cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms Controlling Crystal Habits of Gold and Silver Colloids

Examples of gold and silver anisotropic colloids, such as prisms and rods, have appeared in the literature for many years. In most cases, the morphologies of these thermodynamically unfavorable particles have been explained by the particular reaction environment in which they were synthesized. The mechanisms used to explain the growth generally fall into two categories, one in which chemically adsorbed molecules regulate the growth of specific crystal faces kinetically, and the other where micelle-forming surfactants physically direct the shape of the particle. This paper raises questions about the growth of anisotropic metal colloids that the current mechanisms cannot adequately address, specifically, the formation of multiple shapes in a single homogeneous reaction and the appearance of similar structures in very different synthesis schemes. These observations suggest that any growth mechanism should primarily take into consideration nucleation and kinetics, and not only thermodynamics or physical constrictions. The authors suggest an alternative mechanism where the presence and orientation of twin planes in these face-centered cubic (fcc) metals direct the shape of the growing particles. This explanation follows that used for silver halide crystals, and has the advantage of explaining particle growth in many synthesis methods. In this mechanism, twin planes generate reentrant grooves, favorable sites for the attachment of adatoms. Shape and structural data are presented for gold and silver particles synthesized using several different techniques to support this new model. Triangular prisms are suggested to contain a single twin plane which directs that growth of the initial seed in two dimensions, but limits the final size of the prism. Hexagonal platelets are suggested to contain two parallel twin planes that allow the fast growing edges to regenerate one another, allowing large sizes and aspect ratios to form. Rods and wires were found to have a fivefold symmetry, which may only allow growth in one dimension. It is expected that a superior mechanistic understanding will permit shape-selective synthesis schemes to be developed.
The antisymbiotic effect in some iridium(III) hydrides with N-, O-, and S-donor ligands

Some complexes of the type cis, cis, trans-[IrH2S2L2]BF4 (1, L = PPh3; S = NH3, PhNO2 12 thianthren, and other ligands) are described and discussed in terms of the antisymbiotic effect.
Operational experience and performance of the CDFII silicon detector

The CDFII silicon detector consists of 8 layers of double-sided silicon micro-strip sensors totaling 722,432 readout channels, making it one of the largest silicon detectors in present use by an HEP experiment. After nearly 2 years of data taking, we report on our experience operating the complex device. The performance of the CDFII silicon detector is presented and its effect on physics analyses is discussed. The CDFII silicon detector has begun to show measurable effects of radiation damage. These results and their impact on the expected lifetime of the detector are briefly reviewed.
The Biomechanics of Running Implications for the Prevention of Foot Injuries

Understanding the biomechanics of running has brought implications for the prevention of foot injuries. These biomechanical considerations, both functional and non-functional, must be evaluated by the sports medicine practitioner. Although functional biomechanical findings are more accurate predictors of injury and diagnostic tools than static findings, a correlation between the two is essential. Other important variables, e.g. training methods, athletic shoes, psychology, general health, external environment (surfaces, weather) and overuse, must be correlated with the biomechanical findings. The methodology and results of research are inconsistent with the direct predictability of various overuse injuries, based on biomechanical abnormalities and/or contributing factors. Until more research is carried out, clinical experience and the results of structured research investigations will provide the basis of treatment.
Fungal Biofilms in the Clinical Lab Setting

Device-related infections are often associated with biofilms (microbial communities encased within polysaccharide-rich extracellular matrix) formed by pathogens on surfaces of these devices. Candida species are the most common fungi isolated from infections associated with catheters and dentures, and both Candida and Fusarium are commonly isolated from contact lens–related infections such as fungal keratitis. These biofilms exhibit decreased susceptibility to most antimicrobial agents, which contributes to the persistence of infection. Drug resistance in fungal biofilms is multifactorial and phase-dependent; for example, efflux pumps mediate resistance in biofilms during early phase, whereas altered membrane sterol composition contributes to resistance in mature phase. Both substrate type and surface coatings play an important role in the pathogenesis of device-related fungal biofilms. Host immune cells influence the ability of Candida to form biofilms in vitro. This review summarizes recent advances in research on fungal biofilms and discusses their clinical relevance.
One parameter subgroups and nonstandard analysis

We present here a discussion from a nonstandard viewpoint of some aspects of the theory of locally compact groups without small subgroups, as relevant to the solution of Hilbert's fifth problem. For background on nonstandard analysis we refer to Robinson [4].
Traders beware : an examination of the distribution of eBay sellers' online reputation

This research includes two studies based on online reputation scores and negative comments collected from eBay.com. In the first study, we found that lognormal distribution fitted better than power law distribution with sellers' reputation scores, and six-month Negative Feedback Rates were also log normally distributed; the 80/20 law was also applicable to online transaction volumes as well as negative feedback scores. The second study revealed that most complaints from buyers were not due to online fraud; buyers could be more responsible for online disputes than sellers. These results will help C2C buyers making right decisions in online trading.
Brother, can you spare a dime? Peer pressure in charitable solicitation ☆

Abstract While the effects of peer pressure in charitable giving have been of considerable interest to social scientists, there is little empirical evidence on the magnitude of these effects. A correlation between giving or volunteering by one's peers and one's own giving can be driven by self-selection into groups, common shocks that inspire both the solicitor to ask and the individual to give, or social influence. Using data from a university, this paper analyzes whether alumni are more likely to give and give larger amounts when they are solicited by someone with whom they have social ties. Freshman year roommate assignments and the structure of the university's giving campaigns are used to overcome problems of selection and common shocks. Social ties play a strong causal role in the decision to donate and the average gift size. Additionally, a solicitor's request is much more effective if he or she shares characteristics, such as race, with the alumnus being solicited.
Cerebral Energy Metabolism During Severe Ischemia of Varying Duration and Following Reperfusion

Changes in cerebral cortical adenine nucleotide and adenosine levels during 10-, 20-, or 40-min periods of four-vessel occlusion producing cerebral ischemia in rats and reperfusions of 10, 45, or 90 min were determined to evaluate the effects of ischemia duration on mitochondrial function. Substantial recovery was evident following 10 or 20 min of cerebral ischemia but not, however, after a 40-min period of ischemia. A secondary decline in the cortical levels of ATP became evident following 40 min of cerebral ischemia and 90 min of reperfusion. Longer periods of ischemia may be associated with a loss of adenosine, limiting the resynthesis of ATP during reperfusion. A separate group of rats, resuscitated with 100% O 2 , demonstrated a more rapid recovery of mitochondrial function compared with animals that received room air during reperfusion following 20 min of cerebral ischemia. No detrimental effects of 100% O 2 were observed during the 90-min period of reperfusion, indicating that 100% O 2 does not promote early mitochondrial dysfunction.
Electrochemistry-electrospray ionization FT ICR mass spectrometry (EC ESI MS) of guanine―tyrosine and guanine―glutathione crosslinks formed on-line

Abstract Crosslinking of guanine with tyrosine and glutathione is studied by on-line electrochemistry electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (EC ESI MS) in the positive ion mode with a high resolution FT ICR mass spectrometer without the use of an external oxidizer in the sample. Dimeric adducts of guanine with tyrosine ( m / z 331) and ( m / z 333) and a dimer of guanine with glutathione ( m / z 459) are detected in the mass spectra of guanine–tyrosine and guanine–glutathione mixtures in addition to dimers of guanine ( m / z 303) and tyrosine ( m / z 361) and ( m / z 363) and glutathione dimers ( m / z 613) and ( m / z 615). Guanine tetramers ( m / z 627) and tetramers of guanine with 1 or 2 tyrosines, but not with three tyrosines, were also identified in the mass spectra of guanine–tyrosine mixtures. Formation of radicals and other oxidation products during positive ion mode ESI can drive the formation of covalent dimer adducts of guanine with tyrosine and glutathione. When low EC cell voltage is applied in on-line EC ESI MS, changes in ion intensities reflect changes in the oxidation conditions and are more apparent for 2e, 2H + than for the 1e, 1H + oxidation processes. Efficient oxidation during ESI is indicated for analytes with low redox potentials.
Synthesis of [α-32P]-8-N3-NAD, a photoaffinity labeling reagent for pyridine dinucleotide binding sites

The photoactive pyridine dinucleotide analogue [α-32P]-nicotinamide 8-N3-adenine dinucleotide ([α-32P]-8-N3-NAD) was synthesized in 30–50% radiochemical yield at a specific activity of 0·5 to 1·1 mCi/μmol by first obtaining [32P]-8-N3-5′-AMP and then coupling it to β-NMN. A chemo-enzymatic synthesis of [32P]-8-N3-5′-AMP began with conversion of 3′AMP to 8-N3-3′-AMP. 8-N3-3′-AMP was converted to [32P]-N3-5′-AMP enzymatically by treatment with [γ-32P]ATP and T4 polynucleotide kinase to obtain [5′-32P]-8-N3-adenosine-3′-bisphosphate. The labeled 3′,5′-diphosphate was then transformed into [32P]-N3-5′-AMP using the 3′-specific phosphatase, nuclease P1. The enzymatic reactions were closely monitored by TLC during the course of which it was observed that the composition of the enzyme buffer as well as the incubation time and temperature were critical to the success of the T4 polynucleotide kinase catalyzed reaction. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evolution of xylem lignification and hydrogel transport regulation

In vascular plants, the polysaccharide-based walls of water-conducting cells are strengthened by impregnation with the polyphenolic polymer lignin. The fine-scale patterning of lignin deposition in water-conducting cells is shown here to vary phylogenetically across vascular plants. The extent to which water transport in xylem cells can be modified in response to changes in the ionic content of xylem sap also is shown to vary in correlation with variation in lignification patterns, consistent with the proposed mechanism for hydraulic response through size change of middle-lamella pectins. This covariation suggests that the fine-scale distribution of hydrophilic polysaccharides and hydrophobic lignin can affect hydraulic as well as mechanical properties, and that the evolutionary diversification of vascular cells thus reflects biochemical as well as morphological innovations evolved to fulfill opposing cell functions of transport and structural support.
Evidence for possible stable superconductivity at 500 K

A stable and reproducible resistive transition with onset at about 550 K has been observed in a new Y-Ba-Cu-O compound system and attributed to a transition to a possible superconducting state. The possibility of superconductivity has been indicated by the observation of (i) a dc Josephson-like effect up to 390 K which is quenched in a high external magnetic field and (ii) a marked reduction in the onset temperature with increasing bias current density. Both observations are consistent with granular superconductivity.
Time reversal of ultrafast waveforms by wave mixing of spectrally decomposed waves

Two different realizations of time-reversal experiments of ultrafast waveforms are carried out in real time by use of four-wave mixing arrangements of spectrally decomposed waves. The first, conventional, method is based on phase conjugation of the waveform’s spectrum and achieves time reversal of real amplitude waveforms. The second arrangement of the spectrally decomposed waves spatially inverts the waveform’s spectrum with respect to the optical axis of the processor and achieves true time reversal for complex-amplitude ultrafast waveforms. We compare and contrast these two real-time techniques.
Readmissions after hospitalization for heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, or pneumonia among young and middle-aged adults: a retrospective observational cohort study

Background Patients aged ≥65 years are vulnerable to readmissions due to a transient period of generalized risk after hospitalization. However, whether young and middle-aged adults share a similar risk pattern is uncertain. We compared the rate, timing, and readmission diagnoses following hospitalization for heart failure (HF), acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and pneumonia among patients aged 18–64 years with patients aged ≥65 years. Methods and Findings We used an all-payer administrative dataset from California consisting of all hospitalizations for HF (n = 206,141), AMI (n = 107,256), and pneumonia (n = 199,620) from 2007–2009. The primary outcomes were unplanned 30-day readmission rate, timing of readmission, and readmission diagnoses. Our findings show that the readmission rate among patients aged 18–64 years exceeded the readmission rate in patients aged ≥65 years in the HF cohort (23.4% vs. 22.0%, p<0.001), but was lower in the AMI (11.2% vs. 17.5%, p<0.001) and pneumonia (14.4% vs. 17.3%, p<0.001) cohorts. When adjusted for sex, race, comorbidities, and payer status, the 30-day readmission risk in patients aged 18–64 years was similar to patients ≥65 years in the HF (HR 0.99; 95%CI 0.97–1.02) and pneumonia (HR 0.97; 95%CI 0.94–1.01) cohorts and was marginally lower in the AMI cohort (HR 0.92; 95%CI 0.87–0.96). For all cohorts, the timing of readmission was similar; readmission risks were highest between days 2 and 5 and declined thereafter across all age groups. Diagnoses other than the index admission diagnosis accounted for a substantial proportion of readmissions among age groups <65 years; a non-cardiac diagnosis represented 39–44% of readmissions in the HF cohort and 37–45% of readmissions in the AMI cohort, while a non-pulmonary diagnosis represented 61–64% of patients in the pneumonia cohort. Conclusion When adjusted for differences in patient characteristics, young and middle-aged adults have 30-day readmission rates that are similar to elderly patients for HF, AMI, and pneumonia. A generalized risk after hospitalization is present regardless of age. Please see later in the article for the Editors' Summary
Attitude and Orbit Control of a Very Large Geostationary Solar Power Satellite

Design of an attitude- and orbit-control system is presented for a 3.2 x 3.2 km geostationary solar-array platform with an area-to-mass ratio of 0.4 m 2 /kg. The proposed control-system architecture utilizes electric thrusters for integrated attitude and orbit eccentricity control by counteracting, simultaneously, attitude-disturbance torques and a large orbital perturbing force. Significant control-structure interaction, possible for such a very large flexible structure, is avoided by employing a low-bandwidth attitude-control system. However, a concept of persistent-disturbance accommodating control is utilized to provide precision attitude control in the presence of dynamic modeling uncertainties and persistent external disturbances.
Effect of ion-transporting antibiotics on the energy-linked reactions of submitochondrial particles

Abstract The effects of ion-transporting antibiotics on the energy-linked reactions of submitochondrial particles were studied. It was found that valinomycin and nigericin in the presence of K+ led to the release of the oligomycin-induced respiratory control, and to a virtually complete inhibition of the four energy-linked reactions: pyridine nucleotide transhydrogenation, BTB and ANS responses, and reversal of electron transfer. Valinomycin alone in the presence of K+ did not release the oligomycin-induced control, but inhibited the energy-linked reactions by approximately 50%. Nigericin alone in the presence of K+ stimulated the oligomycin-inhibited respiration by approximately 50%, but did not affect the energy-linked reactions. The results are discussed in terms of current hypotheses of energy coupling in oxidative and photosynthetic phosphorylation.
Solution synthesis of epitaxial films of bismuth containing ferroelectric materials

Abstract Methoxyethoxide complexes in 2-methoxyethanol were used to produce epitaxial thin films of SrBi2Nb2O9, SrBi2Ta2O9, BaBi2Nb2O9, and BaBi2Ta2O9 on [100] oriented single-crystals of SrTiO3 and LaAlO3. Films were prepared by spin coating substrates with alkoxide solutions and firing in air at 850 °C for 20 minutes. With the exception of BaBi2Ta2O9 on LaAlO3, all of the films were the desired c-axis oriented Aurivillius phase. Out-of-plane orientation was confirmed by θ-2θ scans which showed only [002/] reflections, and in-plane orientation was determined by phi-scans about the [105] plane. Lattice constants and full-width at half-maximum (fwhm) values for both in-plane and out-of-plane reflections are reported.
Estimation of cyclic error due to scattering in the internal OPD metrology of the Space Interferometry Mission

A common-path laser heterodyne interferometer capable of measuring the internal optical path difference (OPD) with accuracy of the order of 10 pm was demonstrated at JPL. To achieve this accuracy, the relative power received by the detector that is contributed by the scattering of light at the optical surfaces should be less than -97 dB. A method has been developed to estimate the cyclic error caused by the scattering of the optical surfaces. The result of the analysis is presented.
Fluorescent Lights for Turkey Breeders

ABSTRACT WHILE many papers have been published on the use of artificial light to stimulate gonad activity among turkeys out of season, the authors have found only one experiment reported where the fluorescent tube was used as one of the sources of light. Since fluorescent tubes are used as the only source of light in many of the cage laying houses for chickens in this area, the following experiment was conducted to compare a 60-watt incandescent lamp and a 15-watt white fluorescent tube for stimulating egg production in mid-winter. Turkeys were used as the experimental birds since the sexual periodicity is fixed from year to year more in turkeys than in chickens. In this latitude (39°N.) turkeys normally do not begin laying until the first week in March unless provided with artificial light. (Scott and Payne, 1937.) These authors using information previously established by Bissonnette (1932), who worked with starlings, demonstrated . . .
The Life cycle Pattern

A life cycle is defined as the description of the distinct phases, through which each product or organism passes during its life. For example, state transition diagrams (STD) describe the dynamic behavior of objects over time, by modeling the lifecycles of the objects in each class. This paper discusses the life cycle pattern by building a life cycle analysis pattern, based on the software stability model. The main objective of this paper is to generate a stable, generic, reusable, clear, concise and easily comprehensible life cycle pattern, using a stable pattern language and the software stability model.
Validation of the Society for Vascular Surgery's Objective Performance Goals for critical limb ischemia in everyday vascular surgery practice

Background To develop standardized metrics for expected outcomes in lower extremity revascularization for critical limb ischemia (CLI), the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) has developed objective performance goals (OPGs) based on aggregate data from randomized trials of lower extremity bypass (LEB). It remains unknown, however, if these targets can be achieved in everyday vascular surgery practice. Methods We applied SVS OPG criteria to 1039 patients undergoing 1039 LEB operations for CLI with autogenous vein (excluding patients on dialysis) within the Vascular Study Group of New England (VSGNE). Each of the individual OPGs was calculated within the VSGNE dataset, along with its surrounding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and compared to published SVS OPGs using χ(2) comparisons and survival analysis. Results Across most risk strata, patients in the VSGNE and SVS OPG cohorts were similar (clinical high-risk [age >80 years and tissue loss]: 15.3% VSGNE; 16.2% SVS OPG; P = .58; anatomic high risk [infrapopliteal target artery]: 57.8% VSGNE; 60.2% SVS OPG; P = .32). However, the proportion of VSGNE patients designated as conduit high-risk (lack of single-segment great saphenous vein) was lower (10.2% VSGNE; 26.9% SVS OPG;P Conclusion Community and academic centers in everyday vascular surgery practice can meet OPGs derived from centers of excellence in LEB. Quality improvement initiatives, as well as clinical trials, should incorporate OPGs in their outcome measures to facilitate communication and comparison of risk-adjusted outcomes in the treatment of CLI.
Robust model-based control: an experimental case study

Three forms of robust model-based control were experimentally evaluated. Algorithm evaluation was prompted by a requirement for controllers with good high-speed tracking accuracy in uncertain payload environments. The test case was a PUMA-560 operating over the standard test suite. The tracking performance of the robust algorithms was compared, with and without payload, to that of a nonadaptive model-based controller with fixed proportional-derivative (PD) feedback. The model-based controllers were made robust by the addition of an auxiliary input term, replacing the PD feedback with a feedback loop based on quantitative feedback theory (QFT), or an adaptive feedforward compensator based on Lyapunov theory. Experimental evaluation provided valuable insight into the potential and limitations of each method. All three techniques improved the tracking performance of the manipulator. Superior overall performance, computational simplicity, and a mathematically rigorous design and tuning procedure make the model-based controller with QFT feedback the algorithm of choice. >
Superconducting current injection transistor with very high critical-current-density edge-junctions

A Superconducting Current Injection Transistor (Super-CIT) was fabricated with very high critical current-density edge-junctions. The junctions have a niobium base electrode and a lead-alloy counter electrode. The length of the junctions is 30μm and the critical-current density is 190KA/cm2. The Super-CIT has a current gain of 2, a large signal transresistance of 100mV/A and the turn-on delay, inferred from the junction resonance, is 7ps. The power dissipation is 3.5μW and the power-delay product is 24.5aJ. Gap reduction due to heating was observed, limiting the maximum power dissipation per unit length to 1.1 μW/μm. Compared to lead-alloy Super-CITs the device is five times smaller, three times faster and has a three times larger output voltage. The damping resistor and the contact junction could also be eliminated.
Delocalization of Electrons in Strong Insulators at High Dynamic Pressures

Abstract: Systematics of material responses to shock flows at high dynamic pressures are discussed. Dissipation in shock flows drives structural and electronic transitions or crossovers, such as used to synthesize metallic liquid hydrogen and most probably Al 2 O 3 metallic glass. The term ―metal‖ here means electrical conduction in a degenerate system, which occurs by band overlap in degenerate condensed matter, rather than by thermal ionization in a non-degenerate plasma. Since H 2 and probably disordered Al 2 O 3 become poor metals with minimum metallic conductivity (MMC) virtually all insulators with intermediate strengths do so as well under dynamic compression. That is, the magnitude of strength determines the split between thermal energy and disorder, which determines material response. These crossovers occur via a transition from insulators with electrons localized in chemical bonds to poor metals with electron energy bands. For example, radial extents of outermost electrons of Al and O atoms are 7 a
CD4+ Cell Count 6 Years after Commencement of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy in Persons with Sustained Virologic Suppression

Background. Sustained suppression of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 RNA load with the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) results in immunologic improvement, but it is not clear whether the CD4 + cell count increases to normal levels or whether it reaches a less-than-normal plateau. We characterized the increase in the CD4 + cell count in patients in clinical practice who maintained sustained viral suppression for up to 6 years. Methods. All patients were from the Johns Hopkins HIV Clinical Cohort, a longitudinal observational study of patients receiving primary HIV care in Baltimore, Maryland, who were observed for 11 year while receiving HAART and who had sustained suppression of the HIV RNA load at !400 copies/mL. We analyzed annual change in the CD4 + cell count for up to 6 years after the start of HAART, stratified by baseline CD4 + cell counts of 200, 201‐350, 1350 cells/mL, and we assessed the development of clinical events (death and new acquired immunodeficiency syndrome‐defining illness) by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Results. A total of 655 patients were observed for a median of 46 months (range, 13‐72 months). The median change from baseline to most recent CD4 + cell count was +274 cells/mL, with 92% of patients having an increase in CD4 + cell count. By 6 years, the median CD4 + cell count was 493 cells/mL among patients with baseline CD4 + cell counts 200 cells/mL, 508 cells/mL among those with baseline CD4 + cell counts of 201‐350 cells/mL, and 829 cells/mL among those with baseline CD4 + cell counts 1350 cells/mL. In addition to baseline CD4 + cell count, injection drug use and older age were associated with a lesser CD4 + cell count response, and duration of therapy was associated with a greater CD4 + cell count response. Conclusion. Only patients with baseline CD4 + cell counts 1350 cells/mL returned to nearly normal CD4 + cell counts after 6 years of follow-up. Significant increases were observed in all CD4 + cell count strata during the first year, but there was a lower plateau CD4 + cell count at lower baseline CD4 + cell strata. These data suggest that waiting to start HAART at lower CD4 + cell counts will result in the CD4 + cell count not returning to normal levels.
Pesticides in the Homes of Farmworkers Latino Mothers' Perceptions of Risk to Their Children's Health

Pesticide exposure has been linked with immediate and delayed health effects. Anyone who lives in a farmworker household may be exposed to pesticides. Studies with farmworkers have found generally low levels of awareness of pesticide exposure and prevention. Less is known about the perceptions of nonfarmworkers living with farmworkers. This article presents the results of 41 in-depth interviews conducted with Latino women in farmworker households regarding their knowledge of pesticides and perceptions of risk to their children's health. Their perceptions and behavior differ from scientific understanding and policy recommendations for exposure management, resulting in behaviors that may increase children's risk of exposure and subsequent health problems. Because the level at which exposure becomes harmful remains a subject of scientific debate, the wisest course of action is to minimize exposure (the precautionary principle). Families living in farmworker households would benefit from health education programs that target their specific needs.
Multiclassifiers and decision fusion in the wavelet domain for exploitation of hyperspectral data

In this paper, the discrete wavelet transform (DWT) is employed as a preprocessing stage for a multiclassifier and decision fusion system for feature extraction and dimensionality reduction of hyperspectral data. As a result, both global and local spectral features can be exploited. Feature grouping is conducted according to wavelet decomposition levels, or scales. Each DWT decomposition level's detail coefficients are classified independently, creating a multiclassifier system. The resulting classifications are then fused using a simple majority voting scheme. The proposed target recognition system was applied to hyperspectral data for an agricultural applications, namely detecting the presence of the often devastating disease known as soybean rust in soybean crops. The proposed approach was compared to well-known hyperspectral dimensionality reduction methods, such as stepwise linear discriminant anlaysis (LDA). When using the DWT multiclassifier system, the overall classification accuracies ranged from the high 80's to the mid 90's. When using the stepwise LDA technique the overall classification accuracies ranged from the mid 60s to the mid 90's.
Integration of task scheduling, action planning, and control in robotic manufacturing systems

This paper presents a novel approach for solving a challenging problem in the intelligent control of robotic manufacturing systems, i.e., the integration of low-level system sensing and control with high-level system behavior and perception. First, a newly developed event-based planning and control method will be introduced. It will then be extended to a robotic manufacturing system via a hybrid system approach. The tasks of a robotic manufacturing system usually consist of multiple segments of robotic actions, which involve both continuous and discrete types of actions. The max-plus algebra model has been proposed to model such a system. Combined with the event-based planning and control methods, both discrete and continuous actions can be planned and controlled based on the max-plus algebra model. More important, the interactions between discrete and continuous actions can be formulated analytically. A typical parts-sorting task in a robotic manufacturing system is used to illustrate the proposed approach. The experimental results clearly demonstrate the advantages of this method.
A geometric transversals approach to analyzing track coverage of omnidirectional sensor networks for maneuvering targets

The quality of service of a sensor network performing cooperative track detection can be expressed as the probability of obtaining multiple elementary detections over time, along a target track, also known as track coverage. Recently, distributed search theory and geometric transversals have been used to obtain the probability of track detection for targets traveling with constant speed and heading in a region-of-interest in closed form, as a function of the sensors' ranges and positions, and of the track parameters. In this paper, an extended approach based on convex theory and computational geometry is presented to obtain a track coverage function for maneuvering targets in the plane. In many tracking applications, a maneuvering target is modeled as a Markov motion process with known transition probability functions that are estimated via Kalman filtering from prior sensor measurements. The approach presented in this paper uses line transversals and planar geometry to derive the track coverage of a heterogeneous sensor network as a function of the Markov transition probability functions. The theoretical results are validated through numerical Monte Carlo simulations involving multiple omnidirectional mobile sensors that are deployed to cooperatively detect, track, and eventually pursue one or more maneuvering targets.
Paper and Flexible Substrates as Materials for Biosensing Platforms to Detect Multiple Biotargets

The need for sensitive, robust, portable, and inexpensive biosensing platforms is of significant interest in clinical applications for disease diagnosis and treatment monitoring at the point-of-care (POC) settings. Rapid, accurate POC diagnostic assays play a crucial role in developing countries, where there are limited laboratory infrastructure, trained personnel, and financial support. However, current diagnostic assays commonly require long assay time, sophisticated infrastructure and expensive reagents that are not compatible with resource-constrained settings. Although paper and flexible material-based platform technologies provide alternative approaches to develop POC diagnostic assays for broad applications in medicine, they have technical challenges integrating to different detection modalities. Here, we address the limited capability of current paper and flexible material-based platforms by integrating cellulose paper and flexible polyester films as diagnostic biosensing materials with various detection modalities through the development and validation of new widely applicable electrical and optical sensing mechanisms using antibodies and peptides. By incorporating these different detection modalities, we present selective and accurate capture and detection of multiple biotargets including viruses (Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1), bacteria (Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus), and cells (CD4(+) T lymphocytes) from fingerprick volume equivalent of multiple biological specimens such as whole blood, plasma, and peritoneal dialysis effluent with clinically relevant detection and sensitivity.
E1A Oncogene-induced Sensitization of Human Tumor Cells to Innate Immune Defenses and Chemotherapy-induced Apoptosis in Vitro and in Vivo

Expression of the adenoviral E1A oncogene induces susceptibility of neoplastic cells from different species to both immune-mediated and chemotherapy-induced cell death. These effects of E1A are easily measured in vitro using cytotoxicity assays. However, conventional in vivo assays of tumor development lack similar precision for measurement of oncogene-induced changes in tumor cell traits. E1A expression in p53 mutant human breast carcinoma cells sensitized them in vitro to diverse immunological injuries and apoptosis triggered by chemotherapeutic agents, as predicted from studies of rodent tumor cells. Nude mice, which possess innate cellular immune defenses against E1A-expressing tumor cells, were used in a quantitative tumor induction assay to test the in vivo correlations of E1A-induced immunosensitivity and chemosensitivity of human tumor cells. Two distinct, E1A-induced breast cancer cell traits could be measured in nude mice: (a) increased tumor latency and (b) reduced efficiency of tumor induction. These results were confirmed in studies of E1A-expressing human fibrosarcoma cells. The results demonstrate that E1A-induced conversion of human cells from a cytolytic resistant to a cytolytic susceptible phenotype, as detected in vitro, translates into reduced tumorigenicity of cells confronted with innate immune defenses and exposed to chemotherapeutic agents in nude mice. However, the data also show that E1A expression does not completely eliminate the tumorigenicity of either established human tumor cells or of cells immortalized by E1A. This experimental approach should be useful for studies of the effects of other oncogene-related tumor cell traits on tumorigenicity and could be used for preclinical studies of different treatment strategies for human tumors.
Scheduling Using Near-optimal Guard Zones for CDMA Ad Hoc Networks

Scheduling algorithms in ad hoc networks allow nodes to share the wireless channel so that concurrent transmissions can be decoded successfully. On one hand, the scheduling needs to be efficient to maximize the spatial reuse and minimize retransmissions due to collisions. But on the other hand, due to the very nature of uncentralized wireless networks, the scheduling algorithm needs to be easily implementable in a distributed fashion with little, if any, coordination with other nodes in the network. The goal of this paper is to propose and evaluate a simple scheduling technique based on receiver guard zones. In particular, using stochastic geometry, we show that a near-optimal guard zone can easily be realized in a distributed manner, and that this has about a 2 - 100x increase in capacity as compared to an ALOHA network; the capacity increase depending primarily on the required outage probability ?, as lower ? tolerances increasingly reward scheduling. By implementing guard zone-based scheduling, we show that the attained performance is about 70 - 80% of a well-known near-optimal (and practically infeasible) centralized scheme.
Complex Monopulse Processing, A Technoque For Hydrographic Mapping

The complex monopulse technique is a processing approach which uses simultaneous in-phase and quadrature data from two beams to obtain amplitude and angle information from the backscattered acoustic signal. This approach is advantageous for hydrographic applications because the algorithm's simple implementation can allow rapid processing of the data. Another feature of this technique is that the imaginary part of the monopulse ratio provides a measure of the spatial coherence of the signal under consideration and, hence, can be used to edit the received signal in order to minimize the effects of interference due to multipath returns. In this paper, different implementations of the monopulse processing are examined and the resulting performances are presented.
Efficient stochastic simulation of reaction–diffusion processes via direct compilation

We present the Stochastic Simulator Compiler (SSC), a tool for exact stochastic simulations of well-mixed and spatially heterogeneous systems. SSC is the first tool to allow a readable high-level description with spatially heterogeneous simulation algorithms and complex geometries; this permits large systems to be expressed concisely. Meanwhile, direct native-code compilation allows SSC to generate very fast simulations. Availability: SSC currently runs on Linux and Mac OS X, and is freely available at http://web.mit.edu/irc/ssc/. Contact: mieszko@csail.mit.edu Supplementary information:Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
HMGB1: a smoking gun in lupus nephritis?

High-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) is a prototypic alarmin that is released from activated and dying cells. Because of its proinflammatory activities, HMGB1 could mediate key events in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus, a possibility supported by elevations of HMGB1 in patient blood and increased expression in renal biopsies. The biology of HMGB1 is complicated, however, and its activity is dependent on redox state as well as binding to other molecules such as cytokines. Defining more precisely the role of HMGB1 in lupus will require treatment studies to block the activity of this alarmin in animal models and ultimately patients.
Learning for Its Own Sake: The German University as Nineteenth-Century Model

In the nineteenth century the Germany university was the most admired institution of higher education in the western world.1 Much of this admiration arose from the widespread assumption that Germany's universities exemplified the ideal of pure learning, the disinterested pursuit of truth, knowledge for its own sake. German contemporaries saw the university in these terms, contemporary observers elsewhere agreed, and modern historians have accepted this statement of purpose.
Sex, Age, and Cultural Differences in Self-Reported Assertiveness:

Differences in self-reported assertiveness associated with sex, age, cultural or ethnic group, and ordinal position (birth order) were examined. 782 undergraduate students completed the Rathus Asse...
Health Spending Projections Through 2017: The Baby-Boom Generation Is Coming To Medicare

The outlook for national health spending calls for continued steady growth. Spending growth is projected to be 6.7 percent in 2007, similar to its rate in 2006. Average annual growth over the projection period is expected to be 6.7 percent. Slower growth in private spending toward the end of the period is expected to be offset by stronger growth in public spending. The health share of gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to increase to 16.3 percent in 2007 and then rise throughout the projection period, reaching 19.5 percent of GDP by 2017.
Tamoxifen and Irinotecan Pharmacogenomics

Pharmacogenomics is defined as the use of a person’s genetic information to individualize treatment. This is a burgeoning field which is starting to have a major impact on many areas in medicine. Notable examples are the following: The use of cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) and vitamin K epoxide reductase complex subunit 1 (VKORC1) genotyping to predict response to warfarin, the use of serotonin transporter (SLC6A4) promoter length polymorphism for prediction of response to serotonin reuptake inhibitors, the use of CYP2C19 genotyping to predict response to clopidogrel, the use of HLA-B*5701 genotyping to predict hypersensitivity reactions to abacavir, and the use of HLA-B*1502 genotyping to identifying individuals of Asian ancestry who are at risk of developing Stevens–Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis when administered carbamazepine, phenytoin, or fosphenytoin therapy.
Strong red-emission of Eu3+:Li4Ti5O12 powders for phosphor applications

Abstract The synthesis and photoluminescence properties of trivalent europium doped lithium titanate (Eu 3+ :Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 ) with different Eu 3+ concentrations (0.1 mol%, 0.3 mol%, 1.0 mol%, 3.0 mol%) are reported and analyzed as a phosphor. Europium (III) nitrate (Eu(NO 3 ) 3 ) was employed as Eu 3+ source, while lithium acetate dihydrate (CH 3 COOLi·2H 2 O) and titanium n-butoxide (Ti(OC 4 H 9 ) 4 ) were adopted as raw materials to synthesize the host lithium titanate with a Li:Ti stoichiometry of 4.5:1. Phase identification was performed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), and morphology was examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Eu 3+ :Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 powders showed strong red emission at 612 nm, corresponding to the 5 D 0 – 7 F 2 transition, with the strongest excitation peak observed in the blue light region at 464 nm. Decay time analyses revealed relatively short lifetimes accompanying typical exponential decay rates. The effect of Eu 3+ concentration (0.1 mol%, 0.3 mol%, 1.0 mol%, 3.0 mol%) on photoluminescence intensity and decay time was explored, and is reported here. It was determined that the CIE color coordinates (0.66, 0.34) of the doped Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 powders were independent of Eu 3+ concentration, and that the coordinates are very similar to the ideal red chromaticity (0.67, 0.33) designated by the National Television Standard Committee (NTSC) system.
Characterization of CNTs-Reinforced Interfaces for Surface Mounted Piezoelectric Actuators

[Abstract] An investigation was performed to characterize the adhesive interface reinforced with a Carbon Nanotube carpet between a piezoelectric (PZT) actuator and a hosting structure. The CNTs on the interface are fully dispersed and oriented in the adhesive. Both mechanical shear tests and microscopic evaluations were performed to characterize the interface. The preliminary test results showed an improvement in interfacial shear strength up to nearly 300%. However, a wide data dispersion was observed. With the help of a thorough microscopic examination of the bond interface, it seems to indicate that the bond strength is strongly related to the ratio between CNTs length and the physical gap between the structure and the actuator (Lc/H). It is shown also that the failure modes vary according to this ratio. Although the result is quite promising, a direct link to and understanding of the observed physical phenomenon are still not clear.
Some Remarks on the Expected Mean Squares in Analysis of Variance in the Assessment of Individual Differences in Learning

Leicht, et al. (1978) proposed that learning units, e.g., lists, passages, be randomization units, rather than learners (subjects) as is typical, so that the significance of trial-learner interactions can be tested with analysis of variance. In an illustrative application of the suggested rearrangement, learners were arbitrarily selected (fixed-effects factor). If the investigator wishes greater generalizability of individual differences in learning, learners must be randomly selected from a specified population (random-effects factor). The appropriate expected mean squares and tests of significance are presented for both models and subsequent comments are made.
Are the Intramolecular O-H...F and O-H...Cl Hydrogen Bonds Maintained in Solution? A Theoretical Study

The present case study aims at calculating the equilibrium conformer compositions for 2X-ethanol and 2X-phenol (X = F, Cl) in solution, and exploring the effect of the applied theoretical method and basis set on the obtained results, as well as considering the usefulness of the continuum solvent approach in comparison with the explicit solvent Monte Carlo model utilizing the free energy perturbation method. Gas-phase optimizations at the DFT/B97D/aug-cc-pvtz and ab initio MP2/aug-cc-pvtz levels predicted structures in good agreement with the available experimental data for three test molecules. Because in-solution geometries change only slightly according to the IEF-PCM continuum solvent calculations in carbon tetrachloride and water, the two theoretical levels were applied further on, and complete basis set (CBS) relative internal free energies were estimated for the conformers under study. The predicted OCCF gauche/trans ratio for 2F-ethanol was well reproduced in comparison with available experimental compositions. The predominant gauche structure maintains an intramolecular hydrogen bond in carbon tetrachloride (HB structure), whereas HB and NoHB gauche conformers appear in nearly the same fraction in aqueous solution. The internally hydrogen-bonded conformer is predominant also for 2X-phenol species, as calculated on the basis of relative CBS internal free energies and IEF-PCM and FEP/MC solvation free energies. Use of a trihydrate supermolecule model for 2F-ethanol conformers leads to the prediction of the aqueous-solution composition in contrast to the experiment. Solution structure modeling predicts weak hydrogen-bond formation capacity for both the covalently bound F and Cl atoms, even in conformations where they are fully exposed to hydration.
Developmental changes in motor cortex activity as infants develop functional motor skills

Despite extensive research examining overt behavioral changes of motor skills in infants, the neural basis underlying the emergence of functional motor control has yet to be determined. We used functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to record hemodynamic activity of the primary motor cortex (M1) from 22 infants (11 six month-olds, 11 twelve month-olds) as they reached for an object, and stepped while supported over a treadmill. Based on the developmental systems framework, we hypothesized that as infants increased goal-directed experience, neural activity shifts from a diffused to focal pattern. Results showed that for reaching, younger infants showed diffuse areas of M1 activity that became focused by 12 months. For elicited stepping, younger infants produced much less M1 activity which shifted to diffuse activity by 12 months. Thus, the data suggest that as infants gain goal-directed experience, M1 activity emerges, initially showing a diffuse area of activity, becoming refined as the behavior stabilizes. Our data begin to document the cortical activity underlying early functional skill acquisition.