cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Formation of high-axial-ratio-microstructures from natural and synthetic sphingolipids

Abstract Amphiphiles that form high-axial-ratio-microstructures (HARMs) are being considered as novel materials for controlled release of drugs and other biologically functional molecules. HARMs consisting of tubules, ribbons, solid rods and helices are formed from sphingolipids by addition of water to a solution of amphiphile in DMF. Single molecular species of galactocerebroside (GalCer) containing long unsaturated fatty acid chains or natural GalCer containing mixed-length, non-hydroxy fatty acids (NFA-GalCer) or α -hydroxy fatty acids (HFA-GalCer) form cylindrical structures. In contrast, single molecular species of GalCer containing long saturated fatty acids form ribbons and helices. GalCer HARMs are typically under 100 nm in diameter and have lengths of several microns. The importance of the amide of GalCer for HARM formation was evaluated using psychosine, which forms solid fibers, whereas sphingosine and an analog of GalCer in which the amide is reduced to a secondary amine form amorphous aggregates. Single molecular species of ceramide containing long unsaturated fatty acid chains form cylindrical structures, whereas those with long saturated fatty acids form ribbons and helices. Short chain saturated ceramide also forms cylindrical structures. GalCer analogs with N -acetyl-glycine in place of the galactose form fibers whereas those with N -acetyl-proline yield amorphous material. The N -acetyl-proline-containing amphiphile can de doped into pure GalCer or NFA-GalCer without perturbing tubule formation.
Optimization of furrow irrigation system design parameters considering drainage and runoff water quality constraints

The design problem of furrow irrigation systems considering runoff and drainage water quality was formulated as an optimization problem, with maximization of net benefits as the objective. A power advance function with an empirically derived relationship between the furrow irrigation design variables and relative crop yield were used in the formulation. The generalized geometric programming technique was used to solve for the optimal values for the design variables that maximized the net benefits from a furrow irrigation system. The optimal efficiency for which the system must be designed under a given set of soil, crop, and economic conditions is not known in advance. In the design, the application efficiency was not specified a priori. It was an output from the optimal design. The analysis suggested that it might not be economical to design surface irrigation systems to achieve a high application efficiency that is specified a priori. In the absence of environmental degradation problems from irrigation, it may sometimes be profitable to design surface irrigation systems to operate at less than the standard application efficiency (55%–90%) that is routinely used in the design. Formulation of the design problem as an optimization problem would yield the optimal application efficiency that would maximize the net benefits to the farmer under any given set of conditions.
Dimethylurea: A radical scavenger that protects isolated pancreatic islets from the effects of alloxan and dihydroxyfumarate exposure

Abstract The hydroxyl radical scavenger dimethylurea was tested in vitro for possible effectiveness in protecting insulin secreting cells from the deleterious effects of alloxan and dihydroxyfumarate. A five min exposure of isolated rat pancreatic islets to alloxan (0.15 and 0.20 mg/ml) caused a concentration dependent decrease in subsequent glucose-stimulated insulin release. The presence of 40 mM dimethylurea during alloxan exposure attenuated or eliminated the inhibition of insulin release caused by alloxan. Exposure of islets to autooxidizing dihydroxyfumarate, a known generator of hydroxyl free radicals, also caused an inhibition of glucose-stimulated insulin release. This effect was also eliminated when dimethylurea was present during the exposure period. These results support the concept that alloxan produces its insulin inhibitory effects in vitro via the generation of hydroxyl free radicals.
Human fetal right ventricular ejection force under abnormal loading conditions during the second half of pregnancy

Our objective was to determine whether abnormal loading conditions can modify human fetal right ventricular ejection force during the second half of pregnancy. By Doppler echocardiography, we studied 73 normal fetuses between 19 and 41 weeks of gestation, 27 fetuses with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (chronic volume overload) between 18 and 38 weeks of gestation, 14 fetuses with mild to moderate constriction of the ductus arteriosus (pulsatility index (PI) between 1.0 and 1.9) and seven fetuses with severe constriction (PI < 1.0) or occlusion of the ductus arteriosus (relatively acute pressure overload) between 28 and 34 weeks of gestation. In the normal and ductal constriction/occlusion groups, blood velocity waveforms were recorded at the level of the aortic and pulmonary valves, and in the group with hypoplastic left heart syndrome at the level of the pulmonary valve. The ventricular ejection forces were calculated. In the normal group, right (RVEF; r = 0.91, p < 0.0001) and left (LVEF; r =: 0.86, p < 0.0001) ventricular ejection forces increased and were equal during the second half of gestation. In the group with hypoplastic left heart syndrome the RVEF increased (r = 0.76, p < 0.0001) with advancing gestation. The RVEF (p < 0.0005) and its average weekly increase (p < 0.0001) were greater in the hypo plastic left heart syndrome group than in the normal group. In the group with mild to moderate ductal constriction, both ventricular ejection forces were similar to those of the normal group. The RVEF (p < 0.003) and its average weekly increase (p < 0.03) were lower in the group with severe ductal constriction or occlusion than in the normal group. The LVEF did not differ from that of the normal group. We conclude that chronic volume overload increases and relatively acute pressure overload decreases human fetal RVEF. The right ventricular performance is modified by abnormal loading conditions. Copyright © 1997 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Substantial spatial heterogeneity and tunability of glass transition temperature observed with dense polymer brushes prepared by ARGET ATRP

Abstract Dense polystyrene (PS) brushes were synthesized on silica wafers via a “grafting from” technique using activators regenerated by electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerization (ARGET ATRP). Spectroscopic ellipsometry and fluorescence spectroscopy were used to investigate the effect of nanoscale confinement on the glass transition temperature ( T g ) and its distribution in dense PS brushes and bilayer constructs of brushes and freely deposited PS films. Single-layer PS brushes exhibit an overall average T g that is nearly invariant with thickness down to 11 nm, with T g values of the dense brushes differing by no more than 2 °C from those of bulk PS of the same molecular weight as that of the brush. These results differ greatly from those obtained with freely deposited PS films that show major T g reductions with confinement. Distributions of T g s were also studied by fluorescence in dense, ∼70-nm-thick PS brushes. Relative to T g,bulk , chain segments within 10 nm of the substrate exhibit a ∼36 °C increase in T g while segments within 5 nm of the free surface exhibit a 14 °C decrease in T g . Fluorescence was also used to characterize the tunability of T g within a single layer of bilayer constructs. As brush thickness increases from 13 to 94 nm, the T g of a 15-nm-thick PS overlayer film decreases from 100 °C to 87 °C; in contrast, as the overlayer PS film thickness increases from 0 to 101 nm, the T g of an 11-nm-thick underlayer PS brush increases from 98 °C to 126 °C. These results are compared with the few previous experimental reports of T g -confinement effects of densely grafted PS brushes and bilayer constructs of brushes and films.
Imagery and verbal encoding in left and right hemisphere damaged patients

Abstract Neuropsychological aspects of imaginal and verbal encoding in memory were explored in two forced-choice recognition memory experiments with patients suffering from left and right anterior cerebral hemisphere damage. In the first experiment stimulus type and rate of presentation were varied. Predictions of patient performance based on the hypothesis that left anterior hemisphere pathology impairs verbal memory coding and right anterior hemisphere pathology impairs imaginal coding were confirmed. In a second recognition memory experiment for pictures of common objects, system-specific (imaginal or verbal) interference and distractor effects were demonstrated by analyzing the effects of interpolated tasks and the nature of false-recognition errors.
Evaluation of Glycine species for resistance to Bean pod mottle virus

Abstract Bean pod mottle virus (BPMV) is widespread in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] in the United States, and no resistance has been identified in commercial soybean cultivars and plant introductions (PIs) of this species. Three BPMV isolates representing the diversity of this virus, as well as a local isolate from soybean, were used to assess and characterize the reaction of three Glycine species to BPMV. Young seedlings were mechanically inoculated with virus, and the inoculated plants were monitored for symptom expression and tested for virus by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) three weeks after inoculation. All of the 115 G. max accessions tested became systemically infected with BPMV. Twelve of 198 PIs of G. tomentella were resistant to all BPMV isolates, and the virus was not detected by ELISA in these plants. Fifteen of 117 G. soja PIs showed tolerance (mild mottling symptoms) to BPMV, and the virus was detected in these plants. Thirty-seven of 117 G. soja PIs exhibited stem tip necrosis following BPMV inoculation. The resistance to BPMV expressed in G. tomentella and the necrotic reaction expressed in G. soja may be useful for the development of resistant commercial soybean cultivars if this resistance can be incorporated into G. max by interspecific crosses between these species.
Microstructures of Nb26Ti48Al + (Nb, Ti)B

Abstract The microstructures of Nb26at.%Al + 10 vol.%(Nb0.67, Ti0.33)B prior to and after creep testing were studied by transmission electron microscopy. The matrix of this alloy exhibits a γ + σ two-phase structure. The axis of an (Nb0.67, Ti0.33)B whisker was [010] which was found to be parallel to 〈011〉γ. Twins and 1 2 [110] dislocations were observed in the γ grains which were emitted from the whisker/γ interfaces and the σ/γ interfaces. Extensive 1 2 [110] dislocations were observed in the creep deformed specimen. It was also noticed that 1 2 [110] dislocations were pinned by precipitates and small dislocations loops which might contribute to the observed low creep rates.
A MODEL FOR GAMETE RELEASE IN ASCOPHYLLUM NODOSUM (PHAEOPHYTA)1

The question of what controls gamete release in Ascophyllum nodosum (L.) Le Jolis was studied at six sites along the central coast of Maine. Percent release was assessed weekly along randomly marked transect lines in the mid-intertidal zone. Six independent variables–water temperature at high tide, air temperature at low tide, nitrogen (ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate), and salinity–were measured concurrently. Stepwise multiple regression analysis on the percentage of plants having released gametes revealed that water temperature at high tide accounted for most of the among-site variation (R2= 0.77) in the timing of release. The addition of Julian day increased the R2 to 0.82; no other variables were significant. Probit analysis, based on water temperature at high tide, generated an environmentally realistic model for predicting gamete release. The model predicts the onset, midpoint, and termination of gamete release at 6, 10, and 15°C, respectively, and the midpoint at a cumulative water temperature of 358°C. This model has value for developmental studies and, potentially, for reseeding A. nodosum populations. Probits may be useful for characterizing phenological events in other fucoids and algal species.
Renormalization group flows for brane couplings

Field theories in the presence of branes encounter localized divergences that renormalize brane couplings. The sources of these brane-localized divergences are understood as arising either from broken translation invariance, or from short distance singularities as the brane thickness vanishes. While the former are generated only by quantum corrections, the latter can appear even at the classical level. Using as an example six-dimensional scalar field theory in the background of a three-brane, we show how to interpret such classical divergences by the usual regularization and renormalization procedure of quantum field theory. In our example, the zero thickness divergences are logarithmic, and lead classically to nontrivial renormalization group flows for the brane couplings. We construct the tree level renormalization group equations for these couplings as well as the one-loop corrections to these flows from bulk-to-brane renormalization effects.
Diabetes mellitus and vascular surgery.

In order to accurately describe the role diabetes plays in the pathogenesis of arteriosclerosis and its relationship to clinical practice, one must not only compare diabetics to nondiabetics of similar age and sex but also attempt to identify those factors unique to diabetics. Of the approximately six million Americans with diabetes mellitus, 90% have type-I1 (noninsulin dependent) diabetes. The remaining lo%, the type-I patients, must take insulin for survival. There are clearly profound differences between type-I and type-II diabetics which have a direct bearing both on how we perceive the disease and approach its management. Of all amputations done in America, one-half are done in diabetics for reasons other than trauma. The reasons for such a high incidence of limb loss have been attributed to a variety of factors, which include extensive atherosclerosis, peripheral neuropathy , increased susceptibility to infection, Monckeberg’s medial sclerosis, and microvascular disease. This section will delineate the important factors based on current information. It is important to realize that much more is unknown than known. The one factor that needs to be dispelled is the myth of the role of the microcirculation in the promotion of tissue ischemia and death. The commonly held ideas about a specific diabetic microangiopathy pertains only to the eye, the kidneys, and perhaps the heart. Evidence for the presence of microcirculatory lesions other than a thickening of the capillary basement membrane in the lower limbs of diabetic patients is unconvincing at present.
Induction of null-activity mutants for the acid phosphatase-1 gene in Drosophila melanogaster.

Sixteen null-activity mutants were obtained for the acid phosphatase-1 system (3–101.1) in Drosophila melanogaster using ethylmethanesulfonate as the mutagen. They were selected by combining an electrophoretic analysis and a spot test assay for acid phosphatase which, together, allowed the screening of large numbers of mutagenized chromosomes. Five mutants were obtained by electrophoretic analysis alone, and an additional 11 were recovered when the spot test was used. Flies homozygous for three of the Acph-1 0 mutants were found to be viable and fertile. Also, the relative mutability of two allozyme loci and two genes whose effect is on adult morphology were examined.
EFFECT OF ANIONS ON THE DEAMIDATION OF SOY PROTEIN

Anions from common salts were investigated for their effects on the deamidation of soy protein isolate. Phosphate and bicarbonate anions were most effective for enhancing deamidation. Borate anions were much less effective while acetate, sulfate and chloride anions were totally ineffective. Significant deamidation (>30%) was normally accompanied by significant peptide bond hydrolysis (> 3%). Deamidated soy protein isolate with up to 4.5% peptide bond hydrolysis had greatly improved solubility, foam activity and ability to emulsify oil.
Triangle Formation Design in Eccentric Orbits Using Pseudospectral Optimal Control

In this paper, we further a general framework for the formation design of distributed space systems. Based on constrained nonlinear optimal control theory, the formation of multi-spacecraft is designed by pseudospectral methods. The approach deals with the full nonlinear dynamics without using any linearization/approximation techniques; and is applicable to elliptical reference orbits. The method is tested on various formation problems including equilateral triangular formation over eccentric orbits. This framework provides a unifled and straightforward way to design large-scale formation for distributed space systems.
An Ethometric Analysis of Agonistic Behavior and Social Hierarchies in the Cockroach, Eublaberus posticus

Agonistic behavior between adult ♂♂ of the tropical cockroach Eublaberus posticus was studied. Observations were made under red light (590–640 nm) during the dark phase of a 12: 12 DL cycle, and recorded on a dictation instrument. Agonistic behavior appears to be causally related to territoriality. Social hierarchies are established and maintained by agonistic behavior. The application of information theory to the data shows that more information is transferred from the responder (eventual loser) to the initiator (eventual winner) of an agonistic encounter than from the initiator to the responder. A measure of information called normalized transmission is calculated which can be used to compare different species.
Operator and radio resource sharing in multi-carrier environments

Today's mobile networks prevent users from freely accessing all available networks. Instead, seamless network composition could present a win-win situation for both users and operators. Users can gain better quality of service with more resources to choose from, while each individual operator can provision lesser bandwidth since resources can be shared during times of peak demand. In this paper, we analyze the benefits of operator cooperation using real trace data of cellular data access. We leverage the difference in burstiness at small timescales across network providers to shed the peak usage of one operator on to another. Our results show that even when an operator provisions network capacity below the peak load, cooperation with other network providers can help maintain quality of service for most sessions. In addition, we investigate the performance delivered by various kinds of cellular data cards. Our results confirm that WiFi 802.11b/g consistently delivers superior performance compared to 3G. It will take the next generation 4G technologies such as LTE to deliver end-user performance comparable to widely-deployed 802.11 networks.
Long-term consequences of the Alzheimer's caregiver role: a qualitative analysis.

A qualitative analysis was performed on responses of 51 participants to open-ended questions about the experience of being family caregivers for a loved one affected by Alzheimer's disease. Participants had been in the caregiver role for at least eight years. Results indicated a pattern of adapting successfully or unsuccessfully to the caregiver role, experiencing initial caregiver burden, finding relief in social support when available, and longterm distress or long-term positive change. Memories and feelings were strong about individuals and institutions that had been helpful or indifferent many years earlier as the caregivers struggled to cope with their unplanned predicament.
RECENT CLINICAL TRIALS IN LUPUS NEPHRITIS

Lupus nephritis (LN) is an autoimmune-mediated glomuleronephritis and tubulointerstitial disease that is among the most common and serious manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). LN develops in 30% to 60% of patients with SLE, most often occurring early in the course of SLE [1–3]. Common accompaniments include anemia, hypertension, hypocomplementemia, and autoantibodies to double-stranded DNA and the extractable nuclear antigens ribonucleoprotein and Sm [3–5]. Rarely, LN may be the presenting manifestation of SLE in an otherwise asymptomatic patient. Persons of black African or Hispanic ancestry are two- to three-times more likely to develop LN, and tend to have more severe disease, than whites [3,6,7]. While improvements in treatment have transformed severe LN from a near universally fatal condition to a manageable chronic disease, patients with LN are at more than twice the risk of death than patients without LN, and those with chronic kidney disease have more than three times the risk of death [8,9]. Both the high prevalence of LN and the intensity of clinical care required by patients with LN make it the most costly manifestation of SLE [10]. Course of Lupus Nephritis LN is largely an asymptomatic condition, and requires active screening to be detected. Clinical and laboratory features reflect the type of renal histological lesions present in a given patient. Proteinuria, microscopic hematuria, urinary casts, and hypertension, occasionally severe, are common in patients with proliferative LN, and renal insufficiency may develop. Nephrotic syndrome with peripheral edema, serous effusions, wasting, and hypercoagulability can occur in patients with membranous or proliferative LN. LN can present with acute renal failure, or can be rapidly progressive due to severe glomerular inflammation, cellular crescents, and fibrinoid necrosis, but these presentations are rare [11]. In most patients, LN is a subacute or chronic condition, with treatment-induced remissions and spontaneous relapses being fairly common.
Summative evaluation on the hospital wards. What do faculty say to learners

No previous studies have described how faculty give summative evaluations to learners on the medical wards. The aim of this study was to describe summative evaluations on the medical wards. Participants were students, house staff and faculty at the University of Pittsburgh. Ward rotation evaluative sessions were tape recorded. Feedback was characterized as to whether it was: (a) general or specific; (b) positive versus corrective; (c) elaborative or simple; and (d) for corrective feedback, if an action plan was discussed. 68 evaluation sessions were recorded. 86% of sessions included general, positive statements. On average, seven specific statements were made per feedback session: five were positive and two were corrective. 52% of comments were elaborated. In 41% of cases, the learner was given an action plan for improvement. During a summative evaluation faculty do not elaborate on the learner’s behavior. This is particularly true when giving corrective feedback.
TimeSeer: Scagnostics for High-Dimensional Time Series

We introduce a method (Scagnostic time series) and an application (TimeSeer) for organizing multivariate time series and for guiding interactive exploration through high-dimensional data. The method is based on nine characterizations of the 2D distributions of orthogonal pairwise projections on a set of points in multidimensional euclidean space. These characterizations include measures, such as, density, skewness, shape, outliers, and texture. Working directly with these Scagnostic measures, we can locate anomalous or interesting subseries for further analysis. Our application is designed to handle the types of doubly multivariate data series that are often found in security, financial, social, and other sectors.
Institutional Ownership and Executive Compensation: Evidence from U.S. Banks During the Financial Crisis

This paper examines the relation between institutional ownership and the compensation of executives at U.S. banking firms during the financial crisis period. We find that the monitoring role of institutional investors in shaping executive pay is different at banking firms than at general firms. We find that total executive compensation is increasing with institutional investors with potential business relations with the banking firms and decreasing with more independent institutional investors. Guardian funds such as foundations and trusts are the most effective monitors in terms of controlling the level of compensation. We also find evidence that specific types of institutional investors have different preferences for executive compensation mix (i.e., options vs. cash) and that this preference varies by type of executive (i.e. chief executive officer vs. chief financial officer).
Expression and regulation of the tumour necrosis factor-alpha gene in the female reproductive tract

Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF), a potent cytokine originally identified as a product of activated macrophages, is now known to be produced by many types of cells, and has been implicated in regulation of normal tissue homeostasis as well as in cellular differentiation. In humans and some murids, the TNF gene is expressed in ovaries, oviducts, uteri, placentas and embryos. Specific transcripts and proteins have been identified in oocytes, granulosa and theca cells, luminal and glandular epithelial cells, myometrial cells, decidual cells, placental trophoblast, macrophage-like cells and embryonic skin. Both prior and subsequent to implantation, uterine TNF mRNA and protein appear in specific cell lineages in an ordered temporal sequence. This and other findings indicate that transcription of the TNF gene in the uterus is regulated either directly or indirectly by ovarian and/or placental hormones. By contrast, there is as yet no evidence for regulation of this gene by other uterine cytokines such as colony stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1). Although the functions of this pleiotrophic, multifunctional molecule are largely unknown, the findings to date are consistent with the postulate that TNF is involved in gamete development, cyclic changes in the uterus, cancers of the female reproductive tract, placental maturation and embryonic development.
Creating human-robot rapport with mobile sculpture

There is much discussion in the robotics community concerning the nature of people's impressions of robots. This pilot study employed the use of mobile robots coupled with artistic elements to create an environment conducive to human participation. PhotoBot took photos of participants (n = 16) in a gallery space and provided them with a physical copy of their image, while ProjectorBot displayed 3D Kinect imagery for participants to view. Participants completed a self-report measure of rapport (Bernieri's Rapport Criterion); the results of which suggest that they experienced a high degree of positive interaction with the robots.
Continuous culture of Methanococcus maripaludis under defined nutrient conditions.

To study global regulation in the methanogenic archaeon Methanococcus maripaludis, we devised a system for steady-state growth in chemostats. New Brunswick Bioflo 110 bioreactors were equipped with controlled delivery of hydrogen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and anaerobic medium. We determined conditions and media compositions for growth with three different limiting nutrients, hydrogen, phosphate, and leucine. To investigate leucine limitation we constructed and characterized a mutant in the leuA gene for 2-isopropylmalate synthase, demonstrating for the first time the function of this gene in the Archaea. Steady state specific growth rates in these studies ranged from 0.042 to 0.24 h−1. Plots of culture density vs. growth rate for each condition showed the behavior predicted by growth modeling. The results show that growth behavior is normal and reproducible and validate the use of the chemostat system for metabolic and global regulation studies in M. maripaludis.
Liver X Receptor α Is a Transcriptional Repressor of the Uncoupling Protein 1 Gene and the Brown Fat Phenotype

The adipocyte integrates crucial information about metabolic needs in order to balance energy intake, storage, and expenditure. Whereas white adipose tissue stores energy, brown adipose tissue is a major site of energy dissipation through adaptive thermogenesis mediated by uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) in mammals. In both white and brown adipose tissue, nuclear receptors and their coregulators, such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) and PPARgamma coactivator 1alpha (PGC-1alpha), play key roles in regulating their development and metabolic functions. Here we show the unexpected role of liver X receptor alpha (LXRalpha) as a direct transcriptional inhibitor of beta-adrenergic receptor-mediated, cyclic AMP-dependent Ucp1 gene expression through its binding to the critical enhancer region of the Ucp1 promoter. The mechanism of inhibition involves the differential recruitment of the corepressor RIP140 to an LXRalpha binding site that overlaps with the PPARgamma/PGC-1alpha response element, resulting in the dismissal of PPARgamma. The ability of LXRalpha to dampen energy expenditure in this way provides another mechanism for maintaining a balance between energy storage and utilization.
DVTG and Test Harnessing using Rosetta specifications

Specification-based verification is increasingly being used when designing systems. In verification, the program under test is executed repeatedly and the obtained outputs and/or other parameters are compared against the expected values. This ensures that the implementation satisfies its specified functionality. We present a tool, DVTG [K. Ranganathan, (2001)], for automatically generating test vectors from Rosetta specifications. DVTG requires test requirements in XML format and test scenarios, to generate these test vectors. For a given set of input parameters, the vectors represent desired output parameter values for the program under test. They can be further translated to specific inputs to run more concrete simulations. Later on, we discuss another tool, Test Harness, to authenticate a test program. We verify the output generated during test harnessing against the acceptance criteria generated from the specifications. We have proposed two major verifications to be performed during test harnessing, verifying the expected behavior and real-time requirements for the test program.
Implementation experience with MANET routing protocols

This paper outlines our experience with the implementation and deployment of two MANET routing protocols on a five node, four hop, network. The work was prompted by the lack of published results concerning the issues associated with the implementation of MANET routing protocols on actual wireless networks, as opposed to results of simulation experiments. We examined implementations of two distance vector MANET routing protocols and found a number of problems with both protocols during the course of our experiments. The most significant was that neither protocol could provide a stable route over any multi-hop network connection. The route discovery process of both protocols is fooled by the transient availability of network links to nodes that were more than one hop away. Packets transmitted over a fading channel cause the routing protocol to conclude incorrectly that there is a new one hop neighbor that could provide a lower metric (hop count) route to even more distant nodes. This can occur even when nodes are stationary, mobility resulted in even less route stability. We implemented a simple signal strength based neighbor selection procedure to test our assertion that fading channels and unreliable network links were the cause of the failure of the routing protocols. The result was that neighbor discovery and the filtering for neighbors with which nodes could communicate reliably enables the creation of reliable multihop routes. Based on our experiences, we outline several recommendations for future work in MANET research.
An investigation of the diffusion-limited growth of animal cells around single hollow fibers.

To compare modeling with experimental data of cell growth surrounding individual fibers, the growth profiles of hybridoma cells in the extracapillary space of single hollow fiber bioreactors were examined. Agarose was provided in the extracapillary space to provide support and minimize convection. By sacrificing bioreactors at various time intervals, the growth profiles of cells surrounding a single hollow fiber could be monitored with increasing time. Using photomicroscopy and viable staining, areas of viable and nonviable cell growth were examined at various stages of development ranging from initial seeding to stable growth conditions. Cells were found to act as nucleation sites for the growth of individual colonies within the agarose. Profiles at stable growth conditions resulted in a thick cell mass near the surface of the fiber wall followed by cell colonies of decreasing size with increasing radial distance. A simplified theoretical model for cell growth was developed using mass balance equations for substrate penetration into individual cell colonies as well as away from the wall of a single fiber. The resulting profiles derived from theory were compared with experiments and found to be in good agreement for entering oxygen concentrations of 5% and 20%.
AUTOANTIBODY AGAINST B LYMPHOCYTES

Abstract The sera of 20 out of 99 (20%) normal males and females were shown to have antibodies that kill their own B lymphocytes. The sera were specifically cytotoxic to B lymphocytes and not T lymphocytes. Allogeneic B lymphocytes were also killed by these autocytotoxins. Maximum killing of B lymphocytes occurred when the incubation temperature in serum was 5°C and complement incubation temperature was 20°C. Under these cold conditions, some sera reacted up to a dilution of 1/16. These results suggest that positive B-lymphocyte crossmatches found in kidney transplantation do not detect alloantibodies. Since the B-cell autoantibodies tend to appear at the time of immunisation, their role as autoregulators of the antibody response is an intriguing possibility.
Searching dynamic point sets in spaces with bounded doubling dimension

We present a new data structure that facilitates approximate nearest neighbor searches on a dynamic set of points in a metric space that has a bounded doubling dimension. Our data structure has linear size and supports insertions and deletions in O(log n) time, and finds a (1+e)-approximate nearest neighbor in time O(log n) + (1/e)O(1). The search and update times hide multiplicative factors that depend on the doubling dimension; the space does not. These performance times are independent of the aspect ratio (or spread) of the points.
Floquet formulation for the investigation of multiphoton quantum interference in a superconducting qubit driven by a strong ac field

We present a Floquet treatment of multiphoton quantum interference in a strongly driven superconducting flux qubit. The periodically time-dependent Schr\"odinger equation can be reduced to an equivalent time-independent infinite-dimensional Floquet matrix eigenvalue problem. For resonant or nearly resonant multiphoton transitions, we extend the generalized Van Vleck (GVV) nearly degenerate high-order perturbation theory for the treatment of the Floquet Hamiltonian, allowing the reduction of the infinite-dimensional Floquet matrix to an $N\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}N$ effective Hamiltonian, where $N$ is the number of eigenstates under consideration. The GVV approach allows accurate treatment of ac Stark shift, power broadening, time-dependent and time-averaged transition probability, etc., well beyond the rotating wave approximation. We extend the Floquet and GVV approaches for numerical and analytical studies of the multiphoton resonance processes and quantum interference phenomena for the superconducting flux qubit system $(N=2)$ driven by intense ac fields.
A 2.5-GHz, 6.9-mW, 45-nm-LP CMOS, ΔΣ Modulator Based on Standard Cell Design With Time-Interleaving

A technique is presented for implementing time-interleaved pipelined high-speed digital ΔΣ modulators using standard cells and the tools for digital design (synthesis and automatic place-and-route). Time interleaving allows clocking the standard cell blocks at submultiples of the final sampling rate. The proposed technique relies on inserting additional delays between the cascaded stages of a MASH ΔΣ modulator to reduce the complexity of the time-interleaved implementation and to eliminate any critical path spanning more than one accumulator. These additional delay stages segment the time-interleaved pipeline sections, preventing any coupling among them. The only custom designed block is a high-speed MUX used to multiplex the low-rate bit streams into the final high-rate stream. The widespread use of digital design tools considerably reduces the design time, improving the time-to-market. A prototype second-order MASH ΔΣ modulator has been fabricated in CMOS 45 nm-LP process. Operating at 2.5 GHz, it draws 6.9 mW from the nominal 1.1 V supply, while at 3.3 GHz it draws 11 mW from a 1.2 V supply.
Scheduling a mixed interactive and batch workload on a parallel, shared memory supercomputer

The authors analyze three approaches to scheduling mixed batch and interactive workloads on a supercomputer: (i) fixed partition, in which memory resources are statically allocated between the workloads: (ii) no partition, in which the interactive workload preempts resources as needed from the batch workload, and (iii) no partition with grouped admission, in which the interactive workload preempts resources only when the number of waiting interactive jobs reaches a threshold value. The authors also investigate the potential benefits of using virtual memory to perform the automatic overlay of jobs too large to fit in the amount of real memory instantaneously available to them. Using analytic tools, they compare the different policies according to the average speedup achieved by the batch workload given that a mean interactive job response time objective must be met by each. They show that, under a wide variety of conditions, fixed partition performs better than the other policies. >
Auctions versus Bilateral Bargaining: Evidence from a Natural Experiment

This paper uses data from a natural experiment to compare two institutions: a simple English auction and bilateral bargaining. It appears that bilateral bargaining may be more profitable for the seller. Results also suggest no correlation between bargaining skills and an ability to make profit at the auction.
Changes in the Sialic Acid Concentration in the Major Cervical Glycoprotein From the Bonnet Monkey (Macaca Radiata) During a Hormonally Induced Cycle

The major macromolecular component of monkey cervical mucus has been purified from crude monkey cervical mucus at various times during a hormonally induced estrous cycle. The major component, a high-molecular weight glycoprotein, was secreted in large amounts in midcycle mucus. The glycoprotein exhibited human blood group B activity and contained the same concentration of l-fucose, d-galactose, N-acetyl-d-galactosamine, and N-acetyl-d-glucosamine during the cycle. There were no changes in the amino acid composition or in the number of carbohydrate side chains. There was a significant increase in the amount of sialic acid in the glycoprotein purified from midcycle mucus. Changes in the specific viscosity and the far ultraviolet circular dichroic spectra were also observed. The possible control of sperm penetration by the glycoprotein is discussed.
Injection–Infiltration of Attached Grapefruit with Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri to Evaluate Seasonal Population Dynamics in Citrus Canker Lesions

To study population dynamics of Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (Xcc) in citrus canker lesions on fruit, a needle-free injector was used for infiltration of bacterial inoculum into fruit in situ on mature ‘Ruby Red’ grapefruit (Citrus paradisi Macf.) trees in Florida. Inoculations of Xcc at 105 colony-forming units (cfu) per ml were conducted in 2012 and 2013 on attached fruit varying from 15 mm to 90 mm in diameter. Inoculations were repeated every 2–3 weeks until the fruit were no longer injectable. On fruit less than 40 mm in size, erumpent lesions formed within 2 weeks of inoculation and expanded 1–9 mm in diameter from 30 to 120 days postinoculation (dpi). Xcc populations in lesions were 6–8 log cfu per lesion at 30 dpi and maintained this population up to 90 dpi. By 120 dpi, Xcc populations declined 1–3 log units as rainfall and temperature decreased in September–October. Xcc populations declined to ~3 log cfu per lesion after 120 dpi in November 2012 and 2013, whereas the population resurged to 5 log cfu per lesion after 180 dpi in January–February 2014.
A procedure for improving the distribution of congestion in global routing

This work introduces a procedure which takes as input a global routing solution that is already improved for routability based on the traditional total overflow (TOF) metric, and then improves the distribution of congestion without increasing the TOF. Our router is able to significantly decrease the number of edges in undesirable ranges of congestion by optimizing a convex piece-wise linear penalty function. The penalties are flexible and may be specified by the user. In our experiments, using the already-optimized global routing solutions of the ISPD'11 benchmarks—mostly have 0 units of TOF—we show the number of edges which are utilized very close to capacity can be significantly reduced. This work is the first to explicitly target improving the distribution of edge congestion corresponding to an already-optimized global routing solution without sacrificing the TOF.
Drinking water quality for residents on islands in Daishan county from 1999 to 2008

Objective To analyze the present situation of sanitary quality of water in island area from 1999 to 2008 and to provide scientific proof in improving the sanitary condition of drinking water for residents living on the islands.Methods In accordance with Sanitary Standards for Drinking Water in China,biological quality index was used to monitor and make hygienic evaluation of water quality of centralized water supply and non-centralized water supply.Results The qualified rate of tap water in the 10 years was 45.57% with item-times qualified rate reaching 92.56%,and both population meant of health quality index Pi1.Analyzing annually,manganese,oxygen consumption and turbidity exceeded the standard with health quality index Pi1.The qualified rate of artesian water from simply-constructed water station was 11.52% with item-times qualified rate reaching 86.87%.Annual average of total bacterial count,total coliform and turbidity exceeded the standard with health quality index Pi1.The qualified rate of well water was 4.54% with item-times qualified rate reaching 87.15%.Annual average of total bacterial count,total coliform and turbidity also exceeded the standard with health quality index Pi1.Problems of over-standard oxygen consumption,manganese and iron existed in tap water,while the problem for non-centralized water supply was mainly poor disinfection.Conclusion The comprehensive control work of water resources protection should be strengthened and the ability of water purification and disinfection needs improving to ensure sanitation and safety of drinking water on the islands.
Studies on congenital hemolytic syndromes, IV. Gastrointestinal absorption of iron.

1. Results of studies of gastrointestinal absorption of ferrous iron in normal children and those with heterozygous thalassemia were similar. 2. In one patient with absent erythropoiesis but severe anemia, no increase in the amount of iron absorbed was noted. 3. In sickle cell-hemoglobin C disease and hereditary spherocytosis having only slight anemia in the presence of increased erythropoiesis, normal amounts of iron were absorbed. 4. Patients with sickle cell anemia and thalassemia major in whom there was active erythropoiesis and marked anemia absorbed abnormally large amounts of iron. The amount absorbed by individuals with the latter disease could be reduced by administration of transfusions and concomitant suppression of erythropoiesis. 5. Usual values for serum iron and latent iron-binding capacity in several congenital hemolytic syndromes have been presented and their significance discussed. 6. No specific effect on absorption was noted by increased or reduced amounts of tissue or serum iron or by reduced or increased latent iron-binding protein.
Imaging of Bone Marrow

Bone marrow is the essential for function of hematopoiesis, which is vital for the normal functioning of the body. Bone marrow disorders or dysfunctions may be evaluated by blood workup, peripheral smears, marrow biopsy, plain radiographs, computed tomography (CT), MRI and nuclear medicine scan. It is important to distinguish normal spinal marrow from pathology to avoid missing a pathology or misinterpreting normal changes, either of which may result in further testing and increased health care costs. This article focuses on the diffuse bone marrow pathologies, because the majority of the bone marrow pathologies related to hematologic disorders are diffuse.
Proton Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (CEST) MRS and MRI

Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) of biological systems has higher specificity than MRI because resonances of multiple metabolites can be distinguished, reflecting chemistry and physiology in situ. Unfortunately, this approach has very low sensitivity as the metabolites are typically at millimolar concentrations compared to the molar signal strength of water-based MRI. As a consequence, even though 1H MRS is a powerful and common research tool, its inroad into daily clinical practice has been limited. Until very recently, 1H MRS applications have focused on the resonances upfield (i.e., at lower frequency) of the water resonance. This article deals with protons that are generally not observed in a typical water-suppressed spectrum, namely, the exchangeable protons found predominantly downfield from water. These can usually be detected by MRS only if the transfer of water proton saturation (established during water suppression) is not a confounding factor, or by using water exchange (WEX) spectroscopy, in which RF labeling of the water protons is transferred to the exchangeable protons and subsequently detected. More importantly, it has recently become clear that the presence of such exchangeable protons on low concentration solute molecules can be detected via the water signal by RF labeling of these protons and subsequent transfer of this label to water protons. This process, leading to saturation of the water signal and enhancement of the effect through repeated exchange, can be used for the imaging of metabolite signals or exchangeable-proton-based contrast agents with enhanced sensitivity. This has given rise to the field of chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI, which has greatly increased the potential for translating spectroscopic methods to the clinic. Examples include the measurement of pH, temperature, and enzyme activity as well as detection of cellular metabolites, ions, and proteins and peptides. In addition, bio-organic compounds can now be used for contrast agents, cell and nanoparticle labeling, and reporter genes. Keywords: chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST); water exchange (WEX); amide; amine; hydroxyl; imino
International Society of Exposure Science

The International Society of Exposure Science (ISES), previously named the International Society of Exposure Analysis, was founded in 1989 as a nonprofit organization to advance the field of exposure science and promote the use of exposure science in the fields of public, occupational, and environmental health. The Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology is the official journal of the ISES. Maintaining a membership of about 500 international scientists, ISES members have experience in several disciplines, including exposure assessment; chemistry; biochemistry; risk assessment; biostatistics; physiology; toxicology; epidemiology; ecology; environmental fate, transport, and transformation; and environmental engineering. The society's membership includes academic, governmental, and private sector scientists, scientific managers, and policy makers who have a common interest in the field of exposure science.