cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sharing a global on-chip transmission line medium without centralized scheduling

We consider the design of a shared global on-chip communication medium using repeated equalized transmission lines (RETLs). Our design overcomes a number of limitations with previously proposed shared global mediums based on transmission lines. Prior solutions require wide-pitch transmission lines that occupy considerable area, do not support multicast or broadcast operations, and employ centralized schedulers that are difficult to scale. In this paper, we propose a novel design based on RETLs that utilizes thin transmission lines that require a much narrower pitch, about 6x narrower in comparison to previously proposed wide-pitch-based designs. In addition, our design supports multicast and broadcast operations, which are critical for the implementation of cache coherency protocols. Moreover, our design is based on fully distributed arbitration protocols that can achieve very high throughput and bandwidth utilization, but are simple to implement. We demonstrate a design using 32 lanes of 20 Gb/s differential RETLs that provides 640 Gb/s aggregated throughput and enables communications between any on-chip cores in under two core clock cycles, including multicast and broadcast communications. Given the narrow pitch of RETLs, our design can easily scale to multiple terabits per seconds with additional lanes. Simulation results with both synthetic and real benchmarks with up to 64 parallel threads demonstrate that our proposed distributed solutions are capable of achieving near ideal throughput.
Depth and Distribution of Symptoms in Restless Legs Syndrome/ Willis-Ekbom Disease.

Study Objectives:To determine the depth and distribution of sensory discomfort in idiopathic restless legs syndrome/Willis-Ekbom disease (RLS) and RLS concurrent with other leg conditions, specific...
Quarterly Reporting of Computed Tomography Ordering History Reduces the Use of Imaging in an Emergency Department

Abstract Background Computed tomography (CT) is a useful and necessary part of many emergency department (ED) assessments. However, the costs of imaging and the health risks associated with radiation exposure have sparked national efforts to reduce CT ordering in EDs. Study Objective We analyzed CT ordering habits prior to and following implementation of a feedback tool at a community hospital. Methods In this intervention study, we identified the CT-ordering habits of physicians and mid-level care providers (physician assistants and nurse practitioners) at baseline and after implementation of a system that sent quarterly feedback reports comparing their ordering habits with those of their peers. Variability in ordering and subgroup analyses by body region were included in these reports. Results We examined the records of 104,454 patients seen between October 1, 2013 and December 31, 2014. There were 5552 or 21.0% of patients seen during the baseline period that underwent CT imaging. We observed an absolute reduction in imaging of 2.3% (95% confidence interval 1.7–2.8%) after implementation, avoiding approximately $400,000 in costs, 22 days of scanning time, and radiation exposure equivalent to 33,000 chest films annually. These changes occurred across physicians and mid-level providers, regardless of the number years of practice or board certification. Conclusions Implementation of a feedback mechanism reduced CT use by emergency medicine practitioners, with concomitant reductions in cost and radiation exposure. The change was similar across levels of medical care. Future studies will examine the effect of the feedback reporting system at other institutions in our hospital network.
Dynamic behavior of an AZ31 alloy under varying strain rates and stress triaxialities

Determination of microstructural and mechanical response to real-world loading conditions is imperative for the development of accurate models to predict the failure behavior of structural materials. The dynamic behavior of magnesium alloys is of particular interest to structural industries as lightweight materials must be able to withstand high impact loading. This study examines the influence of dynamic strain rate on the deformation behavior of a polycrystalline, hot-rolled AZ31 Mg alloy under varying stress triaxialities. The high strain rate testing results indicate that an increase in triaxiality leads to a transition in the deformation mechanisms. Subsequent characterization of microstructure and fracture surfaces were correlated to the mechanical response observed. Finally, these findings provide critical insights into the role of stress-state on dynamic behavior of an AZ31 alloy.
Clientelism in Competitive and Uncompetitive Elections

This article examines how parties use clientelism in competitive and uncompetitive electoral environments. It argues that parties enjoy wide discretion to target clientelistic payoffs to inexpensiv...
Effects of moiré lattice structure on electronic properties of graphene

We study structural and electronic properties of graphene grown on silicone carbide (SiC) substrate using a scanning tunneling microscope, spot-profile-analysis low-energy electron diffraction, and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. We find several new replicas of Dirac cones in the Brillouin zone. Their locations can be understood in terms of a combination of basis vectors linked to SiC 6 $\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}$ 6 and graphene $6\sqrt{3}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}6\sqrt{3}$ reconstruction. Therefore, these new features originate from the moir\'e caused by the lattice mismatch between SiC and graphene. More specifically, Dirac cone replicas are caused by underlying weak modulation of the ionic potential by the substrate that is then experienced by the electrons in the graphene. We also demonstrate that this effect is equally strong in single- and trilayer graphene; therefore, the additional Dirac cones are intrinsic features rather than the result of photoelectron diffraction. These new features in the electronic structure are very important for the interpretation of recent transport measurements and can assist in tuning the properties of graphene for practical applications.
Ice Surface Morphology

Abstract Ice caves feature various morphologies of ice surfaces in several scales. The gross morphology of cave ice blocks or other bodies depends on a cave’s morphology and morphometry, as well as sources and volume of ice. Several long-lasting and ephemeral forms originated on ice surfaces, mostly in caves with perennial ice fill. Long-lasting forms consist of supraglacial ice-deposited, ablation and compounded ice-deposited/ablation forms and more or less sporadic intraglacial and subglacial ablation forms. Intraglacial ablation forms are also deepened into ice walls and ceilings of artificial tunnels excavated trough an ice monolith in some show caves. Several ablation forms are similar or identical to those forms in glacier caves, i.e., ablation caves in glaciers. The ephemeral supraglacial ice-deposited and ablation forms in ice cave are observed seasonally during and after phases of intense seepage of rainfalls or snow-melting waters into the cave through overlying fractured and karstified limestone beds with a high permeability (mostly in temperate zones with a seasonal climate regime). Compared with cave bedrock morphology, the surface morphology of ice fill is dynamic and changed, first and foremost, in smaller sizes. In some cases, ice morphologies were modified or formed due to human impact in relation to show cave development for tourism or the speleological exploration of caves.
Plasma from some cancer patients inhibits adenoviral Ad5f35 vector transduction of dendritic cells.

Abstract Background Pooled AB serum is often used as a media supplement for cell culture but it has the potential to transmit infectious diseases. To avoid this risk, we used autologous plasma as a media supplement for manufacturing dendritic cells (DCs) for cancer immunotherapy. We noticed inconsistencies in the DCs and investigated their nature and cause. Methods Adenovirus human epidural growth factor receptor 2 (adHER2/neu) DCs for 21 patients were manufactured from autologous peripheral blood monocytes that were treated with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin (IL)-4 for 3 days, transduced with Ad5f35HER2ECTM and then treated with lipopolysaccharide and interferon (IFN)-γ for 1 day. The cells were cultured in RPMI-1640 supplemented with either 10% heat inactivated autologous or AB plasma. Results Twenty-eight adHER2/neu DCs were manufactured for 21 patients using autologous plasma and 68 were manufactured for 20 of those patients using AB plasma. The expression of human epidural growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/neu) was less for DCs manufactured with autologous plasma (70.3 ± 33.3% versus 86.1 ± 22.8%; P Conclusion The manufacture of adHER2/neu DC using autologous plasma as a media supplement resulted in inconsistent HER2/neu expression. It is likely that variability in the levels of multiple proteins in autologous plasma contributed to low HER2/neu expression.
Three-dimensional projection-based topology optimization for prescribed-angle self-supporting additively manufactured structures

Abstract Additive Manufacturing (AM) professionals often throw around the notion that complexity is free. Indeed, complexity is much easier and potentially cheaper to achieve through AM than through traditional manufacturing, but it is not free. Upon attempting to manufacture complex designs, it is quickly found that certain features, or topologies, are more manufacturable than others, with sacrificial support material required for many complex designs. This will significantly increase machining costs. Topology Optimization (TO) is a freeform computational design methodology which is ideal for designing lightweight structures through a combination of modeling and rigorous optimization. While AM can realize many complex topologies, there still remain AM manufacturing limitations (such as overhangs), which require customized TO design algorithms beyond freeform TO. In this work, a projection-based TO methodology is presented to design for 3D self-supporting structures – i.e. structures that do not require sacrificial support material. The foundation of the presented methodology is a 2D overhang projection framework. In addition to expanding the methodology to three dimensions, the algorithm is drastically improved through (1) adopting a new overhang mapping scheme which allows for exact specification of allowable overhang angle, and (2) implementing an adjoint approach to sensitivity calculations to speed up calculation drastically and to allow for scalability. Using several examples, it is shown that the presented methodology generates self-supporting structures (given a prescribed printable overhang angle) which are entirely manufacturable without any added sacrificial support material. Upon printing a couple topologies with mixed success, further customization of the algorithm is proposed for situations where multiple directional-dependent overhang angles are possible in a single AM system.
Snyderphonics Manta Controller, a Novel USB Touch-Controller.

The Snyderphonics Manta controller is a USB touch controller for music and video. It features 48 capacitive touch sensors, arranged in a hexagonal grid, with bi-color LEDs that are programmable from the computer. The sensors send continuous data proportional to surface area touched, and a velocitydetection algorithm has been implemented to estimate attack velocity based on this touch data. In addition to these hexagonal sensors, the Manta has two high-dimension touch sliders (giving 12-bit values), and four assignable function buttons. In this paper, I outline the features of the controller, the available methods for communicating between the device and a computer, and some current uses for the controller.
General Ability Measure for Adults (GAMA)

The measurement of intellectual ability is an important component of many psychological assessments conducted by mental health professionals. Psychologists often face the challenge of assessing the cognitive ability of individuals who, for a variety of reasons, are either limited in their ability to understand directions (and therefore the requirements of a test) or have verbal expression difficulties. For example, recent demographics in the United States suggest that the percentage of individuals of diverse ethnic backgrounds, language backgrounds, or both is on the rise. Mental health professionals searching for ways to measure the cognitive ability of children and adults have used ability tests typically referred to as nonverbal. These tests assess a person’s intellectual ability using minimal verbal requirements. For example, they include very short verbal directions and minimal-to-nonexistent English language verbal expression skills. These characteristics have made nonverbal intelligence tests very popular among psychologists who need to employ fair assessment techniques in their evaluations. The General Ability Measure for Adults (gama), is a nonverbal test that shares many of the above features. By reducing the effects of item verbal content, the gama is free of the confounding requirements for expressive language skills and overall academic achievement. This assessment approach offers the advantage of providing an instrument that is accessible to a wide variety of persons with different linguistic and cultural backgrounds, to those with limited educational experiences or verbal skills, to those with difficulties with verbal communication, and to those who are deaf or hearing impaired. In addition, the gama can be administered in a variety of settings.
Murine Coronavirus Temperature Sensitive Mutants

Mouse hepatitis virus (MHV), a member of the Coronaviridae, contains a single-stranded, nonsegmented, plus-polarity RNA of 8.0 × 106 daltons molecular weight1 . The ~32KB genomic RNA is organized into seven genetic regions each encoding one or more viral proteins 1,2. In the virion, the RNA is enclosed in a helical nucleocapsid structure constructed from multiple copies of a 50-60KD phosphorylated nucleocapsid protein(N). The viral envelope is derived from modified host internal membranes and contains two virus-encoded glycoproteins designated M (gp23) and S(gpl80/90) 1,3.
Attitudes, Rationality, and Consumer Demand

Ever since the marginalist revolution, the analysis of consumer behaviour has occupied a central place in economic thought. Indeed, its development has moulded much of the apparatus and technique that forms today’s economic tool kit. In the heyday of nineteenth century neo-classicism, preoccupation with this subject substantially absorbed the economic landscape. The notion of maximisation and its counterpart of equality at the margin carried thinking about the consumer, along with the science of economics itself, to new intellectual heights.
Release of hatchery adult steelhead for angler opportunity increases potential for interactions with endemic steelhead

Translocation is often used to increase local abundance of fish and wildlife populations for conservation or harvest purposes, and effects of releases on recipient populations are context dependent. Release of non‐local animals intended for harvest can have negative demographic, genetic, and ecological risks to endemic populations when not harvested. In 2012–2014, we used radiotelemetry to monitor the fate and potential for interactions between non‐local hatchery‐origin adult summer‐run steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss (n = 423) and Endangered Species Act (ESA)‐listed native winter‐run steelhead (WRS) in two tributaries of the Willamette River, Oregon, USA. Summer steelhead were recycled—collected, translocated downstream, and released—to provide additional angler opportunity as a part of a regional mitigation program. Overall, reported harvest rate of recycled steelhead was low (15%) and a majority of individuals (62%) were last recorded in the release tributary. Furthermore, 14% of radio‐tagged recycled steelhead were last detected outside the release tributary (i.e., strayed after release). Expanded estimates indicate the number of recycled summer‐run steelhead remaining in the South Santiam River exceeded the WRS spawning population size. Low reported harvest and straying and demographic estimates indicate the recycling program may have negative effects on endemic WRS. Translocation and hatchery supplementation are likely to remain important conservation and mitigation tools in the future, though these results highlight the importance of post‐release monitoring and considering both the risks and benefits of translocations to endemic populations and communities.
Appropriated literacies: The paradox of critical literacies, policies, and methodologies in a post-truth era

Since 2016, there has been a proliferation of discourse around what has come to be called “post-truth.” Much of this discourse references critical literacies as a proposed means by which to disrupt post-truth across educational policy, pedagogy, and methodology. In this paper, I highlight the paradoxical degree of overlap between post-truth and the critical literacy approaches espoused to combat it. Left underexplored, these appropriated literacies may do more to embolden than to dismantle post-truth. I first typify three “first wave” responses to post-truth, exploring the affordances and limitations of each. I then provide recommendations for augmenting these responses through a renewed emphasis on power, domination, and liberation in critical literacies as a response to post-truth.
Evaluating Student Engagement towards Integrating Parallel and Distributed Computing (PDC) Topics in Undergraduate Level Computer Science Curriculum

This research is a cross university study of evaluating whether there are differences between demographic factors (gender, age, class standing) and student engagement via unplugged activities introducing parallel and distributed computing (PDC) topics in CS1, CS2, and CS3 level courses in an undergraduate computer science (CS) curriculum. The collaboration stemmed from attending a NSF Center for Parallel and Distributed Computing Curriculum Development and Educational Resources (CDER) PDC Curriculum Early Adopter Grant and Summer Training Program. Initiatives by the National Science Foundation in conjunction with the Institute for Electronic and Electrical Engineers' Technical Committee of Parallel Processing (NSF/IEEE-TCPP) encourage and promote the introduction of PDC concepts in the early CS undergraduate courses. The researchers used the [Wiggins, 2017: Assessing Student Perspective of Engagement in Class (ASPECT)] survey to collect data from ~105 undergraduate CS students after each unplugged activity. Demographic data (gender, age, class standing) was added to the survey to determine if there are differences in these and student engagement. For the study, the researchers designed two unplugged activities to demonstrate the fundamental concepts of PDC. The first activity help students learn the key benefits of parallel computing, and the limitations imposed by Amdahl's and Gustafson's law. The second activity exhibits the concepts of scheduling and load balancing. Our findings indicate there are no significant differences between gender, age, class standing and student engagement. The researchers plan to continue their research on unplugged activities and student engagement. Additional activities will be developed to introduce other PDC topics.
Bringing Specialty Telebehavioral Medicine Home: Feasibility of a Quality Improvement Pilot for Medically Complex Patients

Objectives: The aims of this quality improvement project were twofold: Phase 1: conduct a needs assessment study for home-based telebehavioral medicine (H-TBM) among medically complex patients living in rural areas seeking care at an academic medical center (AMC) in a Behavioral Medicine Clinic, and Phase 2: evaluate the feasibility of a pilot implementation of H-TBM to improve therapy access for these underserved patients. Results: The needs assessment study supported patient interest and need for H-TBM services. In the pilot, patients and providers were “satisfied to completely satisfied” using H-TBM. Patients engaging in H-TBM (Phase 2) reported significantly lower acute distress after H-TBM sessions than they experienced prior to sessions (t(29)=4.26; p<.001). Conclusion: Results demonstrated preliminary acceptance by and feasibility for Behavioral Medicine Clinic patients with complex medical conditions to receive psychotherapy via H-TBM (in their homes), reducing their travel burden. H-TBM services offer the following benefits to chronically ill patients: they help to manage psychosocial complications associated with chronic disease and to prepare for intensive medical interventions.
INTRAHEPATIC DYNAMIC CONTRAST-ENHANCED LYMPHANGIOGRAPHY IN PATIENTS WITH CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE: A POTENTIAL IMAGING SIGNATURE FOR PROTEIN-LOSING ENTEROPATHY

Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with single-ventricle (SV) physiology. Pathologic, retrograde lymphatic flow from the liver to the duodenum and leakage of lymph into the bowel lumen is implicated in PLE. Intrahepatic dynamic contrast-enhanced
A Learning-boosted Quasi-Newton Method for AC Optimal Power Flow

Newton-based methods are at the heart of many optimal power flow solvers. However, traditional Newton-Raphson can suffer from slow and numerically unstable Jacobian matrix inversions at each iteration. To reduce the computational burden associated with calculating the full Jacobian and its inverse, many Quasi-Newton methods attempt to find a solution to the optimality conditions by leveraging an approximate Jacobian matrix. In this paper, a Quasi-Newton method based on machine learning is presented which performs iterative updates for candidate optimal solutions without having to calculate a Jacobian or approximate Jacobian matrix. The resulting learning-based algorithm utilizes a deep neural network with feedback. With proper choice of weights and activation functions, the model becomes a contraction mapping and convergence can be guaranteed. Results demonstrated on networks up to 1,354 buses indicate the proposed method is capable of finding approximate solutions to AC OPF faster than Newton-Raphson, but can suffer from infeasibile solutions in large networks.
Scope and Application of Harmonic RFID for Implanted Body Area Network

In this paper, the scope of harmonic RFID for using in body area network based batteryless implants is evaluated. The scope of conventional RFID becomes limited under very low tag modulation frequency and/or in strong cluttered environment. Both the conditions are applicable for biological implants. However, use of harmonic RFID can solve both the problems by operating at two different frequencies. Non Linear Transmission Line is the key element in generating the other frequency / second harmonic of the interrogation signal. A detailed design procedure is described to construct a lumped element based non linear transmission line. A single antenna based harmonic RFID tag design is possible with minimum number of components added to the conventional RFID tag circuit. The harmonic tag holds significant potential for very low data rate tag modulation and in highly cluttered environments.
Interpretation of 4D CT for Parathyroid Localization—Retrospective Case Series

Abstract Introduction: Patients referred with primary hyperparathyroidism undergo in-office surgeon-performed ultrasonography. Approximately two thirds of patients undergo additional localization w...
Association of a Self-Paid Medically Supervised Weight Management Program with Reversal of Obesity-Associated Impaired Fasting Glucose.

Aims: The progression of prediabetes to T2DM can be delayed through diet modification and weight management. However, the intensive lifestyle program is often not covered by medical insurance. This retrospective analysis evaluates the association of a patient self-paid weight management program on an improvement of blood sugar in overweight and obese patients with impaired fasting glucose (IFG). Methods: The medical records of 4634 patients who participated in the self-pay UCLA Weight Management Program were reviewed and 2572 patients met the criteria for this retrospective analysis to examine whether this program was associated with the reversal of IFG over 3 months among 1396 patients with normal fasting glucose (NFG) and 1176 with IFG. Results: The patients with IFG lost comparable amounts of weight (10.5 ± 1.3 kg) at three months, as did the subjects with NFG (10.1 ± 1.3 kg). Fasting blood glucose in the IFG group decreased from 108.49 ± 6.4 to 101.8 ± 9.41 mg/dL (p < 0.0001) after three months. There were also significant reductions in triglycerides, and both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in both groups in association with weight loss. Conclusion: Our medically supervised self-pay multidisciplinary weight management program was associated with reduced fasting blood glucose levels in patients with IFG over three months with comparable weight loss to patients with NFG.
From stripe to checkerboard ordering of charge-density waves on the square lattice in the presence of quenched disorder

We discuss the effects of quenched disorder on a model of charge density wave (CDW) ordering on the square lattice. Our model may be applicable to the cuprate superconductors, where a random electrostatic potential exists in the $\mathrm{Cu}{\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ planes as a result of the presence of charged dopants. We argue that the presence of a random potential can affect the unidirectionality of the CDW order, characterized by an Ising order parameter. Coupling to a unidirectional CDW, the random potential can lead to the formation of domains with 90\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} relative orientation, thus tending to restore the rotational symmetry of the underlying lattice. We find that the correlation length of the Ising order can be significantly larger than the CDW correlation length. For a checkerboard CDW on the other hand, disorder generates spatial anisotropies on short length scales and, thus, some degree of unidirectionality. We quantify these disorder effects and suggest techniques for analyzing the spatially dependent local density of states data measured in scanning tunneling microscopy experiments.
Use of DSFS as a Speed Transition Zone Countermeasure in Small, Rural Communities

Small rural communities in the United States are often located along major state or county roadways and as a result, most of the traffic along their main thoroughfare is pass-through rather than local traffic. Unfortunately, drivers passing through these communities often enter at high rates of speeds which are sometimes significantly higher than the posted speed of the local segment. High speeds create a safety issue for rural communities. They also discourage pedestrian activities, such as walking and bicycling, and discourage community interaction and vitality. Rural communities often lack engineering staff and resources to address speed management. As a result, rural communities find it difficult to address speeds and in many cases, utilize stop signs and lower speed limits to address the problem which may lead to disregard for traffic control. Traffic calming in rural areas requires different considerations than urban areas and within the US, rural traffic calming is in its infancy with little experience or guidance for agencies to draw on. This paper summarizes the results of a study which evaluated several different types of dynamic speed feedback signs which were deployed within the speed transition zone for small rural communities in Iowa (USA). DSFS have been used in a number of applications in the US, such as within school zones and work zones. Their effectiveness was less known in rural community applications. Three different types of DSFS were deployed (simple speed feedback sign, alphanumeric sign, and speed limit sign with LED array). All signs were programmed to activate only for drivers traveling at some threshold over the posted speed limit at the community entrance. Overall, the dynamic speed feedback signs were shown to be very effective in reducing vehicle speeds at community entrance. In particular, large reductions were noted in most cases in the fraction of vehicles that were traveling significantly over the posted speed limit at the community entrance.
Data evaluation methodology for high-temperature superconductors

During the first seven years of the research effort on high-temperature superconductors, the average publication rate has been approximately 5000 papers per year. As may be expected, this published literature has an abundance of seemingly conflicting results, and there are major concerns about the consistency and the comparability of the reported property values. This paper discusses an evaluation methodology that addresses those issues using a structured evaluation procedure. The procedure applies to each set of data and leads to the assignment of one of seven well-defined data evaluation levels. The general procedure and criteria are discussed first, and then special relations that may result in data of higher quality are discussed. The latter relations consider the roles of material structure, composition, energy levels, and materials property relations. The methodology is illustrated by an evaluation of data for YBa 2 Cu 3 O x for which there is an especially important dependence on composition and crystallographic structure.
The birth trajectory corresponding to particular population sequences

Abstract Mathematical models of population processes have been used primarily to study the implications of various fertility-mortality-migration sequences for population size and age composition. Here the problem is turned around. Given a desired sequence of population numbers, and assuming constant mortality and zero net migration, what birth sequence is required? It is shown in a continuous model that the birth sequence must eventually approach a constant if population numbers are constant; an exponential if population numbers grow exponentially (both rates must be the same); and a linear sequence if the population grow linearly (with the annual increase in number of births equal to the annual population increase divided by the life expectancy). That is, no compensating cyclical fluctuations in the annual number of births are possible for any of these populations after a certain point in time. Thus a “Malthusian” population is the only closed population consistent in the long-run with a constant population growth rate and constant age-specific rates of mortality.
A review of applications of luminescence to monitoring of chemical contaminants in the environment

The recent analytical literature on the application of luminescence techniques to the measurement of various classes of environmentally significant chemicals has been reviewed. Luminescent spectroscopy based methods are compared to other current techniques. Also, examples of recently developed applications of luminescence to environmental monitoring are provided. The advantages and disadvantages of luminescence measurements for field screening measurements are discussed.
Effect of splitter plate on unsteady flows around a body of revolution at incidence

Numerical solutions of the thin‐layer approximation of the three‐dimensional Navier–Stokes equations have been obtained for flows around an ogive‐cylinder body with and without a splitter plate. The numerical results were compared qualitatively with experimental surface pressure, hot‐wire anemometer measurements, and smoke visualization of the leeside vortex flow field at high angles of attack. Both experimental and numerical results show that the presence of a splitter plate in the leeward plane of symmetry suppresses the low‐frequency, large‐scale von Karman vortex shedding from the body and leaves the two primary vortices symmetric and almost parallel to the upper surface of the body. It is suggested that the presence of the splitter plate prevents the interaction between flows on either side of the symmetry plane. As a result of the enforced symmetry (a) the antisymmetric mode of the convective instability near the apex of the body cannot be excited and therefore the vortices remain symmetric, staying low and parallel to the upper body surface; and (b) the antisymmetric mode of the absolute instability mechanism cannot be initiated, which suppresses the alternate shedding of vortices from the cylindrical portion of the body. On the other hand, high‐frequency fluctuations of the shear layer (which could be the result of a local instability not subject to symmetry conditions) remain virtually unaffected by the presence of the splitter plate.
Ultra-thin, planar, Babinet-inverted plasmonic metalenses

Scientists in the USA have developed powerful ultrathin planar lenses made from 30-nm-thick perforated gold films. These plasmonic metalenses, created by Xingjie Ni and co-workers at Purdue University, focus a beam of visible light into a spot measuring only slight larger than the wavelength of operation. The devices rely on a concentric pattern of Babinet-inverted nano-antennas (nano-avoids) in a metal film that manipulate the phase of the incident light. For example, a 4-μm-diameter lens provides a focal length of 2.5 μm at a wavelength of 676 nm. The lenses are designed to work at two orthogonal linear polarizations and in future could be suitable for use as miniature couplers or light concentrators in on-chip optical devices.
Antibiotic Associated Hypoprothrombinemia

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5915/17-2_3-12755 Vitamin K is an important substance in synthesis of several clotting factors, most important of which is prothrombin. Many antibiotics have effects on intestinal micro organisms which are necessary for synthesis of Vitamin K and thus formation of essential clotting factors is interfered with. This antibiotic associated hypoprothrombinemia can lead to hemorrhage. Clinical set up for such a happening is generally easily recognized. Management includes parenteral administration of Vitamin K, plasma transfusion, or "Prothrombin Complex" in serious hemorrhagic conditions. Antibiotic associated hypoprothrombinemia can be prevented by prophylactic use of Vitamin K in situations likely to result in bleeding, e.g. post-operative conditions.
Expression of the ipt Gene with the AGPase S1 Promoter in Tomato Results in Unbranched Roots and Delayed Leaf Senescence

Transgenic tomato plants were produced with the isopentenyl transferase gene (ipt) ligated to a promoter that is active exclusively in sink tissue. Initially, transgenic plants had smaller, round-scale leaves, swollen stems, and exhibited early development of lateral shoots compared to wild type. Expression of the ipt gene resulted in the formation of unbranched roots on cuttings and delayed senescence in excised leaves. Callus and root formation occurred on excised leaves and leaf discs during dark incubation. The retention percentage of chlorophyll, as well as cytokinin in excised leaves or discs was significantly greater than wild type. Transgenic tomato fruit had elevated levels of cytokinins in the first days after fruit set and these levels were maintained longer during fruit development.
Thermal decomposition of zinc chromates

Abstract A study of the thermal decomposition in air of zinc chromates from several sources was conducted using thermogravimetry, chemical analysis, emission spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. Four zinc chromate samples were obtained from commercial suppliers and four others were prepared in this laboratory. The zinc chromates were identified as various materials depending on the method of preparation. Compounds either identified or postulated included 4ZnCrO4·K2O ·3H2O(I), 2ZnO  CrO3  H2(II), 4ZnO  CrO3·3H2O(III). ZnCrO4(IV), 5ZnO  5CrO3·Na2O  3H20(V) and 5ZnO·4CrQ3  Na2O·5H20(VI). Upon heating to 9OO°C, compound I underwent a four step decomposition to form ZnO, ZnCr2O4 and K2CrO4. Compounds II and III each decomposed in two steps to form ZnO and ZnCr2O4. The thermogram for compound IV showed only a single step with the final products also being ZnO and ZnCr2O4. The decomposition of compounds V and VI each involved two steps with the formation of ZnO, ZnCr2O4 and Na2CrO4. Chemical analyses gave assay values for the zinc chromates ranging from 40.2 to 96.9% ZnCrO4.
A portable in vitro brain slice chamber

A portable chamber is described which is suitable for maintaining live slices of brain tissue while they are being transported by automobile. The chamber supplies nutrient medium, oxygen, temperature control, and shock isolation.
Analysis of skin lesions using laminar optical tomography.

Evaluation of suspicious skin lesions by dermatologists is usually accomplished using white light examination and direct punch or surgical biopsy. However, these techniques can be imprecise for estimating a lesion’s margin or level of dermal invasion when planning surgical resection. Laminar optical tomography (LOT) is an imaging technique capable of acquiring depth-sensitive information within scattering tissues. Here, we explore whether LOT data can be used to predict the depth and thickness of pigmented lesions using a range of simulations and phantom models. We then compare these results to LOT data acquired on normal and malignant skin lesions in vivo.
Microstructure of rapidly solidified path a prime candidate alloys

Abstract Path A Prime Candidate Alloy (PCA) has been rapidly solidified and its composition has been modified by increasing carbon and titanium content. Microstructural examination showed that rapid solidification allowed for a decrease in over-all segregation, elimination of coarse excess phases, an attainment of fine grain size and an increase in supersaturation of carbon and titanium in the PCA alloy. Structural modifications which include a reduction of grain size, an increase in TiC content and control of dislocation structure provide a high density of heterogeneous nucleation sites for helium trapping and are therefore expected to have an effect on swelling and high temperature strength of Path A alloys under irradiation.
Hospitalizations for Pulmonary Reactions following Nitrofurantoin Use

Acute pulmonary illness compatible with previously described nitrofurantoin toxicity and requiring hospitalization occurred three times among 16,101 first courses of therapy with nitrofurantoin. One case of fatal pulmonary fibrosis was ascribed to long-term use of nitrofurantoin among 742 observed recipients of ten or more prescriptions.
Effects of Pharmacological Interventions on Muscle Protein Synthesis and Breakdown in Recovery from Burns

a b s t r a c t Objective: The pathophysiological response to burn injury disturbs the balance between skeletal muscle protein synthesis and breakdown, resulting in severe muscle wasting. Muscle loss after burn injury is related to increased mortality and morbidity. Consequently, mitigation of this catabolic response has become a focus in the management of these patients. The aim of this review is to discuss the literature pertaining to pharmacological interventions aimed at attenuating skeletal muscle catabolism in severely burned patients. Data selection: Review of the literature related to skeletal muscle protein metabolism following burn injury was conducted. Emphasis was on studies utilizing stable isotope tracer kinetics to assess the impact of pharmacological interventions on muscle protein
Neuronal protection by sirtuins in Alzheimer's disease

Silent information regulator 2, a member of NAD+-dependent histone deacetylase in yeast, and its homologs in mice and humans, participate in numerous important cell functions, including cell protection and cell cycle regulation. The sirtuin family members are highly conserved evolutionarily, and are predicted to have a role in cell survival. The science of sirtuins is an emerging field and is expected to contribute significantly to the role of sirtuins in healthy aging in humans. The role of sirtuins in neuronal protection has been studied in lower organisms, such as yeast, worms, flies and rodents. Both yeast Sir2 and mammalian sirtuin proteins are up-regulated under calorie-restricted and resveratrol treatments. Increased sirtuin expression protects cells from various insults. Caloric restriction and antioxidant treatments have shown useful effects in mouse models of aging and Alzheimer's disease (AD) and in limited human AD clinical trials. The role sirtuins may play in modifying and protecting neurons in patients with neurodegenerative diseases is still unknown. However, a recent report of Huntington's disease revealed that Sirtuin protects neurons in a Huntington's disease mouse model, suggesting that sirtuins may protect neurons in patients with neurodegenerative diseases, such as AD. In this review, we discuss the possible mechanisms of sirtuins involved in neuronal protection and the potential therapeutic value of sirtuins in healthy aging and AD.
Pharmacological studies of coupling between electrical activity and behaviour in the hydroid tubularia crocea (Agassiz)

Abstract 1. 1. Pacemaker operation of the epithelial conduction system of Tubularia crocea was investigated using electrophysiological and pharmacological techniques. 2. 2. The sympathomimetic compound ephedrine induces steady rates of impulse production in the spontaneous pulse system, regardless of the pretreatment discharge pattern, without disrupting behavioral responses and co-ordinated epitheliomuscular output. 3. 3. It is concluded that the epithelial system has little direct relationship to localized behavioral activation, but may serve to co-ordinate more symmetrical output patterns throughout the organism.
Determination of polymerization particle morphology using synchrotron computed microtomography

Abstract Polymerization of monomers over heterogeneous catalysts results in the fragmentation of the catalysts and subsequent transport in the polymer particles that are produced. Characterization of the process using nondestructive synchrotron computed microtomography techniques makes possible measurement of the distribution of the catalyst fragments in an individual particle and, in addition, gives an estimate of the particle porosity and surface area. The present experiment was carried out using the X-ray microscopy facility at the Brookhaven National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS) X26 beam line. The tomographic sections were analyzed using autocorrelation techniques to determine porosity and surface area values. The results are compared to values obtained using conventional methods. This procedure makes possible the extraction of quantitative information about porosity and specific area from the tomograms.
Nutrient-gene interactions: Dietary vitamin A and mitochondrial gene expression

The BHE/Cdb rat is a model for mitochondrial diabetes due to a mutation in the ATPase 6 gene. These rats require more dietary vitamin A to optimize mitochondrial function than do normal Sprague-Dawley rats. To determine apossible mechanism for this effect, cultured hepatocytes and hepatic tissues were studied. ATPase 6 (F 0 ATPase subunit a), retinoic acid receptors (RARs), and mitochondrial transcription factor A (mtTFA) gene products were determined using Western blot analysis. Northern analysis was used to determine ATPase 6, ATPase 6,8, and ND1 mRNA. Mitochondrial density was determined using confocal microscopy. Dose response studies using primary hepatocyte cultures showed that both ATPase 6 gene product and mRNA were optimized with additions of 10 - 9 M retinoic acid. Retinoic acid receptors were found in the mitochondrial compartment. MtTFA levels were increased by vitamin A. Mitochondrial density was greater in the BHE/Cdb tissue than in Sprague-Dawley tissue. These results show that vitamin A affects mitochondrial function via an effect on both nuclear and mitochondrial encoded genes.
An object-oriented semantic data model for CAD applications

Abstract The database management requirements of design applications are inherently different than those of business applications. These requirements can be met by database management systems based on object-oriented semantic data models rather than record-based data models. An object-oriented semantic data model called odm is described which integrates functional data models, semantic data models, and the actor model of computation. odm attempts to increase the productivity of computer-aided design operations by providing facilities which are needed for effective management of design data. odm supports the composite nature of design objects, the iterative and tentative nature of the design process, and the object-oriented nature of design operations.
Association of interleukin‐2 therapy with staphylococcal bacteremia

The authors prospectively monitored patients undergoing leukapheresis for peripheral stem cell harvesting (PSCH) or lymphokine activated killer (LAK) cell generation for 3 weeks after catheter placement for evidence of local or systemic infections. Over a 1-year period, 16 patients underwent leukapheresis for PSCH in preparation for autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT). The original catheters remained in place an average of 20 days without any documented infections. Seventeen patients underwent leukapheresis as part of a low-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) treatment for LAK cell generation, and their catheters remained in place an average of 20.2 days with three documented episodes of bacteremia (18%). Eight patients treated with high-dose IL-2 also underwent leukapheresis for LAK cell generation and their catheters remained in place an average of 12 days with three documented episodes of bacteremia (38%). In all cases of bacteremia, Staphylococcus species were isolated from the blood. The IL-2 exposure level was associated with the risk of bacteremia (P = 0.01). Other potential risk factors (e.g., number of pheresis procedures, complement level, serum immunoglobulin levels, absolute neutrophil count) were not related to this risk.
Statistical analysis of chromosome characteristics

The advent of new stains for chromosomes has increased the possibility of implementing useful automated chromosome analysis. The case with which chromosomes can now be recognized makes it possible to perform detailed statistical analysis of the chromosomes of an individual. This paper describes methods for assembling chromosome information from several cells in such a way that accidental variations due to preparation, etc. can be eliminated and an undistorted set of characteristics of the chromosome complement can be established. This set of characteristics can then be compared with various references, and statements can be made concerning the relationships between variations in the chromosome complement and genetic traits. These same methods can be employed in multiple-cell karyotyping to circumvent the classical problem of touching and overlapping chromosomes. The methods also allow one to achieve very reliable descriptions of the chromosome complement. The importance of appropriate descriptors of the chromosomes is illustrated.
A Bayesian discovery procedure

We discuss a Bayesian discovery procedure for multiple comparison problems. We show that under a coherent decision theoretic framework, a loss function combining true positive and false positive counts leads to a decision rule based on a threshold of the posterior probability of the alternative. Under a semi-parametric model for the data, we show that the Bayes rule can be approximated by the optimal discovery procedure (ODP), recently introduced by Storey (2007a). Improving the approximation leads us to a Bayesian discovery procedure (BDP), which exploits the multiple shrinkage in clusters implied by the assumed nonparametric model. We compare the BDP and the ODP estimates in a simple simulation study and in an assessment of differential gene expression based on microarray data from tumor samples. We extend the setting of the ODP by discussing modifications of the loss function that lead to different single thresholding statistics. Finally, we provide an application of the previous arguments to dependent (spatial) data.