cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SPM-aware scheduling for nested loops in CMP systems

Chip multiprocessors (CMP) computing systems are usually employed to facilitate many specific applications including medical image processing, computer vision, and aerospace. In these computation-intensive applications, nested loops take the most significant section of computation cost and greatly affect system performance in terms of latency due to the frequent memory accesses. In order to enhance the parallelism of a nested loop, a critical work is to strategically map the iterative loops to processors so that we can exploit good parallelization of these loops and reduce the execution latency of the whole application. One of the most widely used method to do the iteration-to-processor mapping is pipelining, which enables each processor to perform the operations for the iteration mapped to it.
Reversible Interconversions between [HRu3(CO)11]- and [H3Ru4(CO)12]- in the Presence of CO or H2 on Fully Hydroxylated Magnesia Surface That Mimic Their Reactions in Solution

Reversible interconversions between the cluster anions [HRu3(CO)11]- and [H3Ru4(CO)12]- on fully hydroxylated magnesia in the presence of H2 or CO at a pressure of 1 atm have been observed that mim...
Identification and characterization of a trans-activator involved in the regulation of encapsulation by Bacillus anthracis.

Abstract Production of the plasmid-pXO2-encoded capsule by Bacillus anthracis is required for full virulence of the organism. The induction of capsule synthesis in vitro requires growth in the presence of bicarbonate and CO2; however, little else is known about the regulation of capsule synthesis and the role it plays in the expression of virulence. Recently, transposon Tn917 mutagenesis of B. anthracis plasmid pXO2 identified genes involved in capsule production and genes associated with virulence in inbred mice. One mutant, UUP5, had an 8.2-kb deletion located outside of the capsule structural gene region (cap). UUP5 was reduced significantly in capsule production and in virulence as compared to the wild-type (wt) parental strain. Using a HindIII-generated pXO2 library, we examined fragments contained in the deleted region and showed that electroporation of the mutant with a cloned 2.3-kb HindIII fragment restored capsule production to wt levels. Sequence analysis of the 2.3-kb fragment revealed a 1449-bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a 483-amino-acid (57 kDa) protein, in good agreement with the 55-kDa protein detected by in vitro transcription/ translation. Construction of a frameshift mutant that replaced the 55-kDa protein with a truncated 34-kDa moiety abrogated the complementing activity of the fragment in UUP5. mRNAs specific for cap and for the 1449-bp ORF were detected in mutant UUP5 transformed with the unaltered fragment and grown in the presence of bicarbonate, but not in air. No cap-specific mRNA, and very low levels of ORF-specific mRNA, were detected in UUP5 containing the frameshift mutation. Thus, a gene designated as acpA encodes a positive trans-acting protein which is involved in the bicarbonate-mediated regulation of capsule synthesis; the transcription of acpA appears to be bicarbonate-mediated.
A COMPARISON OF DIFFERENT SOLUTION METHODOLOGIES FOR MELTING AND SOLIDIFICATION PROBLEMS IN ENCLOSURES

Abstract A comparison of two frequently used computational techniques for solving phase-change problems is presented. The governing equations for the conservation of mass, momentum, and energy are solved using a control-volume-based discretization scheme. In Ike first approach, the physical space is mapped onto a simpler domain and the moving boundary is immobilized using Landau transformation. The computations are carried out on a uniform orthogonal grid in the transformed space using the stream function-vorticity formulation. The need to retain all the terms in the governing equations arising from the transformation, for an accurate simulation, is investigated. Simplifications in the governing equations have been used in the literature and are discussed. Both implicit and explicit methods are used to track the phase front. In the second approach, the computations are carried out on a uniform fixed grid in the physical space with primitive variables. The enthalpy-porosity formulation, with appropriate so...
Cardiovascular benefits of habitual exercise in systemic lupus erythematosus: a review

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with unknown etiology that usually affects women of childbearing age. Although SLE causes damage to various body tissues, including joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels, and brain, cardiovascular (CV) disease is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in this population. Because traditional risk factors for CV disease fail to completely explain the accelerated risk in patients with SLE, the management of CV disease is exceedingly difficult. Accumulating evidence indicates that regular exercise is beneficial in improving vascular function and disease-related symptoms associated with SLE. This can be accomplished with the intensity (mild), amount (moderate), and type (a variety) of physical activity that can be performed and tolerated by most, if not all, patients with SLE. However, the common signs and symptoms of SLE, including musculoskeletal problems, CV disease, and fatigue, are factors that are known to interfere with physical activity. Accordingly, the prescription of exercise needs to be conducted carefully for this population.
The Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor AKAP13 (BRX) is essential for cardiac development in mice.

A fundamental biologic principle is that diverse biologic signals are channeled through shared signaling cascades to regulate development. Large scaffold proteins that bind multiple proteins are capable of coordinating shared signaling pathways to provide specificity to activation of key developmental genes. Although much is known about transcription factors and target genes that regulate cardiomyocyte differentiation, less is known about scaffold proteins that couple signals at the cell surface to differentiation factors in developing heart cells. Here we show that AKAP13 (also known as Brx-1, AKAP-Lbc, and proto-Lbc), a unique protein kinase A-anchoring protein (AKAP) guanine nucleotide exchange region belonging to the Dbl family of oncogenes, is essential for cardiac development. Cardiomyocytes of Akap13-null mice had deficient sarcomere formation, and developing hearts were thin-walled and mice died at embryonic day 10.5–11.0. Disruption of Akap13 was accompanied by reduced expression of Mef2C. Consistent with a role of AKAP13 upstream of MEF2C, Akap13 siRNA led to a reduction in Mef2C mRNA, and overexpression of AKAP13 augmented MEF2C-dependent reporter activity. The results suggest that AKAP13 coordinates Gα12 and Rho signaling to an essential transcription program in developing cardiomyocytes.
Strong and weak gravity: A class of generally covariant mixing models of spin-2 neutral fields: Linearization

By linearizing, in an unorthodox way, the nonlinear partial differential equation system proposed to describe the interaction of a massless and massive graviton, it is discovered that the equations yield a variety of theories with different structure. The general system of equations which results from this linearization is a Lorentz-covariant system of coupled equations in two symmetric Lorentz tensor fields. We distinguish between situations where the system may be uncoupled by a linear transformation of the tensor fields, thus permitting the definition of diagonalizing fields, and those situations where this is not possible. The diagonalizable cases are examined for mass and spin structure, and are divided into perturbative and nonperturbative cases. One of the perturbative cases contains the theory of Aichelburg and Mansouri. Finally we discuss the procedure for solving the explicitly coupled equations.
The Effects of Confederate Prompt Delivery Style in a Standardized Social Simulation Test

Role plays or social simulations are presently one of the most common methods for assessing social skills. Although social simulation techniques have become quite popular, little is known about the psychometric adequacy of many of the role-play instruments which have been developed. This investigation was an attempt to determine certain properties of one particular social skills assessment instrument: the Simulated Social Interaction Test. The effects of various confederate prompt delivery styles on the judged social competency level of subjects in the Simulated Social Interaction Test were examined. Two confederates, one male and one female, were trained to portray three confederate prompt delivery styles: (a) unreceptive, (b) neutral, and (c) receptive. In order to determine if judges would compensate for the different confederate prompt delivery styles, two sets of trained judges rated the levels of skill and anxiety generated by the 30 subjects tested. One set of judges was screened from the confererate delivery while observing the simulation; the other set of judges followed the more common rating procedure (i.e., they were not screened from the confederates' deliveries). Data analysis examined variation in subject performance under each condition and according to each set of judges for both overall social skills and anxiety ratings. Confederate prompt delivery style was found to affect subjects' rated performance. There was also suggestive evidence that judges were sometimes able to compensate for different confederate delivery styles. The practical and theoretical implications of the results are discussed.
Blood Pressures and Cardiovascular Homeostasis in Mice Having Reduced or Absent Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Gene Function

We studied cardiovascular phenotypes in wild-type (+/+), heterozygous (+/-), and homozygous mutant (-/-) mice for an insertional inactivation of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene (Ace in mice, ACE in humans). Compared with +/+ mice, baseline mean arterial pressure was not significantly altered in +/- mice but was reduced by 51+/-4 mm Hg in -/- mice. Although the pressor response to injected angiotensin II did not differ significantly in the three genotypic groups, the pressor response to angiotensin I was strongly affected by Ace genotype: Compared with the response in the +/+ group (+26% of baseline), the response to Ang I was close to half normal (+12%) in the +/- group and virtually abolished (+1%) in the -/- group. The depressor response to injected bradykinin was significantly enhanced in the +/- and -/- groups compared with the +/+ group. Ace expression and ACE activity were directly related to functional Ace copy number, and renin and angiotensinogen mRNA levels were inversely related to Ace copy number. Angiotensin type 1A receptor mRNA levels were not significantly different in the +/+, +/-, and -/- groups. We conclude that (1) ACE is essential for the maintenance of normal blood pressure; (2) subnormal levels of ACE affect the blood pressure responses to infused angiotensin I and bradykinin in vivo; and (3) compensations for inactivation of one Ace copy, which include increased expression of renin, normalize blood pressure in heterozygotes.
Determination of noise source heights, part II: Measurement of the equivalent source height of highway vehicles

Abstract This is the second of two companion papers which describe the measurement of the equivalent point source height on highway vehicles. The first paper describes the measurement method, and the second its application to highway vehicles. This paper discusses the measurements on moving highway vehicles. First it is shown how the measurement method is suitable for measuring the equivalent point source height for application to noise barrier design. The measurement of noise source height on 36 heavy trucks, 37 medium vehicles and 25 small vehicles are then described. The results give the equivalent point source height as a function of frequency for each type of vehicle and identify the contributions of engine noise and tire noise. The measured source height was found to be ∼ 1·2 m for heavy vehicles, ∼0·7 m for medium vehicles and ∼0·6 m for small vehicles. These heights are significantly different from those currently used to design noise barriers, and suggest that further work should be undertaken to assess the implications of these results.
Review article: short chain fatty acids in health and disease

Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) have been the subject of much research over the past few decades. They play a vital role in maintenance of colonic integrity and metabolism. They are produced when dietary fibre is fermented by colonic bacteria. SCFAs are avidly absorbed in the colon, at the same time as sodium and water absorption and bicarbonate secretion. Once absorbed, SCFAs are used preferentially as fuel for colonic epithelial cells and have trophic effects on the epithelium. Clinically, SCFAs have been studied as possible therapeutic agents in diversion colitis, ulcerative colitis, radiation proctitis, pouchitis and antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. Although some promising effects have been observed in uncontrolled studies, a specific therapeutic role for SCFAs remains to be defined. SCFAs may be the effector of the beneficial role of fibre in prevention of colon cancer.
Upper ocean thermal and flow fields at 0°, 28°W (Atlantic) and 0°, 140°W (Pacific) during 1983–1985

Abstract Moored current and temperature measurements were recorded simultaneously for 2 years (August 1932–July 1985) at six or seven depths between 10 and 250 m on the equator at 28°W in the Atlantic and at 140°W in the Pacific. The mean depth of the 20°C isotherm, which was representative of thermocline displacements, was identical at both sites. Substantially different annual cycles of the thermal and flow field at 28°W and 140°W represent an enigma. The annual variation of the 20°C isotherm was much less at 140°W than at 28°W. The annual cycle of the Equatorial Undercurrent core speed was much more pronounced at 140°W than at 28°W. The annually modulated 20- to 30-day meridional current oscillation had a larger amplitude and occurred for a longer duration at 140°W than at 28°W.
The effects of polarizing currents on the consolidation of learning

Abstract The consolidation of an interhemispherically transferred avoidance response was studied. The conditions for consolidation seem to be easily altered by polarizing currents. A pulsating surface-positive current applied to the medial cortex speeds consolidation and, when applied following the disturbance of consolidation by spreading cortical depression or cathodal polarization, restarts the interrupted process. These findings suggest that anodal polarization can augment the conditions required for consolidation, and, when applied following the disturbance of these conditions, can reestablish them. Other experiments suggested that there is a special information holding mechanism mediating recall during the consolidation period that is distinct from the holding mechanism serving as a template for the formation of the permanent retention system. Finally, a new way of estimating the length of the consolidation period has been investigated and the results suggest that the time required for consolidation is longer than that found in other ways.
The greedy procedure for resource allocation problems: Necessary and sufficient conditions for optimality

In many resource allocation problems, the objective is to allocate discrete resource units to a set of activities so as to maximize a concave objective function subject to upper bounds on the total amounts allotted to certain groups of activities. If the constraints determine a polymatroid and the objective is linear, it is well known that the greedy procedure results in an optimal solution. In this paper we extend this result to objectives that are "weakly concave," a property generalizing separable concavity. We exhibit large classes of models for which the set of feasible solutions is a polymatroid and for which efficient implementations of the greedy procedure can be given.
X-ray diagnostics of globular clusters

The presence of compact X-ray sources in globular clusters allows diagnostic studies of both the X-ray sources themselves and the globular clusters to be carried out. A review of much of this work, primarily based on Einstein X-ray observations and supporting studies of globular clusters at radio through UV wavelengths, is presented. The compact X-ray sources in globular clusters are found to be compact binaries containing neutron stars and - in a separate lower luminosity component of an apparently bimodal luminosity function - possibly white dwarfs. Implications for the formation and evolution of compact binary X-ray sources in globular clusters and in the galactic bulge are discussed. In particular, new evidence is presented that the galactic bulge sources may be compact binaries in the remnants of disrupted globular clusters.
Potentials of laser guidance system for percutaneous musculoskeletal procedures

Early experience using a new laser guidance device to assist CT-guided percutaneous musculoskeletal procedures is presented. We describe six cases, which demonstrate typical musculoskeletal applications of laser guidance. In our experience laser guidance for these procedures resulted in improved accuracy with no significant increase in biopsy time when a short learning period is considered. Other musculoskeletal procedures may benefit from laser guidance in preference to current standard CT-guided techniques, particularly when precision and accuracy are essential.
An Evaluation of Progress in the Development of a Definition of Marketing

This study evaluates progress in developing a definition of marketing. A survey of marketing educators, managers, scholar-experts and students was conducted to determine elements important in a definition of marketing, a ranking of popular definitions of marketing and an evaluation of the definitions based on relevant criteria. All categories of respondents ranked the 1985 AMA definition of marketing as the definition that best represents the discipline of marketing.
Dynamic changes of telomeric restriction fragment (TRF) lengths in cells during the developmental process from embryos to seedlings and a comparison with the embryonal calli in Ginkgo biloba L.

Telomeres are the structures that locate at the terminals of linear eukaryotic chromosomes. They can play essential roles in many cellular processes. The terminal location of Arabidopsis-type TTTAGGG tandem repeats were thought to be highly conserved. The terminal location of Ginkgo biloba L. consisting of TTTAGGG tandem repeats, were confirmed by Bal31 exonuclease degradation and Southern blotting. By comparing telomeric restriction fragment (TRF) lengths at different developmental stages from embryos to seedlings, a fluctuant tendency towards variation was found in these samples. The TRF length of embryos was also compared with that of embryonal calli and an upward trend was discovered in callus culture. The results suggest that there should be a telomerase mechanism or/and ALT mechanism for the maintenance of telomere length.
Challenges and possible solutions of the time-variant reliability of ship's hull girder

The main theme of the paper centres on the use of probabilistic methods to assess the hull girder bending capacity to be used in a risk-based inspection planning framework. The effect of corrosion wear on hull girder geometric properties is also discussed, and the annual probabilistic distributions and the probabilistic distributions for given time period are built. A new procedure is then proposed for the probabilistic presentation of the still water and wave-induced hull girder hogging and sagging loads as a single phenomenon. Lastly, the rules of the composition law of the constituent variables are used to build the probabilistic distribution of the total hull girder load and the corresponding total hull girder bending stresses. Thus, it becomes possible to calculate the probability of exceeding any given limit of the total hull girder stresses.
Postural control of shell position by the abdomen of the hermit crab, Pagurus pollicarus. II. Reflex control of the ventral superficial muscles

The five excitors and one inhibitor which innervate each side of the ventral superficial muscles of the hermit crab are described. The longitudinal layer receives three excitors, one of which phasically activates a lateral strip of muscle, the second tonically drives a ventromedial strip and the third innervates a strip between the other two. The inhibitor innervates the last two regions of longitudinal muscle as well as the circular muscle. Two excitors, a phasic and a tonic fiber innervates adjacent longitudinal regions of the circular muscles, but less is known of their reflex behavior. In all cases, the tonic frequency of units on the right was less than their homologues on the left, but this asymmetry was reversed during a reflex discharge. Isolation of the ganglion increased the asymmetry of spontaneous activity. It is suggested that this asymmetry may not have any functional importance but instead may be related to the different sizes of motoneurons on the two sides.
Conflicting Cultural Imperatives in Modern Thailand: Global Perspectives

Thailand is now in a critical period, facing the need to restore stable economic growth and prosperity after the disastrous devaluation of the Baht in 1997, and the subsequent recession that followed. To do so will require a careful and artful blending of new capitalist methods with traditional Buddhist values, a new economic synthesis of eastern and western values. Based upon Hofstede's culture theory and the essence of Thai Buddhism, this research explores the potential conflicts involved in this course of action and provides some insights into a possible twenty-first century economy that will pave the way for economic development through a constructive confrontation of differing views, both inside and outside Thai society.
Endothelin-1 promotes cardiomyocyte terminal differentiation in the developing heart via heightened DNA methylation

Aims: Hypoxia is a major stress on fetal development and leads to induction of endothelin-1 (ET-1) expression. We tested the hypothesis that ET-1 stimulates the terminal differentiation of cardiomyocytes from mononucleate to binucleate in the developing heart. Methods and results: Hypoxia (10.5% O2) treatment of pregnant rats from day 15 to day 21 resulted in a significant increase in prepro-ET-1 mRNA expression in fetal hearts. ET-1 ex vivo treatment of fetal rat cardiomyocytes increased percent binucleate cells and decreased Ki-67 expression, a marker for proliferation, under both control and hypoxic conditions. Hypoxia alone decreased Ki-67 expression and in conjunction with ET-1 treatment decreased cardiomyocyte size. PD145065, a non-selective ET-receptor antagonist, blocked the changes in binucleation and proliferation caused by ET-1. DNA methylation in fetal cardiomyocytes was significantly increased with ET-1 treatment, which was blocked by 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine, a DNA methylation inhibitor. In addition, 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine treatment abrogated the increase in binucleation and decrease in proliferation induced by ET-1. Conclusions: Hypoxic stress and synthesis of ET-1 increases DNA methylation and promotes terminal differentiation of cardiomyocytes in the developing heart. This premature exit of the cell cycle may lead to a reduced cardiomyocyte endowment in the heart and have a negative impact on cardiac function.
Divergent effects of TNFα in the adoptive immunotherapy of a murine sarcoma

We have previously described an in vitro sensitization (IVS) procedure which enabled the generation of therapeutic T cells from tumor-hearing mice for adoptive immunotherapy. The procedure involved culture of tumor-draining lymph node (TDLN) cells with irradiated tumor in the presence of interleukin-2 (IL-2). The availability of many recombinant cytokines affords an opportunity to examine their effects on the immune response to tumor. In this study, we investigated the effect of tumor necrosis factor+ (TNFo) on the generation and function of IVS cells utilized in adoptive immunotherapy of the murine MCA 106 sarcoma. TNFar administered iv at nontherapeutic doses was found to enhance the antitumor efficacy mediated by IVS cells plus IL-2 in the treatment of pulmonary metastases. In contrast, TNFa administration to mice bearing progressive footpad tumors had inhibitory effects on the sensitization of tumor-reactive cells in TDLN since IVS cells generated from these animals displayed a diminished antitumor effect. This effect appeared to be due to a reduced number of tumor-reactive lymphoid cells in the TDLN since TNFcr added to IVS cultures did not alter the antitumor efficacy of the resultant IVS effector cells. These findings indicate the divergent effects of TNFa on the immune response to tumor and adoptive immunotherapy with IVS cells.
An intervention to improve advance emergency contraceptive prescribing practices among academic primary care physicians

Abstract Background Primary care physicians care for reproductive-aged women, yet do not routinely counsel women about or prescribe contraceptives, including emergency contraception (EC). Study Design We used a pre-/post-study to design to assess whether the proportion of primary care physicians who counseled women about and prescribed EC increased 6 months after a peer-led intervention with educational and reminder components. Participants included 36 residents and attending physicians at an academically affiliated internal medicine practice from July 2004 to June 2005 (when prescription was required for EC in New York). Data were collected by self-administered questionnaire. Results At baseline, 37% of participants had counseled women about EC and 34% had prescribed EC in the prior month. After the intervention, 80% of participants had counseled women about EC (p Conclusion Six months after a peer-led intervention including educational and reminder components, the proportion of primary care physicians who had counseled women about and prescribed EC in the past month increased significantly.
Recovery and Renewal: Journey of Hope to the Gulf Coast

When a group of 20 college students and seven adult leaders traveled to the Gulf Coast to repair houses damaged by Hurricane Katrina, they did not realize the multiple ways that they themselves would be renewed. Finding God in the struggle, celebrating diversity, and living with gratitude became the result that subtly changed many lives.
Human Monoclonal Antibody to Hepatitis C Virus E1 Glycoprotein That Blocks Virus Attachment and Viral Infectivity

Human antibodies elicited in response to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are anticipated to react with the native conformation of the viral envelope structure. Isolation of these antibodies as human monoclonal antibodies that block virus binding and entry will be useful in providing potential therapeutic reagents and for vaccine development. H-111, an antibody to HCV envelope 1 protein (E1) that maps to the YEVRNVSGVYH sequence and is located near the N terminus of E1 and is able to immunoprecipitate E1E2 heterodimers, is described. Binding of H-111 to HCV E1 genotypes 1a, 1b, 2b, and 3a indicates that the H-111 epitope is highly conserved. Sequence analysis of antibody V regions showed evidence of somatic and affinity maturation of H-111. Finally, H-111 blocks HCV-like particle binding to and HCV virion infection of target cells, suggesting the involvement of this epitope in virus binding and entry.
Evolutionary Optimization of Power Electronics Based Power Systems

This paper sets forth and demonstrates an approach to the design of power electronics based power systems using evolutionary computing techniques. Key features of the paper are the use of evolutionary computing in the context of conventional control design and the use of multi-objective evolutionary computing in the selection of control parameters based on system performance versus control effort. The proposed approach is demonstrated in a power electronics based power distribution system similar to those being designed for next generation warships.
Time-resolved crystallography and protein design: signalling photoreceptors and optogenetics

Time-resolved X-ray crystallography and solution scattering have been successfully conducted on proteins on time-scales down to around 100 ps, set by the duration of the hard X-ray pulses emitted by synchrotron sources. The advent of hard X-ray free-electron lasers (FELs), which emit extremely intense, very brief, coherent X-ray pulses, opens the exciting possibility of time-resolved experiments with femtosecond time resolution on macromolecular structure, in both single crystals and solution. The X-ray pulses emitted by an FEL differ greatly in many properties from those emitted by a synchrotron, in ways that at first glance make time-resolved measurements of X-ray scattering with the required accuracy extremely challenging. This opens up several questions which I consider in this brief overview. Are there likely to be chemically and biologically interesting structural changes to be revealed on the femtosecond time-scale? How shall time-resolved experiments best be designed and conducted to exploit the properties of FELs and overcome challenges that they pose? To date, fast time-resolved reactions have been initiated by a brief laser pulse, which obviously requires that the system under study be light-sensitive. Although this is true for proteins of the visual system and for signalling photoreceptors, it is not naturally the case for most interesting biological systems. To generate more biological targets for time-resolved study, can this limitation be overcome by optogenetic, chemical or other means?
Measurement and characterization of the near-ground indoor ultra wideband channel

The propagation of near-ground indoor ultra-wideband channel is an important issue with significant impacts on the future direction and scope of ultra wideband (UWB) technology and its applications. Near-ground applications are effective where the use of scatter nodes/devices is used in a conventional application, such as rescue personnel. The goal of this article is to present an assessment and characterization of near-ground UWB channels and the potential for near-ground communication systems. Time-domain measurements for UWB indoor propagation channels were taken with transmit and receive antennas placed directly on the ground in order to characterize statistical properties of the channel's impulse response. Both large- and small-scale models were evaluated and compared to existing results for above-ground measurements. The model parameters that were extracted from measurements prove to be in accordance with expected physical trends from previous work. These preliminary results could be advantageous in the design of future near-ground indoor UWB systems capable of fusing propagation and communication functionalities
An Observational Study of Hurricane Boundary Layer Small-Scale Coherent Structures

Abstract Data with high temporal and spatial resolution from Hurricanes Isabel (2003) and Frances (2004) were analyzed to provide a detailed study of near-surface linear structures with subkilometer wavelengths of the hurricane boundary layer (HBL). The analysis showed that the features were omnipresent throughout the data collection, displayed a horizontal and vertical coherency, and maintained an average orientation of 7° left of the low-level wind. A unique objective wavelength analysis was conducted, where wavelength was defined as the distance between two wind maxima or minima perpendicular to the features’ long axis, and revealed that although wavelengths as large as 1400 m were observed, the majority of the features had wavelengths between 200 and 650 m. The assessed wavelengths differ from those documented in a recent observational study. To evaluate the correlation between the features and the underlying near-surface wind field, time and spectral analyses were completed and ground-relative freque...
Efficient synthesis of L-lactic acid from glycerol by metabolically engineered Escherichia coli

Due to its abundance and low-price, glycerol has become an attractive carbon source for the industrial production of value-added fuels and chemicals. This work reports the engineering of E. coli for the efficient conversion of glycerol into L-lactic acid (L-lactate). Escherichia coli strains have previously been metabolically engineered for the microaerobic production of D-lactic acid from glycerol in defined media by disrupting genes that minimize the synthesis of succinate, acetate, and ethanol, and also overexpressing the respiratory route of glycerol dissimilation (GlpK/GlpD). Here, further rounds of rationale design were performed on these strains for the homofermentative production of L-lactate, not normally produced in E. coli. Specifically, L-lactate production was enabled by: 1), replacing the native D-lactate specific dehydrogenase with Streptococcus bovis L-lactate dehydrogenase (L-LDH), 2) blocking the methylglyoxal bypass pathways to avoid the synthesis of a racemic mixture of D- and L-lactate and prevent the accumulation of toxic intermediate, methylglyoxal, and 3) the native aerobic L-lactate dehydrogenase was blocked to prevent the undesired utilization of L-lactate. The engineered strain produced 50 g/L of L-lactate from 56 g/L of crude glycerol at a yield 93% of the theoretical maximum and with high optical (99.9%) and chemical (97%) purity. This study demonstrates the efficient conversion of glycerol to L-lactate, a microbial process that had not been reported in the literature prior to our work. The engineered biocatalysts produced L-lactate from crude glycerol in defined minimal salts medium at high chemical and optical purity.
Spec based flip-flop and buffer insertion

Efficient algorithms for the automatic insertion of flip-flops and buffers are presented. The algorithms have been implemented as pan of an automatic repeater insertion tool. The algorithms use a dynamic programming framework to build viable solution pairs and then pick the most optimal solution at the driver. Pruning rules to limit the size of the solution space are also presented.
Competition between Auger Recombination and Hot-Carrier Trapping in PL Intensity Fluctuations of Type II Nanocrystals

Performing time-tagged, time-correlated, single-photon-counting studies on individual colloidal nanocrystal quantum dots (NQDs), the evolution of photoluminescence (PL) intensity-fluctuation behaviors in near-infrared (NIR) emitting type II, InP/CdS core-shell NQDs is investigated as a function of shell thickness. It is observed that Auger recombination and hot-carrier trapping compete in defining the PL intensity-fluctuation behavior for NQDs with thin shells, whereas the role of hot-carrier trapping dominates for NQDs with thick shells. These studies further reveal the distinct ramifications of altering either the excitation fluence or repetition rate. Specifically, an increase in laser pump fluence results in the creation of additional hot-carrier traps. Alternately, higher repetition rates cause a saturation in hot-carrier traps, thus activating Auger-related PL fluctuations. Furthermore, it is shown that Auger recombination of negatively charged excitons is suppressed more strongly than that of positively charged excitons because of the asymmetry in the electron-hole confinement in type II NQDs. Thus, this study provides new understanding of how both NQD structure (shell thickness and carrier-separation characteristics) and excitation conditions can be used to tune the PL stability, with important implications for room-temperature single-photon generation. Specifically, the first non-blinking NQD capable of single-photon emission in the near-infrared spectral regime is described.
Binary Damage Classification in SHM Using Possibility Distributions

Most engineers might have been in a situation where they need to make a decision for an engineering problem. This decision engineers make should be consistent and correct based on information related to the problem. With sufficient information to solve a problem, a decision might be made easily with this information. However, if information is conflicting within a problem, it is difficult to make a consistent decision. In this study, possibility theory is introduced in order to make consistent decisions for a decision making problem with conflicting information. Information is modelled as weighted intervals based on its importance. A methodology to generate a possibility distribution from the weighted intervals is presented to fuse information with respect to its importance. A case study for decision-making from Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) data is presented.
Tilorone Hydrochloride: Human Toxicity and Interferon Stimulation

SummaryTilorone hydrochloride was studied in humans to determine whether it would be a safe and effective interferon inducer in man. Both systemic and topical application failed to produce detectib...
Holomorphic Factorization for the Solution Operators for Hyperbolic Equations

In this paper the LP-regularity results for the linear hyperbolic Cauchy problem will be discussed and improved in a number of important cases. In particular, we will establish the sharp regularity results for a class of strictly hyperbolic equations in R 1+3. The methods are based on deriving the LP-estimates for Fourier integral operators and the analysis of the singularities of the corresponding wave fronts.
Shell Mineral Content of Morning Versus Afternoon Eggs

Abstract Eggs laid in the afternoon as compared with those laid in the morning had significantly greater shell ash and concentrations of magnesium and phosphorus. Calcium, expressed as milligrams per gram of shell, was not affected by oviposition time; however, afternoon eggs had significantly more total shell calcium due to greater shell weights.
Cucurbitacins as feeding and oviposition deterrents to insects

Cucurbitacins, the bitter triterpenes common to all Cucurbitaceae, are thought to be potent feeding deterrents for all insects not adapted to exploiting cucurbits. Yet appropriate choice tests not confounded by possible effects from phytochemical induction have only been conducted on a few chrysomelid leaf beetle spp. To examine the extent to which cucurbitacins deter feeding across several taxa of mandibulate and haustellate insects, we conducted feeding preference tests, pitting host tissues exogenously coated with a methanol dilution of cucurbitacin B against tissues coated with only methanol. Four mandibulate herbivores [ Popillia japonica Newman, Cerotoma trifurcata (Forster), Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) and Trichoplusia ni (Hubner)], 2 mandibulate detritivores [ Tenebrio molitor L. and Nauphoeta cinerea (Olivier)] and 4 haustellate herbivores [ Gargaphia solani Heidemann, Corythucha ciliata (Say), Peregrinus maidis (Ashmead), and Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris)] were examined. We also investigated the ability of cucurbitacin B to deter Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner) and Spodoptera exiqua (Hubner) females from ovipositing on treated substrates. Two patterns emerged from our feeding assays: nonadapted insects with mandibulate mouthparts were deterred from feeding on food tainted with cucurbitacins, whereas insects with haustellate mouthparts preferred cucurbitacin-treated food. Oviposition assays with O. nubilalis and S. exiqua revealed significant deterrence at doses of 15 μ g cucurbitacin B per square centimeter. The data suggest that cucurbitacins are generalized antifeedants for non-adapted mandibulate insects but may actually be phagostimulants for phytophagous insects with haustellate mouthparts. We report on the oviposition deterrence for this class of compounds.
An Evaluation of a Whole-blood Platelet Counter

The performance of the platelet count in the hematology laboratory remains a laborious, time-consuming technic requiring separation of platelet-rich plasma, correction for leukocyte counts, lysis of erythrocytes, etc . The availability of an instrument that would count platelets in whole blood would appear to be a distinct advantage. One such instrument has been recently evaluated. The Ultra-Flo 100® Whole Blood Platelet Counter was found to be a reliable instrument for performing platelet counts on microspecimens of untreated whole blood. Counts were both accurate and precise, with no carry-over from specimen to specimen. The major advantage of the system is the speed with which platelet counts may be performed (25 sec) and results produced, a distinct advantage in those laboratories serving large outpatient hematology/oncology clinics. Six months of day-to-day experience in the laboratory has shown a favorable frequency-of- repair record, with little downtime.
Response of the larvae and pupae of the oriental rat flea (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) to chemicals of different chemical types.

Tests with 31 different compounds representing six chemical groups plus a miscellaneous group against larvae of the oriental rat flea, Xenopsylla cheopis (Rothschild), were used to define toxic action as indicated by the ratio of C (LC for larvae) divided by A (LC for pupae). An insect growth regulator (IGR) was distinguished by a high pupal-to-larval mortality ratio; i.e., when the C/ A was 4, the compound acted as an IGR. The most active compound was a dodecadienoate, S-methoprene (isopropyl (2E,4E)-11-methoxy-3,7,11-trimethyl-2,4-dodecadienoate (S)), which had an LC50 of 0.00011 ppm. With the addition of the R isomer, the LC50 doubled, but most strikingly, the C/ A increased from 6 to 137. Two of the three diphenylureas acted as IGRs, whereas the third, diflubenzuron, acted as a larval toxicant, probably because of the activity on the moult from the second to third in star. All compounds tested were more toxic to the oriental rat flea than methoxychlor, and 80% were more active than carbaryl. Each compound exhibited a distinctive slope. Azadirachtin (S NEEM) showed an extremely flat slope, while the slope for phenthoate was very steep.
A phased fault restoration algorithm for distribution system

In order to get the optimal fault restoration scheme for distribution network rapidly, this paper proposes a phased distribution network fault restoration method which integrates the heuristic search algorithm with optimization algorithm. Each stage is determined to operate or not through indexes. The restoration scheme of different faults is different. In the first stage, the heuristic search algorithm is adopted to restore connectedness of network; in the second stage, the harmony search algorithm is adopted to restore stability with the objective of voltage and line capacity being within limits; in the third stage, the overload is rejected based on the depth-first search and priority level of load; in the fourth stage, the harmony search algorithm is adopted to reconfigure for minimizing active power loss. For rapid analysis of the distribution network topology structure, this paper proposes single interconnection loop which can be used to restore connectedness of network quickly as well as provide theory foundation of avoiding infeasible solution coding for optimization algorithm, which improves the operation efficiency effectively. The simulation verifies the feasibility of the proposed restoration method.
Diagnostic application of two-color flow cytometry in 161 cases of hairy cell leukemia

Recent immunophenotypic studies of hairy cell leukemia (HCL) have suggested specific patterns of immunoreactivity that may aid in diagnosis. We studied peripheral blood (PB) from 161 cases of HCL using two-color direct immunofluorescence flow cytometry and an extended panel of antibody combinations. Circulating hairy cells were identified by immunophenotypic features in 92% of the cases and could be detected even when representing or = 2% detectable hairy cells were analyzed in detail. HCL showed a uniform and unique B-cell phenotype, with each of the following features identified in 99% to 100% of cases: (1) positive staining for B-ly7, coexpressed with CD19; (2) very intense, uniform expression of CD11c, with CD19; (3) moderately intense staining for CD25, with CD19; (4) very intense staining for CD22; (5) moderate to very intense staining for CD20; and (6) moderately intense monoclonal surface Ig. Phenotypic variability existed in expression of CD10 (26%) and CD5 (4%). Based on these features, HCL was easily distinguished from 50 cases of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Although CLL exhibited frequent expression of CD11c (74%) and CD25 (68%), the intensity of staining was significantly less than HCL. Furthermore, CLL was uniformly positive for CD5 and showed weak staining for CD20, CD22, and surface Ig. B-ly7 proved to be the most specific marker, reacting with 100% of HCL cases, but absent in all cases of CLL. We conclude that two-color flow cytometry with specific antibody combinations is an efficacious method for characterization and sensitive detection of hairy cells in PB. Application of the phenotypic criteria described should help to increase accuracy in diagnosis of HCL.
Acquired decrease in platelet secretory ADP associated with increased postoperative bleeding in post-cardiopulmonary bypass patients and in patients with severe valvular heart disease.

The purpose of this study was to assess (1) whether or not cardiopulmonary bypass surgery would decrease platelet secretory ADP, (2) whether or not patients with severe valvular disease have a decrease in platelet secretory ADP, and (3) whether or not such a decrease in secretory ADP is associated with surgical bleeding. Total and releasable platelet ADP and ATP were measured by the luciferase method. Platelet size was measured on a Coulter H4 system. Postoperative bleeding was assessed by volume of chest tube drainage. Pre- versus postoperative assessment of releasable and total ADP and ATP in 66 patients revealed a significant decrease in both (paired t test, p