cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The perforation of a porous medium due to projectile impact

Impact tests with freely falling and riflepowered projectiles were performed on Styrofoam slabs. In the experiments, particular attention was devoted to studying the mechanisms of penetration and perforation. Ranges of values investigated for the basic parameters were: impact velocity, 2–20 ft/sec and 100–250 ft/sec; projectile weights, 0.75 and 9.69 lb; penetrator diameters, 5/8 and 11/4 in.; penetrator profiles, blunt and conical; and slab thickness, 1/2–10 in. All tests were carried out at normal incidence.
Structural Origins of Receptor Bias

Humans express more than 800 G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs), through which myriad physiological, immune, and neurophysiological processes are regulated ( 1 ). These receptors are embedded in the cell's plasma membrane and bind to extracellular chemical stimuli (agonists). This interaction induces conformational changes in the receptor that converge at intracellular sites that bind to either heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide–binding proteins (G proteins) or to β-arrestin proteins that block G protein binding and lead to receptor desensitization and internalization, as well as provide a scaffold for protein regulatory complexes that control gene expression ( 2 ). Many agonists induce functionally selective or biased states of the receptor, wherein one pathway is activated with greater efficacy than another ( 3 ). Thus, GPCRs are not simple on-off switches, but can adopt multiple conformational states to control diverse processes. On page 1106 of this issue, Liu et al. ( 4 ) provide clues as to how a GPCR called the β2-adrenergic receptor (β2AR) can tune its conformation to achieve a balance of functional outcomes, as directed by the chemical structure of the receptor agonist.
Deregulation, synfuels, and the world price of crude oil☆

Abstract We analyze a dominant-cartel model of the world oil market and develop evidence concerning the effects on the world price of oil of deregulating U.S. domestic oil markets and establishing a synthetic fuels industry. We show that the profit-maximizing price is almost certainly lower in the absence of price regulation. Price is also lower in the presence of a synthetic fuels industry than without one. Our calculations indicate that the 1978 world price of crude oil might have been between 12 and 27 percent lower in the absence of price regulation in the U.S. Establishment of a synthetic fuels industry with a ‘capacity’ of two million barrels per day (the announced target for 1992) might have lowered the world price of oil another five to ten percent, but establishment of such an industry seems economically efficient only for optimistic cost estimates. Dramatic price increases since 1978 suggest that synfuels may now be more economical than our analysis indicates.
On the selection of objects having imprecise qualities

The problem of selecting a specified number of elements from a set, where the elements to be selected have a particular property, is addressed. The concept of a fuzzy subset is used to represent the property required of the selected elements. Another fuzzy subject concept, a linguistic quantifier, is used to specify the number of elements desired. A significant role in this approach is played by the cardinality of a fuzzy subset.
Separable optimal cooperative control problems

We characterize a class of separable problems in multiple player optimal cooperative control. We show that a simple factorization condition unifies many of the previously known computational approaches and enables us to explicitly compute the optimal solutions to a wide range of cooperative control problems.
Computation techniques of bjerrum's method of determination of successive formation constants

Abstract General equations for computation of the step formation constants of complexes through the determination of the degree of formation of the system and measurement of the free ligand concentration are derived. The methods of graphical solution and of solution by successive substitution are demonstrated.
Purification of the crude solution from Helix pomatia for use as β-glucuronidase and aryl sulfatase in phytoestrogen assays

Abstract Phytoestrogens occur in a variety of foods and are thought to offer a protective effect against a number of complex diseases. Due to the diversity of phytoestrogen conjugates formed in the human body, most assays include an enzymatic hydrolysis step prior to analysis. β-Glucuronidase from Helix pomatia, which also contains sulfatase activity, is popular for this task but contains appreciable levels of some phytoestrogens and related compounds, which could affect accurate quantification at low concentrations. Use of solid phase extraction on a polymeric resin has been found to remove the majority of these compounds from the enzyme, without affecting the enzyme activity for almost all of the analytes tested.
Money, banking and intertemporal substitution

Abstract A simple spatial separation model illustrates possible effects on intertemporal substitution of some alternative monetary regimes.
Spontaneous recanalization of arterial occlusions: an unusual mechanism for symptomatic improvement.

Abstract Objective: Patients with infrainguinal occlusive disease may experience spontaneous symptomatic improvement. This is generally thought to be from augmented collateral circulation. This study reports another mechanism. Methods: Over a 20-year period, 4123 paients underwent lower extremity arteriography for limb ischemia. For a variety of reasons, 451 patients had repeat arteriography. Results: Five patients were identified as having conclusive arteriographic evidence of spontaneous recanalization of occluded arterial segments without having undergone any surgical or thrombolytic interventions. Repeat contrast arteriography was performed on these patients for failing grafts (n = 2) or contralateral lower extremity ischemia (n = 3). Three other patients had magnetic resonance arteriographic or duplex arteriographic evidence of spontaneous arterial recanalization. Spontaneous recanalizaton occurred in ileofemoral (n = 2), superficial femoral (n = 2), popliteal (n = 3), and peroneal (n = 1) arterial segments. The average time interval of occlusion to recanalization was 21 weeks (2 weeks to 2 years). Two of the eight patients had failed revascularization procedures before spontaneous recanalization. All eight patients had restoration of pulses distal to the recanalized segments and significant symptomatic improvement as defined with the Society for Vascular Surgery/American Association for Vascular Surgery categories for limb ischemia. Conclusion: Spontaneous recanalization of arterial segments can occur and must be considered when evaluating other proposed treatments of critical limb ischemia, including cilostazol, lytic agents, and angiogenic agents, such as vascular endothelial growth factor. Although its true incidence is unknown, this represents another mechanism for spontaneous symptomatic improvement without treatment in patients with severe limb ischemia. (J Vasc Surg 2002;36:1161-6.)
Persistence and extinction in three species Lotka-Volterra competitive systems

Abstract Extinction in a three species Lotka-Volterra competitive system is classified in terms of the model parameters. Necessary and sufficient conditions are given for one and two species extinction; these are, alternatively, conditions for two and one species persistence. Persistence of the system is studied assuming all pairwise interactions between species are known. An intransitive species arrangement is the only case of persistence where pairwise interactions are, by themselves, sufficient to govern persistence. No persistent arrangement can contain a pair of species that interacts in an unstable manner.
Enabling the Future: Crowdsourced 3D-printed Prostheticsas a Model for Open Source Assistive TechnologyInnovation and Mutual Aid

e-NABLE -- an online community that designs, customizes,fabricates, and disseminates 3D-printed prosthetic hands and arms, for free -- extends the methods and philosophies of Open Source software to hardware, assistive technology development, and human resources. I'll tell the story of this remarkable community, and discuss emerging trends and opportunities for academic research, and trans-academic collaboration.
Life history implications of a tagging study of the largetooth sawfish, Pristis perotteti, in the Lake Nicaragua-Río San Juan system

Of a total of 377 Pristis perotteti tagged in the Lake Nicaragua-Rio San Juan System, 214 (56.8% were recovered. Eighty were recovered at the original tagging site; four moved downstream the full length of the river; and 127 tagged at the source of the river were recovered in all parts of the lake. Only one was recovered in a different river system, 58 km down the coast from the main mouth of the Rio San Juan.
Protocol-based treatment of hypertension: a critical step on the pathway to progress.

Improved treatment of hypertension is among the most important—and quite possibly also the single most neglected—area of clinical medicine. Only half of Americans with hypertension have blood pressure less than 140/90 mm Hg, and more than 13%—an estimated 9 million people—have a systolic blood pressure of 160 mm Hg or higher and/or diastolic pressure of 100 mm Hg or higher.1 Much better control is possible: Canada has a rate of blood pressure control of more than 65%,2 and the Minneapolis-St Paul region has a level of blood pressure control more than 20 percentage points higher than the United States as a whole.3 The United States is making progress, but this progress is painfully slow—the rate of control is increasing only 1% per year.4
Detection of Polymorphic Transformations in Bacterial Flagellar Filaments using Solid Sate Nanopores

Over the past 15 years nanopore based devices have emerged as promising tools for single molecule detection and analysis. These devices rely on detecting changes in current between two electrolytic half cells separated by a nanopore bearing membrane, due to the displacement of the electrolyte within the nanopore by an analyte being driven electrophoretically across it. More recently, such devices have been used to characterize protein folding/unfolding mechanisms and binding kinetics by relating the differences in the amplitude and duration of the current blockade to expected biophysical changes in the analytes’ structure. However given the complex and dynamic nature of most proteins’ structure such approaches are largely empirical and often difficult to corroborate through simulations. In order to elucidate how structural variations in a protein relate to changes in the observed current blockades we present a systematic analysis of the structural variations in protein filaments using solid state nanopores.Bacterial flagellar filaments are chosen as the analyte in the presented work since these proteinaceous organelles acquire simple helical structures whose pitches change reversibly in response to changes in the fluidic environment such as its pH and salinity. Using a 250 nm diameter pore, we parametrically vary the pH and salinity of the electrolyte and detect corresponding polymorphic transformations in the flagellar filaments. Further, given the simplicity of these structures, such transformations are easy to model mathematically and we show that the changes in the nature of the current blockade closely agree with those predicted by our model. Moreover, given the sensitivity of the flagellar filaments to ambient conditions, our setup could also be used as a nanoscale fluidic sensor capable of detecting minute changes in the fluidic environment in and around the nanopore.
Hedges: A Study In Meaning Criteria And The Logic Of Fuzzy Concepts

Logicians have, by and large, engaged in the convenient fiction that sentences of natural languages (at least declarative sentences) are either true or false or, at worst, lack a truth value, or have a third value often interpreted as ‘nonsense’. And most contemporary linguists who have thought seriously about semantics, especially formal semantics, have largely shared this fiction, primarily for lack of a sensible alternative. Yet students of language, especially psychologists and linguistic philosophers, have long been attuned to the fact that natural language concepts have vague boundaries and fuzzy edges and that, consequently, natural language sentences will very often be neither true, nor false, nor nonsensical, but rather true to a certain extent and false to a certain extent, true in certain respects and false in other respects.
High-temperature tensile properties of a polymer intercalated/exfoliated cement

A polymer intercalated/exfoliated (PIE) cement is synthesized and its high-temperature tensile performance is characterized. Due to the reinforcing effect of the nanointerphase, the flexure strength of the PIE cement is higher than that of ordinary cements by more than an order of magnitude in a broad temperature range. The temperature at which the optimum mechanical properties are obtained is about 120 °C, and the thermal distortion point is around 180 °C.
Structure and magnetization of (100) FeW and FeMo films deposited on (100) Au/Pd/Cu/Si(100)

Abstract FeW and FeMo films, each at two compositions of 75 25 and 50 50 , have been grown on (100) Si using (100) Au/Pd/Cu seed layers. A (100) oriented body-centered cubic (bcc) structure is obtained for both FeW and FeMo films containing 75% Fe. Those with 50% Fe show no ordered structure. Magnetic measurements are consistent with the structural results, with ferromagnetic characteristics seen only for the FeW and FeMo films containing 75% Fe. The results are compared with other Fe alloys, including the (100) FeV and FeCr films, where a bcc structure and ferromagnetic characteristics are seen for films containing 75 and 50% Fe, with a well-ordered structure also seen for those with 25% Fe.
The Use of Analgesics in Birds, Reptiles, and Small Exotic Mammals

Abstract Exotic animal veterinarians have been prescribing analgesics for their patients for many years, but recently the recognition and alleviation of pain in these patients have become widely recognized as an essential component of clinical veterinary care. Misconceptions about the nature and significance of pain, difficulties in recognizing its severity, uncertainty as to the most appropriate therapies in clinical settings, and a fundamental lack of scientific data in exotic animals have hampered our understanding of pain management in these patients. To manage pain effectively in exotic animal patients, we must first be able to define and recognize pain in these animals. This article addresses some of these obstacles by discussing current knowledge concerning the recognition and management of pain in common pet exotic animal patients and by providing information regarding analgesic medications determined in other species, with the hopes of applying these fundamental understandings to our exotic animal patients.
The State of the Art of Magnetic Memories

A broad range of magnetic memories finds extensive use in today’s data processing equipment. The most significant factors in evaluating a memory for a given application are reliability, cost, size, speed, and function. Ferrite core memories with capacities of 103 to 106 bits and with cycle times as short as 0.5 μsec are in use. Recent developments in this area, including partial switching, 2 cores/bit, and new core fabrication techniques, will be discussed.
Suppression of motion-produced smear during smooth pursuit eye movements

Abstract Humans make smooth tracking eye movements to keep the image of a moving target on the foveal region of the retina and, thereby, maintain acute vision. Although the images of physically stationary background stimuli sweep across the retina during smooth pursuit eye movements, non-pursued targets are usually perceived to be neither moving nor smeared. The lack of perceived movement of background stimuli is generally attributed to a ‘cancellation' of the retinal image motion by extraretinal information about the eye movement [1,2]; this information comes primarily from a neural facsimile of the efferent command to move the eyes, augmented by afferent signals from receptors in the extraocular muscles [3,4]. Here, we show that a physically stationary target presented during smooth tracking is perceived to have considerably less smear than a target that moves comparably across the retina, but when the eye is stationary. This result implies that extraretinal signals for pursuit eye movements also contribute to the alleviation of perceived smear for non-tracked, background targets.
Disorganized olfactory bulb lamination in mice deficient for transcription factor AP-2ε

Abstract Within the olfactory bulb, neurons and their axonal connections are organized into distinct layers corresponding to different functionalities. Here we demonstrate that transcription factor AP-2ɛ is required for olfactory bulb development, specifically the establishment of appropriate neuronal lamination. During normal mouse embryogenesis, AP-2ɛ transcripts are one of the earliest markers of olfactory bulb formation, and expression eventually becomes refined to the projection neurons, the mitral and tufted cells. To assess the function of AP-2ɛ in olfaction, we generated a null allele (the “AK” allele) by inserting a Cre recombinase transgene into the endogenous AP-2ɛ genomic locus. AP-2ɛ-null mice exhibited defective olfactory bulb architecture. The mitral cell layer was disorganized, typified by misoriented and aberrantly positioned projection neurons, and the adjacent internal plexiform layer was absent. Despite the significant disruption of olfactory bulb organization, AP-2ɛ null mice were viable and could discriminate a variety of odors. AP-2ɛ-null mice thus provide compelling evidence for the robust nature of the mouse olfactory system, and serve as a model system to probe both the regulation of neuronal lamination and the functional circuitry of the olfactory bulb. We also show that Cre recombinase expression directed by the AP-2ɛ locus can specifically target floxed genes within the olfactory bulb, extending the utility of this AK allele.
THE 3.3-mm BRIGHTNESS DISTRIBUTION OF THE QUIET SUN.

Center-to-limb brightness distribution measurements of the quiet Sun at a wavelength of 3.3 mm show that there is a slight limb brightening at this wavelength. Within the measurement accuracy of the system used, the limb brightening function is only radially dependent. At 3.3 mm, the measurements are consistent with a solar brightness curve that is flat to about r = 0.8 with a rapid increase to a peak value of about 1.3 at the limb. The results show that most of the central disk 3.3-mm emission comes from a thin layer of relatively constant temperature about 1500–3500 km above the photosphere.
LMO2 induces T-cell leukemia with epigenetic deregulation of CD4

In this study, we present a remarkable clonal cell line, 32080, derived from a CD2-Lmo2 - transgenic T-cell leukemia with differentiation arrest at the transition from the intermediate single positive to double positive stages of T-cell development. We observed that 32080 cells had a striking variegated pattern in CD4 expression. There was cell-to-cell variability, with some cells expressing no CD4 and others expressing high CD4. The two populations were isogenic and yet differed in their rates of apoptosis and sensitivity to glucocorticoid. We sorted the 32080 line for CD4-positive or CD4-negative cells and observed them in culture. After 1 week, both sorted populations showed variegated CD4 expression, like the parental line, showing that the two populations could interconvert. We determined that cell replication was necessary to transit from CD4 + to CD4 − and CD4 − to CD4 + . Lmo2 knockdown decreased CD4 expression, while inhibition of intracellular NOTCH1 or histone deacetylase activity induced CD4 expression. Enforced expression of RUNX1 repressed CD4 expression. We analyzed the CD4 locus by Histone 3 chromatin immunoprecipitation and found silencing marks in the CD4 − cells and activating marks in the CD4 + population. The 32080 cell line is a striking model of intermediate single positive to double positive T-cell plasticity and invokes a novel mechanism for LMO2 's oncogenic functions.
Inflammatory bowel disease: Progress and current concepts of etiopathogenesis

Over the past few years, none of the numerous conditions that are grouped under the broad designation of ‘chronic inflammatory or autoimmune disorders’ has undergone as much scientific and clinical progress as the two main forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Progress has occurred in all major areas relevant to IBD pathogenesis, which include the external environment, genetics, microbial factors, and the immune system. This review presents an update on the specific major advances that have occurred in each of these four areas, briefly discusses the therapeutic implications of the observed progress, and points out the additional work that needs to be accomplished in the next few years to reach a full understanding of IBD etiopathogenesis.
Linewidth measurement of sapphire-bonded 2-D photonic crystal lasers

The linewidth of 2-D photonic crystal microcavity lasers was measured using the self delayed optical homodyne technique.
Logistics and supply chain process integration as a source of competitive advantage

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effectiveness of logistics and supply chain integration on firm competitiveness in manufacturing firms. Design/methodology/approach – Utilizing the resource-based view of competitive advantage along with the transaction cost economics theory, the authors address the critical role of logistics and supply chain strategy as the driver of logistics and supply chain integration and firm competitiveness. Structural equation modeling is used to determine the effect of two sets of logistics and supply chain integration practices (logistics/supply chain information integration and logistics/supply chain process integration) along with logistics outsourcing decision practices (logistics investment decisions and private warehousing decisions) on firm competitiveness. Findings – The results indicate that logistics/supply chain strategy is the main driver of logistics and supply chain integration and logistics decisions. Furthermore, the findings suggest that l...
Calibration measurements and standards for radiation protection dosimetry

The safe use of ionising radiation for applications in medicine, electric power production and industrial processes requires accurate measurements that are traceable to national standards. Radiological calibration laboratories provide measurements that may be used to determine the calibration coefficients for personal dosemeters and survey meters. The wide range of ionising radiation applications results in the need for a wide range of reference radiation types and intensities to be available in the calibration laboratory. The methods used and the problems encountered while developing reference radiations are discussed.
Collision-deformed Paleozoic continental margin, western Brooks Range, Alaska

A structural sequence of Carboniferous, Permian, and Triassic argillaceous and cherty rocks in the northwestern Brooks Range, herein named the Kagvik sequence, is a key to the tectonic history of Arctic Alaska. The Kagvik sequence lies structurally below thrust-faulted sheets of coeval carbonate rocks, including the Lisburne Group, and structurally above quartz mica schist and greenstone of the southern Brooks Range. Sedimentary features of the shelly fossil-rich carbonate strata of the Lisburne in the upper thrust sheets indicate deposition in a shallow-water shelf environment. The underlying shale and chert of the Kagvik is an attenuated section about 500 m thick repeated by imbricate thrusts. Ubiquitous pelagic fossils (radiolaria and Nereites trace-fossil assemblages) and volcanic material locally forming andesitic tuff and flows point to an oceanic environment of deposition. The presence of some limestone turbidites interbedded with the ocean-floor sediments of the Kagvik suggests that a carbonate shelf was nearby and that a south-facing continental margin existed during late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic time near the present-day southern Brooks Range. Collapse of this long-standing continental margin appears to be related to collision and accretion of Paleozoic island arcs and microcontinental blocks now represented by the metamorphic terrane along the south flank of the Brooks Range. The structurally higher thrust slices of mafic and ultramafic rocks emplaced on top of the collapsed continental margin represent ophiolitic basement of the Yukon-Koyukuk basin.
Inflammatory Markers of the Systemic Capillary Leak Syndrome (Clarkson Disease)

Objectives: The Systemic Capillary Leak Syndrome (SCLS) is a rare and potentially fatal disorder resembling systemic anaphylaxis that is characterized by transient episodes of hypotensive shock and peripheral edema. The pathogenesis of SCLS is unknown, and triggers for attacks are apparent only in a minority of patients. We introduce a clinical algorithm for the diagnosis of SCLS, and we investigated potential serum biomarkers of acute SCLS episodes.Methods: We analyzed serum cytokines in a cohort of 35 patients with an established diagnosis of SCLS and characterized the effects of SCLS sera on endothelial cell function. We investigated the cellular source(s) of CXCL10, a chemokine that was significantly elevated in both basal and acute SCLS sera, by flow cytometry.Results: Several cytokines were elevated in acute SCLS sera compared to baseline or sera from healthy controls, including CXCL10, CCL2, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12 and TNFα. The majority of acute sera failed to activate endothelial cells as assessed by surface adhesion marker expression. Monocytes appear to be the major source of serum CXCL10, and the percentage of CXLC10+ monocytes in response to IFNγ stimulation was increased in SCLS subjects compared to controls.Conclusions: The presence of proinflammatory cytokines in acute SCLS sera suggests that inflammation or infection may have a role in triggering episodes. The enhanced capacity of monocytes from SCLS patients to produce CXCL10 suggests a new therapeutic avenue for SCLS.
A global fingerprint of macro-scale changes in urban structure from 1999 to 2009

Urban population now exceeds rural population globally, and 60–80% of global energy consumption by households, businesses, transportation, and industry occurs in urban areas. There is growing evidence that built-up infrastructure contributes to carbon emissions inertia, and that investments in infrastructure today have delayed climate cost in the future. Although the United Nations statistics include data on urban population by country and select urban agglomerations, there are no empirical data on built-up infrastructure for a large sample of cities. Here we present the first study to examine changes in the structure of the world's largest cities from 1999 to 2009. Combining data from two space-borne sensors—backscatter power (PR) from NASA's SeaWinds microwave scatterometer, and nighttime lights (NL) from NOAA's defense meteorological satellite program/operational linescan system (DMSP/OLS)—we report large increases in built-up infrastructure stock worldwide and show that cities are expanding both outward and upward. Our results reveal previously undocumented recent and rapid changes in urban areas worldwide that reflect pronounced shifts in the form and structure of cities. Increases in built-up infrastructure are highest in East Asian cities, with Chinese cities rapidly expanding their material infrastructure stock in both height and extent. In contrast, Indian cities are primarily building out and not increasing in verticality. This new dataset will help characterize the structure and form of cities, and ultimately improve our understanding of how cities affect regional-to-global energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.
Revisiting Multimode Coupled Bridge Flutter: Some New Insights

Better understanding of the bimodal coupled bridge flutter involving fundamental vertical bending and torsional modes offers valuable insight into multimode coupled flutter, which has primarily been the major concern in the design of long span bridges. This paper presents a new framework that provides closed-form expressions for estimating modal characteristics of bimodal coupled bridge systems and for estimating the onset of flutter. Though not intended as a replacement for complex eigenvalue analysis, it provides important physical insight into the role of self-excited forces in modifying bridge dynamics and the evolution of intermodal coupling with increasing wind velocity. The accuracy and effectiveness of this framework are demonstrated through flutter analysis of a cable-stayed bridge. Based on this analysis scheme, the role of bridge structural and aerodynamic characteristics on flutter, which helps to better tailor the structural systems and deck sections for superior flutter performance, is emphasized. Accordingly, guidance on the selection of critical structural modes and the role of different force components in multimode coupled flutter are delineated. The potential significance of the consideration of intermodal coupling in predicting torsional flutter is highlighted. Finally, clear insight concerning the role of drag force to bridge flutter is presented.
Successful phonological awareness instruction with preschool children: Lessons from the classroom.

Phonological awareness is one of several key precursor skills to conventional literacy that develop during the preschool period. Significant amounts of research support the causal and predictive relation between phonological awareness and children's ease of learning to decode and spell. However, many preschool curricula and early childhood educational and caregiving settings are still lacking in robust instruction in this area, and many preschool instructors do not yet have a strong grasp of the developmental trajectory of phonological awareness nor of how to incorporate effective support and instruction into a developmentally appropriate teaching plan. This article summarizes what is known from high-quality research about the development of phonological awareness and about how this informs effective pedagogical strategies for its instruction. Numerous examples are given of effective instructional strategies derived from randomized trials of preschool curricula and interventions.
Description logics in data management

Description logics and reasoners, which are descendants of the KL-ONE language, have been studied in depth in artificial intelligence. After a brief introduction, we survey their application to the problems of information management, using the framework of an abstract information server equipped with several operations-each involving one or more languages. Specifically, we indicate how one can achieve enhanced access to data and knowledge by using descriptions in languages for schema design and integration, queries, answers, updates, rules, and constraints. >
Environmental implications of test-to-substrate attachment among some modern sublittoral foraminifera

Topographic highs on the outer continental shelf of New Jersey are sites for the concentration of three species of attached calcareous benthic foraminifera. Elphidium subarcticum Cushman, normally considered a vagrant species, cements itself by an organic film to one or more quartz grains. Webbinella concave (Williamson) attaches to quartz grains by secreting a flange-like calcite skirt at one side of its globuline test. Vasiglobulina reticulate n. sp. has evolved the most elaborate system of attachment: numerous closely spaced spines connect the globuline test to a thin calcite lamina, which is in turn cemented to quartz grains. The attachment mode of these species suggests that the added weight of the quartz grains may reduce displacement during the periodic resuspension of the shelf sediments by longshore and tidal current motion. The distribution of living populations of these species corroborates sedimentological inferences that little or no modern deposition takes place on the sampled topographic highs
On a conjecture of hasse concerning multiplicative relations of Gaussian sums

Abstract : Hasse's conjecture over the multiplicative relations of Gaussian sums with e th power residue characters is confirmed when these sums are considered as ideals, and it is shown that the conjecture is false when these sums are considered merely as numbers. The Davenport-Hasse formula is transformed into a form analogous to the multiplication formula of the gamma function, and the Bernoulli polynomial of degree 1 defined over a cyclic group of finite order is the main tool to deal with the problem. (Author)
Single-Event-Upset Critical Charge Measurements and Modeling of 65 nm Silicon-on-Insulator Latches and Memory Cells

Experimental and modeling results are presented on the critical charge required to upset exploratory 65 nm silicon-on-insulator (SOI) circuits. Using a mono-energetic, collimated, beam of particles the charge deposition was effectively modulated and modeled
The fragments of Furius Antias

Between Ennius and Vergil the Latin epic hexameter underwent dramatic changes in both prosody and diction.1 The precise history of these changes remains obscure, although it is clear from Catullan spondiazontes and Lucretian archaisms, from variation in the use of enjambment and the history of Hermann's bridge, that the versatile and expressive instrument the hexameter was to become in Vergil's hands was not the result of linear development. In fact, despite the pivotal role often assigned to Cicero, 2 in many ways the last one hundred years of the Republic is better characterized as a period of poetic variety and innovation than one of linear progress toward classical perfection. The fragments of Furius Antias can shed light on this period of change. They show remarkable prosodic characteristics and verbal finesse, and they appear to have influenced both Vergil and Ovid.
Male Germline Control of Transposable Elements

Repetitive sequences, especially transposon-derived interspersed repetitive elements, account for a large fraction of the genome in most eukaryotes. Despite the repetitive nature, these transposable elements display quantitative and qualitative differences even among species of the same lineage. Although transposable elements contribute greatly as a driving force to the biological diversity during evolution, they can induce embryonic lethality and genetic disorders as a result of insertional mutagenesis and genomic rearrangement. Temporary relaxation of the epigenetic control of retrotransposons during early germline development opens a risky window that can allow retrotransposons to escape from host constraints and to propagate abundantly in the host genome. Because germline mutations caused by retrotransposon activation are heritable and thus can be deleterious to the offspring, an adaptive strategy has evolved in host cells, especially in the germline. In this review, we will attempt to summarize general defense mechanisms deployed by the eukaryotic genome, with an emphasis on pathways utilized by the male germline to confer retrotransposon silencing.
Parent-child conversations about evolution in the context of an interactive museum display

The theory of evolution by natural selection has revolutionized the biological sciences yet remains confusing and controversial to the public at large. This study explored how a particular segment of the public – visitors to a natural history museum – reason about evolution in the context of an interactive cladogram, or evolutionary tree. The participants were 49 children aged four to twelve and one accompanying parent. Together, they completed five activities using a touch-screen display of the phylogenetic relations among the 19 orders of mammals. Across activities, participants revealed similar misconceptions to those revealed by college undergraduates in previous studies. However, the frequency of those misconceptions was attenuated by the level of parental engagement, particularly the frequency of turn-taking between parents and children. Overall, these findings suggest that evolutionary reasoning may be improved by the kinds of collaborative discussions fostered by interactive museum displays, so long as the affordances of those displays encourage multi-user interactions.
Cell architecture in the papillary layer of rat incisor enamel organ at the stage of enamel maturation

Shape and arrangement of cells and extent of intercellular spaces were studied in sections of enamel organ cut in three planes: at right angles to the axis of the incisor tooth, at right angles to the axis of the ameloblasts, and parallel to the axes of the incisor and ameloblasts. The cells in contact with the base of the ameloblasts make up the proximal part of the papillary layer. They have a polygonal cross section close to the ameloblasts and point several sheet-like cell processes towards the blood vessels which invaginate in the papillary layer. Intercellular spaces of constant width pervade the proximal part and provide a direct and straight communication between blood vessels and ameloblasts. The cells of the ridges make up the distal part of the papillary layer, and are flattened in the direction of the ridges. Intercellular spaces in the ridges are narrower than in the proximal part and visible with the light microscope only during a fraction of the enamel maturation period. No distinct cell layers are visible within the papillary layer during enamel maturation. All cells in the papillary layer may be in contact with the basement membrane investing the enamel organ. The structure of the papillary layer changes with the different phases of enamel maturation. Functional aspects of the papillary layer are briefly discussed.
PI and fuzzy estimators for tuning the stator resistance in direct torque control of induction machines

Direct torque control (DTC) of induction machines uses the stator resistance of the machine for estimation of the stator flux. Variations of stator resistance due to changes in temperature or frequency make the operation of DTC difficult at low speeds. A method for the estimation of changes in stator resistance during the operation of the machine is presented. The estimation method is implemented using proportional-integral (PI) control and fuzzy logic control schemes. The estimators observe the machine stator current vector to detect the changes in stator resistance. The performance of the two methods are compared using simulation and experimental results. Results obtained have shown improvement in DTC at low speeds.
Spectrotransmittance scan for serum bilirubin on erythroblastic infants.

Summary The spectrotransmittance scan is a satisfactory method for determining the total serum bilirubin as it is in agreement with other total serum bilirubin methods. Also hemolysis does not interfere with the spectrotransmittance scan and this is important in capillary collection of infant serum bilirubin. Finally, the repetitive spectrotransmittance scans of total bilirubin serve as a graphic display of change in serum pigments and also these scans serve as quality controls that are available to the pediatrician and the laboratory staff.
Chitin and corncobs as electron donor sources for the reductive dechlorination of tetrachloroethene

Chitin, corncobs, and a mixture of chitin and corncobs were tested as potential electron donor sources for stimulating the reductive dechlorination of tetrachloroethene (PCE). Semi-batch, sand-packed columns were used to evaluate the donors with aerobic and anaerobic groundwaters containing varying degrees of alkalinity. In all experiments, acetate and butyrate were the dominant fatty acids produced, although propionate, valerate, formate, and succinate were also detected. From a multivariable regression analysis on the data, the presence of chitin, limestone, and dechlorinating culture inoculum were determined to be the most positive predictors of dechlorination activity. Chitin fermentation products supported the degradation of PCE to trichloroethene (TCE), cis-1,2-dichloroethene (DCE), and vinyl chloride (VC), even in columns containing PCE DNAPL, whereas dechlorination activity was not observed in any of the columns containing corncobs alone. The longevity and efficiency of chitin as an electron donor source demonstrates its potential usefulness for passive, in situ field applications.
Electrically driven CMOS-MEMS nonlinear parametric resonator design using a hierarchical MEMS circuit library

We are investigating a class of nonlinear resonators which feature parametric excitation when driven by an electrostatic force whose linear and cubic stiffness can be parametrically controlled by a pump drive oscillating voltage applied across the non-interdigitated comb fingers. The perturbation theory is employed in solving the Mathieu equation to quantitatively explain the nonlinear resonance phenomenon and to provide a closed-form solution which captures the dynamic behavior and its dependence on system parameters. We have implemented an electrically driven CMOS-MEMS nonlinear parametric resonator to validate system-level composable modeling of this complex behavior.
Bridging art and engineering using Escher-based virtual elements

The geometric shape of an element plays a key role in computational methods. Triangular and quadrilateral shaped elements are utilized by standard finite element methods. The pioneering work of Wachspress laid the foundation for polygonal interpolants which introduced polygonal elements. Tessellations may be considered as the next stage of element shape evolution. In this work, we investigate the topology optimization of tessellations as a means to coalesce art and engineering. We mainly focus on M.C. Escher's tessellations using recognizable figures. To solve the state equation, we utilize a Mimetic Finite Difference inspired approach, known as the Virtual Element Method. In this approach, the stiffness matrix is constructed in such a way that the displacement patch test is passed exactly in order to ensure optimum numerical convergence rates. Prior to exploring the artistic aspects of topology optimization designs, numerical verification studies such as the displacement patch test and shear loaded cantilever beam bending problem are conducted to demonstrate the accuracy of the present approach in two-dimensions.
Tracking Intermittent Tremor Frequency with a Particle Filter

Our previouswork has demonstrated that the extendedKalman filter (EKF) is a suitable method to track tremor frequencies embedded in spike trains, whose firing rate can be modeled as a sinusoid contaminated with noise. However, when tremor is intermittent, the EKF frequency tracker takes a long time to regain its track of tremor frequencies or never locks on to tremor frequencies even when tremor reappears in spike trains. This is mainly due to the linearization error of nonlinear state space processes. A particle filter (PF) can overcome this issue and track intermittent tremor frequencies more accurately. We applied the EKF and PF on both synthetic and real data to show the superior performance of the PF to that of the EKF.
Fast Spiking Cells and the Balance of Excitation and Inhibition in the Neocortex

Excitatory glutamatergic neurons largely outnumber inhibitory ones and account for about 80% of the cells in the neocortex. In addition, the axonal collaterals of excitatory neurons make large number of contacts with neighboring neurons. As a result of these extensive recurrent excitatory circuits, the neocortex is a structure particularly prone to epilepsy. Epileptic activity is characterized by both a dramatic increase in the average firing rate and in synchrony across a large population of neurons. It is well known that blockade of inhibition leads to epileptic activity1, and that drugs (benzodiazepines and barbiturates) that enhance GABA-mediated inhibition are useful in preventing it2. Thus, a fundamental role of inhibitory neurons is to stabilize cortical circuits and prevent epileptic activity. However, the mechanisms that adjust the relative level of excitation and inhibition are only poorly understood. In this chapter, we will discuss our recent experimental investigation of the synaptic and network properties of a subtype of inhibitory interneuron, the fast-spiking cell (FS), that may provide powerful anti-epileptic and stabilizing mechanisms. First, we will discuss the observation that prolonged firing induces much less depression at inhibitory synapses made by FS cells than at excitatory synapses among pyramidal neurons. This difference, which is frequency-dependent, could promote stable activity in cortical networks and prevent runaway excitation. In the second part of the chapter, we will discuss how FS cells are selectively interconnected via electrical synapses. The presence of electrical coupling together with a precise spike transmission between pyramidal and FS cells, may allow these neurons to detect synchronous excitation and increase their firing accordingly.
District Court Amicus Brief of Law Professors in Support of Defendants, Associated Oregon Industries v. Avakian, No. 3:09-CV-1494-MO

Amici curiae law professors filed this brief to urge the United States District Court for the District of Oregon to deny Plaintiffs' summary judgment motion. That motion argues that SB 519, Oregon state legislation that prohibits employers from firing workers who refuse to attend captive audience meetings about the employer's political, religious, or union views, is invalid as preempted by the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and inconsistent with the First Amendment of the federal Constitution. This brief argues that a finding of NLRA preemption in this case would be both inconsistent with Congress’ purposes in enacting the NLRA and with principles of federalism which give the states and federal government shared authority over the employment relationship. Traditional areas of state concern are within the states' power to regulate and, therefore, not within the scope of NLRA preemption. There are two sources of applicable authority here: (1) the state can place property restrictions on the bundle of property rights that the state grants to its property owners and (2) the state can provide for minimum conditions in the workplace under its police powers. Employers in Oregon are still able to communicate their views about unionization with their employees as Section 8(c) of the NLRA contemplates, but are forbidden from engaging in conduct that forces these same employees to listen to such presentations on pain of losing their jobs or other benefits of employment. The right to speech simply does not include the right to compel someone to listen. Not under the First Amendment and certainly not under statutory law. In short, amici law professors maintain that the Court should find that Oregon had the inherent power to enact SB 519 and such promulgation is consistent with the reach and purposes of the NLRA and with principles of federalism.
Fragile States and Global Terrorism, The Impact of Social, Economic, Political and Military Indicators on the Level of the Global Terrorism Index/Statistical Analysis

A Multiple stepwise linear Regression was conducted to investigate the level of impact of the fragile state indicator (FSI) components Social Indicators (SIFSI), Economic Indicators (EIFSA), and Political and Military Indicators (PMISFI) on the level of the Global Terrorism Indicator (GTI). The stepwise excludes the Political and Military Indicators (PMISFI) as an independent variable. The result concludes that the Social Indicators (SIFSI), Economic Indicators (EIFSA) variation as a predictor to the dependent variable (Global Terrorism Indicator, (GTI)). The fragile state index content developed in collaboration with Georgetown University, the Institute of peacekeeping. Global Terrorism Index (GTI) contains data referring to terrorist activity, and which combines factors associated with terrorism, and a series of data have been read by specialized researchers, and these data are produced by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), in collaboration with the Department of the terrorism study at the University of Maryland.