cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Perceptions of Health System Orientation Quality, Patient Centeredness, and Cultural Competency

As part of a pragmatic trial to reduce hypertension disparities, we conducted a baseline organizational assessment to identify aspects of organizational functioning that could affect the success of our interventions. Through qualitative interviewing and the administration of two surveys, we gathered data about health care personnel's perceptions of their organization's orientations toward quality, patient centeredness, and cultural competency. We found that personnel perceived strong orientations toward quality and patient centeredness. The prevalence of these attitudes was significantly higher for these areas than for cultural competency and varied by occupational role and race. Larger percentages of survey respondents perceived barriers to addressing disparities than barriers to improving safety and quality. Health care managers and policy makers should consider how we have built strong quality orientations and apply those lessons to cultural competency.
Δ14-sterol reductase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Abstract An in vitro assay for Δ14-sterol reductase from yeast was developed, using ergosta-8,14-dien-3β-ol as the substrate. The kinetics and localization of the enzyme were examined. The inhibition of the enzyme by the antimycotic agent, 15-azasterol, was verified.
Plant Determinants of Mycorrhizal Dependency in Soybean

Even though the mycorrhizal relationship is thought to be important in nutrient and water uptake by plants, earlier work showed that soybean cultivars differ in responsiveness. The reasons for cultivar differences are unclear. The objective of this growth-chamber study was to relate plant-growth parameters and rooting characteristics of three soybean cultivars to mycorrhizal dependency (MD). The soybean cultivars were chosen from a preliminary study to represent a range in Ml) values from high (Glycine soja Sieb. & Zucc. PI 468916; referred to hereafter as Soja), to intermediate [G. max (L.) Merr. cv. Mandarin] and low (G. max cv. Swift). Shoot weight, P percentage in shoot tissue, total shoot P uptake, P use efficiency, rate of growth, and root acid phosphatase activity were measured at three harvests when plants were grown at three relative P levels, each with and without mycorrhizal fungal (Gigaspora margarita Becker & Hall) colonization. Soja developed an active symbiosis more quickly than Swift or Mandarin, and mycorrhizae clearly aided in P uptake. When averaged across harvests at low P, mycorrhizal Soja had 7.8 times greater total shoot P than nonmycorrhizal Soja. Comparable values were 2.4 for Mandarin and 1.5 for Swift. Soja roots showed higher phosphatase activity and a higher percentage increase in phosphatase activity with mycorrhizal colonization than did the other two cultivars. Nonmycorrhizal Soja root lengths (avg. 1401 cm) at 5-wk growth were significantly shorter than Mandarin (2303 cm) and Swift (2236 cm) root lengths. The mean diameter of lateral roots of Soja (0.38 mm) was greater than that of Mandarin or Swift (≈0.26 mm). Root lengths and root surface areas were negatively correlated (P < 0.01) with MD. Contribution from the Dep. of Agronomy, Iowa State Univ., Journal Paper no. J-16644 of the Iowa Agric. Home Econ. Exp. Stn., Ames, IA. Project no. 3155.
Lactic Acid Fermentation Using High Levels of Culture and the Fate of Staphylococcus aureus in Meat

The fermentation period of beaker sausage was reduced by 39% when the inoculation level of pediococci was increased from log 7.5 to 8.8 CFU/g. Inoculation levels of log ≥ 8.0 CFU/g reduced threefold the lag period of measurable change in the pH value of meat. S. aureus FRI 100 in beaker sausage decreased in population at all levels of pediococci. Pediococci (log 8.8 CFU/g) in regular sausage controlled the aerobic and anaerobic growth of S. aureus Z-88. Nitrite-free regular sausage supported the largest increase in the aerobic population of this strain. S. aureus FRI 100 and 722 decreased in population in both the aerobic and anaerobic portions of regular sausage.
Test beam results using scintillating fibers read out by a multianode phototube and visible light photon counters

Abstract The results from a test beam experiment at Fermilab using 830 μm scintillating fibers, a version of a solid state photomultiplier, the VLPC, and a 256 channel multianode phototube are reported. Muon tracks were observed in a combined tracking system read out by VLPCs and the multianode phototube. A tracking algorithm was developed to unfold the complex cross talk pattern observed in the multianode phototube. A spatial resolution of ∼ 130 μm was obtained.
The Historical Experience of Agricultural Reforms in Central and Eastern Europe: Discussion

The collapse of communism and the resulting social, economic, and political changes in central and eastern Europe (CEE) have revealed a striking gap in economic policy analysis. Economists are rather successful when it comes to analyzing marginal policy changes. They tend to be at a loss, however, when it comes to major policy changes. Unfortunately these are the situations in which economic policy analysis really matters.
Reverse engineering a protein: the mechanochemistry of ATP synthase

Abstract ATP synthase comprises two rotary motors in one. The F 1 motor can generate a mechanical torque using the hydrolysis energy of ATP. The F o motor generates a rotary torque in the opposite direction, but it employs a transmembrane proton motive force. Each motor can be reversed: The F o motor can drive the F 1 motor in reverse to synthesize ATP, and the F 1 motor can drive the F o motor in reverse to pump protons. Thus ATP synthase exhibits two of the major energy transduction pathways employed by the cell to convert chemical energy into mechanical force. Here we show how a physical analysis of the F 1 and F o motors can provide a unified view of the mechanochemical principles underlying these energy transducers.
Intertrigeminal region attenuates reflex apnea and stabilizes respiratory pattern in rats.

Abstract The goal of the present study was to determine whether the newly described anatomical pathway involving the pontine intertrigeminal region (ITR), (Chamberlin and Saper, 1998), has a physiological role in mediating or modulating vagally-induced reflex apnea. We explored the ITR impact on vagal reflex apnea elicited by intravenuously injected 5-HT in ten anesthetized rats. The animals had a catheter inserted into the femoral vein for administration of 5-HT (0.00375 mg) and respiration was recorded by piezo-electric crystal. Multibarrel pipettes were used to pressure inject glutamate (5–10 nl, 10 mM), kynurenic acid (10 nl, 50 mM, a glutamate receptor antagonist), and red dye into the ITR, unilaterally and bilaterally. Intravenous administration of 5-HT produced an immediate 3-s apnea. Microinjections of glutamate into the ITR produced apneas, while microinjections of kynurenic acid blocked the glutamate effect. Following glutamate antagonism, subsequent administration of 5-HT produced apneas of much longer duration (8 s). Acute ponto-medullary transection in two animals yielded even greater prolongation of 5-HT-induced apnea. We conclude that a physiological role for the ITR in respiration is to attenuate vagally-induced reflex apneas. This finding is in agreement with the general modulatory role of pontine structures in autonomic activities including respiration, heart rate and regulation of blood pressure. In addition, our data indicate that medullary circuits, independent of pontine structures, are sufficient to produce 5-HT induced reflex apnea.
The Fowler Nordheim equation revisited

Computed solutions of the field emission equations shows that the approximations that lead to the elimination of the Fermi energy are invalid.
Postprocessing in Automated Grading Systems, Part 1

In this first installment on postprocessing, we discuss the manner in which the standard grading algorithm can be generalized in order to increase the power and effectiveness of automated grading systems.
Synchronization of washing operations with droplet routing for cross-contamination avoidance in digital microfluidic biochips

Digital microfluidic biochips are being utilized in many areas of biochemistry and biomedical sciences. Since cross-contamination between droplets of different biomolecules can lead to erroneous outcomes for bioassays, it is essential to avoid cross-contamination during droplet routing. We propose a wash-operation synchronization method to manipulate wash droplets to clean the residue that is left behind by sample and reagent droplets. We also synchronize wash-droplet routing with sample/reagent droplet-routing steps by controlling the arrival order of droplets at cross-contamination sites. The proposed method minimizes droplet-routing time without cross-contamination, and it is especially effective for tight chip-area constraints. A real-life application is used for evaluation.
Infrared microscopy for the study of biological cell monolayers. I. Spectral effects of acetone and formalin fixation.

Infrared spectroscopy of biological cell monolayers grown on surfaces is a poorly developed field. This is unfortunate because these monolayers have potential as biological sensors. Here we have used infrared microscopy, in both transmission and transflection geometries, to study air-dried Vero cell monolayers. Using both methods allows one to distinguish sampling artefactual features from real sample spectral features. In transflection experiments, amide I/II absorption bands down-shift 9/4 cm−1, respectively, relative to the corresponding bands in transmission experiments. In all other spectral regions no pronounced frequency differences in spectral bands in transmission and transflection experiments were observed. Transmission and transflection infrared microscopy were used to obtain infrared spectra for unfixed and acetone- or formalin-fixed Vero cell monolayers. Formalin-fixed monolayers display spectra that are very similar to that obtained using unfixed cells. However, acetone fixation leads to considerable spectral modifications. For unfixed and formalin-fixed monolayers, a distinct band is observed at 1740 cm−1. This band is absent in spectra obtained using acetone-fixed monolayers. The 1740 cm−1 band is associated with cellular ester lipids. In support of this hypothesis, two bands at 2925 and 2854 cm−1 are also found to disappear upon acetone fixation. These bands are associated with CH modes of the cellular lipids. Acetone fixation also leads to modification of protein amide I and II absorption bands. This may be expected as acetone causes coagulation of soluble cellular proteins. Other spectral changes associated with acetone or formalin fixation in the 1400–800 cm−1 region are discussed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 89: 921–930, 2008. This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
Generation and Characterization of Heritable Reciprocal Translocations in Mice

Reciprocal translocations have provided crucial tools for the localization of genes associated with a variety of human cancers and hereditary diseases. Although heritable translocations are relatively rare in humans, they can be easily induced in mice through exposure of male germ cells at specific spermatogenic stages to different types of radiation and chemicals. Mutagenesis schemes that produce translocations at high frequencies in the progeny of treated males are summarized, and the use of these valuable mutations for analyzing developmental consequences of partial aneuploidy, for identification of mutant genes, and for other purposes is reviewed. Preliminary studies of a large collection of translocation mutants, including several stocks that display dominantly or recessively inherited phenotypes caused by the disruption of critical genes are described. These combined studies demonstrate that several mutagenesis protocols can be used to generate easily mapped, novel mouse mutations with high efficiency and highlight the unique value of reciprocal translocations as tools for gaining access to the biological functions of mammalian genes.
Characterization of phenotypic changes in Pseudomonas putida in response to surface-associated growth

The formation of complex bacterial communities known as biofilms begins with the interaction of planktonic cells with a surface. A switch between planktonic and sessile growth is believed to result in a phenotypic change in bacteria. In this study, a global analysis of physiological changes of the plant saprophyte Pseudomonas putida following 6 h of attachment to a silicone surface was carried out by analysis of protein profiles and by mRNA expression patterns. Two-dimensional (2-D) gel electrophoresis revealed 15 proteins that were up-regulated following bacterial adhesion and 30 proteins that were down-regulated. N-terminal sequence analyses of 11 of the down-regulated proteins identified a protein with homology to the ABC transporter, PotF; an outer membrane lipoprotein, NlpD; and five proteins that were homologous to proteins involved in amino acid metabolism. cDNA subtractive hybridization revealed 40 genes that were differentially expressed following initial attachment of P. putida. Twenty-eight of these genes had known homologs. As with the 2-D gel analysis, NlpD and genes involved in amino acid metabolism were identified by subtractive hybridization and found to be down-regulated following surface-associated growth. The gene for PotB was up-regulated, suggesting differential expression of ABC transporters following attachment to this surface. Other genes that showed differential regulation were structural components of flagella and type IV pili, as well as genes involved in polysaccharide biosynthesis. Immunoblot analysis of PilA and FliC confirmed the presence of flagella in planktonic cultures but not in 12- or 24-h biofilms. In contrast, PilA was observed in 12-h biofilms but not in planktonic culture. Recent evidence suggests that quorum sensing by bacterial homoserine lactones (HSLs) may play a regulatory role in biofilm development. To determine if similar protein profiles occurred during quorum sensing and during early biofilm formation, HSLs extracted from P. putida and pure C(12)-HSL were added to 6-h planktonic cultures of P. putida, and cell extracts were analyzed by 2-D gel profiles. Differential expression of 16 proteins was observed following addition of HSLs. One protein, PotF, was found to be down-regulated by both surface-associated growth and by HSL addition. The other 15 proteins did not correspond to proteins differentially expressed by surface-associated growth. The results presented here demonstrate that P. putida undergoes a global change in gene expression following initial attachment to a surface. Quorum sensing may play a role in the initial attachment process, but other sensory processes must also be involved in these phenotypic changes.
Linear quadratic regulator problem for infinite dimensional linear systems with delays in control

The authors consider the linear quadratic optimal control problem for linear control systems with delays in control defined on a Hilbert space H/sub 0/, and they develop a numerical approximation method for approximate Riccati operators. They show how to reformulate the problem as a boundary control problem, using the product space H/sub 0/*L/sub 2/ as the state space. They then present an approximation framework for computing the Riccati operators (in finite-dimensional spaces) that can be guaranteed to converge to the Riccati operators of the infinite-dimensional systems with unbounded input. >
An algorithmic approach to deriving the minimum-variance zero-beta portfolio

Abstract This paper examines the problem of deriving Black's (1972) minimum-variance zero-beta portfolio. Long's (1971) methods, used by Morgan (1975), are briefly mentioned. Then the complementary pivot algorithm of Lemke (1965), which has been shown to be capable of deriving the optimal solution to certain quadratic programming problems that are subject to a non-negativity constraint, is described. Finally, Lemke's algorithm is shown to be capable of deriving the minimum-variance zero-beta portfolio efficiently from samples of risky assets where both long and short positions are allowed by reformulating the problem so as to avoid the difficulties encountered by having a non-negatively constraint.
Recent Advances in the Mode of Action of Juvenile Hormones and Their Analogs

Ecdysteroids (steroid hormones, 20 hydroxyecdysone, 20E, is the most active form) and juvenile hormones (JH, sesquiterpenoids) regulate almost every aspect of the insect’s life including growth, development, immune response and reproduction. While 20E initiates and coordinates molting and metamorphosis, JH maintains the juvenile status and when the JH level goes down, it signals the insect to undergo metamorphosis (Riddiford 1994, 1996). Both 20E and JH along with other hormones regulate vitellogenesis, oogenesis, fertilization and choriogenesis during reproductive maturation of insects (Wyatt et al. 1996). In some insects such as the mosquito Aedes aegypti, 20E plays a critical role in the regulation of vitellogenin genes (Raikhel et al. 2002), whereas in others such as Locusta migratoria, JH plays a key role in the regulation of vitellogenin genes (Dhadialla and Wyatt 1983). In Drosophila melanogaster, 20E enhances the expression of some of the antibacterial peptides such as diptericin that are involved in the suppression of bacterial infection and JH suppresses this enhancement (Flatt et al. 2008). In Spodoptera exigua 20E enhances the sensitivity of plasmatocytes to an insect cytokine, plasmatocyte-spreading peptide whereas JH and JHA antagonize this enhancement (Kim et al. 2008). In addition, JH regulates other transformative processes such as diapause, migratory behavior, wing length, color polymorphism and caste determination (Futahashi and Fujiwara 2008; Giray et al. 2005; Hartfelder 2000; Hrdy et al. 2006; Min et al. 2004; Singtripop et al. 2000).
Ethylene inhibits lateral root development, increases IAA transport and expression of PIN3 and PIN7 auxin efflux carriers

We used genetic and molecular approaches to identify mechanisms by which the gaseous plant hormone ethylene reduces lateral root formation and enhances polar transport of the hormone auxin. Arabidopsis thaliana mutants, aux1, lax3, pin3 and pin7, which are defective in auxin influx and efflux proteins, were less sensitive to the inhibition of lateral root formation and stimulation of auxin transport following treatment with the ethylene precursor 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC). By contrast, pin2 and abcb19 mutants exhibited wild-type ACC responses. ACC and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) increased the abundance of transcripts encoding auxin transport proteins in an ETR1 and EIN2 (ethylene signaling)-dependent and TIR1 (auxin receptor)-dependent fashion, respectively. The effects of ACC on these transcripts and on lateral root development were still present in the tir1 mutant, suggesting independent signaling networks. ACC increased auxin-induced gene expression in the root apex, but decreased expression in regions where lateral roots form and reduced free IAA in whole roots. The ethylene synthesis inhibitor aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) had opposite effects on auxin-dependent gene expression. These results suggest that ACC affects root development by altering auxin distribution. PIN3- and PIN7-GFP fluorescence was increased or decreased after ACC or AVG treatment, respectively, consistent with the role of PIN3 and PIN7 in ACC-elevated transport. ACC treatment abolished a localized depletion of fluorescence of PIN3- and PIN7-GFP, normally found below the site of primordia formation. These results suggest that ACC treatment increased PIN3 and PIN7 expression, resulting in elevated auxin transport, which prevented the localized accumulation of auxin needed to drive lateral root formation.
Decision-level fusion for vehicle detection

This paper deals with the problem of decision-level fusion for vehicle detection from gray-scale images. Specifically, the outputs of some classifiers are simply "distances", that is, they represent "distance measurements" between a query pattern and a decision boundary. We argue that the distance component is very helpful for decision fusion. Unfortunately, some of the most popular statistical decision fusion rules, such as the Sum rule and Product rule, do not take advantage of the "distance" property. Even worse, these rules make assumptions about data independence and distribution models which do not hold in practice. Motivated by these observations, we propose a simple decision-level fusion rule in the context of vehicle detection. Our fusion rule takes advantage of "distance" information and does not make any assumptions. We have applied this rule on a vehicle detection problem, showing that it outperforms well known statistical fusion rules.
Comparing expert and novice understanding of a complex system from the perspective of structures, behaviors, and functions

Complex systems are pervasive in the world around us. Making sense of a complex system should require that a person construct a network of concepts and principles about some domain that represents key (often dynamic) phenomena and their interrelationships. This raises the question of how expert understanding of complex systems differs from novice understanding. In this study we examined individuals’ representations of an aquatic system from the perspective of structural (elements of a system), behavioral (mechanisms), and functional aspects of a system. Structure–Behavior–Function (SBF) theory was used as a framework for analysis. The study included participants from middle school children to preservice teachers to aquarium experts. Individual interviews were conducted to elicit participants’ mental models of aquaria. Their verbal responses and pictorial representations were analyzed using an SBF-based coding scheme. The results indicated that representations ranged from focusing on structures with minimal understanding of behaviors and functions to representations that included behaviors and functions. Novices’ representations focused on perceptually available, static components of the system, whereas experts integrated structural, functional, and behavioral elements. This study suggests that the SBF framework can be one useful formalism for understanding complex systems.
Substrate induction of siderophore transport in Bacillus subtilis mediated by a novel one-component regulator

When iron is scarce, Bacillus subtilis expresses genes involved in the synthesis and uptake of the siderophore bacillibactin (BB) and uptake systems to pirate other microbial siderophores. Here, we demonstrate that transcriptional induction of the feuABCybbA operon, encoding the Fe-BB uptake system, is mediated by Btr (formerly YbbB), which is encoded by the immediately upstream gene. Btr contains an AraC-type DNA binding domain fused to a substrate binding protein (SBP) domain related to FeuA, the SBP for Fe-BB uptake. When cells are iron-limited, the Fur-mediated repression of btr is relieved and Btr binds to a conserved direct repeat sequence adjacent to feuA to activate transcription. If BB is present, Btr further activates feuA expression. Btr binds with high affinity to both apo-BB and Fe-BB, and the resulting complex displays a significantly increased efficacy as a transcriptional activator relative to Btr alone. Btr can also activate transcription in response to the structurally similar siderophore enterobactin, although genetic analyses indicate that the two siderophores make distinct interactions with the Btr substrate binding domain. Thus, the FeuABC transporter is optimally expressed under conditions of iron starvation, when Fur-mediated repression is relieved, and in the presence of its cognate substrate.
Readmission within 30 days of Hospital Discharge among Children Receiving Chronic Dialysis

Background and objectives The hospital admission rate for children receiving chronic dialysis has been increasing over the last decade. Approximately one third of patients with ESRD age 0–19 years are readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of discharge. The objective of this study was to examine hospital readmissions among a cohort of children receiving chronic dialysis to identify factors associated with higher rates of 30-day readmission. Design, settings, participants, & measurements A retrospective cohort of index admissions was developed among chronic dialysis patients age 3 months to 17 years at free-standing children’s hospitals reporting information to the Pediatric Hospital Information System between January 2006 and November 30, 2010, and followed until December 31, 2010. The primary outcome was any-cause 30-day readmission, and the secondary outcome was 30-day readmission for a cause similar to that of the index hospitalization. Results In this cohort, 25% of hospital admissions were followed by a readmission within 30 days. Children older than 2 years of age had a lower odds of readmission (odds ratio [OR], 0.6; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.5 to 0.8). Those receiving hemodialysis had a higher risk of readmission (OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.0 to 1.4), and admissions >14 days were also more likely to be followed by a readmission (OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.1 to 2.0). Approximately 50% of the readmissions were for a similar diagnosis as the index admission; however, the specific admitting diagnosis was not associated with readmission. Conclusions A significant number of admissions among children receiving long-term dialysis are followed by readmission within 30 days. Further investigation is required to reduce the high rate of readmissions in these children.
Basic Data Related to the Natural History of Intermittent Claudication

An accurate definition of the natural history of intermittent claudication is essential to evaluate the need for therapeutic intervention. Available data are imperfect, however, because they are biased by differences in disease severity, referral patterns, and important covariates, such as diabetes, gender, and smoking. Furthermore, some reports of the “natural history” of claudication have included patients treated operatively [ 1-91 or have analyzed arteriosclerosis p e r se without specific reference to associated symptoms [10-20]. We have summarized data from series that specifically identified claudicants without rest pain or tissue loss. Earlier studies relied on symptom evaluation and pulse palpation (Table I) while contemporary reports have added noninvasive measurements or arteriography (Table 11). Natural history, epidemiology, effects of diabetes and smoking, outcome prediction factors, and miscellaneous asDects of intermittent claudication are outlined in Tables 111-IV, and VIII. In order to derive information from individual references, Some extrapolation was required to calculate weighted means for the combined data. Our From the Section of Vascular Surgery, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Hanover, New Hampshire, and the Veterans Administration Medical Center, White River Junction. Vermont.
Robust Moving Object Detection at Distance in the Visible Spectrum and Beyond Using A Moving Camera

Automatic detection of moving objects at distance and in all weather conditions is a critical task in many visionbased safety applications such as video surveillance and vehicle forewarn collision warning. In such applications, prior knowledge about the object class (vehicle, pedestrian, tree, etc.) and imaging conditions (shadow, depth) is unavailable. What makes the task even more challenging is when the camera is non-stationary, e.g., mounted on a moving vehicle. The essential problem in this case lies in distinguishing between camera-induced motion and independent motion. This paper proposes a robust algorithm for automatic moving object detection at distance. The camera is mounted on a moving vehicle and operates in both day and night time. Through the utilization of the focus of expansion (FOE) and its associated residual map, the proposed method is able to detect and separate independently moving objects (IMOs) from the "moving" background caused by the camera motion. Experimentations on numerous realworld driving videos have shown the effectiveness of the proposed technique. Moving objects such as pedestrians and vehicles up to 40 meters away from the camera have been reliably detected at 10 frames per second on a 1.8GHz PC.
Simplified stochastic soil-moisture models: a look at infiltration

Abstract. A simplified, vertically-averaged model of soil moisture interpreted at the daily time scale and forced by a stochastic process of instantaneous rainfall events is compared with a vertically-averaged model which uses a non-overlapping rectangular pulse rainfall model and a more physically based description of infiltration. The models are compared with respect to the importance of short time-scale (intra-storm) variable infiltration in determining the probabilistic structure of soil-moisture dynamics at the daily time-scale. Differences in approach to infiltration modelling show only minor effects on the probabilistic structure of soil-moisture dynamics as simulated in the two models. The partitioning of losses during a single rainfall event are examined closely and the conditions under which surface-controlled runoff is significant, as a proportion of total losses, are delineated.
Nonlinear Noise Measurement on a High Power Amplifier

The common measurements of noise in a communications channel, such as noise figure, are linear measurements. Yet many communications channels are nonlinear because the transmitter is operated close to saturation for high efficiency. We present here a novel method to measure noise in the time domain in the presence of a wideband signal. In conjunction with standard measurements, this new method is applied to measure the output of a traveling wave tube amplifier (TWTA) driven into saturation with a wideband signal in order to derive an accurate black-box model of the TWTA including noise.
Programmable logic controllers

The programmable logic controller (PLC) is a special-purpose computer used to control the operation of electromechanical devices. It is special-purpose in the sense that it has been engineered for use in manufacturing environments, where electrical noise and mechanical vibration may be present, and it is programmed using a special-purpose language compatible with the requirements of sequential control of electromechanical systems. Any computer having input and output interfaces can be used to control external devices. However, several difficulties are immediately encountered when using an ordinary microcomputer for this purpose. The first is that most computers are not industrially hardened and are likely to be damaged when used on the factory floor. Currently, some vendors do offer industrially hardened general-purpose microcomputers and this difficulty is becoming less of a problem. A second difficulty is that the I/Os of general-purpose microcomputers were never engineered to handle line voltages and currents above TTL levels. In order to control an external device, e.g. a relay which energizes a circuit at 120 volts, the output port of the microcomputer must be electronically isolated to avoid destruction. PLCs have such isolation built into their inputs and outputs.
“The First Economic Revolution” As Fiction

In an earlier issue of this journal Douglass C. North and Robert Paul Thomas proposed to explain the agricultural revolution as both cause and effect of a revolution in property rights. 1 In their view population pressure led to a gradual shift to cultivation which must, they argue, have occurred simultaneously with a change in property rights, which then provided incentive for the shift to cultivation and for the human progress which followed. In this comment I shall argue that North's and Thomas's story is tautological; that it is marred by rather curious economic theory; and that the assumptions which they make about prehistoric man are not supported by the anthropological and archaeological reports, including some of the sources which they themselves cite. The story North and Thomas tell is a simple one: once upon a time there was an abundance of animals and thus constant returns to hunting. Population grew. As population grew, groups hived off to form new bands, but eventually those groups inside "the population frontier" would feel pressed to regulate population. However, they would fail because, in the pre-agricultural world, there was "common property" by which North and Thomas apparently mean no property rights at all ("free access by all").2 In the absence of any territory of its own, each group would "lose out" to other groups whose population continued to grow. Thus population would continue to grow at such a rate that eventually, because of diminishing returns to hunting and gathering, agriculture would replace hunting simultaneously with the assertion of exclusive rights over the area being farmed.3 Two assumptions are necessary for this story: (i) that population grew sufficiently rapidly before the agricultural revolution to cause the shift to agriculture, and (2) that there were no property rights for pre-agricultural peoples. The basis for these assumptions is not empirical there is a dearth of evidence for either. Rather it is tautological reasoning: rapid population growth occurred because there were no property rights to make population control feasible and there were no property rights until population reached some critical level. The importance of population growth in the North and Thomas story is
Thermal design space prediction in two-phase direct liquid cooling

Software for predicting the optimum operating conditions for a two-phase liquid cooling environment is presented. This software consists of a data bank which includes a variety of physical and thermodynamic properties of fluorocarbons. It also includes heat transfer correlations which cover the range from single-phase boiling incipience, to nucleate boiling, to critical heat flux. The heat flux of the integrated circuit is compared to the calculated boiling incipience heat flux and critical heat flux to determine if the operating conditions provide for nucleate boiling. The optimum operating conditions are determined for three cooling schemes: pool boiling, flow boiling, and jet impingement boiling. Application of the software indicated that the jet impingement boiling has better thermal performance than flow and pool boiling. The uncertainties involved in the software predictions are considered in terms of design rule development. >
Fruit and Vegetable Intake among Urban Community Gardeners

Abstract Objective To determine the association between household participation in a community garden and fruit and vegetable consumption among urban adults. Design Data were analyzed from a cross-sectional random phone survey conducted in 2003. A quota sampling strategy was used to ensure that all census tracts within the city were represented. Setting Flint, Michigan Participants 766 adults Variables Measured Fruit and vegetable intake was measured using questionnaire items from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Household participation in a community garden was assessed by asking the respondent if he or she, or any member of the household, had participated in a community garden project in the last year. Analysis Generalized linear models and logistic regression models assessed the association between household participation in a community garden and fruit and vegetable intake, controlling for demographic, neighborhood participation, and health variables. Results Adults with a household member who participated in a community garden consumed fruits and vegetables 1.4 more times per day than those who did not participate, and they were 3.5 times more likely to consume fruits and vegetables at least 5 times daily. Conclusions and Implications Household participation in a community garden may improve fruit and vegetable intake among urban adults.
Numerical Simulations of High-Frequency Respiratory Flows in 2D and 3D Lung Bifurcation Models

To better understand the human pulmonary system and optimize the high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) design, numerical simulations were conducted under normal breathing frequency and HFOV condition using a CFD code Ansys Fluent and its user-defined C programs. 2D and 3D double bifurcating lung models were created, and the geometry corresponds to fifth to seventh generations of airways with the dimensions based on the Weibel's pulmonary model. Computations were carried out for different Reynolds numbers (Re = 400 and 1000) and Womersley numbers (α = 4 and 16) to study the air flow fields, gas transportation, and wall shear stresses in the lung airways. Flow structure was compared with experimental results. Both 2D and 3D numerical models successfully reproduced many results observed in the experiment. The oxygen concentration distribution in the lung model was investigated to analyze the influence of flow oscillation on gas transport inside the lung model.
Augmenting Context-Dependent Memory

The goal of this study was to design a human-computer interface that would increase the memorability of information presented by providing context as compared with memory with no context. Our focus was in augmenting context-dependent memory because it is a powerful and often unexploited characteristic of human cognition. To amplify this cognitive strength, we built the InfoCockpit, which included a large screen containing projected images of places, a three-dimensional surround-sound system that played ambient noises congruent with the projected images, and a flat-panel monitor that served as the focal display for the presentation of the to-be-remembered information. Participants in our study learned and recalled information in either the InfoCockpit or a standard desktop environment. The InfoCockpit group demonstrated a 131% memory advantage. Contextual factors that were previously found to be effective in isolation created a large effect when presented in combination.
Fuzzy Rule Based Modeling as a Universal Approximation Tool

In some cases, fuzzy rule based model needs tuning. If we have applied some version of fuzzy rule based modeling, and the resulting model is satisfactory, great. But sometimes, the resulting model is not of very high quality: ■ we may have misinterpreted some of the expert’s rules; ■ we may have missed some of the important rules.
The Fourier transform solution for the Green's function of monoenergetic neutron transport theory

Nearly 45 years ago, Ken Case published his seminal paper on the singular eigenfunction solution for the Green's function of the monoenergetic neutron transport equation with isotropic scattering. Previously, the solution had been obtained by Fourier transform. While it is apparent the two had to be equivalent, a convincing equivalence proof for general anisotropic scattering remained a challenge until now.
Crystal structure of (3-carb-oxy-prop-yl)tri-phenyl-phospho-nium hexa-fluorido-phosphate.

In the title mol­ecular salt, C22H22O2P+·PF6−, the side chain of the cation adopts an anti–gauche conformation [P—C—C—C and C—C—C—C torsion angles = −179.11 (10) and −77.18 (16)°, respectively]. In the crystal, the cations are linked into carb­oxy­lic acid inversion dimers by pairs of O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds. Weak C—H⋯F and C—H⋯(F,F) hydrogen bonds connect the components into a three-dimensional network, but there are no aromatic π–π stacking inter­actions.
The Isotopes Os 185 and Os 193

The half-life of ${\mathrm{Os}}^{193}$ is shown to be 15.0 days, decay being by emission of a beta-particle with range less than 35 milligrams per square centimeter of aluminum (energy not more than 0.165 Mev). A highly converted gamma-ray of about 0.13-Mev energy is probably emitted at each disintegration, producing x-rays in large abundance. ${\mathrm{Os}}^{185}$ decays by orbital capture with a half-life of 97 days. A gamma-ray of 0.75 Mev is probably emitted at each event. The relative cross sections for pile (slow) neutron capture of the isotopes ${\mathrm{Os}}^{184}$, ${\mathrm{Os}}^{190}$, and ${\mathrm{Os}}^{192}$ have been estimated as 80:3.5:1, on the basis of measurements on the daughter activities.
Comparative genomics reveals multiple pathways to mutualism for tick-borne pathogens

Multiple important human and livestock pathogens employ ticks as their primary host vectors. It is not currently known whether this means of infecting a host arose once or many times during evolution. In order to address this question, we conducted a comparative genomics analysis on a set of bacterial pathogens from seven genera – Borrelia, Rickettsia, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Francisella, Coxiella, and Bartonella, including species from three different host vectors – ticks, lice, and fleas. The final set of 102 genomes used in the study encoded a total of 120,046 protein sequences. We found that no genes or metabolic pathways were present in all tick-borne bacteria. However, we found some genes and pathways were present in subsets of tick-transmitted organisms while absent from bacteria transmitted by lice or fleas. Our analysis suggests that the ability of pathogens to be transmitted by ticks arose multiple times over the course of evolution. To our knowledge, this is the most comprehensive study of tick transmissibility to date.
AUDIOLOGIC ASSESSMENT AND AMPLIFICATION

The basic audiologic tests (audiogram, speech recognition, and acoustic-immittance), special audiologic tests (otoacoustic emissions and auditory-evoked potentials), and screening protocols, including universal hearing screening, are discussed. Hearing and acoustic-immittance screeners are evaluated. This article also reviews advances in hearing and sensory aids and assistive-listening devices.
Environmental Law and Contrasting Ideas of Nature: Boundaries of Nature and the American City

This chapter presents a framework for understanding how legal approaches have guided and defined the relationship between nature and the city since the wilderness movement. The purpose of presenting a selective and concise, but by no means exhaustive, version of these changes is twofold: first, this chapter satisfies a need to identify the dynamics that govern and organize the disparate policies through which we navigate the boundaries between nature and the city; second, because the city and its legal tools will be tasked with driving human adaptation to climate change, this chapter will serve as a guide for further exploration into the capacity and potential of these legal tools in a changing environment. The five approaches to city boundaries explored here illustrate the variety of tensions constructed in the law between humans, nature, and place. The first two approaches, both of which fit under the larger rubric of growth management or smart growth policies, primarily concern the city’s sprawl into nature. These approaches are driven by a felt need to maintain the boundary between human, civilized places and nature. The first approach uses legal tools that would bind a city geographically through preservation of natural elements at the city’s border, such as open space acquisition, land trusts and conservation easements, agricultural easements and working landscapes, transfer of development rights, greenbelts and urban growth boundaries, and large-lot zoning. A second approach to sprawl has been to restrain the speed of the city’s geographic growth through land use tools such as tempo and sequencing controls, and linking land use and transportation planning. Beyond addressing sprawl, a third approach to boundaries of nature and the city has sought to revitalize neglected natural elements located geographically within the city — rivers, native species, and agriculture — enhance them, and integrate them into city life. A fourth approach has sought to change how cities’ built environment relates to nature by reducing and mitigating the built environment’s effects on nature. This has included use of legal tools such as mandatory environmental review of new projects, new legal regimes governing how the built environment’s use of resources affected nature globally through climate change, as well as regulations of even small parts of the built environment, such as street lights, that can have an outsized effects on wildlife. A fifth approach has sought to change how a city’s community relates to nature, including using law to address environmental justice and empowering sub-local communities to seek environmental benefits. After reviewing these five approaches to boundaries of nature and the city, the chapter concludes by evaluating how the relationship between nature and city is being redefined through rapid population and ecosystem migrations. As both nature and the city morph and change, new, forward-looking legal tools will be needed to renegotiate nature and the city’s boundaries at both the hyper-global and hyper-local levels.
Formation, disruption and energy output of Population III X-ray binaries

The first astrophysical objects shaped the cosmic environment by reionizing and heating the intergalactic medium (IGM). In particular, X-rays are very efficient at heating the IGM before it became completely ionized, an effect that can be measured through the 21 cm line of neutral hydrogen. High-mass X-ray binaries (HMXBs), known to be prolific X-ray sources in star-forming galaxies at lower redshifts, are prime candidates for driving the thermal evolution of the IGM at redshifts $z > 20$. Despite their importance, the formation efficiency of HMXBs from the first stellar populations is not well understood---as such, their collective X-ray emission and the subsequent imprint on the 21 cm signature are usually evaluated using free parameters. Using $N$-body simulations, we estimate the rate of HMXB formation via mutual gravitational interactions of nascent, small groups of the first stars (Pop III stars). We run two sets of calculations: one in which stars form in small groups of five in nearly Keplerian initial orbits, and another in which two such groups collide (expected from mergers of host protogalaxies). We find that HMXBs form at a rate of one per $~10^{4}~{\rm M}_{\odot}$ in newly born stars, and that they emit with a power of $\sim 10^{41} ~{\rm erg}~{\rm s} ^{-1}$ in the $2-10$ keV band per solar mass per year of star formation. This value is a factor $\sim 10^{2}$ larger than what is observed in star forming galaxies at lower redshifts; the X-ray production from early HMXBs would have been even more copious, if they also formed $in$ $situ$ or via migration in protostellar disks. Combining our results with earlier studies suggests that early HMXBs were highly effective at heating the IGM and leaving a strong 21 cm signature. We discuss broader implications of our results, such as the rate of long GRBs from PopIII stars and the direct collapse black hole formation.
Bioluminescence Tomography With A PDE-Constrained Algorithm Based On The Equation Of Radiative Transfer

We introduce the PDE-constrained fluorescence tomography algorithm with a sequential quadratic programming method based on the frequency-domain radiative transfer equation. We show that the PDE-constrained approach leads to 15-fold speedup compared to the unconstrained approach.
Continued Fractions, Chebychev Polynomials, and Chaos

For arbitrary t1, (2) is a one-parameter family of discrete dynamical systems, and it is in this context that we will speak of chaos in Sections 6 and 7. If you have a calculator or computer, you can readily check that S2(1) = 1 and S2(0.98)= 1.14142135624.... These answers can also be obtained by assuming convergence in (2) to t and solving the quadratic t2 = 2t a. In general, one can easily prove the following result.