cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Broy-Lamport Specification Problem: A Gurevich Abstract State Machine Solution ∗

AbstractWe apply the Gurevich Abstract State Machine methodology to a benchmark speciﬁcation problemof Broy and Lamport. As part of the Dagstuhl Workshop on Reactive Systems, Manfred Broy and Leslie Lamport proposed a“Speciﬁcation Problem” [1]. The problem calls for the speciﬁcation and validation of a small distributedsystem dealing with a remote procedure call interface. Broy and Lamport invited proponents of diﬀerentformal methods to specify and validate the system, in order to compare the results of diﬀerent methods ona common problem.We take up the challenge and specify the problem using the Gurevich abstract state machine (ASM)methodology. Thispaperisself-contained. In Section1, wepresentanintroductiontoGurevichabstractstatemachines, including real-time machines. The remaining sections contain the original problem description ofBroy and Lamport, interspersed with our ASM speciﬁcations and validations.Acknowledgements. The suggestion to give a ASM solution to this problem was made by Egon B¨orgerand Yuri Gurevich; in particular, Yuri Gurevich actively contributed to an early version of the work [6].Leslie Lamport made comments on an early draft of this work; Chuck Wallace made comments on a laterdraft.
Chapter 8 Beyond Silicon Carbide! III-V Nitride-Based Heterostructures and Devices

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the nitride-based heterostructures and devices. Gallium nitride (GaN)-based materials are promising candidates for short-wavelength emitters and detectors and for high-power-high-temperature electronic devices. Consequently, a great deal of effort is being expended on synthesis and characterization of these materials and on processes necessary to develop devices based on them, as well as exploiting applicable devices. Both GaN lasers and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have expanded remarkably in terms of brightness and range of wavelength. These LEDs are very reliable and have a wide range of applications. Commercialization of bright blue and green LEDs by Nichia Chemical paved the way for full-color displays. As for colored LEDs, field tests are already underway in many municipalities around the world to install LED-based traffic lights in place of the filtered incandescent bulbs. The energy savings in about 3 to 4 years alone would offset the cost of installation, particularly in locations where the energy cost is very high.
The Limits of Mathematics---Third Version

This is yet another version of the course notes in chao-dyn/9407003. Here we change the universal Turing machine that is used to measure program-size complexity so that the constants in our information-theoretic incompleteness theorems are further reduced. This is done by inventing a more complicated version of lisp in which the parentheses associating defined functions with their arguments can be omitted. This is the third and last version of my course notes. It is not clear to me which is to be preferred, so all three have been made available for comment.
Effectiveness of intravenous fluid resuscitation in the emergency room for treatment of hypotension in dogs: 35 cases (2000-2010).

Objective To assess the effectiveness of fluid resuscitation for the treatment of hypotensive dogs presented to the emergency room. Design Retrospective study (2000–2010). Setting University teaching hospital. Animals Thirty-five dogs with confirmed hypotension. Interventions None. Measurements and Main Results Medical records from 2000 to 2010 were searched for dogs that had documented arterial hypotension (Doppler blood pressure 90 mm Hg) following bolus IV fluid therapy within 1 hour of presentation. Fluid responsive animals were significantly less likely to be euthanized compared to those animals that did not respond to a fluid bolus (P = 0.013). The HR did not change significantly in either group postbolus therapy. Twenty-three dogs (65.7%) in the study received only isotonic crystalloid therapy, 11 dogs were administered both isotonic crystalloids and synthetic colloids, and 1 dog received only synthetic colloid resuscitation. A significant difference was not detected between groups with respect to type or volume of fluid administered. Conclusions Bolus fluid therapy for the treatment of hypotensive dogs resulted in increased in systolic arterial BP in all dogs, although the HR did not reliably decrease as might be expected. Dogs that showed normalization of BP within the first hour of fluid resuscitation were more likely to be discharged alive than those who remained hypotensive. A majority of dogs received and responded to isotonic crystalloids fluid resuscitation.
Toxicity of paraquat to rats and its effect on rat lungs

Abstract Acute and subacute toxicity studies were conducted with paraquat (1,1′-dimethyl-4,4′-dipyridylium dimethylsulfate) in adult Sherman rats. The single-dose oral LD50 was 100 mg/kg in male rats and 110 mg/kg in females. The 90-dose oral LD50 in female rats was 21 mg/kg, giving a chronicity factor of 5.2. The acute dermal LD50 was 80 mg/kg in male rats and 90 mg/kg in females. Studies of lung tissue with the electron microscope after a single oral dose indicate that the first discernible changes are pulmonary edema, swelling of the epithelium, an increase in collagen, and an effect on the ribosomes of the membranous pneumocytes. Light microscopic studies of lungs affected by paraquat after po and iv administration or local instillation showed intra-alveolar hemorrhage, edema, extensive fibrosis, and changes in the epithelium. Local instillation of 0.05 mg/kg of paraquat into lung and 0.8 mg/kg into skeletal muscle caused local fibrosis.
The regeneration of a protected Sonoran Desert cactus since 1800 A.D. over 50,000 km2 of its range

The tall, branched saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea) is perhaps the best-recognized symbol of the desert. However, little is known about the regeneration and future of the species outside of a few well-studied populations. In 2000, data for 537 saguaros were collected in 30 populations throughout the northern Sonoran Desert. A recently developed technique now provides a mechanism by which to reconstruct individual age at multiple populations. This new technique is based on a general growth curve with a site-specific adjustment factor, which I calculate based on local growth data and a recognized relationship with summer rain. Thus, the year of establishment was estimated for all saguaros in each of the populations individually, followed by the merging of all individuals, to create a single regeneration and survivorship curve for the combined regional dataset. Unlike other studies that only look at regeneration at one site, this is the first study to look at the long-term regeneration of the species over an area of more than 50,000 km2, nearly the US portion of its range. The results suggest that over the long term, the population is quite stable, with a favorable period of regeneration in the late 1800s and early 1900s. It is also encouraging that the frequency of individuals that established in the most recent time period is relatively high. However, whether these youngest individuals will persist over the long-term in the face of future extreme freezing events (which can substantially thin populations) is not clear.
Quality of life following primary vs. redo transthoracic paraesophageal hernia repairs

The purpose of this study was to compare the quality of life (QOL) and functional results of 42 patients undergoing primary (60%) and 23 patients undergoing redo (40%) transthoracic paraesophageal hernia repairs. All patients had a floppy Nissen or Belsey anti-reflux repair with or without a Collis gastroplasty. Morbidity occurred in 12% of patients and was similar between groups (P=1.0). Overall QOL scores were not different between groups. Patients undergoing initial repair were found to have significantly higher QOL scores related to their GERD symptoms (P=0.02). Postoperative GERD symptom scores were not significantly different between groups for heartburn, regurgitation, epigastric/chest pain, or cough. Redo patients had more bloating (P=0.02) and dysphagia (P=0.04). Overall, total GERD scores were higher in the redo group compared to the initial group indicating worse GERD-related dysfunction in the redo group (15.8+/-3.8 vs. 6.3+/-1.6, P=0.03). Functional and QOL analysis of transthoracic paraesophageal hernia repairs indicates that redo procedures are associated with a higher incidence of specific gastrointestinal symptoms and worse GERD-related QOL when compared to initial procedures. These differences, while statistically significant, have limited clinical relevance as the overall QOL was not different between groups and low GERD symptom scores were found in both groups.
Conversion of pleuropneumonialike organisms to bacteria.

SummaryA high frequency of appearance of diphtheroids in liquid culture of 3 established strains of pleuropneumonialike organisms has been noted. Statistical, morphological, biochemical and serological tests have shown that a relationship exists between these diphtheroids and the pleuropneumonialike organisms in which cultures the bacteria appear. All PPLO strains tested are serologically related. PPLO strains not giving rise to diphtheroids do not cross react with diphtheroids. Diphtheroids appearing in PPLO cultures differ from oral and air diphtheroids.
Creativity in software development in an academic research lab

We review the creative activity in the software development process of the ROSS (Responsive Objects, Surfaces, and Spaces) API. The ROSS API is a tangible toolkit that allows designers and developers to easily build applications for many different tangible platforms while still accommodating the continued evolution of the underlying sensing technologies. This paper describes the ROSS API specification, identifies its originality and relevance to creativity, discusses the challenges of the API development process, and summarizes the lessons learned.
Playing with the masters: A model for improvisatory musical interaction between robots and humans

We present our approach for facilitating musical interaction between robotic musicians and humans (musicians as well as non-musicians) in an improvisatory and exploratory manner. By using the iPhone as a musical instrument, we offer a quick and effective way for anyone to start creating music and communicating directly with our marimba playing robot, Shimon. Through automated style analysis of jazz masters, our system creates a novel improvisatory and interactive musical language. In a call and response exchange, the robot expands on short tunes created by human performers, in a musically rich and meaningful manner. As part of the interaction, users can also controlling the musical influences that combine to make up Shimon's improvisatory language, creating novel and inspiring responses.
Adsorption Phenomena in Hydrophobic Interaction Chromatography

Hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) separates proteins on the basis of surface hydrophobicity while generally retaining the activity of proteins. Aqueous mobile phases with high salt concentrations are often used to adsorb the proteins onto a mildly hydrophobic support. HIC protein adsorption is modeled using the thermodynamic theory of linked functions (i.e., Wyman's linkage theory). This approach correlates adsorption to preferential interactions of the salts with supports and proteins. Two different methods were employed to study the salt interactions with the support: chromatography retention studies and densimetric techniques. Results of the salt chromatography trials indicate that chaotropic salts such as NaSCN and NaI have positive preferential interaction parameters that decrease with increasing concentration. Densimetric measurements show that the preferential interaction parameters of polar kosmotropic salts, such as ammonium sulfate are negative and become more negative with increasing concentration. The correlation of HIC adsorption to preferential interaction parameters was experimentally verified by retention studies of lysozyme in aqueous chaotropic and kosmotropic mobile phases, which also show a linear relation between the protein's capacity factor and the lyotropic series.
The Use of Digital Narratives to Enhance Counseling and Psychotherapy

Technological advances have impinged on every aspect of contemporary phenomenological experiences, including counseling and psychotherapy. The author explores the intersection of narrative therapy, specifically the traditional memory book, with the advances in information technology in the formulation of the digital memory book. The digital memory book is examined relative to the underpinnings of humanistic psychology and the postmodern paradigm that accentuate that people essentially construct their reality and inherently have the potential to influence their well-being. The potential for the digital memory book to complement therapeutic interventions is posited, and implications for counseling and psychotherapy are highlighted.
Stimulus Timing-Dependent Plasticity in Dorsal Cochlear Nucleus Is Altered in Tinnitus

Tinnitus and cochlear damage have been associated with changes in somatosensory-auditory integration and plasticity in the dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN). Recently, we demonstrated in vivo that DCN bimodal plasticity is stimulus timing-dependent, with Hebbian and anti-Hebbian timing rules that reflect in vitro spike timing-dependent plasticity. In this in vivo study, we assessed the stimulus timing dependence of bimodal plasticity in a tinnitus model. Guinea pigs were exposed to a narrowband noise that produced a temporary elevation of auditory brainstem response thresholds. A total of 60% of the guinea pigs developed tinnitus as indicated by gap-induced prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle. After noise exposure and tinnitus induction, stimulus timing-dependent plasticity was measured by comparing responses to sound before and after paired somatosensory and auditory stimulation presented with varying intervals and orders. In comparison with Sham and noise-exposed animals that did not develop tinnitus, timing rules in verified tinnitus animals were more likely to be anti-Hebbian and broader for those bimodal intervals in which the neural activity showed enhancement. Furthermore, units from exposed animals with tinnitus were more weakly suppressed than either Sham animals or exposed animals without tinnitus. The broadened timing rules in the enhancement phase in animals with tinnitus, and in the suppressive phase in exposed animals without tinnitus was in contrast to narrow, Hebbian-like timing rules in Sham animals. These findings implicate alterations in DCN bimodal spike timing-dependent plasticity as underlying mechanisms in tinnitus, opening the way for a therapeutic target.
A novel analytical negative resistor compact model

This paper presents the development of a compact and differentiable model for the input current-voltage (I-V) characteristics of an operational amplifier (opamp) based negative resistor element (NRE). The model is shown to have good correlation to data collected from a NRE test bench employing the μA741 opamp as the active gain element.
Fat Modulates the Relationship between Sarcopenia and Physical Function in Nonobese Older Adults

It is intuitive to think that sarcopenia should be associated with declines in physical function though recent evidence questions this assertion. This study investigated the relationship between absolute and relative sarcopenia, with physical performance in 202 nonobese (mean BMI &#x2009;kg/ht2) community-dwelling older (mean age = years) adults. While absolute sarcopenia (appendicular skeletal mass (ASM)/ht2) was either not associated, or weakly associated with physical performance, relative sarcopenia (ASM/kg) demonstrated moderate ( to , ) relationships with performance outcomes in both males and females. Knee extension strength () and leg extension power () were both related to absolute sarcopenia () in females and not in males. Strength and power were associated with relative sarcopenia in both sexes (from to &#x2009;). The ratio of lean mass to total body mass, that is, relative sarcopenia, is an important consideration relative to physical function in older adults even in the absence of obesity. Stratifying these individuals into equal tertiles of total body fat revealed a trend of diminished regression coefficients across each incrementally higher fat grouping for performance measures, providing further evidence that total body fat modulates the relationship between sarcopenia and physical function.
The Relationship Between Nontraditional Risk Factors and Outcomes in Individuals With Stage 3 to 4 CKD

Background Chronic kidney disease is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease and mortality. Both traditional and nontraditional cardiovascular disease risk factors may contribute. Study Design Cohort. Settings & Participants Community-based adult population of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities and Cardiovascular Health Studies with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m 2 . Predictors Nontraditional cardiovascular disease risk factors, including body mass index, diastolic blood pressure, and triglyceride, albumin, uric acid, fibrinogen, C-reactive protein, and hemoglobin levels. Outcomes Composite of myocardial infarction, stroke, and all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes included individual components of the composite. Results Of 1,678 individuals with decreased eGFR (mean, 51.1 ± 8.5 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ), 891 (53%) reached the composite end point during a median follow-up of 108 months; 23% had a cardiac event, 45% died, and 14% experienced a stroke. Serum albumin level less than 3.9 g/dL (hazard ratio, 0.68 for every 0.3-g/dL decrease; 95% confidence interval, 0.60 to 0.77), increased serum triglyceride level (hazard ratio, 1.07 for every 50-mg/dL increase; 95% confidence interval, 1.02 to 1.12), C-reactive protein level (hazard ratio, 1.15 per log-unit increase; 95% confidence interval, 1.07 to 1.24), and fibrinogen level (hazard ratio, 1.12 per 50-mg/dL increase; 95% confidence interval, 1.07 to 1.18) independently predicted composite events. Both decreased ( 14.5 g/dL) hemoglobin levels predicted composite events. Serum albumin level less than 3.9 g/dL and increased serum fibrinogen level independently predicted cardiac events. For serum albumin and hemoglobin levels, the relationship with composite and mortality outcomes was nonlinear ( P Limitations Single assessment of eGFR. No albuminuria data. Conclusions Several nontraditional cardiovascular disease risk factors predict adverse outcomes in individuals with stage 3 to 4 chronic kidney disease. The relationship between risk factors and outcomes is often nonlinear.
The precise localization of nigral afferents in the rat as determined by a retrograde tracing technique.

Abstract Afferent innervation of the rat substantia nigra (SN) was studied by the retrograde horseradish peroxidase (HRP) method. High concentrations of HRP were deposited in discrete subregions of the SN by means of a microiontophoretic delivery system. Using this technique it was possible to demonstrate that the caudatonigral projection system is arranged topographically. All portions of the caudate-putamen except for a central medial core were found to contain HRP positive cells, indicative of retrograde transport. In the positive areas a much larger percentage of cell (30–50%) were found to participate in this projection than has previously been reported. Only medium size cells (12–20 μm) were found to contain the HRP reaction product. Other areas found to heavily innervate the SN were the globus pallidus, central nucleus of the amygdala and dorsal raphe nucleus. Areas containing fewer reactive cells but which also appear to innervate the SN included the prefrontal cortex and lateral habenula. These results emphasize the importance of striatonigral projections which recent studies have suggested contain a GABAergic link.
Natural convection of viscoelastic fluids in a vertical slot

Linear stability theory is applied to the natural convection of slightly, elastic, viscous fluids in an infinitely long vertical slot. Travelling, as well as stationary, disturbances are considered. It is found that the elasticity (i) slightly stabilizes the stationary disturbances while strongly destabilizing the travelling disturbances, (ii) strongly increases the wave speed while slightly decreasing the wavenumber and (iii) reduces the transition Prandtl number, which separates the stationary cells from the travelling waves, from its value of 12.7 for Newtonian fluids.Experiments are carried out with a viscoelastic fluid prepared by mixing Separan AP30 with water, giving a Prandtl number of about 30. This fluid is shown to produce wave instability at a Grashof number between 3900 and 4300. Under the same conditions, a Newtonian fluid is shown to remain stable to both stationary and travelling disturbances.
The Effect of Subsynchronous Current on a a Static Mho Type Distance Relay

Several large electric utilities in the western United States have installed series capacitors on their transmission systems. With series compensation, currents at subsynchronous frequencies can be generated by faults or system switching. This paper examines the effect of subsynchronous current on a static mho type distance relay.
Design of a 1.0mm Multifunctional Forceps-Scissors Instrument for Minimally Invasive Surgery

A multifunctional forceps-scissors instrument is designed for minimally invasive surgery. The device is a compliant mechanism capable of both grasping and cutting. The focus of the paper is on the design optimization and a detailed finite element analysis of the compliant mechanism. One-half of the symmetric compliant mechanism is modeled as a cantilever beam of rectangular cross-section undergoing large deformation. The optimization problem is solved graphically where all feasible designs (i.e., those that satisfy the stress and geometric constraints) are displayed on performance space plots. Using this method it is easy to visualize the performance space and to select a suitable design; however, it is found that it is not possible to simultaneously maximize free deflection and blocked force in the forceps or scissors modes. A detailed finite element analysis was conducted using ANSYS to model the multiple loading conditions. A prototype instrument, fabricated from stainless steel using wire EDM with the precision of +/- 2 μm, has been tested for comparison of actual and predicted results.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Mechanistic and morphological origins of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene wear debris in total joint replacement prostheses.

The mechanistic and morphological origins of microscopic wear debris generated from UHMWPE articular surfaces in total joint replacement prostheses are investigated in this study. It was found experimentally that the molecular chain structure at the articulating surface of UHMWPE undergoes a re-organization process due to strain accumulation caused by surface traction. This molecular re-organization process creates a fibre-like surface texture that exhibits an anisotropic behaviour similar to a unidirectionally reinforced polymer composite. This composite responds to stresses favourably if loaded along the fibre axis but unfavourably if loaded off axis. Due to the very complex multi-axial motion/loading nature at the articular surfaces in total joint replacements, the stress tensors applied to each localized asperity contact area continuously change their directions and magnitudes. These changes in the localized stress field create an off-axis loading situation at each localized contact zone with respect ...
Improvement on the Analysis of a Finite Element Composites Model

Finite element models are increasingly being utilized in composite materials design; thus, an increase in the accuracy of the model analysis and a decrease in computational cost are of paramount importance. This study investigates the effects of a particular add-on, Helius:MCT (Firehole Technologies, Inc.), onto the Abaqus (Dassault Systemes) software package. Unlike the stand-alone Abaqus software, Helius:MCT embodies a solver, which analyzes the composite structure by separating the fiber and matrix into constituent parts. Treating the fiber and matrix as separate, yet linked entities, allows for a more accurate depiction of the formations of stress and strain within the composite. Furthermore, Helius:MCT utilizes a method called Intelligent Discrete Softening (IDS), a feature not present within Abaqus, to increase solver robustness and convergence probability. An Abaqus finite element (FE) model of a notched, carbon-fiber panel loaded in bending was used in this study. Six different laminate combinations were tested with six variations of the Abaqus model. Three of the variations used Helius:MCT with Abaqus and three the stand-alone Abaqus package. The combinations were composed of either 20 or 40 plies with 10, 30, or 50 percent all zero ply orientations. All the FE analysis results were compared to experimental values for a plate of the exact configuration as that of the model. The most accurate results were obtained using Helius:MCT. The configuration with the greatest accuracy utilizes Helius:MCT and deviates an average of 1.7 percent from experimental values for maximum flexural strength. A single run takes an average of 7 hours to complete. Conversely, the most accurate configuration obtained without the use of Helius:MCT deviates an average of 10 percent from the experimental values and takes over 80 hours to run. Helius: MCT increases the accuracy and decreases the computational costs of the analyses of composite models in Abaqus. The improvements in analyses while using Helius: MCT may allow for a substantial savings in experimental costs and in valuable time.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Elucidating the Protonation Site of Vanadium Peroxide Complexes and the Implications for Biomimetic Catalysis

Coordination complexes of vanadium(5+) played a key role in understanding the structure and mechanism of vanadium-dependent haloperoxidases, particularly the effects of protonation on peroxide coordination to dioxovanadium(5+) species, and in the activation of the peroxo−oxovanadium(5+) complex for substrate oxidation. There has been no spectroscopic evidence that could test the presence of a hydroxo intermediate in a catalytically active oxovanadium(5+) complex. Herein we report the use of the pre-edge transition in X-ray absorption spectroscopy as a spectroscopic signature for VO bonding. Displacement of oxo donors with hydrogen peroxide or chloride donors dramatically decreases the pre-edge intensity, confirming that the source of the intense pre-edge feature is closely related to the π-bonding associated with the VO. Protonation of a catalytically active tripodal amine oxovanadium(5+) complex has no affect on the pre-edge intensity and, therefore, rules out the possibility of a hydroxo intermediate in...
Effects of Cyclic AMP on SV3T3 Cells in Culture

SEVERAL recent reports suggest that cyclic AMP may be involved in the regulation of the growth of mammalian cells in culture1–6. In particular, Sheppard4 pointed out that polyoma virus (Py) transformed 3T3 mouse fibroblasts (Py3T3) growing in the presence of cyclic AMP show a phenotypic reversion to normal cell growth. Furthermore, transformed fibroblasts acquire some morphological characteristics of untransformed cells when incubated in the presence of cyclic AMP1,2. These and other observations suggest that cyclic AMP restores “contact-inhibited growth”4 to malignant cells.
The Absorption, Metabolism, and Excretion of C14-labelled TDE in Certain Insects

Information on absorption, excretion, and metabolism of topical applications of C14-labelled TDE was obtained for 2 species of lepidopterous larvae and the adult American cockroach, Periplaneta Americana (L.). The tobacco hornworm, Protoparce sexta (Johannson), larva and tile cockroach formed, internally, significant qnantities of 1,1-bis ( p -chlorophenyl) 2,2- dichloro ethanol (FW-1.52) whereas the red-banded leaf roller, Argyrotaenia velutinana (Walker), larva degraded only minor amounts of absorbed TDE to FW-152 and several other compounds. Certain analogs of TDE were applied to the hornworm and cockroach to determine whether the analogs are stable or transitory intermediates in the overall metabolic scheme. FW- 152 appeared to be the major end product in both insects. The compound was apparently formed directly from TDE rather than from an unknown intermediate. There was some evidence that p,p '-dichlorobenzophenone (DBP) was present in samples of the excreta of the cockroach at the later time intervals.
The effects of chlorpromazine and secobarbital on the reaction times of chronic schizophrenics.

Twelve male schizophrenics were given a simple visual reaction time test (RT) after single doses and chronic (11 days) administration of chlorpromazine and secobarbital. RT was tested under two conditions: irregular, in which preparatory intervals were presented randomly, and regular, in which the same preparatory intervals were given in consecutive order. Results under single doses indicated that secobarbital reduced intra-individual variability, while chlorpromazine did not significantly affect performance. Results under chronic administration indicated that neither drug had a significant effect on RT performance. These findings are different from those obtained by other investigators who have observed facilitation in schizophrenic psychomotor performance after chlorpromazine, and deficit in performance after barbiturates.
Stabilities of the alkaline earth and divalent transition metal complexes of the tetraazamacrocyclic tetraacetic acid ligands

Abstract The protonation constants of the tetraazamacrocyclic tetraacetates (L4−), 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-N,N′,N″,N‴-tetraacetic acid (DOTA), 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclotridecane-N,N′,N″,N‴-tetraacetic acid (TRITA) and 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane-N,N′,N‴,N‴-tetraacetic acid (TETA), have been determined by potentiometric titration in KCl electrolyte (0.100 M, 25.0 °C). A pattern of two high protonation constants (log KH1=10.82 to 11.79; KH2=9.20 to 9.69) and two low protonation constants (KH3=4.00 to 4.85; KH4=2.57 to 3.95) was observed for these ligands. The stability constant of the potassium complex formed with DOTA in KCl electrolyte was calculated from the protonation constants of DOTA in ‘inert’ tetramethylammonium chloride (0.100 M, 25.0 °C) with tetramethylammonium hydroxide. The metal binding constants of the alkaline earth metal complexes with DOTA, TRITA and TETA were determined by direct potentiometric titration in KCl electrolyte (0.100 M, 25.0 °C), while the stabilities of the complexes of the bivalent transition metals Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) with the tetraazamacrocyclic tetraacetates were determined potentiometrically by a batch method which allowed equilibrium measurements over long periods of time. Potentiometric measurement of competition with EDTA was used to find the binding constants of the Cu(II) complexes. The results of the present work are interpreted in terms of variation in structure of the ligands and are compared to stability constant data previously reported.
Mobile JND: environment adapted perceptual model and mobile video quality enhancement

Design of a quality-of-experience (QoE) optimized mobile video system should consider not only the video content and display specifications but also the fact that mobile devices are exposed to many different environments and viewing scenarios. For same device and same content, the viewer will perceive different visual qualities when the viewing environment changes. Current perceptual quality estimation approaches including the extensively adopted just noticeable distortion (JND) based models neglect significant influence of surroundings on perception. However, the environmental effects on perception have long been supported by psychophysical experiments. This paper proposes a novel viewing scenario adapted model that exploits the influence of various viewing conditions including display size, viewing distance, ambient luminance and body movement and apply the proposed model to the H.264 video encoding. With the help of multiple sensors widely equipped on handholds today, the mobile device is able to dynamically estimate the surrounding conditions. The estimated environment parameters are feedback to video encoder to generate encoded video source that best matches to the current scenario so as to improve the bandwidth efficiency and enhance visual quality for that particular environment. Our subjective experiments demonstrate a significant 30% saving on bit-rates without perceivable quality loss, or obvious improvements in visual qualities under same bandwidth constraint.
A note on a bifurcation problem in finite plasticity related to void nucleation

Abstract In this paper, a bifurcation problem for a solid sphere subjected to a monotonically increasing, radial, tensile, dead load p at its outer boundary is examined. The material is assumed to obey a finite strain version of J2-flow theory. One solution to this problem, for all values of p, corresponds to a homogeneous state. However, for a certain critical range of p, there is in addition, a second possible configuration, this one involving an internal spherical cavity. The classical infinitesimal strain theory of plasticity does not exhibit such a bifurcation.
Eigenanatomy: Sparse Dimensionality Reduction for Multi-Modal Medical Image Analysis

Rigorous statistical analysis of multimodal imaging datasets is challenging. Mass-univariate methods for extracting correlations between image voxels and outcome measurements are not ideal for multimodal datasets, as they do not account for interactions between the different modalities. The extremely high dimensionality of medical images necessitates dimensionality reduction, such as principal component analysis (PCA) or independent component analysis (ICA). These dimensionality reduction techniques, however, consist of contributions from every region in the brain and are therefore difficult to interpret. Recent advances in sparse dimensionality reduction have enabled construction of a set of image regions that explain the variance of the images while still maintaining anatomical interpretability. The projections of the original data on the sparse eigenvectors, however, are highly collinear and therefore difficult to incorporate into multi-modal image analysis pipelines. We propose here a method for clustering sparse eigenvectors and selecting a subset of the eigenvectors to make interpretable predictions from a multi-modal dataset. Evaluation on a publicly available dataset shows that the proposed method outperforms PCA and ICA-based regressions while still maintaining anatomical meaning. To facilitate reproducibility, the complete dataset used and all source code is publicly available.
Predicting Health Care Utilization in Marginalized Populations: Black, Female, Street-Based Sex Workers

Abstract Background Patterns of social and structural factors experienced by vulnerable populations may negatively affect willingness and ability to seek out health care services, and ultimately, their health. Methods The outcome variable was utilization of health care services in the previous 12 months. Using Andersen's Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations, we examined self-reported data on utilization of health care services among a sample of 546 Black, street-based, female sex workers in Miami, Florida. To evaluate the impact of each domain of the model on predicting health care utilization, domains were included in the logistic regression analysis by blocks using the traditional variables first and then adding the vulnerable domain variables. Findings The most consistent variables predicting health care utilization were having a regular source of care and self-rated health. The model that included only enabling variables was the most efficient model in predicting health care utilization. Conclusions Any type of resource, link, or connection to or with an institution, or any consistent point of care, contributes significantly to health care utilization behaviors. A consistent and reliable source for health care may increase health care utilization and subsequently decrease health disparities among vulnerable and marginalized populations, as well as contribute to public health efforts that encourage preventive health.
Heterodyne near-field scanning optical microscopy with spectrally broad sources

We propose to use low-coherence-length cw optical sources with a broad spectrum in heterodyne near-field scanning microscopy in order to imitate optical pulse propagation and to obtain information about spectrally variant properties of nanophotonic components. The dispersion difference in the interferometer arms for a symmetric acousto-optic modulator arrangement is shown to be negligible over appreciable bandwidths. Demonstration of the principle of operation and viability of this approach is provided by measurement of the group refractive index of a silicon channel waveguide.
Gamma-vinyl GABA inhibits methamphetamine, heroin, or ethanol-induced increases in nucleus accumbens dopamine

We examined the acute effect of the irreversible GABA-transaminase inhibitor, gamma-vinyl GABA (GVG, Sabril((R)), Vigabatrin((R))) on increases in nucleus accumbens (NAc) dopamine (DA) following acute administration of methamphetamine, heroin, or ethanol. Methamphetamine (2.5 mg/kg) produced a dose-dependent increase (2, 700%) in NAc DA. GVG preadministration (300 or 600 mg/kg), however, inhibited this response by approximately 39 and 61%, respectively. The lower dose of methamphetamine (1.25 mg/kg), increased DA by 1, 700%. This response was inhibited to a similar extent (44%) regardless of the GVG dose preadministered (300 or 600 mg/kg). In addition, heroin-induced increases in NAc DA (0.5 mg/kg, 170%) were inhibited or completely abolished by GVG (150 or 300 mg/kg, 65 and 100%, respectively). Finally, at half the dose necessary for heroin, GVG (150 mg/kg) also completely abolished ethanol-induced increases in NAc DA following a 0.25 g/kg challenge dose (140%). Taken with our previous findings using nicotine or cocaine as the challenge drug, these results indicate that GVG attenuates increases in NAc DA by a mechanism common to many drugs of abuse. However, it appears unlikely that an acute dose of GVG can completely inhibit increases in NAc DA following challenges with a drug whose mechanism of action is mediated primarily through the DA reuptake site.
The role of aromatic π-bridges in push–pull-chromophores on the transparency-hyperpolarizability tradeoff

Abstract We present electronic structure calculations of the ultraviolet/visible (UV–Vis) spectra as well as hyperpolarizabilities (HP) of push–pull chromophores based on a donor-aromatic bridge-acceptor framework. As expected, both the color of the chromophores and the static hyperpolarizability are sensitive functions of modifications of the conjugated framework. Effects can be rationalized by determining zwitter-ionic mesomers of the bridge that can be stabilized by the donor or acceptor. The choice of bridge coupled with the substitution pattern on the ring allows targeting specific spectral features (absorption or transparency windows). Exceptionally large hyperpolarizabilities were found for the cyclopentadieno[1,2]-benz[4,5-b]cycloheptatriene bridge.
Urea movement across erythrocyte membrane during artificial kidney treatment

Urea movement across erythrocyte membrane during artificial kidney treatment. Previous work by other investigators indicates that erythrocyte urea and creatinine in uremic whole blood leaving the hemodialyzer do not move down the concentration gradients established by loss of these solutes across the dialyzer membrane. This puzzling disequilibrium is at odds with work indicating ready movement of both solutes across the erythrocyte membrane of nonuremic erythrocytes studied in vitro. The present study shows that contact with the dialyzer does not noticeably alter the erythrocyte membrane of the uremic patient, so that urea distribution between plasma and erythrocyte water is the same as that in the blood of normal control subjects. Furthermore, urea does not show a disequilibrium in concentration across the erythrocyte membrane in response to 50% dilution with a modified Ringer's solution but rather equilibrates swiftly and completely. Mouvement de l'uree a travers la membrane erythrocytaire pendant le traitement par le rein artificiel. Il e ete montre anterieurement par d'autres investigateurs que l'uree et la creatinine erythrocytaires dans le sang total de l'uremique quittant le dialyseur ne suivent pas les gradients de concentration etablis par la perte de ces solutes le long de la membrane du dialyseur. Ce desequilibre intriguant est en contradiction avec un travail indiquant un mouvement rapide de ces deux solutes a travers la membrane de l'erythrocyte non-uremique etudie in vitro. Cette etude indique que le contact avec le dialyseur n'altere pas notablement la membrane erythrocytaire du malade uremique, de sorte que la distribution de l'uree entre le plasma et l'eau erythrocytaire est la meme que dans le sang de sujets controles normaux. En outre, l'uree n'a pas de desequilibre de concentration a travers la membrane erythrocytaire apres dilution a 50% avec une solution de Ringer modifiee mais au contraire s'equilibre rapidement et completement.
Subcellular recruitment by TSG118 and TSPYL implicates a role for zinc finger protein 106 in a novel developmental pathway.

Abstract To gain insight into the function of zinc finger protein 106 (ZFP106), we analyzed its subcellular targeting and identified its interacting proteins. Although ZFP106 was detected predominantly in the fibrillar component of the nucleolus and co-localized with the nucleolar transcriptional machinery, its overexpression did not affect transcription of pre-ribosomal RNA genes. The nucleolar association of ZFP106 did neither require ongoing ribosomal RNA synthesis nor nucleolar chromatin indicating that a protein–protein interaction confines ZFP106 to the nucleolus. Deletion analysis revealed that the C-terminal WD40 repeat region functions in nucleolar targeting. This domain interacts with the product of testis-specific gene 118 (TSG118), which also co-localizes with ZFP106 in the nucleolus. Rapid downregulation of TSG118 expression during in vitro terminal differentiation coincides with a loss of nucleolar ZFP106. By its structural features and expression, TSG118 mimics nucleostemin, a nucleolar protein linked to the proliferation potential of stem cells. A two-hybrid screen with the N-terminal region of ZFP106 as bait led to the isolation of testis-specific Y-encoded-like protein (TSPYL), a member of the nucleosome assembly protein family. A frame-shift mutation in TSPYL has recently been found to cause a sudden infant death syndrome with testis dysgenesis. Specific recruitment of ZFP106 via amino acids 412–781 into TSPYL-positive nucleoplasmic bodies requires a TSPYL domain absent in the mutant protein of patients with testis dysgenesis. These results identify ZFP106 as a potential player in a novel pathway involved in testis development.
Solving a problem using cooperating data structures

In this write-up, we describe series parallel graphs, a simple class of general graphs, and show how to compute their minimum spanning tree or shortest path. The problem is intended to be used as an assignment in an undergraduate course on Data Structures. It is a simple problem, yet non-trivial, and allows the students to implement several interesting data structures in one programming assignment.
Somatic acquisition of TGFBR1*6A by epithelial and stromal cells during head and neck and colon cancer development

TGFBR1*6A is a common hypomorphic variant of the type I transforming growth factor (TGF)-β receptor (TGFBR1), which transduces TGF-β growth inhibitory signals less effectively than TGFBR1. Recent studies suggest that TGFBR1*6A confers a selective growth advantage to both normal appearing and cancerous epithelial cells in the presence of TGF-β. We have previously shown that TGFBR1*6A is somatically acquired in head and neck and colon cancer (10). Using microdissected tissues, we show that TGFBR1*6A is somatically acquired by stromal and epithelial cells adjacent to colorectal and head and neck tumors. Somatic acquisition of the TGFBR1*6A allele is not accompanied by acquisition of other tumor-specific mutations. Furthermore, lymphocytes located within the stroma or the normal appearing epithelium do not have evidence of TGFBR1*6A acquisition. The highest TGFBR1*6A/TGFBR1 allelic ratio is observed at the tumor's edge, and traces of TGFBR1*6A are detected as far as 2 cm away from the tumor, which is suggestive of centrifugal spread of cells that harbor TGFBR1*6A. Assessment of CDH1 and CDH2 expression does not indicate epithelial–mesenchymal transformation. The results suggest that TGFBR1*6A somatic acquisition is a critical event in the early stages of cancer development that is associated with field cancerization. They also represent the first human report of somatically acquired altered stromal TGF-β signaling during oncogenesis and the first report of a concordant mutation in the stromal and epithelial compartments in colon cancer.
Method for systemic anaphylactic challenge in the rat using subplantar route

Abstract Intravenous injection of antigen is the fastest and most effective way of eliciting anaphylacticc shock in previously sensitized rats. When intravenous injection is difficult or undesirable, subplantar challenge is a preferable alternative to the intraperitoneal route.
Annealing of ESD-induced damage in power MOSFETs

Abstract Annealing properties of ESD-induced noncatastrophic damage in power MOSFETs are reported. ESD stress results in positive charge trapping in the gate oxide and/or an increase in the drain-to-source leakage current. The annealing is very slow at room temperature and is significantly accelerated at elevated temperatures. The oxide-trapped charge density is a logarithmically decreasing function of anneal time. The rate of positive oxide-trapped charge anneal depends on the anneal temperature and on the charge density before anneal. The effect of electric field on room-temperature annealing is very small. The increased drain-to-source leakage does not change appreciably during anneal.
DNA Amplification: Current Technologies and Applications

This generation has had the opportunity to witness remarkable changes in nucleic acid (DNA/RNA) amplification technologies over the past 20 years. These technologies have made significant contribut...