cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Timing yield optimization via discrete gate sizing using globally-informed delay PDFs

We develop two novel globally-informed gate-sizing algorithms for tackling the problems of statistical circuit timing optimization under a timing yield constraint, and timing yield optimization under a timing (i.e., delay) constraint. Unlike previous works, our techniques are global in the sense that they use objective functions that take into account either the entire circuit's variabilities and available gate sizes or those of the statistically timing-critical part of the circuit. The actual optimization, using the aforementioned objective functions, was performed using a recently introduced efficient discrete optimization technique called discretized network flow (DNF). We compared our algorithms to a state-of-the-art sensitivity based method. Experimental results show an absolute yield improvement of up to 43% and an average of 37% for the best of our two techniques over that of a non-statistical timing optimized circuit (optimized using a recent state-of-the-art method) based on the worst-case delay estimate for each gate. Our technique also gives a 19% better relative yield improvement over the sensitivity based method.
Long‐Term Earnings Forecasts in the Electric Utility Industry: Accuracy and Valuation Implications

This paper integrates research on the accuracy of alternative long-term earnings forecasts, the gain in accuracy achievable from combining various forecasts, and the power of different long-term earnings forecasts to explain stock prices. The tests are performed on 82 electric utility firms because of the relative homogeneity of accounting data in that industry and because of the importance of the findings for the determination of the cost of capital in a regulatory proceeding. The results are consistent with earlier research findings that analyst forecasts of long-term earnings growth are more accurate than forecasts from extrapolative models. Combined forecasts applied to out-of-sample data, however, did not result in markedly improved forecasting accuracy. Finally, valuation tests of alternative forecasting techniques offered strong evidence that investors place the greatest weight on forecasts from Value Line.
Coformational aspects of polypeptide structure XL. The synthesis of poly((S)-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid).

The synthesis of poly[(S)-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid] is described. The polymer is obtained by the polymerization of the N-carboxyanhydride of (S)-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid in pyridine or nitrobenzene using triethylamine as an initiator. The amino acid is prepared by the condensation of cysteine and formaldehyde. N-Acetyl-(S)-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester is also prepared as a model compound by standard acetylation and esterification reactions.
Corporeal citizenship: rethinking green citizenship through the body

Building upon the work of green theorists and corporeal and material feminists, the epistemological construal of contemporary approaches to green citizenship is challenged, and the more ontological approach of ‘corporeal citizenship’ is advocated. With this term an understanding of citizenship is advanced that is not only embodied and attentive to the particularities of human difference but also one that recognises humans' inescapable embeddedness in differing social and natural (discursive and material) contexts that shape subjectivity and condition our collective agency. Bodies are envisioned as porous but resistant, plural and connected in an effort to unsettle the nature/culture dualism and broaden the range and scope of issues considered environmental. This approach also offers the opportunity to rethink traditional conceptions of agency and citizenship practices while providing a foundation for greater cooperation with advocates of environmental justice.
A Cost Analysis of Coronary Stenting Without Anticoagulation Versus Stenting With Anticoagulation Using Warfarin

A case-controlled study was performed comparing hospitalization costs and length of hospital stay in a group of patients managed with antiplatelet therapy only, versus a group treated with anticoagulation using warfarin after coronary artery stenting. The patients managed with antiplatelet therapy alone had significantly reduced total hospitalization costs and a significantly reduced average hospital stay than patients managed with anticoagulation.
Effect of Protonation on Peroxo−Copper Bonding: Spectroscopic and Electronic Structure Study of [Cu2((UN−O−)(OOH)]2+

Spectroscopic studies of a μ-1,1-hydroperoxo-bridged copper dimer are combined with SCF-Xα-SW molecular orbital calculations to describe the vibrational and electronic structure of the hydroperoxo−...
Determination of 17α-dihydroequilenin in rat, rabbit and monkey plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorimetric detection

A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method with fluorescence detection for the determination of total (unconjugated and conjugated) 71α-dihydroequilenin in male and female rat rabbit and male rhesus monkey plasma is described here. Plasma sample preparation involved hydrolysis with enzyme (Glusulase), addition of internal standard (14β-equilenin) and solvent extraction. The extracts were chromatographed on a C6, 5-μm reversed-phase HPLC column and detection was accomplished with a fluorescence detector operated at an excitation wavelength of 210 nm and an emission wavelength of 370 nm. The assay was linear over a range of 2.5 to 100 ng/ml in male and female rat plasma, and 5 to 500 ng/ml in female rabbit and male and female monkey plasma. The method was specific, accurate and reproducible (percent differences <14.5; coefficients of variation <9.5%) in all matrices examined. The applicability of this method was successfully tested by quantifying total plasma concentrations of 17α-dihydroequilenin in ovariectomized female rats, ovariectomized female rabbits and a normal female rhesus monkey receiving 2.0, 8.3 and 0.1 mg/kg, respectively, of 17α-dihydroequilenin sulfate intragastrically.
Effects of solvents on the reaction of 2,2-dimethylpropanesulfinyl chloride with activated zinc

Abstract Although 2,2-dimethylpropanesulfinyl chloride reacts with zinc in C 6 H 6 or CCl 4 to give the corresponding thiosulfonate as major product, the reaction in C 2 D 10 O, C 2 H 10 O, and CD 3 CN affords the corresponding thiosulfinate as the major product.
Isometric properties of elementary operators

Abstract We consider the elementary operator L , acting on the Hilbert–Schmidt Class C 2 ( H ) , given by L ( T ) = ATB , with A and B bounded operators on H . We establish necessary and sufficient conditions on A and B for L to be a 2 -isometry or a 3 -isometry. We derive sufficient conditions for L to be an n -isometry. We also give several illustrative examples involving the weighted shift operator on l 2 and the multiplication operator on the Dirichlet space.
Mutual Diffusion Coefficients and Densities at 298.15 K of Aqueous Mixtures of NaCl and Na2SO4 with NaCl Solute Fractions of 0.9500, Trace Diffusion Coefficients of SO42- in NaCl(aq), and Trace Refractive Index Increments and Partial Molar Volumes of Na2SO4 and NaCl†

Isothermal mutual diffusion coefficients (interdiffusion coefficients) and refractive index increments were measured for ternary aqueous mixtures of NaCl and Na2SO4 at constant NaCl molarity fraction z1 = 0.9500 at 298.15 K, using high precision Rayleigh interferometry with computerized data acquisition. The densities of these solutions were measured using vibrating tube densimetry. The experiments were performed at seven total molarities ranging from (0.499 92 to 4.978 34) mol·dm-3. These measurements supplement our earlier ones at other compositions and composition fractions. The Na2SO4 cross-term diffusion coefficient D21 is small and negative at nearly all of the ternary solution compositions, whereas the NaCl cross-term diffusion coefficient D12 is larger and positive. However, at z1 = 0.9500, D21 changes sign as the total concentration exceeds 4.3 mol·dm-3, and above 3.2 mol·dm-3 the value of D12 exceeds that of the corresponding Na2SO4 main-term diffusion coefficient D22. Thus, at high concentratio...
Left atrial volumes and function in orthotopic cardiac transplantation.

Abstract Early ventricular filling and therefore passive left atrial emptying may be impaired in patients with cardiac transplantation. As a result, left atrial function may be an important factor in maintaining stroke volume in recipients of orthotopic cardiac transplants. Left atrial volumes maximal (mitral valve opening), minimal (mitral valve closure), and oset of atrial systole (P wave on electrocardiogram) were determined by echocardiography using the biplane area—length method in 12 patients after cardiac transplantation and 12 control subjects. Maximal and minimal left atrial volumes and left atrial volumes at onset of atrial systole were larger in patients who had cardiac transplantation than in control subjects (89.8 vs 41.8 cm 3 , 48 vs 15.2 cm 3 , and 70.4 vs 27.0 cm 3 , respectively; p p = 0.58) and between left atrial maximal volume and mean pulmonary capillary wedge pressure ( r = 0.81). Left atrial passive emptying volume (maximal minus volume at P wave) was not statistically different between the two groups (19.3 in patients receiving transplants vs 14.7 cm 3 in control subjects), but left atrial stroke volume (beginning atrial systole to minimal) was larger in patients receiving transplants than in control subjects (22.4 vs 11.8 cm 3 , respectively; p p p = 0.02); a linear inverse correlation ( p = 0.46) was found between left atrial volume at onset of atrial systole and left atrial ejection fraction. As left atrial volume at onset of atrial systole increased, the left atrial ejection fraction decreased; this finding suggests left atrial systolic dysfunction after transplantation. There was no correlation between left atrial volume at onset of atrial systole and left atrial ejection fraction in control subjects. Thus, despite left atrial dysfunction in patients undergoing cardiac transplantation, left atrial contraction plays an important role in maintaiing left ventricular stroke volume.
Parent-report measures of toddler temperament and attachment: their relation to each other and to the social microenvironment

Using naturalistic observation, measures of the social microenvironment were coded for 56 two-year-old children. Mothers filled out the Attachment Q-sort and the Toddler Temperament Scale. Results indicated significant correlations between attachment and temperament scores. Relations between the social microenvironment and attachment remained significant after partialing out variance associated with temperament.
Roles of aortic and carotid chemoreceptors in activating the hypothalamo-hypophyseal-adrenocortical system during hypoxia.

SummaryAnesthetized mongrel dogs with cannulas in the left lumboadrenal vein were subjected to hypoxia in order to determine the participation of the aortic and carotid bodies, separately and combined, in the adrenocortical response to this stressor. In intact dogs the induction of hypoxia by breathing 10% O2 at ground level for 1 hr caused rapid and sustained maximal 11-OHCS rates which paralleled the alterations in arterial oxygen, carbon dioxide and pH. On the other hand, only 3–40% of these maximal 11-OHCS rates were observed in hypoxic animals with either denervated aortic or carotid chemoreceptors. The adrenocortical response to hypoxia was abolished by denervating both aortic and carotid chemoreceptors while essentially similar changes in arterial gases and pH as those observed in intact hypoxic dogs were seen. These data demonstrate not only the necessity of functioning peripheral arterial chemoreceptors for maximal response of the hypothalamo–hypophyseal–adrenocortical system to hypoxia, but also...
User interface of a Home Page Reader

We first discuss the difficulties that blind people face in trying to lie in society, because of the lack of accessible information resources, and then consider the potential of the Web as a new information resource for the blind. After describing how blind people in Japan currently access the Web, we give an overview of our system for nonvisual Web access. Our system has five special characteristics. One is the use of a numeric keypad for surfing the Net, with a key assignment designed for intuitive operation. The second is a fast- forward key for quick reading. The next two are that hyperlinks are read in a female voice and HTML tags are converted into voice data. The fifth is that the system can be synchronized with Netscape Navigator. After evaluating the system and offering some conclusions, we discuss our plans for future work.
A preliminary revision and cladistic analysis of the Ethiopian species of Ematheudes (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae: Phycitinae: Peoriini)

Covered are 30 species of Ethiopian Ematheudes, including 23 new species: E. convexus, E. crenulatus, E. dewittei, E. elysium, E. erectus, E. forficatus, E. hamatus, E. hispidus, E. kenyaensis, E. lusingensis, E. maculescens, E. megacantha, E. michaelshafferi, E. natalensis, E. pollex, E. quintuplex, E. setigera, E. sinuosus, E. strictus, E. triangularus, E. trimaculosus, E. togoensis, E. toxalis. Brief treatment is also given to the type species, the Palearctic Chilo punctellus Treitschke. The Asian Prnavitheudes Amsel, 1961 (type species: P. persicella Amsel) is synonymized with Ematheudes and Patna rhizolineata Bradley, 1980 is transferred to Ematheudes. The latter species is the only Ematheudes for which a host plant is known, the larvae having been reared from rhizomes of Sorghum halepense in Pakistan. Commotria erythrograpta Hampson is synonymized with E. neurias (Hampson); Patna venatella Hampson is synonymized with E. rhodochroa (Hampson); E. lentistrigulis Hampson is synonymized with E. straminella Snellen. Photographs of wing patterns are provided for 28 species, of male genitalia for all 30 species, and of female genitalia for 5 species. All these structures are also illustrated for the type species, E. punctellus. A cladistic analysis using Hennig86 yielded one tree with a consistency index of 28. A key to the species is provided.
Multiobjective Risk Impact Analysis Method

This paper integrates two methodologies of risk and impact analysis - the partitioned multiobjective risk method (PMRM) and the multiobjective, multistage impact analysis method (MMIAM). The PMRM, in an effort to overcome the difficulties created by commensurating extreme events that have catastrophic impacts with those that have more frequent but less harmful consequences, introduces the use of conditional expectations for different regimes of probabilities and damages. The MMIAM is a multiobjective decision-making method for impact analysis which explicitly develops trade-offs among different objectives at different stages or periods. Decision makers who must act under conditions of extreme risk and uncertainty often find that they are more interested in knowing what not to do than they are in optimizing their current objectives (the more traditional aim of decision-making methodologies). This paper focuses on a way to answer their needs, in which major elements of both the PMRM and the MMIAM are combined in a new, integrated methodology, termed here the multiobjective risk-impact analysis method (MRIAM). The new methodology incorporates risk and impact analysis within a dynamic multiobjective decision-making framework. To demonstrate the usefulness of the integrated methodology, an example problem concerning the environmental effects of pollutant emissions over a number ofmore » years is formulated, solved, and analyzed.« less
Particle-bound and free catecholamines in dog hearts and the uptake of injected norepinephrine.

SUBMICROSCOPIC structures containing catecholamines have been found by high-speed centrifugation of homogenates or pressed juice of adrenal medulla1–3, splenic nerves4–6 and brain7. A granular fraction containing catecholamines has been isolated from the pressed juice of cyclostome hearts8. It was the purpose of this investigation to see whether also in mammalian hearts the catecholamines are stored in a particle-bound state; the question was also examined whether injected norepinephrine is taken up by sub-microscopic cell elements. This is of interest since Raab and Gigee9 reported a specific avidity of the heart muscle to absorb and store catecholamines.
Graphic designers who program as informal computer science learners

We introduce end-user programmers as a group of persons engaged in informal Computer Science education. Results of a small-scale survey for a previously unstudied population of end-users, users of graphics manipulation software, are presented. We find that graphic designers are taking part in significant programming activities, despite little to no formal training in programming. We discuss what draws them to programming, what they know about Computer Science, and where they seek help. We also consider ways in which we might further support the Computer Science learning that takes place in end-user settings.
Elective nodal irradiation (ENI) vs. involved field radiotherapy (IFRT) for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): A comparative analysis of toxicities and clinical outcomes.

Abstract Background Elective nodal irradiation (ENI) and involved field radiotherapy (IFRT) are definitive radiotherapeutic approaches used to treat patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). ENI delivers prophylactic radiation to clinically uninvolved lymph nodes, while IFRT only targets identifiable gross nodal disease. Because clinically uninvolved nodal stations may harbor microscopic disease, IFRT raises concerns for increased nodal failures. This retrospective cohort analysis evaluates failure rates and treatment-related toxicities in patients treated at a single institution with ENI and IFRT. Methods We assessed all patients with stage III locally advanced or stage IV oligometastatic NSCLC treated with definitive radiotherapy from 2003 to 2008. Each physician consistently treated with either ENI or IFRT, based on their treatment philosophy. Results Of the 108 consecutive patients assessed (60 ENI vs. 48 IFRT), 10 patients had stage IV disease and 95 patients received chemotherapy. The median follow-up time for survivors was 18.9 months. On multivariable logistic regression analysis, patients treated with IFRT demonstrated a significantly lower risk of high grade esophagitis (Odds ratio: 0.31, p = 0.036). The differences in 2-year local control (39.2% vs. 59.6%), elective nodal control (84.3% vs. 84.3%), distant control (47.7% vs. 52.7%) and overall survival (40.1% vs. 43.7%) rates were not statistically significant between ENI vs. IFRT. Conclusions Nodal failure rates in clinically uninvolved nodal stations were not increased with IFRT when compared to ENI. IFRT also resulted in significantly decreased esophageal toxicity, suggesting that IFRT may allow for integration of concurrent systemic chemotherapy in a greater proportion of patients.
Continuous-time feed-forward ΣΔ- modulators with robust signal transfer function

We present a general methodology for the design of continuous-time sigma-delta modulators with a lowpass signal transfer function without peaking. We also propose two new feedforward architectures exhibiting significantly lower sensitivity to coefficient mismatch compared with conventional feedforward structures.
Edible nanoemulsions: fabrication, properties, and functional performance

There is increasing interest within the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries in utilizing edible nanoemulsions to encapsulate, protect and deliver lipophilic functional components, such as oil-soluble flavors, vitamins, preservatives, nutraceuticals, and drugs. There are a number of potential advantages of using nanoemulsions rather than conventional emulsions for this purpose: they can greatly increase the bioavailability of lipophilic substances; they scatter light weakly and so can be incorporated into optically transparent products; they can be used to modulate the product texture; and they have a high stability to particle aggregation and gravitational separation. On the other hand, there may also be some risks associated with the oral ingestion of nanoemulsions, such as their ability to change the biological fate of bioactive components within the gastrointestinal tract and the potential toxicity of some of the components used in their fabrication. This tutorial review provides an overview of the current status of nanoemulsion fabrication, properties, and applications with special emphasis on systems suitable for utilization within the food industry.
Characterization of Spores of Bacillus subtilis Which Lack Dipicolinic Acid

Spores of Bacillus subtilis with a mutation in spoVF cannot synthesize dipicolinic acid (DPA) and are too unstable to be purified and studied in detail. However, the spores of a strain lacking the three major germinant receptors (termed Deltager3), as well as spoVF, can be isolated, although they spontaneously germinate much more readily than Deltager3 spores. The Deltager3 spoVF spores lack DPA and have higher levels of core water than Deltager3 spores, although sporulation with DPA restores close to normal levels of DPA and core water to Deltager3 spoVF spores. The DPA-less spores have normal cortical and coat layers, as observed with an electron microscope, but their core region appears to be more hydrated than that of spores with DPA. The Deltager3 spoVF spores also contain minimal levels of the processed active form (termed P(41)) of the germination protease, GPR, a finding consistent with the known requirement for DPA and dehydration for GPR autoprocessing. However, any P(41) formed in Deltager3 spoVF spores may be at least transiently active on one of this protease's small acid-soluble spore protein (SASP) substrates, SASP-gamma. Analysis of the resistance of wild-type, Deltager3, and Deltager3 spoVF spores to various agents led to the following conclusions: (i) DPA and core water content play no role in spore resistance to dry heat, dessication, or glutaraldehyde; (ii) an elevated core water content is associated with decreased spore resistance to wet heat, hydrogen peroxide, formaldehyde, and the iodine-based disinfectant Betadine; (iii) the absence of DPA increases spore resistance to UV radiation; and (iv) wild-type spores are more resistant than Deltager3 spores to Betadine and glutaraldehyde. These results are discussed in view of current models of spore resistance and spore germination.
Presidents Have Problems Too: The Logic of Intra-branch Delegation in East Asian Democracies

This article addresses the codification of formal rules and procedures of governance through Administrative Procedure Acts (APAs). The recent enactment of APAs in two new democracies, South Korea and Taiwan, highlights an apparent paradox. Because administrative reform limits the executive's power, it is clear why legislatures in separation-of-power systems would favour APAs. But it is less clear why presidents would support them. Why would a president accept a law designed to restrict her ability to act freely? The answer is that presidents have agency problems too. The more intra-branch conflict they face during their administrations, the more likely they will support administrative reform. Thus, instead of tying the hands of future administrations, presidents also use APAs to overcome current control problems. Three recently democratized East Asian countries, two with APAs (South Korea and Taiwan) and one without (Philippines), support this 'reining in' theory. Conflict within the executive branch may be an important ingredient in democratic consolidation. APAs result from political struggle.
Transfusion Medicine for the Practicing Pathologist/Physician With Responsibilities for the Transfusion Service

Abstract Transfusion medicine is a challenging and complex medical practice that occurs in virtually every hospital, except perhaps rehabilitation and mental health facilities, on a frequent, often daily, basis. The knowledge base required to effectively meet the standard of care for transfusion practice is increasing at a rapid pace. It is not unusual for patients with successful ABO changes due to bone marrow or stem cell transplantation to be treated in their local community hospital or even to receive such transplantations much closer to home than previously. Routine transfusions for patients with anemia, hemoglobinopathies, elective surgeries, and trauma, as well as the special needs of neonates and geriatric patients, are provided in hospital transfusion services of all sizes. In some hospitals, there are board-certified physician specialists in transfusion medicine who provide hands-on consultative services to their colleagues, whereas in other facilities, the technical specialists (including blood...
Determination of the Bond Strength Between Nanosized Particles

A method has been developed for determining the bond energies between nanosized particles from the kinetics of the rearrangement of aerosol agglomerates. The method of calculation is based on the change in Gibbs’ free energy during restructuring. For Ag and Cu agglomerates, bond energies between the nanosized particles are of the order of magnitude calculated from bulk Hamaker constants.
Are Dissenting Directors Rewarded

I explore whether directors who resign in dissent from their board are rewarded in the labor market for directors. Using a hand collected sample of 278 boardroom disputes reported in 8-K filings during 1995-2006, I show that firms which have disputes are small, highly levered, have poor profitability, and have boards dominated by management. I find that dissent is not rewarded. For all types of directors across all types of disputes, directors who resign in protest experience a net loss in board seats of 85% over the five year period following the dispute. This means dissenting directors are not able to recover the seat they give up by obtaining additional board seats at other public firms. For these dissenting directors it appears that dissent is its own reward.
Jewish and Muslim Messianism in Yemen

The last three messianic claimants to appear in the Jewish diaspora appeared in Yemen in the 19th century. At this time and place the mutual influences of Jews and Muslims were notable both in messianic movements and in literary expression. Muslim society in Yemen was aware of the messianic tension among the Jews, and individual Muslims even took part in each of the known messianic movements. Conversely—and this is the subject of this article—Jewish society, at least on the popular level, was receptive to Muslim apocalyptic ideas and beliefs and integrated them into Jewish apocalyptic anticipations. The belief in messianism and the sharing of ideas on redemption or of the golden age in the eschatological era (i.e., at the End of Time) have long been maintained by the Jews. Some of the concepts that served as paradigms for later messianic speculations were derived from the Bible. For instance, the concept of rescue—the rescue by God of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt—became the example of God's intervention to help his people and mirrored the rescue at the End of Days. Likewise, the Davidic kingdom was believed to be the fulfillment of an ancient covenant between God and the Israelites—and, therefore, the Davidic kingdom became in the history of Jewish messianism the paradigm for how the future kingdom would be, how the covenant would be fulfilled. Also, the term “messiah” ( mashiah )—i.e., the anointed one—was originally the official title for the Davidic kings and the early root for the later messiah; hence, it would be a Davidic descendant who would lead the Jews into the messianic age.
The Shape of a Typical Boxed Plane Partition

Using a calculus of variations approach, we determine the shape of a typical plane partition in a large box (i.e., a plane partition chosen at random according to the uniform distribution on all plane partitions whose solid Young diagrams t inside the box). Equivalently, we describe the distribution of the three dierent orientations of lozenges in a random lozenge tiling of a large hexagon. We prove a generalization of the classical formula of MacMahon for the number of plane partitions in a box; for each of the possible ways in which the tilings of a region can behave when restricted to certain lines, our formula tells the number of tilings that behave in that way. When we take a suitable limit, this formula gives us a functional which we must maximize to determine the asymptotic behavior of a plane partition in a box. Once the variational problem has been set up, we analyze it using a modication of the methods employed by Logan and Shepp and by Vershik and Kerov in their studies of random Young tableaux.
Effects of Daily Administration of Estradiol-17β on Follicular Growth, Ovulation, and Plasma Hormones in Mares

Follicular growth and concentrations of circulating progesterone (P4), FSU, and LU were measured in horse mares treated daily with estradiol-1713 (E2). Treatment of mares with 10mg E2 from Days 1 to 31 postovulation had no significant effect on luteal life span, while it significantly prolonged the length of estrus and the interovulatory interval (101), and suppressed follicular development and ovulation. E2 treatment had no significant effect on baseline LH concentrations in the presence of a functional corpus luteum (CL); however, E2 was able to stimulate LU secretion for up to 2 weeks after CL regression. Mares in the control group of this study exhibited a bimodal pattern of FSH secretion, while treatment of mares with E2 altered the pattern of FSH secretion by suppressing FSH concentrations during early diestrus.
Agreement or Disagreement of a Set of Likert-Type Ratings

This paper describes an exact small sample test, and provides a table of critical values for an approximate large sample test, to determine if a sample of Likert-Type ratings indicates significant agreement or disagreement in a population of such ratings.
Optimal Vortex Formation as a Unifying Principle in Biological Propulsion

I review the concept of optimal vortex formation and examine its relevance to propulsion in biological and bio-inspired systems, ranging from the human heart to underwater vehicles. By using examples from the existing literature and new analyses, I show that optimal vortex formation can potentially serve as a unifying principle to understand the diversity of solutions used to achieve propulsion in nature. Additionally, optimal vortex formation can provide a framework in which to design engineered propulsions systems that are constrained by pressures unrelated to biology. Finally, I analyze the relationship between optimal vortex formation and previously observed constraints on Strouhal frequency during animal locomotion in air and water. It is proposed that the Strouhal frequency constraint is but one consequence of the process of optimal vortex formation and that others remain to be discovered.
Nonlinear electrical conductivity of a fully ionized gas

The electrical conductivity of a fully ionized gas is analyzed based on the Fokker-Planck equation. It is found to have nonlinear characteristics if the impressed electric field is not restricted to be very small. The electrical conductivity of both dc and ac cases is investigated and the critical conditions are discussed. A convenient way of obtaining an approximate conductivity is also presented.
Object-oriented programming for power engineering education

The authors describe the object-oriented approach, which is currently being touted as a means of making programmers more productive but will require new approaches to viewing old problems. They discuss how object-oriented programming techniques can be applied to the development of power-engineering-related software. Segments of code that were used in a three-phase load flow program are used as examples.
Inheritance of Branching Pattern in Arachis hypogaea L.1

The genetics of the branching pattern on the cotyledonary laterals of peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) was studied through scoring F1 and F2 generation progenies from crosses among four lines of Virginia, Valencia, and Spanish types. With one exception, these lines traced directly to gene centers in South America. When results were expressed as the ratio of reproductive branches to total branches (R/R+V), the F2 from crosses of Virginia × Valencia gave a continuous distribution with the median near that of a Spanish type. Spanish × Virginia crosses gave a continuous distribution in the F2 with the median equivalent to the Virginia parent. These results suggested that Spanish varieties may have originated from hybridization of Virginia and Valencia types. The presence, or absence, of inflorescences in the mainstem leaf axils of F2 plants was scored for one cross. The results suggested the presence of two sets of duplicate loci with epistasis among the alleles.
Intracerebroventricular CART peptide reduces food intake and alters motor behavior at a hindbrain site

Peptides from cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) reduce food intake in rats when injected into the lateral ventricle. Hypothalamic and hindbrain sites important in the control of feeding contain CART-immunoreactive fibers. To further define the site of CART's anorectic action, we compared feeding and other behavioral responses to third or fourth ventricular (3V, 4V) CART-(55-102) in 6-h food-deprived rats, both before and after cerebral aqueduct occlusion. 3V CART reduced the volume of Ensure consumed and resulted in fewer observations of eating and grooming within the 30-min test session. These reductions were significantly attenuated by aqueduct obstruction. 4V CART suppressed Ensure intake and resulted in decreased observations of feeding both with and without aqueduct blockade. 3V CART produced flat-backed postures and movement-associated tremors that were prevented by aqueduct obstruction. 4V CART also produced these signs, both with and without aqueduct blockade. We conclude that the major hypophagic effect of intracerebroventricular CART is mediated at a hindbrain site. The association of CART-induced feeding suppression with altered motor behavior questions the specificity of intracerebroventricular CART for actions on feeding.
Nanoparticles as New Disinfectan in Moringa oleifera

Contamination is a big problem in in vitro cultures, especially in woody plants. In this paper, different sterilization material been used to compare their efficiency in sterilization with Nanoparticles. Silver and copper Nanoparticles had been widely used in many fields. Plants in vitro rarely get used with nanoparticles. Silver &Cupper nanoparticles had used in many concentrations. It was clear that using these particles have a good benefit to get clean cultures, even with high concentrations. This paper gives us clear idea to use silver Nanoparticles as alternative cleaning solution.
Chemistry and Turbulence of Coal Reaction Products

In Chapter 11 we discussed the impact of the turbulence on the gas-phase chemistry with particular application to gaseous fuels. We also examined the problems in obtaining time-mean reaction rates for chemical reactions in the homogeneous phase. We limited our discussion to turbulent diffusion flames and noted three types of turbulence—chemistry interactions. The majority of Chapter 11 focused on Type B flames when the reaction time scale was much less than the turbulent time scale and thus the turbulence mixing process controlled the chemical reactions. All of Chapter 11 focused on gaseous fuels. An appropriate mixture fraction or conserved scalar was defined; the statistics of the turbulence were characterized by an appropriate probability density function; and the mean chemical properties were obtained by convolution over this PDF of either chemical equilibrium properties or experimental data.
The Challenges and Opportunities Associated with Sickle Cell Disease Prevention, Education, and Management

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a hereditary blood disorder affecting the shape of the red blood cells that block blood vessels leading to organ damage and frequent erratic painful episodes. SCD is a global public health issue affecting millions of people throughout the world. This article explores (a) what SCD is; (b) the physical and psychosocial impacts of the disease;
Successful Treatment of Aortic Root Abscess in a Patient with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Continuous prostanoid infusion is an established treatment for pulmonary arterial hypertension that has led to improvements in symptoms, exercise tolerance, and survival. Patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) who develop sepsis frequently experience clinical and hemodynamic deterioration associated with poor outcomes. Successful management of sepsis involves identification of the source of infection, early antimicrobial administration, judicious fluid resuscitation, and continuation of specific PAH therapies. We describe successful management of a patient with idiopathic PAH receiving chronic intravenous prostacyclin therapy who developed an aortic root abscess due to Clostridium perfringens requiring emergent aortic root repair. Management involved imaging studies, removal of potential sources with administration of intravenous antibiotics, and cautious fluid administration with hemodynamic monitoring. A multidisciplinary group led by a PAH specialist worked cohesively before, during, and after surgical intervention and achieved a successful outcome.
A review of minimal and defined media for growth of Listeria monocytogenes

Abstract Listeria monocytogenes is known to be an important foodborne pathogen and is the causative agent of one of the deadliest foodborne illnesses. The organism has a wide range of environmental conditions under which it will survive and grow, and often contaminates processing plants and retail environments in which ready-to-eat foods are manufactured, prepared and served. Although L. monocytogenes is not a fastidious organism and can grow in a variety of rich media, defined and minimal media are necessary to elucidate the minimal environmental nutrients that are required for the survival and growth of this organism. In addition, many of the virulence factors required for L. monocytogenes to invade and multiply in mammalian host cells are not produced in rich media and thus induction of these factors is best studied in a minimal medium. This review covers the historical development of minimal media for Listeria spp. and explores the various factors required for survival and growth of this organism. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that these media have been compared side by side. In order to better compare studies using different chemical substrates such as a different carbon source, all concentrations of components in each medium have been converted to molar concentrations.
Some thoughts on Kenya's foreign policy

Kenya's relations with the external world have been handled with a great deal of caution uncharacteristic of many African Governments whose activities in external affairs have been openly aggressive on issues concerning decolonisation, non-alignment, and liberation of African territories under racist regimes.
CS-11AN RNAi KINOME SCREEN OF GLIOBLASTOMA STEM CELLS UNDER NORMOXIA AND HYPOXIA

Glioblastoma stem like cells are known to have phenotypes and gene expression patterns distinct from traditional glioma cell lines grown in serum. They also may have increased resistance to drugs and radiation and are likely to be responsible for tumor recurrence following therapy. As a result, it is important to identify therapeutic targets for these cells. To do this, we have conducted RNAi screens in glioblastoma stem cells against the human kinome since kinases are druggable targets and many kinase inhibitors are known. In addition, glioblastomas often have significant regions of hypoxia and glioblastoma stem cells tend to be resistant to hypoxia. We have therefore conducted shRNA screens in both normoxic and hypoxic conditions. We have screened 2 independent cell lines to date and are working on others. Defining a hit as a gene that has at least 2 independent shRNAs that give at least 50% growth inhibition as compared to controls, we found that 79 and 84 of (501 kinase genes) are hits under either normoxia or hypoxia for the GS6-22 and GS7-2 stem-like cell lines, respectively. We found that 56 and 63 kinases were hits under both conditions. 15 and 16 genes gave preferential inhibition under normoxia and 8 and 4 genes preferentially inhibited under hypoxia. 31 kinases were inhibitory in both cell lines. Thus, there is considerable variation between cell lines. Several of the identified hits are well known to have a role in glioblastoma such as EGFR and CDK4, and were inhibitory in both cell lines. About a third of the hits have previously been implicated in glioblastoma. One of the hits we have independently validated is the SMG1 kinase is preferentially inhibitory in hypoxia in only one of the cell lines. Together, these data give support to the idea of developing personalized therapies for glioblastoma.
Biosystematics of the Didymium squamulosum complex

Thirty-three isolates of the Didymium squa- mulosum morphospecies, from several geographic ar- eas, were subjected to a biosystematic investigation that considered reproductive systems, plasmodial in- compatibility, morphology and isozymes. Six of the isolates were heterothallic and the remaining 27 were nonheterothallic and presumably apomictic. The six heterothallic isolates represented three sexually in- compatible biological species. Two of the biological species were represented by a single isolate, but the third biological species contained four isolates and displayed a multiple allelic mating series. A dendro- gram derived from the isozyme difference data sep- arated the isolates into two related groups. The first of these containing five heterothallic isolates, repre- senting all three biological species, and a number of nonheterothallic isolates. The other containing a sin- gle heterothallic isolate, of the A2 biological species, and a number of nonheterothallic isolates. A second dendrogram, based upon morphological variations, did not correlate with the isozyme dendrogram, al- though several characters (peridial calcium carbon- ate, stalk color and plasmodial form) did conform to the two isozyme-defined groups. Thus, the D. squa- mulosum morphospecies is apparently a widespread species complex with large, but overlapping, mor- phological and genetic variations.
Problem Areas in Science News Writing

Problem areas in science news coverage were identified as part of a survey of the accuracy of science news reporting in newspapers. Mail questionnaires and newspaper clippings were sent to the major sources cited in the articles. Common problem areas in science writing were identified by examining the comments scientists made on the questionnaires. Specifically, seven problem areas are discussed here: finding angles, writing leads, quoting accurately, using language correctly, interpreting technical conclusions properly, avoiding sensationalism, and using the words “cure” and “breakthrough.”
Miniaturized Scanning Photoacoustic Imaging for Brain Study in Behaving Rats

A wearable-scanning photoacoustic imaging (wPAI) system is presented for noninvasive brain study in behaving rats. wPAI is able to image blood vessels at a depth of up to 5 mm with intact scalp and skull
Bilateral linkage of monomorphic and dimorphic limb sizes in fiddler crabs

In this study, the subject of whether investment in one bilateral structure was linked to investment in the homologous bilateral opposite structure was investigated. Male fiddler crabs (genus Uca, family Ocypodidae) displayed strong bilateral claw differentiation of function and size, which are used for feeding (minor claw) or display/combat (major claw). Females had similar-sized feeding claws. Linkage between claw size was investigated by estimating the deviations from an overall fitted regression of claw length to body size. The positive correlations of the deviations of claw size for major and minor claws of males and between right and left claws of females, relative to body size, suggested a linkage in investment between one claw and the corresponding claw on the other side of the body, for both monomorphic females and dimorphic males. A signal to send resources may be effectively gated to the claw complex, suggesting that positively correlated resources are allocated to both claws. Positive correlations were also found at the interspecific level. The fiddler crab model, described here, gives access to study the linkage in symmetric and asymmetric bilateral structures in the same species with a connection to the macroevolutionary level.
DAPT Duration After Coronary Stenting: Assessing Risk-Benefit Tradeoffs in Individual Patients.

Following successful coronary artery stent implantation, patients remain at long-term risk for recurrent ischemic events, including stent thrombosis (ST) and myocardial infarction (MI), the latter arising either from the stented target lesion or nonrevascularized atherosclerotic plaques [(1–3)][1
Building Better Design Teams: Enhancing Group Affinity to Aid Collaborative Design

This paper discusses ConvoCons, a novel system of conversational icons intended to encourage affinity between collaborators unobtrusively. Using a reification of Bonnie Nardi’s framework for social connection and affinity, ConvoCons overlay an existing application and display a varying media that can encourage collaborating partners to begin developing affinity through informal conversations. This research explores whether dyads working on a collaborative multitouch application with ConvoCons develop more affinity than dyads that do not while solving simple design problems and a freeform design task. Results indicate that after an average of 23.25 minutes, affinity, defined as a function of conversational and behavioral cues, was 40% higher (p < 0.001) in the ConvoCons group than in the control group. This research offers a framework for evaluating affinity within groups and a foundation for exploring software-based methods of improving the effectiveness of collaboration within design teams.
Pediatric Echocardiography by Work Relative Value Units: Is Study Complexity Adequately Captured?

Background Present resource-based relative value unit (RVU) assignment for echocardiography is based on Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes, which do not incorporate complexity of diagnosis, time spent for image acquisition, or interpretation of echocardiograms. The objective of this study was to determine whether CPT-based RVU assignment accurately reflects physician effort in performing and interpreting pediatric echocardiographic examinations. Methods Cardiac complexity category (CCC) and physician time for study interpretation of 123 echocardiograms (June to September 2013) were prospectively assigned. Categories included (1) focused effusion/function evaluation, (2) normal anatomy/focused preterm infant studies, (3) acquired heart disease, (4) congenital heart disease excluding single ventricles, (5) single ventricles including heterotaxy syndrome, and (6) hearts on mechanical support. Subsequently, a random sample of echocardiograms (March to August 2013) were retrospectively analyzed, and each study was assigned a CCC and an extrapolated median interpretation time (MIT) on the basis of prospective data collection. Assigned work RVUs based on CPT codes were recorded. Comparisons were made between CCC and time for study interpretation, work RVUs, number of images acquired, and total scan time. Results A total of 933 echocardiograms were analyzed: 198 (21%), 174 (19%), 98 (11%), 359 (35%), 84 (9%), and 20 (2%) studies in CCCs 1 to 6, respectively. Total scan time, MIT, number of images, and work RVUs were different among CCCs ( P P P Conclusions Current CPT-based assignment of work RVUs does not discriminate study complexity and physician effort. The results of this study highlight the need for a refined system that accurately assesses physician effort in pediatric echocardiography.