cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Linear Programming Formulation of a Water Supply Problem

Abstract The problem treated is that of determining the minimum cost distribution system for supplying water to several demand centers having demand patterns which change over time. The costs of the system are taken to be functions of the lengths of alternative pipe sizes used, as well as the friction losses produced by the flow of water. The decision variables are the lengths of each of several sizes of pipe to be used in the system, as well as the magnitudes of inserted head loss required for equilibrium. The problem is formulated as a linear programming problem and an example problem is solved.
"Dip-Pen" Nanolithography

A direct-write “dip-pen” nanolithography (DPN) has been developed to deliver collections of molecules in a positive printing mode. An atomic force microscope (AFM) tip is used to write alkanethiols with 30-nanometer linewidth resolution on a gold thin film in a manner analogous to that of a dip pen. Molecules are delivered from the AFM tip to a solid substrate of interest via capillary transport, making DPN a potentially useful tool for creating and functionalizing nanoscale devices.
GEOGRAPHY, ECOLOGY, AND BIOGEOGRAPHY

ABSTRACT Geography is distinguished from other earth sciences as the discernment and delineation of landscape patterns, interpreting the structures and processes that give rise to them, and developing an understanding of their significance in biological and human terms. Ecology is the study of ecosystems, especially local ones, as contrasted with regional, continental, or global ecosystems, which are better treated as part of geography. Biogeography is a subscience of geography comprising the components of geography that are principally concerned with biological organisms.
New Blind Multiuser Detection in DS-CDMA Based on Extension of Efficient Fast Independent Component Analysis (EF-ICA)

This Paper develops a novel blind Detection algorithm based on Extension of Efficient FAST Independent Component Analysis (EF-ICA). classifying the received data to many parts in order to use a fit non-quadratic function to separate a non-Gaussian source. Blind detection is to estimate multiple symbol sequences associated with all users in the downlink of the DS-CDMA communication system using only the received wireless data and without any knowledge of the user spreading codes. Bit error rate (BER) simulation evidence of the improved performance of this novel algorithm are shown for different number of users, signal to noise ratio (SNR) and different number of symbols per user. The performance is compared with several Blind Detectors based on Efficient FastICA and Fast ICA algorithms. The results show that the proposed algorithm performs well and outperforms the other Detectors in estimating the symbol signals from the mixed CDMA received signals.
Human and biophysical influences on fire occurrence in the United States

National-scale analyses of fire occurrence are needed to prioritize fire policy and management activities across the United States. However, the drivers of national-scale patterns of fire occurrence are not well understood, and how the relative importance of human or biophysical factors varies across the country is unclear. Our research goal was to model the drivers of fire occurrence within ecoregions across the conterminous United States. We used generalized linear models to compare the relative influence of human, vegetation, climate, and topographic variables on fire occurrence in the United States, as measured by MODIS active fire detections collected between 2000 and 2006. We constructed models for all fires and for large fires only and generated predictive maps to quantify fire occurrence probabilities. Areas with high fire occurrence probabilities were widespread in the Southeast, and localized in the Mountain West, particularly in southern California, Arizona, and New Mexico. Probabilities for large-fire occurrence were generally lower, but hot spots existed in the western and south-central United States The probability of fire occurrence is a critical component of fire risk assessments, in addition to vegetation type, fire behavior, and the values at risk. Many of the hot spots we identified have extensive development in the wildland--urban interface and are near large metropolitan areas. Our results demonstrated that human variables were important predictors of both all fires and large fires and frequently exhibited nonlinear relationships. However, vegetation, climate, and topography were also significant variables in most ecoregions. If recent housing growth trends and fire occurrence patterns continue, these areas will continue to challenge policies and management efforts seeking to balance the risks generated by wildfires with the ecological benefits of fire.
Meteorological Excitation of the Earth's Wobble

Summary The objective of this paper is to examine the seasonal variations in the oceans and atmosphere that force the Earth's annual wobble, and to determine whether motions of air and water are a significant source of Chandler-wobble excitation. Although our investigation is similar to the one undertaken by Munk and Hassan over 15 years ago, we come to entirely different conclusions, largely because of differences in the details of our analysis. We find that the oceans and atmosphere are not observed well enough to fully explain the annual wobble, although much of it can be accounted for by annual changes in atmospheric mass distribution and continental water storage. Near the Chandler frequency there is evidence of significant coherence between polar motion and atmospheric pressure observations for the years 1901 and 1970, suggesting that the atmosphere is important in maintaining the Chandler wobble. The magnitude of meteorological variation appears to be large enough to account for more than half, and perhaps most of the Chandler wobble variance.
Assessing and evaluating environmental impacts at proposed nuclear power plant sites

The applicability of decision analysis for assessing, evaluating, and reporting possible environmental impacts of proposed large-scale projects is illustrated. A study concerning the ecological impacts of constructing and operating nuclear power facilities in the Pacific Northwest is used as an example. Possible impacts are quantified for two objectives: minimizing adverse impacts on salmonids and minimizing biological disturbance. The results provide information about both the direct and indirect consequences of the impact. This approach explicitly addresses the multiple objective and uncertainty issues inherent in environmental problems. It also provides a mechanism for illuminating the value structure which is utilized in the evaluation process.
A fast settling Slew Rate Enhancement technique for operational amplifiers

This paper presents a fast settling SRE (Slew Rate Enhancement) technique for operational amplifiers. An opamp using a constant-g m biasing together with the proposed SRE circuit is designed and it is shown that stable large and small signal characteristics can be achieved across the wide range of temperature. The opamp was designed and laid out in Jazz 0.18µm process using 1.8V supply voltage. The core circuit consumes 3mA while the SRE circuit has a static power consumption of only 200uA (%6.67 of the power of the core circuitry). The slew rate of the opamp has increased from 25 V/us to 150 V/us at room temperature. The low variation of both small signal as well as large signal characteristics of the opamp across the temperature has been verified by Spectre simulation using PSP models.
Materials selection for microfabricated electrostatic actuators

Microfabricated electrostatic actuators are employed in a wide variety of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) for applications ranging from relays and switches to valves and displays. The rapid expansion of the set of materials available to MEMS designers motivates the need for a systematic and rational approach toward the selection of materials for electrostatic actuators. We apply the Ashby methodology to accomplish such a selection. The primary performance and reliability metrics considered are the actuation voltage, speed of actuation, stroke (or displacement), actuation force, stored energy, electrical resistivity, mechanical quality factor, and resistance to fracture, fatigue, shock, and stiction. The materials properties governing these parameters are the Young’s modulus, density, fracture strength, intrinsic residual stress, resistivity, and intrinsic material damping. Materials indices are formulated by appropriate combination of these properties and a graphical procedure for materials selection is presented. Our analysis suggests that diamond, alumina, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, and silicon are excellent candidates for high-speed, high-force actuators; polymers for large-displacement, low actuation-voltage devices; and aluminum for low-electrical resistivity, low actuation-voltage and high-speed actuators. The properties of composite actuator structures are briefly discussed.
The inevitability of interaction

(1984). The inevitability of interaction. Psychoanalytic Inquiry: Vol. 4, Commentaries on Merton Gill's Analysis of Transference, pp. 413-428.
The effect of HAART on salivary microbiota in the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS)

Objective Study the prevalence of potentially pathogenic microorganisms in saliva of HIV-positive women in the Women's Interagency HIV Study. Study design 157 HIV-positive and 31 HIV-negative women were studied. At baseline and every 6 months over 4 years, information was collected on socioeconomic and educational status, oral and systemic health, including HIV markers and antiretroviral therapy, and frequency of professional oral care utilization. Bacterial and yeast pathogenic isolates from stimulated whole saliva were tentatively identified using standard methodologies. Results The prevalence of microorganisms in stimulated saliva of HIV-positive women was not significantly different from that of HIV-negative women. In HIV-positive women, highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) was independently and significantly associated with the presence of a variety of salivary bacterial species. HAART increased the risk for recovering Fusobacterium species (P Conclusion The present findings suggest that the institution of HAART promotes an increasingly pathogenic salivary microbiota, at least temporarily. Similar findings have been reported for various nonoral microbial ecosystems.
Scientific reasoning and due process.

Recent public hearings on misconduct charges belie the conjecture that due process will perforce defeat informed scientific reasoning. One notable case that reviewed an obtuse description of experimental methods displays some of the subtleties of differentiating carelessness from intent to deceive. There the decision of a studious nonscientist panel managed to reach sensible conclusions despite conflicting expert testimony. The significance of such a result may be to suggest that to curtail due process would be both objectionable and unproductive.
The fine structure of the pellicle of Euglena gracilis as revealed by freeze-etching.

The ultrastructure of the pellicle ofEuglena gracilis (Klebs) “Z” strain was studied using the freeze-etching technique and the results were correlated with data obtained from thin sections of fixed material.
Investing in Lead-Time Variability Reduction in a Quality-Adjusted Inventory Model with Finite-Range Stochastic Lead-Time

We study the impact of the efforts aimed at reducing the lead-time variability in a quality-adjusted stochastic inventory model. We assume that each lot contains a random number of defective units. More specifically, a logarithmic investment function is used that allows investment to be made to reduce lead-time variability. Explicit results for the optimal values of decision variables as well as optimal value of the variance of lead-time are obtained. A series of numerical exercises is presented to demonstrate the use of the models developed in this paper. Initially the lead-time variance reduction model (LTVR) is compared to the quality-adjusted model (QA) for different values of initial lead-time over uniformly distributed lead-time intervals from one to seven weeks. In all cases where investment is warranted, investment in lead-time reduction results in reduced lot sizes, variances, and total inventory costs. Further, both the reduction in lot-size and lead-time variance increase as the lead-time interval increases. Similar results are obtained when lead-time follows a truncated normal distribution. The impact of proportion of defective items was also examined for the uniform case resulting in the finding that the total inventory related costs of investing in lead-time variance reduction decrease significantly as the proportion defective decreases. Finally, the results of sensitivity analysis relating to proportion defective, interest rate, and setup cost show the lead-time variance reduction model to be quite robust and representative of practice.
Surface structure reflectometry with x-rays.

Abstract X-ray surface scattering is rapidly emerging as a popular technique for rapid in situ nondestructive characterization of surfaces and interfaces. Applications have been very widespread and have ranged from studies of film growth and morphology to molecular ordering at solid/liquid and free fluid interfaces. There has also been increased emphasis on the analysis of off-specular surface X-ray scattering to characterize interface roughness and growth morphology.
Summary, Conclusions, and the Future of External Partnerships.

This chapter pulls together the main points of the preceding chapters, encouraging reflection and further speculation on the prospect of external partnerships.
MECHANICS OF ENAMEL ADHERENCE: XVI, INFLUENCE OF MANGANESE DIOXIDE ON METAL PRECIPITATION AT GROUND COAT‐IRON INTERFACE *

The influence of manganese oxide alone and in combination with cobalt and nickel oxides on metal precipitation in ground coats has been studied. The previously developed electrical-resistance method was used. Manganese dioxide present alone was not effective in precipitating metal. The results on the indirect influence of manganese dioxide in combination with cobalt and nickel oxides are not significant.
Hydroxylamine-induced purple adenine (ad-3) mutants in Neurospora crassa I. Characterization of mutants by genetic tests

Abstract The genetic effects of hydroxylamine (HA) on Neurospora crassa were studied in an effort to understand the difference between the results obtained on very simple prokaryotic systems and those obtained with mammalian systems. A 2-component heterokaryon was used to study the inactivation of conidia and the induction of recessive lethal mutations at specific loci and over the entire genome. The heterokaryon is heterozygous for 2 closely linked loci, ad - 3 A and ad - 3 B , in the ad - 3 region. Specific locus mutations can result from either point mutation or chromosome deletion. The results were as follows: ( 1 ) Both homokaryotic and heterokaryotic conidia had multi-hit survival curves, and there was no difference between the survival levels of the two as a function of treatment time. ( 2 ) The frequency of recessive lethal mutations in the ad - 3 region increased as the square of treatment time. The genetic characterization of the ad - 3 mutations showed that they all resulted from point mutation at the ad - 3 A or ad - 3 B locus; no chromosome deletions were induced. Tests for allelic complementation showed that 62% of the ad - 3 B mutants were complementing, 50% with nonpolarized and 12% with polarized complementation patterns. The remaining 38% were noncomplementing. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that in Neurospora HA produces point mutations predominantly by GC-to-AT base-pair transitions. In summary, since the same treatment conditions were used in the present experiments with Neurospora as were used in the experiments by others with prokaryotes, the genetic damage was determined to be genic and not chromosomal. The results obtained with HA with Neurospora are attributed to a stability of HA at high concentrations which confers a high specificity with regard to the genetic alteration produced. At low concentrations of HA, such as those used by others in experiments with mammalian cells in culture, HA is more readily oxidized and is broken down to form highly toxic products which are probably the substances responsible for the high levels of chromosomes damage observed in mammalian tissue.
FDG-PET Imaging Can Diagnose Periprosthetic Infection of the Hip

A battery of diagnostic tests is often required to differentiate aseptic loosening from periprosthetic infection since the gold standard remains elusive. We designed a prospective study to determine the accuracy of fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) imaging in diagnosing periprosthetic infection in a large multicenter setting. One hundred and thirteen patients with 127 painful hip prostheses were evaluated by FDG-PET. Images were considered positive for infection if PET demonstrated increased FDG activity at the bone-prosthesis interface of the femoral component. A combination of preoperative tests, intraoperative findings, histopathology, and clinical followup constituted the gold standard for diagnosing infection. Among the 35 positive PET scans, 28 hips were confirmed infected according to our criteria for diagnosing periprosthetic infection. Of the 92 hip prostheses with negative FDG-PET findings, 87 were considered aseptic. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values for FDG-PET were 0.85 (28 of 33), 0.93 (87 of 94), 0.80 (28 of 35), and 0.95 (87 of 92), respectively. The overall accuracy of this novel noninvasive imaging modality reached 0.91 (115 of 127). Based on our results, FDG-PET appears a promising and accurate diagnostic tool for distinguishing septic from aseptic painful hip prostheses. Level of Evidence: Level II, diagnostic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
786 Safety of Anesthesia-Assisted Sedation With Propofol for Advanced Endoscopic Procedures in Obese Individuals

delayed perforation (0.4%) and 17 cases of postoperative bleeding (1.5%). Large tumor size 50mm was an independent risk factor for complications whereas large number of ESDs performed by an institution decreased risk of complications. Among the 1,111 ESD cases, 648 cases involving non-curative resections, SMTs or non-neoplastic lesions, other invasive cancers and follow-up periods 6 months were excluded leaving a total of 463 lesions eligible for the recurrence and survival analyses. The overall median follow-up period was 30 52 months. There were six locally recurrent tumors (1.3%) with a 22 22 months disease free follow-up period. Three of the six recurrent tumors had originally been resected piecemeal, however, all six recurrent tumors were successfully resected endoscopically. There were two cases of metachronous colon cancer and one case of distant metastases to the liver and lungs during the study period. During the median follow-up period, no patients died of colorectal cancer so both the disease-specific and overall survival rates were 100%. Conclusions: ESD performed by experienced endoscopists is an effective alternative treatment to surgery providing high en-bloc and curative resection rates for large superficial colorectal tumors. The relatively long-term outcomes were excellent, but further follow-up evaluation and assessment of a prospective case series are necessary.
cutoff and aubergine Mutations Result in Retrotransposon Upregulation and Checkpoint Activation in Drosophila

Gametogenesis is a highly regulated process in all organisms. In Drosophila, a meiotic checkpoint which monitors double-stranded DNA breaks and involves Drosophila ATR and Chk2 coordinates the meiotic cell cycle with signaling events that establish the axis of the egg and embryo. Checkpoint activity regulates translation of the transforming growth-factor-alpha-like Gurken signaling molecule which induces dorsal cell fates in the follicle cells [1-3]. We found that mutations in the Drosophila gene cutoff (cuff) affect germline cyst development and result in ventralized eggs as a result of reduced Grk protein expression. Surprisingly, cuff mutations lead to a marked increase in the transcript levels of two retrotransposable elements, Het-A and Tart. We found that small interfering RNAs against the roo element are still produced in cuff mutant ovaries. These results indicate that Cuff is involved in the rasiRNA pathway and most likely acts downstream of siRNA biogenesis. The eggshell and egg-laying defects of cuff mutants are suppressed by a mutation in chk2. We also found that mutations in aubergine (aub), another gene implicated in the rasiRNA pathway, are significantly suppressed by the chk2 mutation. Our results indicate that mutants in rasiRNA pathways lead to elevated transposition incidents in the germline, and that this elevation activates a checkpoint that causes a loss of germ cells and a reduction of Gurken protein in the remaining egg chambers.
Induction of quinone reductase and glutathione in bone marrow cells by 1,2-dithiole-3-thione: Effect on hydroquinone-induced cytotoxicity

Abstract Stromal cells from bone marrow are susceptible to toxicity induced by several redox-active metabolites of benzene, including hydroquinone (HQ). We have previously shown that tert-butyl-hydroquinone (tBHQ) can induce quinone reductase (QR) in bone marrow stroma as well as protect stromal cells against HQ-induced toxicity. Current studies investigate the underlining mechanisms of chemoprotection against HQ in DBA 2 - and C57Bl 6 -derived bone marrow stromal cells. The chemoprotector 1,2-dithiole-3-thione (DTT) has been used in these studies due to tBHQ toxicity to stromal cells at higher concentrations. Pretreatment of cells with DTT prior to HQ administration protected cells against HQ-induced toxicity. DTT induced QR activity in a dose-dependent manner in stromal cells from both strains of mice. However, there were no corresponding changes in glutathione transferase activity. DTT also increased cytosolic glutathione (GSH) concentrations by ≈85% in both strains. Since bone marrow stroma consists primarily of fibroblasts and macrophages, we also evaluated QR activity in the separate cell types from the two strains of mice. There were differences in basal and DTT-induced QR activity between fibroblasts and macrophage cells derived from the same strain of mice, as well as the expected differences between strains. Additionally, dicoumarol, an inhibitor of QR activity, potentiated HQ-induced toxicity in both strains of bone marrow stromal cells. Thus, cellular glutathione, QR activity, and their inducibility by chemoprotective agents such as DTT may prove to be important factors in chemically induced bone marrow toxicity and carcinogenicity.
Visual Neurons: Categorization-Based Selectivity

A computational framework that can account for object categorization and identification has gained empirical support from recent studies of monkey behavior and neurophysiology.
RF MEMS and reconfigurable conformal fractal antennas

Antennas with the capability to adaptively change any of its characteristics are called reconfigurable antennas. Although originally conceived for satellite broadcast antenna applications, the same philosophy is applicable top many telecommunication antennas. With the large increase in modem communication equipment, reliance on higher frequencies is bound to increase. RF-MEMS based systems and reconfigurable antennas using these would be increasingly useful in such cases. In this paper, two fractal based antennas are introduced, along with concepts to incorporate reconfigurability into these. It is expected that such antenna systems may replace most of the existing antenna systems in the near future.
Upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with hepatic cirrhosis: clinical course and mortality prediction

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with hepatic cirrhosis: clinical course and mortality prediction
G-protein-coupled receptors: turn-ons and turn-offs

Advances in the study of G-protein-coupled receptor regulation have provided novel insights into the role of G-protein-coupled receptor kinases and arrestins in this process. Of particular interest are recent studies that have dramatically expanded the known cellular functions of these molecules to include roles in receptor endocytosis and activation of MAP kinase signalling pathways.
Photosynthetic carbon reduction: high rates in the sea-surface microlayer

The ocean is a significant sink for increasing anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions. The sea-surface microlayer (upper 50 μm layer) serves as the primary point for exchange of materials, including carbon dioxide, between the atmosphere and hydrosphere. We determined microalgal standing stocks and activities in microlayer and subsurface water from areas with (S) and without (NS) visible natural surface slicks in Sequim Bay, Washington, USA, in July 1984. Enrichment ratios (microlayer concentration: subsurface bulkwater concentration) were: phytoneuston population abundance, 37 (NS) to 154 (S); total chlorophylls, 1.3 (NS) to 18 (S); particulate carbon fixation, 2 (NS) to 52 (S); and dissolved carbon excretion, 17 (NS) to 63 (S). Photoinhibition of 36 to 89% occurred in phytoneuston under natural summer light-intensities. Slick samples had greater standing stocks and rates of primary production than non-slick samples. The species composition of phytoneuston was distinctly different from that of phytoplankton. These results suggest that phytoneuston form a unique community. Although carbon fixation in summer was less per individual in phytoneuston than in phytoplankton, because of their overall abundance at the air-sea interface, phytoneuston may play an important role in the transfer of CO2 from the atmosphere into ocean surface-water.
Lung metastases detection in CT images using 3D template matching

The aim of this study is to demonstrate a novel, fully automatic computer detection method applicable to metastatic tumors to the lung with a diameter of 4-20 mm in high-risk patients using typical computed tomography (CT) scans of the chest. Three-dimensional (3D) spherical tumor appearance models (templates) of various sizes were created to match representative CT imaging parameters and to incorporate partial volume effects. Taking into account the variability in the location of CT sampling planes cut through the spherical models, three offsetting template models were created for each appearance model size. Lung volumes were automatically extracted from computed tomography images and the correlation coefficients between the subregions around each voxel in the lung volume and the set of appearance models were calculated using a fast frequency domain algorithm. To determine optimal parameters for the templates, simulated tumors of varying sizes and eccentricities were generated and superposed onto a representative human chest image dataset. The method was applied to real image sets from 12 patients with known metastatic disease to the lung. A total of 752 slices and 47 identifiable tumors were studied. Spherical templates of three sizes (6, 8, and 10 mm in diameter) were used on the patientmore » image sets; all 47 true tumors were detected with the inclusion of only 21 false positives. This study demonstrates that an automatic and straightforward 3D template-matching method, without any complex training or postprocessing, can be used to detect small lung metastases quickly and reliably in the clinical setting.« less
Buoyancy-driven coalescence of slightly deformable drops

The simultaneous effect of small deformation and short-range van der Waals attraction on the coalescence efficiency of two different-sized slowly sedimenting drops is considered. For spherical drops, it has been shown previously that the tangential mobility of drop surfaces makes collision possible even without van der Waals attraction; on the other hand, even a small amount of deformation precludes drops from coming into contact unless van der Waals attraction is accounted for. In the present work, the conditions are delineated when these two small-scale factors, acting in opposite directions, have a considerable combined effect on the coalescence efficiency. The problem is solved by matched asymptotic expansions valid for small capillary numbers (Ca). The outer solution, for two spherical drops moving in apparent contact without van der Waals attraction, determines the contact force as a function of time. This force is used as the driving force for the inner solution of the relevant integro-differential thin-film equations (coupling the flow in the small-gap region to that inside the drops) to determine whether coalescence occurs during the apparent contact motion. The initial gap profile for the inner solution is provided by matching with the outer trajectory for spherical drops approaching contact.The analysis shows that, for Ca[Lt ]1, the near-contact deformation is mainly axisymmetric, greatly simplifying the inner solution; nevertheless, determination of the critical horizontal offsets leading to coalescence and the parametric analysis are computationally very intensive. To facilitate these tasks, a substantially new, highly efficient, and absolutely stable numerical method for solving stiff thin-film equations is developed. Unlike for spherical drops, when the upstream intersection area is a circle, the existence of a second coalescence zone for deformable drops is found over much of the parameter space. Results are mapped out for a range of four dimensionless parameters (capillary number, size and drop-to-medium viscosity ratios, dimensionless Hamaker parameter). As a physical application, predicted coalescence efficiencies are shown for a system of ethyl salicylate drops in diethylene glycol.The present solution extends the range of drop sizes where the coalescence efficiencies are known theoretically and can be used in drop population dynamics. Comparison with full three-dimensional boundary-integral calculations for deformable drops without van der Waals attraction is also made to demonstrate that, when the drop-to-medium viscosity ratio is of the order of unity, the present asymptotic approach is valid in a wide range of small and moderately small capillary numbers.
Studies in honor of Hilmar C. Krueger

(1994). Studies in honor of Hilmar C. Krueger. Journal of Medieval History: Vol. 20, No. 4, pp. 295-298.
Thermal control system for thick composite laminates based on forecasting

A forecast-based thermal control system was developed to cure thick composite laminates that produced large exothermic reactions. The system used process simulation models for heat transfer and compaction to predict future cure conditions at a designated forecast time so that the system can respond to avoid approaching adverse conditions. The thermal control system derived cure cycles that eliminated exotherms and maintained uniform through-the-thickness temperature gradients for 3-cm-thick AS4/35016 laminates. The on-line results indicated that cure cycles were slightly different from off-line simulation results, mainly because of the slow response of the hot press. Nevertheless the system was able to satisfy the cure criteria under such unforeseen circumstances, which demonstrated the flexibility of the forecasting method.
Epidermal growth factor influences the developmental clock regulating maturation of the fetal lung fibroblast.

Abstract Growth factors may play a significant role in regulating the orderly progression of organ growth and differentiation during fetal development. We hypothesized that epidermal growth factor (EGF) would help regulate the development of surfactant synthesis in the fetal lung by influencing fibroblast-epithelial cell interactions. The effect of EGF (10 ng per ml) on the ability of the fetal lung fibroblast to produce fibroblast pneumonocyte factor (FPF) was studied in sex-specific fibroblasts cultured from day 16, day 17 or day 18 fetal mouse lungs. FPF which is normally not produced by day 16 fibroblasts, is found only in female fibroblasts on day 17, and then in both males and females on day 18. EGF advanced this pattern such that female fibroblasts produced activity on day 16 and fibroblasts from both sexes produced FPF activity on day 17 and day 18. Fibroblasts from an androgen receptor-deficient mouse model confirmed that the effect of EGF was sex-specific and related to the state of development of the fetal lung. We conclude that EGF advances the fetal lung fubroblast through specific stages of development. It appears, therefore, to help control the timing of the clock regulating fetal lung maturation.
Optimal Timing and Duration of Induction Therapy for HIV-1 Infection

The tradeoff between the need to suppress drug-resistant viruses and the problem of treatment toxicity has led to the development of various drug-sparing HIV-1 treatment strategies. Here we use a stochastic simulation model for viral dynamics to investigate how the timing and duration of the induction phase of induction–maintenance therapies might be optimized. Our model suggests that under a variety of biologically plausible conditions, 6–10 mo of induction therapy are needed to achieve durable suppression and maximize the probability of eradicating viruses resistant to the maintenance regimen. For induction regimens of more limited duration, a delayed-induction or -intensification period initiated sometime after the start of maintenance therapy appears to be optimal. The optimal delay length depends on the fitness of resistant viruses and the rate at which target-cell populations recover after therapy is initiated. These observations have implications for both the timing and the kinds of drugs selected for induction–maintenance and therapy-intensification strategies.
XANES spectra of a variety of widely used organic polymers at the C K-edge

Abstract The total yield XANES spectra of 13 commonly used organic polymers have been obtained at the C K-edge using synchrotron radiation, for use as a reference source for studies on polymers. Thin films of polymers made by spin casting have been used as samples in order to minimize radiation damage and charging. Spectral features have been successfully assigned using the building block and bond length correlation concepts and by analogy with the assignment of small molecules with similar chemical structures.
Submerged early Holocene barrier reef south-east Florida shelf

AN extensive Acropora palamata (Lamarck) barrier reef flourished off the south-east coast of Florida in an area considerably north of present-day reef development during the early Holocene transgression. Pipeline construction across the continental shelf 40km north of Miami (26°15′15″N, 80°03′52″W) has disclosed this relict shelf-edge reef that is at least 95 km long. Radiocarbon dates indicate that reef growth terminated ∼7,000 yr ago, which coincides with the time of extensive flooding of the continental shelf. This relict barrier reef forms a low (10-m relief) ridge—the crest of which occurs at depths of 15–30 m—extending along the shelf break from Palm Beach southwards to Miami1,2. Present-day fauna on the surface of the ridge include alcyonarians, sponges and scattered coral heads2,3. The study reported here indicates that the early Holocene provided favourable conditions for reef development in the western Atlantic.
Variable tilt on lipid membranes

A continuum theory for lipid membranes is developed that accounts for mechanical interactions between lipid tilt and membrane shape. For planar membranes, a linear version of the theory is used to predict tilt variations similar to those observed in experiments and molecular dynamics simulations.
Measurement confounding affects the extent to which verbal IQ explains social gradients in mortality

Background IQ is thought to explain social gradients in mortality. IQ scores are based roughly equally on Verbal IQ (VIQ) and Performance IQ tests. VIQ tests, however, are suspected to confound true verbal ability with socioeconomic status (SES), raising the possibility that associations between SES and IQ scores might be overestimated. We examined, first, whether two of the most common types of VIQ tests exhibited differential item functioning (DIF) favouring persons of higher SES and/or majority race/ethnicity. Second, we assessed what impact, if any, this had on estimates of the extent to which VIQ explains social gradients in mortality. Methods Data from the General Social Survey-National Death Index cohort, a US population representative dataset, was used. Item response theory models queried social-factor DIF on the Thorndike Verbal Intelligence Scale and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scales, Revised Similarities test. Cox models examined mortality associations among SES and VIQ scores corrected and uncorrected for DIF. Results When uncorrected for DIF, VIQ was correlated with income, education, occupational prestige and race, with correlation coefficients ranging between |0.12| and |0.43|. After correcting for DIF, correlations ranged from |0.06| to |0.16|. Uncorrected VIQ scores explained 11–40% of the Relative Index of Inequalities in mortality for social factors, while DIF-corrected scores explained 2–29%. Conclusions Two of the common forms of VIQ tests appear confound verbal intelligence with SES. Since these tests appear in most IQ batteries, circumspection may be warranted in estimating the amount of social inequalities in mortality attributable to IQ.
Nanoporous Gold Electrodes and Their Applications in Analytical Chemistry

Nanoporous gold prepared by dealloying Au:Ag alloys has recently become an attractive material in the field of analytical chemistry. This conductive material has an open, 3D porous framework consisting of nanosized pores and ligaments with surface areas that are 10s to 100s of times larger than planar gold of an equivalent geometric area. The high surface area coupled with an open pore network makes nanoporous gold an ideal support for the development of chemical sensors. Important attributes include conductivity, high surface area, ease of preparation and modification, tunable pore size, and a bicontinuous open pore network. In this paper, the fabrication, characterization, and applications of nanoporous gold in chemical sensing are reviewed specifically as they relate to the development of immunosensors, enzyme-based biosensors, DNA sensors, Raman sensors, and small molecule sensors.
Telecom, National Development and the Indian State: a Postcolonial Critique

This article examines how the global discourse of ‘telecom for development’ has clashed with competing discourses that critique Western modernity in the context of the postcolonial Indian state and its changing relationship to science, the market and national development. I draw from recent postcolonial theories of the nation state in order to locate a historically rooted debate on the role of technology in national development, which, I argue, lies at the heart of policy debates over telecom reform in India today. This article provides an historical examination of two distinct periods of telecom policy-making that preceded the era of globalization in the 1990s: a period of techno-nationalism between 1965 and 1980, and a period of techo-populism between 1980 and 1989. I argue that the ruptures in discourse that we trace in between these two periods, set the stage for future battles over reform. At stake in these debates, I argue, are differing claims on the postcolonial state that remain incom...
Performance evaluation of I/O traffic and placement of I/O nodes on a high performance network

A common trend in the design of large-scale clusters is to use a high-performance data network to integrate the processing nodes in a single parallel computer. In these systems the performance of the interconnect can be a limiting factor for the input/output (I/O), which is traditionally bottlenecked by the disk bandwidth. In this paper we present an experimental analysis on a 64-node AlphaServer cluster based on the Quadrics network (QsNET) of the behavior of the interconnect under I/O traffic, and the influence of the placement of the I/O servers on the overall performance. The effects of using dedicated I/O nodes or overlapping I/O and computation on the I/O nodes are also analyzed. In addition, we evaluate how background I/O traffic interferes with other parallel applications running concurrently. Our experimental results show that a correct placement of the I/O servers can provide upto 20% increase in the available I/O bandwidth. Moreover, some important guidelines for applications and I/O servers mapping on large-scale clusters are given.
Protective Factors Can Mitigate Behavior Problems After Prenatal Cocaine and Other Drug Exposures

BACKGROUND: We determined the role of risk and protective factors on the trajectories of behavior problems associated with high prenatal cocaine exposure (PCE)/polydrug exposure. METHODS: The Maternal Lifestyle Study enrolled 1388 children with or without PCE, assessed through age 15 years. Because most women using cocaine during pregnancy also used other substances, we analyzed for the effects of 4 categories of prenatal drug exposure: high PCE/other drugs (OD), some PCE/OD, OD/no PCE, and no PCE/no OD. Risks and protective factors at individual, family, and community levels that may be associated with behavior outcomes were entered stepwise into latent growth curve models, then replaced by cumulative risk and protective indexes, and finally by a combination of levels of risk and protective indexes. Main outcome measures were the trajectories of externalizing, internalizing, total behavior, and attention problems scores from the Child Behavior Checklist (parent). RESULTS: A total of 1022 (73.6%) children had known outcomes. High PCE/OD significantly predicted externalizing, total, and attention problems when considering the balance between risk and protective indexes. Some PCE/OD predicted externalizing and attention problems. OD/no PCE also predicted behavior outcomes except for internalizing behavior. High level of protective factors was associated with declining trajectories of problem behavior scores over time, independent of drug exposure and risk index scores. CONCLUSIONS: High PCE/OD is a significant risk for behavior problems in adolescence; protective factors may attenuate its detrimental effects. Clinical practice and public health policies should consider enhancing protective factors while minimizing risks to improve outcomes of drug-exposed children.
Estimates of Ocean Macroturbulence: Structure Function and Spectral Slope from Argo Profiling Floats

AbstractThe Argo profiling float network has repeatedly sampled much of the World Ocean. This study uses Argo temperature and salinity data to form the tracer structure function of ocean variability at the macroscale (10–1000 km, mesoscale and above). Here, second-order temperature and salinity structure functions over horizontal separations are calculated along either pressure or potential density surfaces, which allows analysis of both active and passive tracer structure functions. Using Argo data, a map of global variance is created from the climatological average and each datum. When turbulence is homogeneous, the structure function slope from Argo can be related to the wavenumber spectrum slope in ocean temperature or salinity variability. This first application of structure function techniques to Argo data gives physically meaningful results based on bootstrapped confidence intervals, showing geographical dependence of the structure functions with slopes near ⅔ on average, independent of depth.
Studying Disability and Disability Studies Shifting Paradigms of LD— A Synthesis of Responses to Reid and Valle

In this article, I discuss the 11 diverse responses to Reid and Valle's work on the discursive practice of learning disabilities (LD), implications for instruction, and parent-school relations. I highlight key ideas from each article and then focus on three common areas of interest shared by most respondents: the unacceptable status quo of schooling practices; desired changes in schooling practices; and knowledge production in the field of special education and its relation to schooling practices. In light of the many issues raised, I urge the need for a reflective turn in the field of LD and for openness toward diversification of thought.
Oral Health Status and Development of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia: A Descriptive Study

BACKGROUND Ventilator-associated pneumonia is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality and may be influenced by oral health. OBJECTIVE To describe the relationship between ventilator-associated pneumonia and oral health status, changes in oral health status during the first 7 days after intubation, and microbial colonization of the oropharynx and trachea. METHODS A total of 66 patients were enrolled within 24 hours of intubation and were followed up for up to 7 days. Data on oral health measures and the Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score (CPIS) were collected at baseline, day 4 (n = 37), and day 7 (n = 21). A regression model was used to predict risk of pneumonia at day 4. RESULTS Dental plaque and oral organisms increased over time. Correlations were significant for baseline and day 4 dental plaque (P < .001), baseline salivary lactoferrin and day 4 plaque (P = .01), and lower salivary volume and higher day 4 CPIS (P = .02). Potential pathogens were identified in oral cultures for 6 patients before or at the same time as the appearance of the organisms in tracheal aspirates. Correlations were significant with day 4 CPIS for score on the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II (P = .007), day 4 salivary volume (P = .02), interaction of APACHE II score and day 1 CPIS (P<.001), and interaction of day 1 CPIS and plaque (P=.01). CONCLUSIONS Higher dental plaque scores confer greater risk for ventilator-associated pneumonia, particularly for patients with greater severity of illness. Salivary volume and lactoferrin may affect the risk.
Regression of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy New Hope for Dying Hearts

Only a decade ago, end-stage heart failure was viewed as an irreversible condition for which therapy could offer only transient symptomatic relief. This led to a sense of hopelessness that resembled the prevailing attitude toward coronary occlusive disease 50 years ago, when atherosclerosis was thought to be an inevitable feature of natural aging. In the case of heart failure, as recently as the mid-1980s it was believed that little could be done to improve the natural history in patients with advanced chronic heart failure and a severely dilated ventricle. Yet within a few years, work from unexpected directions demonstrated that the progressive deterioration of the failing heart can be slowed and prognosis improved. The first class of drugs shown in large clinical trials to improve prognosis in these patients was vasodilators.1 Because unloading the failing heart has an obvious energy-sparing effect and because virtually all vasodilators alleviate symptoms over the short term, it came as a surprise that not all of these drugs improve prognosis and that some accelerate deterioration of the failing heart2 and shorten survival.3 4 5 6 Equally counterintuitive was the finding that positive inotropic agents, which, like vasodilators initially improve symptoms, also increase mortality.7 8 Perhaps the most surprising finding of the clinical trials in heart failure was that long-term administration of β-adrenergic receptor blockers, although they initially worsen symptoms, reduce long-term morbidity and improve survival.9 10 11 Taken together, these clinical findings have led to a paradigm shift in our understanding of heart failure, one that by highlighting long-term mortality as a major problem has redefined the challenge in managing these …