cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Enhancement of the Feature Extraction Capability in Global Damage Detection Using Wavelet Theory

The main objective of this study is to assess the specific capabilities of the defect energy parameter technique for global damage detection developed by Saleeb and coworkers. The feature extraction is the most important capability in any damage-detection technique. Features are any parameters extracted from the processed measurement data in order to enhance damage detection. The damage feature extraction capability was studied extensively by analyzing various simulation results. The practical significance in structural health monitoring is that the detection at early stages of small-size defects is always desirable. The amount of changes in the structure's response due to these small defects was determined to show the needed level of accuracy in the experimental methods. The arrangement of fine/extensive sensor network to measure required data for the detection is an "unlimited" ability, but there is a difficulty to place extensive number of sensors on a structure. Therefore, an investigation was conducted using the measurements of coarse sensor network. The white and the pink noises, which cover most of the frequency ranges that are typically encountered in the many measuring devices used (e.g., accelerometers, strain gauges, etc.) are added to the displacements to investigate the effect of noisy measurements in the detection technique. The noisy displacements and the noisy damage parameter values are used to study the signal feature reconstruction using wavelets. The enhancement of the feature extraction capability was successfully achieved by the wavelet theory.
The separation of secondary education from Technical Education 1899–1903

(1969). The separation of secondary education from Technical Education 1899–1903. The Vocational Aspect of Education: Vol. 21, No. 49, pp. 101-105.
The sutured Thurston norm

For sutured 3-manifolds M, there is a sutured Thurston norm due to Scharlemann. We show how depth one foliations of M and corresponding fibrations and the usual Thurston norm on the double of M are useful tools for computing this norm. In many examples, the faces of the unit ball of the sutured norm are related to cones of depth one foliations of M but examples indicate this is not a general relationship.
CXCR6 expression in non-small cell lung carcinoma supports metastatic process via modulating metalloproteinases.

// Hina Mir 1 , Rajesh Singh 1 , Goetz H. Kloecker 2 , James W. Lillard Jr. 1 , Shailesh Singh 1 1 Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA 2 James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA Correspondence to: Shailesh Singh, e-mail: shsingh@msm.edu Keywords: CXCR6, CXCL16, lung cancer Received: December 17, 2014 Accepted: January 23, 2015 Published: April 07, 2015 ABSTRACT Lung cancer (LuCa) is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide regardless of the gender. High mortality associated with LuCa is due to metastasis, molecular mechanisms of which are yet to be defined. Here, we present evidence that chemokine receptor CXCR6 and its only natural ligand, CXCL16, are significantly expressed by non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and are involved in the pathobiology of LuCa. CXCR6 expression was significantly higher in two subtypes of NSCLC (adenocarcinomas-ACs and squamous cell carcinoma-SCCs) as compared to non-neoplastic tissue. Additionally, serum CXCL16 was significantly elevated in LuCa cases as compared to healthy controls. Similar to CXCR6 tissue expression, serum level of CXCL16 in AC patients was significantly higher than SCC patients. Biological significance of this axis was validated using SCC and AC cell lines. Expression of CXCR6 was higher in AC cells, which also showed higher migratory and invasive potential than SCC. Differences in migratory and invasive potential between AC and SCC were due to differential expression of metalloproteinases following CXCL16 stimulation. Hence, our findings suggest clinical and biological significance of CXCR6/CXCL16 axis in LuCa, which could be used as potential prognostic marker and therapeutic target.
Penetrating Injuries to the Lung and Heart: Resuscitation, Diagnosis, and Operative Indications

Penetrating injuries to the thorax have the potential to disrupt two vital life-sustaining systems: the respiratory and the cardiovascular system. These injuries have the potential to be rapidly fatal and thus a rapid, organized, and logical approach to the evaluation and resuscitation of these patients is critical. This article briefly reviews the basic pathophysiology of penetrating chest wounds and the evaluation of both stable and unstable patients after penetrating chest injury. The recent literature is reviewed, including recent findings on screening for occult penetrating cardiac injuries, the use of needle decompression for pneumothoraces, and the expanding role of ultrasonography in the evaluation of penetrating thoracic trauma. Our goal is to review the initial management and resuscitation of patients with penetrating wounds to the thorax, with an eye toward the injuries most likely to rapidly result in death.
Emotion and Reason in Making Decisions

Recent research in economic theory has provided a model of ambiguity aversion that predicts and explains why people have a more conservative behavior when they perceive their assessment of risk as imprecise. In his Perspective, [Rustichini][1] discusses the study of [ Hsu et al. ][2] that explores the boundary of neuroscience and economics. The study confirms the main idea of the model that the brain treats risky and ambiguous choices differently. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/310/5754/1624 [2]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/310/5754/1680
Concurrent program execution

The authors present the issues in concurrent program execution, and survey some of the current research in this area. Programs for multiprocessor systems require a completely different approach from those for uniprocessor systems. The effective use of multiprocessor systems requires a program representation which clearly indicates sections (tasks) that can be executed concurrently, mechanisms for synchronizing these different concurrent modules, methods for ensuring data integrity, and algorithms that schedule and allocate these modules to the available processors efficiently. Most current work in these areas make very limiting assumptions about the nature of the program, or the nature of the underlying hardware architecture, so that they are not truly flexible. >
Chapter 37 – Xenotransplantation in the Kidney: A Historical Perspective

Transplantation of human kidneys to humans is the best way to treat end-stage renal disease, but it is limited by organ availability that is much lower than need. The use of animal kidneys in lieu of human organs (xenotransplantation of the kidney) has long been proposed as an alternative. Its clinical history dates to the early twentieth century. Humoral and cellular rejection and coagulopathy complicate the xenotransplantation of whole kidneys in the clinically relevant pig-to-nonhuman primate model. However, life can be prolonged in otherwise anephric recipients. Some of these complications might be overcome by using embryonic kidneys in lieu of developed organs. Renal primordia are preprogrammed to attract a vasculature and differentiate into an anatomically precise kidney after transplantation into the mesentery of hosts. Here, we provide a broad historical perspective for xenotransplantation of fully developed and developing kidneys as a means to treat end-stage renal disease.
Energy, emergy and environs

Abstract Environs are a model of J. von Uexkull's theory of environment. They have affinities with embodied energy (emergy), transformity and energy value in H.T. Odum's energy-circuit theory. Energy circuits and output environs are both networks defined by a single input; environ theory also has reciprocal input environs which extend back from outputs. Feedback cycling exerts control functions in Odum's model. In environs, control is distributed nonspecifically over highly reticulated cyclical pathways. These networks can be unfolded into straight chains with an indefinite number of steps. Distance from sources motivates Odum's measure of energy quality as embodied energy, or emergy, measured by transformity. Any unfolded network may have such measures computed for individual output (or input) environs. Each transfer level contains contributions from many compartments, and each compartment occupies many transfer levels. The subnetworks of output (or input) environs become commingled to form the whole-system network, which environ analysis unravels mathematically, preserving the reticulated (vs. straight-chain) conception. Transformities measure network value, in individual environs or entire systems. A different approach to energy value is provided by utility measures; both direct (local) and direct plus indirect (global) values may be computed. Comparison of local vs. global utilities has both quantitative and qualitative aspects. The latter define ecological interaction types (competition, predation, etc.) from internodal flows. Network organization tends to synthesize global positive relationships from local negative ones. Environ-value theory differs from embodied-energy theory, but is not in conflict with it. Together, they provide complementary perspectives on quantifying subjective values from objective flow processes.
Allograft Implants for Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion: Results Comparing Cylindrical Dowels and Impacted Wedges

OBJECTIVE: With the proliferation of implant types available for use in posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) procedures, the choices for surgeons have become increasingly complex. The goal of this study was to retrospectively review a series of 49 patients who underwent PLH with the use of allograft cylindrical threaded cortical bone dowels (TCBDs) and allograft impacted wedges. Nerve root injury rates, fusion rates, and clinical outcomes of the allograft impacted wedge group are compared with those in the allograft cylindrical TCBD group. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart and radiographic review of 49 patients. Twenty-seven patients underwent PLIF with impacted allograft wedges, and 22 patients underwent PLIF with allograft cylindrical TCBD. Permanent nerve root injury rates, fusion rates, and clinical outcomes were assessed on the basis of a minimum of 1 year of follow-up data in this nonconsecutive series. RESULTS: Permanent nerve root injuries in the impacted wedge and TCBD groups were documented with physical examinations conducted pre- and postoperatively. The cylindrical TCBD group showed a 13.6% rate of permanent nerve root injury, and the impacted wedge group demonstrated a 0% rate, and these rates were statistically significant (analysis of variance, P = 0.049). The fusion state at a mean of 13.9 months of follow-up was 95.4% in patients in whom the cylindrical TCBD was implanted and 88.9% after a mean of 17.4 months of follow-up in patients in whom impacted wedges were used. The fusion rate difference between the TCBD and impacted wedge groups was not significant. The satisfactory outcome rate was 72.7% for the TCBD group and 85.1% for the impacted wedge group, and the impacted wedge group was found to have a significantly higher rate of satisfactory outcomes (P = 0.016, analysis of variance). Analysis of the patient outcomes in the TCBD and impacted wedge groups according to sex, mean length of follow-up, workman's compensation claim rate, and smoking habit yielded no significant difference. CONCLUSION: With a minimum of year of follow-up in this nonconsecutive series of 49 patients, a comparison of the use of allograft TCBD versus allograft impacted wedges in PLIF procedures reveals a statistically significant increase in permanent nerve root injury rates with the use of cylindrical TCBD implants as compared with impacted allograft wedges. There is no difference between the two groups in terms of fusion rates, and clinical outcomes with the use of impacted wedges were significantly better.
On the size of machines

In this paper, the methods of recursive function theory are used to study the size (or cost or complexity) of machines. A positive result of this study shows that to a remarkable degree, the relative size of two machines is independent of the particular way in which machine size is measured. Another result suggests that in order for programs to be of economical size, the programming language must be powerful enough to compute arbitrary general recursive functions, rather than some restricted subset such as the primitive recursive functions. Finally, a kind of speedup theorem is proved which is curiously independent of whether the measure of complexity be the size or the number of steps taken by the machines that compute the functions.
A Sensitive Multispectroscopic Probe for Nucleic Acids

Azides have recently been used as vibrational probes of proteins, but their incorporation into nucleic acids has been limited to photo-cross-linking or click chemistry applications. The utility of 2'-azido-2'-deoxyuridine (N(3)-dU, 1) as an IR and (15)N NMR spectroscopic probe of the sugar phosphate backbone region of nucleic acids was investigated by measuring the effects of solvent, heterodimer formation, and temperature on peak frequencies and IR bandwidth. The azide IR asymmetric stretching band (nu(N(3))) of N(3)-dU was sensitive to its environment, undergoing a blue shift of 13.5 cm(-1) when changing the solvent from THF to water. The solvent effects on (15)N chemical shifts (delta((15)N)) of each of the nitrogen atoms in the azido group was studied, and the terminal nitrogen atom was the most sensitive to solvent, shifting downfield by 3.8 ppm when changing the solvent from THF-d(8) to D(2)O. Formation of a base-pair-like heterodimer between 3 (a silyl ether analogue of 1) and 2,6-diheptanamidopyridine (4) in chloroform resulted in minimal changes in the IR and (15)N NMR spectral frequency and chemical shift, respectively, as expected given the location of the azido moiety. The intrinsic temperature dependence of nu(N(3)) and delta((15)N) were found to be minimal over the temperature range studied especially compared to the solvent dependence of these spectral observables. The analysis of the experimental studies was complemented by density functional theory (DFT) calculations on model systems.
The presence of petroleum residues off the east coast of Novia Scotia, in the gulf of St. Lawrence, and the St. Lawrence River

Abstract A study of petroleum residues off the east coast of Canada indicated low, but significant, concentrations of these substances in the Atlantic near Nova Scotia, in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and in the St. Lawrence River. Substantially higher concentrations were observed in Chedabucto Bay, the vicinity of a spill of Bunker C fuel oil.
The Role of Spectral and Durational Properties on Hemispheric Asymmetries in Vowel Perception

The aim of the current study is to investigate potential hemispheric asymmetries in the perception of vowels and the influence of different time scales on such asymmetries. Activation patterns for naturally produced vowels were examined at three durations encompassing a short (75 ms), medium (150 ms), and long (300 ms) integration time window in a discrimination task. A set of 5 corresponding non-speech sine wave tones were created with frequencies matching the second formant of each vowel. Consistent with earlier hypotheses, there was a right hemisphere preference in the superior temporal gyrus for the processing of spectral information for both vowel and tone stimuli. However, observed laterality differences for vowels and tones were a function of heightened right hemisphere sensitivity to long integration windows, whereas the left hemisphere showed sensitivity to both long and short integration windows. Although there were a number of similarities in the processing of vowels and tones, differences also emerged suggesting that even fairly early in the processing stream at the level of the STG, different mechanisms are recruited for processing vowels and tones.
Some prediction procedures with special reference to selection

Abstract We consider the problem of prediction of an unobserved variable for a certain subset of a population in which mean or some other well defined function of criterion variable(s) is higher than that of any other subset of same size. To select this particular subpopulation, optimum decision rules - to be termed as selection indices, are constructed. We derived selection indices when selection is made in two or more stages. Optimum decision rules are obtained when there are constraints requiring that, in the selected part of the population, average values of some other criterion variables are above certain prespecified levels. More emphasis is given to two stage selection.
Science and the Idea of Church History, an American Debate

Students of American historiography value the latter part of the nineteenth century as a period in which distinctive ideas about the nature and procedures of historical research became explicit. More specifically, it was an era when the scholarly world was greatly influenced by the ideal of scientific objectivity and exactitude. Rapid advances in scientific theory and practical application in the post-war industrial boom set a standard for reliable knowledge in all fields. In that general enthusiasm for scientific precision several practicing historians tried to align their craft with the dominant criteria of their day in hopes of winning added respect and integrity for historical writing. The acceptance of that standard in the realm of historio-graphical theory produced significant repercussions in current ideas about church history, an area which until that time had been considered a separate field of inquiry. The decades between 1884 and 1896 mark a watershed in American thought, a transition from historical sensitivity at once patriotic and hagiographical to a discipline self-consciously, perhaps naively, tied to documentary evidence. But, beyond the popular rubric of faithfulness to the written record, there was a great debate over both the possible interpretations allowed by accumulated data and the final purpose of historical information. Such questions were especially relevant to church historians because they often answered the latter query before the former. The conflicting opinions, articulated by a fresh generation of European-trained scholars, broached questions about the historian's task that continue to be pertinent today. Contemporaneous problems besetting all historians came into open conflict in this earlier period, and serious dilemmas still confront us.
Some properties of the reduced Hamiltonians and their applications

Abstract This paper presents some properties of the reduced Hamiltonians and their relations with the total Hamiltonian. Their possible applications are also discussed.
Log-f tables for beta decay

An extensive tabulation of log- f values is presented for use in the calculation of the comparative half-lives for beta transitions. Values of capture-to-positron ratios are also given. These log- f -and e/β + -values incorporate screening and finite nuclear size corrections. They are tabulated for allowed and first-forbidden unique transitions for Z from 6 to 95 as a function of transition energy. The range of transition energies covered is 0.010 MeV to 10 MeV with energy increments chosen so that intermediate values can be obtained from the tables by means of linear extrapolation. The values for first-forbidden unique transitions are larger than those given in older tables by 1.079, the log of 12. [See Eqs. (19) and (21).]
Efficient protein-ligand docking using sustainable evolutionary algorithms

AutoDock is a widely used automated protein docking program in structure-based drug-design. Different search algorithms such as simulated annealing, traditional genetic algorithm (GA) and Lamarckian genetic algorithm (LGA) are implemented in AutoDock. However, the docking performance of these algorithms is still limited by the local optima issue of simulated annealing or the premature convergence issue typical in traditional evolutionary algorithms (EA). Due to the stochastic nature of these search algorithms, users usually need to run multiple times to get reasonable docking results, which is time-consuming. We have developed a new docking program AutoDockX by applying a sustainable GA, Age-Layered Population Structure (ALPS) to the protein docking problem. We tested the docking performance over three different proteins (pr, cox and hsp90) with more than 20 candidate ligands for each protein. Our experiments showed that the sustainable GA based AutodockX achieved significantly better docking performance in terms of running time and robustness than all the existing search algorithms implemented in the latest version of AutoDock. AutodockX thus has unique advantages in large-scale virtual screening.
Precision Measurement of the Electronic g Factors of the Alkali Metals

We have measured the ratios of the electronic $g$ factors of $^{23}\mathrm{Na}$, $^{85,87}\mathrm{Rb}$, and $^{133}\mathrm{Cs}$ to that of $^{39}\mathrm{K}$, using the atomic-beam magnetic-resonance technique. The results are $\frac{{g}_{J}(^{23}\mathrm{Na})}{{g}_{J}(^{39}\mathrm{K})}=1.0000007(2)$, $\frac{{g}_{J}(^{85,87}\mathrm{Rb})}{{g}_{J}(^{39}\mathrm{K})}=1.0000182(2)$, and $\frac{{g}_{J}(^{1333}\mathrm{Cs})}{{g}_{J}(^{39}\mathrm{K})}=1.0001231(3)$. These results, combined with the results of other researchers, yield the following absolute $g$ factors for the alkali metals: ${g}_{J}(\mathrm{Na})=\ensuremath{-}2.002297(2)$, ${g}_{J}(\mathrm{K})=\ensuremath{-}2.002295(2)$, ${g}_{J}(\mathrm{Rb})=\ensuremath{-}2.002332(2)$, and ${g}_{J}(\mathrm{Cs})=\ensuremath{-}2.002542(2)$. These $g$ factors, with the exception of the value for Cs, are in good agreement with theoretical values.
Electroretinographic findings in subjects after administration of fenretinide

We measured the electroretinogram to determine whether ocular toxicity exists in men taking oral fenretinide, 100 mg daily, for prevention of adenocarcinoma of the prostate. Male subjects at an increased risk for prostate cancer were recruited as volunteers. Fenretinide treatment took place over 1 year with a regimen of 100 mg/day for 25 days with 3 day hiatus intervals. Baseline testing included the electroretinogram Ishihara plates, and the Farnsworth-Munsell D-15 test. Subsequent electroretinographic testing was conducted at 4, 8, 12 and 18 months. Thirteen of 14 subjects maintained normal age-matched electroretinographic responses 6 months after fenretinide treatment. Of these 13 subjects, six showed slight decreases, within 1 standard deviation of the normal mean. Two subjects showed a slight gradual decline of rod-mediated a-wave amplitudes, while b-wave amplitudes were steady. One subject, who had glaucoma, unilaterally fell below normal. After treatment ended, all of the 13 subjects had electroretinographic responses at their respective baseline levels. The subject whose responses fell and remained below 1 standard deviation showed an overall decline in responses and, on follow-up, was diagnosed as having branch retinal vein occlusion, which most likely is the main contributor to the decrease in electroretinographic responses. Our results indicate that men taking 100 mg of oral fenretinide per day for 1 year, with a 3 day hiatus each month, do not show toxicity -induced retinal dysfunction, as measured by the electroretinogram.
Radiographic kidney measurements in North American pet ferrets (Mustela furo).

Objectives The purpose of the current study was to determine normal radiographic kidney -measurements in pet ferrets. Methods Kidney length and width dimensions and the length of the second lumbar vertebra (L2) were determined from survey ventrodorsal radiographs in 53 neutered ferrets of various ages, weight and sex, with no evidence of urogenital disease. Kidney dimensions were expressed as a ratio to the body length of L2. Results All ferrets in this study had six lumbar vertebrae. The median length of L2 was 13·3 mm, and was longer in males than females (P=0·0001). The 95% confidence interval for kidney-length-to-L2 ratios was 2·21 to 2·31 for the right and 2·15 to 2·25 for the left. For the kidney-width-to-L2 ratios these intervals were 1·09 to 1·14 for the right and 1·07 to 1·12 for the left kidney. There was a significant association between kidney size and weight or sex but not with age. Clinical Significance The results of this radiographic study may allow practitioners to have a more -objective clinical radiographic evaluation of kidney size of pet ferrets based on individual traits.
Interaction of chiral MS-245 analogs at h5-HT6 receptors.

Abstract Optically active pyrrolidinylmethylindole analogs related in structure to the benzenesulfonyltryptamine 5-HT6 receptor antagonist MS-245 were evaluated and their R-isomers were found to bind with affinity higher than their S-enantiomers.
The maximum tolerated dose and biologic effects of 3- aminopyridine-2-carboxaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (3-AP) in combination with irinotecan for patients with refractory solid tumors

Purpose 3-AP is a ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor and has been postulated to act synergistically with other chemotherapeutic agents. This study was conducted to determine the toxicity and antitumor activity of 3-AP with irinotecan. Correlative studies included pharmacokinetics and the effects of ABCB1 and UGT1A1 polymorphisms.
Soil Management and Landscape Variability Affects Field-Scale Cotton Productivity

A better understanding of interactions between soil management and landscape variability and their effects on cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) productivity is needed for precision management. We assessed management practices and landscape variability effects on seed cotton yield in a 9-ha, Alabama field (Typic and Aquic Paleudults) during 2001-2003. We hypothesize that landscapes have major effects on cotton productivity, but these effects vary based on management and climate. Treatments were established in replicated strips traversing the landscape in a corn (Zea mays L.)-cotton rotation. Treatments included a conventional system with or without 10 Mg ha - 1 yr - 1 dairy manure (CT m a n u r e or CT), and a conservation system with and without manure (NT m a n u r e or NT). Conventional systems consisted of chisel plowing/disking + in-row subsoiling without cover crops. Conservation systems combined no surface tillage with in-row subsoiling and winter cover crops. A soil survey, topographic survey, and interpolated surfaces of soil electrical conductivity (EC), soil organic carbon (SOC), and surface soil texture were used to delineate five zones using fuzzy k-means clustering. Overall (2001-2003), conservation systems improved cotton yield compared with conventional systems (2710 vs. 2380 kg ha - 1 ); neither manure nor treatment x year interactions were significant. The conservation system was more productive than the conventional system in 87% of the cluster × year combinations. Slope, EC, SOC, and clay content were correlated with yield in all treatments. Soil and terrain attributes explained 16 to 64% of yield variation, however, their significance fluctuated between years and treatments. In dry years, factor analyses suggested variables related with soil quality and field-scale water dynamics had greater impacts on CT yields than NT yields. Our results indicate that management zones developed using relatively static soil-landscape data are relatively more suitable for conservation systems, and these zones are affected by soil management. In addition, the impact of NT on yields is most apparent on degraded soils in dry years.
EXTREMUM PRINCIPLES FOR A CLASS OF DYNAMIC RIGID PLASTIC-PROBLEMS

Abstract A number of extremum principles are developed for the acceleration fields associated with rigid-plastic dynamic loading problems. Major emphasis is given to global and local principles for mode solutions (where the spatial variables may be separated from time). The extremum principles are developed by first considering a simple model and then proved for structures of any configuration. The discussion is limited to problems in which the displacements are small.
Health insurance problems among insured rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Objective. To describe limitations in insurance coverage and their financial impact among a sample of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Methods. A national sample of RA patients followed since 1988, completed a telephone interview about health insurance coverage, experiences with preexisting conditions clauses, and the financial impact of arthritis. Descriptive and multivariate logistic regression techniques were used to analyze the demographics and health status data. Results. Trends in insurance coverage among people in this sample showed that participants were more likely to be in an HMO or PPO currently than 5 years previously. A majority of participants (67%) experienced financial impact from arthritis; 35% said that arthritis limited their ability to earn a living. Twenty-one percent had some insurance limitation because of arthritis as a preexisting condition. Eleven percent had been denied insurance. Those who had higher scores on the Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire, were younger, were covered by Blue Cross/ Blue Shield, and were more likely to be affected by a preexisting condition limitation. Conclusion. The data clearly indicate that even well-insured RA patients receiving care from rheumatologists experience limitations related to preexisting conditions and considerable financial impact.
Distributed Output-Feedback Control of Nonlinear Multi-Agent Systems

This technical note presents a cyclic-small-gain approach to distributed output-feedback control of nonlinear multi-agent systems. Through novel distributed observer and control law designs, the closed-loop multi-agent system is transformed into a large-scale system composed of input-to-output stable (IOS) subsystems, the IOS gains of which can be appropriately designed. By guaranteeing the IOS of the closed-loop multi-agent system with the recently developed cyclic-small-gain theorem, the outputs of the controlled agents can be driven to within an arbitrarily small neighborhood of the desired agreement value under bounded external disturbances. Moreover, if the system is disturbance-free, then asymptotic convergence can be achieved. Interestingly, the closed-loop distributed system is also robust to bounded time-delays of exchanged information.
The Influence of Feeding Time and Frequency on the Growth, Survival, Feed Conversion, and Body Composition of Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, Cultured in a Three-Tier, Closed, Recirculating Raceway System

ABSTRACT Studies were conducted over two years to establish a feeding strategy which would optimize growth, feed conversion, and survival of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, in three-tier, closed, recirculating raceway systems. Small and large fingerling channel catfish (mean weights of 26 g/fish and 219 g/fish, respectively) were stocked into culture systems and maintained for 70 and 120 days, respectively. Three feeding treatments were examined in this study. The treatments were: channel catfish fed 3% of body weight once daily at 0800; channel catfish fed 3% of body weight once daily at 1700; and channel catfish fed 1.5% of body weight twice daily at 0800 and 1700. Raceway effluent total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) levels 6.5 hours post-feeding for small and large channel catfish in the single feeding treatments were twice (P<0.05) those of channel catfish receiving the daily ration over two feedings. The feeding treatments examined were found not to significantly influence the response variables of th...
The tracing procedure: a self-correcting reasoning procedure

Jugements bases sur des probabilites subjectives dans des situations de jeu. Strategies a priori. Une approche bayesienne naive. Une procedure de tracage lineaire. Une procedure de tracage logarithmique. Interpretation de la procedure de tracage
Fiscal policy in select transition economies: opportunities for sustainable development

This paper views fiscal policy as an instrument of sustainable development during ongoing economic transformation. Empirically testing fiscal policy sustainability, this study focuses on primary surplus to debt relation for two transition economies groups: net exporters and net importers. Although results suggest sustainability, mainly for net exporters, recent successes may not be sustainable in the near term, due to structural problems and debt accumulation among others. As a policy tool, this paper introduces a concept of fiscal net with alternative revenue sources. Overall fiscal policy in the CIS must be proactive and pragmatic for the sake of economic development and competitiveness. Proposed infrastructure development fund and strategic learning innovative system, among others, aligned with the real economy’s demands, are just few examples of such sustainable fiscal policy targets.
Cluster distributions in physics and genetic diversity.

An underlying similarity in the mathematical structure between a problem in the physical sciences and a problem in the biological sciences is presented. An isomorphism is established between cluster distributions in physics and issues related to genetic diversity in biology as given by the Ewens sampling theory [Theor. Population Bio. 3, 87 (1972)]. Allelic or genetic diversity, as measured by the number and frequency of different alleles (gene types), has a correspondence with the size distribution of clusters in physics. The rate of mutation in genetics is shown to have its parallel in Richardson's thermionic emission rate in physics. Using methods from combinatorial analysis and from the symmetric group ${\mathit{S}}_{\mathit{n}}$, simple formal connections between these two areas are developed. The logarithmic series of Fisher, Corbet, and Williams [J. Animal Ecol. 12, 42 (1943)] for species abundance appears in the solution developed as does a scale-invariant hyperbolic function. Maximum entropy methods are discussed. Even though the underlying dynamical processes are quite different in these two areas, new insights and the possibility that methods developed in one area may be used with advantage in the other area may follow from this correspondence.
Formulation Development, Evaluation and Comparative Study of Effects of Super Disintegrants in Cefixime Oral Disintegrating Tablets

The present work was aimed at formulation development, evaluation and comparative study of the effects of superdisintegrants in Cefixime 50 mg oral disintegrating tablets. The superdisintegrants used for the present study were sodium starch glycolate and crosscarmellose sodium. The formulated tablets were evaluated for various tableting properties, like hardness, thickness, friability, weight variation, disintegration time and dissolution rate. Comparative evaluation of the above-mentioned parameters established the superiority of the tablets formulated with crosscarmellose sodium to those formulated with sodium starch glycolate.
Exploring Students’ Perceived Needs and Ideas About Feedback in Online Learning Environments: Implications for Digital Design

Although research has found that students value timely, formative feedback, itâ€™s unknown how studentsâ€™ prior experiences influence their expectations for feedback in online learning environments. Two workshops were conducted to examine college studentsâ€™ perceptions and preferences about feedback during traditional and online instruction. Survey, short response, and interview questions were used to collect studentsâ€™ self-reported experiences in receiving and using feedback with a variety of work products (e.g., essays) in traditional academic experiences, examining their self-reported challenges and needs during online learning tasks. Students collaboratively worked to design storyboards that depicted optimal feedback environments for an online instructional system. Results show that studentsâ€™ (positive and negative) prior experiences with traditional feedback guide their perceived preferences regarding online feedback. Students were aware of many specific challenges that they faced during online research, and expressed a strong desire for technologies that could support identification of valid and relevant online content. Self-reported, online feedback needs were consistent with successful features of digital learning environments that have been shown to support deeper learning. This research suggests that studentsâ€™ perceived needs and preferences have a strong impact on the degree to which they are likely to value and utilize feedback in online learning environments.
Molecular cloning, genomic organization, expression and evolution of 12S seed storage protein genes of Arabidopsis thaliana.

We have identified a number of genes of the flowering plant Arabidopsis thaliana that are abundantly expressed during embryogenesis. In this paper we discuss four of these genes, which comprise a gene family: complete genomic nucleotide sequence of two of the genes and partial sequence of the other two shows that they are all homologous to the 12S globulin seed storage protein genes of other angiosperms. The four genes fall into three subfamilies, as defined by cross-hybridization. One subfamily contains two genes in the Landsberg erecta strain, but only a single gene in the Columbia strain of Arabidopsis. The other two of these 12S gene subfamilies contain only single genes in both strains. Thus, the seed storage protein gene family in Arabidopsis appears much simpler than that in other higher plants.
Criteria for Scaled Laboratory Simulations of Astrophysical MHD Phenomena

We demonstrate that two systems described by the equations of the ideal magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) evolve similarly, if the initial conditions are geometrically similar and certain scaling relations hold. The thermodynamic properties of the gas must be such that the internal energy density is proportional to the pressure. The presence of the shocks is allowed. We discuss the applicability conditions of the ideal MHD and demonstrate that they are satisfied with a large margin both in a number of astrophysical objects, and in properly designed simulation experiments with high-power lasers. This allows one to perform laboratory experiments whose results can be used for quantitative interpretation of various effects of astrophysical MHD.
Enhancing the Thermal Stability of Majorana Fermions with Redundancy Using Dipoles in Optical Lattices

Pairing between spinless fermions can generate Majorana fermion excitations that exhibit intriguing properties arising from nonlocal correlations. But, simple models indicate that nonlocal correlation between Majorana fermions becomes unstable at nonzero temperatures. We address this issue by showing that anisotropic interactions between dipolar fermions in optical lattices can be used to significantly enhance thermal stability. We construct a model of oriented dipolar fermions in a square optical lattice. We find that domains established by strong interactions exhibit enhanced correlation between Majorana fermions over large distances and long times even at finite temperatures, suitable for stable redundancy encoding of quantum information. Our approach can be generalized to a variety of configurations and other systems, such as quantum wire arrays.
Molecular basis of extreme resistance in Plasmodium falciparum to atovaquone and other mitochondrial inhibitors

Background Atovaquone is a safe, effective antimalarial drug that inhibits the mitochondrial electron transport chain (mtETC) of P. falciparum. Clinical resistance is conferred by SNPs in cytochrome b. Although multiple non-synonymous SNPs can be selected in vitro ,t hus far clinical resistance is limite dt o amino acid substitutions at position 268 (e.g., Y268S). We are investigating additional mechanisms by which some isolates of P. falciparum became extremely resistant to atovaquone and other mtETC inhibitors by selecting for in vitro resistance to the dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) inhibitor DSM-1. Methods We characterized isolates from patients that failed treatment in atovaquone phase II studies by using a series of chemotypes that target mitochondrial function. We defined their structure-activity relationships and observed broad resistance (5-10,000 fold in atovaquone), suggesting that cytochrome b mutations alone are not sufficient. We tested this by selecting for DSM-1 resistance in atovaquone-susceptible and resistant parasites (paired patient admission and recrudescent isolates). Following selection, the parasites were sequenced for mutations in cytochrome b, DHODH and other candidate mtETC genes. Results The extreme atovaquone resistance phenotype accompanies a high-grade resistance to all mtETC inhibitors tested including DSM-1. Selection studies of atovaquone susceptible parasites rapidly generated resistance in vitro to both atovaquone and DSM-1 alone (10x IC50 concentration) yet atovaquone resistant parasites could only generate low resistance to DSM-1 (2x IC50), and one population reverted the aa268 mutation to wild-type to cope with DSM-1 pressure. Furthermore, we successfully recapitulated the clinical Y268S mutation in vitro in TM90-C2A, the pre-treatment parent for TM90-C2B. Conclusions Cytochrome b mutations are not sufficient to explain extreme mtETC resistance, and selective pressure on the DHODH enzyme revealed that the Y268S cytochrome b mutation incurs a fitness cost on the parasite that cannot be overcome under DSM-1 drug pressure, yet resistance was easily obtained in atovaquone-susceptible parasites. This suggests that resistance to atovaquone (Y268S) and DSM-1 are mutually incompatible. Selection of the Y268S mutation in TM90-C2A indicates that the parasite genetic background is critical in the selection of clinical atovaquone resistance, since selection attempts in multiple other strains results in mutations in positions other than aa268. Further studies are required to determine the impact of this phenotype on the development of new mitochondria-targeted drugs.
Estimating Components of Univariate Gaussian Mixtures Using Prony's Method

A new technique for estimating the component parameters of a mixture of univariate Gaussian distributions using the method of moments is presented. The method of moments basically involves equating the sample moments to the corresponding mixture moments expressed in terms of component parameters and solving these equations for the unknown parameters. These moment equations, however, are nonlinear in the unknown parameters, and heretofore, an analytic solution of these equations has been obtained only for two-component mixtures [2]. Numerical solutions also tend to be unreliable for more than two components, due to the large number of nonlinear equations and parameters to be solved for. In this correspondence, under the condition that the component distributions have equal variances or equal means, the nonlinear moment equations are transformed into a set of linear equations using Prony's method. The solution of these equations for the unknown parameters is analytically feasible and numerically reliable for mixtures with several components. Numerous examples using the proposed technique for two-, three-, and four-component mixtures are presented.
Hemolytic Anemia From Ceftriaxone in an Elderly Patient: A Case Report

Hemolytic anemia is uncommon in the general population; however, drug-induced hemolysis is not rare in hospitalized patients. We report a case of unrecognized subacute hemolytic anemia due to ceftriaxone in a geriatric patient requiring multiple blood transfusions before a correct diagnosis could be established.
Polling effects in election campaigns

The effects of polls on public opinion and voting behavior have begun to attract considerable attention. However, aside from experimental studies and research on exit polls, the impact of preelection polls has not received adequate analysis. This paper investigates whether exposure to polls released during the campaign influences voter choices and how the electoral context of referendum versus candidate elections makes a difference in terms of polling effects. These questions were addressed in a cross-election comparison of the 1980 presidential campaign and a 1986 state referendum on the right-to-life issue. Basically, I found significant effects during the referendum, but weak effects in the presidential general election.
A Domain Evolution Model for the Ferroelastic Hysteresis of Piezoceramic Materials

In this paper, we model the thermo-ferroelastic hysteresis phenomena under large mechanical loading by using internal state variables that are associated with a statistical description of microstructural domain characterization. This work is to extend our previous work [1, 2] to include the ferroelastic effects. Under large mechanical loading, the total bulk strain includes the mechanical strain and the bulk piezoelectric strain. The piezoelectric strain is the accompanying strain with the evolution of the domain network, which is described by a domain orientation distribution function. In ferroelastic hysteresis, the domain evolution, which is mainly contributed by 90° domain switching, is delineated by the evolution of the associated domain distribution function and further simplified by the evolution of the associated internal state variables that are the parameters of the domain distribution function. For the mechanical field, the mechanical strain is divided into two parts- the elastic strain and the inelastic strain. The inelastic strain is the corresponding internal variable to describe the inelastic behavior under large mechanical loading. Therefore, the remnant strain contains two parts: the remnant piezoelectric strain and remnant inelastic strain. The dissipation and the associated temperature increase per unit cycle in the ferroelastic hysteresis are studied.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Monoclonal antibody BLT-1, specific for the bovine homologue of CD5, reacts with the majority of mature T cells, a subpopulation of B cells and stimulates t cell proliferation

Monoclonal antibody (MAb) BLT-1, an IgG2a with kappa light chains, reacted strongly with 21% of bovine thymocytes, weakly with 15% of thymocytes, with a subpopulation of peripheral blood B cells that also expressed CD20 and with peripheral blood T cells. Practically all of the reactive thymocytes were of a large cell subpopulation. By immunoprecipitation, BLT-1 was shown to recognize a membrane molecule with a molecular mass of 67 kDa. In competitive assays for lymphocyte surface binding, BLT-1 and MAb CC-29 (which had been shown previously to react with bovine CD5) blocked one another, indicating that the epitopes recognized were identical or extensively overlapping. In contrast, another CD-5-reactive MAb, CC-17, did not block BLT-1 reactivity with lymphocytes although the reactivity of CC-17 was blocked by BLT-1, suggesting partial overlap of the epitopes or steric hindrance by BLT-1 but not by CC-17. BLT-1 was able to induce proliferation of bovine lymphocytes in culture alone if monocytes were present or in the absence of monocytes synergized with PMA. The results indicate that BLT-1 recognizes an epitope of the bovine homologue of CD5 and that perturbation of the epitope by MAb binding results in signal transduction to bovine lymphocytes.