cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Molecular morphology of polyethylene determined by NMR

SOME of the earliest applications of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) concerned molecular structural determinations in the solid state via proton NMR second moments, a sensitive function of the number, types and relative positions of the constituent nuclei. This classical technique has been extended to polymeric solids, but it has not previously been exploited to address the problem of molecular morphology in polymer crystals. We describe here a framework for the interpretation of such measurements in cocrystals of polyethylene (PEH) and perdeuteropolyethylene (PED) and present preliminary experimental data. The potential of this technique for distinguishing between adjacent re-entry and random re-entry molecular morphologies on a very local scale complements the ability of small angle neutron scattering (SANS) to ascertain the larger scale configuration of the polymer chain.
High performance BDD package by exploiting memory hierarchy

The success of binary decision diagram (BDD) based algorithms for verification depend on the availability of a high performance package to manipulate very large BDDs. State-of-the-art BDD packages, based on the conventional depth-first technique, limit the size of the BDDs due to a disorderly memory access patterns that results in unacceptably high elapsed time when the BDD size exceeds the main memory capacity. We present a high performance BDD package that enables manipulation of very large BDDs by using an iterative breadth-first technique directed towards localizing the memory accesses to exploit the memory system hierarchy. The new memory-oriented performance features of this package are: 1) an architecture independent customized memory management scheme, 2) the ability to issue multiple independent BDD operations (superscalarity), and 3) the ability to perform multiple BDD operations even when the operands of some BDD operations are the result of some other operations yet to be completed (pipelining). A comprehensive set of BDD manipulation algorithms are implemented using the above techniques. Unlike the breadth-first algorithms presented in the literature, the new package is faster than the state-of-the-art BDD package by a factor of up to 15, even for the BDD sizes that fit within the main memory. For BDD sizes that do not fit within the main memory, a performance improvement of up to a factor of 100 can be achieved.
Abstract A38: Resistance to Afatinib and Cetuximab Combination Therapy in EGFR-mutant Lung Adenocarcinomas

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) T790M mutation confers acquired resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in approximately 50% of drug-resistant EGFR mutant lung adenocarcinomas. Experiments using genetically engineered mouse models of EGFR mutant lung cancer have revealed that T790M-mediated resistance can be overcome by a second-generation TKI, afatinib, in combination with the anti-EGFR antibody, cetuximab. This drug combination is currently in clinical trials in patients with TKI-resistant tumors and is showing a promising ∼40% response rate. Nevertheless, cases of afatinib+cetuximab resistance are beginning to emerge. To identify the molecular mechanisms that play a role in afatinib+cetuximab resistance and test new therapies to overcome resistance to these drugs, we have developed mouse models of afatinib+cetuximab resistance in mice with inducible expression of the EGFRL858R+T790M mutant in type II pneumocytes. Mice harboring lung tumors were treated five days a week with afatinib and twice a week with cetuximab for four weeks. After the first round of treatment, drug-treatments were interrupted for one month. This on/off drug treatment was repeated until lung tumors no longer responded to treatment, as evidenced by imaging as well as clinical symptoms. Resistance to afatinib+cetuximab treatment was also studied in xenografts. Eight-week-old nu/nu athymic nude mice were injected subcutaneously with human lung adenocarcinoma cells, expressing the erlotinib-resistant EGFRDel19+T790M mutant. Notably, both transgenic and xenografts models harboring EGFRT790M-induced tumors developed resistance to EGFR-dual targeting and preliminary molecular studies on the resistant tumors show the absence of additional mutations in EGFR and in the ERBB2 tyrosine kinase domain in resistant tumors. These findings suggest that an alternative pathway or mechanism is involved in mediating resistance to the afatinib and cetuximab combination. We are further exploring mechanisms of resistance by performing genome-wide and signaling pathway analyses of drug-resistant tumors from these models. Findings from mouse models will be validated in repeat biopsy specimens from patients who have developed resistance to the drug combination. An improved understanding of the molecular mechanisms responsible for acquired resistance to EGFR inhibition will provide new insight into the biology of this subset of lung cancers with immediate therapeutic implications for patients.
Need for active structures in future large IR and sub-mm telescopes

The potential of active structures technology for future IR and sub-mm telescopes deployed in space is discussed. A space infrared telescope with an aperture of at least 8 m, operating at about 50 k with surface precision better that 0.5 microns is required for future work in space IR and sub-mm astronomy. Telescope parameters, noise, and sensitivity are discussed. The effects of large scale figure errors are examined and conceptual designs of future space IR and sub-mm telescopes are presented. Possible uses of active structures technology and feedback control in future IR and sub-mm space observatories are suggested.
A theoretical treatment on the mechanics of interfaces in deformable porous media

Abstract The presence of interfaces (such as cracks, membranes and bi-material boundaries) in hydrated porous media may have a significant effect on the nature of their deformation and interstitial fluid flow. In this context, the present paper introduces a mathematical framework to describe the mechanical behavior of interfaces in an elastic porous media filled with an inviscid fluid. While bulk deformation and flow are characterized by displacement gradient and variations in the fluid chemical potential, their counterpart in the interface are derived by defining adequate projections of strains and flow onto the plane of the interface. This operation results in the definition of three interface deformation and stress measures describing decohesion, mean tangential strain and relative tangential strain, as well as three interface fluid driving forces and flux representing normal flux, mean tangential flux and relative tangential flux. Consistent with this macroscopic description of interface behavior, a set of governing equations are then introduced by considering the conservation of mass and the balance of momentum in the mixture. In particular, we show that the coupled mechanisms of interface deformation and fluid flow are described by six differential equations for fluid flow and three equations for solid deformation. It is also shown that a simpler set of governing equation can be derived when incompressible constituents are considered. The behavior of the mixture is finally specified through a general linear constitutive relation that relies on the definition of quadratic strain energy and dissipation functions. While an large number of material constants are needed in the general case, we show that under simplifying assumptions, the behavior of the interface can be written in terms of only eight material constants. A summary and discussion is then provided on the proposed formulation and potential applications are suggested.
Stability and control of agent ecosystems

The problem of balancing supply and demand is not a new problem for multi-agent systems (MAS). Achieving a balance between the demand for jobs of a certain kind and the supply of agents to perform these jobs is critical to system performance and stability. An insufficient number of agents forces jobs to accumulate over time, preventing the system from benefiting from the parallel nature of the networked MAS. On the other hand an excessive number of agents slow the system down with unnecessary processing and communications overhead. This problem is amplified if the agent system is running over a mobile ad hoc network (MANET), since such networks may be composed of lightweight devices that are restricted in terms of processing power, memory, available bandwidth and battery power.
F0 timing in Kinyarwanda.

In Kinyarwanda (Bantu, Rwanda), a high tone can occur on either the first or the second mora of a syllable. A study of f₀ timing in the language was undertaken to determine how such a contrast i
The cartoon animation filter

We present the "Cartoon Animation Filter", a simple filter that takes an arbitrary input motion signal and modulates it in such a way that the output motion is more "alive" or "animated". The filter adds a smoothed, inverted, and (sometimes) time shifted version of the second derivative (the acceleration) of the signal back into the original signal. Almost all parameters of the filter are automated. The user only needs to set the desired strength of the filter. The beauty of the animation filter lies in its simplicity and generality. We apply the filter to motions ranging from hand drawn trajectories, to simple animations within PowerPoint presentations, to motion captured DOF curves, to video segmentation results. Experimental results show that the filtered motion exhibits anticipation, follow-through, exaggeration and squash-and-stretch effects which are not present in the original input motion data.
Degeneration of ova in the bulla seminalis of Lepidoptera

Abstract In Plodia interpunctella, Ephestia cautella, Anagasta kuehniella , and Sitotroga cerealella the bulla seminalis is the site where ova are degenerated after females are 24–28 hr old. When ova are shunted into the bulla seminalis and massaged by muscular contractions the chorions gradually weaken and rupture. Empty chorions are compressed into a pellet and remain in the bulla. The number of ruptured eggs varies between species. Mated females in P. interpunctella and E. cautella , degenerate more ova than virgin females. Degeneration of ova in the bulla seminalis may be a means of extra-ovariolar resorption that leaves the oviducts unobstructed so oviposition can occur. The process may be a faster means of freeing yolk from the ova than the digestion of the chorion that is characteristic of oosorption in other insects. In the four species studied, the bulla seminalis which also acts as a pump in the transfer of sperm from the bursa copulatrix to the spermatheca, thus has a dual function.
Edge Effects on Sapling Characteristics and Microclimate in a Small Temperate Deciduous Forest Fragment

ABSTRACT: Edge effect is the change in forest structure and composition from the forest edge to the interior and has many conservation implications. We investigated whether sapling density, size, shade tolerance, and species composition, as well as microclimatic conditions, varied depending on proximity to, and aspect of, the forest edge. Across a small (2.25 ha), roughly square, forest fragment surrounded by agriculture, we measured density, size, and species composition of saplings less than 8.3 cm dbh, as well as light intensity, temperature, percent soil moisture, and relative humidity. To test for possible nutrient enhancement on the edges due to agricultural practices, we analyzed soil samples for differences in soil nutrients and pH between the edges and the interior. Both north and south edges had significantly higher sapling density and light intensity and lower average sapling size than the interior of the forest. Average shade tolerance of saplings was lowest on the south edge. Temperature was ...
The Relacyja of Sefer Muratowicz: 1601–1602 Private Royal Envoy of Sigismund III Vasa to Shah ‘Abbas I

Armenian merchant and Ottoman subject Sefer Muratowicz emigrated to the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in the late sixteenth century. Soon after, he appeared before Safavid Shah ‘Abbas I as the personal envoy of King Sigismund III Vasa on a royal diplomatic mission unsanctioned by the Commonwealth's parliament. Though the trajectory of Sefer Muratowicz's life is not without precedence in the heterogeneous social milieu of Poland-Lithuania, his documented involvement in the private royal embassy of 1601–1602 to Safavid Persia presents an exceptional view into the critical role of the diasporic Armenian population in the diplomatic and economic relations between Europe's largest republic and the Islamic world in the early modern period.
Stiffening of Red Blood Cells Induced by Cytoskeleton Disorders: A Joint Theory-Experiment Study

The functions and elasticities of the cell are largely related to the structures of the cytoskeletons underlying the lipid bilayer. Among various cell types, the red blood cell (RBC) possesses a relatively simple cytoskeletal structure. Underneath the membrane, the RBC cytoskeleton takes the form of a two-dimensional triangular network, consisting of nodes of actins (and other proteins) and edges of spectrins. Recent experiments focusing on the malaria-infected RBCs (iRBCs) show that there is a correlation between the elongation of spectrins in the cytoskeletal network and the stiffening of the iRBCs. Here we rationalize the correlation between these two observations by combining the wormlike chain model for single spectrins and the effective medium theory for the network elasticity. We specifically focus on how the disorders in the cytoskeletal network affect its macroscopic elasticity. Analytical and numerical solutions from our model reveal that the stiffness of the membrane increases with increasing end-to-end distances of spectrins, but has a nonmonotonic dependence on the variance of the end-to-end distance distributions. These predictions are verified quantitatively by our atomic force microscopy and micropipette aspiration measurements of iRBCs. The model may, from a molecular level, provide guidelines for future identification of new treatment methods for RBC-related diseases, such as malaria infection.
Model-based testing and monitoring for hybrid embedded systems

We propose an integrated framework for testing and monitoring the model-based embedded systems. The framework incorporates three components: 1) model-based test generation for hybrid system, 2) run-time verification, and 3) modular code generation for hybrid systems. To analyze the behavior of a model-based system, the model of the system is augmented with a testing automaton that represents a given test case, and with a monitoring automaton that captures the formally specified properties of the system. The augmented model allows us to perform the model-level validation. In the next step, we use the modular code generator to convert the testing and monitoring automata into code that can be linked with the system code to perform the validation tasks on the implementation level. The paper illustrates our techniques by a case study on the Sony AIBO robot platform.
STIMULATED BRILLOUIN SCATTERING IN THE PRESENCE OF EXTERNAL FEEDBACK

We investigate theoretically and experimentally the process of stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) in the presence of weak feedback in a single-mode optical fiber. The threshold for the occurrence of Brillouin oscillation can be considerably lower than the threshold for normal SBS. The spectrum of the emitted Stokes light exhibits an extreme narrowing near and above the oscillation threshold. The Stokes intensity is found to exhibit various types of periodic and stable behavior.
MODELING TRANSIENT RESPONSE OF HYBRID VEHICLE WITH STABILITY ALGORITHM

An existing full car dynamic model (HVOSM.VD2) was expanded previously to enable simulation of electric, hybrid electric, and fuel cell vehicles with integrated vehicle stability systems. A prototype range extending series hybrid electric vehicle was constructed with independent front wheel drives. A hybrid vehicle stability assist (VSA) algorithm was developed to perform proportional control of yaw rate through left/right distribution of front motor torques while simultaneously blending anti-lock braking and traction control with electric drive within hybrid system power limits. The new model, Hybrid Electric Vehicle Dynamic Environment, Virtual (HEVDEV), was validated and used to simulate the Hybrid VSA safety system in the prototype. Skid pad testing was performed to validate HEVDEV simulations of steady state turning behavior. Further simulations using proportional control of differential front wheel torque predicted stable Hybrid VSA performance during step-steer and braking-in-a-turn dynamic maneuvers within hybrid drive-train power limitations. This study focuses on system transient behavior during step steer inputs using more power intensive PID control algorithms, several front to rear weight distributions, and recent trends in HEV and Fuel Cell component specifications. Conclusions are made about component specifications for successful Hybrid VSA systems in future Plug-In hybrid electric (PHEV) and Fuel Cell (FCV) Vehicles.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Model topology formulation for nonlinear dynamic behavioral modeling

It remains difficult to generate models for analog circuits with both small and large-signal dynamic behavior. This paper describes a modeling methodology used in a new fully automated, behavioral modeling tool, ascend that starts from the netlist description of a circuit and generates differential algebraic equation (DAE) based behavioral models. These models are able to reproduce both small and large-signal dynamic behavior. The details of the model topology formulation algorithm are described, and a modeling example is given for a better illustration of the modeling procedure. The generated model contains some nonidealities of the original circuit and can be used in system validation.
The promise of multimedia learning: using the same instructional design methods across different media

Multimedia learning occurs when students build mental representations from words and pictures that are presented to them (e.g., printed text and illustrations or narration and animation). The promise of multimedia learning is that students can learn more deeply from well-designed multimedia messages consisting of words and pictures than from more traditional modes of communication involving words alone. This article explores a program of research aimed at determining (a) research-based principles for the design of multimedia explanations—which can be called methods, and (b) the extent to which methods are effective across different learning environments—which can be called media. A review of research on the design of multimedia explanations conducted in our lab at Santa Barbara shows (a) a multimedia effect—in which students learn more deeply from words and pictures than from words alone—in both book-based and computer-based environments, (b) a coherence effect—in which students learn more deeply when extraneous material is excluded rather than included—in both book-based and computer-based environments, (c) a spatial contiguity effect—in which students learn more deeply when printed words are placed near rather than far from corresponding pictures—in both book-based and computer-based environments, and (d) a personalization effect—in which students learn more deeply when words are presented in conversational rather than formal style—both in computer-based environments containing spoken words and those using printed words. Overall, our results provide four examples in which the same instructional design methods are effective across different media.  2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Further observations on resorption in guinea pigs following injections of trypan blue.

Pregnant guinea pigs were injected with 2 ml of either 1% saline or 1% trypan blue of the eleventh day of gestation and sacrificed on days 12, 13, 14, 15 or 20 or laparotomized on day 15, examined for implantation sites and sacrificed on days 25, 30 or 35. Trypan blue increases both the number or pregnancies affected and the number of embryos resorbed within 24 hours after injection. Laparotomy on day 15 augmented the above effects in both saline and trypan blue-injected females. This increase is superimposed upon the number of resorptions already established for the two groups. Evidence is presented which suggests that resorption of guinea pig embryos can be so complete as to leave no indication of the original presence of the embryo or its placenta. This can occur within as few as five days.
The 1991 Antarctic Ozone Hole; TOMS observations

The 1991 Antarctic springtime ozone decline, as measured by the Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS), was similar to those of earlier deep ozone hole years, 1987, 1989, and 1990. The minimum total ozone value was recorded on October 5, 1991 at 108 Dobson units near the South Pole. This was 8 DU lower than in any of the earlier years. Four of the last five years have exhibited an extensive, deep ozone hole. The area of the hole was about the same as in 1987, 1989, and 1990. The recovery of the low total ozone values occurred in mid-November as the polar vortex broke up.
Cell type-specific replication of simian virus 40 conferred by hormone response elements in the late promoter.

The late genes of SV40 are not expressed at significant levels until after the onset of viral DNA replication. We previously identified two hormone response elements (HREs) in the late promoter that contribute to this delay. Mutants defective in these HREs overexpress late RNA at early, but not late, times after transfection of CV-1PD cells. Overexpression of nuclear receptors (NRs) that recognize these HREs leads to repression of the late promoter in a sequence-specific and titratable manner, resulting in a delay in late gene expression. These observations led to a model in which the late promoter is repressed at early times after infection by NRs, with this repression being relieved by titration of these repressors through simian virus 40 (SV40) genome replication to high copy number. Here, we tested this model in the context of the viral life cycle. SV40 genomes containing mutations in either or both HREs that significantly reduce NR binding without altering the coding of any proteins were constructed. Competition for replication between mutant and wild-type viruses in low-multiplicity coinfections indicated that the +1 HRE offered a significant selective advantage to the virus within a few cycles of infection in African green monkey kidney cell lines CV-1, CV-1P, TC-7, MA-134, and Vero but not in CV-1PD′ cells. Interestingly, the +55 HRE offered a selective disadvantage in MA-134 cells but had no effect in CV-1, CV-1P, TC-7, Vero, and CV-1PD′ cells. Thus, we conclude that these HREs are biologically important to the virus, but in a cell type-specific manner.
Trade-offs in Staying Close: Corporate Decision Making and Geographic Dispersion

We investigate whether the geographic dispersion of a firm affects corporate decision making. Our findings suggest that social factors work alongside informational considerations to make geography important to corporate decisions. We show that (i) geographicallydispersedfirmsarelessemployeefriendly;(ii) dismissalsofdivisional employees are less common in divisions located closer to corporate headquarters; and (iii) firms appear to adopt a ‘‘pecking order’’ and divest out-of-state entities before those in-state. To explain these findings, we consider both information and social factors. We find that firms are more likely to protect proximate employees in soft information industries (i.e., when information is difficult to transfer over long distances). However, employee protection holds only when the headquarters is located in a less populated county, suggesting a role for social factors. Additionally, stock markets respond favorably to divestitures of in-state divisions. (JEL G34, J63, R30)
3-D Finite-Element Models of Human and Monkey Fingertips to Investigate the Mechanics of Tactile Sense

The biomechanics of skin and underlying tissues plays a fundamental role in the human sense of touch. It governs the mechanics of contact between the skin and an object, the transmission of the mechanical signals through the skin, and their transduction into neural signals by the mechanoreceptors. To better understand the mechanics of touch, it is necessary to establish quantitative relationships between the loads imposed on the skin by an object, the state of stresses/strains at mechanoreceptor locations, and the resulting neural response. Towards this goal, 3-D finite-element models of human and monkey fingertips with realistic external geometries were developed. By computing fingertip model deformations under line loads, it was shown that a multi-layered model was necessary to match previously obtained in vivo data on skin surface displacements. An optimal ratio of elastic moduli of the layers was determined through numerical experiments whose results were matched with empirical data. Numerical values of the elastic moduli of the skin layers were obtained by matching computed results with empirically determined force-displacement relationships for a variety of indentors. Finally, as an example of the relevance of the model to the study of tactile neural response, the multilayered 3-D finite-element model was shown to be able to predict the responses of the slowly adapting type I (SA-I) mechanoreceptors to indentations by complex object shapes.
A Parametric Study of Prefrontal Cortex Involvement in Human Working Memory

Although recent neuroimaging studies suggest that prefrontal cortex (PFC) is involved in working memory (WM), the relationship between PFC activity and memory load has not yet been well-described in humans. Here we use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to probe PFC activity during a sequential letter task in which memory load was varied in an incremental fashion. In all nine subjects studied, dorsolateral and left inferior regions of PFC were identified that exhibited a linear relationship between activity and WM load. Furthermore, these same regions were independently identified through direct correlations of the fMRI signal with a behavioral measure that indexes WM function during task performance. A second experiment, using whole-brain imaging techniques, both replicated these findings and identified additional brain regions showing a linear relationship with load, suggesting a distributed circuit that participates with PFC in subserving WM. Taken together, these results provide a "dose-response curve" describing the involvement of both PFC and related brain regions in WM function, and highlight the benefits of using graded, parametric designs in neuroimaging research.
Adsorption of Metal Ions from Aqueous Solutions: Model Application

This chapter covers applications of the model and algorithm developed in the two previous chapters to calculate the kinetics of metal ion adsorption from aqueous solutions. A number of specific problems are presented. Model predictions are also compared with experimental results available in the literature.
Determination of pole sensitivities by Danilevskii's method

In control theory, a synonymous term for pole sensitivity is eigenvalue sensitivity. Existing methods of calculating eigenvalues are cumbersome, and cannot be trusted for systems roughly greater than tenth order. The method proposed in the present paper is applicable to high-order system. (It has been routinely used to generate eigenvalue sensitivities for systems up to 26th order, using a UNIVAC 1106.) Danilevskii's method is shown to be suitable for performing the necessary evaluations. The result is a rational function that can be used to evaluate the sensitivities for all distinct poles.
Streptozotocin (NSC‐85998) in Children with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. A Southwest Oncology Group Study

Streptozotocin (NSC-85998), a nitrosourea antibiotic, was given to 18 children with acute lymphocytic leukemia in relapse in a dose of 500 mg/m2/day intravenously every day for five days. There were no responses in 14 fully evaluable patients. The principal toxicity consisted of gastrointestinal disturbances. Based on our findings and those of others in adults, steptozotocin appears to play no role in the management of acute lymphocytic leukemia.
The Relationship of Vitamin K to Mortality from Cecal Coccidiosis

ABSTRACT HARMS and Tugwell (1956) reported that mortality from cecal coccidiosis in chicks could be significantly increased by the addition of dicumarol to the diet. This increased mortality was attributed to prolonging blood clotting time, since the addition of one gram per ton of menadione sodium bisulfite 2 (hereafter referred to as MSB) significantly reduced mortality when added to the diet containing dicumarol. In view of these findings experiments were designed to study the possibility of reducing mortality from cecal coccidiosis by the addition of MSB to a vitamin K low diet. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE Ten pens of males and ten pens of females (Lancaster×New Hampshire) were used in the first experiment. Twenty pens of Single Comb White Leghorn males were used in the second experiment. In either experiment each pen contained twenty, day-old birds. Five experimental treatments were used resulting in four replicates being used with each treatment. Eight pens of birds . . .
Measurement of the Tension/Compression Asymmetry Exhibited by Single Crystalline γ-Ti 55.5at%Al

Microsample test specimens of single crystalline γ-Ti 55.5at%Al oriented near the [001], and [-110] crystal axes have been deformed in tension and compression at 973K. From these experiments, measurements of the 0.2% offset flow stress have been made as a function of temperature, crystal orientation and sense of the applied load. A measurable violation of Schmid's law was observed and a significant tension/compression asymmetry has been observed at this temperature for the above listed orientations. Single-cycle loading experiments designed to measure the tension/compression asymmetry of the yield strength on the same sample have been conducted along the ∼[-110] and [001] orientations. The flow strength measurements from the specimens, which underwent the fully reversed cyclic-loading experiment, fall near those of the monotonically loaded microsamples deformed at the same temperature, which suggests that the same deformation mode was active in both tension and compression.
Mapping Quantitative Trait Loci Using Multiple Families of Line Crosses

To avoid a loss in statistical power as a result of homozygous individuals being selected as parents of a mapping population, one can use multiple families of line crosses for quantitative trait genetic linkage analysis. Two strategies of combining data are investigated: the fixed-model and the random-model strategies. The fixed-model approach estimates and tests the average effect of gene substitution for each parent, while the random-model approach treats each effect of gene substitution as a random variable and directly estimates and tests the variance of gene substitution. Extensive Monte Carlo simulations verify that the two strategies perform equally well, although the random model is preferable in combining data from a large number of families. Simulations also show that there may be an optimal sampling strategy (number of families vs. number of individuals per family) in which QTL mapping reaches its maximum power and minimum estimation error. Deviation from the optimal strategy reduces the efficiency of the method.
A Zipfian Model of an Automatic Bibliographic System: An Application to MEDLINE.

A Zipfian model of an automatic bibliographic system is developed using parameters describing the contents of Its database and its inverted file. The underlying structure of the Zipf distribution is derived, with particular emphasis on its application to work frequencies, especlaiiy with regard to the inverted files of an automatic bibliographic system. Andrew Booth developed a form of Zipf's law which estimates the number of words of a particular frequency for a given author and text. His formulation has been adopted as the basis of a model of term dispersion in an inverted file system. The model is also distinctive in its consideration of the proliferation of spelling errors in free text, and the inclusion of all searchable elements from the system's Inverted file. This model is applied to the National Library of Medicine's MEDLINE. The model carries implications for the determination of database storage requirements, search response time, and search exhaustiveness.
Three-dimensional modeling of transport of nutrients for multicellular tumor spheroid culture in a microchannel

The growth dynamics of avascular tumors in a microchannel bioreactor is investigated. A three-dimensional flow and nutrient transport model, incorporating the multicellular tumor spheroid (MTS) growth model, has been developed to study the influence of nutrients (oxygen and glucose) supply and distribution on the MTS growth. Numerical simulations based on the EMT6/Ro tumor cells show that the continuous-flow perfusion is more efficient to deliver nutrients to the MTS than the diffusion-only static culture. It is further demonstrated that as long as there is bulk flow, the growth of a single tumor spheroid at the early stage is insensitive to the flow velocity and the channel size. For multiple tumor spheroids in the same microchannel, however, increasing the perfusion velocity can improve the nutrient environment for the disadvantageous downstream tumor spheroid. The flow shear stress exerting on the MTSs in the current microchannel bioreactor is estimated to be far below the critical value to affect the MTS growth, which means that there is still much room for increasing perfusion velocity to satisfy the higher nutrient requirement by the growing tumor spheroids.
Modeling and design of a pulse phase modulated resonant inverter system

Resonant converters have been widely used in consumer electronics, telecom power supplies, and electronic ballasts. Compared with the PWM converters, it has many advantages, such as low EMI, low switching loss, and high power density. Depending on applications requirements, the resonant converters use various modulation schemes including asymmetrical pulse width modulation, frequency modulation, and phase shift modulation. The resonant tank can be of various topologies including the commonly used ones such as parallel resonant tank, series resonant tank, LCC, LLC and LC-LC resonant tanks. The circuit modeling and analysis are complicated because the state variables like inductor currents and capacitor voltages are AC dominant. The phasor dynamic modeling method maps the periodical time-varying state variables into stationary frame for each harmonics of interest. Correspondingly, the circuit is decomposed into two DC sub-circuits, the state variables of which are the time-varying Fourier coefficients of the original AC variables. Small signal model can be derived by applying small perturbation and linearization to the Fourier Coefficients. A general phasor dynamic model is presented for the resonant inverters. Such a model closely relates to the power converter topology in time domain, and therefore keeps the physical meaning of the state variables. This model can be easily extended to more complicated resonant topologies, and to include more parasitical components for higher accuracy of modeling. The model can be applied to a number of modulations as well with minor modifications. It can be used for fast simulation, circuit analysis and controller design. A resonant inverter system with 5 energy storage elements are modeled and compared with switch simulation for both steady state and transients. The simulation results match the switch simulation in both steady state and transients, but takes much less time.
The Traction Spur

The traction spur differs from all other spondylophytes in that it is horizontally directed and arises at the site of attachment of the outermost annular fibers about two millimeters away from the discal border of the anterior and lateral surfaces of vertebral bodies. The significance of a traction spur lies in the fact that it denotes segmental instability which may or may not cause symptoms.
Using your course web page for more than a syllabus server

Recent developments in servers, software, and cheaper computer prices have provided faculty members with the means to further explore the value of enhancing courses with on-line materials. At McMurry, faculty web sites can be found that range from the most simple, non-interactive posting of office hours and phone numbers to dynamic web pages replete with Java applets. As professors become more comfortable with web authoring and are equipped with the tools to achieve authoring in a WYSIWYG environment, there is no end to what they may choose to accomplish with web pages.
Combined modality therapy with carboplatin, irinotecan and radiation therapy followed by consolidation docetaxel for patients with stage III NSCLC

17088 Background: Irinotecan (I) has an active role and potential as a radiosensitizing agent in patients with NSCLC. SWOG 9504 established the concept of “consolidation” chemotherapy with 3 cycles...
The Impacts of Multiple Robots and Display Views: An Urban Search and Rescue Simulation

The use of remote controlled uninhabited ground vehicles (UGVs) is expanding in military and emergency operations. In operations involving multiple UGVs controlled by a single operator, understanding the psychological implications for operational proficiency with the integration of multiple displayed viewpoints is critical. The current empirical study addresses this issue in an experimental simulation of an urban search and rescue (USAR) operation. Using miniature vehicles in a simulated environment, participants were tasked with searching through difficult terrain to photograph specific targets. In the experiment, the number of UGVs used and the use of an uninhabited air vehicle (UAV) view were manipulated as between participants variables. Results indicate: (1) that the use of two UGVs (in a team mode) is rather inefficient, (2) that using two UGVs did not meaningfully reduce faults, and (3) that the use of a UAV view, and to a lesser extent two UGVs, improved target localization.
Tilling the Soil in Tanzania: What do Emerging Economies have to Offer?

Over the last two decades Tanzania’s economic growth has been disproportionately biased towards industry and services, denying farmers the distributional benefits that accompany progress. Rectifying the situation requires appropriate tillage tools to raise agricultural productivity. Past attempts to either identify local tools or import technologies from advanced countries yielded limited benefits. Coincidentally, China and India have recently been developing power tillers suitable for their own production environment. Because these emerging economies are themselves developing, we hypothesize that the technologies they generate could benefit other developing countries. This article compares emerging economy power tillers with advanced country power tillers on 95 rice farms in Tanzania. Despite their adverse environmental impact, we conclude that emerging economy power tillers are more beneficial to the poor than are advanced country tillers as they provide a low acquisition cost point of entry for cash constrained producers and are more employment-intensive, and in some cases more economically profitable.
Investigation on the awareness rate of health knowledge among rural residents before and after the establishment of health village

Objective To understand the mastery of health knowledge and the formation of health behaviors among rural residents before and after the establishment of health village,so as to provide a scientific basis for establishing health village.Methods In accordance with the standards of health village establishment,questionnaires were designed,which included: general conditions,the ways to obtain health knowledge,the awareness rate of health knowledge,and the formation of health behavior.The household survey was carried out by trained investigators before and after the establishment of health village.Count data were processed by χ2 test,the result of P0.05 was considered significantly different.Results The number of rural residents that had obtained health knowledge through a variety of ways increased from 24.22% to 36.46% after the establishment of health village(P0.05).The average awareness rate of health knowledge among rural residents increased from 73.59% to 92.07% after the establishment of health village(P0.05).The overall rate of health behavior formation among rural residents increased from 72.84% to 85.65% after the establishment of health village(P0.05).Conclusion Community health education is a long-term work in rural areas.Creating health village has significant effects on improving health awareness and promoting the formation of health behaviors among rural residents.Therefore,it is an effective means that promotes health education in rural areas and improves the national level of health knowledge.
A discussion of technological essence from the perspective of historical existential theory

The problem of technological essence is a basic problem in technological philosophy, which concerns not only what technology is after all, but also restricts and influences the formation and understanding of some other issues and problems in technological philosophy. Up to now, there is no common understanding and conclusion as to the technological essence. Basically, technology is a special product of human history. A reasonable understanding of technological essence should be based on the social history, the historical existential theory.
Effect of Nitrogen Fertilizer Application Rate on the Productivity of Class A Green Rice and Utilization of Fertilizers

To study the effects of nitrogen fertilizer application rate on the productivity of class A green rice and utilization of fertilizers with the rate of organic nitrogen and inorganic nitrogen were 1:1, an experiment of different nitrogen fertilizer application rate was carried out in different periods. The results showed that improving nitrogen fertilizer application rate in tiller stage can increase the utilization and absorption of N-fertilizer.
Perfringolysin O and related cholesterol-dependent cytolysins: Mechanism of pore formation

Many Gram-positive and a few Gram-negative bacteria express a cholesterol-dependent cytolysin (CDC). CDCs comprise a large family of structurally and mechanistically related toxins defined by their ability to form large oligomeric pore structures on membranes and dependence on host membrane cholesterol for their pore-forming activity. Following secretion as soluble monomers, CDCs bind membranes via a host cell receptor and are converted to a membrane-bound complex comprised of multiple monomers. This process has been the subject of extensive research. This chapter focuses primarily on studies of the past decade that have revealed insights into the molecular aspects of the CDC pore-forming mechanism.
Prostaglandin synthesis inhibition prevents placental dysfunction after fetal cardiac bypass

Surgical therapy of certain congenital heart lesions in utero may have advantages over postnatal repair or palliation. For fetal heart operations to be done, it will be necessary to devise a method of fetal cardiac bypass. Previous studies in which standard cardiopulmonary bypass techniques were used have reported fetal death resulting from increased placental vascular resistance, which causes decreased placental blood flow and depressed respiratory gas exchange. The mechanism responsible for this increase in placental vascular resistance has remained unknown. In a series of 10 fetal cardiac bypass experiments we examined the role of prostaglandins as the mediators of this response. Observations were made during a 1-hour prebypass period, a 30-minute bypass period, and a 2-hour postbypass period. The cardiac bypass circuit consisted of a centrifugal pump, and bypass flows were adjusted to equal a normal fetal cardiac output of 400 ml/min/kg. In six of the experiments indomethacin (3 mg/100 ml) was added to the pump priming to block prostaglandin synthesis. By means of the microsphere technique, fetal cardiac output, placental blood flow, individual organ blood flow, and placental vascular resistance were determined at five times during the experiments: presternotomy, poststernotomy, during cardiac bypass, at 5 minutes after cessation of bypass, and 30 minutes after cessation of bypass. Fetal arterial blood gas measurements were made every 15 to 30 minutes. When indomethacin was used to inhibit prostaglandin synthesis, placental vascular resistance did not increase, placental blood flow did not decrease, and fetal blood gases remained at normal prebypass levels during and after fetal cardiac bypass. We propose that production of vasoactive prostaglandins is responsible for the increased placental vascular resistance and decreased placental blood flow observed after fetal cardiac bypass. An understanding of the mechanism responsible for the increased placental vascular resistance seen after fetal cardiac bypass will be an important first step before clinical application. (J T horac C ardiovasc S urg 1992;103:733-42)
Nonlinear asymmetric tearing mode evolution in cylindrical geometry

The growth of a tearing mode is described by reduced MHD equations. For a cylindrical equilibrium, tearing mode growth is governed by the modified Rutherford equation, i.e., the nonlinear Δ′(w). For a low beta plasma without external heating, Δ′(w) can be approximately described by two terms, Δ′ql(w), ΔA′(w) [White et al., Phys. Fluids 20, 800 (1977); Phys. Plasmas 22, 022514 (2015)]. In this work, we present a simple method to calculate the quasilinear stability index Δql′ rigorously, for poloidal mode number m≥2. Δql′ is derived by solving the outer equation through the Frobenius method. Δ′ql is composed of four terms proportional to: constant Δ′0, w, wlnw, and w2. ΔA′ is proportional to the asymmetry of island that is roughly proportional to w. The sum of Δql′ and ΔA′ is consistent with the more accurate expression calculated perturbatively [Arcis et al., Phys. Plasmas 13, 052305 (2006)]. The reduced MHD equations are also solved numerically through a 3D MHD code M3D-C1 [Jardin et al., Comput. Sci. Dis...
Hands-on computing with Arduino

This tutorial demonstrates an effective way to introduce students to computer hardware projects while requiring only a very modest background in computer architecture, electronics, and programming. Often a single term of Java or C++ programming and some instruction in very basic circuit theory allows students to design, build, and implement their own embedded projects including mobile robots, kinetic games, alarm clocks, weather monitors, wireless networks, and biological sensors. Designs and code from student projects are shared through a number of outlets such as github, SourceForge, YouTube, and Arduino Playground.
Metabolic Fate of Curcumin in the Gastrointestinal Tract in Mice

Curcumin (1,7-bis (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione) is a major yellow-orange pigment found in turmeric, and has been used widely as a food ingredient. Curcumin has been associat...
A grimmer outlook

Ripping up the Obamacare health system would be a blow for the well-being of millions of Americans, says Laudan Aron