cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Temperature Predictions Using Hybrid Heat Flux Gage Measurements

The hybrid heat flux gage is a high temperature device that does not require water cooling and can be placed directly onto a surface to quantify the heat exposure boundary conditions. In this research, the hybrid gage was mounted onto three different samples and used to determine exposure conditions for predicting the transient temperature rise of the samples. Tests were performed in an ASTM E1354 cone calorimeter at cold surface heat flux levels of 10 kW/m2, 20 kW/m2 and 35 kW/m2. Boundary condition details such as the radiant heat flux and the convective heat transfer coefficient were determined with the hybrid gage. The measured boundary conditions were input into the finite element package Abaqus to predict the transient through thickness temperature rise of aluminum alloy 5083, Marinite P, and UNIFRAX Duraboard LD ceramic board. Transient temperature predictions were generally within 6% of the experimental data, demonstrating the use of the hybrid gage to determine the mixed mode boundary condition details for fire applications.
LpA-I, LpA-I:A-II HDL and CHD-risk: The Framingham Offspring Study and the Veterans Affairs HDL Intervention Trial.

Abstract Objective We tested the hypothesis that concentrations of LpA-I and/or LpA-I:A-II HDL subclasses are significantly associated with CHD prevalence and recurrent cardiovascular events. Methods LpA-I levels were determined by differential electroimmunoassay in male participants with ( n =169) and without CHD ( n =850) from the Framingham Offspring Study (FOS) and in male participants with CHD from the placebo arm of the Veterans Affairs HDL Intervention Trial (VA-HIT) ( n =741). Data were analyzed cross-sectionally (FOS) and prospectively (VA-HIT) and were adjusted for established lipid and non-lipid CHD risk factors. Results We observed slightly but significantly higher LpA-I levels in CHD cases compared to all or to HDL-C-matched controls and slightly but significantly higher LpA-I:A-II levels in CHD cases compared to HDL-C-matched controls it the FOS. Neither LpA-I nor LpA-I:A-II levels were significantly different between groups with and without recurrent cardiovascular events in the VA-HIT. No significant differences were observed in LpA-I and LpA-I:A-II levels in low HDL-C (≤40mg/dl) subjects with CHD (VA-HIT, n =711) and without CHD (FOS, n =373). Plasma LpA-I concentration had a positive correlation with the large LpA-I HDL particle (α-1) but no correlation with the small LpA-I HDL particle (preβ-1). LpA-I:A-II concentration had a positive correlation with the large (α-2) and an inverse correlation with the small (α-3) LpA-I:A-II HDL particles. Conclusion Our data do not support the hypothesis that CHD prevalence (FOS) or recurrence of cardiovascular events (VA-HIT) are associated with significant reductions in the concentrations of LpA-I and/or LpA-I:A-II HDL subclasses.
Online-learning and Attention-based Approach to Obstacle Avoidance Using a Range Finder

The problem of developing local reactive obstacle-avoidance behaviors by a mobile robot through online real-time learning is considered. The robot operated in an unknown bounded 2-D environment populated by static or moving obstacles (with slow speeds) of arbitrary shape. The sensory perception was based on a laser range finder. A learning-based approach to the problem is presented. To greatly reduce the number of training samples needed, an attentional mechanism was used. An efficient, real-time implementation of the approach was tested, demonstrating smooth obstacle-avoidance behaviors in a corridor with a crowd of moving students as well as static obstacles.
Maintenance Capacity Planning: Determination of Maintenance Workforce

Determining the size of maintenance workforce is an essential element of maintenance planning. It is important for performing maintenance programs perfectly. However, it is a complex and challenging problem since it involves the consideration of several important factors. The mathematical model developed in this paper aims at finding out the optimal size of the maintenance workforce taking into account all of the important factors that affect this size. It is based on determining the needed number of workers with different skill levels and from different sources to meet maintenance workload of different grades that is to be performed in a specified planning horizon with minimum cost acquired.
Adaptive automatic object recognition in single and multi-modal sensor data

For single-modal data, object recognition and classification in a 3D point cloud is a non-trivial process due to the nature of the data collected from a sensor system where the signal can be corrupted by noise from the environment, electronic system, A/D converter, etc. Therefore, an adaptive system with a specific desired tolerance is required to perform classification and recognition optimally. The feature-based pattern recognition algorithm described below, is generalized for solving a particular global problem with minimal change. Since for the given class set, a feature set must be extracted accordingly. For instance, man-made urban object classification, rural and natural objects, and human organ classification would require different and distinct feature sets. This study is to compare the adaptive automatic object recognition in single sensor and the distributed adaptive pattern recognition in multi-sensor fusion. The similarity in automatic object recognition between single-sensor and multi-sensor fusion is the ability to learn from experiences and decide on a given pattern. Their main difference is that the sensor fusion makes a decision from the decisions of all sensors whereas the single sensor requires a feature extraction for a decision.
Chemical characterization of solid coals through magic-angle 13C nuclear magnetic resonance

Recently developed 13C n.m.r. techniques for high resolution in solids are applied to native coals. The quantity and distribution of hydroxyl groups in the samples are determined by combining chemical modification through acetylation with the n.m.r. measurements. Spectral subtraction isolates the reaction product resonances. Spectroscopic separation of protonated and non-protonated carbons through pulse programming techniques is also demonstrated. Finally, the susceptibility of the aliphatic carbons in coals to low-temperature oxidation is shown clearly by subtraction of spectra of the oxidized and unoxidized materials.
Analysis of the binding sites of chromium to DNA and protein in vitro and in intact cells.

Previous studies have examined Cr(III), or CrO4 reduced to Cr(III), binding in vitro to DNA. However, there have been few studies examining chromate binding to DNA in intact cells. Treatment of intact cells with chromate (Na2(51)CrO4) resulted in chromium (Cr) binding to DNA. The binding of Cr to DNA was much more stable when more residual peptide/amino acids were associated with DNA. A substantial portion of the Cr bound to DNA was released by treatment with EDTA, suggesting that trivalent Cr was the major oxidation state of Cr bound to DNA. Cr(III) stimulated the formation of amino acid-DNA and protein-DNA complexes in vitro. Tyrosine and cysteine exhibited the highest activity in being complexed to DNA by Cr(III) in vitro, while histidine, methionine and threonine also exhibited more activity than any other amino acid. Similar results were found in intact cells. The activity of proteins complexed to DNA by trivalent Cr depended upon the content of these reactive amino acids. Thus, bovine serum albumin was more active than actin, which in turn was more active than histones. These and other studies presented suggested that Cr(III) was involved directly in the formation of DNA-protein complexes in intact cells, unlike other metals such as Ni(II), which are thought to form DNA-protein cross-links catalytically and not participate directly in the complex. The majority of trivalent Cr associated with DNA was bound to the phosphate backbone without exhibiting any base specificity. Collectively, these results indicate that trivalent Cr creates DNA protein crosslinks by binding with reactive amino acids (i.e. cysteine, tyrosine or histidine) and linking these to the phosphate backbone of DNA.
Age-Related Attribution Biases in Errors Involving Instrumental Activities of Daily Living

Previous research has demonstrated biases, such as the correspondence bias and an age-based double standard, related to causal attributions throughout adulthood. Much of this research has focused on memory errors, and little attention has been paid to instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) errors. Due to the social context of IADL tasks combined with the importance of these tasks in maintaining independence, the current study attempts to establish the extent that causal attribution biases occur in this domain. The current study used vignettes describing both memory and IADL errors to assess the types of attributions participants (young, middle-aged, and older adults) made when explaining the cause of these errors. This between-subjects design manipulated the age (young, middle-aged, and old) and gender of the targets committing the errors. Similar to the memory domain, participants exhibited an age-based double standard when describing the cause of IADL errors. Specifically, older targets were thought to commit errors due to ‘mental difficulty.’ This study revealed initial evidence that age-related biases in causal attributions may extend to IADL domains. The findings do suggest, however, that these biases may be less pronounced compared to memory domains, as support for age-related increases in the correspondence bias was found in the memory but not the IADL domain.
Crystal structure of a designed, thermostable, heterotrimeric coiled coil

Electrostatic interactions are often critical for determining the specificity of protein-protein complexes. To study the role of electrostatic interactions for assembly of helical bundles, we previously designed a thermostable, heterotrimeric coiled coil, ABC, in which charged residues were employed to drive preferential association of three distinct, 34-residue helices. To investigate the basis for heterotrimer specificity, we have used multiwavelength anomalous diffraction (MAD) analysis to determine the 1.8 A resolution crystal structure of ABC. The structure shows that ABC forms a heterotrimeric coiled coil with the intended arrangement of parallel chains. Over half of the ion pairs engineered to restrict helix associations were apparent in the experimental electron density map. As seen in other trimeric coiled coils, ABC displays acute knobs-into-holes packing and a buried anion coordinated by core polar amino acids. These interactions validate the design strategy and illustrate how packing and polar contacts determine structural uniqueness.
Differential strength decline in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee: revision of a hypothesis

A quadriceps-to-hamstring isometric peak torque ratio (Q/H ratio) of approximately 2.0 is considered necessary for appropriate knee biomechanics. Lower ratios may affect the function of persons with osteoarthritis (OA) and the progression of the disease. This study examined the isometric Q/H ratio in subjects with and without OA of the knee and explored the effect of age, pain, and joint enlargement on the ratio. Twenty-one pairs of subjects (OA, control) were matched on age (mean = 62.6 years; SD = 13.9), gender (F = 17, M = 4), and leg dominance (Dominant = 10, Nondominant = 11). Isometric quadriceps and hamstring peak torque, knee pain, and joint enlargement were measured. Paired t-tests demonstrated that the OA group had significantly lower quadriceps peak torque than the control group but did not have significantly lower hamstring peak torque or gravity-corrected isometric Q/H ratio. Age correlated with the ratio in subjects without OA (rho = -0.46; P = 0.03) but not in subjects with OA. Pain was not significantly correlated with the ratio in either group. Joint enlargement correlated with the ratio in the OA group (rho = -0.45; P = 0.03). The gravity-corrected isometric Q/H ratio appears to decrease with age in subjects without OA. In subjects with OA, the Q/H ratio appears not to change with disease, pain, or age. Joint enlargement may decrease the ratio and merits further study.
The Importance of Small but Consistent Group Differences on Standardized Tests: The Case of Sex Differences on the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities.

Investigated sex differences on the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities. While few of the sex differences on the separate scales were statistically significant, binomial tests indicated that the overall pattern of differences consistently favored females. Several reasons why these smali but consistent between-group differences may have important consequences in evaluation settings are discussed. The procedures presented here should prove generally useful in situations in which a series of tests or subtests is used.
Complex perceptions of identity: the experiences of student combat veterans in community college

ABSTRACTThis qualitative study illustrates how complex perceptions of identity influence the community college experience for student veterans who have been in combat, creating barriers to their overall persistence. The collective experiences of student combat veterans at two community colleges in northwestern Massachusetts are presented, and a Combat Veteran Conceptual Identity Model to illustrate the ongoing negotiation of identity combat veterans experience while in college is introduced. Notable implications for future research and practice in Student Affairs are discussed.
A multichambered microcalorimeter for the investigation of cement hydration

Abstract A heat-conduction or Tian type isothermal microcalorimeter to measure the rate of heat liberation during the hydration of cement has been designed and constructed. The calorimeter is of high sensitivity allowing measurements to be performed on samples as small as 0.1 g. The calorimeter is equipped with an internal heater which allows isothermal calorimetric determinations to be made at various, constant temperatures. Mixing of the reactants occurs within the calorimetric cell which allows the study of early hydration reactions.
Organics in the water colümn and air-water interface samples of Mississippi river water

Abstract Organic compounds in Mississippi river water were collected using a teflon disc to obtain surface film samples and a submerged bottle to collect water column samples. These organics were analyzed and characterized by high resolution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The presence of n-alkanes, polynuclear aromatics and chlorinated hydrocarbons was established, with the more hydrophobic compounds found in greater quantities at the air-water interface as compared to the sub-surface water column.
STRUCTURAL-BEHAVIORAL DETERMINANTS OF RESIDENTIAL ENERGY USE: SUMMER ELECTRICITY USE IN DAVIS?

Abstract Engineering models of the physical processes of energy use in individual houses are quite complex. We investigate simple statistical models of summer electricity use and compare them to engineering models. Our data include interviews, energy audits, and utility billings for a random sample of residences in Davis, California. We predict summer kWh using appliance and cooling-load models. The appliance model is based on manufacturers' or published data on average annual kWh used by major appliances; refinements for appliance location, seasonality and frequency of use have mixed success. The cooling-load model includes the major variables used in the DOE 2.1A simulation; coefficients estimated by a multiple regression model closely resemble interpolation parameters derived from DOE 2.1A. The appliance and cooling-load models explain over 50% of the variation in summer kWh in single-family detached houses. Using the appliance model and only two variables from the cooling-load model, house area and self-reported frequency of air-conditioner use, we explain nearly 60% of summer kWh in houses. The simple interview question on frequency of air-conditioner use captures most of the effects of structural features such as insulation and glazing. Finally, the appliance and cooling-load models are applied successfully to other house types (common-wall houses and apartments).
Fire and Nitrogen Effects on Purple Threeawn (Aristida purpurea) Abundance in Northern Mixed-Grass Prairie Old Fields

Purple threeawn (Aristida purpurea Nutt. varieties) is a native grass capable of increasing on rangelands, forming near monocultures, and creating a stable state. Productive rangelands throughout the Great Plains and Intermountain West have experienced increases in purple threeawn abundance, reducing overall forage quality. Our objectives were to 1) reveal the effects of prescribed fire and nitrogen amendments on purple threeawn abundance and 2) assess nontarget plant response posttreatment. Season of fire (no fire, summer fire, fall fire) and nitrogen addition (0 kg Nha � 1 ,4 6 kg Nha � 1 , and 80 kg Nha � 1 ) were factorially arranged in a completely randomized design and applied to two similar sites in southeastern Montana. We evaluated fire and nitrogen effects on purple threeawn basal cover, relative composition, and current-year biomass one growing season postfire at two sites treated during different years. Spring weather following fire treatments was very different between years and subsequently impacted community response. Initial purple threeawn biomass at both sites was 1214 646 kgha � 1 SEc. When postfire growing conditions were wet, current-year biomass of purple threeawn was reduced 90% and 73% with summer and fall fire, respectively. Under dry postfire growing conditions, purple threeawn current-year biomass was reduced 73% and 58% with summer and fall fire, respectively. Nitrogen additions had no effect on purple threeawn current- year biomass at either site. Current-year biomass of C3 perennial grass doubled with nitrogen additions and was not impacted by fire during a wet spring. Nitrogen additions and fire had no effect on C3 perennial grass current-year biomass following a dry spring. Prescribed fire appears to be a highly effective tool for reducing purple threeawn abundance on semiarid rangelands, with limited detrimental impacts to nontarget species.
Objective function bounds for the inexact linear programming problem with generalized cost coefficients

Abstract This paper addresses the inexact linear programming problem in which the objective function coefficients are not fixed but lie in some predetermined set, C . Under certain convexity assumptions, standard mathematical programming techniques are employed to determine worst case and best case solutions. Simulation is then used to explore the properties of the general problem: max ( cx : Ax ≦ b ) for some c ϵ C . A wide range of configurations is examined and it is statistically demonstrated that the variance of objective function values is proportional to the size and shape of C . A number of examples are given to highlight the results.
Comparative microbial modules resource: generation and visualization of multi-species biclusters.

The increasing abundance of large-scale, high-throughput datasets for many closely related organisms provides opportunities for comparative analysis via the simultaneous biclustering of datasets from multiple species. These analyses require a reformulation of how to organize multi-species datasets and visualize comparative genomics data analyses results. Recently, we developed a method, multi-species cMonkey, which integrates heterogeneous high-throughput datatypes from multiple species to identify conserved regulatory modules. Here we present an integrated data visualization system, built upon the Gaggle, enabling exploration of our method's results (available at http://meatwad.bio.nyu.edu/cmmr.html). The system can also be used to explore other comparative genomics datasets and outputs from other data analysis procedures – results from other multiple-species clustering programs or from independent clustering of different single-species datasets. We provide an example use of our system for two bacteria, Escherichia coli and Salmonella Typhimurium. We illustrate the use of our system by exploring conserved biclusters involved in nitrogen metabolism, uncovering a putative function for yjjI, a currently uncharacterized gene that we predict to be involved in nitrogen assimilation.
Time-dependent analysis of few-photon coherent control schemes

We investigate the coherent control of nonresonant two-photon excitation and ($2+1$) photon ionization processes from the time-dependent perspective. To this end, we have solved the time-dependent Schr\"odinger equation for a hydrogen atom interacting with an ultraviolet laser field. Results are obtained for symmetric and antisymmetric phase distributions leading to dark and bright pulses, for which the temporal field distributions consist of many subpulses. For the two-photon excitation process, it is found that at intermediate time between the subpulses, the population in the excited state can exceed the final state population and, in particular, is nonzero for dark pulses. The results for the ($2+1$) photon ionization closely follow those for the excitation process, which shows that the ionization of the electron proceeds as a resonant process via the excited state in all cases considered.
Waste disposal by shale fracturing at ORNL

Shale fracturing is a process currently being used at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory for the permanent disposal of locally generated waste solutions. In this process, the waste is mixed with a solids blend of cement and other additives; the resulting grout is then injected into an impermeable shale formation at a depth of 700 to 1000 ft. A description of the process, the monitoring techniques that have been developed, the leach rates that have been observed, and some considerations of the impact on the environment are discussed.
Negotiation and Discourse Analysis

Discourse analysis focuses on the ways that language and symbols shape interpretations of negotiators' identities, instrumental activity, and relationships. These meanings arise, in part, from language patterns that bargainers employ while they are involved in a negotiation. This article provides a brief overview of research findings on language use in six areas of negotiation: strategy, relational development, identity management, emotional expression, issue development, and framing. It also employs a case example of a real estate negotiation to illustrate how discourse patterns discursively construct the nature of risk, certainty, and loss–gain through framing and issue development.
Alteration of lymphocyte response by sulfhydryl and disulfide compounds.

Abstract The effects on the proliferative response of human lymphocytes of the sulfhydryl agents d -penicillamine and 5-thiopyridoxine, some analogues of these agents, and their respective disulfides were investigated. The sulfhydryl agents inhibited the proliferation of mitogen-stimulated lymphocytes and suppressed the mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) in one-way mixed lymphocyte cultures (MLC). The inhibition in both systems was partial and dose dependent. Prolonged preincubation of responder cells with these sulfhydryl agents, followed by their removal prior to MLC, resulted in enhancement of DNA synthesis. Pretreatment of the stimulator cells was without effect. Analysis of the incubation mixtures of the sulfhydryl compounds showed that they had undergone disulfide formation. Disulfide compounds enhanced DNA synthesis in both mitogen-stimulated cultures and in MLC. The enhancement was dose dependent and limited in concentration range. Preincubation of lymphocytes with disulfides also resulted in enhancement of DNA synthesis when these cells were stimulated with PHA or used as responder cells in one-way MLC. Similar treatment of stimulator cells was without effect. The ability of lymphocytes to form rosettes with sheep erythrocytes was not altered by sulfhydryl agents or their disulfide derivatives.
Agrobacterium-mediated co-transformation of a pea β-1,3-glucanase and chitinase genes in potato (Solanum tuberosum L. c.v. Russet Burbank) using a single selectable marker

Abstract A pea chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase genes in two independent plasmids (pChit and pGlu) multiplied in separate Agrobacterium tumefaciens (LBA4404) clones, were simultaneously introduced into internode explants of in vitro grown potato (Solanum tuberosum L. c.v. Russet Burbank). Both pChit and pGlu contained a neomycin phosphotransferase gene (NPT II) as the selectable marker to identify the transformants. The insertions of the transgenes were verified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The transformation frequency of chitinase was 3.9% per internode and of β-1,3-glucanase was 3.7% per internode. The co-transformation frequency of both genes was 1.6% per internode or 24% of total transformants. This frequency of co-transformation is much higher than the calculated 0.1% per internode expected using the product of the independent transformation frequencies. Northern blot analysis confirmed the expressions of both genes. The sizes of both mRNAs were approximately 1.4 kb indicating that the 1.1 kbp intron in the β-1,3-glucanase gene was spliced out. The results indicated that the transgenic potato was able to express the intron-less chitinase and the intron-containing pea β-1,3-glucanase genes to produce the corresponding mRNAs. This study demonstrated that it is possible to obtain an efficient co-transformation frequency in potatoes using the NPT II gene as the only selection marker.
Ethanol induces rapid lipid peroxidation and activation of nuclear factor-kappa B in cerebral vascular smooth muscle: relation to alcohol-induced brain injury in rats.

Abstract The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that acute administration of alcohol (ethanol) to primary cultured cerebral vascular smooth muscle cells will cause lipid peroxidation, inhibition of IκB phosphorylation, and inhibition of nuclear transcription factor-kappa B (NF-κB). Ethanol (10, 25, 100 mM) resulted in concentration-dependent rises in malondialdehyde in as little as 30–45 min after exposure to the alcohol, rising to levels 2.5–10× normal after 18–24 h. Using EMSA assays and specific antibodies, ethanol caused three DNA-binding proteins (p50, p65, c-Rel) to rise in nuclear extracts in a concentration-dependent manner. Using a rabbit antibody, IκB phosphorylation (and degradation) was stimulated by ethanol (in a concentration-dependent manner) and inhibited by a low concentration of the NF-κB inhibitor, pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate. These new biochemical and molecular data indicate that ethanol, even in physiologic concentrations, can elicit rapid lipid peroxidation and activation of NF-κB in cerebral vascular muscle cells. The present results when viewed in light of other recently published data suggest that ethanol-induced lipid peroxidation and activation of nuclear transcription factors probably play important roles in alcohol-induced brain-vascular damage, neurobehavioral actions and stroke.
Burden of burn: a norm-based inquiry into the influence of burn size and distress on recovery of physical and psychosocial function.

This prospective, longitudinal study examined the influence of baseline physical and psychological burden on serial assessments of health-related quality of life among adults with major burns from three regional burn centers (n = 162). Physical burden groups were defined by % TBSA burned: 30%. Psychological burden groups were defined by in-hospital distress using the Brief Symptom Inventory Global Severity Index T-score with scores of < 63 or ≥ 63. Analyses compared groups across level of burden and with published normative data. Assessments reflected health and function (Short Form 36) during the month before burn, at discharge, and at 6 and 12 months after burn. Physical functioning was significantly more impaired and the rate of physical recovery slower among those with either large physical burden or large psychological burden. Notably, psychosocial functioning also was more impaired and the rate of psychosocial recovery slower among those with greater psychological burden. These results suggest that, in addition to aggressive wound closure, interventions that reduce in-hospital distress may accelerate both physical and psychosocial recovery.
The relationship of preference for educational structure to age and years of education among practising nurses

Research in adult and lifelong education has included an expanding interest in the characteristics of adult learners, including an exploration of their preference for independence in the teaching/learning situation. Limited research, however, has focused upon this facet of adult education. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship of age and years of education to preference for educational structure. The question which directed this study was: ‘What are the individual and combined contributions of age and postsecondary educational experience to preference for educational structure among practising nurses?’ This study employed both difference and correlational inferential statistics in the conduct of a secondary analysis of data from a larger descriptive, correlational study. The sample for this study was 429 female practising nurses in one mid‐western state within the USA. The primary results were: (a) significant differences in preference for educational structure exist among practising n...
A functional comparison of the rat type-1 angiotensin II receptors (AT1AR and AT1BR)

Abstract To evaluate and functionally compare the rat AT1A and AT1B receptor subtypes, stable Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines expressing either recombinant receptor in approximately equal numbers were generated. Radioligand binding data suggests that the recombinant AT1A receptor is pharmacologically similar to the recombinant AT1B receptor. Functional studies indicate that both receptor subtypes can independently activate the phospholipase C IP 3 and the dihydropyridine-sensitive voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel signal transduction pathways with equal efficiency, but are unable to modulate cAMP accumulation under our experimental conditions. Furthermore, both receptors can be directly involved in the cellular growth properties of AII. Slot-blot experiments clearly demonstrate that these receptors are expressed in a tissue-specific manner. A sequence comparison of the 5′ flanking regions of these two genes shows that they have very little sequence homology (∼ 36%), suggesting that although the AT1A and AT1B receptors appear to be pharmacologically and functionally similar, the control of their expression seems to be governed by distinct transcription factors.
Post-cochlear implant gusher and CSF leak

Abstract Postoperative CSF leak is an uncommon complication after cochlear implantation. The recorded incidence is 0.01%. This chapter discusses CSF leaks and gushers. Preoperative methods to assess the risk of leakage, as well as intraoperative and postoperative methods of repair, are also discussed.
Quality changes in packaged salad products during storage

The quality of four types of packaged salad products (retail and foodservice Garden salad, Caesar salad, and European salad) manufactured by five major processors and stored at 5 °C for 20 days was assessed. The O2 and CO2 concentrations in the bags were 0.2–1.5% and 5–30%, respectively. Overall visual quality scores were generally at or above the minimum acceptable value for salability at the “Best if Used by Date” (12–16 days after processing). Product sensory attributes (visual, flavor and textural properties) determined by a trained judge and a sensory panel significantly correlated for most of the parameters. Off-odors developed in the packages and their scores significantly correlated with ethanol and acetaldehyde concentrations in the lettuce tissue. Sugar content decreased 12% (iceberg) to 20% (romaine) from days 0 to 15. Total aerobic microbial load increased by an average of 2.5–3 log units over 20 days.
Theoretical Framework for Eliminating Redundancy in Workflows

In this paper we look at combining and compressing a set of workflows, such that computation can be minimized. In this context, we look at two novel theoretical problems with applications in workflow systems and services research, which are duals of each other. The first problem looks at merging the maximum number of vertices in two DAGs (directed acyclic graphs) without creating a cycle. We prove that the dual of this problem is the problem of maximizing the length of the LCS (longest common subsequence) between all pairs of topological orderings of the two DAGs. This formulation generalizes to a new definition of LCS between complex structures like workflows or XML documents, which we call M-LCS. Subsequently, we present a taxonomy of the different kinds of problems in this set, and find the M-LCS solution for a tree and a chain with a dynamic programming algorithm. Along with this theoretical formulation, we implement the algorithms in C++ and run it on representative workflows. We evaluate the performance of the M-LCS algorithm on a set of random workflows and observe that it is substantially better than traditional AI based approaches.
Comparison of neural network classifiers for NSCAT sea ice flag

The NASA Scatterometer (NSCAT) is designed to measure wind vectors over ice-free oceans. To prevent contamination of the wind measurements, by the presence of sea ice, algorithms based on neural network technology have been developed to classify ice-free ocean surfaces. Multi-layer perceptron (MLP), radial basis function (RBF) neural networks trained using normalized radar cross section measurements from Ku-band NSCAT Scatterometer are described and compared. Algorithm skill in locating the sea ice edge around Arctic and Antarctic regions is evaluated by comparisons with surface truth (SSMI and SAR images). Classification results show the usefulness of using neural network techniques in flagging ice-free cells in real time and independently of other sensors.
Satellite Detection of Urban Heat Islands

Abstract On 28 July 1977 an unusually cloud-ftee nighttime thermal infrared image of the midwestern and northeastern United States from the NOAA 5 satellite enabled detection of more than 50 urban beat islands. Analysis of digital data from the satellite for selected cities yielded maximum urban-rural temperature differences ranging from 2.6 to 6.5°C. Through computer enhancement and enlargement of the satellite imagery, the urban beat islands of St. Louis, Washington, DC and Baltimore can be depicted at a usable scale as large as 1:500 000. A comparison of the enhanced thermal infrared imagery with the 1970 U.S. Census maps of urbanized areas for the three cities indicates the extent of possible urbanization changes in the last seven years.
Relationship of soil fertility to suppression of the growth response of mycorrhizal big bluestem in non-sterile soil

SUMMARY When growth of vesicular-arbuscular (VA) mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal big bluestem was evaluated in 15 soils, three different growth response groups were evident. Group one, which included the prairie soils, displayed high mycorrhizal dependency as well as significant suppression of plant growth in non-sterile soil. Group two showed no mycorrhizal dependency; however, plant growth was suppressed in nonsterile soil. The last group exhibited no mycorrhizal dependency or suppression in non-sterile soil. Mycorrhizal dependency of big bluestem was not highly correlated with any individual soil parameter; however, concentrations of soil K, Ca, Cu, and Fe were used to successfully classify‘high’or‘low’mycorrhizal dependency. Suppression of plant growth in non-sterile soil was also related to soil fertility. The magnitude of non-sterile soil suppression was described by equations using soil Na, Zn, Mn, organic matter, Mg, and NH4. The mechanism of this suppression is still unclear; however, the nutrients which predict suppression may be related to the development of mycorrhizal symbosis or in demand by plants and other microbes, while those nutrients which predict mycorrhizal dependency may be related to those supplied to the plant by the symbiosis.
Cantilever and Suspended Span Roof Framing System

AISC has proposed an alternative to the use of joist girders. That proposal is based on a system that was originally developed for bridge structures. The concept was first applied to architectural structures many years ago, but was abandoned for several reasons. One principle reason for this was the system's dependence on artificial loads to balance the presence of real loads. Because of this, the system may be very susceptible to overload. The use of the Gerber System will produce a structure that is nearly half the depth of a Joist Girder System. That should be the primary reason for choosing to use the Gerber System. This paper proposes a design approach that allows this system to be used with confidence and safety. The proposed approach is based on a stiffness analysis instead of a strength analysis. The purpose of this paper is to encourage the safe use of the Gerber Framing System.
High-performance E-mode AlGaN/GaN HEMTs

Enhancement-mode AlGaN/GaN high electron-mobility transistors have been fabricated with a gate length of 160 nm. The use of gate recess combined with a fluorine-based surface treatment under the gate produced devices with a threshold voltage of +0.1 V. The combination of very high transconductance (> 400 mS/mm) and low gate leakage allows unprecedented output current levels in excess of 1.2 A/mm. The small signal performance of these enhancement-mode devices shows a record current cutoff frequency (f/sub T/) of 85 GHz and a power gain cutoff frequency (f/sub max/) of 150 GHz.
Rapid and systemic accumulation of chloroplast mRNA-binding protein transcripts after flame stimulus in tomato

It has been shown that tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) plants respond to flame wounding and electrical stimulation by a rapid (15 min) and systemic up-regulation of proteinase inhibitor (pin) genes. To find other genes having a similar expression pattern, we used subtractive cDNA screening between flamed and control plants to select clones up-regulated by flame wounding. We report the characterization of one of them, a chloroplast mRNA-binding protein encoded by a single gene and expressed preferentially in the leaves. Systemic gene expression in response to flaming in the youngest terminal leaf exhibited three distinct phases: a rapid and transient increase (5-15 min) in transcript accumulation, a decline to basal levels (15-45 min), and then a second, more prolonged increase (60-90 min). In contrast, after a mechanical wound the rapid, transient increase (5 min) was followed by a rapid decline to basal levels but no later, prolonged accumulation. In the petiole, the initial flame-wound-evoked transient increase (15 min) was followed by a continuous decline for 3 h. The nature of the wound signal(s) causing such rapid changes in transcript abundance is discussed in relation to electrical signaling, which has recently been implicated in plant responses to wounding.
Volunteerism by Elders: Past Trends and Future Prospects

A number of surveys indicate a rise in the percentage of elders involved in volunteer work over the past 25 years. This article identifies cultural, demographic, and programmatic factors that have contributed to this increase. After describing some current policies and programs, it identifies strategies for sustaining and expanding volunteerism by elders in the future.
The surface oxidation potential of melanosomes measured by free electron laser-photoelectron emission microscopy.

A technique for measuring the photoionization spectrum and the photoelectron emission threshold of a microscopic structured material is presented. The theoretical underpinning of the experiment and the accuracy of the measurements are discussed. The technique is applied to titanium silicide nanostructures and melanosomes isolated from human hair, human and bovine retinal pigment epithelium cells, and the ink sac of Sepia officinalis. A common photothreshold of 4.5 ± 0.2 eV is found for this set of melanosomes and is attributed to the photoionization of the eumelanin pigment. The relationship between the photoionization threshold and the electrochemical potential referenced to the normal hydrogen electrode is used to quantify the surface oxidation potential of the melanosome. The developed technique is used to examine the effect of iron chelation on the surface oxidation potential of Sepia melanosomes. The surface oxidation potential is insensitive to bound Fe(III) up to saturation, suggesting that the metal is bound to the interior of the granule. This result is discussed in relation to the age-dependent accumulation of iron in human melanosomes in both the eye and brain.
A modified Hull cell and its application to the electrodeposition of zinc

An analytical electrochemical cell based on the Hull cell is described. The cell was tailored specifically for the analysis of electrowinning or electroplating. Current density distributions were generated by asymmetric insertion of an insulating baffle between parallel electrodes. The position and length of the baffle were easily altered, giving 12 possible distributions for a single total current. The cathode consisted of 10 electrically isolated 1cm2, aluminium segments. By logging the potential drop across 1Ω resistors in each of the 10 isolated parallel branches, quantitative determination of current densities across the cathode was made possible. The small segments facilitated microscopic analysis of deposit morphologies. A technique for the determination of current efficiencies on each segment is described and demonstrated. The technique obviates the necessity to determine deposited masses directly. Development of the technique for industrial application is detailed. The system is demonstrated by evaluating known effects of variables in zinc electrowinning. The variables examined were temperature, deposition time, acid concentration and antimony contamination.
Mitogenic Signaling via G Protein-Coupled Receptors

I. Introduction RECEPTORS coupled to heterotrimeric GTP-binding proteins (G proteins) comprise the largest known family of cell surface receptors and mediate cellular responses to a diverse array of signaling molecules, including peptide and glycopeptide hormones, neurotransmitters, phospholipids, odorants, and photons. The basic unit of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling is comprised of three parts; receptor, which detects ligand in the extracellular milieu; heterotrimeric G protein, which is dissociated into active Gα-GTP and Gβγ-subunits after interaction with the liganded receptor; and effector, which interacts with dissociated Gα-GTP and Gβγ-subunits to mediate the intracellular effects of ligand binding. In a given cell type, the responsiveness to stimulus, as well as the nature of the response, is dictated by the available complement of receptor, G protein, and effector. Despite the diverse array of ligands with which they interact, GPCRs share a conserved predicted tertiary structure char...
Branching models predict loss of many bird and mammal orders within centuries

Branching (birth–death) models are used to project the time to extinction for bird and mammal orders. While such projections are very coarse, they provide information on how long fundamental units of biodiversity, as represented by such higher taxa as orders, will persist at specified rates of species extinction. The results of a basic decay model indicate that, if all threatened species in each order go extinct within the next 100 years, and this species extinction rate continues indefinitely, then half the species in most orders will disappear in a few hundred years or less. This result is robust and is in agreement with other estimates. A more detailed branching model indicates that most bird and mammal orders will become 100% extinct in a few thousand years if current extinction trends are extrapolated. This projection is also relatively robust, as it is consistently produced using a number of different methods and estimates of future species extinction rates. Mammal orders generally have substantially shorter half-lives and time to 100% extinction than bird orders because of a combination of fewer species per order and higher species extinction rates.
Fluorescence Detection 400–480 nm Using Microfluidic System Integrated GaP Photodiodes

Ciprofloxacin is a commonly used antibiotic and the active ingredient in a veterinary antibiotic. Detecting its presence allows us to understand its absorption process in blood as well as tissue. A portable microfluidic system has been fabricated. It operates at low bias voltage and shows a linear relationship between concentration levels and system response. Detection of concentrations down to 1 ppb of ciprofloxacin in microliters of solution was achieved.
Limitations imposed by stimulated Raman scattering of 1550 nm high-energy pulse transmission

The limitations imposed by stimulated Raman scattering on 1550 nm high-energy pulse transmission in single-mode optical fiber are investigated. The generation of a Stokes pulse from an input pulse with peak power up to 60 W and duration on the order of 10 ns is experimentally studied and numerically simulated. This is the first demonstration of Stokes pulse generation in optical fiber from pump pulses within the 1550 nm telecommunications window. Experiment and theory show that there is an optimum input power for a given pulse duration and distance that maximizes the energy transmitted over long fibers. >
Rousseau and the minimal self: A solution to the problem of amour-propre:

Over the past few decades, scholars have reassessed the role of amour-propre in Rousseau’s thought. While it was once believed that he had an entirely negative valuation of the emotion, it is now w...
A maximum likelihood CDMA receiver using the EM algorithm and the discrete wavelet transform

A maximum likelihood (ML) method for joint estimation of amplitude, phase, time delay, and data demodulation in a single-user direct sequence spread spectrum communication system is developed. The likelihood function is analytically intractable, so a recursive estimation algorithm is considered. The expectation maximization (EM) algorithm has been used in similar problems, however, in this case it is not computationally efficient. A variant of the EM algorithm, called space alternating generalized EM (SAGE), has been derived. We apply the SAGE algorithm to the sequence estimation problem in a way which results in simple sequential updates of all the estimated parameters. An important feature of the proposed algorithm is the use of a discrete wavelet decomposition of the received signal as a sufficient statistic. The consequence is that all the information is still available to the receiver, while the complicated estimation problem is considerably simplified. Computer simulations of a single user system were performed. It is shown that the algorithm has a fast convergence, and essentially achieves optimal performance.