cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Use of circuit analysis simulations in pulsed electric fields food processing

Abstract In pulsed electric field (PEF) technology, treatment intensity during food preservation is defined by two processing variables: electric field and treatment time. These variables are evaluated by high voltage and current sensors located in the PEF system. Proper sensor location is very important in obtaining valid processing variables. This paper investigated the use of circuit analysis aided by PSpice™ (OrCAD™, Demo Version 9.1, Beaverton OR) software to evaluate the impact of voltage and current sensor location on the accuracy of electric field, pulse width, and energy calculations during PEF food processing. PSpice™ software was used to conduct the circuit analysis of a typical PEF electrical circuit and to analyze the behavior of the electrical transient delivered by the PEF circuit to a coaxial food treatment chamber. A saline solution (σ=0.47 S/m at 20 °C) was used to verify the effect of sensor location in a PEF pilot plant-scale electric circuit. A pulse generator delivering slightly overdamped transients with charging voltages from 30 to 40 kV was used. Of the three electrical parameters, the most affected by improper placement of voltage sensors was the electric field, which can be measured at up to ∼10% higher than that experienced by the food in the PEF treatment chamber gap. Also, good agreement between the PSpice™ simulation and experimental results was verified. If the electrical behavior of the PEF system is not known and the sensors are inappropriately placed far from the PEF chamber, the validity of kinetic data and conclusions drawn on the effectiveness of certain processing conditions will be significantly limited.
Should we attempt to justify induction

IN THE broadest sense, an inductive inference is any non-demonstrative inference to a matter of fact. An inductive rule, then, would be any nondeductive rule of inference for drawing matter of fact conclusions, provided that such a rule does not sanction drawing self-contradictory conclusions from any consistent set of premises (including the null set). I regard the problem of justifying induction as the problem of justifying a choice from among the wide variety of possible inductive rules. The question whether past experience is to be a guide to the future is included in the problem thus formulated, for among the possible rules are some which render evidence about the past irrelevant to predictions of the future.* In recent years a rather large number of philosophers have argued that the attempt to justify induction ought to be abandoned. They have supported this claim by arguments designed to show that a justification of induction is either impossible or unnecessary or both. Within this paper
Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube/Poly(methyl methacrylate) Composites for Electromagnetic Interference Shielding

Single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) composites were prepared using coagulation method. The electrical conductivity and the electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding of SWNT/PMMA composites over the X-band (8–12 GHz) and the microwave (200–2000 MHz) frequency range have been investigated. The electrical conductivity of composites increases with SWNT loading by 13 orders of magnitude, from 10−15 to 10−2 Ω−1 cm−1 with a percolation threshold of about 3 wt% SWNTs. The effect of the sample thickness on the shielding effectiveness has been studied, and correlated to the electrical conductivity of composites. The data suggest that SWNT/PMMA composites containing higher SWNT loading (above 10 wt%) be useful for EMI shielding and those with lower SWNT loading be useful for electrostatic charge dissipation. The dominant shielding mechanism of SWNT/PMMA composites was also discussed. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Generating wave functions from classical trajectory calculations: The divergence of streamlines

Wave functions can be written, for short de Broglie wavelengths, in an eikonal form where the preexponential factor relates to the divergence of streamlines. A method is presented to calculate this divergence by generating the Jacobian of a variable transformation along a classical trajectory without requiring the simultaneous integration of adjacent trajectories. For a system with N + 1 degrees of freedom, there are 2(N + 1)2 differential equations that must be solved simultaneously to generate the trajectories and the Jacobian. Results are presented for a photodissociation cross section calculation in which the eikonal wave functions have been used in the transition integrals.
The Census and the Federal Statistical System: Historical Perspectives

This article provides an overview of one major platform of the federal statistical system, the census. It briefly describes the origin and structure of the current diverse and decentralized federal statistical system and then describes the place of the census and the Census Bureau in the system. It treats the census in the context of the demographic and political history of the nation and discusses how the demographic and political history of the nation both has fostered and complicated the development of the system.
Great Lakes total phosphorus revisited: 1. Loading analysis and update (1994–2008)

Abstract Phosphorus load estimates have been updated for all of the Great Lakes with an emphasis on lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron and Ontario for 1994–2008. Lake Erie phosphorus loads have been kept current with previous work and for completeness are reported here. A combination of modeling and data analysis is employed to evaluate whether target loads established by the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA, 1978, Annex 3) have been and are currently being met. Data from federal, state, and provincial agencies were assembled and processed to yield annual estimates for all lakes and sources. A mass-balance model was used to check the consistency of loads and to estimate interlake transport. The analysis suggests that the GLWQA target loads have been consistently met for the main bodies of lakes Superior, Michigan and Huron. However, exceedances still persist for Saginaw Bay. For lakes Erie and Ontario, loadings are currently estimated to be at or just under the target (with some notable exceptions). Because interannual variability is high, the target loads have not been met consistently for the lower Great Lakes. The analysis also indicates that, because of decreasing TP concentrations in the lakes, interlake transport of TP has declined significantly since the mid-1970s. Thus, it is important that these changes be included in future assessments of compliance with TP load targets. Finally, detailed tables of the yearly (1994–2008) estimates are provided, as well as annual summaries by lake tributary basin (in Supplementary Information).
Cytologic features of neoplastic lesions in endocervical glands

Cytologic criteria for classifying atypical endocervical cells on Pap smears are poorly defined. In this study we evaluated cytologic parameters that are useful in predicting the presence of neoplastic lesions (NL) and those that help distinguish squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) from glandular neoplastic lesions. The recently proposed Bethesda System (TBS) terminology for reporting atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance (AG US) was also evaluated for its significance on patient management. Sixteen cases of biopsy-proven endocervical glandular NL that had cytologic smears available for review were included. Thirty-five smears with atypical endocervical cells and follow-up biopsies showing benign/ reactive change (n = 22) and SIL involving glands (n = 13) were reviewed for comparison. Our results show that squamous NL often coexist with glandular NL. The presence of rosettes, hyperchromasia, and increased N/C ratio is useful in distinguishing NL from benign/reactive conditions. Architectural features are helpful in distinguishing SIL from glandular NL. While a haphazard arrangement is more often seen with SIL, glandular NL are more likely to maintain polarity and to show glandular rosettes. Using TBS criteria, a conservative management seems justified in patients with AGUS-favor reactive and AGUS diagnosis on Pap smear, and colposcopy is indicated for patients with AGUS-favor NL.
MORTALITY PLATEAUS AND THE EVOLUTION OF SENESCENCE: WHY ARE OLD-AGE MORTALITY RATES SO LOW?

Age-specific mortality rates level off far below 100% at advanced ages in experimental populations of Drosophila melanogaster and other organisms. This observation is inconsistent with the equilibrium predictions of both the antagonistic pleiotropy and mutation accumulation models of senescence, which, under a wide variety of assumptions, predict a "wall" of mortality rates near 100% at postreproductive ages. Previous models of age-specific mortality patterns are discussed in light of recent demographic data concerning late-age mortality deceleration and age-specific properties of new mutations. The most recent theory (Mueller and Rose 1996) argues that existing evolutionary models can easily and robustly explain the demographic data. Here we discuss the sensitivity of that analysis to different types of mutational effects, and demonstrate that its conclusion is very sensitive to assumptions about mutations. A legitimate resolution of evolutionary theory and demographic data will require experimental observations on the age-specificity of mutational effects for new mutations and the degree to which mortality rates in adjacent ages are constrained to be similar (positive pleiotropy), as well as consideration of redundancy and heterogeneity models from demographic theory.
The motion of a buoyant cloud along an incline in the presence of boundary mixing

The effects of boundary mixing on the transport of a buoyant cloud along an incline were investigated using a laboratory experiment. A fixed volume of a negatively buoyant substance (a suspension of aluminium particles or a saline solution) was introduced onto a rough inclined plane, which was submerged in homogeneous water and could make planar oscillations so as to produce turbulence. At weak turbulence intensities, the buoyant input flowed down the slope as a well-defined gravity current. As the intensity of turbulence became stronger, however, the buoyant input diffused away into the interior of the fluid. The frontal velocity of the gravity current, the density structure and the growth of the thickness of the buoyant cloud were measured, and their dependencies on the intensity of turbulence at the boundary were determined. A criterion which predicts the transition from gravity-current-dominated transport to turbulent-diffusion-dominated transport was found. Scaling arguments were developed to explain the experimental results.
Track-it!: help desk automation

While we are not fully utilizing all of the functions of Track-It!, we have found the ones we are using to have a great benefit for our organization. The auditing feature itself is almost worth the cost. This feature can automatically populate your inventory with any machine authenticating against your LAN, trapping critical information, such as IP Addresses and MAC addresses in the database. The Help Desk function has enabled us to keep online records of repairs and problems by description and by device. It also allows us to establish timeframes for repairs and installations. Library offers us the ability to sign out software packages and hardware to staff, faculty and students. Reports the generic reports are functional and useful allowing us to find what machines have what software and version on them, including locating instances of Napster.There are numerous add-ons to Track-It! that give it more functionality. The only one we are using is RECEIVE to allow the use of an interactive web page to send an e-mail. Upon receipt of this mail Track-It! automatically opens a ticket. Crystal Reports is another nice feature that comes with the standard version of Track-It! and gives much greater reporting capabilities. We have used this to verify IP address utilization. Track-It! also lends itself to easy customization by the use of tables that can be modified with ease. There are also several User definable fields in each area to further customize the screens.
Honesty vs. advocacy

Abstract We examine the roles and values of honesty and advocacy in communication by studying two closely-related variants of the standard cheap-talk game. In the honesty model, the sender is behavioral and honestly reveals the state with a positive probability. In the advocacy model, the sender is strategic but has no bias with a positive probability. In each model, the sender is strategic and has some bias with the complementary probability. We identify the effects on communication of commitment by the honest type to telling the truth and well-intentioned manipulation of the strategic type with no bias. We also show that neither characteristic uniformly dominates the other from the viewpoints of both the receiver and the biased sender: each player's maximal expected utility can be larger or smaller in one model than in the other, depending on parameter values.
Unrewarding work, coworker support, and job satisfaction : A test of the buffering hypothesis

Beneficial effects of social support in the workplace have received only limited attention from sociologists. Workgroup interactions, especially social support received from coworkers, may signific...
Comparative immunologic studies with salivary and epithelial extracts of the dog, cat, and rabbit☆

Abstract 1.1. A common antigenic factor has been shown to be present in epithelial and salivary extracts of the dog, cat, or rabbit by the following experiments: (1) direct skin tests on patients hypersensitive to animals; (2) neutralization point determinations on mixtures of sensitive serum and epithelial or salivary extracts; (3) studies of the reactions of guinea pig uteri sensitized to epithelial and salivary extracts. 2.2. The presence of a possible extra antigenic fraction in the salivary extract is discussed.
Electron momentum distribution in graphite and lithium-intercalated graphite

Compton profiles of the first-stage graphite intercalation compound LiC/sub 6/ have been calculated using the self-consistent pseudopotential method within the local-density-functional formalism. The difference between profiles of LiC/sub 6/ and graphite exhibits characteristic features which provide further elucidation of the electronic properties of intercalation. It is found that the change in the electron momentum distribution in LiC/sub 6/ is qualitatively different from that predicted by the generally accepted rigid-band model.
Line widths and intensities in H2O-CO2 mixtures—I. An experimental study on the 6·3 μ band of water vapor☆

Abstract Measurements are reported of rotational half-widths and line intensities in H2O-CO2 mixtures. Room-temperature data are presented in the long-wave length wing of the v2-fundamental of water vapor with carbon dioxide used as inert broadening agent. The experiments were performed with mixtures of very small amounts of water vapor (2–10 mm Hg) and about 2 to 5 atm of carbon dioxide in an externally adjustable 10 m gas cell with path lengths from 1·25 m to 10 m. The spectral resolution was 0·4 cm-1 or better. The CO2-broadened half-widths appear to be approximately equal to 0·25 cm-1 atm-1, which are about half as large as self-broadened half-widths (0·5 cm-1 atm-1) and nearly twice the estimates for nitrogen (or air)-broadened half-widths (which are about 0·1 to 0·13 cm-1 atm-1). The line strengths for the lines reported here are smaller by about a factor of two than those given by Sakai.
Flow cytometric analysis of nuclear matrix proteins: Method and potential applications

The nuclear matrix (NM) is an important structural component of the nucleus that participates in the regulation of several diverse metabolic processes. Immunometric assays have shown that alterations in NM-associated functions and morphological characteristics may occur as a result of changes in NM composition. Recent evidence suggests that detection of quantitative or qualitative changes in nuclear matrix protein (NMP) composition may be useful in the diagnosis of cancer and as a reliable indicator of cell death. We have developed an in situ flow cytometric technique for the simultaneous detection of specific NMPs and DNA content in fixed, permeabilized cells. Illustrative results from two different applications of these methods involving two different cell lines (human melanoma and promyelocytic leukemia) are presented, including: 1) measurements of NM breakdown in necrotic and apoptotic cells after treatment with the cytotoxic agents camptothecin, etoposide, or hyperthermia; and 2) detection of changes in NMP content immediately after heat shock. We demonstrate that the technique is useful for the identification of cell-cycle specificity of NM breakdown and allows correlations to be made between the kinetics of DNA fragmentation and NMP solubilization. Furthermore, our studies indicate that flow cytometric detection of changes in NM composition may be useful for identifying different modes and temporal patterns of cell death. We discuss other potential applications of the technique and advantages over standard biochemical assays.
Frame-of-reference bias in subjective welfare ☆

Abstract The inferences drawn from the most widely used regression models of subjective welfare are subject to a “frame-of-reference bias,” stemming from non-ignorable heterogeneity in subjective scales, such as what it means to be “rich” or “poor.” To test for this bias, respondents in Tajikistan were asked to rank the economic status of theoretical vignette households, as well as their own. Respondents are found to hold diverse scales, but there is very little bias in either the economic gradient of subjective welfare or most other coefficients of interest. These results provide a foundation for standard survey methods and regression specifications for subjective welfare data.
Balanced Hypotheses and Unbalanced Data

Abstract In this article we consider the fixed-effects analysis of variance model with unbalanced data. We study the standard main-effects and interaction hypotheses normally tested with balanced data and determine simple, necessary, and sufficient conditions for testing the equivalent hypotheses with unbalanced data involving missing cells. These conditions depend on the pattern of missing cells. They are expressed in terms of the ranks of the design matrices for the full model and reduced models related to the hypothesis under test. A simple iterative method is given to determine these ranks without storing the design matrices.
Surface albedo from bidirectional reflectance

The validity of integrating over discrete wavelength bands is examined to estimate total shortwave bidirectional reflectance of vegetated and bare soil surfaces. Methods for estimating albedo from multiple angle, discrete wavelength band radiometer measurements are studied. These methods include a numerical integration technique and the integration of an empirically derived equation for bidirectional reflectance. It is concluded that shortwave albedos estimated through both techniques agree favorably with the independent pyranometer measurements. Absolute rms errors are found to be 0.5 percent or less for both grass sod and bare soil surfaces.
Paresthesia from an Overdenture Abutment: Report of Case

Cautions about overdentures and abutment construction are discussed in connection with paresthesia.
Profile of belinostat for the treatment of relapsed or refractory peripheral T-cell lymphoma

The peripheral T-cell lymphomas are a rare and heterogeneous group of mature T-cell lymphomas with limited available therapies. The outcome of frontline chemotherapy regimens has been disappointing, with a long-term survival of only 20%-30%. There is an urgent need to optimize induction therapy by incorporating novel agents that target the dysregulated pathways. Histone deacetylase inhibitors that induce acetylation of histones and enhance apoptosis have shown promising activity. In this article, we summarize the role of histone deacetylase inhibitors and specifically discuss pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and toxicity of the recently US Food and Drug Administration-approved agent belinostat for its use in patients with relapsed/refractory peripheral T-cell lymphoma.
Compression, thermal expansion, structure, and instability of CaIrO3, the structure model of MgSiO3 post-perovskite

Analysis of pressure-temperature dependent monochromatic X-ray powder diffraction data yield the bulk modulus [ K T = 180.2(28) GPa] and thermal expansion coefficients [α = 2.841(34) × 10−5 K−1; α1 = 3.37(48) × 10−9 K−2] of CaIrO3, the structure model for post-perovskite MgSiO3. CaIrO3 is orthorhombic ( Cmcm , space group 63, Z = 4) with best-fit unit-cell parameters, a = 3.14147(5) A, b = 9.87515(19), c = 7.29711(11), and V = 226.3754(78) A3 at 1 bar and 300 K. The c -axis of CaIrO3 has a small compressibility and a large thermal expansion when compared to the other principal axes. Rietveld structure refinement reveals changes in CaIrO3 as a function of temperature in terms of IrO6 octahedra distortion. Dissociation of CaIrO3 at high temperature has possible implications for the post-perovskite MgSiO3 structure, Earth’s lower mantle, and D’’ layer.
Laser interaction effects of electromagnetic absorption and microstructural defects on hot-spot formation in RDX-PCTFE energetic aggregates

Hot-spot formation in energetic aggregates subjected to dynamic pressure loading and laser irradiation has been investigated. Specialized finite-element techniques with a dislocation-density-based crystalline plasticity constitutive formulation and thermo-mechanical coupling of heat conduction, adiabatic heating, laser heating and thermal decomposition were used to predict hot-spot formation in RDX–polymer aggregates subjected to dynamic pressures and laser energies. The effects of the electromagnetic absorption coefficient coupled with void distribution and spacing, grain morphology, crystal–binder interactions and dislocation densities were analyzed to determine their influence on the time, location and mechanisms of hot-spot formation. Four different mechanisms for hot-spot initiation under dynamic laser and pressure loads were identified, which depend on the localization of plastic shear strain and laser heat absorption within the aggregate. The predictions indicate that hot-spot formation is accelerated by higher absorption coefficients and by localized plastic deformations that occur in areas of significant laser heating.
Leukocyte Count is Associated with Increased Platelet Reactivity and Diminished Response to Aspirin in Healthy Individuals with a Family History of Coronary Artery Disease

Background Markers of systemic inflammation, including blood leukocyte count, are associated with increased cardiovascular risk, but the mechanisms underlying this association are unclear. Leukocytes may promote platelet reactivity and thrombus formation, providing a basis for increased risk, but a relation between leukocyte count and platelet function has not been studied.
Energetics of arsenate sorption on amorphous aluminum hydroxides studied using flow adsorption calorimetry

Flow adsorption calorimetry was used to investigate the energetics of arsenate sorption on amorphous aluminum hydroxide (AHO) and its effect on surface charge and ion exchange. Arsenate sorption at pH 5.7 was exothermic and the molar heats of adsorption were quite variable, ranging from −3.0 to −66 kJ/mol. Repetitive exposure of the same sample to arsenate in the calorimeter showed that the AHO was able to regenerate a considerable amount of reactive surface over time periods as short as 15 to 20 min. The large variability in heats of arsenate adsorption and the ability to regenerate reactive surface is believed to result from the amorphous nature of the AHO used. Heats of Cl/NO3 exchange were much smaller and more consistent, ranging from about 3.0 to 6.0 kJ/mol. The molar ratio of exchangeable Cl:Al was about 6:1 for the AHO, indicating a highly porous material. At pH 5.7, arsenate sorption neutralized surface positive charge as measured by Cl/NO3 exchange. Only at the two highest loadings (>60,000 mg/kg) did arsenate sorption result in any negative surface charge as measured by Na/K exchange. These results showed that most of the arsenate was adsorbed by a mechanism that involved no increase in surface negative charge. The PZNC of the AHO decreased by about 1 pH unit when exposed to arsenate in the flow calorimeter. Exposure to arsenate in a batch system decreased the PZNC about 4 pH units. This difference in behavior between batch and flow systems was related to differences in the amount of arsenate adsorbed.
Smy1p: An Orphan Kinesin Finds a Home

Long distance cargo transport in budding yeast is carried out not by kinesin, but along actin cables by two non-processive class V myosins, Myo2p and Myo4p. Overexpression of Smy1p, a kinesin-related protein, rescues the temperature sensitive myo2-66 mutant yeast strain, which is defective in Myo2p transport.1 The mechanism by which a kinesin family protein rescues actin-based transport is unknown, but does not require microtubules.2 To address this question, we expressed Smy1p and Myo2p in insect cells and characterized them in vitro. Smy1p does not move microtubules in an ensemble motility assay, and is not an active motor. Using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM), we find that Smy1p does not bind strongly to microtubules, but diffuses along them in the presence or absence of ATP. Surprisingly, Smy1p also binds to and diffuses along actin-fascin bundles. This binding is ionic strength-dependent, indicating the interaction is electrostatic in nature. When a single Myo2p is attached to a quantum dot cargo, the complex does not move processively on actin bundles. However, when several Smy1p molecules are attached to the quantum dot in addition to a single Myo2p, the complex supports continuous, unidirectional movement. 46% of moving quantum dots run to the end of the actin bundle, with run lengths greater than 10 microns observed. We hypothesize that Smy1p acts as an electrostatic tether, keeping the quantum dot bound to actin after Myo2p undergoes its powerstroke. We propose that overexpression of Smy1p rescues the myo2-66 mutant by enhancing the binding of cargo to actin. A similar mechanism likely contributes to transport in wild-type cells when both Smy1p and Myo2p are present on the same cargo.1. SH Lillie and SS Brown (1992), Nature 356, 358-61.2. SH Lillie and SS Brown (1998), JCB 140, 873-83.
Simulation of solid lubricants and contact spots between bridgman anvils Part II. Experimental results on f.c.c. metals and new insights gained

Abstract By means of the instrumentation described in Part I stress-strain curves have been obtained for technically pure aluminum, copper, silver and gold under pressures up to 4000 MPa (40 kbar). Measured values for the shearing stress and its pressure dependence are largely at variance with the sparse and mutually contradictory prior data in the literature. The discrepancies are partly explained through previously undiscovered anvil-sample slippage and/or sample perforation and consequent anvil-anvil contact. Results so far lead to the following conclusions: 1. (i) Ordinary dislocation glide operates. 2. (ii) No intrinsic upper limit to shear strain exists. 3. (iii) The Peierls-Nabarro stress dominates the flow stress at high pressures. 4. (iv) During distributed shearing, samples continue to thin and sample material is squeezed out, which implies that solid lubricants will be similarly squeezed out. 5. (v) A limiting thickness and/or sample perforation trigger “turbulent flow” with increased flow stress. 6. (vi) Turbulent flow can lead to mechanical alloying and this can give rise to glassy layers. 7. (vii) The enumerated phenomena are also expected in normal sliding between interfaces with or without solid lubrication.
Lot-to-Lot Variation in Anti-Hepatitis C Signal-to-Cutoff Ratio

Hepatitis C virus (HCV), the most common chronic viral infection in North America, affects an estimated 2.7 million individuals in the US (1). Hepatitis C is more common in certain populations, including injection drug users, prison inmates, the homeless, dialysis patients, and those seeking care in Veterans Affairs medical centers (2)(3)(4)(5). Hepatitis C is the leading cause for end-stage liver complications, including hepatocellular carcinoma and need for liver transplantation; the frequency of these is expected to increase two- to threefold by 2030 (6). Antibodies to HCV (anti-HCV) can indicate one of three possible conditions: current active infection with HCV, past infection with HCV, or a false-positive reaction (7). Although tests are usually interpreted as positive or negative, samples with low-positive anti-HCV results are usually falsely positive, whereas >90% of samples that are high-positive are from patients who test positive for HCV RNA (8)(9). Recently, the CDC revised guidelines for laboratories, recommending confirmatory testing for samples with low signal-to-cutoff (S/C) ratios (10). When enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) are used, they suggested a S/C ratio <3.8 to identify low-positive samples; when chemiluminescence assays (CAs) are used, a S/C ratio <8.0 was recommended (10). No data exist on the reproducibility of S/C ratios between lots. Because calibration of both EIA and CA methods involves a single point (the cutoff value), S/C ratios may vary significantly between lots. I retrospectively reviewed data for S/C ratios and confirmatory test results by lot of reagent for both EIAs and CAs. The Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service maintains a blinded database of all patients with positive anti-HCV results; details of the screening program and the assays used have been reported previously (8)(9). A total of 13 714 individuals were tested over a 13-month period by a …
Efficient calculation of spurious radiation from microstrip interconnects

The efficient characterization of single and coupled microstrip lines fed by a current source and terminated by complex loads, which are generally used as interconnecting elements between components in electronic packages, is an important problem, particularly from the point of view of estimating the spurious radiation from these interconnects. The authors address the problems of computing the current distribution on the interconnects, as well as the near-field distribution produced by this current distribution. To calculate the current distribution, they use a numerically, efficient technique which uses the closed-form spatial domain Green's functions in conjunction with the method of moments in the spatial domain. The level of spurious radiation, which is defined as the radiated power crossing the plane parallel to the plane of interconnects, and the electric field distribution in the near-field region are calculated by making use of the current distribution obtained previously. >
A Manual Small Molecule Screen Approaching High-throughput Using Zebrafish Embryos

Zebrafish have become a widely used model organism to investigate the mechanisms that underlie developmental biology and to study human disease pathology due to their considerable degree of genetic conservation with humans. Chemical genetics entails testing the effect that small molecules have on a biological process and is becoming a popular translational research method to identify therapeutic compounds. Zebrafish are specifically appealing to use for chemical genetics because of their ability to produce large clutches of transparent embryos, which are externally fertilized. Furthermore, zebrafish embryos can be easily drug treated by the simple addition of a compound to the embryo media. Using whole-mount in situ hybridization (WISH), mRNA expression can be clearly visualized within zebrafish embryos. Together, using chemical genetics and WISH, the zebrafish becomes a potent whole organism context in which to determine the cellular and physiological effects of small molecules. Innovative advances have been made in technologies that utilize machine-based screening procedures, however for many labs such options are not accessible or remain cost-prohibitive. The protocol described here explains how to execute a manual high-throughput chemical genetic screen that requires basic resources and can be accomplished by a single individual or small team in an efficient period of time. Thus, this protocol provides a feasible strategy that can be implemented by research groups to perform chemical genetics in zebrafish, which can be useful for gaining fundamental insights into developmental processes, disease mechanisms, and to identify novel compounds and signaling pathways that have medically relevant applications.
Rights and the Political Process: Physician-Assisted Suicide in the Aftermath of Washington v. Glucksberg

Although scholars have been concerned over the last several decades with assessing the relative consequences of relying on the political and judicial processes for resolving rights claims, most of these studies have analyzed cases in which rights have been secured through the judicial process. This paper takes a different approach and analyzes the consequences of Washington v. Glucksberg (1997), in which the U.S. Supreme Court deferred the issue of physician-assisted suicide to the states 'political processes, at least for the present time. This study seeks to determine, through an analysis of state developments in the two-year period following the Glucksberg decision, the extent to which the various hypothesized advantages of resolving rights claims through the political process have been realized. It is reasonable to conclude that Glucksberg has generally had the effect of enhancing democratic deliberation, securing representation of relevant interests, and providing opportunities for policy experimentation in various states.
GUI Usage Analysis for Masquerade Detection

This paper investigates a new method for detecting masquerade attacks. A masquerade attack is a form of attack wherein the attacker uses someone else's identity or one system assumes the identity of another system. One extremely simple and dangerous form of a masquerade attack occurs when an attacker begins using an unattended and unlocked computer. In this paper, we present a new method for detecting this type of masquerade attack, based on the notion of how the current user interacts with the graphical user interface. This method does not use mouse movements or keystroke dynamics, rather profiles how the user manipulates the windows, icons, menus, and pointers that comprise a graphical user interface. In order to evaluate the performance of our method, we conducted some empirical studies in a real operational environment. While our results show some variations in performance, our method was able to detect up to 95% of simulated masquerade attacks with no false alarms. Furthermore, our method shows potential for use in real-time systems, requiring less data than other GUI interaction-based masquerade detection techniques while using a much simpler classification engine.
A strategy for the generation, characterization and distribution of animal models by The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research

Progress in Parkinson’s disease (PD) research and therapeutic development is hindered by many challenges, including a need for robust preclinical animal models. Limited availability of these tools is due to technical hurdles, patent issues, licensing restrictions and the high costs associated with generating and distributing these animal models. Furthermore, the lack of standardization of phenotypic characterization and use of varying methodologies has made it difficult to compare outcome measures across laboratories. In response, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) is directly sponsoring the generation, characterization and distribution of preclinical rodent models, enabling increased access to these crucial tools in order to accelerate PD research. To date, MJFF has initiated and funded the generation of 30 different models, which include transgenic or knockout models of PD-relevant genes such as Park1 (also known as Park4 and SNCA), Park8 (LRRK2), Park7 (DJ-1), Park6 (PINK1), Park2 (Parkin), VPS35, EiF4G1 and GBA. The phenotypic characterization of these animals is performed in a uniform and streamlined manner at independent contract research organizations. Finally, MJFF created a central repository at The Jackson Laboratory (JAX) that houses both non-MJFF and MJFF-generated preclinical animal models. Funding from MJFF, which subsidizes the costs involved in transfer, rederivation and colony expansion, has directly resulted in over 2500 rodents being distributed to the PD community for research use.
Synthesis of fast programs for maximum segment sum problems

It is well-known that a naive algorithm can often be turned into an efficient program by applying appropriate semantics-preserving transformations. This technique has been used to derive programs to solve a variety of maximum-sum programs. One problem with this approach is that each problem variation requires a new set of transformations to be derived. An alternative approach to generation combines problem specifications with flexible algorithm theories to derive efficient algorithms. We show how this approach can be implemented in Haskell and applied to solve constraint satisfaction problems. We illustrate this technique by deriving programs for three varieties of maximum-weightsum problem. The derivations of the different programs are similar, and the resulting programs are asymptotically faster in practice than the programs created by transformation.
Synergistic Enhancement of Herpes Simplex Virus Thymidine Kinase/Ganciclovir-mediated Cytotoxicity by Hydroxyurea

We have previously demonstrated (L. Z. Rubsam et al., Cancer Res., 59: 669-675, 1999) that low ganciclovir (GCV) triphosphate (TP) levels similar to cellular deoxynucleotide concentrations can induce multilog killing in cells stably expressing herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-TK). In this study, we evaluated whether reducing the endogenous competitor of GCV-TP, dGTP, enhanced GCV-mediated cytotoxicity. In SW620 human colon carcinoma cells stably expressing HSV-TK, the addition of the ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor, hydroxyurea (HU), decreased cellular dGTP pools and simultaneously increased the accumulation of GCV-TP levels. The amount of GCV nucleotide transfer from HSV-TK-expressing to nonexpressing (bystander) cells was quantitated in physically separated pHook-expressing bystander cells. Elevation of the GCV-TP:dGTP ratio by HU resulted in increased levels of GCV nucleotides transferred from HSV-TK-expressing to bystander cells during a 24 h drug incubation and enhanced GCV monophosphate incorporation into DNA after drug removal. Isobologram analysis demonstrated that the combination of GCV and HU was additive in 100% HSV-TK cultures and synergistic in HSV-TK/bystander mixtures. IC50 values for GCV in 1:1 cocultures of HSV-TK-expressing and nonexpressing SW620 cells were reduced from 1.5 microM to 0.07 microM with 2 mM HU. A similar reduction was also observed with HT-29 cells and U251 cells. With 2 mM HU, IC50 values for GCV in 10:90, 5:95, and 1:99 SW620 HSV-TK-expressing and nonexpressing cocultures were reduced from 55 microM to 0.3 microM, 71 microM to 0.8 microM, and 118 microM to 7 microM, respectively. These results demonstrate the ability to pharmacologically enhance HSV-TK/GCV-mediated bystander killing and may have an important therapeutic impact.
Impact of collector-base junction traps on low-frequency noise in high breakdown Voltage SiGe HBTs

This work investigates the impact of collector-base (CB) junction traps on low-frequency noise in high breakdown voltage (HBV) SiGe HBTs. By comparing the base current and 1/f noise at the same internal emitter-base (EB) voltage of the standard breakdown voltage (SBV) and HBV devices, we show that the CB junction traps not only increase base current, but also contribute base current 1/f noise when high injection occurs. The individual 1/f noise contributions from the emitter-base junction traps and from the collector-base junction traps are separated. The dependence of the 1/f noise component on the corresponding base current component is determined, and shown to be different for the EB and CB junction traps. The dependence of the total 1/f noise on the total base current, however, remains the same before and after high injection occurs in the HBV device, which is approximately the same as that for the SBV device. The I/sub B/ contribution from the CB junction recombination current needs to be modeled for accurate I-V and 1/f noise modeling.
Program analysis with partial transfer functions

Program analyses used in compilers commonly use a transfer function (TF) to summarize the input/output behavior of a procedure or region, speeding convergence of analysis of the surrounding region or program. A partial transfer function (PTF) summarizes input/output behavior for only a subset of the possible inputs. In many cases, an exact characterization of input/output behavior is possible for the contexts occurring in a given program, even when a concise and exact total summary would not be feasible. In other cases, an approximate PTF can be used which, while not exact, is more precise than would be possible with a total approximation.As demonstrated by prior work in a flow- and context-sensitive pointer alias analysis, PTFs are effective in speeding the convergence of program analysis involving higher-order functions and complex transfer functions that cannot easily be summarized.This paper presents a formal definition of partial transfer functions and introduces a general framework that enables data flow systems with complex transfer functions to be decomposed into simpler partial transfer functions. This paper provides a foundation that will allow the further development of the PTF concept, as well as enabling application to many more program analyses.
Fire effects on the mobilization and uptake of nitrogen by cheatgrass ( Bromus tectorum L.)

Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.), an inva- sive annual grass, is displacing native species and causing increased fire frequency in the Great Basin of the southwestern United States. Growth and nitrogen uptake patterns by cheatgrass were examined in a greenhouse study using soils from sites with the same soil type but different fire histories: 1) an area that burned in 1999 that is now completely invaded with cheatgrass (CG); 2) an area that has not burned recently and is now dominated by Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentatassp.wyomingensis Beetle and Young) and Sandberg's bluegrass (Poa secunda J. Presl) (WBS); and 3) a Wyoming big sagebrush area that burned in August of 2008 just prior to soil collection (NB). Cheatgrass seedlings had higher leaf numbers, height and mass in the NB soil. Ammonium-N mobilized by fire in the NB soil had significantly enriched 15 N than soils from CG or WBS sites and this pattern was reflected in the isotopic signatures of the plants. Fire-mobilized mineral N accounted for only 58% of N taken up by cheatgrass in the NB soil, suggesting fire enhanced the ability of cheatgrass to assimilate more recalcitrant soil organic N.
Digital L-band receiver architecture with direct RF sampling

This paper describes the architecture of a fully digital receiver well suited for Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite radio-navigation and other spread-spectrum applications. The unique design of this receiver allows phase coherent measurements to be made across a broad range of frequencies, enabling optimal combination of a set of measurements from signals on different frequencies, for example GPS L1, L2, and L3, GLONASS or ground-based pseudolites. The receiver methodology provides precise absolute positioning measurements by maintaining phase coherency between frequencies of interest by direct L-band digital sampling. A one-bit sampler head is discussed that is suitable for navigation and digital communications applications. Surveillance applications can be accommodated with an expanded, multi-bit sampler. The design is particularly suited for chip set integration leading to a miniaturized and low cost receiver. Design of the receiver's digital front-end provides coherency between the code and carrier phase of the measurements across a 400 MHz bandwidth with down-conversion effected by digital techniques. In addition, it features a software configurable topology that enables filter parameters to be loaded dynamically, allowing rapid change of tracking frequency. The flexible "software receiver" architecture has been developed to allow the receiver to be dynamically reconfigured for different applications. This allows the receiver channels to be used for GPS navigation, ionospheric calibration, attitude determination, or even GLONASS navigation simply through software commands. Sampler performance criteria are discussed as well as test data demonstrating the effect of sampler performance on the receiver correlation loss. >
The power to detect differences in average rates of change in longitudinal studies.

With considerable current interest in longitudinal epidemiologic studies, little is available regarding sample size requirements. This paper considers a method for analysis of longitudinal data, where one compares the mean rates of change for two or more groups, and proposes a statistic for use in determining sample size requirements. One calculates individual rates of change with least squares estimates of slopes of individuals' responses regressed over time. The assumption of linear change over time, while clearly not applicable for some data, applies to many biological measurements, either as recorded or with some transformation. The variances of these estimated slopes have two components: within-individual variability based on measurement error and length and frequency of follow-up, and true between-individual slope variability. It is assumed that measurement error is the same for all subjects, so that the total variances differ due to differences in follow-up. The question addressed is: when can one use the usual ANOVA F statistic to compare group means of estimated slopes? Expected mean squares demonstrate that this F is appropriate when either each group has the same number of subjects, or when each subject has the same length and frequency of follow-up. A procedure for computing power and sample size is presented, where one can specify the maximum detectable difference in any two average slopes. Moment estimation and maximum likelihood estimation of variance components from prior data are discussed.
Fredholm Integral Equations of the Second Kind (Hermitian Kernel)

A Hermitian kernel is a kernel that satisfies the property $${K}^{{_\ast}}(x,t) = \overline{K(t,x)} = K(x,t)$$ in the square Q(a, b) = { (x, t): a ≤ x ≤ b and a ≤ t ≤ b}. We assume as usual that K(x, t) is continuous in Q(a, b).
Morphological analysis of montane scorpions of the genus Vaejovis (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae) in Arizona with revised diagnoses and description of a new species

Abstract Several scorpions of the genus Vaejovis in Arizona are restricted in range to mountain-top forests. These scorpions, informally referred to as the “vorhiesi complex” are very similar morphologically, but their geographic distribution has attracted the attention of several researchers, resulting in the description of a few new species in recent years. However, these species were described from small sample sizes and were diagnosed with questionable characters that were not sufficiently analyzed. This study evaluates the morphology of scorpions of the “vorhiesi complex” from seven regions in Arizona to verify the validity of the species and their accompanying diagnoses. Morphological characters examined include morphometrics, hemispermatophores, size and shape of subaculear tubercles of the telson vesicle, pectinal tooth counts, pedipalp chela denticle counts, metasomal setal counts, development of metasomal carinae, and tarsal spinule counts. New diagnoses are given for previously described specie...