cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The ecology of influenza viruses in ducks and analysis of influenza viruses with monoclonal antibodies.

Abstract It has been suggested that influenza A viruses from lower animals may be involved in the origin of human pandemic strains. To test this hypothesis, we have been analyzing the influenza A viruses present in lower mammals and birds. Over the past few years, it has become increasingly evident that a major reservoir of influenza viruses exists in both domestic and feral avian species, particularly ducks. For example, studies on migratory ducks in Canada in 1978 showed that 50% of these healthy birds were infected with influenza viruses. These viruses included 16 different combinations of hemagglutinin and neuraminidase subtypes, including those related to human strains as hemagglutinins, Hav7, H2, and Hsw1 and neuraminidases, N1 and N2. The duck isolates which were antigenically related to the Hsw1N1 viruses from pigs and man were evaluated by in vivo pathogenicity tests in ferrets, ducks, pigs, and chickens; the results indicated that these avian Hsw1N1 viruses replicated in both avian and mammalian species, underlining their potential for interspecies transmission. Since the reassortment of genetic information between human and animal influenza A viruses has been suggested as the mechanism for the origin of new human strains, we also examined the migratory ducks for evidence of mixed infections, i.e. infection with two antigenically distinct viruses to determine if this phenomenon occurs in nature. Antisera to the original isolate was used to select for antigenically different viruses in the original cloacal sample. Mixtures of two and, on rare occasions, three distinct subtypes (e.g., Hav7N2, Hav6N2, and Hav7Neq2) were isolated from one bird. Analysis of the RNAs of these viruses by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis suggested that genetic reassortment between viruses in the mixedly infected birds was occurring. These findings agree with laboratory studies in which recombinant viruses were isolated from mixedly infected ducks. These data indicate that mixed infections do occur in the natural setting, thus establishing the situation where genetic reassortment between viruses could occur. The avian species, particularly ducks, continue to represent an impressive reservoir of influenza A viruses and may well contribute to the appearance of related influenza viruses in other species, including humans.
Analysis of conjugate heat transfer and turbulent flow in mechanical seals

A numerical investigation of conjugate heat transfer of turbulent flow within a mechanical seal chamber is presented. The computational model takes into account the heat generation at the contact interface between the rotating ring and the stationary ring, heat conduction into the rings, and heat convection into the surrounding fluid in the chamber. Correlations are developed for predicting the average heat transfer coefficient on the wetted outer surfaces of the seal rings assuming that the flow in the seal chamber is turbulent.
A viscoelastic analogy for solving 2-D electromagnetic problems

Abstract Solving a viscoelastic material boundary value problem provides the voltage, electric field and displacement current results to a certain class of electromagnetic problems. By means of the electromagnetic-viscoelastic analogy described herein, a solid mechanics finite element program can analyze a two-dimensional harmonic oscillation (constant frequency) electromagnetic problem for “lossy” dielectric materials. For this special class of electromagnetic field problems, the Maxwell equations reduce to a two-dimensional Laplace equation with complex coefficients. This form identically matches the viscoelasticity field equations. This paper develops the electromagnetic-viscoelastic analogy from the basic governing field equations. The analogy is implemented in ABAQUS, a general solid mechanics finite element program. Simple one- and two-dimensional examples prove the accuracy and usefulness of the analogy.
The Varieties of Undergraduate Experience

This article is a data-based case study of the renewal of an undergraduate psychology program. We describe the varieties of faculty and student expectations for the major and their evaluations of the curriculum. Students' career interests and their individual differences based on gender, race, and grade point average were important factors in the changes that were made in course requirements and department services. Based on our experience, we suggest a set of questions and resources that other departments might use in evaluating their undergraduate programs.
Ultrastructural studies of xeroderma pigmentosum

Electron microscopic observations of both sun-exposed and sun-protected skin from a black patient with xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) revealed abnormal ultrastructural changes in the melanin pigmentary system, tonofibrillar-desmosome complexes, endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, and nucleoli of all keratinocytes. The difference between the cellular changes in the sun-exposed skin and that protected from sunlight was quantitative rather than qualitative in character. The most salient changes were seen in sun-exposed specimens: melanosomes limited by a membrane showed a high degree of polymorphism with a tendency to form large complexes, and many fibroblast-like cells displayed an intense phagocytic activity for melanosomes, the latter finding not previously reported. The present study supports the conclusions of other investigators that XP is a heterogeneous disease. Clarification of the XP entities by continued research may identify the defective gene and lead to methods of correction by the molecular biologist.
84 PPC measurements of unfolding volumes of DNA stem-loop motifs

One focus of our research is to further our understanding of the physico-chemical properties of non-canonical nucleic acid structures. In this work, DNA hairpins are used to mimic a common motif present in RNA, i.e. a stem-loop motif with a bulge or internal loop in their stem. Specifically, we used a combination of temperature-dependent UV spectroscopy, differential scanning (DSC), and pressure perturbation (PPC) calorimetric techniques to determine complete thermodynamic profiles for the helix–coil transitions of two sets of hairpins with 5′–3′ sequences: d(GCGCT n GTAACT5GTTACGCGC) and d(GCGCT n GTAACT5GTTACT n GCGC). “T n ” is a variable loop of thymines, n = 1, 3 or 5; and “T5” is an end-loop of five thymines. Unfolding curves show monophasic transitions with TMs independent of strand concentration, confirming their intramolecular formation. DSC thermodynamic profiles indicate that the favorable folding of each hairpin results from the typical compensation of favorable enthalpy and unfavorable entrop...
Effects of Sleeping Position and Time After Feeding on Sleep State Distribution in Prematurely Born Infants † 875

Effects of Sleeping Position and Time After Feeding on Sleep State Distribution in Prematurely Born Infants † 875
Advanced modality imaging evaluation in acute ischemic stroke may lead to delayed endovascular reperfusion therapy without improvement in clinical outcomes

Purpose Advanced neuroimaging techniques may improve patient selection for endovascular stroke treatment but may also delay time to reperfusion. We studied the effect of advanced modality imaging with CT perfusion (CTP) or MRI compared with non-contrast CT (NCT) in a multicenter cohort. Materials and methods This is a retrospective study of 10 stroke centers who select patients for endovascular treatment using institutional protocols. Approval was obtained from each institution9s review board as only de-identified information was used. We collected demographic and radiographic data, selected time intervals, and outcome data. ANOVA was used to compare the groups (NCT vs CTP vs MRI). Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to determine factors associated with a good clinical outcome. Results 556 patients were analyzed. Mean age was 66±15 years and median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 18 (IQR 14–22). NCT was used in 286 (51%) patients, CTP in 190 (34%) patients, and MRI in 80 (14%) patients. NCT patients had significantly lower median times to groin puncture (61 min, IQR (40–117)) compared with CTP (114 min, IQR (81–152)) or MRI (124 min, IQR (87–165)). There were no differences in clinical outcomes, hemorrhage rates, or final infarct volumes among the groups. Conclusions The current retrospective study shows that multimodal imaging may be associated with delays in treatment without reducing hemorrhage rates or improving clinical outcomes. This exploratory analysis suggests that prospective randomised studies are warranted to support the hypothesis that advanced modality imaging is superior to NCT in improving clinical outcomes.
Meat Batters Manufactured with Modified Beef Connective Tissue

Three fat levels (8%, 16% and 24%) and five modified connective tissue (MCT) levels (0%, lo%, 20%, 30% and 40%) were used in a 3×5 complete factorial design to prepare and characterize meat batters. Proximate analysis, batter pH, emulsification temperature increase, raw batter extrusion, batter stability, collagen levels, and processing yield data were collected. Increasing levels of MCI increased batter pH, emulsification temperature increase, batter extrusion values, and collagen levels. Thermal processing yield losses declined with increased MCI level. Addition of MCI may be effective for reducing such losses in low-fat meat batters without major changes in batter stability.
Structure of Soybean β-Cyanoalanine Synthase and the Molecular Basis for Cyanide Detoxification in Plants

Plants produce cyanide (CN-) during ethylene biosynthesis in the mitochondria and require β-cyanoalanine synthase (CAS) for CN- detoxification. Recent studies show that CAS is a member of the β-substituted alanine synthase (BSAS) family, which also includes the Cys biosynthesis enzyme O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase (OASS), but how the BSAS evolved distinct metabolic functions is not understood. Here we show that soybean (Glycine max) CAS and OASS form α-aminoacrylate reaction intermediates from Cys and O-acetylserine, respectively. To understand the molecular evolution of CAS and OASS in the BSAS enzyme family, the crystal structures of Gm-CAS and the Gm-CAS K95A mutant with a linked pyridoxal phosphate (PLP)-Cys molecule in the active site were determined. These structures establish a common fold for the plant BSAS family and reveal a substrate-induced conformational change that encloses the active site for catalysis. Comparison of CAS and OASS identified residues that covary in the PLP binding site. The Gm-OASS T81M, S181M, and T185S mutants altered the ratio of OASS:CAS activity but did not convert substrate preference to that of a CAS. Generation of a triple mutant Gm-OASS successfully switched reaction chemistry to that of a CAS. This study provides new molecular insight into the evolution of diverse enzyme functions across the BSAS family in plants.
Kernel methods for predicting protein--protein interactions

Motivation: Despite advances in high-throughput methods for discovering protein--protein interactions, the interaction networks of even well-studied model organisms are sketchy at best, highlighting the continued need for computational methods to help direct experimentalists in the search for novel interactions. Results: We present a kernel method for predicting protein--protein interactions using a combination of data sources, including protein sequences, Gene Ontology annotations, local properties of the network, and homologous interactions in other species. Whereas protein kernels proposed in the literature provide a similarity between single proteins, prediction of interactions requires a kernel between pairs of proteins. We propose a pairwise kernel that converts a kernel between single proteins into a kernel between pairs of proteins, and we illustrate the kernel's effectiveness in conjunction with a support vector machine classifier. Furthermore, we obtain improved performance by combining several sequence-based kernels based on k-mer frequency, motif and domain content and by further augmenting the pairwise sequence kernel with features that are based on other sources of data. We apply our method to predict physical interactions in yeast using data from the BIND database. At a false positive rate of 1% the classifier retrieves close to 80% of a set of trusted interactions. We thus demonstrate the ability of our method to make accurate predictions despite the sizeable fraction of false positives that are known to exist in interaction databases. Availability: The classification experiments were performed using PyML available at http://pyml.sourceforge.net. Data are available at: http://noble.gs.washington.edu/proj/sppi Contact: asa@gs.washington.edu
Acute dermal toxicity: In vivo and in vitro comparisons in mice

Mouse skin was exposed topically to solutions of dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), croton oil (CO), epoxyethylbenzene (EEB), ethanolamine (EtNH2), or isopropylmyristate (IPM), and the histologic response evaluated 20 hr later with light microscopy. In a parallel series of experiments, discs of mouse skin were collected, exposed in vitro to the same chemicals and examined histologically after 20 hr in culture. Additionally, cellular enzyme leakage was determined in the culture medium. DNCB was the most toxic to the skin followed by CO and EEB. IPM and EtNH2 were toxic only at the highest concentration used (10%). There were good correlations between the magnitude of the skin lesions and the levels of enzyme activity in the culture medium. The results show that morphologic responses of skin maintained in organ culture are an indicator of in vitro skin toxicity. Moreover, enzyme leakage may provide a means for detecting sublethal cell injury which might not be observed histologically.
Randomized clinical trial of open-cell vs closed-cell stents for carotid stenting and effects of stent design on cerebral embolization

Objective The effect of stent design on cerebral embolization has not been established. The purpose of this trial was to contrast the incidence of subclinical cerebral embolization in high-risk patients undergoing carotid artery stenting (CAS) with open-cell vs closed-cell stents. Methods During an 18-month period, 40 patients were randomized (1:1) to undergo CAS with open-cell (Acculink, n=20) or closed-cell stents (Xact, n=20). A single filter device for embolic protection (Accunet filter) was used. Transcranial Doppler (TCD)-detected microembolic signals (MES) during CAS and preprocedural and 24-hour postprocedural diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) were used to determine cerebral embolization. Univariate and nonparametric analyses were used to assess associations between stent design and cerebral embolization. Results CAS was performed in 17 symptomatic patients (43%) and 23 asymptomatic patients (57%) with a similar number of open-cell and closed-cell stents (9/8 and 11/12, respectively). The total and poststenting median ipsilateral MES counts detected by TCD were 264 (interquartile range [IQR], 222-343) and 48 (IQR, 41-66) for open-cell stents and 339 (IQR, 163-408) and 53 (IQR, 23-88) for closed-cell stents, respectively ( P > .56). New acute cerebral emboli detected with DW-MRI occurred in 53% and 47% of patients undergoing CAS with open-cell and closed-cell stents, respectively ( P = 1.0). The total and ipsilateral median numbers of DW-MRI lesions between groups were not statistically significantly different (ie, 2 [IQR, 0-4] and 1 [IQR, 0-3] for open-cell stents and 1 [IQR, 0-3] and 1 [IQR, 0-2] for closed cell-stents, respectively; P > .4). One asymptomatic patient undergoing CAS with an open-cell stent sustained a minor stroke; the 30-day stroke-death rate in this series was 2.5%. Conclusion Cerebral embolization, as detected by TCD and DW-MRI, occurs with similar frequency after CAS with open-cell and closed-cell stents. This randomized trial does not support the superiority of any stent design with respect to cerebral embolization.
Cortisol Measures Across the Weight Spectrum.

Context: There are conflicting reports of increased vs decreased hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) activation in obesity; the most consistent finding is an inverse relationship between body mass index (BMI) and morning cortisol. In anorexia nervosa (AN), a low-BMI state, cortisol measures are elevated. Objective: This study aimed to investigate cortisol measures across the weight spectrum. Design and Setting: This was a cross-sectional study at a clinical research center. Participants: This study included 60 women, 18–45 years of age: overweight/obese (OB; N = 21); AN (N = 18); and normal-weight controls (HC; N = 21). Measures: HPA dynamics were assessed by urinary free cortisol, mean overnight serum cortisol obtained by pooled frequent sampling every 20 minutes from 2000–0800 h, 0800 h serum cortisol and cortisol-binding globulin, morning and late-night salivary cortisol, and dexamethasone-CRH testing. Body composition and bone mineral density (BMD) were assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. R...
Lead retrieval using visible and thermal AVHRR imagery: testing theoretical atmospheric and geometric effects with LEADEX data

On the scale of tens to hundreds of meters the release of heat from sea ice leads is an important component of the Arctic heat budget. On regional scales, however, their effects are difficult to assess without information on their distribution in time and space. Medium-resolution visible and thermal sensors such as the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) or Operational Line Scanner (OLS) provide perhaps the best combination of spatial coverage and spectral information for studies of leads. However, both the atmosphere and the geometrical aspects of the sensors play a significant role in the retrieval of lead characteristics. The present authors apply results from previous analyses of the effects of sensor spatial resolution and atmospheric attenuation on the retrieval of lead characteristics from satellite visible and thermal data (Key et al., 1994; Stone and Key, 1993). The attenuation of upwelling thermal radiation by ice crystal precipitation, aerosols, and clouds has been modeled and is discussed in the context of lead detectability. Statistical and empirical models of the effects of sensor resolution (i.e., pixel size) are presented in the context of lead width estimation. Data collected during IBADEX (Beaufort Sea, March-April 1992) are used for validation. >
Polyelectrolytes. XII. Conductance of partially quaternized poly‐4‐vinylpyridine in methanol‐butan‐2‐one mixtures

By partially quaternizing polyvinylpyridine with n-butyl bromide, a series of polyelectrolytes were obtained in which from Q = 3 to Q = 20% of the pyridine nitrogens were converted to butylpyridinium ions. These products thus are copolymers of ionic and nonionic units. Their conductance was measured over the concentration range 10−4 ≤ c ≤ 3 × 10−3 equivalent of bromide ion per liter in mixtures of methanol and butan-2-one (MEK) ranging from pure methanol to a 20:80 MeOH–MEK mixture. The viscosity of the solvent was thereby varied from 0.00546 to 0.00400 poise and the dielectric constant from 32.6 to 21.6. The phoreograms (Λ−c1/2 curves) are all sharply concave-up, indicating a high degree of association of counterions with the polymeric ions in this range of concentration. The product of equivalent conductance and solvent viscosity gives a dependent variable which accounts for the primary hydrodynamic effect of changing solvent, showing that the ionic mobilities are determined by local viscosity rather than by macroscopic solution viscosity. Plots of log Λη are linear in reciprocal dielectric constant, and therefore ionic association for a given salt is controlled by electrostatic forces. As degree of quaternization decreases, the equivalent conductance increases (other variables remaining constant); this change corresponds primarily to decrease in association of counterions as the charge density of the polycation is decreased. The fact that observed conductances extrapolate to values greater than the single bromide ion conductance in the limits c = 0, Q = 0 shows that cationic sites in the chains are capable of contributing to conductance in alternating fields. Therefore a rigid model represents an oversimplification for the a.c. conductance of polyelectrolytes, although it probably will serve well for d.c. conductance.
Automatic multi-module neural network evolution in an artificial brain

A major problem in artificial brain building is the automatic construction and training of multi-module systems of neural networks. For example, consider a biological human brain, which has millions of neural nets. If an artificial brain is to have similar complexity, it is unrealistic to require that the training data set for each neural net must be specified explicitly by a human, or that interconnections between evolved nets be performed manually. In this paper we present an original technique to solve this problem. A single large-scale task (too complex to be performed by a single neural net) is automatically split into simpler sub-tasks. A multi-module system of neural nets is then trained so that one of these sub-tasks is performed by each net. We present the results of an experiment using this novel technique for pattern recognition.
A module-sliced approach for high yield VLSI/WSI processors

The module-sliced approach is realized in a reconfigurable fault-tolerant segmented array processor (RFTSAP). The basic building block of RFTSAP is a node which consists of a processor, local memory, and a programmable I/O unit (PIOU). The PIOU allows any group of processors to be combined to perform the functions of a large processor module. The yield of a large processor module can be improved 2 to 4 times compared to that of approaches not using the module-sliced method. >
A Pilot Exploration of Speech Sound Disorder Intervention Delivered by Telehealth to School-Age Children

This article describes a school-based telehealth service delivery model and reports outcomes made by school-age students with speech sound disorders in a rural Ohio school district. Speech therapy using computer-based speech sound intervention materials was provided either by live interactive videoconferencing (telehealth), or conventional side-by-side intervention. Progress was measured using pre- and post-intervention scores on the Goldman Fristoe Test of Articulation-2 (Goldman & Fristoe, 2002). Students in both service delivery models made significant improvements in speech sound production, with students in the telehealth condition demonstrating greater mastery of their Individual Education Plan (IEP) goals. Live interactive videoconferencing thus appears to be a viable method for delivering intervention for speech sound disorders to children in a rural, public school setting.
The Social Construction of Sexuality in Prison

Prison sex research has generally followed an essentialist theoretical approach. Only Alarid used a social constructionist approach to understand sexuality behind bars. Using data collected from 142 male inmates in a Southern maximum-security correctional facility, the purpose of the present study was to examine whether engaging in sexual behavior affects a change in the sexual orientation of male prison inmates. Applying a social constructionist theoretical approach, the influence of several sociodemographic and situational variables on the change in sexual orientation was also examined. The only statistically significant variable associated with a change in sexual orientation was engaging in homosexual behavior. Inmates were more than 52 times more likely to change their sexual orientation if they engaged in homosexual activity while incarcerated, supporting the social constructionist approach.
Maintaining and Restoring Public Trust in Government Agencies and their Employees

The decline of public trust in government in the United States is well documented. We know comparatively little, however, about how to maintain or restore the public’s trust. This article attempts ...
Nanoscale X-ray imaging

Recent years have seen significant progress in the field of soft- and hard-X-ray microscopy, both technically, through developments in source, optics and imaging methodologies, and also scientifically, through a wide range of applications. While an ever-growing community is pursuing the extensive applications of today's available X-ray tools, other groups are investigating improvements in techniques, including new optics, higher spatial resolutions, brighter compact sources and shorter-duration X-ray pulses. This Review covers recent work in the development of direct image-forming X-ray microscopy techniques and the relevant applications, including three-dimensional biological tomography, dynamical processes in magnetic nanostructures, chemical speciation studies, industrial applications related to solar cells and batteries, and studies of archaeological materials and historical works of art.
The urgent priority for transplantation is to trim the waiting list.

The recognized success of cardiac transplantation has encouraged increased referrals of patients with refractory heart failure to major transplant centers. Potential candidates join the long waiting list, only to suspend their lives as they deteriorate to win higher priority. This is true both in Europe and in the United States, where we list 43,000 adults each year while performing about 2,000 transplants (Figure 1). This system jeopardizes outcomes for both the patients and the transplanted hearts, and inflates costs. Smits and coauthors in the accompanying article have taken steps to reexamine and redesign priority in a thoughtful pilot study of 448 patients listed with urgent status during an 8-month period, 189 of whom underwent transplantation.
Not Ours Alone: Patrimony, Value, and Collectivity in Contemporary Mexico

Foreword, by June NashAcknowledgments1. Introduction: Inalienability, Value, and Collectivity2. The Santa Fe Cooperative in Guanajuato, Mexico3. Labor, History, and Historical Consciousness4. Recent Challenges and Responses5. Realms of Patrimony: Mine and House6. Patrimony, Power, and Ideology7. Veins of Value, Rocks of Renown: An Anthropology of Mined Substances8. Mexican Languages of Patrimony: Land, Subsoil, "Culture"9. Conclusion: Not Whose Alone?Appendix 1. Historical Silver Prices from 1975 to 2002Appendix 2. Aspects of Mineral Production in the Santa Fe CooperativeNotesWorks CitedIndex
Which is the weaker sex

The male is the weaker sex in nearly all disease categories and age groups. Sexual differences in mortality rates sometimes pose some interesting biological problems and warrant the interest of those concerned with the health of society. Males are undoubtedly the weaker sex. In contemporary, developed countries most mortality is man-made, the male being particularly adept at killing himself. In addition, men, the weaker sex, appear to reap some sort of vengeance on women, as the attitudes of doctors—and these are predominantly male attitudes—do not always lead to the most rational care of women undergoing the uniquely female risk of reproduction.
Counting and Sizing Fat Globules Electronically

Abstract The particle volume and number of fat globules in milk has been successfully determined, using the electrical sensing-zone principle employed in the Coulter Counter. Changes occurring in the size distribution of these fat globules, as affected by the various steps in the production of cream, skim, homogenized milk, and milk concentrate have also been determined. Using raw milk, over 95% by weight of the fat was accounted for by globules with diameters ranging from 1 to 10 μ . Accuracy of the results is attested to by the fact that the fat content of the raw whole milk samples, as calculated from results obtained with the Coulter Counter, agreed with the standard Mojonnier analysis, with a relative error of less than 3%. The globules of raw milk, cream, HTST-pasteurized milk, and milk concentrate were counted with a 30- μ aperture. The skim and homogenized milks contained numerous small globules requiring the use of a 12- μ aperture. Milk samples homogenized at high pressures contained a significant number of globules too small to be counted.
Rapid thermal processing activity in teaching and research in the State University of New York at New Paltz

The applications of rapid thermal processing in Teaching and Research at the State University of New York at New Paltz are explained. It is used by students in the microelectronic laboratory for oxidation, making ohmic contacts and annealing. In research it is used for oxidation, oxynitridation, study of thermal stability of metal-semiconductor contacts, metal-insulator-semiconductor tunnel diodes, and metal-oxide-semiconductor structures.
Energetic state regulates the exploration–exploitation trade-off in honeybees

Foragers must divide their time between consuming known resources (exploitation) and learning about new resources (exploration). As opposed to classical optimal foraging theory, the information primacy hypothesis predicts that only starved animals will show higher levels of exploitation, whereas more satiated animals will show higher levels of exploration. We tested these predictions in honeybee foragers using a conditioning assay to make them associate different odors with sucrose rewards that differed in values and the certainty of these values, and then testing their choice between these rewards at different levels of hunger. Fed bees showed higher sampling and a lower consumptive effort compared with starved bees. Fed bees also showed a higher preference for rewards with completely uncertain values (novel rewards) but not for rewards with only partially uncertain values. These results show that the energetic state of an animal and therefore the relative values of food and information can dictate a switch between exploration and exploitation during foraging. We discuss these results in the context of how a change in the relative investments into these 2 aspects of foraging due to a lack of nutrition can have a detrimental effect on life history and why it is therefore important to explicitly distinguish between exploration and exploitation.
Calculating network availability

Network availability is defined as the fraction of time that a network is able to provide communications services and is one of the most important performance metrics for both space and terrestrial networks. In this paper, a general methodology for defining network availability metrics is presented along with analytical and computational methods for calculating these metrics. A series of simulation studies have been conducted utilizing these new definitions and methods. Results show that the computational approaches for various availability metrics can closely approximate those calculated by analysis and be applied to a wide range of network topologies.
Characterization of a spontaneous 9.5-kilobase-deletion mutant of murine gammaherpesvirus 68 reveals tissue-specific genetic requirements for latency.

Murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (γHV68 [also known as MHV-68]) establishes a latent infection in mice, providing a small-animal model with which to identify host and viral factors that regulate gammaherpesvirus latency. While γHV68 establishes a latent infection in multiple tissues, including splenocytes and peritoneal cells, the requirements for latent infection within these tissues are poorly defined. Here we report the characterization of a spontaneous 9.5-kb-deletion mutant of γHV68 that lacks the M1, M2, M3, and M4 genes and eight viral tRNA-like genes. Previously, this locus has been shown to contain the latency-associated M2, M3, and viral tRNA-like genes. Through characterization of this mutant, we found that the M1, M2, M3, M4 genes and the viral tRNA-like genes are dispensable for (i) in vitro replication and (ii) the establishment and maintenance of latency in vivo and reactivation from latency following intraperitoneal infection. In contrast, following intranasal infection with this mutant, there was a defect in splenic latency at both early and late times, a phenotype not observed in peritoneal cells. These results indicate (i) that there are different genetic requirements for the establishment of latency in different latent reservoirs and (ii) that the genetic requirements for latency depend on the route of infection. While some of these phenotypes have been observed with specific mutations in the M1 and M2 genes, other phenotypes have never been observed with the available γHV68 mutants. These studies highlight the importance of loss-of-function mutations in defining the genetic requirements for the establishment and maintenance of herpesvirus latency.
Predictive feedback control of a continuous flow stirred tank reactor

A novel feedback control system, called a predictive feedback control system, is developed for the regulation of the exit composition of a continuous flow stirred tank reactor (CFSTR). The control system utilized two basic feedback signals. One is the effluent concentration of the composition to be controlled. This is measured by a batch type of composition analyzer such as a chromatograph. The other is a predictive feedback signal which continuously predicts the difference between the actual value of the controlled variable and the measurement supplied by the analyzer. The predictive signal is generated from a plant model which approximately relates the controlled variable and the continuously measured reactor temperature. Unlike direct feedback control systems, the stability of the predictive system is unaffected by the periodic sampling and time delays introduced by the batch analyzer. Moreover, at steady state the predictive feedback signal disappears, and, like direct feedback systems, predictive feedback systems yield very accurate steady state control. A computer simulation of the predictive feedback control of a particular CFSTR has shown that predictive control is considerably more effective in composition control than conventional direct feedback control, is more effective than conventional temperature control, and retains the advantages of direct feedback control while partially eliminating the undesirable effects caused by the batch analyzer.
Tiling Deficient Rectangles with Trominoes

We will classify a variety of nearly rectangular shapes into those that can be tiled by trominoes and those that cannot. From now on we will simply say tiled to mean tiled by trominoes. We will consider shapes that are integer-dimensioned rectangles with each dimension at least 2, and with one or two 1 x 1 squares removed. If one square is removed, call the resultant shape a deficient rectangle. If the removed square was a corner square, call the resulting deficient rectangle a dog-eared rectangle. The area of a tromino is 3, so, evidentially, only shapes whose area is a multiple of 3 can be tiled by trominoes. In this paper we will determine which deficient rectangles with area divisible by 3 are tileable and which are not; in particular, all the dog-eared ones are tileable. We will also get some partial results for the same question for rectangles with two squares removed and remaining area divisible by 3. We especially recommend the proof of the Deficient S x S Lemma to the casual reader. Trominoes were introduced by Golomb [3], who proved that deficient squares whose side length is a power of two can be tiled. Chu and Johnsonbaugh first extended Golomb's work to the general cases of deficient squares [1]. They later went on to rectangles and proved a slightly weaker version [2] of what we call the Deficient Rectangle Theorem. The Proposition in the last section answers a question posed by Chu and Johnsonbaugh [1]. Before proceeding with the business at hand, we will mention a few general facts about trominoes and about another tiling question involving tiles other than trominoes.
Neural Network Based Estimator for a Maneuvering Aircraft

Dynamically unstable aircraft and their supermaneuverability produce enormous complexities and tight constraints that existing control strategies cannot handle. Neural networks have emerged as a powerful means to deal with complex non-linear systems such as aircraft parameter identification during complex maneuvers. This paper addresses preliminary research conducted to train a neural network to predict aircraft aerodynamic coefficients, both singularly and simultaneously, during a high alpha maneuver. Using a backpropagation algorithm, we were able to train and optimize network training to predict the coefficients by changing the network characteristics. The network's ability to reduce the error between actual aircraft data and the trained network output depends on the number of network layers, the number of neurons in each layer, the types of transfer functions used to represent the neurons, and the method by which the training data is presented to the neural network.
Comment: Generalizability theory and assessment in medical training.

Even though it is more than 50 years old,1 generalizability theory,2 or G theory, is not well known to the medical community. It combines aspects of classic test theory and analysis of variance in order to estimate reliability (“G-study”) of a measurement instrument as a function of design aspects (“facets” in G-theory literature), and to improve instrument design (“D-study”). G theory is unrelated to G estimation used in causal inference.
Expression of Plasma Membrane Ca2+ ATPase in Crayfish During Molting

Northern blot analysis indicated that the level of PMCA3 mRNA expression in all tissues increased significantly in pre/postmolt stages as compared to a very low level in the intermolt stage. Similar expression patterns were confirmed at the protein level by Western blotting. In situ hybridization confirmed that PMCA3 expression is increased in pre- and postmolt in kidney. Collectively these results indicate that the crayfish PMCA3 plays a crucial role in maintaining Ca2+ homeostasis during the fluctuations in Ca2+ flux associated with the crayfish molting cycle.
Coming Together to Move Apart: Family Therapy for Enhancing Adolescent Development

An important goal of adolescent development is emotional separation from the family of origin. Differing views on how to accomplish this task exist, and these are reflected in the choice of treatment modality. It has been common practice in the treatment of adolescents for work with parents to be done separately from the adolescent. Since social, cultural, and economic factors have an impact on development, as society changes it is important to think creatively about effective ways to accomplish the process of becoming a functioning adult. It is in this context that authors have focused recently on the need for young adults to have a positive connection with their parents. This paper will address the role of involvement of family in the psychotherapy of adolescents either by inviting them to participate in some of the individual sessions or through conjoint family therapy to facilitate forward development. Clinical illustrations will demonstrate the issues of an adolescent with unresolved early traumatic separation, an adolescent who is fulfilling parental needs, an adolescent with too much power in the family, the importance of beginning treatment after assessing where everyone is emotionally, and the problem of premature disconnection by parents.
The Effects of Preemptive Analgesia of Morphine and Ketorolac on Postoperative Pain, Cortisol, O2 Saturation and Heart Rate

This study investigated the preemptive analgesic effects of Morphine and Ketorolac on postoperative pain, cortisol, O2 saturation and heart rate for the first 24 hr after abdominal surgery. Methods: Data collection was performed from April 1 to September 30, 2006. Forty patients undergoing a gastrectomy under general anesthesia were randomly allocated to the experimental or control group. The experimental group (20 patients) was administered Morphine and Ketorolac approximately 1 hr prior to skin incision, but the control group (20 patients) was administered Morphine and Ketorolac at peritoneum closure through a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump. Postoperative pain, blood pressure, heart rate, cortisol, O2 saturation, frequency of the PCA button pressed and doses of additional analgesics were observed through post operative 24 hr. Collected data was analyzed using t-test, χ 2 test, repeated measures ANOVA, and Bonferroni methods. Results: Postoperative pain, cortisol, the frequency of PCA button pressed, and dose of additional analgesics of the experimental group were significantly lower than the control group. There were no statistical differences in blood pressure, heart rate and O2 saturation between the experimental group and control group. Conclusions: We concluded that administration of morphine and ketorolac at 1 hr prior to skin incision resulted in decreasing postoperative pain, but it didn’t affect blood pressure, heart rate or O2 saturation for 24 hr after abdominal surgery.
The Martian: A NASA-tionalist Utopia

The Martian presents the audience with a near-future that is a pervasively depoliticized neoliberal utopia—and what is scariest is that it does so very successfully. That is, The Martian is a very well-made and largely entertaining film that is also one of the shallowest movies likely to be considered for an Academy Award, though the competition for that will likely be strong.
Transfusion Considerations in Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Patients

Pediatric patients with malignancies or benign hematologic diseases are a heterogeneous group with complicated underlying pathophysiologies leading to their requirements for transfusion therapy. Common practice among pediatric hematologists, oncologists, and transplant physicians is to transfuse stable patients red cells to maintain a hemoglobin greater than 7 or 8 g/dL and transfuse platelets to maintain a count greater than 10,000 or 20,000 platelets/μL. This review compiles data from myriad studies performed in pediatric patients to give readers the knowledge needed to make an informed choice when considering different management strategies for the transfusion of red blood cells, platelets, plasma, and granulocytes.
Three-dimensional numerical modeling of air-water geyser flows

A geyser in a closed conduit system is characterized by an explosive release of a mixture of air and water through a drop shaft. Geysers are often observed in combined sewer systems (CSSs) as an explosive form of combined sewer overflows (CSOs). In the present work, the flow characteristics of sewer geyser phenomenon are studied numerically using a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model for the first time. Traditionally, investigations of flow processes associated with sewer geysers are conducted through physical experiments and one or two-dimensional numerical models. However, sewer geysers are undeniably three-dimensional, hence 3D models are necessary to gain further understanding of the phenomena. The CFD model was calibrated using an experiment that exhibit characteristics of sewer geysers.
Efficient Second Harmonic Generation in Hydrazone, Derivatives of Substituted Aromatic Aldehydes

Hydrazone, 1,1-dimethylhydrazone, methylhydrazone, phenylhydrazone and p-nitrophenyl hydrazone derivatives of substituted aromatic aldehydes were prepared and screened for second harmonic generation using the Kurtz powder technique. One compound, 4-nitro-3-methoxybenzaldehyde hydrazone exhibited a second harmonic signal up to 32 times that of ammonium dihydrogen phosphate (ADP) and 4-nitrobenzaldehyde hydrazone exhibited a second harmonic signal five times higher than previously reported, up to 40 times that of ADP. 3-methyl-4-nitrobenzaldehyde hydrazone, 4-nitrobenzaldehyde phenylhydrazone, 1-naphthaldehyde phenylhydrazone, 1-pyrenecarboxaldehyde phenylhydrazone exhibited second harmonic signals 25, 2.5, 5 and 20 times that of an ADP standard.
Density Functional Theory Study of Organosulfur Selective Adsorption on Ag–TiO2 Adsorbents

Ag–TiO2 adsorbents have pronounced capacity for selective removal of organosulfur compounds from complex fuel mixtures. Computational calculations were performed to investigate the nature of this pronounced selectivity as well as to study the adsorbent structure. A cluster model was developed for this study. Geometry optimization, frequency analysis, and single-point energy calculations were carried out using density functional theory (B3LYP/6-31G(d)(ECP=SDD(Ag,Ti))//B3LYP/LANL2DZ). The computed adsorption energies included dispersion terms (GD3) and were corrected for basis set superposition errors (BSSEs). Silver incorporated onto anatase–TiO2 clusters and with greater preference in the presence of −OH groups. Adsorption energies were calculated for sulfur-containing species (thiophene, benzothiophene, dibenzothiophene, 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene) and nonsulfur aromatics (quinoline, benzofuran, naphthalene, benzene) typically present in fuel mixtures. Calculated adsorption energies are consistent with...
Silicon Carbide Integrated Circuits With Stable Operation Over a Wide Temperature Range

In this letter, silicon carbide MOSFET-based integrated circuits have been designed, fabricated, and successfully tested from -193 °C (80 K) to 500 °C. Silicon carbide single MOSFETs remained fully operational over a 700-°C wide temperature range and exhibited stable I-V characteristics. The circuits that include operational amplifier (op-amp), 27-stage ring oscillator, and buffer were tested and shown to be functional up to 500 °C with relatively small performance variation between 300 °C and 500 °C. High-temperature evaluation of these circuits confirmed stable operation and survivability of both the ring oscillator and op-amp for more than 100 h at 500 °C.
A New Leaf Spot of Celastrus Scandens L., The Climbing Bittersweet

A bittersweet vine grown as an ornamental near a home in Ithaca, N. Y., was found diseased by a leaf-spotting fungus in late summer of 1948. The fungus proved to be a typical Marssonina of the anthracnose group and subsequent investigation revealed that it was common on Celastrus scandens L. in the vicinity of Ithaca in 1948 and 1949 (fig. 1). No record of a Marssonina on C. scandens could be found in
Tele-Operated Microsystems Laboratory

This paper presents the architecture for a remotely controllable and interactive MEMS laboratory. There have been significant advances in computer simulations of MEMS devices, but laboratory testing of devices still plays a crucial role in developing a detailed understanding of MEMS performance. New computer and networking technologies, have allowed the construction of remotely controllable labs for fields spanning education and technology. The main idea of this work is to allow a user in any part of the globe to carry out real-time experiments on a MEMS device using a computer with internet connectivity. The user also has the option of using a commercially available haptic device to feel the magnified nano/micro-scale forces associated with the devices while actuating them. The present interface was tested on a two degree-of-freedom (XY) electrostatic MEMS positioning microstage and a MEMS microgripper.© 2009 ASME
Research of Anti-adhesive Formulations on Fast-food Noodles

Noodle is loved by people due to its delicious taste.With the accelerated pace of life,the fast-food noodles is developing rapidly.However,noodles easily adhesive and dispersed difficultly after cooking,affecting the appearance and edible taste,thereby affecting the market and the scale of the fast food noodles.In the experiment three natural food anti-adhesives are selected to enhance the loosing effect of noodles by soaking.Through compounds and orthogonal experiments were did on the basis of the single factor experiment,a best anti-adhesive formulations is gained.