cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interactions of aminoalkylcarbamoyl cellulosics and sodium dodecyl sulfate. I. Surface tension

We have compared the interactions between Polyquaternium 10 and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) with similar complexes of mono and diquaternary aminoalkylcarbamoyl cellulose derivatives by measuring the surface tension of their aqueous solutions. The results indicate that reduction of surface tension of aqueous solutions occurs via the formation of highly surface active polymer-surfactant complexes. At approximately a 1: 1 stoichiometric ratio of SDS to quaternary groups, a complex of low solubility forms which is more efficient at reducing surface tension than the surfactant alone. The ability of the polymer-surfactant complex to reduce surface tension appears to be independent of polymer architecture and dependent only upon adsorption of the surfactant species at the cationic polymer sites.
A Passively $Q$ -Switched, CW-Pumped Fe:ZnSe Laser

We report the demonstration of high-average-power passively Q-switched laser oscillation from Fe2+ ions in zinc selenide. A semiconductor saturable absorber mirror was used as a passive Q-switch element. Using a 60% R outcoupler, the pump-limited output power was 515 mW. The spectral center of the laser was 4045 nm. The pulse repetition frequency (PRF) at maximum power was ~ 850 kHz with a corresponding minimum pulsewidth of 64 ns Full-Width Half-Maximum. The pulse energy and peak power were and 8.3 W, respectively. The average output power was limited only by available pump power and increased with a slope efficiency of 22%. No thermal rolloff of slope-efficiency was observed. The beam quality was measured to be M2 ≤ 2.6. The temporal stability of the pulsed output was characterized. Thermal effects were shown to play a significant role in determining the PRF of the output.
From Comparative Management to Supranational Management

This study reviews Jean Boddewyn's contribution to research in comparative management that includes a definition and framing of the field and the formulation of three major research questions: What should be the unit of analysis in comparative management studies, what variables should be measured and compared, and what should be the purpose of the measurements and the studies in general? His early theoretical and empirical answers to these questions are compared with the state of research in this field today. Proposals are made for further refinements of the questions and new methodologies for seeking answers.
The pressure-volume-temperature properties of polyethylene, poly(dimethyl siloxane), poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(propylene glycol) as a function of molecular weight

The pressure—volume—temperature (PVT) properties of a number of polymer liquid samples as a function of molecular weight have been investigated. The polymers studied included polyethylene (PE), poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS), poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and poly(propylene glycol) (PPG). The properties of the end-groups and their effect on the density, compressibility, thermal pressure coefficient and expansivity as a function of their concentration are discussed. The specific volume exhibits a clear 1Mn dependence for those molecules with weakly interacting end-groups, i.e. PE and PDMS. The specific volume is found to be independent of Mn for PEG and PPG, which can hydrogen-bond to each other. The data sets have been compared using equation-of-state theories.
Concurrency control optimizations in a Prolog database

The degree of concurrency allowed by a concurrency control scheme depends on the knowledge it has about the database and the transactions. This paper analyzes the syntactic information available in a Prolog database to improve concurrency. An optimistic concurrency control scheme is chosen since it is a natural choice for Prolog databases. The conflict criteria among transactions in a Prolog environment is translated into conditions on the query search tree. This aids in identifying concurrency related information from the depth-first search execution strategy. A spesented in stages such that progressively more information is considered to construct the read and the write sets (required to check conflicts) and better concurrency is achieved. An orthogonal contribution of the information analysis is a new query evaluation optimization. The price for better concurrency is paid in terms of increased storage and computation costs. The optimality of the algorithms with respect to the available information and derived concurrency is discussed qualitatively.
Heart rate variability of preterm neonates quantified by energy entropy.

Identifying variables predictive of neurobehavioural sequelae is a key objective in the study of high-risk neonates. Examination of heart rate variability (HRV) characteristics may be a finer discriminator of the neonate’s response to physiologic stressors than the mean heart rate. The energy entropy of the heart beat tachogram, computed in four different domains, was used to quantify the HRV in 13 preterm neonates. The entropies of energies were computed from 1024 interbeat time intervals obtained once per week from 26 to 35 weeks postconceptional age (PCA). The energy entropy computed in three of the domains, like the standard deviation of intervals, distinguished between the 10 neonates that were measured at 35 weeks PCA with 100% specificity and 67% sensitivity, but did not distinguish between healthy and unhealthy neonates at earlier ages. The findings suggest that energy entropy may be a discerning measure of physiologic stress in the preterm infant, although future research is needed to refine the test and determine statistical significance.
TH-E-BRA-01: Tumor Control, Probability of Cure, and All That

In current practice tumor control (TC) is taken to mean the extinction of clonogenic tumorcells at the end of treatment, a sufficient but not necessary condition for cure. In contrast, patients undergoing radiation therapy are concerned with the probability of cure (long term recurrence‐free survival, meaning the absence of a detectable or symptomatic tumor).Tumor control thus defined has significant deficiencies, viz. it is an unobservable event, and elimination of all malignant clonogenic cells is in some cases unnecessary. As well, many primary cancers, such as breast and prostate cancer, are not lethal per se; they kill through metastases and, consequently, an object of tumor control in such cases should be the prevention of metastatic spread of the disease. I shall argue that full information about the long‐term treatment outcome is contained in the distribution, Pm(T), of the number of malignant cells m that remain clonogenic at the end of treatment and the birth (b) and death rates (d) of surviving tumorcells after treatment. Accordingly, plausible definitions of tumor control are invariably traceable to Pm(T). Specifically, I shall explain the link between survival time — where the events of interest are local recurrence or distant (metastatic) failure (cancer‐free survival) or death (cancer‐specific survival) — and the distribution, Pm(T); and show how to link Pm(T) to treatment planning (modality, total dose and schedule of radiation) and tumor‐specific parameters (initial number of clonogens, birth and spontaneous death rates during the treatment period, parameters of the dose‐response function). Learning Objectives: 1. understand (and appreciate) the difference between tumor control and cure probability, 2. become familiar with the mathematical tools available for describing these quantities, 3. link Pm(t) to treatment planning algorithms, and 4. become aware of many important factors that determine tumor response to radiation(cell cycling, interaction with the immune system, selection effects, spatial heterogeneity of the tumor and its capillary network, etc) that have not been taken into account. As a bonus you'll learn why the ubiquitous Poisson expression of tumor control probability is wrong and should be avoided.
High-level expression, purification, and characterization of Staphylococcus aureus dihydroorotase (PyrC) as a cleavable His-SUMO fusion

Staphylococcus aureus is a pathogenic bacterium that causes a variety of mild to lethal human diseases. The rapid spread of multidrug-resistant strains makes the discovery of new antimicrobial agents critical. Dihydroorotase (PyrC), the third enzyme in the bacterial pyrimidine biosynthesis pathway, is structurally and mechanistically distinct from its mammalian counterpart. It has been confirmed to be essential in S. aureus making it an attractive antibacterial drug target. No protocol to express and purify S. aureus PyrC (SaPyrC) has been reported. To obtain the SaPyrC enzyme and overcome anticipated solubility problems, the SaPyrC gene was cloned into the pET-SUMO vector. The N-terminal His-SUMO fused SaPyrC was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) with an HRV 3C protease recognition site inserted between the SUMO tag and SaPyrC to allow for improved cleavage by HRV protease. Purification of cleaved protein using HisTrap affinity and gel filtration columns resulted in native SaPyrC with estimated 95% purity and 40% yield. Both His-SUMO tagged and native SaPyrC form dimers, and enzyme characterization studies have shown that the His-SUMO tag affects enzyme activity slightly. Forward and reverse kinetic rate constants for both tagged and native SaPyrC were determined, and pH profiling studies revealed the optimal pH values for forward and reverse reactions.
Hydrophilic encapsulation of multi-walled carbon nanotubes using admicellar polymerization

Abstract Admicellar polymerization (AP), a surface analog of emulsion polymerization was used to obtain a thin layer of hydrophilic polymer coating on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The hydrophilic nature can facilitate integration of carbon nanotubes into a variety of composite materials. To develop hydrophilic polymer by AP, acrylate monomers were copolymerized using sodium dodecyl sulfate as a surfactant. Development of a system for AP involves measurement of surfactant adsorption and adsolubilization or partitioning of monomer into adsorbed structures (reverse hemimicelles). A modified two-site adsolubilization model was used to calculate the size of surfactant aggregates over the surface of MWCNTs and a binary adsolubilization model was employed to predict number of monomers adsolubilized from single component experiments. Adsolubilized monomers were polymerized to form a polymer nanocomposite, which was then hydrolyzed to obtain a hydrophilic nanocomposite. SEM, energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) and FT-IR confirmed the formation of polymer on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). Modified MWCNTs readily dispersed in aqueous media and were stable after 3 days.
Guiding Principles for Tactile Technology: Implications from Theory and Empirical Findings

There is an extensive literature on tactile interfaces and their overall importance to human-computer interaction is increasing. In this presentation we critically examine the psychological, computer science, engineering, and human factors literatures for tactile devices. Two major classes of principles emerge: those taken directly from authors' publications and those synthesized from the literature. Over 800 specific principles emerged from our work. We developed a structure for organizing the principles and offer the principles for specific guidance to researchers and practitioners.
Segmentation of cracks in X-ray CT images of tested macroporous plaster specimens

Precise segmentation of cracks is essential to characterize the structural properties of a rock specimen under compressive force. A two-dimensional internal cross-sectional image of rock can be created using X-ray computed tomography (CT scanning). Cracks in rocks usually have very poor local contrast which makes it difficult to detect and segment cracks from the background using existing popular edge detection algorithms. In this paper, we propose a two-dimensional matched filtering technique followed by local entropy based thresholding, morphological operators and length filtering to detect and segment cracks from the cross-sectional images of rock. The proposed algorithm is tested on several macroporous plaster specimens. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the algorithm compared to hand-labeled ground truth segmentations.
Multihoming route control among a group of multihomed stub networks

In recent years, commercial ''multihoming route control'' devices are used by multihomed stub networks to optimize the routing of their Internet traffic. Previous studies have shown that ''multihoming route control'' can improve the Internet communication performance of the multihomed stub networks significantly. In this work, we study ''multihoming route control'' among a group of multihomed stub networks that may belong to an organization and exchange large amount of data regularly. We show that greedy ''multihoming routing control'' schemes could lead to oscillations. We propose a user-optimal routing based ''multihoming routing control'' scheme that improves routing performance without causing oscillations. The proposed scheme is simpler to implement than optimal routing based approaches. We show through simulations that the proposed scheme achieves performance close to optimal routing and works well in various network conditions.
Dual threshold voltage adder for robust sub-Vt operation in 65nm technology

With the increased focus on power efficiency, there is a push towards lowering the supply voltage and operating the design in the sub-threshold regime. While this is good for lowering the active power, it makes certain circuits more susceptible to single-event effects due to poor Ioff/Ion ratio. The 28-T mirror adder is a key building block for many arithmetic and digital signal processing systems. Yet, the mirror full adder is vulnerable to failure in sub-threshold operation due to its long chain of transistors in series and xor-parallel configuration. By replacing the transistors in the vulnerable configuration with low-Vt transistors, we are able to strengthen the circuit for sub-threshold operation. In this paper, we look at the effect of a dual-Vt version of the basic mirror adder circuit in the 65nm technology node.
Qualitative changes in the self-diffusion coefficient and T2 for solid 3He at very low temperatures

Abstract When solid 3 He is cooled by compression, over a small temperature range at the lowest temperatures both D and T 2 drop substantially from those nearly temperature-independent values they have at higher temperatures.
Capitalism and ethics: how conflicts-of-interest legislation can be used to handle moral dilemmas in the economy*

In this article I look at the way that conflict of interest-legislation is used to handle moral dilemmas in the US economy. The key idea of this type of laws is that it is possible to prevent a certain type of moral conflicts from arising by forbidding all the actors who have been set to guard a general interest to enter into a situation where their behaviour may be influenced by their private interests. In an attempt to better understand how this type of legislation works in reality, I use as my empirical case what happened when the US bull market of the 1990s fell apart and a number of corporate scandals broke out. The reason for using just this example is that conflicts of interest figured very prominently in the scandals that followed the bull market, especially in the accounting industry which this article covers in detail. An effort is also made to see how suggestions were made, in response to the scandals, to improve upon the existing conflicts of interest-legislation in various ways.
Determination of plutonium isotope ratios at very low levels by ICP-MS using on-line electrochemically modulated separations

Electrochemically modulated separations (EMS) are shown to be a rapid and selective means of extracting and concentrating Pu from complex solutions prior to isotopic analysis by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS). This separation is performed in a flow injection mode, on‐line with the ICP‐MS. A three‐electrode, flow‐by electrochemical cell is used to accumulate Pu at an anodized glassy carbon electrode by redox conversion of Pu(III) to Pu (IV&VI). The entire process takes place in 2% (v/v) (0.46 M) HNO3. No redox chemicals or acid concentration changes are required. Plutonium accumulation and release is redox dependent and controlled by the applied cell potential. Large transient volumetric concentration enhancements can be achieved. Based on more negative U(IV) potentials relative to Pu(IV), separation of Pu from uranium is efficient, thereby eliminating uranium hydride interferences. EMS‐ICP‐MS isotope ratio measurement performance will be presented for femtogram to attogram level plutonium isotope injections.
Mapping not tracing: qualitative educational research with political teeth

In this article, we deploy ideas from Deleuze and Guattari to argue for the importance of engaging in educational research practice designed to be productive (mapping) rather than representational (tracing). First, we introduce the significance of our approach for educational research practice. Second, we unpack key constructs from Deleuze and Guattari required for constructing our argument, and we outline the shape of mapping as productive or transformative research practice. Third, we share critical summaries of several studies that utilized mapping to engage in this kind of research practice. Finally, we discuss the nature, effects, and relevance of mapping as educational research practice.
Numerical Study of Liquid Slug Stability During Adiabatic Two Phase Flow Inside a Minichannel

The present study is performed to analyze stability of a liquid meniscus inside a microchannel. A liquid plug is placed inside a microchannel and the shape and stability of upstream and downstream interfaces have been studied for different airflow rates. The thickness of the liquid plug and the contact angle has been varied systematically. In the numerical model the complete Navier-Stokes equations along with continuity equation are solved using the SIMPLER method. The liquid vapor interface is captured using the level set technique. The liquid plug is seen to move downstream along with the air and surface instabilities are noted at the upstream and downstream interfaces. At low contact angle, water is found to accumulate at the channel corners due to capillary forces causing the slug to disintegrate. The numerical results are found to be qualitatively similar to experimental data.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
DNA–WT1 protein interaction studied by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

Interactions of proteins with DNA play an important role in regulating the biological functions of DNA. Here we propose and demonstrate the detection of protein–DNA binding using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). In this method, double-stranded DNA molecules with potential protein-binding sites are labeled with dye molecules and immobilized on metal nanoparticles. The binding of proteins protects the DNA from complete digestion by exonuclease and can be detected by measuring the SERS signals before and after the exonuclease digestion. As a proof of concept, this SERS-based protein–DNA interaction assay is validated by studying the binding of a zinc finger transcription factor WT1 with DNA sequences derived from the promoter of the human vascular endothelial growth factor.
Comprehension of semantic relationships and the generality of categorization models

Six groups of subjects rated word pairs for the degree to which they exemplified one of six semantic relationships. The relationships that subjects were instructed to rate were antonymy, synonymity, subordination, superordination, coordination, and similarity. Stimulus pairs represented antonyms, synonyms, subordinates, superordinates, and coordinates. The pairs representing each stimulus relationship varied across four levels of typicality, ranging from good examples of the relationship to unrelated pairs. The highest rating in each group was given to the stimulus relationship corresponding to the relationship being judged (e.g., antonyms received the highest rating under antonym judgment instructions). This interaction was strongest for high-typicality pairs and decreased across the levels of typicality. Semantic decision models cannot explain these results unless the models are modified so that decisions are based on relationship similarity, the degree to which a stimulus pair exemplifies the relationship subjects are instructed to judge.
Cepstral Peak Sensitivity: A Theoretic Analysis and Comparison of Several Implementations.

Summary Objective The aim of this study was to develop a theoretic analysis of the cepstral peak (CP), to compare several CP software programs, and to propose methods for reducing variability in CP estimation. Study Design Descriptive, experimental study. Methods The theoretic CP value of a pulse train was derived and compared with estimates computed for pulse train WAV files using available CP software programs: (1) Hillenbrand's CP prominence ( CPP ) software (Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI), (2) KayPENTAX (Montvale, NJ) Multi-Speech implementation of CPP, and (3) a MATLAB (The Mathworks, Natick, MA, version R2014a) implementation using cepstral interpolation. The CP variation was also investigated for synthetic breathy vowels. Results For pulse trains with period T samples, the theoretic CP is 1/2+e/T, |e| e =0 for integer T). For fundamental frequencies between 70 and 230Hz, the CP mean±standard deviation was 0.496±0.002 using cepstral interpolation and 0.29±0.03 using Hillenbrand's software, whereas CPP was 35.0±3.8dB using Hillenbrand's software and 20.5±2.7dB using KayPENTAX's software. The CP and CPP versus signal-to-noise ratio for synthetic breathy vowels were fit to a logistic model for the Hillenbrand ( R 2 =0.92) and KayPENTAX ( R 2 =0.82) estimators as well as an ideal estimator ( R 2 =0.98), which used a period-synchronous analysis. Conclusions The findings indicate that several variables unrelated to the signal itself impact CP values, with some factors introducing large variability in CP values that would otherwise be attributed to the signal (eg, voice quality). Variability may be reduced by using a period-synchronous analysis with Hann windows.
Visible light-emitting diodes in display applications-an old technology gets a new life

The development of brighter and more efficient materials for LEDs which cover the entire visible spectrum has opened the door for a multitude of new applications. Many of these applications involve replacing incandescent filament bulbs, but there are also many new applications and markets for visible LEDs which are under development.
The Diffusion of Violence in the North Caucasus of Russia, 1999–2010:

Despite an increase in attention to ‘geography’ in civil war research, local dynamics in violence remain poorly understood. To address this gap, we analyze disaggregated violent event data for the North Caucasus of Russia from the start of the second Chechen war, in August 1999, to July 2010. We employ a diffusion perspective to examine the spread of the conflict from its Chechen nucleus and we identify the tit-for-tat nature of the conflict between the rebels and the military/police forces as especially significant in understanding the conflict's dynamics and spread to neighboring republics. A space—time analysis shows that violence is concentrated at short temporal intervals and geographic distances. As the insurgents in the violence have changed from dominantly nationalist to Islamist, the geography of the war has become more diffuse across the Muslim republics of the region, rendering the Russian counterinsurgency efforts more challenging.
Uniparental disomy and genomic imprinting in dermatology

With the increased understanding and application of molecular genetics, exceptions to Mendelian genetics have been characterized. Uniparental disomy and genomic imprinting are two genetic mechanisms that often underlie these unusual patterns of inheritance. Uniparental disomy occurs when both copies of one chromosome pair come from only one parent. Genomic imprinting is the differential expression of allelic genes depending upon the parent of origin. In this review, these topics will be examined with regard to their etiologies and clinical consequences. We will focus on examples from the dermatological literature, including Prader–Willi, Angelman, Silver–Russell, Chediak–Higashi, cartilage-hair hypoplasia, Bloom and Beckwith–Wiedemann syndromes, as well as epidermolysis bullosa and cystic fibrosis.
An Electron-Microscopical Examination of Rayon

By metallic shadow-casting of specimens for electron-microscopical examination, fibrils a few hundred Angstroms in diameter were demonstrated in cuprammonium and in viscose rayons. Fibrillation was more distinct in the rayons having a high degree of orientation. The fine fibrils in the fibers of both these regenerated celluloses were similar to those previously observed in native cellulose fibers.A comparison of surface replicas of the fibers revealed distinct differences. Whereas the cuprammonium rayon fibers were relatively smooth except for occasional markings which gave them a scaly appearance, the viscose rayon fibers were rougher, and showed an irregular netlike pattern.
Reproductive biology of middle Mississippi River shovelnose sturgeon: insights from seasonal and age variation in plasma sex steroid and calcium concentrations.

Summary Shovelnose sturgeon Scaphirhynchus platorynchus are endemic to the Mississippi River drainage and are commercially harvested for roe in several states. The status of shovelnose sturgeon populations throughout much of its range is unknown or declining; Mississippi River stocks are experiencing recruitment overfishing and may be at risk of collapse. Restoration of shovelnose sturgeon populations will require additional information on their reproductive biology, including age at maturity and reproductive status and cycles. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of reproductive stage, fish age, and season on plasma 17-β estradiol (E2) and calcium (Ca2+) concentrations in female shovelnose sturgeon and plasma testosterone (T) concentrations in male shovelnose sturgeon from the middle Mississippi River (MMR). The relationship was also assessed between plasma vitellogenin (VTG) and Ca2+concentrations for female shovelnose sturgeon. Plasma E2 and Ca2+concentrations in females and T concentrations in males differed among reproductive stages, consistent with results of prior research on shovelnose sturgeon and other sturgeon species. VTG and Ca2+concentrations were strongly correlated in female shovelnose sturgeon, indicating that Ca2+can be used as a surrogate for VTG assays for identification of vitellogenic females, as has been shown for other sturgeon species. Age at maturity was estimated at 10 years for males and 9 years for females based on T and E2 profiles, consistent with other recent age at maturity estimates in the MMR and Wabash River determined by gonadal examination. Peaks in plasma sex steroid and Ca2+concentrations during April and October possibly reflected the spring spawning season and provide additional evidence in support of recent documentation of autumn spawning by shovelnose sturgeon in the MMR. Additional research is needed to elucidate autumn spawning by shovelnose sturgeon in the MMR.
Quadrifizzle: Is four channel a Quadrifizzle?

Explains the concept of quadriffizle - a four channel home entertainment system. Discusses its technology, special features, and communications capaibabilities.
Biochemical Comparison of Some Classical Tetrahymena pyriformis and T. vorax Strains

SYNOPSIS. The classical Tetrahymena pyriformis and T. vorax strains have been classified in antigenic subgroups based on immobilization and agar double diffusion in the presence of specific antisera. The present study utilized disc electrophoresis of proteins and lactate dehydrogenase isozymes for comparison of 11 strains. In agreement with similarities reported for agar diffusion data, close electrophoretic relationships were observed between strains GL and H, and V2 and W with aniline black staining. Altho LDH isozyme production was more variable and related to cultural growth phase, similarities were recognized between GL and H, and F and PR.
AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF THE PRICING OF LEGAL SERVICES

Abstract Consumers and firms spend some $200 billion annually on legal services, but little is known about the factors that influence lawyers’ prices for those services. In this paper, we explore the determinants of the variation in lawyers’ pricing to shed light on competition among lawyers and to comment on whether entry barriers to legal practice that restrict competition are justified because they protect consumers who may have imperfect information about potential legal service providers. We do not find evidence in support of this premise.
Cholesterol: an important but relatively overemphasized risk factor for ischemic heart disease.

Educational messages directed at the public to prevent ischemic heart disease (IHD) are generally based on cholesterol-reduction. However, IHD has multiple risk factors, and a study was performed to help determine whether or not the allocation of educational messages among risk factors is appropriate: The severity of high cholesterol was compared with the severity of multiple other major risk factors for IHD, and the beneficial effects of cholesterol-reduction was compared with the benefits of multiple other major preventative factors for IHD. It was found that high cholesterol levels, and multiple other risk factors, generally give a risk of around 2.0 for developing IHD. Cholesterol-reduction by statins, and multiple other factors which prevent IHD, generally reduce the risk of IHD by about 30-40%. It was concluded that the allocation of educational messages to reduce the incidence of IHD should significantly increase discussions of non-cholesterol risk and preventative factors.
A recursive quadratic programming method with active set strategy for optimal design

Recursive quadratic programming methods have become popular in the field of mathematical programming owing to their excellent convergence characteristics. There are two recursive quadratic programming methods that have been published in the literature. One is by Han and the other is by Pshenichny, published in 1977 and 1970, respectively. The algorithm of Pshenichny had been undiscovered until now, and is examined here for the first time. It is found that the proof of global convergence by Han requires computing sensitivity coefficients (derivatives) of all constraint functions of the problem at every iteration. This is prohibitively expensive for large-scale applications in optimal design. In contrast, Pshenichny has proved global convergence of his algorithm using only an active-set strategy. This is clearly preferable for large-scale applications. The method of Pshenichny has been coded into a FORTRAN program. Applications of this method to four example problems are presented. The method is found to be very reliable. However, the method is found to be very sensitive to local minima, i.e. it converges to a local minimum nearest to the starting design. Thus, for optimal design problems (which usually possess multiple local minima) it is suggested that Pshenichny's method be used as part of a hybrid method.
Adaptation in Sexuals vs. Asexuals: Clonal Interference and the Fisher-Muller Model

Fisher and Muller9s theory that recombination speeds adaptation by eliminating competition among beneficial mutations has proved a popular explanation for the advantage of sex. Recent theoretical studies have attempted to quantify the speed of adaptation under the Fisher-Muller model, partly in an attempt to understand the role of “clonal interference” in microbial experimental evolution. We reexamine adaptation in sexuals vs. asexuals, using a model of DNA sequence evolution. In this model, a modest number of sites can mutate to beneficial alleles and the fitness effects of these mutations are unequal. We study (1) transition probabilities to different beneficial mutations; (2) waiting times to the first and the last substitutions of beneficial mutations; and (3) trajectories of mean fitness through time. We find that some of these statistics are surprisingly similar between sexuals and asexuals. These results highlight the importance of the choice of substitution model in assessing the Fisher-Muller advantage of sex.
Characterization of Nanoporous Silicon-Based DNA Biosensor for the Detection of Salmonella Enteritidis

A biosensor for the detection of food-borne pathogens (Salmonella Enteritidis) was fabricated based on nanoporous silicon (NPS). P-type silicon wafers (100, 0.01 ) were anodized electrochemically in an electrochemical Teflon cell, containing ethanoic hydrofluoric acid solution to produce the porous layer on the silicon surface. The porous silicon surface was functionalized with DNA probes specific to the insertion element (Iel) gene of Salmonella Enteritidis. A biotin-streptavidin system was utilized to characterize the availability of the nanopores and the specificity of the DNA probe. Based on the electrical property of DNA, redox indicators and cyclic voltammetry were used for the characterization of the biosensor. Results showed that the DNA probe was specific to the target DNA, and the porous silicon-based biosensor had more active surface area and higher sensitivity (1 ng/mL) than the planar silicon-based biosensor. This simple, label-free porous silicon-based biosensor has potential applications in high-throughput detection of pathogens.
Human Common Salivary Protein 1 (CSP-1) Promotes Binding of Streptococcus mutans to Experimental Salivary Pellicle and Glucans Formed on Hydroxyapatite Surface

The saliva proteome includes host defense factors and specific bacterial-binding proteins that modulate microbial growth and colonization of the tooth surface in the oral cavity. A multidimensional mass spectrometry approach identified the major host-derived salivary proteins that interacted with Streptococcus mutans (strain UA159), the primary microorganism associated with the pathogenesis of dental caries. Two abundant host proteins were found to tightly bind to S. mutans cells, common salivary protein-1 (CSP-1) and deleted in malignant brain tumor 1 (DMBT1, also known as salivary agglutinin or gp340). In contrast to gp340, limited functional information is available on CSP-1. The sequence of CSP-1 shares 38.1% similarity with rat CSP-1. Recombinant CSP-1 (rCSP-1) protein did not cause aggregation of S. mutans cells and was devoid of any significant biocidal activity (2.5 to 10 μg/mL). However, S. mutans cells exposed to rCSP-1 (10 μg/mL) in saliva displayed enhanced adherence to experimental salivary pellicle and to glucans in the pellicle formed on hydroxyapatite surfaces. Thus, our data demonstrate that the host salivary protein CSP-1 binds to S. mutans cells and may influence the initial colonization of this pathogenic bacterium onto the tooth surface.
Quantum-critical relativistic magnetotransport in graphene

We study the thermal and electric transport of a fluid of interacting Dirac fermions using a Boltzmann approach. We include Coulomb interactions, a dilute density of charged impurities, and the presence of a magnetic field to describe both the static and the low-frequency response as a function of temperature $T$ and chemical potential $\ensuremath{\mu}$. In the quantum-critical regime $\ensuremath{\mu}\ensuremath{\lesssim}T$ we find pronounced deviations from Fermi-liquid behavior, such as a collective cyclotron resonance with an intrinsic collision-broadened width and significant enhancements of the Mott and Wiedemann-Franz ratios. Some of these results have been anticipated by a relativistic hydrodynamic theory, whose precise range of validity and failure at large fields and frequencies we determine. The Boltzmann approach allows us to go beyond the hydrodynamic regime and to quantitatively describe the deviations from magnetohydrodynamics and the crossover to disorder-dominated Fermi-liquid behavior at large doping and low temperatures, as well as the crossover to the ballistic regime at high fields. Finally, we obtain the full frequency and doping dependence of the single universal conductivity ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{Q}$ which parametrizes the hydrodynamic response.
Fusing image data with location and orientation sensor data streams for consumer video applications

We discuss the problem of fusing the information in a video stream with synchronized streams of location and orientation data obtained from sensors attached to the video camera. We are interested in using this information for the reconstruction of camera trajectory and observed scenery from consumer videos with the objective of visualizing those in a 3D virtual environment. We review existing literature and applications and suggest application scenarios for personal video. We discuss the issues that distinguish the personal video application from similar applications and present outlines of algorithms for several consumer video application scenarios.
Aerie: flexible file-system interfaces to storage-class memory

Storage-class memory technologies such as phase-change memory and memristors present a radically different interface to storage than existing block devices. As a result, they provide a unique opportunity to re-examine storage architectures. We find that the existing kernel-based stack of components, well suited for disks, unnecessarily limits the design and implementation of file systems for this new technology.We present Aerie, a flexible file-system architecture that exposes storage-class memory to user-mode programs so they can access files without kernel interaction. Aerie can implement a generic POSIX-like file system with performance similar to or better than a kernel implementation. The main benefit of Aerie, though, comes from enabling applications to optimize the file system interface. We demonstrate a specialized file system that reduces a hierarchical file system abstraction to a key/value store with fewer consistency guarantees but 20-109% higher performance than a kernel file system.
The Los Alamos microwave interferometer

The authors describe a multi-antenna microwave receiver system that monitors an unmodulated beacon transmission from a geosynchronous satellite. The system interferometrically measures temporal fluctuations in tropospheric differential path length, which include fluctuations in precipitable water vapor, over 100to 400-meter baseline lengths. Over 300 s, the system root mean square error (rms) noise is 0.01 radian. These observations will facilitate studies of air parcel motion as the means by which the causative, phase-corrupting atmospheric inhomogeneities drift over the array. The resulting data will be useful for studies of convective boundary layer turbulence, a region difficult to fully access.
Welfare-to-Work: Impact on Four Parenting Practices of TANF Recipients

Abstract Four parenting practices were investigated among one group of female current and former participants in the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program, and among a second group never enrolled for TANF. The sample numbered 16,681 mother/child pairs. The mothers were able-bodied, non-elderly adults. Results demonstrate that TANF receipt wields negative impact on parenting practices and that becoming employed reduces the amount of “quality time” TANF mothers spend with their children (although new employment does not reduce the nurturing and monitoring mothers provide their children). The study also examined the role in parenting of neighborhood safety, education, racial/ethnic background, single motherhood, and mothers' anger with children.
A Web services oriented framework for dynamic e-learning systems

The objective of this research project is to propose a Web services oriented framework for e-learning systems aimed at providing a flexible integration model in which all the learning components and applications are well defined, effectively discovered and loosely connected. Web services provide an essential deploy environment to realize dynamic e-learning/e-business systems by facilitating application-to-application interaction. Using the proposed framework, learning service providers will be able to publish their learning objects or applications universally and learning service requesters can retrieve those services anywhere, any time with any device (wired or wireless) through common communication protocols. The key values of interoperability and reusability in the proposed architecture enhance the future e-learning systems to communicate more efficiently and share data more easily.
Current concepts in meniscal repair

As the importance of meniscal preservation has become recognized, meniscal repair has become a more commonly practiced procedure. We briefly review the current, commonly accepted indications, techniques, and our rehabilitation protocol for meniscal repair. Both open and arthroscopic repairs are reviewed, including the arthroscopic techniques classified as inside-out, outside-in, and all inside. We conclude with a review of the results of meniscal repair and some thoughts on future directions.
Level Structure of N 14

Yields and angular distributions of the gamma rays from the first and second levels in C/sup 13/ following excitation by inelastic proton scattering were measured. Levels were observed at bombarding proton energies 3.80 ( GAMMA = 100 kev), 4.1 ( GAMMA = 150 kev), 4.14, and 4.52 Mev ( GAMMA = 150 kev). The first three levels rcsulted in excitation of the first excited state and the last in excitation mainly of the second excited state of C/sup 13/. N/sup 14/ excitation energies corresponding to these levels are 11.07, 11.35, 11.39, and 11.74 Mev. Possible spin and parity assignments were made on the basis of the gamma angular distribution of the 4.52 Mev level The C/sup 13/(p,n)N/sup 13/ neutron yield was rerun; this yielded better values of the resonant energies. Neutron angular distributions are given for several bombarding proton energies. (auth)
Development of Soviet Sea-bed Research in relation to Fishery Problems

The dependence of commercial marine species upon the type of bottom topography is well known. This factor has always been taken into consideration in fishing, and adequate knowledge of it has often contributed to the success of fishing operations. Experience shows that fisheries development requires more complete information on bottom topography and sediments, not only for navigational needs (met mainly by the hydrographic service) but also for finding areas rich in fish and other commercial organisms, which are suitable for conducting fishing operations. Without knowledge of the sea-bed topography it is impossible to give a full oceanographic description of a water body, or to understand the characteristic features of the distribution of commercial species and the organisms on which they feed, or to estimate commercial resources correctly and to exploit them systematically.
Training Social Skills at Work

Effective interpersonal functioning is critical in the work setting. Traditional approaches to training have generally been oriented toward “fads” in the absence of empirical documentation of effectiveness. Social-skills training offers an effective alternative to producing changes in job-related behaviors. These changes are subject to documentation. Job-interview skills can be important in obtaining suitable employment. The available evidence indicates that they can be enhanced by using social-skills training procedures. Supervisory skills have traditionally been an important area of concentration. Social-skills training has been receiving increasing empirical support as an effective way to shape these behaviors. Effective communication skills (interviewing) is a third example of job-related social skills. A group-oriented workshop-training format is illustrated.
Connections and Transitions in Mental Health Care Organizations and Systems

Abstract Purpose Sociology promotes and describes public health, helping to explain macro-social dynamics of mental health care through studies of organizations, networks, and systems of care. Methodology/approach This chapter summarizes sociological research on mental health care organizations and systems, illustrating a macro-social perspective by examining the problem of transitions in care for young adults. Summary findings from a regional mental health services research project describe a system of care that includes 100 organizations. This system helps young adults with mental health needs. Findings The scope and management of care involves a focus on modes of treatment supported by research evidence and delivered effectively by people with cultural competencies. Care and continuity of care are delivered through coordinated systems of inter-organizational networks, linking organizations and providers. Active inter-organizational linkages are needed to support mental health for young adults during challenging and sometimes difficult transitions. Originality/value This research summarizes original and regional data on mental health care organizations within a regional system of care. Practical implications include support for the importance of coordination, transition planning, and cultural competence within and among organizations. Sociological and original research on organizations and systems should continue to elaborate the needs and values of mental health services for regional planning and public health.
Research Issues and Approaches for Connected and Automated Vehicles

Driverless and/or environment-friendly cars have recently received a great deal of attention from media and almost all industry and government sectors due mainly to their great potential impacts on safety, economy, and environments. In particular, enabling vehicles to communicate with one another via wireless devices holds the potential to automate vehicles while dramatically improving safety, reducing congestion, and conserving energy. To move toward realization of this potential, we have been conducting research into various issues, including: Automation of vehicle sensing and control; Vehicle safety and passenger comfort; Securing information communication and computation; Developing environment-friendly solutions. In this talk, I will discuss various issues and approaches related to security of connected and automated vehicles.
The influence of parental age and gender on anticipation in familial B-cell malignancies.

Anticipation occurs when a disease manifests at an earlier age and/or with an increased clinical severity in the next generation. Its relationship with parental age and gender is relevant to the patterns of genetic transmission of familial B-cell neoplasms. One hundred and sixty pairs [44 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), 38 Hodgkin’s disease (HD), 48 HD/NHL, and 30 CLL] were analyzed retrospectively for presence of anticipation in paternal (PT), maternal (MT), and overall transmission. Overall mean anticipation measured −23.0 yr, and varied between −18.93 and −26.46 yr with no significant difference among different diseases, except between CLL and mixed HD/NHL (mean difference −7.68 yr, p=0.03). A significant Pearson correlation (PC) between the parental age at conception and anticipation was found for all malignancies (PC=−0.339, p<0.0001), with the exception of mixed HD/NHL pairs of MT. Higher PCs were observed with PT than MT for all diseases. Anticipation manifests in all familial B-cell malignancies analyzed and it correlates with the parental age at conception. Although less prominent than with neurological disease, this phenomenon indicates a possible germline inheritance of B-cell malignancies and a common genetic basis for HD and NHL.