cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Flutter Analysis of Missile Control Surfaces Containing Structural Nonlinearities

Missile control surfaces often contain nonlinearities which affect their performance characteristics and flutter boundaries. Analysis techniques accounting for these nonlinearities and an understanding of their potential influence on the flutter mechanism greatly increase the efficiency of the control surface design process. This paper presents such analysis procedures and discusses their application to the investigation of the dynamics of missile control surfaces containing structural freeplay-type nonlinearities. The problem discussed deals with a missile control surface exposed to subsonic flow. Nonlinearities are associated with freeplay in the root support stiffness. Definition of the loads acting on the control surface uses a simplified aerodynamic representation. The basic assumption of this approach is that the lift force is proportional to and in phase with the torsional, or pitch, motion. Both rigid and flexible control surface configurations have been examined with nonlinearities in either one or both of the root pitch or roll degrees-of-freedom.
Classification systems for discrete variables used in forensic anthropology.

In recent years a number of papers have been presented on the usefulness of non-metric traits of the cranial and infracranial skeleton in order that one, some few, or a subsample of crania may be allocated to a pair, family, or larger group. These papers have explored (1) which traits should be used, (2) the theoretical implications of assignment, and (3) the methodology for making these assignments. This paper addresses itself to the theoretical implications of assignment and the methodology for making these assignments. Classification techniques based on the Bayes' theorem, weight of evidence procedures, linear discriminant functions, tally method and the Rubison procedure, were utilized in the first level of analysis. The result suggests that methodologies used must contain an accommodation for correlation between bilateral traits and that pairwise classification procedures are often more applicable than multiple classification procedures considering a large number of groups. The accuracy of various methods starts at slightly better than 50%, while the better methods produce results above the 90% level. Results further show that when acceptable assignments are made the theoretical implications of these assignments do not necessarily suggest the use of a particular methodology, and for ease of analysis the simplest methodology should be used.
Tetracyclic tetraamines by glyoxal-macrocyclic tetraamine condensation

Abstract A series of new tetracyclic tetraamines have been synthesized in good to moderate yield by glyoxal-macrocyclic tetraamine condensation.
On the control of surface enrichment in polymer blends and copolymers

We discuss a model for the equilibrium behavior of flexible polymer blends and copolymers near surfaces and focus on how the bulk properties of such melts affect their surface properties. Using a self-consistent field theory, derived previously from density functional theory, we obtain a general expression for the segregation in a structurally and interaction potential asymmetric blend near a flat, neutral surface. For an athermal structurally asymmetric blend, we predict no segregation-as is consistent with recent simulations. However, for a blend of typical polyolefins, we predict that the segregation is controlled by differences in the pure-component beta parameters, β = R g (p mol ) 1/2 , where R g is the radius of gyration and p mol is the number density of chains. This result is consistent with both previous theoretical work and with experiments on polyolefin diblock copolymers. Lastly, we show how nearly all of these results can be understood from the perspective of a simple pure-component scaling theory.
Identifying skills for entry-level IT consultants

In this paper, we present preliminary research into the skills that entry-level IT Consultants need. Our data sources are senior-level IT consultants from six different companies and senior IS students who had just completed an IT consulting class where they were mentored by 12 different consulting firms. We used focus groups and open-ended surveys to get rich detailed data and then analyzed the results. Based upon this, we expand the identified skills for an entry-level IT Consultant to include being able to cope with changes, taking a holistic view of a problem, knowing when to ask for help, being a self-starter and having good time management skills. We found that both written and oral communication skills were important and that senior consultants looked for entry level personnel who were well-rounded.
Investigations of water and high energy radiation interactions in an epoxy

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and infrared spectroscopy (IR) have been used to study the crosslinked epoxy system tetraglycidyl-4, 4'-diaminodiphenyl methane cured with diaminodiphenyl suflone. Samples cured at various temperatures were soaked in distilled water for extended periods or irradiated with 0.5 MeV electrons and /sup 60/Co gamma. DSC results show that the standard-cured (137/sup 0/C for 2 h and 160/sup 0/C for 5 h) dry samples have a T/sub g/ around 190/sup 0/C and a large exothermic reaction at about 260/sup 0/C. The latter is attributed to further reaction of curing agent with the epoxide rings. The exothermic energy is about 124cal/g for soaked samples containing 4% H/sub 2/O. The exothermic energy is shown to decrease monotonically with the ionizing radiation dosage. IR results show a reduction in the intensity of the epoxide band as the exothermic energy is decreased. 6 figures, 5 tables.
Shortest routing in trivalent Cayley graph network

We develop an shortest (optimal) routing algorithm as well as establish the actual value of the diameter of the newly proposed trivalent Cayley network graphs in (Vadapalli and Srimani, 1995).
The use of termination status and treatment duration patterns as an indicator of clinical improvement.

Abstract The importance of outcome research for evaluating the effectiveness of mental health services was documented. It was concluded that the conditions which contribute to the current infrequent performance of outcome research in mental health centers makes widespread outcome research unlikely in the future. A simple procedure for estimating clincial improvement based on information routinely collected at agencies — treatment duration and termination status—was described. Early dropouts, late dropouts, and appropriate terminators were found to describe a continuum of clinical improvement. Research support for the recommended procedure and ways to implement it were described.
Nonlinear superposition rule for Abel's equation

Abstract A nonlinear superposition rule for Abel's cubic differential equation involving four particular solutions can be replaced by a superposition rule involving only two particular solutions. Chiellini's restrictions on the particular solutions are found to be satisfied.
Abstract 1201: Inhibition of ASK1 through phosphorylation of serine 967 by PI3K/Akt-mediated pathways

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Cancer is characterized in part by dysregulation of cell survival and cell death signals. In particular, many tumors show upregulated PI3K/Akt activity, leading to sustained cell survival and suppressed cell death. Here we report the identification of the apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) as a downstream effector of the PI3K/Akt survival signaling pathway. ASK1 can be suppressed by PI3K/Akt signaling, leading to inhibition of apoptotic signaling. ASK1 normally functions as a mitogen activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MAP3K) that, when activated by stress signals, can evoke a signaling cascade leading to activation of the MAPKs JNK and p38. This activation can result in many cellular responses, but ASK1 is most notably known for its role as a critical regulator of apoptosis. Because of its crucial role in the balance between survival and death, ASK1 activity is tightly controlled. In particular, 14-3-3 can bind ASK1 and inhibit its activity when the kinase is phosphorylated at serine 967. However, the signals that regulate this phosphorylation event are currently unknown. Recent evidence suggests that PI3K/Akt mediated pathways may be involved in phosphorylation of serine 967 and, subsequently, inhibition of ASK1. Specifically, treatment of cells with growth factors including IGF-1 and PDGF increased phosphorylation of serine 967, as did overexpression of a constitutively active Akt mutant. In addition, expression of a kinase dead Akt mutant blocked growth factor induced serine 967 phosphorylation, indicating that Akt plays a role in mediating survival signals leading to inhibition of ASK1. In support of this notion, treatment with the inhibitors of Akt and PI3K also reduced serine 967 phosphorylation. Interestingly, treatment of cells with IGF-1 or overexpression of Akt was also able to protect serine 967 from H2O2 induced dephosphorylation. Taken together, our study reveals a novel effector site in ASK1 for the action of PI3K/Akt, which may offer a potential target for cancer therapeutic development. This work was supported by the NIH Pharmacological Sciences Training Grant T32 GM008602 and NIH/NCI Grant PO1CA116676 and USAMRMC05075002 to FRK and HF. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1201.
The Mode of Interaction of the Relaxin-like Factor (RLF) with the Leucine-rich Repeat G Protein-activated Receptor 8

The relaxin-like factor (RLF, also named INSL3) is a critical component in the chain of events that lead to the normal positioning of the gonads in the male fetus. RLF and relaxin share features of the secondary structure to the extent that relaxin cross-reacts with the LGR8, the RLF receptor. Although both hormones interact with their receptors essentially via the B chain, the sharply defined binding cassette of relaxin is not present in RLF. Structure and function analysis of RLF derivatives with single amino acid replacements revealed that the most important binding residues are tryptophan B27, followed by arginine B16 and valine B19. Single alanine replacements for each individual position resulted in a relative receptor affinity of 4.0% (B16), 6.1% (B19), and 0.5% (B27). Tryptophan B27 is located on an extended structure, and arginine B16 and valine B19 are positioned on the exposed surface of the B chain helix. The 3 residues could be brought together to form a contiguous binding area if the C-terminal end of the B chain were free to fold back against the central portion of the B chain helix. Such a movement depends critically on the flexibility of the C-terminal end, which is controlled by positions B23-25. In as much as these major binding residues seem hardly sufficient to explain the strong binding of RLF to LGR8 we searched for and found an extended region where little contributions by individual residues added up to a strong receptor affinity. This mode of interaction could drive the binding energy sufficiently high to account for the picomolar binding constant of RLF and its receptor.
Gene assignment by polymerase chain reaction: localization of the human potassium channel Isκ gene to the Down's syndrome region of chromosome 21q22.1-q22.2

Gene mapping, using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on DNA obtained from a human/rodent hybrid cell line carrying only the human chromosome 21, permitted the assignment of the human IsK gene, encoding a slowly activating potassium channel, to chromosome 21. PCR analysis of two complete panels of human/rodent hybrid DNA mapped IsK to chromosome 21 with 100% concordance. By performing PCR on DNA of a human chromosome 21 regional mapping panel the gene was sublocalized to chromosome 21q22.1-q22.2, which also contains the putative Down's syndrome (trisomy 21) region. The PCR product obtained from the hybrid cell line DNA carrying only human chromosome 21 was sequenced, thus confirming that the PCR product was derived from human IsK.
Photophosphorylation as a function of illumination time. II. Effects of permeant buffers.

Abstract (1) The amounts of orthophosphate, bicarbonate and tris(hydroxymethyl)-aminomethane found inside the thylakoid are almost exactly the amounts predicted by assuming that the buffers equilibrate across the membrane. Since imidazole and pyridine delay the development of post-illumination ATP formation while increasing the maximum amount of ATP formed, it follows that such relatively permeant buffers must also enter the inner aqueous space of the thylakoid. (2) Photophosphorylation begins abruptly at full steady-state efficiency and full steady-state rate as soon as the illumination time exceeds about 5 ms when permeant ions are absent or as soon as the time exceeds about 50 ms if valinomycin and KCl are present. In either case, permeant buffers have little or no effect on the time of illumination required to initiate phosphorylation. A concentration of bicarbonate which would delay acidification of the bulk of the inner aqueous phase for at least 350 ms has no effect at all on the time of initiation of phosphorylation. In somewhat swollen chloroplasts, the combined buffering by the tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane and orthophosphate inside would delay acidification of the inside by 1500 ms but, even in the presence of valinomycin and KCl, the total delay in the initiation of phosphorylation is then only 65 ms. Similar discrpancies occur with all of the other buffers mentioned. (3) Since these discrepancies between internal acidification and phosphorylation are found in the presence of saturating amounts of valinomycin and KCl, it seems that photophosphorylation can occur when there are no proton concentration gradients and no electrical potential differences across the membranes which separate the medium from the greater part of the internal aqueous phase. (4) We suggest that the protons produced by electron transport may be used directly for phosophorylation without ever entering the bulk of the inner aqueous phase of the lamellar system. If so, phosphorylation could proceed long before the internal pH reflected the proton activity gradients within the membrane.
Relationship between radiographic techniques (kilovolt and milliampere-second) and CTDIvol

To investigate the relationship between radiographic techniques (i.e. kilovolt and milliampere-second) and the corresponding volume computed tomography dose index (CTDI(vol)). Data were obtained for CTDI(vol) for head and body phantoms from the ImPACT CT patient dosimetry calculator for 43 scanners from four major vendors of medical imaging equipment (i.e. GE, Philips, Siemens and Toshiba). CTDI(vol) were obtained with the largest X-ray beam width, and using a CT pitch of unity. For each scanner, relative values of CTDI(vol) were also computed as a function of X-ray tube voltage, normalised to unity at 120 kV. The average CTDI(vol) for 43 commercial scanners was 167 + or - 44 microGy (mA s)(-1) for the head phantom and 78 + or - 22 microGy (mA s)(-1) for the body phantom. The 90th percentile CTDI(vol) values are approximately twice the corresponding 10th percentile values for both head and body phantoms. Over the last 20 y, the head phantom CTDI(vol) has increased approximately 50 % and the body phantom CTDI(vol) has increased approximately 90 %. For both, the head phantom and the body phantom, CTDI(vol) is proportional to kilovolt(2.6). CT output must be specified using CTDI(vol) because for a fixed kilovolt and milliampere-second, CT scanner outputs (CTDI(vol)) differ by about a factor of 2. Increasing the X-ray tube voltage from 80 to 140 kV increases CTDI(vol) by about a factor of 4.
Direct determination of small quantities of rare earth and yttrium oxides in thoria by emission spectroscopy

Methods are proposed for the determination of submicrogram quantities of rare earth and yttrium oxides in thorium oxide by emission spectroscopy, without previous separation or concentration of these oxides in the sample. It is possible to volatilise these refractory materials from the thoria using silver chloride as the carrier. The carrier distillation technique in conjunction with relatively high dispersion spectroscopy (0.8-1.1 A/mm) makes possible analyses at levels which were previously only feasible by preconcentration methods (e.g., La(2)O(3) and Y(2)O(3), 5 ppm; Nd(2)O(3) and Sm(2)O(3) 10 ppm; CeO(2) and Pr(6)O(11), 20 ppm in a 10-mg sample of ThO(2)).
SHAvisual: a secure hash algorithm visualization tool

This poster presents a visualization tool SHAvisual for instructors to teach and students to learn the SHA-512 algorithm visually with demo and practice modes. This poster will also discuss some findings of classroom use and student reactions, which are very positive and encouraging.
The Effects of Within-Class Ability Grouping on Academic Achievement in Early Elementary Years

Abstract By incorporating two theoretical frameworks this study examines how school characteristics shape first-grade reading ability-grouping practices, and how this, in turn, affects students’ reading achievement. The author uses the data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study and applies the propensity-score method to examine whether first-grade ability grouping improves student achievement, whether ability grouping increases achievement inequalities, and whether its effects vary by student initial abilities and/or school contexts. Findings support an argument that ability grouping is an organizational response to problems of diversity in the student body. Schools that use ability grouping are likely to have heterogeneous ability compositions. They are also public, low-performing, low socioeconomic status, and high-minority schools. In these schools, ability grouping has no effects or negative effects, particularly for low-ability students. In contrast, ability grouping may improve achievement for...
Revision of the intertidal aleocharine genus Pontomalota Casey (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) with a discussion of its phylogenetic relationships

A systematic revision of the aleocharine genus Pontomalota is presented. Pontomalota is redescribed, and two species are recognized, one of which is described as new (P. terminalia Ahn and Ashe, Type locality-Point Reyes, North Beach, California). P. californica Casey, P. nigriceps Casey, P. luctuosa Casey, and P. bakeri Bernhauer are shown to be color variants of one species and are synonymized under the name P. opaca (LeConte). A key is provided for separation of the known species of Pontomalota, and illustrations of diagnostic features are provided. The geographical body color variation of P. opaca from British Columbia to Baja California is described. In general, the body color of P. opaca varies from black in the north (Canada, Washington to N. California) to light brown in the south (S. California, Baja California) along a more or less continuous dine. Based on mouthpart structure and genitalic structure, as well as narrowly separated mesocoxal cavities and elytra shorter than pronotum, Pontomalota is hypothesized to be more closely related to tribe Phytosini than tribe Athetini. Within the Phytosini, members of Pontomalota are very similar to those of Thinusa Casey in a number of characters.
Inter-vesicle polymerization using nonionic oxyethylene-hydrogenated castor oil

Abstract Oxyethylene-hydrogenated castor oil with acrylate-modified oxyethylene end groups was employed for the preparation of polymerizable vesicles in aqueous solution. 1H NMR spectroscopy was used to investigate the polymerization process using azobis(isobutyronitrile) as an initiator. UV light promoted the vesicle polymerization, and polymerized vesicles were shown to be resistant to disruption by polyoxyethylene(10) octylphenyl ether. The dependence of resistance on vesicle concentration and incubation temperature was suggested to result from the inter-vesicle polymerization. Cryo-transmission electron microscopy provided evidence that unilamellar vesicles with a diameter smaller than 100 nm were distorted by polymerization, thereby exhibiting non-hollow morphologies.
Impaired antigen presention by splenocytes of ethanol-consuming C57BL/6 mice

Abstract Excessive alcohol consumption impairs T-cell-dependent immune function. Whether this impairment results from the direct inhibition of helper T (Th) cells or from inhibition of the cells that process and present antigen to Th cells is unclear. The present study examines the effect of dietary alcohol on the ability of spleen cells from C57BL/6 mice to present antigen to T-cell hybridomas. We find that ethanol consumption impairs the ability of spleen cells to present hen egg lysozyme (HEL) in vitro. This impairment was seen for native HEL protein, a hapten-modified HEL, and a peptide bearing a minimal T-cell epitope (HEL 51–60) that requires no additional enzymatic processing. These results suggest that deficiencies in immune responsiveness in alcohol-consuming individuals may include antigen presentation.
Improved interfacial mechanical properties of Al2O3-13wt%TiO2 plasma-sprayed coatings derived from nanocrystalline powders

Abstract The interfacial toughness of two types of Al 2 O 3 -13wt%TiO 2 plasma-sprayed ceramic coatings on steel substrates—“conventional” and “nano”—has been measured using the Rockwell indentation method. The interfacial toughness of the “conventional” coating and the “nano” coating is found to be 22 and 45 J.m −2 , respectively. The “conventional” coating, which was prepared using a fused feedstock powder available commercially, has a microstructure consisting primarily of fully-molten (FM) and solidified “splats”. The feedstock powder for the “nano” coating comprised reconstituted agglomerates of nanocrystalline Al 2 O 3 and TiO 2 powders. The microstructure of the “nano” coating, as characterized using scanning and transmission electron microscopy techniques, consists of regions of FM “splats” interspersed with partially-molten (PM) rounded microstructural features. The substructure in these PM features (20–50 μm diameter) consists of α -Al 2 O 3 grains (0.5–1 μm) surrounded by a TiO 2 -rich amorphous phase. The FM/steel interfaces in both the “conventional” and the “nano” coatings are found to be cracked (before mechanical testing), whereas the PM/steel interfaces in the “nano” coating are found to be adherent. It is believed that the unique bimodal microstructure, together with the presence of the TiO 2 -rich amorphous phase at the PM/steel interface, is responsible for the significantly improved interfacial toughness of the “nano” coating. The key differences in the failure modes in the two types coatings are also discussed, with reference to a simple model.
The observed response of Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) NO2 columns to NOx emission controls on power plants in the United States: 2005–2011

We show that Aura Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) nitrogen dioxide (NO2) tropospheric column data may be used to assess changes of the emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from power plants in the United States, though careful interpretation of the data is necessary. There is a clear response for OMI NO2 data to NOx emission reductions from power plants associated with the implementation of mandated emission control devices (ECDs) over the OMI record (2005–2011). This response is scalar for all intents and purposes, whether the reduction is rapid or incremental over several years. However, it is variable among the power plants, even for those with the greatest absolute decrease in emissions. We document the primary causes of this variability, presenting case examples for specific power plants.
Pasteur reaction and glycogen content of rat brain after Noble-Collip drum shock.

SummaryIncreased aerobic and anaerobic glycolysis occurred in brains of tumbled (fettered) rats in shock. The Pasteur reaction was significantly decreased. This indicates an increased anaerobiosis in the brain tissue as a consequence of shock with con-comitantly decreased yield of high energy phosphate. Glycogen content of brain is also significantly decreased in shock.
A cross‐disciplinary examination of the prevalence of mixed methods in educational research: 1995–2005

This study examined the prevalence of mixed methods research published in 11 prominent English‐language international and U.S. national educational research journals from 1995 to 2005. A total of 2381 studies were reviewed by research teams in four educational disciplines: literacy, mathematics, social studies, and science. Of the articles examined, 332 (14%) were identified as using mixed methods. Results suggest little variation across disciplines and across the years in the number of studies using mixed methods. Further, mixed methods, although considered uniquely suited to examine complex educational issues, does not seem to be an increasingly popular research method. Issues in defining and identifying mixed methods in educational research are discussed.
Soil fungal population levels in cotton fields fertilized with poultry litter and their relationships to soil nutrient concentrations and plant growth parameters

Abstract Application to land of large quantities of waste materials from concentrated animal production, without causing environmental pollution, presents a major challenge to agriculture in the 21st century. Effects of land-applied animal wastes on chemical contents of soil are well documented, but less is understood of their effects on microbial populations in soil. This study was undertaken to evaluate effects of commercial application of poultry litter (PL), as a fertilizer, on soil fungal population levels and components on cotton farms in Mississippi, and to determine relationships of fungal population levels to soil nutrient contents and cotton growth and yield. On each of two farms, soil fungal population levels were estimated by dilution plating from samples of soil collected at two sampling times during 2 years from replicated plots of four fertilization treatments: 0 fertilizer, conventional mineral fertilizer (CF), low PL, and high PL. Soil fungal population levels differed significantly ( P = 0.05) according to years or seasons and fertilization treatments on both farms. Population levels often were higher in soils amended with low or high PL, or with CF, than in unfertilized controls. On one farm where PL was tilled into soil, fungal population levels increased significantly during the course of the experiment in PL and CF treatments, but not in unfertilized controls, as determined by linear regression. No such increases were observed on the second farm where PL was applied no-till. Population levels of Fusarium semitectum and Penicillium purpurogenum were significantly higher in PL-treated soils than in unfertilized controls in 1 or 2 of 4 sampling events at both farms, while levels of four other species or groups of fungi usually did not differ. Fungal population levels were significantly correlated ( P = 0.05) with N concentrations of soils in 1–4 sampling events on each farm and less frequently correlated with concentrations of nine other elements. In 4 of 24 instances, soil fungal population levels were significantly correlated with leaf area index, chlorophyll content, or yield of cotton, and correlation coefficients with these plant parameters were always positive. Major conclusions derived from this study are (1) no deleterious effects on population levels of total or select soil fungi were observed with use of PL as a fertilizer for commercial cotton production; and (2) soil fungal population levels may increase over time in association with greater fertility and plant growth that is induced by both mineral fertilizer and PL applications.
Video Game–Based Exercise, Latino Children's Physical Health, and Academic Achievement

Background There is a paucity of research investigating the effects of innovative physical activity programs on physical health and academic performance in the Latino population. Purpose To examine the impact of Dance Dance Revolution [DDR]–based exercise on Latino children's physical fitness and academic achievement. Design A repeated-measures crossover design was used. In Year 1, Grade-4 students were assigned to the intervention group and offered 30 minutes of exercise (DDR, aerobic dance) three times per week. Grade-3 and Grade-5 students made up the comparison group and were offered no structured exercise at school. In Year 2, the Grade-4 students were again assigned to the intervention, whereas Grade-5 and Grade-6 students were in the comparison group. Setting/participants Assessments were conducted with 208 Latino school children. Main outcome measures The baseline measures included time to complete a 1-mile run, BMI, and reading and math scores. Data were collected again 9 months later. Overall, data were collected in 2009–2011 and analyzed in 2012. Results Data yielded significant differences between the intervention and comparison groups in differences in 1-mile run and math scores in Year 1 and Year 2. The results also revealed net differences in the intervention versus comparison group scores on the 1-mile run for Grade 3 ( p 2 (2) =6.6, p Conclusions The DDR-based exercise intervention improved children's cardiorespiratory endurance and math scores over time. Professionals should consider integrating exergaming at schools to achieve the goals of promoting a physically active lifestyle and enhancing academic success among Latino children.
Memristor: From Basics to Deployment

A memristor is a two-terminal element whose resistance depends on the magnitude, direction, and duration of the applied voltage. A memristor remembers its most recent memristance when voltage was turned off until the next time the voltage is turned on, and it can provide dynamical-negative resistance. These promising characteristics may potentially revolutionize nanoelectronics. It can find applications in analog and digital circuits, which are part of everyday use systems such as sensors and mobile phones. This article discusses different aspects of the memristor including basic characteristics, models, fabrications, and circuit designs to provide a complete picture of this state-of-the art technology.
Studies of fly stiction

AbstractA study of fly stiction caused after a head slider flew over a disk surface was conducted to understand the mechanisms responsible for high stiction. In this paper, laser-textured disks and three types of nanosliders (50 per cent of the standard size) were used. Friction/stiction was measured and the r. m.s. acoustic emission was recorded in both a short sweep test where the slider swept for periods of 1 h and a long-sweep test where the slider swept for periods of 6 days. The surface of the head slider after tests was analysed using optical microscopy, atomic force microscopy/frictional force microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Results showed that, in the short sweep test, stiction was sensitive to environmental humidity. Stiction was low at low humidities and increased with increase in the humidity. In the long-sweep test, liquid droplets accumulated during flying were observed on the head slider surface. The vortex around the head slider was found to be responsible for the accumulation of liquid...
An empirical investigation of human dyadic systems in the time and frequency domains

This paper presents time and frequency domain analyses of psychotherapy data drawn from a unique dyadic system--the patient/therapist (P/T) system. The data are constituted by a time series defined by which member of the P/T system held the speaker role at each second of ten recorded psychotherapy consultations. The series reflects a specific property of communication within the dyad. Each series significantly followed a first order autoregressive model. That is, each was highly sensitive to the prior state of the system, or equivalently, the system showed feedforward of its prior state. These models became more significant after intervention analysis further clarified the underlying autoregressive structure. The histograms of the frequency of the length of each utterance indicated an underlying Poisson model for the emergence of speech. The parameters of the Poisson and autoregressive models were used to determine blindly which of four pairs of interviews involved the same therapist with two different patients. The method correctly identified three of the therapist four pairs but failed to identify different interviews with the same patient, a significantly negative result. These results suggest that certain time domain measures are therapist-dominated, so that the therapist drives change in these areas within the P/T system more strongly than the patient. In the frequency domain, the coherency between each of the 45 pairs of speaker series was used in an attempt to identify which time series corresponded systematically to the same therapists or patients. This proved futile because no two pairs of series--no P/T system--showed significant non-zero coherency. This result suggests that the harmonics of the switching of the speaker role are not determined by the therapist or patient alone but by the P/T system as an entity. We conclude that human dyadic systems may show predominant influence of one member or jointly determined patterns that are highly distinctive.
Contextual Phrase-Level Polarity Analysis Using Lexical Affect Scoring and Syntactic N-Grams

We present a classifier to predict contextual polarity of subjective phrases in a sentence. Our approach features lexical scoring derived from the Dictionary of Affect in Language (DAL) and extended through WordNet, allowing us to automatically score the vast majority of words in our input avoiding the need for manual labeling. We augment lexical scoring with n-gram analysis to capture the effect of context. We combine DAL scores with syntactic constituents and then extract n-grams of constituents from all sentences. We also use the polarity of all syntactic constituents within the sentence as features. Our results show significant improvement over a majority class baseline as well as a more difficult baseline consisting of lexical n-grams.
Calvinism and Humanism: The First Generation

The nature of the relationship between the Renaissance and the Reformation has intrigued historians of both the past and the present. Recently a number of noted scholars have attempted to demonstrate the connection between the two movements with varying degrees of success. Historians seem to have marshalled an impressive and growing body of evidence to show the direct relationship between the advent of humanism and the coming of the Lutheran Reformation, even though the exact nature of this relationship has not yet been clarified in a definitive manner. But in the case of humanism and Calvinism no consensus has been reached concerning this problem; consequently, the situation is still in doubt. The purpose of this study is to enhance the historical understanding of the connection between humanism and Calvinism by a fresh analysis of the life and thought of three important first generation leaders of the Reformed church, namely, John Calvin, Theodore Beza and Pierre Viret. Moreover, new evidence on the subject from the career of Viret, the least known but nevertheless a very important member of this Calvinist trinity, will be presented to demonstrate more clearly the positive and direct link between humanism and Calvinism in the formative years of the Reformation.
Microsurgical Vasoepididymostomy: A Prospective Randomized Study of 3 Intussusception Techniques in Rats

ABSTRACTPurpose: Vasoepididymostomy is a technically challenging but cost-effective treatment for obstructive azoospermia. We evaluated the outcomes of 3 intussusception vasoepididymostomy techniques, namely 3 suture triangulation, 2 suture transverse and a new 2 suture longitudinal technique.Materials and Methods: Male Wistar rats were randomized into 4 experimental and 1 control groups. After 3 weeks of vasal obstruction bilateral vasoepididymostomy was performed. In group I, 3 sutures were placed in triangular fashion. In group II, 2 sutures were placed perpendicular to the tubule. In group III, 2 sutures were placed longitudinal to the tubule. The tubules were then opened in the direction of the needles and anastomosed to the vasa. After 5 months patency was evaluated in blinded fashion.Results: The functional patency rate (presence of motile sperm in the vas) was 64%, 64% and 93% in groups I to III, respectively (p <0.001). As evaluated by methylene blue retrograde vasography toward the epididymis, t...
The Effects of the Landguard™ A900 Enzyme on the Macroinvertebrate Community in the Salinas River, California, United States of America

Agricultural use of organophosphate pesticides are responsible for surface water toxicity in California and has led to a number of impaired water body listings under section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act. Integrated passive-treatment systems can reduce pesticide loading in row crop runoff, but they are only partially effective for the more soluble organophosphates. The Landguard™ enzyme has been effectively proven as an on-farm management practice for the removal of chlorpyrifos and diazinon in furrow runoff, but it has not been used in larger-scale treatment because of concerns regarding the potential impact on in-stream macroinvertebrates after chronic use. A first-order agricultural creek was treated with the Landguard enzyme for 30 days approximately 450 m upstream of its intersection with the Salinas River. Toxicity and pesticide chemistry were measured in the creek during treatment as well as in the river both upstream and downstream of the creek input before and after treatment. Benthic macroinvertebrates were also surveyed in the river before and after enzyme treatment. Low concentrations of organophosphate pesticides were detected in the creek, but Landguard removed detected concentrations of chlorpyrifos. Toxicity detected in the creek was likely caused by pyrethroid pesticides, and no toxicity was detected in river samples. There were no differences in habitat or macroinvertebrate assemblages between upstream and downstream samples or between pre- and post-treatment samples. These results indicate that chronic treatment of the creek with Landguard enzyme had no impact on macroinvertebrate community structure in the river.
A graphical environment for formally developing object-oriented software

This paper describes a graphics-based software development environment that takes advantage of the visual nature of the Object Modeling Technique (OMT) notation and the benefits of formal methods. We have developed a prototype environment, VISUALSPECS, which enables a user to perform object-oriented analysis graphically using the OMT notation. VISUALSPECS generates a formal specification of the object-model, which can be systematically analyzed for completeness and consistency prior to implementation. The formal specifications can be used to guide the formal software. This graphical environment facilitates the development of reliable software using formal methods, enables automated of requirements and design information, and promotes software design reuse based on graphical notations. >
Graphene nanoplatelet‐polyetherimide composites: Revealed morphology and relation to properties

In this research, a novel sample preparation technique was applied to reveal the morphology exfoliated graphene nanoplatelets [GNP, ∼10 nm thick and ∼5 µm in diameter)] and Polyetherimide (PEId) nanocomposite and study the relationship between processing and properties. The morphology of nanoscale fillers used to be hard to capture through conventional sample preparation. The polish-plasma etching approach presented in this article successfully created contrast between filler and matrix. As a result, distribution and orientation of the fillers were obtained to study the effect of injection molding, compression molding and annealing. It was found that the orientation was significantly different depending on processing routes. The information obtained from morphology study also led to the modification of Tandon–Weng model, resulting in improved prediction of elastic modulus of the composite. The SEM images also clearly revealed change of filler orientation after annealing. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 4081–4089, 2013
Developing Innovative Energy Harvesting Approaches for Infrastructure Health Monitoring Systems

Many factors must be addressed when designing infrastructure health monitoring systems. Structures in remote locations or with limited accessibility make the requirements for these systems unique and challenging. For locations where connection to the power grid is difficult or impossible, monitoring system life is severely limited by battery technology. Alternatively, an energy harvesting power supply can make the monitoring system independent of the grid while increasing capabilities and lifetime beyond what is possible with current battery technology. This paper discusses a design and development methodology for developing energy harvesting aspects of a health monitoring system. The system comprises a sensor module that monitors the health of the structure, an on-site processing module that analyzes the data, and a wireless communication module that transmits the data. The method is demonstrated by examples of energy harvesting systems for a bridge monitoring application, using solar, wind, and vibration energy harvesters to provide power to a wireless network, local data processors, and strain gauges. Theoretical feasibility of energy harvesting in these domains has been previously demonstrated. The examples described in this paper validate the feasibility previously calculated as well as illustrate shortcomings in the current technology that inhibit potential implementation. The examples also show areas where innovation is needed to continue to advance the technology of energy harvesting in this application on infrastructure.
Role of Bone Marrow-Derived Fibroblasts in Renal Fibrosis

Renal fibrosis represents a common pathway leading to progression of chronic kidney disease. Renal interstitial fibrosis is characterized by extensive fibroblast activation and excessive production and deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM), which leads to progressive loss of kidney function. There is no effective therapy available clinically to halt or even reverse renal fibrosis. Although activated fibroblasts/myofibroblasts are responsible for the excessive production and deposition of ECM, their origin remains controversial. Recent evidence suggests that bone marrow-derived fibroblast precursors contribute significantly to the pathogenesis of renal fibrosis. Understanding the molecular signaling mechanisms underlying the recruitment and activation of the bone marrow-derived fibroblast precursors will lead to novel therapy for the treatment of chronic kidney disease. In this review, we summarize recent advances in our understanding of the recruitment and activation of bone marrow-derived fibroblast precursors in the kidney and the development of renal fibrosis and highlights new insights that may lead to novel therapies to prevent or reverse the development of renal fibrosis.
Research notes and communications factors in the instability of international joint ventures: An event history analysis

This study uses Event History methodology to examine factors that may contribute to the instability of joint ventures between U.S. multinationals and foreign companies. Using joint venture contract renegotiation as a proxy for instability, it finds statistically significant support for hypotheses that joint ventures are more unstable when partners start out with uneven shares of equity and when the contracts have been renegotiated before. Contract renegotiation is also more likely in relatively open economies than in countries that impose restrictions on direct investment.
Myc or no Myc, that is the question

The transcription factor c‐MYC functions as the master transcription factor for establishing highly active metabolic states in proliferating cells. c‐Myc is essential for rapid proliferation of normal cells and has causal relationship with many cancers, including leukemia and lymphoma. While the expression of c‐MYC can be aberrantly driven by genetic abnormalities, such as chromosomal translocations directly involving the MYC locus or mutations of its upstream regulators, how c‐MYC expression is induced and amplified in normal lymphocytes in response to antigen stimulation remains elusive. In this issue of The EMBO Journal , Preston et al (2015) report how c‐MYC is selectively induced and amplified in the antigen‐specific T cells that undergo massive clonal expansion for host protection against pathogen infection.
The effect of pH on the passive proton conductance of Bacillus acidocaldarius

The proton conductance and buffering capacity of Bacillus acidocaldarius, an organism that grows optimally at pH 3.5, were measured by an acid-pulse method. Conductance increased as the external pH was lowered from 6.0 to 3.5. The uncoupler CCCP increased the proton conductance, but became less effective as the pH was lowered.
Characterizing the intelligence analysis process through a longitudinal field study: Implications for visual analytics

While intelligence analysis has been a primary target domain for visual analytics system development, relatively little user and task analysis has been conducted within this area. Our research comm...
Management of Anemia of Chronic Disease in Patients with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Anemia is the most frequently encountered hematologic complication in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The prevalence estimates vary widely with the severity of HIV disease. Data suggest that treatment with highly active antiretroviral therapy may have a positive impact on reducing the prevalence of anemia of chronic disease in patients infected with HIV. Anemia consistently has been shown to be a predictor of decreased survival, and treatment plays an important role in improving patients' survival and quality of life (e.g., fatigue and dementia). Addressing potential underlying reversible causes and treating the chronic anemia are important strategies in the management of anemia. Erythropoietin therapy should be considered a first-line treatment, and blood transfusions should be limited to situations requiring immediate correction of hemoglobin levels.
On Bandwidth Requirements for Multilevel PCM Encoders

Most receivers for multilevel pulse-code modulation (PCM) signals incorporate a sample-and-hold circuit in the analog-analog-to-digital converter. The sample-and-hold circuits cannot respond instantaneously in practice, and this paper considers the effects on system performance of their finite response time. To provide guidelines for system designers, the problem is analyzed in some generality and numerical results are obtained for a specific example. It is shown that a definite tradeoff exists between the bandwidth of the operational amplifiers in the sample-and-hold circuit and the follow time, and that system performance deteriorates rapidly if the bandwidth is reduced past a certain critical value. Unless the bandwidth is much larger than the critical value, there is a strong advantage in using follow times larger than onehalf the symbol interval. The bandwidth required for good eight-level transmission is about twice that required for binary transmission.