cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Detection of Delaminations in Fiber Reinforced Composite Tubes Using Axially Symmetric Guided Waves

The current and proposed use of fiber reinforced composite tubes in a number of aerospace structural applications is well established. The most serious hindrance to acceptance of composites, in general, is the need to certify non-destructively the integrity of the material [1]. The modes of damage in a composite are varied and complex. Delaminations are particularly important, representing an advanced state of damage in the material [2,3].
Cytogenetics of the squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus)

Squirrel monkeys occur in nature in widely separated geographic regions of Central and South America. These animals are of value in many aspects of biomedical research for which purposes they have been imported into the United States and Europe and are being reproduced in breeding colonies on both of these continents. Variations in the genetic and cytogenetic characteristics of these animals are of interest to the production and laboratory study of these animals as well as in their taxonomic classification. Our purpose in this paper is to review certain variations in the morphologic characteristics of the chromosomes of Saimiri.
Loss-of-Function Ferrochelatase and Gain-of-Function Erythroid-Specific 5-Aminolevulinate Synthase Mutations Causing Erythropoietic Protoporphyria and X-Linked Protoporphyria in North American Patients Reveal Novel Mutations and a High Prevalence of X-Linked Protoporphyria

Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) and X-linked protoporphyria (XLP) are inborn errors of heme biosynthesis with the same phenotype but resulting from autosomal recessive loss-of-function mutations in the ferrochelatase (FECH) gene and gain-of-function mutations in the X-linked erythroid-specific 5-aminolevulinate synthase (ALAS2) gene, respectively. The EPP phenotype is characterized by acute, painful, cutaneous photosensitivity and elevated erythrocyte protoporphyrin levels. We report the FECH and ALAS2 mutations in 155 unrelated North American patients with the EPP phenotype. FECH sequencing and dosage analyses identified 140 patients with EPP: 134 with one loss-of-function allele and the common IVS3-48T>C low expression allele, three with two loss-of-function mutations and three with one loss-of-function mutation and two low expression alleles. There were 48 previously reported and 23 novel FECH mutations. The remaining 15 probands had ALAS2 gain-of-function mutations causing XLP: 13 with the previously reported deletion, c.1706_1709delAGTG, and two with novel mutations, c.1734delG and c.1642C>T(p.Q548X). Notably, XLP represented ~10% of EPP phenotype patients in North America, two to five times more than in Western Europe. XLP males had twofold higher erythrocyte protoporphyrin levels than EPP patients, predisposing to more severe photosensitivity and liver disease. Identification of XLP patients permits accurate diagnosis and counseling of at-risk relatives and asymptomatic heterozygotes.
Polyploidy in Fish and the Teleost Genome Duplication

Multiple rounds of whole-genome duplications (WGDs) punctuated the evolution of rayfin fish, a species-rich group comprising about half of all vertebrates. Rayfin fish, along with lobefin vertebrates including humans, derive from early vertebrate ancestors that evolved through two rounds of polyploidization (the first and second rounds of vertebrate genome duplication, VGD1 and VGD2) at the dawn of the vertebrate lineage. Furthermore, teleost fish underwent an additional round of polyploidization in their stem lineage, the teleost genome duplication (TGD). Additional WGD events occurred independently in numerous species and higher level taxa of teleosts and other rayfin fish, for example in salmonids, carp, and sturgeon, so that some fish lineages experienced at least four rounds of WGD since the origin of vertebrates. This chapter provides an overview of these polyploidization events in the fish lineage and focuses on the impact these genome duplications (GD) had on genome evolution in selected fish taxa. We then review evidence for the TGD and discuss its consequences for the evolution of gene content, order, and functions in the teleost lineage. We argue that, although evidence remains sparse, the TGD may have had a profound influence on the evolutionary success and the biodiversity of teleosts. Importantly, an in-depth understanding of the causes and consequences of the TGD and other teleost GD events will help to inform us about the evolution of our own paleopolyploid genome.
Primary motivations of tourists visiting Galápagos: do tourists visit the archipelago to learn about evolution?

The Galapagos archipelago is known worldwide for its contributions to Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection, and the islands continue to support studies in evolutionary biology. Yet despite the strong association of Galapagos with evolutionary biology, it is unknown if tourists—approaching 200,000 individuals annually—come to Galapagos with a specific interest in learning about evolution. Prior work has established that Galapagos National Park guides are proud of the association between the islands and evolution, yet on average do not do well on a test of basic evolutionary concepts. The work described herein is an attempt to clarify, via in-person surveys on tourists during the summer of 2016, whether tourists are motivated to visit Galapagos by an interest in evolution. Of the 109 tourists who answered the question “How interested were you in this trip to Galapagos?” all but one indicated that they were interested or extremely interested in their trip. Only two mentioned a specific interest in learning about evolution or the relationship between the islands and the history of evolutionary thought. For most people, seeing animals—in general or specifically identified animals such as the giant tortoises—was the primary motivation for coming to Galapagos. Unusual animals, snorkeling, and visiting a remote location all averaged above 4.0 on a 5.0-point scale, indicating that these aspects of the archipelago are very-to-extremely appealing to tourists. When average responses for 22 items were ranked from most to least appealing, evolution-related items came in 14th, 17th, 18th, and 20th. However, consequences of evolutionary processes, such as unusual animals and biodiversity, rank higher than either of the four evolution-specific items. Given tourists’ primary interest in the islands’ endemic wildlife, we find little reason for concern over the guides’ lack of specific evolution-related content knowledge. More critical to both guides and tourists are the impacts of population growth and increased tourism to the islands. Stakeholders can best serve the interests of the growing tourist population and the vigor of the Galapagos economy via conservation efforts—by developing and supporting programs that mediate the concerns raised by ecologists, protecting the islands’ fragile habitat, and regulating commercial land use. In addition, a better understanding of tourists’ motivations may provide opportunities to explore connecting evolutionary concepts to visitor interests.
Metric registration of curves and surfaces using optimal control

Abstract This chapter presents an overview of recent developments in the analysis of shapes such as curves and surfaces through Riemannian metrics. We show that several constructions of metrics on spaces of submanifolds can be unified through the prism of Riemannian submersions, with shape space metrics being induced from metrics defined on the top spaces. Computing the resulting Riemannian distances involves solving geodesic matching problems with boundary conditions. To deal efficiently with such variational problems, one can rely on an auxiliary family of “chordal” distances to simplify the treatment of boundary conditions, which we use to come up with a relaxed inexact formulation of the matching problem. This also allows to turn shape matching into optimal control problems and give a common framework to address them in practice. We then specify our analysis to the cases of intrinsic shape metrics defined using invariant Sobolev metrics on parametrized immersions, outer shape metrics induced from metrics on diffeomorphism groups of the ambient space and finally a recent hybrid model that combines those two approaches.
Dengue virus and the host innate immune response

Dengue virus (DENV) is a mosquito-borne Flavivirus that is endemic in many tropical and sub-tropical countries where the transmission vectors Aedes spp. mosquitoes resides. There are four serotypes of the virus. Each serotype is antigenically different, meaning they elicit heterologous antibodies. Infection with one serotype will create neutralizing antibodies to the serotype. Cross-protection from other serotypes is not long term, instead heterotypic infection can cause severe disease. This review will focus on the innate immune response to DENV infection and the virus evasion of the innate immune system by escaping recognition or inhibiting the production of an antiviral state. Activated innate immune pathways includes type I interferon, complement, apoptosis, and autophagy, which the virus can evade or exploit to exacerbate disease. It is important to understand out how the immune system reacts to infection and how the virus evades immune response in order to develop effective antivirals and vaccines.
Ultrasound-assisted definition of inferior border of the trapezius muscle in lower trapezius island flap reconstruction

Utilization of lower trapezius island flap (LTIF) provides an alternative in reconstruction of the select defects in head and neck region. When muscle bulk is needed under the skin paddle, it may be important to know the exact location of the inferior edge of the trapezius muscle (TM) in order to design the skin paddle accordingly. Due to the anatomic variations seen especially in the origin of trapezius muscle, there are no reliable surface landmarks to define the inferior edge of TM. We present a simple ultrasound-assisted technique of identifying the inferior border of TM preoperatively. Level of Evidence: Level V, diagnostic study.
Association of Genetic Risk of Obesity with Postoperative Complications Using Mendelian Randomization

The extent to which obesity and genetics determine postoperative complications is incompletely understood. We performed a retrospective study using two population cohorts with electronic health record (EHR) data. The first included 736,726 adults with body mass index (BMI) recorded between 1990 and 2017 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. The second cohort consisted of 65,174 individuals from 12 institutions contributing EHR and genome-wide genotyping data to the Electronic Medical Records and Genomics (eMERGE) Network. Pairwise logistic regression analyses were used to measure the association of BMI categories with postoperative complications derived from International Classification of Disease-9 codes, including postoperative infection, incisional hernia, and intestinal obstruction. A genetic risk score was constructed from 97 obesity-risk single-nucleotide polymorphisms for a Mendelian randomization study to determine the association of genetic risk of obesity on postoperative complications. Logistic regression analyses were adjusted for sex, age, site, and race/principal components. Individuals with overweight or obese BMI (≥25 kg/m2) had increased risk of incisional hernia (odds ratio [OR] 1.7–5.5, p < 3.1 × 10−20), and people with obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) had increased risk of postoperative infection (OR 1.2–2.3, p < 2.5 × 10−5). In the eMERGE cohort, genetically predicted BMI was associated with incisional hernia (OR 2.1 [95% CI 1.8–2.5], p = 1.4 × 10−6) and postoperative infection (OR 1.6 [95% CI 1.4–1.9], p = 3.1 × 10−6). Association findings were similar after limitation of the cohorts to those who underwent abdominal procedures. Clinical and Mendelian randomization studies suggest that obesity, as measured by BMI, is associated with the development of postoperative incisional hernia and infection.
Multivariate Association of Child Depression and Anxiety with Asthma Outcomes.

Background Pediatric asthma is associated with increased health services utilization, missed school days, and diminished quality of life. Children with asthma also report more frequent depressive and anxiety symptoms than children without asthma, which may further worsen asthma outcomes. Objective The current study investigated the relationship between depressive and anxiety symptoms and 4 asthma outcomes (asthma control, asthma severity, lung function, and asthma-related quality of life) in children (N = 205) with moderate to severe persistent asthma. Methods The data were analyzed using a canonical correlation analysis, a multivariate framework that allows examination of all variables of interest in the same model. Results We found a statistically significant relationship between symptoms of depression and anxiety and asthma outcomes (1 – Λ = .372; P Conclusions These results suggest that psychiatric symptoms, especially anxiety, are associated with poor asthma-related quality of life, and more negative perception of asthma control in girls compared with boys (with no observed sex difference in physiological lung function). Clinicians should consider incorporating questions about psychiatric symptoms as part of routine asthma management, and focus patient education on unique differences in which boys and girls perceive their asthma symptoms.
Chronic Pain and Mood Disorders in Asian Americans.

Purpose: Pain and mood disorder frequently coexist. Yet, for Asian Americans (AAs), scant information about pain and mood disorder is available. Our aims were to compare (1) the rates of pain and mood disorders and (2) the magnitude of associations between pain and mood disorders between AAs and European Americans (EAs), and across different Asian subgroups. Methods: An analytical data was constructed from the Collaborative Psychiatric Epidemiology Studies (CPES), a representative sample of community-residing U.S. adults (n = 9,871). Pain morbidity was assessed by self-report. Mood disorders, including major depression and anxiety disorders, were assessed using the diagnostic interview. Analysis included descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression modeling. All analyses were weighted to approximate the U.S. populations, and controlled for sociodemographic and immigration characteristics. Results: Greater proportion of EAs, compared to AAs, endorsed lifetime pain (56.8% vs. 35.8%). Having life pain disorders elevated the likelihood of lifetime mood disorder by more than 2-folds (weight adjusted odds ratio (WAOR): 2.12, 95% CI: 1.77, 2.55). Having pain disorders over the past 12 months elevated the likelihood of mood disorder in the same time period by more than 3-folds (WAOR: 3.29, 95% CI: 2.02, 5.37) among AAs. The magnitude of the association between pain and psychiatric morbidity were greater in Vietnamese Americans compared to other AAs and EAs. Discussion: The conventional belief that rates of pain and mood disorders are greater in AAs than EAs may need to be further examined. Vietnamese Americans may be particularly vulnerable for experience of comorbid pain and mood disorders.
Radial and Axial Inlet and Outlet Design for End Winding Cooling of High-Speed Integrated Flux-Switching Motor-Compressor

In this paper, radial and axial housing inlet and outlet designs are proposed to cool a novel high-speed integrated flux-switching motor-compressor. With special arrangements of inlets and outlets in the housing, thermal analysis shows that the end windings can be effectively cooled. The rotor poles of the proposed machine are designed in the shape of airfoils so that they function as the rotor of an axial-flow fan. As the machine rotates at high speed, air is drawn into the machine and accelerated in the rotor. In this process, the airflow also cools the machine through forced convection; as a result, the machine achieves self-cooling. In order to use this capability most effectively, it is necessary to optimize the air flow path within the machine in order to direct air to critical surfaces that must be cooled and also remain at a favorable point on the fan curve. This paper explores different housing inlet and outlet designs and their influence on the pressure drop and surface heat transfer coefficients. The electromagnetic performance is evaluated by 3-D finite element analysis (FEA), and 3-D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations are used to evaluate the thermal-fluid performance including the convective heat transfer coefficient at different surfaces.
Immunology of Avian Leukosis Virus Infections

This Chapter will concentrate on three interactions of avian leukosis virus (ALV) with the immune system of the avian host. The first, neoplastic transformation of lymphoid cells, will be treated briefly and is the subject of more detailed discussion in Chapters 4 and 9 of this monograph. The second, immunization, will be treated more thoroughly since immune recognition is a major host defense mechanism. The third, immunosuppression, will be discussed at some length because it is an area of considerable current interest. The interactions of ALVs with the host immune system are almost always harmful. Infection with ALV generally gives rise to either neoplasia or immunosuppression.
Design of Cyclic α-Defensin Dimers as Channel Forming BuildingBlocks

Defensins exhibit antimicrobial activity toward bacteria, yeast, fungi and enveloped viruses. Studies indicate that the microbe killing activity is related to their pore forming and membrane permeabilizing properties [1]. Also, the microbicidal activities of defensins are salt sensitive. This leads to the hypothesis that salt-sensitivity of defensins may exacerbate certain pathological conditions such as those found in cystic fibrosis in which the NaCl concentration on lung mucosal surface is increased to a level that inactivates endogenous defensins.
Overview of hyperthermophiles and their heat-shock proteins.

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the diversity, phylogeny, and heat-shock proteins of hyperthermophilic micro-organisms, organisms that grow at 90°C and above. Hyperthermophiles are defined as the organisms that grow optimally at 80°C or higher with a maximal growth temperature of 90°C or higher. The term extreme thermophile is also used to describe the same group of organisms. Hyperthermophiles are detected in environments having temperatures of less than 50°C to greater than 110°C and at pH ranges from 0.5 to 11.0 provided suitable carbon and nitrogen sources and needed electron acceptors and donors exist. Such environments are found in both the shallow and deep sea. Physiological characteristics, phylogeny and evolution of thermophiles are discussed. At present, there are too few data on heat-shock proteins in hyperthermophilic species to make sweeping conclusions about the role of hyperthermophiles in the origins of the heat-shock and other stress-response proteins.
Computer-Mediated Communication and Second Language Use

Since its introduction into foreign and second language (L2) teaching, CMC has been hailed for yielding lexically and grammatically richer language when compared with learners' output during face-to-face interactions and for increasing their motivation to interact in the L2. Arguably even more importantly, however, CMC appears not only to affect the language produced but also to revolutionize the way learners use the L2. Over the past two decades research on this topic has broadened in paradigmatic focus and methodological approach. Accordingly, Blyth groups studies of CMC into four categories: (a) technological (analyzing language development as a result of CMC), (b) psycholinguistic (applying interactionist theories of second language acquisition to CMC), (c) sociocultural (understanding learning as a socially constructed process), and (d) ecological (examining situated language learning). Studies from each category have contributed to our understanding of L2 use in CMC. Keywords: Computer Mediated Communication; Intercultural Communication; Language and Social Interaction; language learning technology; Second Language Acquisition
NEUTRALIZATION-REIONIZATION MASS SPECTROMETRY: FUNDAMENTAL STUDIES AND ANALYTICAL APPLICATIONS

Neutralization-reionization mass spectrometry (NRMS) involves the production and analysis of neutral species inside the mass spectrometer. The neutrals are formed by charge exchange or dissociation of mass-selected ions and subsequently reionized for mass-analysis and detection. This method can be particularly useful for the characterization of ion structures, as shown here for C2H7O+ isomers. NRMS enables the study of highly reactive or marginally stable molecules in the gas phase, by forming them via neutralization of the corresponding stable cations or anions; for example, unusual biradical intermediates, such as ·CH2CH2OCH2·, can be generated from readily available distonic ions.By allowing the detection and identification of neutral products from ion fragmentations,NRMS also provides unique mechanistic and molecular structure information.
The use of blood levels of antiepileptic drugs in clinical practice.

Measurement of blood levels of antiepileptic drugs has been carried out for over a decade. In earlier years, mostly spectrophotometric and colonmetric methods were used to determine diphenylhydantoin and phenobarbital concentrations. In more recent years, gas-liquid chromatographic methods have been employed which generally offer greater specificity and allow determination of several drugs simultaneously. Ceneral experience from the determination of antiepileptic drug blood levels indicates that there is some correlation between (1) the drug dose and blood level, (2) blood level and therapeutic effects, and (3) blood level and some toxic effects. The relationships are evident and usually reproducible in any individual patient. However, there are marked variations in these relationships among different patients due to variations in their individual-specific pharmacokinetic characteristics and/or external factors. Thus a wide range of blood levels may be seen in patients receiving the same dose and a wide range of clinical effects may be seen in patients having the same blood level. Nevertheless, an expected range of blood levels from a given dose can be defined, as well as an expected range of blood levels in which toxic or therapeutic effects are usually seen in the majority of patients. These expected values are clinically useful in that they caution the physician to look for specific causes in those patients whose blood levels fall far above or below the expected range. WHAT DOSAGE REGIMEN TO USE The majority of antiepileptic drugs are eliminated slowly and cause relatively stable blood levels to be maintained as long as the drug intake is constant.
Fas-Associated Death Domain-Containing Protein-Mediated Antiviral Innate Immune Signaling Involves the Regulation of Irf7

The induction of type I (alphabeta) IFN following virus infection is necessary for the stimulation of effective antiviral host defense. In fibroblasts, a subset of primary genes (including those encoding IFN-beta and IFN-alpha4) are induced directly by intracellular dsRNA generated by the virus during its replication. These primary type I IFNs induce expression of IFN regulatory factor (IRF)-7, required for production of a second cascade of IFN-alpha subtypes and the further establishment of a complete antiviral state. Previously, we had reported on a role for Fas-associated death domain-containing protein (FADD) in the control of TLR-independent innate immune responses to virus infection. Our data in this study demonstrate that FADD is not only required for efficient primary gene induction, but is also essential for induction of Irf7 and effective expression of secondary IFN-alphas and other antiviral genes. Ectopic overexpression of IRF-7 partially rescued dsRNA responsiveness and IFN-alpha production, and a constitutively active variant of IRF-7 displayed normal activity in Fadd(-/-) murine embryonic fibroblasts. MC159, a FADD-interacting viral protein encoded by the molluscum contagiosum poxvirus was found to inhibit dsRNA-activated signaling events upstream of IRF-7. These data indicate that FADD's antiviral activity involves regulation of IRF-7-dependent production of IFN-alpha subtypes and consequent induction of secondary antiviral genes.
Spaces Homeomorphic to (2α)α

We begin this section with an abstract study, independent of previous material, of the spaces (2 α ) α for regular infinite α. These Cantor-like spaces have a canonical structure and their characterization with an economical list of properties (Theorem 15.3) suggests the possibility of their frequent “natural” occurrence. The property of ℬ-compactness in the characterization theorem suggests that if X is a compact space satisfying certain natural cardinality conditions then the associated space X α is homeomorphic to (2 α ) α . That this is indeed the case is a simple and particularly useful result (Theorem 15.9). A special case occurs as follows: assuming that 2 α is a regular cardinal and that no uniform ultrafilter on α has a filter base of cardinality less than 2 α , there is a homeomorphism between U(α)2α and (2(2α))2α (Theorem 15.14(a)). This homeomorphism forms the crucial link relating the general results about the spaces (2 α ) α considered thus far to the study of ultrafilters. It implies that the topological properties of (2(2α))2α may be studied and applied profitably to the space U(α)2α.
Whitehead Graphs and the Σ1-Invariants of Infinite Groups

Let G be a finitely generated group. The Bieri–Neumann–Strebel invariant Σ1(G) of G determines, among other things, the distribution of finitely generated subgroups N◃G with G/N abelian. This invariant can be quite difficult to compute. Given a finite presentation 〈S:R〉 for G, there is an algorithm, introduced by Brown and extended by Bieri and Strebel, which determines a space Σ(R) that is always contained in, and is sometimes equal to, Σ1(G). We refine this algorithm to one which involves the local structure of the universal cover of the standard 2-complex of a given presentation. Let Ψ(R) denote the space determined by this algorithm. We show that Σ(R) ⊆ Ψ ⊆ Σ1(G) for any finitely presented group G, and if G admits a staggered presentation, then Ψ = Σ1(G). By casting this algorithm in terms of connectivity properties of graphs, it is shown to be computationally feasible.
Reactions of Monodithiolene Tungsten(VI) Sulfido Complexes with Copper(I) in Relation to the Structure of the Active Site of Carbon Monoxide Dehydrogenase

Reactions directed at the synthesis of structural analogues of the active site of molybdenum-containing carbon monoxide dehydrogenase have been investigated utilizing [WO2S(bdt)]2− (1) and [WOS2(bd...
Linear diacetylene polymers containing bis(dimethylsilyl) phenyl and/or bis‐(tetramethyldisiloxane) carborane residues: Their synthesis, characterization and thermal and oxidative properties

A series of inorganic-organic linear diacetylenic hybrid polymers (5a–e) were prepared by the polycondensation reaction of 1,4-dilithiobutadiyne with 1,4-bis(dimethylchlorosilyl)benzene and/or 1,7-bis(tetramethylchlorodisiloxane)-m-carborane. Their structures were characterized using FTIR, and 13C and 1H NMR spectroscopies, and their thermal and oxidative properties were evaluated by DSC and TGA analyses. The hybrid polymers exhibited solubility in common organic solvents and were viscous liquids or low melting solids at room temperature. Broad prominent exotherms, attributed to reaction of the diacetylenic units, were observed by DSC in the 306°C to 354°C temperature range. When 5a–e were analyzed by TGA to 1000°C under nitrogen, weight retention between 79 and 86% were obtained. Ageing studies, performed at elevated temperatures in air on a thermoset and a ceramic obtained from polymer 5b, showed this system to have excellent thermal and oxidative stability. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35: 2387–2391, 1997
Dual structures for ultra-compact on-chip plasmonic light concentration on silicon platforms

We present two dual types of Si-based hybrid photonic-plasmonic structures for extreme light concentration. Both structures are ultra-compact (length &#60; 1µm) and highly efficient.
Cluster ion emission from nitrogen-doped GaAs and optimization of SIMS conditions for nitrogen analysis

Abstract Emission of “impurity-matrix” cluster ions from N-doped GaAs was studied using both Cs + and O 2 + ion bombardment and by monitoring positive and negative secondary species. Results of N depth profiling using different cluster ions were analyzed with regards to dynamic range, detection limit and depth resolution. Comparison of selected clusters exhibiting the best analytical parameters for each studied SIMS regime revealed that Cs + bombardment provides significantly better N detection limit than O 2 + bombardment. Under Cs + bombardment, the lowest detection limit was obtained by monitoring Ga 2 N − clusters (11.5 keV impact energy), while the best depth resolution was obtained by monitoring CsN + clusters (2.5 keV impact energy). Cluster useful yield behavior and cluster energy spectra were analyzed, and it was concluded that a direct emission mechanism plays an important role in “impurity-matrix” cluster emission from N-doped GaAs matrix.
The many faces of consensus in distributed systems

Known results regarding consensus among processors are surveyed and related to practice. The ideas embodied in the various proofs are explained. The goal is to give practitioners some sense of the system hardware and software guarantees that are required to achieve a given level of reliability and performance. The survey focuses on two categories of failures: fail-stop failures, which occur when processors fail by stopping; and Byzantine failures, which occur when processors fail by acting maliciously. >
Real-time voice communication over the internet using packet path diversity

The quality of real-time voice communication over best-effort networks is mainly determined by the delay and loss characteristics observed along the network path. Excessive playout buffering at the receiver is prohibitive and significantly delayed packets have to be discarded and considered as late loss. We propose to improve the tradeoff among delay, late loss rate, and speech quality using multi-stream transmission of real-time voice over the Internet, where multiple redundant descriptions of the voice stream are sent over independent network paths. Scheduling the playout of the received voice packets is based on a novel multi-stream adaptive playout scheduling technique that uses a Lagrangian cost function to trade delay versus loss. Experiments over the Internet suggest largely uncorrelated packet erasure and delay jitter characteristics for different network paths which leads to a noticeable path diversity gain. We observe significant reductions in mean end-to-end latency and loss rates as well as improved speech quality when compared to FEC protected single-path transmission at the same data rate. In addition to our Internet measurements, we analyze the performance of the proposed multi-path voice communication scheme using the ns network simulator for different network topologies, including shared network links.
1,3-Dihydroxyacetone in Sagittarius B2(N-LMH): The First Interstellar Ketose

We present here the results of an initial search for 1,3-dihydroxyacetone [or DHA, CO(CH2OH)2], the simplest ketose monosaccharide, toward the Sagittarius B2(N-LMH) hot core. Nine possible DHA emission lines have been observed with the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory, from which a rotational excitation temperature of 220 ± 65 K and a beam-averaged column density of (4.9 ± 2.2) × 1015 cm-2 are derived. If confirmed by additional observations, DHA would be among the most abundant complex molecules yet detected. DHA is not considered in any existing grain mantle or molecular cloud chemical model, highlighting the need for a more detailed investigation of the formation of prebiotic compounds in hot cores.
Council-tip catheter facilitates vesicourethral anastomotic suture placement

The use of a transurethrally placed Council-tip catheter facilitates urethral suture placement when performing the urethral-vesical anastomosis following radical retropubic prostatectomy. The technique for use of this catheter is described.
Formation of agglomerate particles by coagulation and sintering—Part I. A two-dimensional solution of the population balance equation

Abstract A two-dimensional particle size distribution model is presented, for the first time, describing the evolution of both particle size and shape during gas phase powder production. In addition to the coagulation term, the governing population balance equation includes a coalescence contribution based on the particle sintering rate. It is the finite coalescence rate that results in the formation of irregularly shaped aggregate particles. Using volume and surface area as the two particle size dimensions, the aerosol dynamic equations are solved by extending a one-dimensional sectional technique to the two-dimensional space. This model leads to a quantitative characterization of powder morphology as well as the average size and polydispersity of the powders. The volume and surface area of the particles can also lead to an estimation of the surface fractal dimension of these particles from first principles.
Contributions to a Theory of Patrol Scheduling

The problem considered in this paper is that of scheduling police patrols in a random pattern. This involves generating patrol routes as well as schedules for dispatching patrol vehicles. A solution to this problem is obtained by specifying minimum average patrol requirements on each route segment in a network and then developing a procedure which meets these requirements while minimizing the total patrol effort. Introducing vehicles into the network in a Poisson stream results in Poisson streams in each route segment and so ensures that an observer cannot use previous history for predicting arrival patterns. This solution also has the property that the number of patrol cars in the network is a Poisson random variable for which the steady-state can be achieved immediately. The steady-state distribution function is also used to determine the number of patrol cars required.
The bactericidal action of pectin and metal pectinates

1. Pectin does not possess bactericidal power. 2. Metal pectinates exert bactericidal action. 3. Silver pectinate has the greatest bactericidal action of any of the metal pectinates we have studied.
Robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy: history, techniques and outcomes.

Objective Robotic-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) is a less invasive means of performing the radical cystectomy operation, which holds promise for improved patient morbidity. We review the history, technique and current literature pertaining to RARC and place the current results in context with the open procedure.
Multivariate statistical monitoring of batch processes: an industrial case study of fermentation supervision

This article describes the development of Multivariate Statistical Process Control (MSPC) procedures for monitoring batch processes and demonstrates its application with respect to industrial tylosin biosynthesis. Currently, the main fermentation phase is monitored using univariate statistical process control principles implemented within the G2 real-time expert system package. This development addresses integrating various process stages into a monitoring system and observing interactions among individual variables through the use of multivariate projection methods. The benefits of this approach will be discussed from an industrial perspective.
Polarized light scattered from rough surfaces

A facet model is used to predict the polarization states of light scattered from rough surfaces. The states are compared with experimentally determined elements from various types of rough substrates. The experimental data are found to be quite similar to what is predicted by the model.
Wood anatomy of Krameriaceae with comparisons with Zygophyllaceae: phylesis, ecology and systematics

Wood of nine species of Krameria (including all clades proposed within the genus) reveals a few characters related to infrageneric systematics; most relate primarily to ecology and habit. Wood of Krameria closely fits quantitative data reported for desert shrubs. Lack of vessel grouping correlates with the presence of densely pitted tracheids. Wood xeromorphy in Krameria may relate in part to hemiparasitism. Tracheid presence may also account for relatively low vessel density. Wood anatomy of six species of Zygophyllaceae (including both genera of Morkillioideae) is compared with that of Krameriaceae because recent phylogenies propose that these two families comprise the order Zygophyllales. Several wood characters appear to represent synapomorphies reflecting this relationship. Differences in wood anatomy between Krameriaceae and Zygophyllaceae are believed to represent autapomorphies. Notable among these include Paedomorphic Type II rays (Krameriaceae), storying (Zygophyllaceae), presence of vestured pits (Zygophyllaceae), and differentiation into vasicentric tracheids and fibre-tracheids (Zygophyllaceae). The latter feature is referable to the concept of fibre-tracheid dimorphism. Recognition of Krameriaceae as separate from Zygophyllaceae is supported by wood characters. Wood of Zygophyllales does not conflict with the idea that the order belongs to rosids, with Malpighiaceae as the outgroup of Zygophyllales. © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2005, 149, 257–270.
Cycling of iron, manganese, silica, phosphorus, calcium and potassium in two stratified basins of Shagawa Lake, Minnesota

Geochemical studies of Fe, Mn, Si, P, Ca, and K were made in two basins of Shagawa Lake, Minnesota during summers 1977–1979. Within the metalimnion, upward and laterally diffusing Fe(II) oxidizes and co-precipitates a large fraction of soluble P. Nevertheless, the soluble FeP ratio decreases while progressing upward through the oxidation zone. The mean paniculate FeSi ratio is 3.0 ± 0.5 in the thermocline, but because of the stoichiometric excess of dissolved Si over Fe, and preferential associations between Fe and P, the oxidation of Fe has a negligible effect on the dissolved SiO2 profiles. The lake sediments are net sources of Ca, K, and P during summer stratification. These elements are transported upward through the thermocline and exported from the lake. Despite the very active sediment release of dissolved SiO2, and upward transport through the thermocline, the lake acts as a net sink for biogenic opal in summer. The prominent soluble Mn maxima in the thermocline of the east basin result from antecedent sediment release (Mn2+) and vertical transport (primarily in the west basin), followed by dispersion and oxidation in the epilimnion, and finally downward settling and dissolution within the east basin thermocline. Rhodochrosite solubility does not influence Mn2+ profile development. Very large percentage increases in epilimnetic Fe, Mn, Si, and P occur simultaneously during episodes of wind-activated entrainment of metalimnion water. These increases are in stoichiometric agreement with the entrained water mass, provided account is also taken of the preformed slurries overlying the metalimnetic shelf sediments in mid-summer. The bathylimnetic soluble FeP ratio remains low since the cultural inputs of P were terminated in early 1973. This geochemical stability is explained by the large reserves of potentially mobile P in the upper post-cultural sediments. Phosphorus release from these sediments and transport phenomena account for the persistent eutrophic condition of the lake during mid-late summer, despite the 80% reduction in external P loading.
First-principles approach to spin-orbit coupling in dilute magnetic semiconductors

We describe the implementation of a spin-polarized fully relativistic plane wave pseudopotential density functional method. Using the method, we compare the calculated electronic band structures of hypothetical ferromagnetic zinc blende structure MnAs and MnSe within the scalar-relativistic and fully relativistic pseudopotential approximations. We extract the conduction band and valence band exchange constants and extrapolate to the low concentration limit following a simple mean field approximation. Finally we investigate how strongly the exchange constants are affected by the spin-orbit term and provide a computational justification for extracting these constants from scalar-relativistic calculations.
Biogenic monoamine turnover in discrete rat brain regions is correlated with conditioned emotional response and its conditioning history

The content and turnover of dopamine, norepinephrine and 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin), and the content of their respective major metabolites were evaluated in 19 discrete brain areas of rats exposed to conditioned emotional response (CER), and in control groups which received either equivalent yoked shock (shock only) or compound stimulus presentation (tone only). On test day, CER animals suppressed responding and exhibited forms of emotional behavior after presentation of the conditioned stimulus (CS); while shock only and tone only control groups, and CER animals which received an acute dose of diazepam prior to testing, did not suppress. Few changes were observed in content of the biogenic amines or their metabolites, suggesting that the behavioral manipulations were acting within normal physiological limits. On the other hand, numerous changes were observed in the utilization of the 3 biogenic monoamines, which were correlated with the conditioning-anxiety (comparisons of CER vs shock only) and the shock history (comparison of shock only vs tone only). These observations are consistent with putative neural pathways in the frontal cortex, septum, nucleus accumbens, amygdala, striatum, hippocampus and brain stem (which utilize specific monoamines), and with discrete brain areas which have been implicated in classical conditioning and CER-related phenomena. These observations suggest roles for biogenic monoamines in mediating or responding to the classical conditioning and emotional components of the paradigm.
Multiobjective optimum design in mixed integer and discrete design variable problems

A min-max variant of the global criterion approach is proposed to obtain solutions to multiobjective optimum design problems involving a mix of continuous, discrete, and integer design variables. This modified global criterion approach is used in conjunction with a branch-and-bound algorithm, where the latter was configured especially to accommodate a mix of integer and discrete design variables. The use of a weighting strategy with the proposed method allows the generation of a set of Pareto optimal solutions for both convex and nonconvex problems
Reduced brain DHA content after a single reproductive cycle in female rats fed a diet deficient in N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Background Low levels of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), particularly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n3), are implicated in postpartum depression. Methods The effects of pregnancy and lactation on brain phospholipid fatty acid content were determined in female rats fed diets containing sufficient (control) or negligible (deficient) α-linolenic acid (18:3n-3), the dietary precursor of DHA, beginning at conception. Female virgins, fed the diets for 6 weeks, served as control animals. Whole brain total phospholipid composition was determined at weaning by GC. Results Brain DHA content of postpartum dams fed the deficient diet was decreased by 21% compared with age-matched virgin control animals, with a reciprocal increase in docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n6) to 243%. Conclusions Under dietary conditions supplying inadequate n-3 PUFAs, maternal brain DHA content can be reduced after a single reproductive cycle. This depletion may affect neuronal function and thus the sensitivity of the postpartum organism to stress.
Distribution and corticosteroid regulation of glucocorticoid receptor in the brain of Xenopus laevis.

Glucocorticoids (GCs) play essential roles in physiology, development, and behavior that are mediated largely by the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). Although the GR has been intensively studied in mammals, very little is known about the GR in nonmammalian tetrapods. We analyzed the distribution and GC regulation of GR in the brain of the frog Xenopus laevis by immunohistochemistry. GR-immunoreactive (GR-ir) cells were widely distributed, with the highest densities in the medial pallium (mp; homolog of the mammalian hippocampus), accumbens, anterior preoptic area (POA; homolog of the mammalian paraventricular nucleus), Purkinje cell layer of the cerebellum, and rostral anterior pituitary gland (location of corticotropes). Lower but distinct GR-ir was observed in the internal granule cell layer of the olfactory bulbs, dorsal and lateral pallium, striatum, various subfields of the amygdala, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), optic tectum, various tegmental nuclei, locus coeruleus, raphe nuclei, reticular nuclei, and the nuclei of the trigeminal motor nerves. Treatment with corticosterone (CORT) for 4 days significantly decreased GR-ir in the POA, mp, medial amygdala (MeA), BNST, and rostral pars distalis. Treatment with the corticosteroid synthesis inhibitor metyrapone (MTP) also significantly reduced GR-ir in the POA, mp, MeA and BNST, but not in the rostral pars distalis. Replacement with a low dose of CORT in MTP-treated animals reversed these effects in brain. Thus, chronic increase or decrease in circulating corticosteroids reduces GR-ir in regions of the frog brain. Our results show that the central distribution of GR-ir and regulation by corticosteroids are highly conserved
Production of a urokinase plasminogen activator-IgG fusion protein (uPA-IgG) in the baculovirus expression system ☆

Abstract Numerous studies have demonstrated the importance of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) and its receptor, uPAR, in the processes of tumor progression and metastasis. Thus, the uPA/uPAR interaction may represent an important target for inhibiting metastatic disease. The baculovirus expression system was used to produce high levels of a secreted uPA-Immunoglobulin G fusion protein (uPA-IgG) which could then be used for displacing uPA from the surface of tumor cells. The recombinant uPAIgG fusion protein was placed under the control of either the viral polyhedrin promoter or a copy of the viral basic protein promoter. Recombinant viruses were then used to infect Sf9 and BTI-Tn-5B1-4 cells. Infection of both cell types resulted in the production of secreted uPA-IgG. The molecular mass of the secreted protein as determined by SDS-PAGE was approximately 40 kDa. The highest level of secreted uPA-IgG, 444 μg/ml, was found in the culture medium of BTI-Tn-5B1-4 cells 72 h post-infection with the basic protein promoter-uPA-IgG virus. In the case of Sf9 cells, the highest level of secreted protein was 195 μg/ml. The amount of cell-associated uPA-IgG in infected BTI-Tn-5B1-4 cells was significantly less than that of infected Sf9 cells, reflecting the superior secretory capability of the BTI-Tn-5B1-4 cells. The uPA-IgG was readily purified using a combination of zinc chelate and sephacryl S-100 column chromatography. Routinely, greater than 100 mg of greater than 95% pure protein could be obtained per liter of culture medium collected at 72 h post-infection of BTI-Tn-5B1-4 cells with the basic protein promoter virus. BIAcore analysis and competition binding assays using LOX human malignant melanoma cells expressing uPAR indicated that the purified recombinant protein possessed similar ligand binding characteristics to that of human uPA.