cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quantitative and qualitative microbiological profiles of the Apollo 10 and 11 spacecraft.

Microbiological profiles were determined for surfaces of the command module, lunar module (ascent and descent stages), instrument unit, Saturn S-4B stage, and the spacecraft lunar module adapter of the Apollo 10 and 11 spacecraft. Average levels of contamination of the command module were 2.1 × 104 and 2.7 × 104 microorganisms per ft2 for Apollo 10 and 11, respectively. With the exception of the exterior surfaces of the ascent stage of the lunar module and the interior surfaces of the command module, average levels of microbial contamination on all components of the Apollo 11 were found to be lower than those observed on Apollo 10. For each Apollo mission, approximately 2,000 colonies were picked from a variety of media and identified. The results showed that approximately 95% of all isolates were those considered indigenous to humans; the remaining were associated with soil and dust in the environment. However, the ratio of these two general groups varied depending on the degrees of personnel density and environmental control associated with each module.
Infusion of morphine in maternal rats at near-term: maternal and foetal distribution and effects on analgesia, brain DNA, RNA and protein.

: Time-dated pregnant (day 21–22) Sprague-Dawley rats were infused intravenously with morphine 5 mg/kg per hr for periods up to 4 hrs. The blood, brain and placenta of maternal rats and the blood and brain of foetuses were collected and analyzed for morphine content. The morphine concentration in the blood of maternal and foetal rats was maximal after infusions for 3 hrs; at the maximum, the maternal concentration was 2800 ng/ml and the foetal concentration was 1900 ng/ml. The morphine levels of the brain were also maximal at 3 hrs. The foetal level, 2200 ng/g, was not significantly (P > 0.05) different from that of foetal blood, whereas the maternal brain level, 600 ng/g, was less than one-fourth of the maternal blood level. The highest concentration of morphine in the placenta, 6200 ng/g, was also attained after infusion for 3 hrs. These data indicate that the placenta acts as a barrier to the passage of morphine from the maternal animal to the foetus and that a blood brain barrier to morphine exists in the adult but not in the foetal rat. Similar studies showed that an effective blood brain barrier is not present in 20 day old rats. Tolerance to the analgesic effect of morphine, 10 mg/kg subcutaneously, was demonstrated in non-pregnant adult female rats 2 to 3 days following infusion of morphine, 5 mg/kg per hr for 4 hrs. Reaction times to a nocioceptive stimulus were thus significantly reduced at 1 hr after the test dose (from 19.6 sec. ±2.9 S.E.M. in untreated control animals to 6.8 sec. ±0.4 S.E.M. in the morphine infused animals). The saline infused rats had reaction times after the injection of morphine which did not differ significantly from the untreated control rats. Approximately 20 days after the infusion of morphine to day 21–22 pregnant rats the reaction times to a test dose of morphine were no longer significantly different from those of control rats given the test dose of morphine. The offspring of morphine infused rats were then tested for analgesic response to morphine, 0.45 mg/kg subcutaneously, at approximately 12 days of age and compared with offspring of saline infused rats. The reaction times for offspring of the morphine infused rats 1 hr after the test dose of morphine (26.2 sec. ±1.1 S.E.M.) were significantly greater than those of the offspring of saline infused rats (20.9 sec. ±1.5 S.E.M.). A rapid method for preparing isolated nuclei from adult and foetal rat brain in high yield, using detergent treatment and a onestep centrifugation on a discontinuous sucrose gradient, is described. DNA, RNA and protein content the maternal or the foetal brains, it is still possible that morphine could selectively alter RNA and protein synthesis in the brain without causing a significant change in the overall content of either RNA or protein in acute experiments.
Micro-statistic LMS filtering

The theory for the class of microstatistic least-mean-square (LMS) filters which requires the adaptation of the statistical characterization of the set of decomposed signals is developed. The authors develop the theoretical framework for adaptive microstatistic filters for applications where the second-order statistics of the threshold signals are not known, or when they may be nonstationary. A multilevel threshold decomposition is used such that real valued stochastic processes can be filtered and the computation complexity of the algorithm can be arbitrary reduced. The superiority of the new adaptive algorithms is shown analytically as well as by way of simulations. >
Mechanical hijacking: how robots can accelerate UbiComp deployments

The complexities and costs of deploying Ubicomp applications seriously compromise our ability to evaluate such systems in the real world. To simplify Ubicomp deployment we introduce the robotic pseudopod (P.Pod), an actuator that acts on mechanical switches originally designed for human control only. P.Pods enable computational control of devices by hijacking their mechanical switches -- a term we refer to as mechanical hijacking. P.Pods offer simple, low-cost, non-destructive computational access to installed hardware, enabling functional, real world Ubicomp deployments. In this paper, we illustrate how three P.Pod primitives, built with the Lego MindStorm NXT toolkit, can implement mechanical hijacking, facilitating real world Ubicomp deployments which otherwise require extensive changes to existing hardware or infrastructure. Lastly, we demonstrate the simplicity of P.Pods by observing two middle school classes build working smart home applications in 4 hours.
In Support of a National Treatment Evaluation Study.

Argument is made for the importance of conducting a national treatment evaluation to permit understanding of the nature and effectiveness of typical treatment programming. Only through such study can we hope to learn areas of success and failure of normative programming relative to population characteristics and treatment strategies, and the extent to which research-based initiatives have been adopted by the field. That information is central to efforts to draw up a research agenda appropriate to the needs of clients and the staffs responsible for their treatment, and to clarify and respond to gaps in the application of potentially useful treatment components. In spite of such need, our understanding of typical treatment programming and of its effectiveness is based on data collected from a treatment cohort of 20 years ago, although patterns of drug use, characteristics of clients, and the treatment components available have all undergone substantial change. The responsibility taken to provide such inform...
Clinical Utility of Serial and Continuous ST-Segment Recovery Assessment in Patients With Acute ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Assessing the Dynamics of Epicardial and Myocardial Reperfusion

Acute ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a global source of mortality and morbidity and consequently is one of the most active areas of applied research. In the face of multiple reports of new combinations of medical and interventional therapies, the challenge to the clinician is both to understand data from key clinical trials and to translate that understanding to the individual patient at the bedside. STEMI is defined by “ST elevation” on the ECG, which is the electrical manifestation of the pathophysiological changes that follow a thrombotic occlusion of an epicardial coronary artery.1 The ECG is ubiquitous in cardiology, applied as a diagnostic, prognostic, and management tool. Although a single ECG presents about 10 seconds of waveform morphology, acute STEMI displays its dynamic behavior over time, both spontaneously and in response to therapy. The systematic use of serial and continuous ECG assessments has been one of the most fertile areas of advancement in the ability to measure and thereby recognize the presence, speed, quality, and stability of reperfusion of an infarct artery. In addition to providing insights into pathophysiological mechanisms and novel therapies in research protocols, serial or continuous use of this simple, noninvasive, quantitative measure has the potential to guide clinicians through the dynamic events surrounding the management of STEMI patients’ disease. This is illustrated in the following case studies of 3 patients, all of whom presented with 3 hours of chest pain with angiographically documented Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) 3 flow, were managed with serial ECGs for clinical purposes, and were simultaneously monitored for research protocols with “black box” continuous 12-lead ECG monitors. ### Patient 1 G.E. was a 67-year-old man with a history of hypertension and tobacco use who presented with 3 hours of chest pain. The initial ECG showed anterolateral ST-segment elevation with a maximum of 15 …
ESTIMATING THE LIFE CYCLE OF REINFORCED CONCRETE DECKS AND MARINE PILES USING LABORATORY DIFFUSION AND CORROSION DATA

Chloride induced corrosion is a major cause of the deterioration of steel reinforced concrete structures in marine environments, and in Northern environments where deicing salts are used. The time-to- corrosion initiation and subsequent corrosion induced damage is related to the time that it takes chloride ions to reach a critical level at the steel. In this paper it is demonstrated that chloride ingress into concrete follows Fick's Diffusion equation for properly cured concretes. It is shown how the diffusion coefficients and chloride surface concentrations can be used to predict the chloride profile as a function of time. The effects of concrete mixture proportioning and concrete admixtures on the diffusivity of chloride and chloride corrosion threshold level are shown. The results of several experiments and models developed show that reducing the water-to-cement ratio and increasing concrete cover over the steel greatly reduce the chloride ingress as recommended by the American Concrete Institute codes. Furthermore, even more dramatic decreases in chloride penetration can be obtained by the use of microsilica in the concrete mixture. It is also shown that calcium nitrite when admixed into the concrete significantly increases the chloride levels at which severe corrosion will occur. The above results are used to estimate the time to corrosion and failure for different types of reinforced concrete structures. These models can be used by a design engineer to estimate the life of reinforced concrete exposed to chloride ingress. (A) For the covering abstract of the conference see IRRD 857776.
Microscale c-Si (c)PV cells for low-cost power

We are exploring fabrication and assembly concepts developed for Microsystems/MEMS technology to reduce the cost of solar PV power. These methods have the potential to reduce many system level costs of current PV systems including, among others, silicon material costs, module assembly costs, and installation costs. We have demonstrated a direct c-Si material reduction of approximately 20X (including wire-saw kerf loss and polishing loss). The cells have achieved efficiencies of almost 9% and J sc of 30 mA/cm2. We are currently using integrated-circuit (IC) fabrication tools that will lead to higher efficiencies and improved yield. These advantages and the material reduction are expected to reduce the current module manufacturing costs.
Address generation for nanowire decoders

Nanoscale crossbars built from nanowires can form high density memories and programmable logic devices. To integrate such nanoscale devices with CMOS circuits, nanowire decoders were invented. Due to the stochastic nature of the nanoscale fabrication, the decoder addresses that address the nanowires selectively must be generated after fabrication. In this paper, we develop a mathematical model of the nanowire decoders for the generation of the proper addresses. Assuming a simple testing approach calledon-off measurement, we prove that the maximum number of the proper addresses can be generated in finite time. We design the algorithms to generate the required number of the proper addresses. Experimental results confirm the efficiency of our algorithms.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux in Infants and Children

Gastroesophageal reflux is defined as the passage of stomach contents into the esophagus with or without accompanied regurgitation (spitting up) and vomiting. It is a normal physiologic process that occurs throughout the day in infants and less often in children and adolescents. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is reflux that causes troublesome symptoms or leads to medical complications. The diagnoses of gastroesophageal reflux and GERD are based on the history and physical examination. Diagnostic tests, such as endoscopy, barium study, multiple intraluminal impedance, and pH monitoring, are reserved for when there are atypical symptoms, warning signs, doubts about the diagnosis, or suspected complications or treatment failure. In infants, most regurgitation resolves by 12 months of age and does not require treatment. Reflux in infants may be treated with body position changes while awake, lower-volume feedings, thickening agents (i.e., rice cereal), antiregurgitant formula, extensively hydrolyzed or amino acid formulas, and, in breastfed infants, eliminating cow's milk and eggs from the mother's diet. Lifestyle changes to treat reflux in children and adolescents include sleeping position changes; weight loss; and avoiding smoking, alcohol, and late evening meals. Histamine H2 receptor antagonists and proton pump inhibitors are the principal medical therapies for GERD. They are effective in infants, based on low-quality evidence, and in children and adolescents, based on low- to moderate-quality evidence. Surgical treatment is available, but should be considered only when medical therapy is unsuccessful or is not tolerated.
Parasitoids and Pathogens of Japanese Beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in Southern Michigan

Abstract The density of Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica Newman) and the prevalence of its natural enemies were evaluated in southern Michigan. Third instars were collected in spring and fall and adults during the summer of 1999 and 2000 at 11 golf courses. Larvae were also collected once in fall of 2000 from 24 additional sites including golf courses (n = 8), blueberry farms (n = 7) and low-maintenance turf (n = 9). Larval density in the irrigated rough at the 11 primary golf course sites averaged 9.5/0.1 m2 (range, 3.7–21.0). At the 24 additional sites, where habitat was more diverse, Japanese beetle larval density averaged 2.9/0.1 m2 (range, 0.60–14.4). The larval parasitoid Tiphia vernalis Rohwer and the adult parasitoid Istocheta aldrichi (Mesnil) were absent from all sites in this study. Cephaline gregarines (Stictospora sp.) were the most common parasites, infecting 36.1% of all larvae in fall of 2000. The microsporidean Ovavesicula popilliae Andreadis was absent at all but two locations near Kal...
Implantable cardiac electronic devices

Patients with pacemakers or internal cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) are at risk for device malfunction or exposure to electromagnetic interference (EMI) from monopolar cautery, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), radiofrequency ablation, electroconvulsive therapy, lithotripsy, and therapeutic radiation. The most common and potentially life-threatening adverse effects of EMI are inhibition of cardiac pacing (leading to bradycardia or asystole) and inadvertent shocks if an ICD interprets the EMI as a heart rate above the therapy trigger rate. Most experts recommend that a plan for device management for surgery be made by a qualified individual, and that the recommendation be based on knowledge of the proposed surgery and the information gleaned from a recent interrogation of the device. Technological advancement with subcutaneous ICDs and leadless pacemakers has demonstrated the need for continuous education for those taking care of implantable cardiac devices in perioperative period.
Editing the Henry Clay Papers

RATHER think that my experience in helping collect and edit the Henry Clay papers enables me to speak as an expert on how not to operate a project of this kind. Despite my qualifications in this respect, however, I do not wish to dwell on that unhappy phase of the subject. Perhaps, if I were permitted to offer one small piece of advice to prospective editors of the papers of great men, I should urge that adequate financial backing be assured before a project is launched. Typists, clerks, researchers, and assistant editors are needed, and they must be paid. Our own project has no endowment. Most of our support has been provided by the University of Kentucky Research Fund Committee, which has been generous with its limited funds but cannot favor one project over others in progress on our campus. A few interested individuals have contributed to the good cause, but our cash income has never been large enough to enable us to employ the personnel needed for efficient operation. We think we have made substantial progress, nevertheless, in performing the task we set for ourselves. From the beginning it has been our purpose to obtain copies, preferably microfilm or photostats, of all available letters written by Henry Clay, letters to him, his speeches, other writings of which he was the author, and significant items about him. We realize, of course, that publication of this whole mass of material is an impossibility, but we believe we are doing a service to scholars by bringing it together and making it available. We desire to publish as much as seems advisable, perhaps excluding speeches found in older compilations and including both sides of the more important correspondence. Occasionally, abstracts rather than complete texts of incoming letters will be used, and purely routine matters will be noted. The number of volumes will be limited to about six, in which the documents will be arranged chronologically. Our first task, that of discovering and obtaining copies of Clay material, has been complicated by the fact that we seldom know specifically for what we are searching. Unlike Thomas Jefferson,
Families, Policy, and Family Support Policies

Abstract An historical perspective on family policy is presented along with issues shaping future directions. Two prevention-oriented policies in particular are discussed: respite care services to assist persons caring for elderly infirm family members and family (parental) leave for new parents. The goals of previous family policies are challenged and recommendations are made for more realistic approaches to formulating successful family policies.
Abstract CN02-06: Phase IIB study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of topical difluoromethylornithine and topical diclofenac in the treatment of sun-damaged skin

Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have been shown to have a synergistic protective effect against colon cancer. As single agents, both DFMO and diclofenac have demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of actinic keratoses, the cutaneous precursors to cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas. We designed a study investigating the effects of these two medications, alone and in combination, on sun-damaged skin of the forearm. The primary objective is to determine whether a three-month course of combination therapy increases the efficacy over either agent used alone in the treatment of moderately sun-damaged skin. The primary endpoint is the change in karyometric values from skin biopsies before and after treatment. A total of 156 subjects were enrolled in the study and randomized to A: topical DFMO applied BID × 90 days; B: topical diclofenac applied QD × 90 days; or C: topical DFMO applied BID and topical diclofenac applied QD × 90 days. Planned sample size was 138 evaluable subjects to provide 80% power to detect the difference in response rate as measured by karyometric average nuclear abnormality (ANA) between the single-agent DFMO arm and the combination treatment arm at the 2.5% significance level. The results for efficacy and safety will be presented at the AACR Frontiers in Cancer Prevention meeting. Secondary biomarker and clinical endpoints will also be summarized. These findings will provide insight into the potential use of the combination of these medications as skin cancer chemopreventive agents. Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2010;3(12 Suppl):CN02-06.
Zn2+ efflux through lysosomal exocytosis prevents Zn2+-induced toxicity

Zn2+ is an essential micronutrient and an important ionic signal whose excess, as well as scarcity, is detrimental to cells. Free cytoplasmic Zn2+ is controlled by a network of Zn2+ transporters and chelating proteins. Recently, lysosomes became the focus of studies in Zn2+ transport, as they were shown to play a role in Zn2+-induced toxicity by serving as Zn2+ sinks that absorb Zn2+ from the cytoplasm. Here, we investigated the impact of the lysosomal Zn2+ sink on the net cellular Zn2+ distribution and its role in cell death. We found that lysosomes played a cytoprotective role during exposure to extracellular Zn2+. Such a role required lysosomal acidification and exocytosis. Specifically, we found that the inhibition of lysosomal acidification using Bafilomycin A1 (Baf) led to a redistribution of Zn2+ pools and increased apoptosis. Additionally, the inhibition of lysosomal exocytosis through knockdown (KD) of the lysosomal SNARE proteins VAMP7 and synaptotagmin VII (SYT7) suppressed Zn2+ secretion and VAMP7 KD cells had increased apoptosis. These data show that lysosomes play a central role in Zn2+ handling, suggesting that there is a new Zn2+ detoxification pathway.
Decreasing neonatal intubation rates: Trends at a community hospital

Abstract Background Endotracheal intubation (ETI) is a technically complex skill, critical in resuscitation of the neonatal patient. Decreasing rates of ETI have been noted in several patient populations, requiring providers to seek additional training to maintain proficiency. Previous work has been conducted in large academic centers, but little is know about ETI in the neonatal population in smaller community hospitals, where a substantial amount of neonatal care is provided. Objectives We sought to identify intubation rates over time in the community neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) setting. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database on neonatal intubations from January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2014. We identified patient and intubation characteristics and calculated the rate of intubation per number of NICU admissions per year. The change in ETI rates was analyzed using the X 2 test for trend. Results Over the 5-year period, NICU staff performed ETI on 255 patients. The study population was 37% female and had a mean gestational age of 33 weeks. African American patients made up 13% of the study population, 6% were Hispanic, 78% were Caucasian, and 3% were other races. Annual intubation rates declined over the course of the study: 32% in 2010, 28% in 2011, 25% in 2012, 22% in 2013, and 16% in 2014 (p Conclusion NICU ETI rates in the community setting have decreased from 2010 to 2014. As the landscape of neonatal intubation changes, it will be vital to maintain practitioners' intubation skill-set through other methods.
NONLINEAR FLOW OF GAS AT LOW VELOCITY IN POROUS MEDIA

The experiment data about friction resistance coefficients f and Reynoid numbers Re are analyzed to study the law of gas flow at low velocity in tight porous media. As Re decreases, the porous flow of gas shows nonlinear phenomena deviation off Darcy's law linear phenomena, and corresponding Re c=(1.0～4.4)×10 -4. The collisions occurred between gas molecule and pore wall cause the nonlinear phenomena. The relationship of flow velocity V and pressure grade Δp/ΔL is given according to theory analysis.
When the “Golden Years” turn blue: Using the healthy aging literature to elucidate anxious and depressive disorders in older adulthood

Current treatments for disorders of emotion, such as pathological anxiety, are often less effective in older adults than in younger adults and have poorly understood mechanisms, pointing to the nee...
Rubisco Activase; Purification, Subunit Composition and Species Distribution

The activity or RuBP carboxylase/oxygenase (rubisco) in leaves increases upon illumination (1,2). Somerville et al. (3) provided evidence that light activation of rubisco is a prerequisite for catalytic competence in vivo by isolating a rubisco light activation mutant of Arabidopsis, designed rca, in which rubisco appeared to be poorly activated in vivo. Electrophoretic analysis of chloroplast proteins from mutant and wild-type Arabidopsis demonstrated that two polypeptides were missing in the mutant (4). A causal relationship between the missing polypeptides in the mutant and the inability to activate rubisco in vivo was established by genetic analysis (4). Using a reconstituted assay for rubisco activation, Salvucci et al (4) demonstrated that rubisco activation required a protein present in chloroplast extracts of spinach and Arabidopsis wild type but absent in extracts of the rca mutant. Based on these data it was proposed that rubisco activation is catalyzed in vivo by a specific stromal protein, rubisco activase (4,5). This paper reports the purification of rubisco activase from spinach, its subunit composition, and the identification of this protein in several plant species.
The Use of Rotational Optical Encoders for Dial Sensing in the VirtualTranslumenal Endoscopic Surgical Trainer (VTEST TM )

Natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is a minimally invasive procedure, known for its scar-less nature and short post operative recovery periods. A critical skill necessary for a NOTES procedure is the surgeon's ability to navigate and gain visualization of the target organ, which is done by moving the endoscope tip using the dials on the handle. We have developed an accurate and high resolution optical encoder based system to measure that dial manipulations, as part of a larger project to develop a VR-NOTES surgical simulator.
Disproportionate Social Dysfunction Among the LGBT: Is Discrimination the Only Cause?

For a number of years, surveys of LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered) populations have found very disproportionate levels of social dysfunctionality relative to heterosexuals as measured by substance abuse problems (5-7 times that of heterosexuals), mental illness (3x), suicide (2-8x), and obesity (for lesbians 1.5x). While it has been fashionable to attribute these problems to growing up in a homophobic, discriminatory society, and court decisions have often used this a reason for judicial action, there is another explanation that is seldom discussed: these social dysfunctions may be symptoms of disproportionate sexual abuse of the LGBT as children (3x that of heterosexuals). Failure to consider these high rates of social dysfunction and other causes when examining relative life conditions of the LGBT may lead to mischaracterization of the reasons for their difficulties. This is especially problematic when allegations of systemic discrimination are blamed for the economic or health problems of LGBT populations, and used as justification for judicial action.
Systemic Delivery and Biodistribution of Cisplatin in Vivo.

Cisplatin is widely used to treat a variety of cancers. However, ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity remain serious side effects of cisplatin-based chemotherapy. In order to inform the study of cisplatin’s off-target effects, a new drug–fluorophore conjugate was synthesized that exhibited utility as a tracer to determine the cellular uptake and in vivo distribution of cisplatin. This probe will serve as a useful tool to facilitate investigations into the kinetics and biodistribution of cisplatin and its associated side effects in preclinical models after systemic administration.
Clinical aspects of Campylobacter jejuni infections in adults.

Campylobacter jejuni is an almost ubiquitous, microaerophilic, gram-negative rod. Outbreaks have been associated with drinking raw milk or contaminated water and eating poultry. Campylobacter jejuni accounts for 3.2% to 6.1% of cases of diarrheal illness in the general population of the United States, and infected patients frequently present with abdominal pain and fever. Less frequently, C jejuni is responsible for bacteremia, septic arthritis, septic abortion, and other extraintestinal infections. Reactive arthritis, Reiter's syndrome, the Guillain-Barre syndrome, and pancreatitis may accompany or follow C jejuni enterocolitis. Campylobacter jejuni is an important cause of diarrheal illness and is a more commonly identified stool organism than Salmonella or Shigella species. Recurrent and chronic infection is generally reported in immunocompromised hosts.
Sense and Reference

Introduction Few texts are as well known to modern philosophers as Frege's (1892 c : 151–2) opening paragraph: Equality gives rise to challenging questions which are not altogether easy to answer. Is it a relation? A relation between objects, or between names or signs of objects? In my Begriffsschrift , I assumed the latter. The reasons which seem to favour this are the following: a = a and a = b are obviously statements of differing cognitive value.…Now if we were to regard equality as a relation between that which the names ‘ a ’ and ‘ b ’ designate [ bedeuten ], it would seem that a = b could not differ from a = a (i.e. provided a = b is true). A relation would thereby be expressed of a thing to itself but to no other thing. What is intended to be said by a = b seems to be that the signs or names ‘ a ’ and ‘ b ’ designate [ bedeuten ] the same thing, so that those signs themselves would be under discussion; a relation between them would be asserted. But this relation would hold between the names or signs only in so far as they named or designated something. It would be mediated by the connexion of each of the two signs with the same designated thing. But this is arbitrary. Nobody can be forbidden to use any arbitrarily producible event or object as a sign for something.
Fault Collapsing in Digital Circuits Using Fast Fault Dominance and Equivalence Analysis with SSBDDs

The paper presents a new method and an algorithm for structural fault collapsing to reduce the search space for test generation, to speed up fault simulation and to make the fault diagnosis easier in digital circuits. The proposed method is based on hierarchical topology analysis of the circuit description at two levels. First, the gate-level circuit will be converted into a macro-level network of Fan-out Free Regions (FFR) each of them represented as a special type of structural BDD. This conversion procedure represents as a side-effect the first step of fault collapsing, resulting in a compressed Structurally Synthesized BDD (SSBDD) model explicitly representing the collapsed set of representative fault sites. The paper presents an algorithm which implements a complementary step of further fault collapsing. This algorithm is carried out at the macro-level FFR-network by topological reasoning of equivalence and dominance relations between the nodes of the SSBDDs. The algorithm has linear complexity and is implemented as a continuous scalable fault eliminating procedure. We introduce higher and lower bounds for fault collapsing and provide statistics of distribution of fault collapsing results over a broad set of benchmark circuits. Experimental research has demonstrated considerably better results of structural fault collapsing in comparison with state-of-the-art.
Automatically Optimizing Stencil Computations on Many-Core NUMA Architectures

This paper presents a system for automatically supporting the optimization of stencil kernels on emerging Non-Uniform Memory Access (NUMA) many-core architectures, through a combined compiler + runtime approach. In particular, we use a pragma-driven compiler to recognize the special structures and optimization needs of stencil computations and thereby to automatically generate low-level code that efficiently utilize the data placement and management support of a C++ runtime on top of NUMA API, a programming interface to the NUMA policy supported by the Linux kernel. Our results show that through automated specialization of code generation, this approach provides a combined benefit of performance, portability, and productivity for developers.
La Historia de Cataluña de Víctor Balaguer. Un panorama literari

El treball «La Historia de Cataluna de Victor Balaguer. Un panoramaliterari» tracta dels catorze capitols d’aquesta obra dedicats als «Progresosde la civilizacion», on es dibuixa la historia de la literatura catalanadins la corresponent historia de la cultura. Uns capitols i una visio de laliteratura que han passat molt desapercebuts pels historiadors, encara quealguns dels escriptors de la Restauracio van deixar escrit que la seva lecturava ajudar els de la seva generacio a coneixer i estimar mes el pais, la culturai la literatura. L’objectiu ha estat analitzar aquesta part de l’obra, que tesentit per ella mateixa, dins el seu context, assenyalar-ne les fonts i els vinclesamb la tradicio de la historiografia literaria i les propostes innovadoresque, dins el panorama europeu, ofereix. Tot plegat ens permet de valorar-laadequadament i dir que mereixeria figurar amb tota la seva entitat en unahipotetica futura historia de les histories de la literatura catalana.
Maximum Sustainable Throughput Prediction for Data Stream Processing over Public Clouds

In cloud-based stream processing services, the maximum sustainable throughput (MST) is defined as the maximum throughput that a system composed of a fixed number of virtual machines (VMs) can ingest indefinitely. If the incoming data rate exceeds the system's MST, unprocessed data accumulates, eventually making the system inoperable. Thus, it is important for the service provider to keep the MST always larger than the incoming data rate by dynamically changing the number of VMs used by the system. In this paper, we identify a common data processing environment used by modern data stream processing systems, and we propose MST prediction models for this environment. We train the models using linear regression with samples obtained from a few VMs and predict MST for a larger number of VMs. To minimize the time and cost for model training, we statistically determine a set of training samples using Intel's Storm benchmarks with representative resource usage patterns. Using typical use-case benchmarks on Amazon's EC2 public cloud, our experiments show that, training with up to 8 VMs, we can predict MST for streaming applications with less than 4% average prediction error for 12 VMs, 9% for 16 VMs, and 32% for 24 VMs. Further, we evaluate our prediction models with simulation based elastic VM scheduling on a realistic workload. These simulation results show that with 10% over provisioning, our proposed models' cost efficiency is on par with the cost of an optimal scaling policy without incurring any service level agreement violations.
Resolving vision and language ambiguities together: Joint segmentation & prepositional attachment resolution in captioned scenes

Abstract We present an approach to simultaneously perform semantic segmentation and prepositional phrase attachment resolution for captioned images. Some ambiguities in language cannot be resolved without simultaneously reasoning about an associated image. If we consider the sentence “I shot an elephant in my pajamas”, looking at language alone (and not using common sense), it is unclear if it is the person or the elephant wearing the pajamas or both. Our approach produces a diverse set of plausible hypotheses for both semantic segmentation and prepositional phrase attachment resolution that are then jointly re-ranked to select the most consistent pair. We show that our semantic segmentation and prepositional phrase attachment resolution modules have complementary strengths, and that joint reasoning produces more accurate results than any module operating in isolation. Multiple hypotheses are also shown to be crucial to improved multiple-module reasoning. Our vision and language approach significantly outperforms the Stanford Parser (De Marneffe et al., 2006) by 17.91% (28.69% relative) and 12.83% (25.28% relative) in two different experiments. We also make small improvements over DeepLab-CRF (Chen et al., 2015).
Investigation of subcooled and saturated boiling heat transfer mechanisms, instabilities, and transient flow regime maps for large length-to-diameter ratio micro-channel heat sinks

Abstract This study investigates the interfacial behavior and heat transfer mechanisms associated with flow boiling of R-134a in a micro-channel test module. The test module features 100 of 1 × 1 mm2 square micro-channels. Large length of micro-channels used (609.6 mm) is especially important to capturing broad axial variations of both flow and heat transfer behavior. The fluid is supplied to the test module in subcooled state to enable assessment of both the subcooled boiling and saturated boiling regions. The study employs a combination of temperature measurements along the test module and high-speed video to explore crucial details of the flow, including dominant flow regimes, flow instabilities, and downstream dryout effects. It is shown that, unlike macro-channel flows, where flow regimes can be clearly demarcated, flow regimes in micro-channels are associated with transient fluctuations that are induced by flow instabilities. The dominant flow behavior and associated dryout effects are characterized with the aid of a new transient flow regime map and a dryout map, respectively. Two sub-regions of the subcooled boiling region, partially developed boiling (PDB) and fully developed boiling (FDB), are examined relative to dominant interfacial and heat transfer mechanisms, and a previous correlation is identified for accurate prediction of the heat transfer coefficient for both PDB and FDB. The saturated boiling region is shown to consist of three separate sub-regions: nucleate boiling dominated for qualities below 0.3, combined nucleate and convective boiling for qualities between 0.3 and 0.5, and convective boiling dominated for qualities above 0.5. Above 0.5, dryout effects begin to take effect, causing a gradual decline in the heat transfer coefficient followed downstream by a more severe decline. A previous correlation is identified for prediction of the heat transfer coefficient in the saturated boiling region.
Rational Modification of a Metallic Substrate for CVD Growth of Carbon Nanotubes.

Growth of high quality, dense carbon nanotube (CNT) arrays via catalytic chemical vapor deposition (CCVD) has been largely limited to catalysts supported on amorphous alumina or silica. To overcome the challenge of conducting CNT growth from catalysts supported on conductive substrates, we explored a two-step surface modification that involves ion beam bombardment to create surface porosity and deposition of a thin AlxOy barrier layer to make the surface basic. To test the efficacy of our approach on a non-oxide support, we focus on modification of 316 stainless steel (SS), a well-known inactive substrate for CNT growth. Our study reveals that ion beam bombardment of SS has the ability to reduce film thickness of the AlxOy barrier layer required to grow CNTs from Fe catalysts to $$ \sim $$ ~ 5 nm, which is within the threshold for the substrate to remain conductive. Additionally, catalysts supported on ion beam-damaged SS with the same AlxOy thickness show improved particle formation, catalyst stability, and CNT growth efficiency, as well as producing CNTs with higher quality and density. Under optimal reaction conditions, this modification approach can lead to CNT growth on other nontraditional substrates and potentially benefit applications that require CNTs be grown on a conductive substrate.
Extracranial congenital malignant rhabdoid tumor in infant with disseminated disease: An uncommon entity and diagnostic challenge.

Malignant rhabdoid tumors (MRTs) are uncommon and aggressive tumors that typically present during childhood. Primary MRTs most often arise from the central nervous system and kidneys; however, primary tumors from other sites are occasionally reported. We present a case of an infant born with extracranial MRTs who was found to have disseminated disease involving the abdominal viscera.
CREATING DIAGRAMS FOR PROBLEM-SOLVING IN MATHEMATICS: IS IT WORTH THE EFFORT?

Diagrams are ubiquitous in mathematics instruction. This investigation examines whether the mental effort – often referred to as cognitive load – that is required to construct and use a diagram in order to solve a problem is associated with success in arriving at accurate problem solutions. In this article, data from a series of experiments that were conducted during the past decade are re-analyzed to compare the self-rated effort of being trained to use a diagram with subsequent problem-solving performance, relative to interventions in which participants were trained to use only equations to solve the same word problems. The results demonstrate that the mental effort invested in diagram training is not uniformly beneficial across all types of mathematics problems. Specifically, diagram training is more efficacious for conditional-probability word problems than for joint- and total-probability word problems. Of particular note is the repeated finding that training in how to use Venn diagrams causes worse performance for undergraduates solving total-probability problems.
Uptake of Potassium by Red Blood Cells

In the human bloodstream, potassium ions are continually moving from the plasma into the red blood cells and vice versa. The determination of the rates of potassium influx and efflux is of interest to biomedical scientists in their attempt to fully comprehend the function of the red blood cells, and to carry on the fight against blood diseases [212].
The Quality Circle Phenomenon

The importance of Human Resource Development Programs, which involve all levels of the work force in goal setting and problem solving, is achieving growing recognition throughout corporate American. Thirty-three percent of companies with over 500 employees and over half of New York Stock Exchange companies have introduced such employee involvement programs. In a study conducted by the New York Stock Exchange, Office of Economic Research in 1982, entitled People and Productivity; A Challenge to Corporate America, it was documented that such programs were initiated with the expectation of cutting costs (58%), improving worker attitudes (46%), and increasing productivity (38%). For over 50% of companies surveyed, this reflected a change in managerial philosophy. The same study found that 82% of companies considered employee involvement programs to be a promising new approach and not a passing fad. The sound business rationale which underlies this phenomena is evident when the outcome findings, reported by the companies who used such approaches, are reviewed. According to their own standards and measures, the companies report improvements in attitude and morale (67%), cost containment (56%), productivity (55%), quality (54%), service (53%) and quality of working life (48%).
Effect of orally administered pilocarpine on serum enzymes, organ weights and histopathology in meadow voles.

Fifteen mature meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) were assigned to each of four diets: 1) basal; 2) basal + .001% pilocarpine (PLCN); 3) basal + .01% PLCN; 4) basal + .10% PLCN in a completely randomized design to measure the effect of PLCN on liver, kidney and parotid gland histopathology and feed intake. Meadow voles were fed each treatment for 14 d prior to euthanasia. Serum glutamic oxaloacetate transaminase, glutamic pyruvate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase levels were unaffected by dietary PLCN. Liver fresh weight tended to decrease with PLCN treatment, but kidney weight was not consistently affected. Parotid gland fresh weight decreased by 31% as the dietary level of PLCN increased from 0 to .10%. One of 15 voles on the control treatment died. Twelve of the remaining 14 voles showed no histopathological changes in the organs studied, but one showed segmental cystic dilation of some convoluted tubules and one showed chronic cortical interstitial nephritis. One vole of the 15 on the .001% PLCN treatment died. Eleven of the 14 remaining voles showed no histopathological changes in the organs studied, while two voles showed segmental cystic dilation of some convoluted tubules and one showed slight hydropic degeneration of hepatocytes. There was no mortality among voles fed .01% PLCN. Nine of the 15 voles showed no histopathological changes in the organs, while four showed slight hydropic degeneration of hepatocytes and one showed segmental cystic dilation of some convoluted tubules. Three of 15 voles died while fed .10% PLCN. The remaining 12 voles showed no histopathological changes in the above-mentioned organs, although three voles showed slight hydropic degeneration of hepatocytes.
"You can't get there from here": Critical obstacles to current estimates of the ESRD risks of young living kidney donors.

Short studies that generate lifetime end-stage renal disease (ESRD) risks for young living kidney donors have conflicted with the knowledge and practice of nontransplant specialists. A widely accepted online risk calculator (OLRC) is no exception. It uses 6.4 year observations and an ostensibly empiric methodology to predict low lifetime risks for normal young candidates. But the nonspecific ESRD risk factors identified in this study are likely features of kidney diseases that were already underway at study entry. No practicing nephrologist would use their absence to predict any specific kidney disease that had yet to begin, which is essential for excluding high-risk individuals. The OLRC's risk estimates are particularly low because it also does not assign to young adults about 70% of the lifetime ESRD that they will experience as they age, which is part of their risk. It reinforces traditional concepts of low donor risk, minimizing the potential relevance of recent, sometimes concerning, long-term outcome data. These data suggest many similarities between postdonation ESRD and ESRD in the general population, about which much is already known. Despite our best efforts, the heterogeneity and exponential accumulation of end-stage kidney diseases over time prevent long-term predictions of risk for young kidney donors.