborated.
Stimulated Neutrophils Decrease Na-K-ATPase Activity in Distal Lung Epithelial Cells From Fetal Lambs. • 1475

Stimulated Neutrophils Decrease Na-K-ATPase Activity in Distal Lung Epithelial Cells From Fetal Lambs. • 1475
The electrical resistivity of ZrZn2

Electrical resistivity measurements on the ferromagnetic intermetallic compound ZrZn/sub 2/ between 2.2 and 295 deg K fail to show an anomaly at the ferromagnetic transition such as are observed in other ferromagnetic elements and compounds. A possible mechanism is considered for this behavior. (auth)
Identification of the regions of PECAM-1 involved in β- and γ-catenin associations

Platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) binds tyrosine-phosphorylated beta-catenin and modulates beta-catenin localization and sequestration. The biological significance of this interaction, while still unclear, it has been postulated to be involved in modulating adherens junction dynamics in response to perturbants [J. Clin. Invest. 109 (2002) 383]. Here we demonstrate that tyrosine-phosphorylated beta-catenin, and to a lesser extent unphosphorylated beta-catenin, interact with a portion of the cytoplasmic domain of PECAM-1 encoded by exon 15. Using RT-PCR, we obtained products representing alternatively spliced PECAM-1 isoforms from mouse kidney total mRNA and generated PECAM-1-GST constructs expressing full length and naturally occurring alternatively spliced PECAM-1 variants. Co-precipitation assays revealed that the protein sequence encoded by exon 15 is necessary for beta-catenin binding. Transfections using deletion mutants confirmed the importance of the exon 15 sequence in this interaction. In contrast, gamma-catenin-PECAM-1 interactions are thought to be modulated by an as yet undefined PECAM-1 serine phosphorylation and appear to mediate dynamic PECAM-1 intermediate filament cytoskeletal interactions [J. Biol. Chem. 275 (2000) 21435]. Here we demonstrate that the PECAM-1-gamma-catenin interaction occurs via an exon 13-mediated process. GST-pull-down assays illustrated the importance of the exon 13 sequence in this interaction. Further, using site-directed mutagenesis of S(673) to C and D and S(669 and 670) to C, we confirmed the importance of S(673) and its phosphorylation state as a mediator of gamma-catenin-PECAM-1 binding. Our studies define the exons of the PECAM-1 cytoplasmic domain that is involved in mediating these PECAM-1-catenin family member interactions and will allow investigators to better define the biological functions resulting from these interactions.
Antimicrobial Peptide C18G binds to Lipid Bilayers in a Lipid Composition Dependent Manner

Antimicrobial peptides serve as one of the first lines of defense in the immune systems of higher organisms. These peptides specifically target and neutralize infecting bacteria in the host organism while exhibiting little or no toxic effect on host cells. The peptide C18G is a highly cationic, amphiphilic peptide derived from the C-terminal sequence of the human protein platelet factor 4 (involved in blood coagulation and wound repair) exhibited antibacterial activity against both gram positive and gram negative bacteria. Using a modified C18G sequence that did not affect antimicrobial efficacy (Y3 changed to W), the binding affinity of the peptide to model membranes was performed using fluorescence spectroscopy. As anticipated, the binding of C18G to lipid bilayers allowed the Trp side chain to localize to a more hydrophobic environment resulting in a blue shift of Trp emission lambda max and spectral barycenter, concomitant with a narrowing of the emission spectrum and and increase in the overall emission intensity. Binding to lipid vesicles composed of binary and tertiary mixtures of POPC:POPG and POPC:POPG:POPE showed a dramatic lipid dependence on binding affinity, with the tightest binding to the most anionic compositions. Increasing the POPE composition enhanced peptide binding but to a lesser degree compared to the anionic POPG. Fluorescence quenching experiments using the aqueous quencher acrylamide confirmed the decreased exposure of the Trp to the aqueous milieu. Dye release assays were used to monitor lipid composition effects on the ability of C18G to permeabilize lipid vesicles. Circular dichroism spectroscopy indicated a conformational change from a disordered to an alpha-helical secondary structure when the peptide interacts with detergent micelles or anionic lipid vesicles.
A note on the stability of solutions of the Hill equation with a square-wave coefficient

Abstract The results of Van der Pol and Strutt [Phil. Mag.5, 18 (1928)] on the stability of solutions to the Hill equation for a square-wave coefficient have been re-examined. More accurate and extensive results for the stability boundaries are presented, with emphasis on the closed unstable regions which are imbedded in the stable regions.
Cost-Benefit Analysis of Software Development Techniques and Practices

Investigations of software development practices, processes, and techniques frequently report separately on the costs and benefits of a phenomenon under study, but rarely adequately address the combined bottomline implications. In particular, tensions between the quality and productivity effects are hard to reconcile, making objective, high-level insights elusive. For example, is a practice that is believed to improve product quality significantly, but incurs a mild developer productivity penalty economically feasible? In other words, do the benefits outweigh the costs? And if they do, under which conditions? Such questions can be tackled through synthesizing effects and analyzing the resulting behaviors. In this light, the tutorial presented an approach that leverages well-known and simple economic concepts and models. It is used to wrap empirical findings, and is also applicable to the assessment of software projects. The tutorial was geared towards researchers and practitioners interested in software processes, process improvement, project management, process/project measurement, and empirical software engineering.
Simultaneous registration and tissue classification using clustering algorithms

We describe a novel approach for performing registration and tissue classification of multichannel medical images. Rather than perform a two-step process comprised of a registration step followed by a tissue classification step, the two objectives are accomplished simultaneously using a single algorithm. The new algorithm is based on minimizing a fuzzy C-means clustering energy functional with respect to not only the cluster centers and membership functions, but the transformation parameters as well. The advantage of this simultaneous approach is that both the registration and segmentation now optimize the same cost functional. This approach also allows the registration of more than two images to be easily accommodated. The method is evaluated using both real and simulated magnetic resonance images of the brain.
Relationship Between Markers of Type II Collagen Metabolism and Tibiofemoral Joint Space Width Changes After ACL Injury and Reconstruction

Background:Those who suffer anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) disruptions are at increased risk of experiencing posttraumatic osteoarthritis (OA); however, by the time they become symptomatic, irreversible damage has likely occurred. Little is known regarding the physiological changes in articular cartilage that occur after an ACL injury and the onset of OA.Purpose:To assess whether patient, functional, and clinical outcomes and type II collagen metabolism are associated with abnormal tibiofemoral joint space width (JSW) 4 years after injury and reconstruction.Study Design:Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.Methods:A total of 35 ACL-injured patients who underwent ACL reconstruction were enrolled soon after injury, as were 32 matched controls. At baseline and 1- and 4-year follow-ups, patient-oriented subjective and objective outcomes and markers of type II collagen metabolism (considered as the ratio of cleavage to synthesis of type II collagen) were evaluated, as were radiographic measurements of JSW chan...
Mate choice copying in two species of darters (Percidae: Etheostoma)

Mate choice copying is a form of social learning that is defined as the increased likelihood of an individual choosing a particular mate after observing another individual choosing that mate. Mate choice copying has been demonstrated in a range of taxonomic groups, but not usually for both sexes. Mate choice copying experiments were performed here using two congeneric sympatric darters, Etheostoma flabellare and E. zonale. In E. flabellare, males guard a nest site under a rock and care for developing eggs. In E. zonale, eggs are attached to filamentous green algae and neither sex provides parental care. Our results provide the first evidence that mate choice copying occurs in darters. Previously it was hypothesised that copying might be more common in species and sexes that provide parental care, the reasoning being that the costs of choosing poorly may be higher. However, mate choice copying was found in both sexes of E. zonale (no parental care) and in male but not female E. flabellare (male only parental care). Thus, the only group that did not mate choice copy was the one whose mate would be providing care, and even E. flabellare females copy the mate choice of other females by some definitions. The relationship, if any, between which sex provides parental care and whether copying occurs remains unclear, and the number of species for which such data are available is limited.
Consultation in Public School Settings

Educational mandates that attempt to advance the equity and quality of services to individuals with disabilities have facilitated consultation as a stand-alone service available to educators in public schools. Behavioral consultation that relies on the principles of behavior analysis is one of the most common approaches to consultation and has been shown to produce positive outcomes in both case studies and experimental investigations. The purpose of this chapter is to describe the features of public school behavioral consultation and the assessment and intervention activities commonly addressed during consultation. This chapter concludes with a discussion of decisions concerning the transition of a student in crisis to a more restrictive service-delivery model.
BAC-MP4 PREDICTIONS OF THERMOCHEMICAL DATA FOR C1 AND C2 STABLE AND RADICAL HYDROFLUOROCARBONS AND OXIDIZED HYDROFLUOROCARBONS

An ab initio bond additivity corrected quantum chemistry procedure has been applied to the development of a data base for thermochemistry of C/H/F/O species. This information has been used to construct a chemical kinetic mechanism for the prediction of the behavior of fluorocarbons as flame suppressants, with clear applications to plasma and atmospheric chemistry as well. Bond additivity corrected (BAC) Moller-Plesset fourth-order perturbation theory (MP4) calculations have been performed to obtain a large body of thermochemical data on about 100 closed and open shelled fluorocarbon species. For about 70 of these species, literature values for enthalpies of formation were available for comparison to the calculated values. The average difference between the calculated and literature values was about 9 kJ/mol. The results indicate that the BAC-MP4 procedure can provide energies that are comparable in accuracy to most experimentally derived values, at lower computational costs relative to other more computationally expensive ab initio molecular orbital methods. This work provides a substantial data base of thermochemical data for fluorinated hydrocarbons constructed in a self-consistent manner. 41 refs., 2 figs., 10 tabs.
Prototype and exemplar accounts of category learning and attentional allocation: a reassessment.

In a recent article. J. P. Minda and J. D. Smith (2002; see record 2002-00620-002) argued that an exemplar model provided worse quantitative fits than an alternative prototype model to individual subject data from the classic D. L. Medin and M. M. Schaffer (1978) 5/4 categorization paradigm. In addition, they argued that the exemplar model achieved its fits by making untenable assumptions regarding how observers distribute their attention. In this article, we demonstrate that when the models are equated in terms of their response-rule flexibility, the exemplar model provides a substantially better account of the categorization data than does a prototype or mixed model. In addition, we point to shortcomings in the attention-allocation analyses conducted by J. P. Minda and J. D. Smith (2002). When these shortcomings are corrected, we find no evidence that challenges the attention-allocation assumptions of the exemplar model.
4A-3 Intracranial Catheter for Integrated 3D Ultrasound Imaging & Hyperthermia: Feasibility Study

In this study, we investigate the feasibility of developing an intracranial catheter transducer capable of real time 3D (RT3D) imaging and ultrasound hyperthermia, for application in the visualization and treatment of tumors in the brain. Feasibility is demonstrated by acquiring RT3D images in a canine model using a 10 Fr, matrix array catheter transducer, and by achieving a temperature rise over 4degC in excised pork muscle using a linear array transducer with our diagnostic scanner. An integrated matrix and linear array catheter transducer prototype was constructed and used to acquire images of test phantoms.
THE RESPIRATORY EXCHANGE RATIO IS HIGHER IN OLDER SUBJECTS, BUT IS REDUCED BY AEROBIC EXERCISE TRAINING

Background: Previous studies have suggested reduced fat metabolism in older subjects. However, corrections for their reduced maximal oxygen consumption and the effects of training and substrate availability have not been fully examined. Objectives: Fat metabolism (FM) in older subjects (n = 14, 75 ± 7 yrs), and the effects of exercise training were compared with FM in younger subjects (n = 16, 22 ± 3 yrs). Materials and Methods: All subjects completed a maximal exercise test and a sustained submaximal run at 70% of their maximal capacity. The respiratory exchange ratio (RER) and blood substrate levels were determined. Older subjects were re-tested after training. Results: Young subjects had higher oxygen consumption (VO 2 ) peak (36.3 ± 6.7 vs. 23.7 ± 6.2 ml/kg/min) and lower slope of RER vs. VO 2 than older subjects. However, the slope of the RER vs. VO 2 relationship was not different between y ounger and older subjects, after correction for their VO 2 peaks. Younger subjects had longer sustained exercise times (45.5 ± 17.6 min) than the elderly (30.2 ± 14.0 min), pre-training. Post- training, there was a significant increase in VO 2 peak (25%) in older subjects (P = 0.001) and submaximal exercise time (30.2 ± 14.0 vs. 58.3 ± 27.3min, P = 0.020). Respiratory exchange ratio was reduced during both exercises after training (0.90 ± 0.03 vs. 1.00 ± 0.03, P = 0.04). Conclusions: The RER of older subjects was not different from that of younger subjects, after correction for the VO 2 peak. The VO 2 peak, sustained exercise time, and RER decreased after training in older subjects, indicating increased fat metabolism. ARTICLE INFO
Bioremediation of insulating oils

Bioremediation is the process whereby naturally occurring micro-organisms are used to digest chemicals into harmless products such as carbon dioxide, water and microbial biomass. A wide range of chemicals can be degraded in this way including oils and greases. However, the time scales over which this degradation can occur can vary enormously due to limitations imposed by various factors. These factors include numbers of organisms present, nutrient levels, heat, moisture, oxygen levels within the soil and the complexity of the contaminant that needs to be degraded. For example, linear compounds are more easily degraded than ring compounds. Soils generally contain around 10/sup 6/ micro-organisms per gram, but this needs to be boosted to a level of 10/sup 8/ per gram ideally by natural multiplication over a period of time. The increase can be achieved through the addition of selected microbes, however, their rate of increase in population is not always as high as that of the indigenous microbe population. The microorganisms are most effective under particular conditions, for example in the presence of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous and at temperatures of 20-25/spl deg/C. Bioremediation can be carried out in two ways, ex-situ and in-situ.
The Unfolding of Methodological Identity: An Autobiographical Study Using Humor, Competing Voices, and Twists

This article explores my journey from quantitative to qualitative researcher, including the effects this journey has had on my identity as well as on those whom I previously referred to as “subjects”. “Identity” is examined from both an historical as well as from a self-dialogical, autobiographical perspective. Eleven “twists” that mark turning points and detours describe this journey, and this paper employs “voices” that offer contextual background and contradictory advice on the road towards methodological identity. These twists describe experiences as both teacher and student and readers are invited to join in this retrospective reflection in order to experience insights and new appreciations. The article concludes with a brief integration of the literature and contextual reflection as well as several questions that invite readers to consider issues related to methodological identity and implications for teaching and learning that arose as a consequence of this journey. Keywords: Quantitative Research, Qualitative Research, Identity, Reflexivity, Autobiographical, Twists, Voices, Teaching, Learning While “identity” is the major theme of this story, it involves a journey along roads that I initially thought spanned a two-year timeframe. However, as I engaged in the writing process, I came to recognize that the construction of these roads actually began well before this two-year period; in fact, it spans two decades. The journey described uses “twists” that mark turning points and detours on the way to the previously unknown destination of methodological identity. The contour of the road ending at Twist 10 transformed my vocabulary from “subjects” to “co-researchers” but I only became cognizant of its implications regarding identity at Twist 11 where I was led to use a writer’s voice as a result of my epiphany about the relationship between quantitative and qualitative research. Describing my own methodological journey has been a therapeutic experience that has resulted in a clarification of my identity. Likewise, I hope that fellow travelers will recognize some commonalities with their own journeys. In addition to the metaphor of “twists” used to explain the journey towards methodological identity, two internal competing voices that vied for my attention along the way are used to help convey the bumpy road that many of us sometimes travel. I unceremoniously dubbed these co-existing voices as Self 1 and Self 2. Self 1 represents the more idealistic self while Self 2 represents the more cynical and wordly self. The use of Self 1 and Self 2 not only describes inner conflicts, but also takes advantage of using first person voice in order to enable readers to experience vicarious speech that seems spontaneous (Purcell, 1996). While the road culminating in Twists 10 and 11 directly connects to my new identity as a qualitative researcher, the chronological aspects of this
A simple and mild route to highly fluorinated model polymers

We have developed a simple and mild method for the fluorination of polybutadiene based on the addition of perfluoroalkyl iodides (RfI) to carbon−carbon double bonds. Triethylborane (Et3B) was utilized to initiate this free radical addition to model polybutadiene (PBD) homopolymers and a polystyrene−polybutadiene block copolymer at room temperature. Optimized reaction conditions led to consumption of more than 95% of the double bonds and preservation of narrow molecular weight distribution after the modification. We propose that the reaction undergoes a cyclization pathway rather than open-chain addition and that five-member ring structures are formed during the addition of RfI to 1,2-PBD. From 1H NMR spectroscopy, we estimate that 83% of the double bonds in the 1,2-PBD cyclized with their neighbors. This agrees well with a theoretical prediction by Flory for random irreversible cyclization between neighboring polymer repeat units. We also demonstrate the selective fluorination of the 1,2-PBD block in a po...
The Use of Fluorometry in Monitoring and Control of Cell Cultures

Fluorometry is an attractive means of monitoring bioprocesses. It needs only a light pipe or quartz port for on-line attachment. It can be done in an non-invasive manner. Not only can one measure the cellular activity by fluorometrically monitoring reduced pyridine nucleotide concentrations of the system but one can also monitor a number of other parameters including T, pH, cell, substrate, and product concentrations and it can be done with a single sterilizeable probe.
THE HEPATIC RESPONSE TO GLUCAGON IN THE UNANESTHETIZED DOG1

Intravenous administration of crystalline glucagon 02 mg.⁄kg. was used to study hepatic glycogenolysis and associated events in the unanesthetized dog. An increase in hepatic blood flow and hepatic glucose output regularly occurred following glucagon administration. Approximately 9.6 gm, of glucose were released from the liver during the first hour after a single intravenous injection of glucagon; this represents a net increase over control values of about 6 gm. Depletion of glycogen stores induced by fasting was associated with a decreased or absent response of hepatic blood flow and hepatic glucose output to glucagon. Hepatic uptake of alpha amino nitrogen increased after glucagoninduced glycogenolysis; this increase began promptly and reached a maximum about 45 minutes after glucagon administration. These changes were interperted as reflecting increased gluconeogenesis following depletion of liver glycogen stores. GLYCOGENOLYSIS may be induced in the liver in a controlled fashion by means of glucagon a...
Investigation of a cellular pharmacodynamic model exhibiting sharp response sensitivity and tolerance.

The potential relevance of a kinetic model for switch-like behavior in biochemical reactions to pharmacodynamics is explored. This model, which postulates that drug acts by modulating the balance of kinase and phosphatase activities, and their effect on the phosphorylation state of an effector molecule critical in determining drug effect, predicts sharp concentration–effect profiles without explicit incorporation of cooperativity. The degree of sharpness depends on concentration of the critical effector. It is argued that such a model can account for inter-individual differences in pharmacodynamic sensitivity profiles, as well as intra-individual changes in sensitivity associated with time-varying physiological processes or disease. By augmenting the model with a kinetic description of critical effector synthesis and degradation in the nonphosphorylated and phosphorylated forms, a putative mechanism for drug tolerance is revealed. The combined model predicts that tolerance, in addition to attenuating the maximum effect, may lead to a decrease in apparent Hill coefficient.
A new initiative in microelectronics processing at Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech has initiated a CMOS baseline process through its Microelectronics Research Center (MiRC) aiming at a new level of clean room discipline and process capability. The new initiative is also intended to establish a "platform" for research on a variety of new materials and device structures, It will support a whole range of advanced CMOS related research, such as multichannel chemical sensor array, MEMS, gate stack reengineering, and shallow junction CMOS. It will also support educational programs in processing and design of CMOS devices at Georgia Tech. This paper will detail the plan and the progress of the new CMOS initiative.
Firm-Specific Estimates of Differential Persistence and their Incremental Usefulness for Forecasting and Valuation

ABSTRACT: Although the differential persistence of accruals and operating cash flows is a firm-specific phenomenon, research seeking to exploit the differential persistence of these earnings components typically employs cross-sectional forecasting models. We find that a model based on firm-specific estimates of the differential persistence of accruals and operating cash flows is incrementally useful for out-of-sample forecasting relative to state-of-the-art cross-sectional models. In doing so, we show that firm-specific estimates of differential persistence are particularly useful when forecasting earnings for more stable firms (e.g., more profitable, lower growth, and less levered firms). We also demonstrate that a trading strategy exploiting investors' fixation on earnings and based on firm-specific estimates of differential persistence earns statistically and economically significant excess returns that are incremental to those generated by trading strategies based on the size of accruals. These result...
Prevalence of Mental Health Illness among Patients with Adult-Onset Strabismus.

AbstractBackground: Children diagnosed with some forms of strabismus were recently found to have an increased risk of developing mental illness by early adulthood. The purpose of this case-controlled study was to determine if adults with non-paralytic forms of strabismus are similarly at an elevated risk for developing mental illness.Methods: The medical records of all patients diagnosed as adults (≥19 years of age) with convergence insufficiency (CI) (n = 118), divergence insufficiency (DI) (n = 80), and small angle hypertropia (HT (n = 99) from January 1, 1985, through December 31, 2004, were retrospectively reviewed. Each case was compared with a sex- and birth date-matched non-strabismic control. The medical records were reviewed for mental health diagnoses, including inpatient and outpatient encounters, psychiatric ER visits, and medication use.Results: Mental health disorders were diagnosed in 65 (55.1%) patients with CI compared to 54 (45.8%) controls (p = 0.15), in 51 (63.8%) patients with DI comp...
Dosage and Administration Issues of Antipsychotic Agents (and Adjunctive Medicines) in the Acute Stabilization of Psychoses

There are several options and approaches available to practicing psychiatrists for the pharmacologic management of acute psychotic episodes that present in emergency room settings. This article focuses on the first hours and days of such episodes, the goals of treatment, and comparison of the "old favorites," such as combination haloperidol and lorazepam (in liquid, tablet or injectable formulations), with the newer second-generation antipsychotic agents, such as olanzapine, ziprasidone, risperidone, quetiapine, or aripiprazole, which are available in different formulations. The speed of titration to an effective target dose for these newer agents are addressed as well.
Uptake and Partitioning of Nutrients in Blackberry and Raspberry and Evaluating Plant Nutrient Status for Accurate Assessment of Fertilizer Requirements

Raspberry and blackberry (Rubus sp.) plantings have a relatively low nutrient requirement compared with many other perennial fruit crops. Knowledge of annual accumulation of nutrients and periods of rapid uptake allows for better management of fertilization programs. Annual total nitrogen (N) accumulation in the aboveground plant ranged from 62 to 110 and 33 to 39 lb/acre in field-grown red raspberry (Rubus idaeus) and blackberry (Rubus ssp. rubus), respectively. Research on the fate of applied N (a naturally occurring istope of N) has shown that primocanes rely primarily on fertilizer N for growth, whereas floricane growth is highly dependent on storedN in the over-wintering primocanes, crown, and roots; from 30% to 40% of stored N was allocated to new growth. Plants receiving higher rates of N fertilizer took up more N, often leading to higher N concentrations in the tissues, including the fruit. Reallocation of N from senescing floricanes and primocane leaves to canes, crown, and roots has been documented. Accumulation of other macroand micronutrients in plant parts usually preceded growth. Primocanes generally contained the highest concentration of most nutrients during the growing season, except calcium (Ca), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn), which often were more concentrated in roots. Roots typically contained the highest concentration of all nutrients during winter dormancy. Nutrient partitioning varied considerably among elements due to different nutrient concentrations and requirements in each raspberry and blackberry plant part. This difference not only affected the proportion of each nutrient allocated to plant parts, but also the relative amount of each nutrient lost or removed during harvest, leaf senescence, and pruning. Macroand micronutrient concentrations are similar for raspberry and blackberry fruit, resulting in a similar quantity of nutrient removed with each ton of fruit at harvest; however, yield may differ among cultivars and production systems. Nutrient removal in harvested red raspberry and blackberry fruit ranged from 11 to 18 lb/acre N, 10 to 19 lb/acre potassium (K), 2 to 4 lb/acre phosphorus (P), 1 to 2 lb/acre Ca, and 1 to 4 lb/acre magnesium (Mg). Pruning senescing floricanes in August led to greater plant nutrient losses than pruning in autumn. Primocane leaf nutrient status is often used in nutrient management programs. Leaf nutrient concentrations differ with primocane leaf sampling time and cultivar. In Oregon, the present recommended sampling time of late July to early August is acceptable for floricane-fruiting raspberry and blackberry types, and primocane-fruiting raspberry, but not for primocane-fruiting blackberry, where sampling leaves on primocane branches during the green fruit stage is recommended. Presently published leaf tissue standards appear to be too high for K in primocanefruiting raspberry and blackberry, which is not surprising since the primocanes are producing fruit at the time of sampling and fruit contain a substantial amount of K.
Tests of A Two-Way Reinforced Concrete Floor Slabs

Construction and testing of a nine-panel two-way reinforced concrete floor slab are described. The panels were 5 ft sq. Stresses, strains, deflections, and cracking observed during the tests are described. Bending moments derived from measured strains are presented and are shown to be substantially different than the design moments at many design sections. The measured beam moments were appreciably lower than the design moments, but many of the slab sections were underdesigned. The slab design load was 145 psf and the failure load with all panels loaded was 537 psf. This compared favorably with the 529 psf predicted for the same failure mechanism by means of yield-line analysis methods.
Therapeutic work with a physically abused preschooler.

This paper explores the impact of early abuse by a parental figure (foster mother) on a child's subsequent development. The child's adoption into a nurturing home at age 3-1/2 allowed for early intervention, and a brief follow-up period of treatment at age ten provides further insight into the impact of early trauma across developmental periods. The paper highlights unique challenges that may arise in treatment with child victims of interpersonal violence. During treatment, the child struggled with profound difficulty tolerating his natural aggressive impulses and distinguishing inner fantasies from external stressors. Significant modifications in treatment format, including encouraging the adoptive mother to be an active participant and using settings outside the consultation room when the child could not tolerate affects associated with the familiar playroom, were helpful in moderating the child's anxiety. Language: en
Anthocyanin Structure Determines Susceptibility to Microbial Degradation and Bioavailability to the Buccal Mucosa

Anthocyanins are flavonoids with reported chemoprotective activities in the oral cavity. However, information about their stability, metabolism, and tissue uptake in the mouth is limited. Anthocyanin chemical structure was recently shown to affect their stability ex vivo in saliva, and it was hypothesized that structure may affect their availability in oral tissues in vivo. Here, 12 healthy individuals retained red grape or chokeberry juice in the mouth for 5 min. Anthocyanin stability, mucus binding, and uptake into epithelial cells were evaluated. Loss of delphinidin-3-glucoside in red grape juice exceeded that of other anthocyanin-glucosides, and lesser amounts of delphinidin- and petunidin-glucosides were associated with buccal scraping, suggesting the loss was due to degradation. In chokeberry juice, loss of cyanidin-3-xyloside exceeded that of other anthocyanins, whereas cyanidin-3-glucoside preferentially accumulated in epithelium cells. These results suggest that anthocyanin structure affects stab...
Respiratory and Heart Rates of Birds at Rest

The respiratory rates of birds are inversely related to their body weights (Groebbels 1932; Salt and Zeuthen 1960). Odum (1945) noted that birds breathe at lower frequencies than do mammals of similar weights. Neither of these observations has been expressed quantitatively. The respiratory and heart rates of mammals can be predicted from empirical equations given by Adolph (1949) and Stahl (1967) which express the resting rates as functions of body weight. The utility of comparable equations for birds prompted the collection and analysis of appropriate data. Data on respiratory and heart rates were obtained from the literature and from additional obser-
Mucormycosis of a median sternotomy wound

Mucormycosis is an unusual complication of cardiothoracic surgery. The fungi may infect the sternotomy wound causing a progressive gangrene or seed the implanted prosthetic valve or graft resulting in endocarditis or graft failure. There have been six previous reports of mucormycosis following cardiothoracic surgical procedures. Four cases involved prosthetic devices, the remaining two are examples of sternal wound mucormycosis acquired from the use of contaminated elasticized bandages. The first case of sternal wound mucormycosis not associated with elasticized bandages is reported here. The infection occurred in a diabetic patient who had undergone coronary artery bypass surgery and mitral valve replacement. The patient received corticosteroids and broad-spectrum antibiotics at the time of and after operation. The patient developed invasive sternal mucormycosis and died on day 10 after surgery, despite aggressive surgical debridement and amphotericin B therapy. No elasticized bandages were used and the source of the infection was not identified. Previous cases of mucormycosis in cardiothoracic surgery are reviewed and the specific clinical setting in which this fungal disease should be suspected defined.
The Paradox of Howard Becker’s Intellectual Identity

ABSTRACTHoward S. Becker, best known as a sociologist of deviance, claims that he “never really did work on deviance as such.” Why does he say this? The fortuitous nature of his entry into the field, his belief that deviance is not an analytic category, and the amount of time, energy, and commitment he has invested in this as opposed to other fields, play a role in this stance. In all likelihood, contrary to his wish, Howard Becker will always be regarded as a deviance researcher.
Equipment interfacing and communications

This chapter briefly introduces interfacing and communications among the components in a system. The basic components of a connection to an equipment item include a sensor or a device. A key issue in the interfacing of equipment to a host is the manner in which the data that flow between the equipment and the host are formatted and addressed. It has been common practice for different vendors of equipment to use their own proprietary methods for handling data, and as a consequence, a special type of interface is required to connect their equipment to a host, such as a PC or workstation. Any device and any application that is object linking and embedding for process control (OPC) compliant can be directly connected together through an OPC server without writing code or developing a special driver. In electronics, manufacturing a standard called the generic equipment model (GEM) has been established to facilitate the interfacing of equipment with a host. The GEM standard is in use in both semiconductor wafer manufacturing and printed circuit board electronics assembly.
Particle physics: Search for neutrinoless double-β decay.

Neutrinos are much lighter than the other constituents of matter. One explanation for this could be that neutrinos are their own antiparticles and belong to a new class of 'Majorana' particle. An experiment sets strong constraints on this scenario.
Clipping It in the Bud.

Information about a real patient is presented in stages (boldface type) to expert clinicians (Drs Murthy and Yang), who respond to the information and share their reasoning with the reader (regular type). A discussion by the authors follows. Patient presentation: Mr H is a 50-year-old male admitted in 2013 with methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia and aortic valve endocarditis. Other medical history includes hypertension, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, end stage renal disease, undergoing hemodialysis through a left upper extremity arteriovenous fistula, and stroke. He underwent intraoperative pulmonary vein isolation, epicardial left atrial appendage closure using a 50-mm AtriClip device, and bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement at an outside hospital. Dr Yang: Because 90% of thrombi in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation originate in the left atrial appendage (LAA), this structure has emerged as a therapeutic target to reduce the risk of cardioembolic stroke. Mr H has a history of labile international normalized ratios, a HAS-BLED (Hypertension, Abnormal renal/liver function, Stroke, Bleeding history or predisposition [anemia], Labile INR, Elderly [age>65], Drugs/Alcohol concomitantly) score of 4, and prior stroke while on anticoagulation, thereby warranting consideration of alternative therapies to warfarin for stroke protection, if feasible. The 2014 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guideline statement on atrial fibrillation makes a class IIb recommendation for surgical occlusion of the LAA during other cardiac surgeries. Despite this guideline, surgical occlusion with a prosthetic device is not advisable in this patient because of active endocarditis and the risk for recurrent infection in the future. Moreover, patients with valvular heart surgery and those with active systemic infection were excluded in the pivotal EXCLUDE trial, which studied the safety and efficacy of the AtriClip placement.1 A suture-based LAA occlusion strategy to minimize implanted prosthetic material would have been preferred. The underlying rationale that exclusion of the thrombogenic LAA may reduce short- …
The Schwarz alternating method in solid mechanics

Abstract We advance the Schwarz alternating method as a means for concurrent multiscale coupling in finite deformation solid mechanics. We prove that the Schwarz alternating method converges to the solution of the problem on the entire domain and that the convergence rate is geometric provided that each of the subdomain problems is well-posed, i.e. their corresponding energy density functions are quasi-convex. It is shown that the use of a Newton-type method for the solution of the resultant nonlinear system leads to two kinds of block linearized systems, depending on the treatment of the Dirichlet boundary conditions. The first kind is a symmetric block-diagonal linear system in which each diagonal block is the tangent stiffness of each subdomain, i.e. the off-diagonal blocks are all zero and the coupling terms appear only on the right-hand side. The second kind is a nonsymmetric block system with off-diagonal coupling terms. Several variants of the Schwarz alternating method are proposed for the first kind of linear system, including one in which the Schwarz alternating iterations and the Newton iterations are combined into a single scheme. This version of the method is particularly attractive, as it lends itself to a minimally intrusive implementation into existing finite element codes. Finally, we demonstrate the performance of the proposed variants of the Schwarz alternating method on several one-dimensional and three-dimensional examples.