cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Protolith Relations of the Gravina Belt and Yukon-Tanana Terrane in Central Southeastern Alaska

Metamorphic rocks west of the Coast Mountains batholith in central southeastern Alaska are divided into the Gravina belt, Taku terrane, and newly defined Ruth assemblage. The Ruth assemblage comprises metapelite, quartzose metaclastic strata, quartzite, marble, felsic metatuff, mafic metavolcanic rocks, and orthogneiss. Depositional and emplacement ages of $$367 \pm 10 Ma$$ and $$345 \pm 13 Ma$$ inferred from discordant U/Pb zircon analyses on felsic metatuff and granodioritic orthogneiss, respectively, require that at least portions of the Ruth assemblage be Late Devonian and early Mississippian in age. The assemblage is similar in age and protolith to, and thus correlated with, the Yukon-Tanana terrane. The Gravina belt is characterized by upper Jurassic and lower Cretaceous mafic volcanic rocks and tuffaceous turbiditic clastic strata that unconformably overlie the Alexander terrane. Metamorphic rocks that structurally underlie the Taku terrane and Ruth assemblage are included in this assemblage. Trace...
MICROBIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF HOME-CANNED TOMATOES AND GREEN BEANS

292 containers of home-canned tomatoes and 290 containers of home-canned green beans collected from 20 counties in Missouri were tested for the presence of viable organisms. There were 116 samples of tomatoes and 41 samples of green beans which contained viable organisms. The organisms identified were Bacillus licheniformis, B. cereus, B. subtilis, B. coagulans, B. megaterium and B. sphaericus. Molds, cocci and yeasts were observed also. Three tomato samples had pH levels above 4.8 which could have made a good medium for growth of Clostridium botulinum.
Career education attitudes and practices of K‐12 science educators

A random sample of 400 K-12 science educators who were members of the National Science Teachers Association were surveyed regarding their attitude toward and practice of career education in their science teaching. These science teachers rejected a narrowly vocational view, favoring instead a conception of career education which included self-perception, values analysis, and vocational skills objectives. The science educators affirmed the importance of career education for a student's education, asserted career education ought to be taught in their existing science courses, and expressed a willingness to do so. Fewer than one-third of the science teachers, however, reported incorporating career education at least on a weekly basis in their science lessons. The major impediment to including more career education in science teaching was seen to be their lack of knowledge of methods and materials relevant to science career education, rather than objections from students, parents, or administrators; their unwillingness; or their evaluation of career education as unimportant. Thus, in order to improve this aspect of science teaching, science teachers need more concrete information about science career education applications.
Co cluster formation at reduced temperatures in microdoped Y1−zCazBa2Cu3O6+y(57Co)

An investigation of the Co distribution in microdoped {sup 57}Co (ppm) Y{sub 1{minus}z}Ca{sub z}Ba{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 6+y}, z = 0.00 and z = 0.05, for different annealing treatments at reduced temperatures has been made with {sup 57}Co-emission Moessbauer spectroscopy. {sup 57}Co was first diffused into the lattice in oxygen at 650C for 9 hr, 800C for 0.5 hr, and 400C for 3 hr (treatment (O)). This treatment resulted in Co substitution principally on the Cu(1) site in four-, five-, and sixfold coordination (denoted (1)4, (1)5, and (1)6, respectively). The (1)5 and (1)6 coordinations indicate cobalt atoms can cluster even at the ppm level of doping. Samples were next annealed at 700C in N{sub 2} (treatment (N)); they were finally annealed at 350C in O{sub 2} for 4 hr (treatment (NO)). Cobalt atoms migrate to Cu(1) from Cu(2) during treatment (N), and the Co in Cu(1) sites retain at least a (1)4 configuration even though most of the oxygen is lost from the Cu(1)O{sub y} planes. An analysis of the data allows the drawing of a number of conclusions about the oxygen coordination at Co atoms and the Co-atom mobility within the Cu(1)O{sub y} planes as a function of temperature andmore » atmosphere. The authors conclude that suitable heat treatment should allow the formation of flux-pinning centers at Co-atom clusters without serious degradation of T{sub c}, especially for z {gt} 0.05.« less
Micro-apparatus for rapid determinations of protein solubilities

We have developed a column-based micro-technique for rapid determinations of protein solubilities. While retaining a large crystal surface area, the column dead volume has been reduced to equal to or less than 5 micro liters. The technique was tested with tetragonal lysozyme (pH 4.5, 0.1 M acetate, 3.0 percent NaCl, 5-25 C) and column volumes of about 60, 300, and 900 micro liters. Identical solubility data were obtained, indicating that equilibration was obtained even in the smallest columns. In addition, solubility data for Br- and I- salts of lysozyme (pH 4.5, 0.1 M acetate buffer, 0.5 M salt concentrations) were obtained. It appears that the technique can be further miniaturized. The limit in further reducing the crystalline column volume is determined by the minimum solution sample size needed to determine the protein concentration.
Ideology and Vote Choice in the 2004 Election

Abstract This paper examines the impact of liberal-conservative ideology on voting behavior in the 2004 presidential election, using data from the CPS National Election Study for that year. The empirical results show that there was widespread recognition of the candidates' and parties' ideological positions. However, liberal-conservative identifications exerted no direct impact on voting choices within the 2004 electorate. On the other hand, liberal-conservative identifications did show an indirect effect which operated through their influence on the more proximate determinants of electoral decisions. These findings clarify the role of ideology in the 2004 presidential election. They also conform very closely to the basic theoretical structure laid out in The American Voter . This paper examines the role of ideology as a determinant of recent voting behavior in the American electorate. The analysis uses data from the 2004 CPS National Election Study, and the empirical results suggest a somewhat complicated interpretation. On the one hand, liberal-conservative orientations had no direct impact whatsoever on citizens' voting choices. On the other hand, mass perceptions and evaluations of the candidates, issues, and conditions within the external environment were clearly structured along ideological lines. And, the latter did influence electoral decisions. Therefore, liberal-conservative ideology exerted an important, but completely indirect, effect on citizens' 2004 voting choices. These findings have important implications, not only for understanding the role of ideology in American elections, but also for theories of voting behavior.
Psychometric definition of Rorschach determinant component structure.

This is an empirical examination of Experienced Stimulation (es) and Experience Actual (EA) from Exner's Comprehensive System (CS) for Rorschach's Test, spurred by Kleiger's theoretical critique. Principal components analysis, Cronbach's α, and inter-item correlational analyses were used to test whether 13 determinants used to code Rorschach responses (M, FM, m, CF+C, YF+Y, C'F+C', TF+T, VF+V, FC, FC', FV, FY, FT) are best represented as a one, two, or more-dimensional construct. The 13 determinants appear to reflect three dimensions, a “lower order” sensori-motor dimension (m + CF+C + YF+Y + C'F+C' + TF+T + VF+V) with a suggested label of Modified Experienced Stimulation (MES), a “higher order” sensori-motor dimension (FM + FV + FY + FT) with a suggested label of Modified Experience Potential (MEP), and a third sensori-motor dimension (M+FC+FC') for which the label of Modified Experience Actual (MEA) is suggested. These findings are consistent with Kleiger's arguments and could lead to a refinement of CS...
Vitamin D Deficiency Is More Common in Type 2 Than in Type 1 Diabetes

We report data from a pilot study examining vitamin D deficiency in type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Serum 25-OH vitamin D (25-OH-D) levels were measured in type 1 ( n = 50) and type 2 diabetic ( n = 63) individuals at the time of their routine visits for diabetes management. Patients had no prior history of metabolic bone disease, vitamin D deficiency, parathyroid disease, malabsorption, or significant elevations of serum creatinine or liver enzymes. Most subjects (74.3%) were prescribed a daily multivitamin as part of their routine diabetes care, but none were taking additional supplements. Serum was obtained during “light” (April to September) and “dark” (October to March) months. Serum 25-OH-D levels were …
Insulin Dosage Preparation and Administration: Prefilled Pens versus Syringes

Background Insulin delivery systems are continually evolving and today syringes or prefilled pens predominate. An efficient insulin delivery system may recover time, improve safety and reduce healthcare costs. Aim To quantify the time required to prepare and administer insulin doses using prefilled pens or syringes. Method An insulin delivery simulating protocol was followed. Insulin preparation and administration was timed from the receipt of the medication order until the end of administration. A 2:1 syringe to pen allocation ratio was used; syringes were the control. Two operators were each assigned 58 pen and 116 syringe doses; total of 348 insulin doses. Results Randomisation distributed doses uniformly by device and operator. The mean (SD) dose delivered by syringe was 30.4 ± 17 units and 30.3 ± 17.7 units by pen (p = 1.0). Mean dose (p = 0.3) and administration time (p = 0.6) between operators were also similar. Mean administration time for doses delivered by syringe was 71 ± 10.9 seconds and 52.1 ± 9 seconds by pen. Mean time difference between devices was 18.9 seconds (95%CI 17–21; p ≤ 0.0001). Operators prepared and administered doses more quickly over time. Conclusion There was a 27% reduction in preparation and administration time when prefilled insulin pens were used. A consistent training effect occurred, which was similar between operators and independent of volume. As product features and operator training influence insulin delivery efficiency, institutions should consider these factors along with efficacy, safety and acquisition costs when selecting prefilled pens or syringes.
Psychiatric Disorders in Rescue Workers After the Oklahoma City Bombing

OBJECTIVE: Psychiatric disorders were studied in a volunteer group of 181 firefighters who served as rescue/recovery workers after the Oklahoma City bombing. METHOD: Approximately 34 months after the disaster, the authors retrospectively assessed psychopathology both before and after the bombing with the Diagnostic Interview Schedule. Findings for male rescue workers were compared with those of male primary victims who had been in the direct path of the blast and who had been assessed with the same instrument. RESULTS: The prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder related to the bombing was significantly lower in male rescue workers (13%) than in male primary victims (23%). High rates of alcohol disorders (postdisaster: 24%; lifetime: 47%) were seen among all rescue workers, with virtually no new cases occurring after the bombing. CONCLUSIONS: The resilience seen in firefighters may be related to their career selection, their preparedness and experience, the fewer injuries they suffered, and postdisaste...
Exploiting cyclostationarity for range and bearing estimation

Novel bearing and range estimation algorithms are proposed using cyclostationarity of the underlying processes. By exploiting the higher-order temporal properties of communication signals, direction finding algorithms are proposed for narrowband non-Gaussian signals. These algorithms improve resolution and are tolerant to all Gaussian, as well as some non-Gaussian, interferences. In active radar situations, moving targets reflect signals whose statistics are periodically time-varying. By casting the target tracking problem in the cyclic domain, novel algorithms are developed for estimating the time-varying range; these methods are tolerant to any stationary noise as well as transients. >
Land, Spirit, Power: First Nations at the National Gallery of Canada

Land, Spirit, Power: First Nations at the National Gallery of Canada, Diana Nemiroff. Robert Houle. and Charlotte Townsend-Gault. Ottawa: National Gallery of Canada, 1992. 232 pp., 112 b/w and color illustrations. C$45.00 (paper).
Sexual exhaustion and recovery of masculine copulatory behavior in virilized female rats

In 1942 Beach and Rasquin concluded that the female rat possesses the neuromotor organization necessary for the execution of masculine copulatory behavior. This conclusion was based on observations of male-type mounting behavior, by intact and ovariectomized female rats. These responses consisted of mounts without pelvic thrusting, mounts with pelvic thrusting, and mounts with thrusting plus the intromission reflex, a deep vigorous thrust followed by a rapid withdrawal from the stimulus female. Exogenous testosterone treatment increases the total mount frequency and the probability of intromission (Beach, 1942). In the male rat the intromission reflex normally occurs when the penis is inserted into the vagina. In these early studies the occurrence of the male's characteristic ejaculation reflex was not observed. The present report describes the frequency and timing of male-type copulatory responses, including the ejacula­ tion reflex in female rats which were genitally masculinized by pre- and early post-natal stimulation by testosterone. When the male is placed with a receptive female he will execute a series of mounts with pelvic thrusting, most of these resulting in intromission. Following a series of mounts with intromission, the ejaculation reflex will occur, the first ejaculation occurring after approximately II intromissions. Following ejaculation a non­ mating interval of approximately 5 min will occur before mating resumes. The second ejaculation will occur after fewer intro­ missions (6-7) and the second post-ejaculatory interval will be longer than the first. Normally the male will achieve 6-7 ejacuaition responses before mating ceases (Beach & Jordan, 1956). Following such a sexual exhaustion test the male rat is unlikely to mate 24 h later. If the male is tested four days after exhaustion, mating will occur but the exhaustion criterion will be reached after fewer intromissions and ejaculations than were displayed on the initial test. After two weeks without mating, the male rat will again display 6-7 ejaculations and approximately 35-40 intro
Operating characteristics of follicle-stimulating hormone in azoospermic men.

Objective To validate factors predictive of nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) and to determine the operating characteristics of FSH for predicting NOA. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Tertiary care military treatment facility. Patient(s) One hundred forty azoospermic males undergoing infertility evaluation. Intervention(s) Standard evaluation included history and physical, hormonal workup, and genetic evaluation. Diagnostic testicular biopsy was offered to characterize patients as obstructive azoospermia (OA) or NOA. Main Outcome Measure(s) Semen volume, semen fructose, FSH, T, E 2 , PRL, testicular atrophy. Result(s) Seventy-eight of 140 azoospermic patients underwent a biopsy. The ability to predict NOA based on logistic regression was statistically significant for FSH and testicular atrophy. On multivariate analysis, only FSH remained predictive of NOA. The area under the FSH receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.847, which is significant. The cut point of FSH with the highest likelihood ratio of predicting NOA on biopsy was ≥12.3 mIU/mL. Conclusion(s) FSH remains the best predictor of NOA. With full knowledge of the operating characteristics of FSH in this population, a patient can be properly educated and treatment can be individualized, based on the specific risk associated with that subject's measured FSH.
Economic Performance, Institutional Intermediation, and Democratic Survival

The breakdown of democracies has long been associated with poor economic performance. This study attempts to determine whether different configurations of democratic institutions can mediate the effects of poor economic performance. Using an original data set that includes all democracies from the period 1919 to 1995, we use continuous-time duration analysis to test hypotheses derived from the literature on democratization. Specifically, we test the interaction of party system and the configuration of legislative and executive power (parliamentarism and presidentialism) with economic performance to explain the likelihood of breakdown. Results suggest that majoritarian variants of democracy are more resistant to economic contraction than pluralist ones. Under conditions of economic growth, pluralist democracies outperform majoritarian ones.
Optimal transversal filter bank for 3D real-time acoustical imaging

An optimal transversal filter bank for parallel processing of echo data in 3-D real-time acoustical imaging is proposed. It is based on discretized linear time-domain formation of the imaging equation for systems that use either coded-aperture transducers or transmitter arrays with coded-excitation. The two approaches are mathematically equivalent and result in an imaging system architecture which is based on parallel processing of a sampled vector of echo data with a bank of transversal filters. The filter coefficients are obtained through a pseudoinverse operator which is designed to decouple echoes received from different image lines. >
Crystal structure and mutational analysis of the human CDK2 kinase complex with cell cycle-regulatory protein CksHs1.

Abstract The 2.6 A crystal structure for human cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) in complex with CksHs1, a human homolog of essential yeast cell cycle–regulatory proteins suc1 and Cks1, reveals that CksHs1 binds via all four β strands to the kinase C-terminal lobe. This interface is biologically critical, based upon mutational analysis, but far from the CDK2 N-terminal lobe, cyclin, and regulatory phosphorylation sites. CDK2 binds the Cks single domain conformation and interacts with conserved hydrophobic residues plus His-60 and Glu-63 in their closed β-hinge motif conformation. The β hinge opening to form the Cks β-interchanged dimer sterically precludes CDK2 binding, providing a possible mechanism regulating CDK2–Cks interactions. One face of the complex exposes the sequence-conserved phosphate-binding region on Cks and the ATP-binding site on CDK2, suggesting that Cks may target CDK2 to other phosphoproteins during the cell cycle.
Measurement of cathodic disbonding using a scanning acoustic microscope

It is shown that scanning acoustic microscopy provides a nondestructive, precise, and rapid method for the in-situ monitoring of cathodic disbonding. It provides an excellent technique for comparing the rate of disbonding or organic coating/substrate systems that have been subject to a variety of treatments to retard disbonding. The authors describe the details of the measurement process. Results are presented for polybutadiene films on steel substrates that have different surface treatments. Surprisingly, the disbond results in a nonuniform attack of the polymer, appearing as a series of isolated sites that have been designated microblisters. These microblisters develop into circular zones and grow in diameter as a function of time. Taken together, the microblisters form a propagation front approximately parallel to the scribe initially placed in the coating. The data show that the movement of the front after an initiation period is proportional to the square root of the time. An interpretation of the results is presented. >
Alcohol withdrawal increases neuropeptide Y immunoreactivity in rat brain.

Background: Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is widely expressed in the brain and is known to affect consummatory behaviors including drinking alcohol as well as to play a role in seizures. We investigated the effects of a 4 day binge ethanol treatment model that is known to induce physical dependence and withdrawal seizures to determine the effects of ethanol dependence and withdrawal on NPY expression. Methods: Male Sprague Dawley® rats were treated with ethanol or control nutritionally complete diets by intragastric treatment three times per day for 2 or 4 days with an average daily dose of approximately 8 g/kg ethanol per day. Ethanol-fed rats treated for 4 days and then withdrawn for 24, 72, and 168 hr also were studied. Brains were perfused and sectioned for immunohistochemistry for NPY, phospho-cyclic adenosine monophosphate responsive element binding (pCREB), and other proteins. Results: NPY immunoreactivity (NPY-IR) was found in several brain regions, with the hippocampus and cerebral cortex showing the most pronounced changes. NPY-IR was reduced by ethanol treatment in hippocampus and cortex, although at 72 hr of withdrawal there was a dramatic increase in NPY-IR in the hilus of the dentate gyrus and in CA3 and CA2 fields of hippocampus. Ethanol withdrawal seizures occurred around 12 to 24 hr of withdrawal, preceding the changes in NPY-IR at 72 hr. pCREB immunoreactivity (pCREB-IR) tended to decrease during ethanol treatment but showed a dramatic increase in dentate gyrus at 72 hr of withdrawal. Parvalbumin immunoreactivity indicated that some of the pCREB-IR and NPY-IR were within inhibitory interneuron basket cells of the hippocampal hilus. NPY-IR returned to control levels by 168 hr of withdrawal. Conclusions: These studies suggest that hippocampal NPY is reduced during the development of ethanol dependence. Ethanol withdrawal seizures precede a dramatic increase in hippocampal NPY-IR. Previous studies have suggested that NPY in the hippocampus reduces seizure activity and that NPY is induced by seizure activity. Thus, the increase in NPY-IR at 72 hr of withdrawal after binge ethanol treatment may be protective against prolonged withdrawal seizure activity.
Assembly of ring canals in the male germ line from structural components of the contractile ring

Stable intercellular bridges called ring canals form following incomplete cytokinesis, and interconnect mitotically or meiotically related germ cells. We show that ring canals in Drosophila melanogaster males are surprisingly different from those previously described in females. Mature ring canal walls in males lack actin and appear to derive directly from structural proteins associated with the contractile ring. Ring canal assembly in males, as in females, initiates during cytokinesis with the appearance of a ring of phosphotyrosine epitopes at the site of the contractile ring. Following constriction, actin and myosin II disappear. However, at least four proteins present at the contractile ring remain: the three septins (Pnut, Sep1 and Sep2) and anillin. In sharp contrast, in ovarian ring canals, septins have not been detected, anillin is lost from mature ring canals and filamentous actin is a major component. In both males and females, a highly branched vesicular structure, termed the fusome, interconnects developing germ cells via the ring canals and is thought to coordinate mitotic germ cell divisions. We show that, in males, unlike females, the fusome persists and enlarges following cessation of the mitotic divisions, developing additional branches during meiosis. During differentiation, the fusome and its associated ring canals localize to the distal tip of the elongating spermatids.
The influence of debris-flow rheology on fan morphology, Owens Valley, California

We have investigated factors controlling the surface morphology of debris-flow fans comprising the bajada along the western slope of Owens Valley, California. These fans have average slopes of 4°; an extensive network of abandoned, boulder-lined channels; rough, undulatory surfaces near the range front; and smooth distal surfaces. Field relationships and mechanical considerations indicate that the channels of the bajada are products of fluvial incision and not debris-flow scour. This is significant because detailed geomorphic maps indicate that the channels strongly influence the pattern of debris-flow deposition. The locus of debris-flow deposition on a channelized fan surface is set by the interaction of debris flows with the channel system and is controlled by channel size, channel gradient, flow volume, flow hydrograph, and flow rheology. Debris-flow behavior is most directly controlled by variations in bulk-sediment concentration and its influence on flow rheology. Whereas low-sediment-concentration debris flows tend to smooth the surface of the lower fan, spreading into thin sheets and filling channels and surface undulations, repeated deposition of high-sediment-concentration debris flows produces the rugged topography of the upper fan. The texture of the fan surface, rough or smooth, is determined by the relative volumetric importance of these two types of debris flow. In addition, channel avulsions and the associated long-term shifting of depositional loci are driven by in-channel deposition of debris flows with the highest sediment concentrations. These debris flows, therefore, play a critical role in determining both the structure of the channel network and the long-term pattern of deposition on the fan surface as a whole. We infer that the frequency distribution of debris-flow rheologies, set by source-terrain geology and hydrology, is an important control on fan morphology.
Pharmacologic Inhibition of the Menin-MLL Interaction Blocks Progression of MLL Leukemia In Vivo.

Chromosomal translocations affecting mixed lineage leukemia gene (MLL) result in acute leukemias resistant to therapy. The leukemogenic activity of MLL fusion proteins is dependent on their interaction with menin, providing basis for therapeutic intervention. Here we report the development of highly potent and orally bioavailable small-molecule inhibitors of the menin-MLL interaction, MI-463 and MI-503, and show their profound effects in MLL leukemia cells and substantial survival benefit in mouse models of MLL leukemia. Finally, we demonstrate the efficacy of these compounds in primary samples derived from MLL leukemia patients. Overall, we demonstrate that pharmacologic inhibition of the menin-MLL interaction represents an effective treatment for MLL leukemias in vivo and provide advanced molecular scaffold for clinical lead identification.
NMR evidence for syn-anti interconversion of a trans opened (10R)-dA adduct of benzo[a]pyrene (7S,8R)-diol (9R,10S)-epoxide in a DNA duplex

2D NMR has been used to examine the structure and dynamics of a 12-mer DNA duplex, d(T1A2G3T4C5A6A7*G8G9G10C11A12)−d(T13G14C15C16C17T18T19G20A21C22T23A24), containing a 10R adduct at dA*7that corresponds to trans addition of the N6-amino group of dA7 to (−)-(7S,8R,9R,10S)-7,8-dihydroxy-9,10-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene [(−)-(S,R,R,S)-BP DE-2]. This DNA duplex contains the base sequence for the major dA mutational hot spot in the HPRT gene when Chinese hamster V79 cells are given low doses of the highly carcinogenic (+)-(R,S,S,R)-BP DE-2 enantiomer. NOE data indicate that the hydrocarbon is intercalated on the 5‘-side of the modified base as has been seen previously for other oligonucleotides containing BP DE-2 (10R)-dA adducts. 2D chemical exchange-only experiments indicate dynamic behavior near the intercalation site especially at the 10R adducted dA, such that this base interconverts between the normal anti conformation and a less populated syn conformation. Ab initio molecular orbital chemic...
A comparison of the genetic algorithm and the subregion approach in the optimization of slider air bearings for sub-7-nm flying height

The genetic algorithm (GA) and the subregion approach are implemented with a finite element based air bearing simulator. Starting from an old pico slider design, three test cases were carried out for target flying heights of 7, 5, and 3.5 nm. Both the GA and the subregion approach yield promising results. A hybrid scheme combining the two methods appears to be a potential direction for future optimization of air bearings.
A neural network model of motion detection for moving plaid stimuli

The perception of moving plaid stimuli is examined using a recurrent neural network trained on the intersection-of-constraints. It is found that the nodes in the network develop representations similar to neurons seen in the animal literature. Although motion signals from 2D-intersections are available, early layers in the network develop component directional-selectivity similar to neurons in VI of the macaque monkey. Nodes higher up in the network show both object directional-selectivity and component directional-selectivity, similar to neurons found in MT of the macaque. These results support the notion of a two stage motion system which relies on component motions rather than feature tracking.
Detection Performance Limits for Distributed Sensor Networks in the Presence of Nonideal Channels

Existing studies on the classical distributed detection problem typically assume idealized transmissions between local sensors and a fusion center. This is not guaranteed in the emerging wireless sensor networks with low-cost sensors and stringent power/delay constraints. By focusing on discrete transmission channels, we study the performance limits, in both asymptotic and non-asymptotic regimes, of a distributed detection system as a function of channel characteristics. For asymptotic analysis, we compute the error exponents of the underlying hypothesis testing problem; while for cases with a finite number of sensors, we determine channel conditions under which the distributed detection systems become useless - observing the channel outputs cannot help reduce the error probability at the fusion center. We demonstrate that as the number of sensors or the quantization levels at local sensors increase, the requirements on channel quality can be relaxed
Temporal and Spatial Patterns of Ovarian Gene Transcription Following an Ovulatory Dose of Gonadotropin in the Rat

In recent years, there have been a number of efforts to identify genes that are expressed in mature ovarian follicles in response to an ovulatory dose of LH or its homologue hCG. This review keys on 20 ovulation-specific genes that we have identified by the molecular procedure known as differential display. The objective is to use this sampling of genes to illustrate the diversity in the temporal and spatial patterns of expression of genes in the ovary following the stimulus of this gonadal target tissue by a single glycoprotein hormone. The specific genes that are surveyed include 5-aminolevulinate synthase; early growth response protein-1; g-glutamylcysteine synthetase; cyclooxygenase-2; epiregulin; pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide; tumor necrosis factor-stimulated gene-6; regulator of Gprotein signaling protein-2; adrenodoxin; steroidogenic acute regulatory protein; 3a-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase; CD63, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs; tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1; carbonyl reductase, a Gprotein-coupled receptor; pancreatitis-associated protein-III; glutathione S-transferase; and metallothionein-1. The ovulatory expression of these different genes is predominantly within the granulosa layer of mature follicles. However, there were also instances of expression in the thecal and stromal tissue of the ovary, as well as in vascular endothelial cells and in luteal tissue. The overwhelming impression is that the molecular events of ovulation are far more complex, and therefore more highly ordered, than originally imagined. follicle, granulosa cells, ovary, ovulation, progesterone
Analysis: Calculating Areas and Volumes

In 216 B.C.E., the Sicilian city of Syracuse made the mistake of allying itself with Carthage during the second Punic war, and thus was attacked by Rome, portending what would ultimately happen to the entire classical Greek world. During a long siege, soldiers of the Roman general Marcellus were terrified by ingenious war machines defending the city, invented by the Syracusan Archimedes, greatest mathematician of the ancient world, born in 287 B.C.E. These included catapults to hurl great stones, as well as ropes, pulleys, and hooks to raise and smash Marcellus’s ships, and perhaps even burning mirrors setting fire to their sails. Finally, though, probably through betrayal, Roman soldiers entered the city in 212 B.C.E., with orders from Marcellus to capture Archimedes alive. Plutarch relates that “as fate would have it, he was intent on working out some problem with a diagram and, having fixed his mind and his eyes alike on his investigation, he never noticed the incursion of the Romans nor the capture of the city. And when a soldier came up to him suddenly and bade him follow to Marcellus, he refused to do so until he had worked out his problem to a demonstration; whereat the soldier was so enraged that he drew his sword and slew him” [93, p. 97]. Despite the great success of Archimedes’ military engineering inventions, Plutarch says that “He would not deign to leave behind him any commentary or writing on such subjects; but, repudiating as sordid and ignoble the whole trade of engineering, and every sort of art that lends itself to mere use and profit, he placed his whole affection and ambition in those purer speculations where there can be no reference to the vulgar needs of life” [93, p. 100]. Perhaps the best indication of what Archimedes truly loved most is his request that his tombstone include a cylinder circumscribing a sphere, accompanied by the inscription of his amazing theorem that the sphere is exactly two-thirds of the circumscribing cylinder in both surface area and volume!
Integrating IT Frameworks into the AIS Course

ABSTRACT The contemporary business and regulatory environment dictate that accountants develop greater expertise in information technology, particularly in its risk and control aspects. Several approaches exist to assist with these aspects of information technology, with the primary ones being COSO ERM, COBIT, ITIL, and the ISMS family of standards, each developed by different groups with different objectives. While accounting students likely receive training in COSO ERM and COBIT, exposure to ITIL and the ISMS family is less common. This paper is motivated from the view that all four approaches are vital to the accountant's professional toolbox and should be incorporated into the AIS course. In this paper, we provide AIS instructors with a concise overview of the four approaches and offer an integrated framework that can guide teaching plans. We discuss how the approaches should not be viewed as separate and redundant bureaucratic models, but as complementary approaches that help an organization manage r...
Adult Congenital Heart Defects: How Many Is Too Many?

A47-YEAR-OLD MAN presented to the authors’ institution for an elective surgical closure of an atrial septal defect (ASD) after a failed attempt at percutaneous closure (Fig 1, Panel A). He was known to have a peri-membranous ventricular septal defect (VSD) and a quadricuspid aortic valve (Fig 1, Panels B and C; Video 1). On the day of surgery, after uneventful induction of general anesthesia, an intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) examination was performed, which confirmed the presence of an ASD, a nonrestrictive peri-membranous VSD, and a quadricuspid aortic valve. These findings were confirmed with real-time, 3-dimensional (3D) TEE imaging (Fig 2; Video 2).
Evaluation of the Fuel Economy Potential of the Low-Heat-Rejection Diesel Engine for Passenger-Car Application

Etude des possibilites d'economies de carburant dues a un moteur diesel a faibles pertes de chaleur en particulier en vue d'utilisation sur une voiture particuliere
Cell pull-down method for parafoil inflation

A new cell pull-down method for pamfoil inflation is being developed at the Natick Soldier Center. Rigging procedures of the method involve pulling down either the end cells or the center cells of a parafoil toward the payload by reefing the suspension lines. Flight tests on a 220-e 2 and a 500-e ’ parafoil show that this new method provides a controlled, staged inflation of the parafoils and is a viable pa&oil inflation method that will provide simple rigging procedures and low opening forces.
Pediatric monteggia fractures: a multicenter examination of treatment strategy and early clinical and radiographic results.

Background:Monteggia fractures remain challenging pediatric injuries because of difficulties in diagnosis, propensity for instability, and complexity of late reconstruction. The objective of this investigation was to assess the efficacy of the following treatment strategy based upon ulnar fracture p
An autoradiographic study of vitellogenesis in the squid, Loligo pealei.

ABSTRACT The structure of the vitellogenic (stage IV) ovarian follicle in Loligo pealei is described. Ultrastructural observations indicate that the follicular syncytium is synthesizing yolk proteins. Growing follicles incubated in l -[ 3 H]leucine incorporate this amino acid into protein with linear kinetics for 3·5 hr, thus establishing the adequacy of our culture procedure for this time period. Autoradiographic studies show that immediately after a 30 min exposure to l -[ 3 H]leucine, the follicular syncytium is uniformly labeled, while the chorion and oocyte are essentially unlabeled. Subsequently, labeled protein accumulates in the apical region of the follicular syncytium, traverses the extracellular space between the follicular syncytium and the oocyte, and, by 3·5 hr is present in the peripheral yolk bodies of the oocyte The follicular syncytium thus appears to be the sole heterosynthetic source of yolk protein Yolk protein does not appear to be taken up into the oocyte by micropinocytosis, as occurs in other systems, but most likely is simply engulfed.
A Model Elucidating Significance of Cross-Correlations in Random Vibration Analysis

Abstract A simple two-degrees-of-freedom model is suggested for illustrating the significance of cross-correlations in random-vibration analysis. The system is composed of a single mass constrained by two springs in orthogonal directions, and appropriate dashpots, so that the mass can vibrate in a plane. The maximum mean-square displacement of the mass in the plane is investigated. An interesting analogy is established between the mean-square displacement and the transformation formula for the stress in a plane-stress state. It is also demonstrated that when the spring constants are equal and consequently the natural frequencies of undamped vibrations coalesce, omission of the cross-correlation terms entails an error of fifty percent in the maximum mean-square displacement, for perfectly positively correlated forces. For perfectly negatively correlated forces, the error is unbounded.
General Aspects of Immobilization

Man’s body is organized for motion. The instrument of mobility, skeletal muscle, makes up 40 percent of the body mass. Its structure and metabolic capability permit an efficient and almost instantaneous shift from complete rest to a high level of activity. As a muscle becomes active, its blood flow may rise 15 to 20 times over the resting value, and the number of open capillaries may increase 50 times. The metabolic rate of the working muscle may be 50 to 100 times above that of a muscle at rest.
Rehypothecation and Monetary Policy

Rehypothecation enables the intermediate lender to make productive investments by effectively borrowing from the borrower. I show that due to the limited borrowing capacity of the intermediate lenders, a segmented market in which borrowers are restricted to borrow only from the productive intermediate lenders produces higher aggregate output compared to an unsegmented market in which borrowers can also borrow from unproductive lenders. This is due to a pecuniary externality ― the presence of other competing lenders increases the cost of rehypothecation for the productive lenders to inefficient levels. I also consider the central bank’s activities as providing an additional source of funding in a segmented market. I show that when a central bank removes collateral from the market through an open market operation, less collateral is available to be borrowed by the productive intermediate lenders, leading to retarded investment by them and lower aggregate output. I find empirical evidence for this channel in the cost of borrowing in the bilateral repo market. The policy implications of this result include conducting open market operations when collateral is abundant and the repo rate is high. It also suggests that using interest on reserves may be more effective as a policy tool compared to open market operations when collateral is scarce.
Wind farms with counter-rotating wind turbines

Abstract The objective of this study is to assess the effects of using counter-rotating wind turbines on the performance of a wind farm. Large eddy simulations, coupled with the actuator line model, were conducted to investigate flow through a test wind farm with 48 large-scale wind turbines with the same layout as Lillgrund in Sweden. Two counter-rotating cases were tested; first, an alternate-row wind farm in which each turbine has one rotor, rotating either clockwise or counter-clockwise, with alternating rows of clockwise and counter-clockwise turbines throughout the farm; and second, a wind farm with dual-rotor wind turbines in which each turbine has two rotors, with the first rotor rotating counter-clockwise and the second rotor rotating clockwise. It was found that both counter-rotating configurations were more efficient in power generation than the control case in which all turbines have one clockwise rotor; the alternate-row case was found to produce 1.4% more power and the dual-rotor case was found to produce 22.6% more power than the control wind farm. The wakes of the counter-rotating cases, particularly the wind farm with dual-rotor wind turbines, exhibit different characteristics from those in the control case. These differences are discussed through wind speed distribution, thrust coefficient, and power production of wind turbines.
ToQ.jl: A high-level programming language for D-Wave machines based on Julia

Quantum computers are becoming more widely available, so it is important to develop tools that enable people to easily program these computers to solve complex problems. To address this issue, we present the design and two applications of ToQ.jl, a high-level programming language for D-Wave quantum annealing machines. ToQ.jl leverages the metaprogramming facilities in Julia (a high-level, high-performance programming language for technical computing) and uses D-Wave's ToQ programming language as an intermediate representation. This makes it possible for a programmer to leverage all the capabilities of Julia, and the D-Wave machine is used as a co-processor. We demonstrate ToQ.jl via two applications: (1) a pedagogical example based on a map-coloring problem and (2) a linear least squares problem. We also discuss our experience using ToQ.jl with a D-Wave 2X, particularly with respect to a linear least squares problem which is of broad interest to the scientific computing community.
Differences in the Experiences of Boys and Girls in a Camp Environment

Between the ages of nine and twelve, key developmental differences exist between genders. Boys’ and girls’ brains simply develop in a different sequence (Sax, 2007) and at a different rate (Hanlon, et al., 1999). Since the 1970’s a tendency toward gender blindness and a lack of understanding about the real developmental differences between boys and girls may have limited the ability of youth professionals to best serve all youth. This paper highlights a study of whether boys and girls differ in camp experience and in life skill development as a result of camp? Fifteen counties with 28 individual camps participated in the study which measured (1) camp experience; (2) targeted life skills, and (3) leadership skills. The results showed significant differences between girls and boys. Researchers recommend that gender differences no longer be ignored when programming and that camp activities and curriculum meet the developmental needs of both boys and girls.
Frequency-dependent thermal resistance of vertical U-tube geothermal heat exchangers

Geothermal ground-source heat pumps have been used for nearly 30 years as an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuel systems. The limitations on a wider range of acceptance of the technology depends on the cost of installation of a piping network through which energy is transferred between the soil and the heat-transfer fluid. The cost is proportional to the piping length. The most common of these exchangers is a U-tube system, which involves a single flexible tube that is put in a vertical borehole so that both ends remain at the ground surface. The tube radius is typically much smaller than the depth of the borehole, and this presents the opportunity to simplify the modeling through asymptotic techniques. We consider a simple Cartesian model that consists of two finite-length parallel channels carrying heat-transfer fluid embedded in a soil. One channel carries fluid from the surface to the bottom of the borehole, while the other carries the fluid from the bottom of the borehole to the surface. Heat transfer is driven in the fluid by advection and conduction, while only conduction is found in the soil regions, and we assume that the temperature in the fluid is quasi-steady on the soil conduction time scale. Applying asymptotic techniques, we find a separable boundary-value problem for the Laplace transforms of temperature difference in the channels and the average temperature of the fluid temperatures at a particular depth. By means of the basis functions found computationally from this boundary-value problem, we construct solutions for heat-transfer fluids entering the system at constant temperature and at time-harmonic entering temperature. From these results, we observe that optimal system performance depends on the frequency of the input temperature and the separation between the channels, with the exchanger performance depending on the thermal capacity of the internal soil layer.
A silicon-impregnated carbon nanotube mat as a lithium-ion cell anode

Silicon is a widely researched material for the anodes of lithium-ion batteries due to its high practical charge capacity of 3600 mAh g−1, which is ~ 10 times the specific capacity of conventional graphitic materials. However, silicon degrades rapidly in use due to its volumetric changes during charge/discharge of the battery, which makes it necessary to use complicated or costly methods to ameliorate capacity loss. Here, we report a novel silicon anode fabrication technique, which involves winding an aligned carbon nanotube (CNT) sheet and commensurately infiltrating it in situ with an aqueous solution containing silicon nanoparticles and hydroxypropyl guar binder. The resulting infiltrated felts were processed, evaluated, and compared to conventional silicon–carbon black anodes with the same carbon, silicon, and binder content as a proof of concept study. The felts had a large initial reversible capacity and promising rate capability. It is likely that the conductive CNT structure improved the charge transfer properties while lessening the effects of silicon volumetric expansion during lithiation. The results demonstrate that this novel anode fabrication method is viable and may be explored for further optimization. A novel fabrication method is described for the negative electrode for a lithium-ion battery: a CNT mat is formed by a drawing operation from a CNT vertical array while simultaneously being impregnated with a solution containing silicon nanoparticles and hydroxypropyl guar gum binder. The resulting CNT–Si anode structure shows improved lifetime cycling performance compared to traditional slurry-based silicon anodes.