cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Zero-Order Controlled-Release Polymer Matrices for Micro- and Macromolecules

Abstract Theoretical and experimental analyses demonstrate that a hemispheric polymer–drug matrix laminated with an impermeable coating, except for an exposed cavity in the center face, can be used to achieve zero-order release kinetics. Hemispheric systems for low molecular weight drugs were prepared by heating and compressing polyethylene and drug (sodium salicylate) in a brass mold. Hemispheric systems for high molecular weight drugs were prepared by casting ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymer and protein in a hemispheric mold at –80°, followed by a two-step drying procedure (–20 and 20°). In both systems, cavities were made in the center face of the hemispheres and the remainder of the matrices coated with an impermeable material. Zero-order release for 60 days at a rate of 0.5 mg/day was achieved from polymer matrices containing bovine serum albumin (mol. wt. 68,000).
Eosinophilic myeloid disorders.

The discovery of therapeutically relevant mutations involving platelet-derived growth factor receptors alpha and beta (PDGFRA and PDGFRB) changed the way we evaluate and treat patients with clonal eosinophilia. Despite our improved understanding of the pathobiology of clonal eosinophilia, more than 50% of patients are diagnosed with idiopathic disease, 10% to 20% with a clonal myeloid disorder, and the remainder with a lymphocytic variant. The World Health Organization classification of tumors recognized the importance of a semi-molecular classification of eosinophilc myeloid disorders and divided them into two major subgroups: (1) myeloid and lymphoid neoplasms with eosinophilia and abnormalities of PDGFRA, PDGFRB, or fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1); and (2) chronic eosinophilic leukemia, not otherwise specified. A key challenge remains the identification of tyrosine kinase responsive molecular lesions in patients in whom the pathogenesis of clonal eosinophilia remains unclear.
Nitric Oxide PLIF Measurements in the Hypersonic Materials Environmental Test System (HYMETS)

Planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) of naturally occurring nitric oxide (NO) has been used to obtain instantaneous flow visualization images, and to make both radial and axial velocity measurements in the HYMETS (Hypersonic Materials Environmental Test System) 400 kW arc-heated wind tunnel at NASA Langley Research Center. This represents the first application of NO PLIF flow visualization in HYMETS. Results are presented at selected facility run conditions, including some in a simulated Earth atmosphere (75% nitrogen, 20% oxygen, 5% argon) and others in a simulated Martian atmosphere (71% carbon dioxide, 24% nitrogen, 5% argon), for specific bulk enthalpies ranging from 6.5 MJ/kg to 18.4 MJ/kg. Flow visualization images reveal the presence of large scale unsteady flow structures, and indicate nitric oxide fluorescence signal over more than 70% of the core flow for specific bulk enthalpies below about 11 MJ/kg, but over less than 10% of the core flow for specific bulk enthalpies above about 16 MJ/kg. Axial velocimetry was performed using molecular tagging velocimetry (MTV). Axial velocities of about 3 km/s were measured along the centerline. Radial velocimetry was performed by scanning the wavelength of the narrowband laser and analyzing the resulting Doppler shift. Radial velocities of +/- 0.5 km/s were measured.
A non-adaptive search algorithm that identifies up to three defects

Abstract We give a simple and constructable non-adaptive search algorithm that identifies a defective subset of cardinality at most three in a sample of cardinality n when the testing procedure can detect the presence of an odd number of defects in any subset of the sample. Our algorithm uses at most ⌈ log 2 (n + 1) ⌉ + ( ⌈ log 2 (n + 1) ⌉ 2 ) many tests.
Hypertext document generator in a computer supported cooperative work environment

Distributed Collaborative Writing Aid (DCWA) is an environment developed for a group of designers to work together. It provides real-time communication that enables collaboration members to share ideas while working together. The emphasis of this paper is on the process of integrating and generating documents. This process involves creating, editing, and revising a document tree structure and integrating textual, graphic, and image components into a complete document. HTML is chosen as the format for the integrated documents generated by DCWA. With this capability, collaboration members can tailor the collaboration document to meet their individual needs.
Bioinspired photocatalyst assemblies for environmental remediation

Abstract Photocatalytic methods for environmental pollution abatement have been an active field of research endeavor for over three decades. However, the effectiveness of this approach is enhanced several-fold when the inorganic semiconductor active material is combined with other complementary components. In this regard, materials design paradigms can take a leaf out of Nature's playbook and enhance the scope further. This review article discusses three such types of nanocomposite assemblies based on the combination of the semiconductor (mostly transition metal oxides) with (a) clays, (b) carbon, and (c) metals. Other miscellaneous nanocomposites are also reviewed and areas needing further work are identified.
Role for Periodontal Bacteria in Cardiovascular Diseases

Background: Several epidemiological studies as well as a recent animal model approach have suggested a role for periodontal diseases in the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This relationship could be mediated by inflammatory responses induced by periodontal pathogens as well as direct interaction of these organisms with cardiac tissue. Methods: In order to explore these possibilities, the effects of the periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis on cellular events proposed to play a role in CVD were investigated. Results: P. gingivalis, as well as its outer membrane vesicles (OMV), was able to induce foam cell formation (an important characteristic of CVD) in the murine macrophage cell line J774 A.1. This property appears to be mediated by the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) fraction of the cells. Several other oral bacteria were also able to induce foam cell formation. Furthermore, since the rupture of the fibrous cap of plaque appears to be an important factor in acute coronary syndrome, it was ...
Directing Vision in the Landscapes and Gardens of Carlo Scarpa

Abstract Scarpa's work as a designer has been narrowly framed as that of an object–fixated architect. His fascination with rich materials, overly complex details, and often arcane references has overshadowed other aspects of his productive activities. Yet, there is another Scarpa who has yet to be fully explored. Landscape and garden art were intrinsic parts of Scarpa's productive activities, informing his choice of materials, the nature of his details, and the meaning of his references.
A primer on current evidence-based review systems and their implications for behavioral medicine.

Background: Multiple review systems have been established within medicine and psychology to evaluate and disseminate research findings to clinical practice.Purpose: Within this article, five evidence-based review systems are reviewed to inform the development or the use of an evidence review system for the behavioral medicine field.Methods: Each review system is described on several dimensions: history of the review system, the review process, and details about translation/sustainability efforts.Results: Various factors from each system have been identified that would benefit a behavioral medicine evidence review system, such as a discussion of clinical features that influence the generalizability of review findings (i.e., the American Psychiatric Association) and the use of pre-review protocols (i.e., the Cochrane Collaboration).Conclusions: Although each review system has limitations, it is important for behavioral medicine to join one system because (a) systematic reviews are the only feasible means to evaluate and judge the usefulness of our interventions, and (b) reviews can inform policy, and, with effort, influence patient well-being. This group of behavioral medicine experts recommends that the Cochrane Collaboration review behavioral medicine interventions.
THE POWER OF THE K‐INDEX (OR PMIR) TO DETECT COPYING

At Educational Testing Service, the K-Index is used to assess unusual agreement between the incorrect responses of two test takers on a multiple-choice test. Since the Fall of 1996, the value of the K-Index used for this assessment has been adjusted, based on the Bonferroni inequality. The resulting value is referred to as the Probability of Matching Incorrect Responses (PMIR). If a test taker copies from someone (a Source) with no incorrect responses, the PMIR is useless (i.e., has zero power) for detecting unusual agreement. Similarly, if a Source has relatively few incorrect responses, the power of the PMIR will be low. We propose a framework within which to study the power of the PMIR. The power function derived within this framework exhibits quite complex behavior; however, we conclude that the power of the PMIR to detect substantial amounts of copying is quite low, even when the Source has a relatively large number of incorrect responses.
Bifurcations and chaos in passive walking of a compass-gait biped with asymmetries

In this paper we study the problem of passive walking for a compass-gait biped with gait asymmetry. In particular, we identify and classify bifurcations leading to chaos caused by gait asymmetries due to unequal leg masses. We present bifurcation diagrams showing step period versus the ratio of leg masses at various walking slopes. The cell mapping method is used to find stable limit cycles as the parameters are varied. It is found that a variety of bifurcation diagrams can be grouped into six stages that consist of three expanding and three contracting stages. The analysis of each stage shows that passive dynamic walking has multiple attractors depending on initial conditions, and marginally stable limit cycles exhibit not only period doubling, but also period remerging, disconnecting, and disappearing. We also show that the rate of convergence of period doubling sequences is in good agreement with the Feigenbaum constant.
EFFECT OF SEISMIC RETROFIT OF BRIDGES ON TRANSPORTATION NETWORKS

The objective of this research is to determine the effect earthquakes have on the performance of transportation network systems. To do this, bridge fragility curves, expressed as a function of peak ground acceleration (PGA) and peak ground velocity (PGV), were developed. Network damage was evaluated under the 1994 Northridge earthquake and scenario earthquakes. A probabilistic model was developed to determine the effect of repair of bridge damage on the improvement of the network performance as days passed after the event. As an example, the system performance degradation measured in terms of an index, “Drivers Delay,” is calculated for the Los Angeles area transportation system, and losses due to Drivers Delay with and without retrofit were estimated.
Production of triple-stranded recombination intermediates by RecA protein, in vitro.

During the directional strand exchange that is promoted by RecA protein between linear duplex DNA and circular single-stranded DNA, a triple-stranded DNA intermediate was formed and persisted even after the completion of strand transfer followed by deproteinization. In the deproteinized three-stranded DNA complexes, the sequestered linear third strand resisted digestion by E coli exonuclease I. In relation to polarity of strand exchange which defines the proximal and distal ends of the duplex DNA, when homology was restricted to the distal region of duplex substrate, the joints formed efficiently and were stable even upon complete deproteinization. Enzymatic probing of deproteinized distal joints with nuclease P1 revealed that the joints consist of long three-stranded structures that at neural pH lack significant single-stranded character in any of the three strands. Instead of circular single-stranded DNA, when a linear single strand is recombined with partially homologous duplex DNA, in the presence of SSB, the formation of homologous joints by RecA protein, is significantly more efficient at distal end than at the proximal. Taken together, these observations suggest that with any single-stranded DNA (circular or linear), RecA protein efficiently promotes the formation of distal joints, from which, however, authentic strand exchange may not occur. Moreover, these joints might represent an intermediate which is trapped into a stable triple stranded state.
On syndromes, symptoms, and root cause.

Despite remarkable advancements in elucidating the physiology and pathophysiology of lower urinary tract function, sparse urologic evidence exists that provides linkage between symptom constellations and underlying urologic pathology. Oelke et al’s article in this month’s journal accomplishes an important analysis involving a large group of men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) [1]. In this group, urodynamic assessment, linked to symptomatic appraisal, determined that patient age and degree of bladder outlet obstruction (as measured by pressure flow assessment) were clearly linked to the finding of motor overactivity during the storage phase of urodynamics. Also related to these phenomena was worsening symptomatic bother; again, clearly related to progressive detrusor storage dysfunction. This type of appraisal is crucial to analysis of the underlying causes for the specific symptoms that constitute LUTS. The implications of these findings are far reaching. If, indeed, similar studies show that the important variables identified in this trialareindependentcausationvariablesinmenwith LUTS, then the argument can be made for earlier intervention linked to degree of symptom bother, with the hope that the natural history of detrusor dysfunction (and resultant symptoms) can be altered
Application of thermal-wave electron microscopy to imaging and assessment of corrosion on rough steel surface

Thermal-wave electron microscopy, which employs heat flow to probe variations in the thermal properties of solid materials, can provide micrometre-level resolution of surface and subsurface features of opaque samples. The effects of modulation frequency, phase detection and surface characteristics on the contrast and resolution of thermal-wave electron images of corrosion products on unprotected steel surfaces were investigated. Thermal-wave electron imaging is shown to be capable of distinguishing between the corrosion products and surface topographic features of the sample. This allows an automated image analysis technique to be used to assess quantitatively the extent of corrosion on rough steel surfaces.
“Code Stroke”: Hospitalized versus Emergency Department Patients

Stroke rapid-response ("code stroke") teams facilitate the evaluation and treatment of patients presenting to emergency departments (EDs). Little is known about the usefulness of code stroke systems for patients hospitalized primarily for other conditions. We hypothesized that the yield of code stroke evaluations would be lower in hospitalized than in ED patients, and sought to identify potential targets for quality improvement efforts. Diagnoses and management of in-hospital and ED code stroke patients were assessed retrospectively in a Joint Commission-certified primary stroke center over a 1-year period. A total of 93 in-hospital and 204 ED code strokes were identified during this period. Compared with the ED patients, the hospitalized patients were less likely to have had a stroke/transient ischemic attack (26.8% vs 51.4%; P < .0001) and less likely to have been treated with a thrombolytic agent (odds ratio, 0.27; 95% confidence interval, 0.07-0.97: P = .03). Conditions not necessitating immediate neurologic care accounted for 63.4% of in-hospital strokes, compared with 31.3% of ED code strokes (P < .0001). "Altered mental status" was the sole presenting symptom in 48% of the hospitalized patients, compared with only 10% of ED patients (P < .0001), and was the only clinical feature independently associated with a stroke mimic in the hospitalized patients (odds ratio, 63.52; 95% confidence interval, 7.37-547.69; P = .0002). There was no association between a final diagnosis of a stroke mimic and patient age, sex or race-ethnicity or nursing shift. The proportions of patients with acute ischemic stroke and patients treated with thrombolytics after activation of in-hospital code stroke were small, and were lower than those of patients with ED code stroke in the same hospital over the same time period. Developing a standardized assessment protocol for hospitalized patients with altered mental status may improve the efficacy of care.
Effects of surface modification on the fluorescence properties of conjugated polymer/ZnO nanocomposites

We report the effects of surface modification on the fluorescence properties of conjugated polymer/zinc oxide nanocomposites. Zinc oxide nanoparticle surface was partially capped by poly(vinylpyrolidone) (PVP) during hydrolysis of zinc acetate dihydrate in methanol in ambient condition. The ZnO-capped nanoparticles were characterized by XRD and TEM. The fluorescence properties of poly[2-methoxy-5-(2-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene] (MEH-PPV)/ZnO nanocomposites with different mass ratios were studied by steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopy. The results indicate that the surface-modified ZnO nanoparticles are more effective to quench the emission of MEH-PPV by charge transfer process than the non-capped ZnO. The more effective charge transfer in MEH-PPV/ZnO-capped is attributed to the better dispersion of the nanoparticles in MEH-PPV matrix and THF solvent.
Algebraic characteristics of extended fuzzy numbers

Abstract Extended fuzzy numbers, previously called fuzzy intervals, are discussed by using the resolution identity and the extension principle. The regularity and the spread are defined for describing the algebraic properties of extended fuzzy numbers. Arithmetic operations on α-level set intervals are suggested instead of general set operations in order to reduce the amount of computation. A sufficient and necessary condition for solving A + X = C is derived. The exact solution for A + X = C is obtained. Finally, A − A = θ (a fuzzification of the crisp 0), which is a natural extension from the nonfuzzy field, is proved.
A suicide-based typology of suicide terrorists: Conventional, coerced, escapist and indirect

This article proposes that there are four primary types of suicide terrorist: (1) conventional suicide terrorists, who become suicidal owing to classic risk factors, (2) coerced suicide terrorists, who become suicidal because they fear the organizational consequences of not carrying out attacks, (3) escapist suicide terrorists, who become suicidal because they fear being captured by the enemy, and (4) indirect suicide terrorists, who become suicidal at an unconscious level and orchestrate their deaths in ways that disguise their desire to die. It then outlines behavioral expectations for each type, in terms of warning signs, tactical experience and attack styles, and concludes with recommendations for security countermeasures and future research.
Selective Vocal Learning in a Sparrow

Male swamp sparrows learn their songs; they fail to learn songs of the sympatric song sparrow. Syllables from tape recordings of both species of sparrow were spliced into an array of swamp sparrow-like and song sparrow-like temporal patterns. Swamp sparrows learned only those songs made of swamp sparrow syllables. They did so irrespective of whether the temporal pattern was swamp sparrow-like or song sparrow-like. Selectivity was retained by birds reared in total isolation from adult conspecific sounds.
YB-1 coordinates vascular smooth muscle α-actin gene activation by transforming growth factor β1 and thrombin during differentiation of human pulmonary myofibroblasts

Profibrotic regulatory mechanisms for tissue repair after traumatic injury have developed under strong evolutionary pressure to rapidly stanch blood loss and close open wounds. We have examined the roles played by two profibrotic mediators, transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFbeta1) and thrombin, in directing expression of the vascular smooth muscle alpha-actin (SMalphaA) gene, an important determinant of myofibroblast differentiation and early protein marker for stromal cell response to tissue injury. TGFbeta1 is a well known transcriptional activator of the SMalphaA gene in myofibroblasts. In contrast, thrombin independently elevates SMalphaA expression in human pulmonary myofibroblasts at the posttranscriptional level. A common feature of SMalphaA up-regulation mediated by thrombin and TGFbeta1 is the involvement of the cold shock domain protein YB-1, a potent repressor of SMalphaA gene transcription in human fibroblasts that also binds mRNA and regulates translational efficiency. YB-1 dissociates from SMalphaA enhancer DNA in the presence of TGFbeta1 or its Smad 2, 3, and 4 coregulatory mediators. Thrombin does not effect SMalphaA gene transcription but rather displaces YB-1 from SMalphaA exon 3 coding sequences previously shown to be required for mRNA translational silencing. The release of YB-1 from promoter DNA coupled with its ability to bind RNA and shuttle between the nucleus and cytoplasm is suggestive of a regulatory loop for coordinating SMalphaA gene output in human pulmonary myofibroblasts at both the transcriptional and translational levels. This loop may help restrict organ-destructive remodeling due to excessive myofibroblast differentiation.
Conservation among HSP60 sequences in relation to structure, function, and evolution

The chaperonin HSP60 (GroEL) proteins are essential in eubacterial genomes and in eukaryotic organelles. Functional regions inferred from mutation studies and the Escherichia coli GroEL 3D crystal complexes are evaluated in a multiple alignment across 43 diverse HSP60 sequences, centering on ATP/ADP and Mg2+ binding sites, on residues interacting with substrate, on GroES contact positions, on interface regions between monomers and domains, and on residues important in allosteric conformational changes. The most evolutionary conserved residues relate to the ATP/ADP and Mg2+ binding sites. Hydrophobic residues that contribute in substrate binding are also significantly conserved. A large number of charged residues line the central cavity of the GroEL-GroES complex in the substrate-releasing conformation. These span statistically significant intra- and inter-monomer three-dimensional (3D) charge clusters that are highly conserved among sequences and presumably play an important role interacting with the substrate. Unaligned short segments between blocks of alignment are generally exposed at the outside wall of the Anfinsen cage complex. The multiple alignment reveals regions of divergence common to specific evolutionary groups. For example, rickettsial sequences diverge in the ATP/ADP binding domain and gram-positive sequences diverge in the allosteric transition domain. The evolutionary information of the multiple alignment proffers attractive sites for mutational studies.
Stacked Lagrange Tops

We investigate the relative equilibrium and stability conditions for systems of Lagrange tops coupled by universal joints at points on their axes of symmetry and moving under the influence of gravity. We demonstrate the existence of large classes of Tn + 1-orbitally stable, steady motions of n Lagrange tops for arbitrary n. The symmetry and stability properties of the relative equilibria are closely related to the structure of an n × n matrix arising in the equilibrium and stability analyses. This structure plays a crucial role in the analysis of the classes of relative equilibria identified here.
FLOW PHYSICS AND SELF SIMILARITY IN THE TURBULENT NEAR WAKE OF A FLAT PLATE

The near wake of a flat plate with a circular trailing edge is investigated via direct numerical simulations (DNS). The computations are performed with a high-order accurate finite difference method. Many earlier experimental investigations have used thin plates with turbulent boundary layers to create the wake, resulting in little or no trailing edge vortex shedding. Here the emphasis is on relatively thick plates with blunt trailing edges with pronounced shedding of wake vortices. The Reynolds numbers based on the plate length and thickness/trailing-edge cylinder diameter are 1.255 x 10 6 and 10,000, respectively. The boundary layers on both the upper and lower surfaces of the plate are turbulent (statistically the same, thus yielding a symmetric wake). Results including time-averaged wake velocity statistics, streamwise variations of wake thickness and maximum defect velocity, velocity spectra and flow visualization in the wake, were provided in an earlier publication. In the present study the emphasis is on the distribution of phase-averaged velocity statistics and, self-similarity of the cross-stream profiles of the velocity statistics. Conventional approaches to self-similarity in the near wake result in a rather marginal collapse of these profiles because of the rapid changes that the flow undergoes in this region as well as trailing edge vortex shedding. The phase-averaged data provide a deep understanding of the flow physics, and the correct approach to realizing self-similarity even in the near wake, that is, the use of multiple velocity and length scales in a "zonal" approach that permits "multiple natural origins". This new approach is also shown to be applicable to obtaining self-similarity in the far wake across multiple wake generators.
Strain-tunable magnetocrystalline anisotropy in epitaxial Y 3 Fe 5 O 12 thin films

We demonstrate strain tuning of magnetocrystalline anisotropy over a range of more than 1000 G in epitaxial ${Y}_{3}{\mathrm{Fe}}_{5}{\mathrm{O}}_{12}$ films of excellent crystalline quality grown on lattice-mismatched Y${}_{3}$Al${}_{5}{\mathrm{O}}_{12}$ substrates. Ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) measurements reveal a linear dependence of both out-of-plane and in-plane uniaxial anisotropy on the strain-induced tetragonal distortion of ${Y}_{3}{\mathrm{Fe}}_{5}{\mathrm{O}}_{12}$. Importantly, we find the spin mixing conductance ${G}_{r}$ determined from inverse spin Hall effect and FMR linewidth broadening remains large: ${G}_{r}$ = 3.33 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} 10${}^{14}$ \ensuremath{\Omega}${}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ m${}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$ in Pt/${Y}_{3}{\mathrm{Fe}}_{5}{\mathrm{O}}_{12}$/Y${}_{3}$Al${}_{5}{\mathrm{O}}_{12}$ heterostructures, quite comparable to the value found in Pt/${Y}_{3}{\mathrm{Fe}}_{5}{\mathrm{O}}_{12}$ grown on lattice-matched Gd${}_{3}$Ga${}_{5}{\mathrm{O}}_{12}$ substrates.
Promoting sustainable compliance: Styles of labour inspection and compliance outcomes in Brazil

Can workers' rights and social protections be reconciled with firms' com- petitiveness and productivity? In contrast to current development policy advice, which emphasizes the "flexibilization" of labour laws, this article contributes to an ongoing debate about styles of inspection by exploring the causal links between dif- ferent regulatory practices and economic development and compliance outcomes. Findings from subnational comparisons in Brazil challenge established theories about the behaviours of firms and regulatory agencies, and indicate that labour inspectors have been able to promote sustainable compliance (legal and technical solutions linking up workers' rights with firms' performance) by combining punitive and pedagogical inspection practices.
Optical sensor for active control of antenna surfaces

The ability to accurately monitor the shape of antenna surfaces is likely to play a critical role in future radar systems. Errors in surface figure are particularly troublesome in applications that require high antenna gains at short wavelengths. For robust operation, these tolerances must be maintained against many outside influences, including the variation of gravitational distortion with elevation angle, bending and vibrations due to antenna motion or wind, and thermal distortions due to radiative heating from the Sun or temperature variations of the surrounding air. Attempts at building large antennas that meet the surface-tolerance specifications based on passive structures alone may be impractical or prohibitively expensive. A more cost-effective approach is to actively control the antenna shape using an array of actuators controlled by feedback signals obtained from surface-shape monitoring. An additional motivation for actively controlling antenna surfaces is to reduce the cost of deploying space-based radars by minimizing the weight of the antenna surface and its supporting mechanical structure.
A 2-D motion estimation algorithm

The problem of motion estimation is reviewed, and a region matching motion estimation algorithm is presented. This algorithm estimates accurately the motion parameters in the case of linear 2-D motion and gives a very good linear approximation in the case of a nonlinear 2-D motion. It assumes that the images have been previously segmented. Its main advantage in comparison to other motion estimation algorithms is its robustness in the presence of noise. It does not require small motion or smooth intensity profiles but only segmented images. Its computation time can be significantly reduced by an appropriate choice of the initial values of the motion parameters. The performance of the algorithm is examined for different kinds of motion and various signal-to-noise ratios using computer generated and real images. >
Integral equation solution for analyzing scattering from one-dimensional periodic coated strips

A set of integral equations based on the surface/surface formulation are developed for analyzing electromagnetic scattering by one-dimensional periodic structures. To compare the accuracy, efficiency, and robustness of the formulation, the electric field integral equation (EFIE), magnetic field integral equation (MFIE), and combined field integral equation (CFIE) are developed for analyzing the same structure for different excitations. Due to the periodicity of the structure, the integral equations are formulated in the spectral domain using the Fourier transform of the integrodifferential operators. The generalized-biconjugate-gradient-fast Fourier transform method with subdomain basis functions is used to solve the matrix equation. >
Multiobjective filter design for uncertain stochastic time-delay systems

This note addresses the problem of robust multiobjective filtering for discrete time-delay systems with mixed stochastic and deterministic uncertainties, in addition to unmodeled nonlinearities. A procedure is developed for the design of linear and exponentially stable filters with a bounded error variance, exponential rate of decay, and robust performance for the error system.
Scleraxis: a basic helix-loop-helix protein that prefigures skeletal formation during mouse embryogenesis

Members of the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) family of transcription factors have been shown to regulate growth and differentiation of numerous cell types. Cell-type-specific bHLH proteins typically form heterodimers with ubiquitous bHLH proteins, such as E12, and bind a DNA consensus sequence known as an E-box. We used the yeast two-hybrid system to screen mouse embryo cDNA libraries for cDNAs encoding novel cell-type-specific bHLH proteins that dimerize with E12. One of the cDNAs isolated encoded a novel bHLH protein, called scleraxis. During mouse embryogenesis, scleraxis transcripts were first detected between day 9.5 and 10.5 post coitum (p.c.) in the sclerotome of the somites and in mesenchymal cells in the body wall and limb buds. Subsequently, scleraxis was expressed at high levels within mesenchymal precursors of the axial and appendicular skeleton and in cranial mesenchyme in advance of chondrogenesis; its expression pattern in these cell types foreshadowed the developing skeleton. Prior to formation of the embryonic cartilaginous skeleton, scleraxis expression declined to low levels. As development proceeded, high levels of scleraxis expression became restricted to regions where cartilage and connective tissue formation take place. Scleraxis bound the E-box consensus sequence as a heterodimer with E12 and activated transcription of a reporter gene linked to its DNA-binding site. The expression pattern, DNA-binding properties and transcriptional activity of scleraxis suggest that it is a regulator of gene expression within mesenchymal cell lineages that give rise to cartilage and connective tissue.
Enterprise integration and monitoring solution using active shared space

This paper describes on architecture and framework for business process transformation and monitoring, using active shared space along with business process solution composer, for achieving the above goals. This framework treats business data and business services as the first class citizens. The central notions of this framework are business artifacts and business services both of which users can exploit to define the key business data and performance indicators. There are producers and consumers of business artifacts and business services for the shared data space. Underlying services and data graphs can be configured in such a way that the service invocation and data mediation can be fully automated via the active shared space without human intervention. Active shared space advocates new programming paradigm that enables business level monitoring and business process execution based upon the definitions of business artifacts, business services and data graph. The architecture of the active shared space is detailed in this paper. A reference implementation is given for the sake of validation and discussion
Variability analysis under layout pattern-dependent rapid-thermal annealing process

Rapid-Thermal Annealing (RTA) with radiation heating is recently adopted in nanoscale CMOS fabrication in order to achieve ultra-shallow junction with maximum dopant activation rate. However, recent results report the systematic shift of threshold voltage (Vth) and increased Vth variation due to RTA process [1--2]. The exact amount of variations depends on layout pattern density, RTA heating temperature (T) and effective annealing time. In this work, we develop joint thermal/TCAD simulation and compact modeling tools to analyze performance variability under various layout pattern densities and RTA conditions. With the new simulation capability, we recognize two major variation mechanisms under RTA: the change of effective channel length (Leff) induced by lateral dopant diffusion, and the fluctuation of equivalent oxide thickness (EOT) due to incomplete dopant activation. We perform device simulations to quantify transistor performance shift due to Leff and EOT variations. Moreover, we propose a suite of compact models that bridge the underlying RTA process with device parameter change for efficient design optimization. The new tools are validated with published silicon data at 45nm and 65nm nodes. They will facilitate physical designers to predict and mitigate circuit performance variability due to the layout-dependent RTA process.
Design support system for agile manufacturing

Agile manufacturing requires an intelligent engineering design support system that can provide rapid evaluation of engineering designs and design changes. Often this process results in modified products that require adjustments and retooling of the manufacturing processes that produce the product. This paper discusses the requirements for an intelligent concurrent engineering design support station that will allow the design engineer to evaluate design modifications while concurrently examining suitability for manufacturing. >
Short‐ versus long‐term effects of Ohio's switch to more structured sentencing on extralegal disparities in prison sentences in an urban court*

Research Summary The impact of Ohio's presumptive guidelines on sentencing disparities was examined for one of the state's largest jurisdictions to determine whether the switch to more structured sentencing in 1996 had any enduring effects. Sentencing patterns were examined both before and shortly after the 1996 reform, as well as 9 years later. Findings revealed weaker race and marital status effects on imprisonment under guidelines versus stronger age effects, no changes in disparities based on a defendant's sex and means of support, and (virtually) no changes in the magnitude of legally relevant effects. Policy Implications Ohio's guidelines are more flexible relative to other guideline schemes, possibly accounting for the general stability in effects across regimes. Ohio has since transitioned to voluntary guidelines, which raised concerns that the change will yield higher levels of sentencing disparities. Findings suggest that the transition may coincide with no changes in legal effects, yet with greater disparities based on a defendant's race and marital status.
Classroom Process Differences in Inner-City Elementary Schools

Abstract Prior school effectiveness research was extended in this study by an examination of classroom processes in urban elementary schools that have been identified as effective/efficient (E/E) and ineffective/inefficient (I/I), based on both data envelopment analyses (DEA) (Anderson & Walberg, 1994) and multiple-regression analyses. Achievement test scores and school demographic data were used initially to determine the efficiency and effectiveness ratings of 167 elementary schools from a large urban school district in the south central region of the United States. Four schools were randomly selected from the population of I/I schools. Systematic classroom observation and classroom learning environment measures were collected from each of these schools. The results indicated several classroom process differences between these E/E and I/I urban schools. In the I/I schools, for example, students were observed interacting with their teacher only about 47% of the time and there were no classroom interactio...
Fibroblast Biomarkers of Sporadic Parkinson’s Disease and LRRK2 Kinase Inhibition

It has been uncertain whether specific disease-relevant biomarker phenotypes can be found using sporadic Parkinson’s disease (PD) patient-derived samples, as it has been proposed that there may be a plethora of underlying causes and pathological mechanisms. Fibroblasts derived from familial PD patients harboring leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2), PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1), and Parkin mutations show clear disease-relevant mitochondrial phenotypes, which are exacerbated under conditions of pharmacological stress. We utilized fibroblasts derived from non-familial sporadic PD patients (without LRRK2 mutations) or LRRK2 mutation carriers to directly compare the cellular phenotypes during and after mitochondrial stress. We then determined the effects of pharmacological LRRK2 kinase inhibition using LRRK2-in-1. We found that there were two distinct populations of sporadic PD patient-derived fibroblast lines. One group of sporadic PD lines was highly susceptible to valinomycin-induced mitochondrial depolarization, emulating the mutant LRRK2 phenotype. These lines showed elevated mitochondrial superoxide/ nitric oxide levels, displayed increased mitochondrial and lysosome co-localization, and an increased rate of mitochondrial collapse, which corresponded with changes in mitochondrial fission and fusion proteins. The application of LRRK2-in-1 reversed decreased levels of mitochondrial and lysosome co-localization and partially restored mitochondrial network associated proteins and the mitochondrial membrane potential in the fibroblasts. This study identifies novel mitochondrial biomarkers in sporadic PD patient-derived fibroblast lines, which could be used as preclinical tools in which to test novel and known neuroprotective compounds.
Virtual Neuropathology: Three-Dimensional Visualization of Lesions Due to Toxic Insult

A first-pass approach incorporating high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used for rapid detection of neuropathologic lesions in fixed rat brains. This inherently 3-dimensional and nondestructive technique provides high-resolution, high-contrast images of fixed neuronal tissue in the absence of sectioning or staining. This technique, magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM), was used to identify diverse lesions in 2 well-established rat neurotoxicity models. The intrinsic contrast in the images delineated lesions that were identified using a battery of histologic stains, some of which would not be used in routine screening. Furthermore, the MRM images provided the locations of lesions, which were verified upon subsequent sectioning and staining of the same samples. The inherent contrast generated by water properties is exploited in MRM by choosing suitable pulse sequences, or proton stains. This approach provides the potential for a comprehensive initial MRM screen for neurotoxicity in preclinical models with the capability for extrapolation to clinical analyses using classical MRI.
Reductions, codes, PCPs, and inapproximability

Many recent results show the hardness of approximating NP-hard functions. We formalize, in a very simple way, what these results involve: a code-like Levin reduction. Assuming a well-known complexity assumption, we show that such reductions cannot prove the NP-hardness of the following problems, where /spl epsiv/ is any positive fraction: (i) achieving an approximation ratio n/sup 1/2+/spl epsiv// for Clique, (ii) achieving an approximation ratio 1.5+/spl epsiv/ for Vertex Cover, and (iii) coloring a 3-colorable graph with O(logn) colors. In fact, we explain why current reductions cannot prove the NP-hardness of coloring 3-colorable graphs with 9 colors. Our formalization of a code-like reduction, together with our justification of why such reductions are natural, also clarifies why current proofs of inapproximability results use error-correcting codes.
Nuclear factor-kappa B signaling in skeletal muscle atrophy

Skeletal muscle atrophy/wasting is a serious complication of a wide range of diseases and conditions such as aging, disuse, AIDS, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, space travel, muscular dystrophy, chronic heart failure, sepsis, and cancer. Emerging evidence suggests that nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) is one of the most important signaling pathways linked to the loss of skeletal muscle mass in various physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Activation of NF-κB in skeletal muscle leads to degradation of specific muscle proteins, induces inflammation and fibrosis, and blocks the regeneration of myofibers after injury/atrophy. Recent studies employing genetic mouse models have provided strong evidence that NF-κB can serve as an important molecular target for the prevention of skeletal muscle loss. In this article, we have outlined the current understanding regarding the role of NF-κB in skeletal muscle with particular reference to different models of muscle wasting and the development of novel therapy.
A diagnostic technique to assess the operating state of high voltage apparatus

A subject of considerable interest at the present time is the development of diagnostic techniques to assess the operating state and predict the remaining life of electrical power equipment in service. Such techniques can help to reduce unscheduled outages, improve maintenance planning and increase system reliability. The life of a high voltage apparatus usually depends upon the operating state of its electrical insulation. An analysis of the fundamental dielectric processes has shown that the polarization phenomena are strongly influenced by the morphology and degradation of the polymeric insulation. Hence, the polarization spectrum should yield information on the operating state of the insulation. A technique for measuring the depolarization current after dc charging is described in the present study. >
The blob code is competitive with edge-sets in genetic algorithms for the minimum routing cost spanning tree problem

Among the many codings of spanning trees for evolutionary search are those based on bijections between Prufer strings---strings of n-2 vertex labels---and spanning trees on the labeled vertices. One of these bijections, called the Blob Code, showed promise as an evolutionary coding, but EAs that use it to represent spanning trees have not performed well. Here, a genetic algorithm that represents spanning trees via the Blob Code is faster than, and returns results competitive with those of, a GA that encodes spanning trees as edge-sets on Euclidean instances of the minimum routing cost spanning tree problem. On instances whose edge weights have been chosen at random, the Blob-coded GA maintains its time advantage, but its results are inferior to those of the edge-set-coded GA, and both GAs are hard pressed to keep up with a simple stochastic hill-climber on all the test instances.
Symmetries of single-slice multiple-pinhole tomographs

The singular-value decomposition (SVD) of an imaging system can be used to characterize the system. For example, because the SVD can be used to characterize the null space and range space of a system, it can be used to investigate the nature of the information a system measures and that which it does not measure. As this is the case, the SVDs of various tomographic systems have been specified and used to characterize some systems; however, specification of the SVDs of multiple-pinhole systems has not been done. We present results related to development of such a specification. A matrix operator that models a single-slice multiple-pinhole tomograph is generated via simulation, the SVD of the operator numerically obtained, and the symmetries of the system identified and correlated with symmetries of the singular vectors. Specifically, because the symmetries of the system are consistent with the structures of the dihedral group of order eight, the symmetries of the singular vectors are correlated with the irreducible representations of the dihedral group, D/sub 4/.
Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections

Necrotizing soft tissue infection (NSTI) is a rare disease primarily affecting middle- and older-aged individuals. No predisposing risk factor is identified in a high percentage of patients. Mortality rates have not improved significantly over the past century. Amputation rates are high and multiple debridements are the rule. Wide surgical debridement is the only effective therapy for NSTI and that time is of the utmost essence. Mortality remains between 10 and 30 % and long-term disability is common.
The Challenges of Polydisperse SAXS Data Analysis: Two SAXS Studies of PICK1 Produce Different Structural Models.

PICK1 is a BAR domain protein, featuring additionally an N-terminal PDZ domain and an acidic C-terminal tail (ACT). PICK1 has been implicated in trafficking of several neuronal proteins, including the AMPA receptor. A recent article (Karlsen et al., 2015) reports a structural study of PICK1 using small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). This work reaches different conclusions than a prior study from our laboratory that used a similar approach (Madasu et al., 2015). The new study, however, was apparently unaware of our work and did not address important contrary evidence.