cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Kalman Filters with Uncompensated Biases

A N UNDERLYING assumption of the Kalman filter is that the measurement and process disturbances can be accurately modeled as random white noise. Various mitigation strategies are available when this assumption is invalid. In practice, sensor errors are often modeled more accurately as the sum of a white-noise component and a strongly correlated component. The correlated components can, for example, be random constant biases. In this case, a standard technique is to augment theKalman filter state vector and estimate the random biases. In an attempt to decouple the bias estimation from the state estimation, Friedland [1] estimated the state as though the bias was not present and then added the contribution of the bias. Friedland showed that this approach is equivalent to augmenting the state vector. This technique, known as two-stage Kalman filtering or separate-bias Kalman estimation, was then extended to incorporate a walk in the bias forced by white noise [2]. To account for the bias walk, the process noise covariance was increased heuristically, and optimality conditions were derived [3,4]. In this work, the effects of the noise and biases are considered as sources of uncertainty and not as elements of the state vector. This approach is applicable in situations when the biases are not observable or when there is not enough information to discern the biases from the measurements. A common approach would be to tune the filter using process and measurement noise such that the sample covariance obtained through Monte Carlo analysis matches the filter state estimation error covariance. The technique presented here takes advantage of the structure of the biases to obtain a more precise representation of their contributions to the state estimation uncertainty. The resulting algorithms are useful in quantifying the uncertainty in a single simulation along the nominal state trajectory. This process can aid in tuning the filter as well as be employed onboard to obtain an accurate measure of the uncertainty of the state estimates. The approach taken is similar to that of the consider filter proposed by Schmidt [5]. The consider filter can be applied to the present problem and the two solution approaches, although different in form, are functionally the same. The goal of this paper is to introduce the uncompensated bias Kalman filter as presented by the authors in [6,7]. More recently Hough [8] independently derived a similar algorithm and applied it to orbit determination. This engineering note shows the relation between these two recent techniques as well as their equivalency to the Schmidt consider filter [5].
Listeriosis complicating acute leukemia

Summary This report describes a child with acute leukemia whose death was associated with sepsis due to L. monocytogenes. On postmortem examination there was sparse histologic evidence of inflammation. The possible reasons for this are discussed, and a brief review of the problem of human listerial infection is presented.
Elevated immunoreactive endothelin-1 levels in newborn infants with persistent pulmonary hypertension

To study the potential role of endothelin-1, a potent endothelium-derived vasoconstrictor peptide, in the pathophysiology of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN), we measured arterial concentrations of immunoreactive endothelin-1 (irET-1) in 24 neonates with PPHN. Secondary diagnoses included meconium aspiration syndrome (13 patients), sepsis (2), congenital diaphragmatic hernia (1), asphyxia (1), pulmonary hemorrhage (1), aspiration of blood (1), and respiratory distress syndrome (1). Compared with irET-1 levels in umbilical cord blood in normal infants (15.1 +/- 4.1 pg/ml; mean +/- SEM) and in newborn infants with hyaline membrane disease who were supported by mechanical ventilation (11.8 +/- 1.2 pg/ml), infants with PPHN had markedly elevated circulating irET-1 levels (27.6 +/- 3.6 pg/ml; p < 0.01 vs cord blood, hyaline membrane disease). Infants with severe PPHN requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy had higher irET-1 levels than infants with milder disease (31.0 +/- 4.7 for ECMO-treated infants vs 21.2 +/- 2.0 for non-ECMO-treated infants; p < 0.05). In patients treated without ECMO, irET-1 progressively decreased during the following 3 to 5 days, paralleling clinical improvement. In contrast, irET-1 concentrations remained elevated in infants with severe PPHN during ECMO therapy. We conclude that circulating irET-1 levels are elevated in newborn infants with PPHN, are positively correlated with disease severity, and decline with resolution of disease in patients who do not require ECMO therapy. Whether endothelin-1 contributes directly to the pathophysiology of PPHN or is simply a marker of disease activity remains speculative.
Sugar absorption by mouse small intestine

1. 1.The absorption of 3-O-methyl-d-glucose by mouse small intestine was found to be an energy-dependent, carrier-mediated process. 2. 2.This process is dependent on the presence of Na+, can be inhibited by analogs and is subject to exchange diffusion. 3. 3.The uptake of 3-O-methyl glucose was inhibited by valinomycin and nigericin, suggesting an influence of the K+ gradient on the absorption mechanism. 4. 4.The influx of 3-O-methyl glucose was specifically inhibited by Ca2+ in the medium.
Retroviral-mediated transfer of the human acid sphingomyelinase cDNA: correction of the metabolic defect in cultured Niemann-Pick disease cells.

Abstract Types A and B Niemann-Pick disease (NPD) result from inherited deficiencies of the lysosomal hydrolase, acid sphingomyelinase (ASM; sphingomyelin cholinephosphohydrolase, EC 3.1.4.12). To evaluate the feasibility of somatic gene therapy for the treatment of these disorders, retroviral-mediated gene transfer was used to introduce the full-length ASM cDNA into cultured fibroblasts from two unrelated type A NPD patients. The ASM activities in these cells were less than 4% of mean normal levels, and, consequently, they accumulated approximately 3-fold elevated levels of sphingomyelin. After retroviral-mediated transfer of the ASM cDNA, ASM activities in the NPD cells increased to levels up to 16-fold those found in normal fibroblasts. In addition, the sphingomyelin content was reduced to normal levels, indicating that the vector-encoded enzyme was properly targeted to lysosomes, where it was enzymatically active and able to degrade the accumulated substrate. In situ cell-loading studies also were undertaken to evaluate the effects of retroviral-mediated gene transfer on the pathology of NPD fibroblasts. When a pyrene derivative of sphingomyelin was introduced into the lysosomes of cultured fibroblasts from a type A NPD patient by using apolipoprotein E-mediated endocytosis, only approximately 6% of the delivered substrate was degraded. In contrast, normal cells and NPD cells transduced (i.e., "corrected") by retroviral-mediated gene transfer could degrade approximately 80% of the delivered sphingomyelin. These results provided further evidence that retroviral-mediated gene transfer may be used to correct the pathology of NPD cells. Cell-loading studies were also used to develop a selection system for discriminating between NPD cells and those transduced by retroviral-mediated gene transfer. This selection scheme was based on the fluorescence emission of intact NPD cells, which, when loaded with pyrene-labeled sphingomyelin, was 3- to 5-fold that of normal or transduced cells. As a consequence, the NPD and transduced cells could be efficiently sorted by flow cytometry with a fluorescence-activated cell sorter. In addition, the NPD cells could be selectively killed by photosensitization after irradiation with a long-wavelength UV light. These results should permit direct selection of ASM-expressing cells after retroviral-mediated gene transfer without the need to preselect for a cotransferred marker gene.
Electronic structure of alkali metal surfaces

Abstract Surface states and bulk state wavefunctions have been calculated for the (100) surfaces of Li, Na, and Cs with the mixed-representation method.
Structural investigation of oxygen-deficient perovskite CaMnO2.75

Abstract Perovskite CaMnO3 and its oxygen-deficient derivatives have been prepared from solid solution precursor with a calcite-type structure. CaMnO3−x phases are constructed from MnO6 octahedra and MnO5 square pyramids. From X-ray powder data CaMnO2.75 75 was indexed on an orthorhombic cell with a = 5.35(1) A , b = 20.96(2) A and c = 7.47(1) A . Rietveld refinement of time-of-flight neutron diffraction data was attempted for several models containing 50 mol% MnO5 and 50 mol% MnO6 based on MnO6 octahedra and MnO5 square pyramids, but the results were inconclusive. Simulation patterns illustrate the intrinsic difficulty for structural comprehension.
Generation of deletions in pTV1ts following transformation of Staphylococcus aureas protoplasts

Plasmid pTV1ts was introduced into Staphylococcus aureus by transformation of protoplasts at frequencies ranging from 6.6 x 10(1) to 2.8 x 10(5) per micrograms of DNA when selection was made for resistance to chloramphenicol and erythromycin, respectively. Phenotypic analysis of regenerated transformants demonstrated three distinct classes. Analysis of the plasmid profiles of several isolates revealed that two classes harboured deleted pTV1ts derivatives.
Neuroadaptations to chronic exposure to drugs of abuse: relevance to depressive symptomatology seen across psychiatric diagnostic categories.

Depressive symptomatology is expressed across a wide spectrum of psychiatric disorders including major depression and schizophrenia. Further, depressive symptomatology is also observed in individuals undergoing withdrawal from chronic exposure to various drugs of abuse including cocaine, amphetamine and nicotine. The negative affective state associated with drug withdrawal is phenomenonologically similar to that observed in depressed and schizophrenia patients suggesting that common underlying pathophysiological deficits may be involved in the depressive symptomatology seen across these different psychiatric disorders. The aim of the present review is to examine clinical and preclinical evidence in support of common neurobiological substrates mediating the negative affect associated with different psychiatric illnesses. First, clinical and epidemiological data are presented demonstrating the high comorbidity between nicotine and psychostimulant dependence, and depression or schizophrenia. It is hypothesized that drug use may represent an attempt to self-medicate an underlying negative affective state present in depressed and schizophrenia patients. Second, preclinical findings are presented that demonstrate common neurochemical deficits in drug withdrawal and depression. Taken together, these clinical and preclinical data support the hypothesis that common neurobiological substrates may mediate the depressive state observed across psychiatric diagnostic categories. Therefore, it is proposed that the study of drug-induced depressions in laboratory animals may have heuristic value in identifying the mechanisms underlying the depressive symptomatology associated not only with drug withdrawal but also major depression and schizophrenia.
Injected silastic in ridge extension procedures

Abstract We postulate from our animal experiments thus far that modified Silastic RTV S-5392 is the material of choice (among those presently available) for injection in ridge extension procedures. The technique of injecting Silastic in ridge extension procedures in both animals and human experiments looks very promising at this time. Various methods and materials will require diversified and long-term clinical study. This is a preliminary report and is published in the hope that it will stimulate more research in this field.
Lower diagnostic accuracy of thallium-201 SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging in women: An effect of smaller chamber size

Objectives. We attempted to formally compare the diagnostic accuracy of thallium-201 single-photon emission computed tomographic (SPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging in men and women and the effect of chamber size on accuracy. Background. The diagnostic accuracy of conventional exercise testing has been shown to be lower in women. Less is known about the relative accuracy of perfusion imaging. Because of smaller body size, women have a smaller heart size than men, a factor that may reduce accuracy. Methods. We identified 323 patients undergoing thallium-201 SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging who either had Results. Diagnostic accuracy was lower in women than in men (ROC area 0.82 vs. 0.93, p Conclusions. The diagnostic accuracy of thallium SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging is lower in women than in men. Most of the difference appears to be due to smaller left ventricular chamber size in women, although a small residual gender effect in smaller heart sizes cannot be entirely excluded. It is proposed that the most likely cause for this difference is the relatively greater effect of imaging blurring on smaller hearts.
Kitrace: precise interactive measurement of operating systems kernels

Kitrace is a software tool that allows dynamic interactive measurement of UNIX kernel performance to much greater precision than that available from kernel profiling. Developers can measure, to microsecond resolution, the time required by a complex kernel activity, including time spent waiting for I/O activity or user processes. Kitrace has also proven useful for debugging, especially in situations where traditional breakpointing would be undesirable or would change the behavior of the kernel.
INFORMATION PROCESSING IN THE VISUAL SYSTEM

In this paper an attempt is made to find a mathematical model for a number of mainly electrophysiological results concerning pattern recognition of mammals. After a short introduction to the applied theory of linear nervous nets, the investigations in the retina and geniculate body are interpreted as filters for space‐ and time‐dependent oscillations. By application of the detection theory a functional model of the cortex regions 17, 18 and 19 is formed. The classification process is considered to be the spatial cross‐correlation, but by means of the present results it is not possible to draw complete conclusions on the structure of the recognition process.
Total situs inversus: a rare anomaly presenting to a chiropractic teaching clinic.

Abstract Objective The purpose of this article is to describe a patient with a previously undiagnosed rare anomaly, total situs inversus (TSI), and discuss the range of clinical presentations and complications associated with this and other situs anomalies. An emphasis is directed toward educating the clinician concerning the potential diagnostic challenges posed by patients with TSI and the need for patient education. Clinical Features The patient was a 26-year-old white woman who presented to a chiropractic teaching clinic for a scoliosis evaluation and underwent full-spine radiography. The cardiac silhouette and gastric air bubble were evident on the right side. Intervention and Outcome Radiography including a 2-view chest and 1-view abdomen series was performed. Examination showed a complete mirror image presentation of the cardiothoracic and visceral organs. The patient was informed of her diagnosis and associated complications and counseled concerning how typical health complaints may present atypically in patients with situs anomalies. The patient has not experienced complications associated with the TSI. Conclusion Total situs inversus is a rare autosomal recessive anomaly. This article highlights the classification and nomenclature of situs anomalies and their clinical presentations and complications. In addition, the importance of thorough patient education and counseling in those with situs anomalies is emphasized.
Validity and reliability of Kinect skeleton for measuring shoulder joint angles: a feasibility study

Objective To test the reliability and validity of shoulder joint angle measurements from the Microsoft Kinect TM for virtual rehabilitation. Design Test–retest reliability and concurrent validity, feasibility study. Setting Motion analysis laboratory. Participants A convenience sample of 10 healthy adults. Methods Shoulder joint angle was assessed in four static poses, two trials for each pose, using: (1) the Kinect; (2) a three-dimensional motion analysis system; and (3) a clinical goniometer. All poses were captured with the Kinect from the frontal view. The two poses of shoulder flexion were also captured with the Kinect from the sagittal view. Main outcome measures Absolute and relative test–retest reliability of the Kinect for the measurement of shoulder angle was determined in each pose with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), standard error of the measure and minimal detectable change. The 95% limits of agreement (LOA) between the Kinect and the standard methods for measuring shoulder angle were computed to determine concurrent validity. Results While the Kinect provided to be highly reliable (ICC 0.76–0.98) for measuring shoulder angle from the frontal view, the 95% LOA between the Kinect and the two measurement standards were greater than ±5 ◦ in all poses for both views.
Preparation of polyethylene block copolymers by a combination of postmetallocene catalysis of ethylene polymerization and atom transfer radical polymerization

The synthesis of block copolymers consisting of a polyethylene segment and either a poly(meth)acrylate or polystyrene segment was accomplished through the combination of postmetallocene-mediated ethylene polymerization and subsequent atom transfer radical polymerization. A vinyl-terminated polyethylene (number-average molecular weight = 1800, weight-average molecular weight/number-average molecular weight = 1.70) was synthesized by the polymerization of ethylene with a phenoxyimine zirconium complex as a catalyst activated with methylalumoxane (MAO). This polyethylene was efficiently converted into an atom transfer radical polymerization macroinitiator by the addition of α-bromoisobutyric acid to the vinyl chain end, and the polyethylene macroinitiator was used for the atom transfer radical polymerization of n-butyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, or styrene; this resulted in defined polyethylene-b-poly(n-butyl acrylate), polyethylene-b-poly(methyl methacrylate), and polyethylene-6-polystyrene block copolymers.
The case for reactive management systems: Elements of a real-time decision technology

The dominant referent in mainstream management theory is the reflective paradigm. It is argued that the increasing level of complexity in many organizational environments makes the reflective paradigm increasingly inappropriate as a managerial referent, and planning-based decision instrumentation increasingly tenuous as a source of technical support. As alternative premise for management systems, the reactive protocol, is defined and discussed.
Acadêmicos auto-alienados: reflexões sobre a crise norte-americana da disciplina "Direito e Desenvolvimento" (1974)

THIS ARTICLE SHOWS THAT THE FIELD OF LAW AND DEVELOPMENT IS IN CRISIS DUE TO A CHANGE OF ATTITUDE BY THE SCHOLARS IN RESPECT TO THEIR ACTIVITY, WHAT LEAD THEM TO A STATE OF SELF-ESTRANGEMENT. THE CHANGE OF ATTITUDE WAS DUE TO CRITICISM MADE TO THE AMERICAN EFFORT OF HELPING THE LEGAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE THIRD WORLD, AND MORE ESSENTIALLY, OF CRITICISMS MADE TO LIBERAL LEGALISM, THE IDEAL MODEL OF LAW THAT ORIENTED THE ACTION OF SCHOLARS AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES. BECAUSE OF THAT CRITICISM, THE SCHOLARS NO LONGER RECOGNIZED THEMSELVES IN THE THEORIES AND PRACTICES RELATED TO SUCH FIELD. THE ARTICLE SEEKS TO THINK BESIDES THE CRITICISM, MAPPING OUT THE POSITIONS OF THE INTELLECTUALS IN RELATION TO SUCH CRITICISMS AND SPECULATING ABOUT THE FUTURE OF LAW AND DEVELOPMENT.
A general purpose VLSI chip for robot axis motion controller

A VLSI-based realization and implementation of an entire robot axis controller is proposed as a single-chip joint controller. This chip requires a 68000-bus family microprocessor (MP) and a power transistor module. It forms a three-component complete robot servo-level controller which correlates all joint electromechanical activities with the supervisor level (main robot CPU). The proposed chip is equipped with an on-chip RS485 port for communication with the CPU. It is also provided with a pin-to-pin interface to its accompanied MP. All joint digital and analog feedback signals connect directly to the chip. >
Increases in Dietary Cholesterol Are Associated With Modest Increases in Both LDL and HDL Cholesterol in Healthy Young Women

Abstract We studied the effects of dietary cholesterol intake on lipid and lipoprotein levels in healthy young women (n=13) who were otherwise eating an American Heart Association (AHA) diet. The study used a randomized, three-way crossover design to determine the effects of 0, 1, or 3 eggs added per day (dietary cholesterol range, 108 to 667 mg/d). Each of the three diets was eaten for 8 weeks, with a washout period between diets. Three fasting blood samples were obtained during the last 3 weeks of each diet period to observe changes in fasting plasma lipid levels associated with the menstrual cycle. We also obtained blood just before and 4 and 8 hours after the subjects ingested a standard high-fat formula. During the menstrual cycle, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels fell by 0.051 mmol/L (1.99 mg/dL) and 0.064 mmol/L (2.48 mg/dL) per week, respectively. HDL cholesterol concentrations increased by 0.060 mmol/L (2.3 mg/dL) per week during the first half of the cycle and then fell by 0.050 mmol/L (1.94 mg/dL) per week during the second half. Therefore, all statistical analyses were performed on values adjusted to midcycle. Total fasting cholesterol concentrations increased by 0.073 mmol/L (2.81 mg/dL) per 100 mg dietary cholesterol added to the diet per day ( P =.001). LDL cholesterol increased by 0.054 mmol/L (2.08 mg/dL) per 100 mg/d dietary cholesterol ( P =.003); this accounted for about 75% of the rise in total cholesterol. HDL cholesterol concentrations increased by 0.015 mmol/L (0.57 mg/dL) per 100 mg/d dietary cholesterol ( P <.04). There was a wide range of responses among the women. Plasma apoB levels increased significantly, 0.93 mg/dL per 100 mg/d dietary cholesterol ( P =.025), whereas apoA-I levels tended to rise (1.35 mg/dL per 100 mg/d, P =.056). Increases in dietary cholesterol did not produce any observable effects on fasting plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein levels and had no effect on the response to a standard high-fat formula. Although menstrual-cycle changes in plasma total, LDL, and HDL cholesterol levels were observed, the effects of the diets were similar in the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. Additionally, despite changes associated with the menstrual cycle, within-subject variation in plasma total cholesterol was actually smaller in this study than in our study of young men.
The two-cone open resonator

The resonator is an open structure formed by two concave conical reflectors mounted coaxially, and it supports traveling wave resonances. In a simplified wave picture of the field, the normal modes look like a set of plane wavefronts propagating parallel to the axis in one direction and conical wavefronts propagating in the opposite direction. One of the normal modes has TM 01 - TM 0N type symmetry for the two traveling waves, and exhibits lower diffraction losses than a plane Fabry-Perot resonator of similar dimensions. This type of mode field established in a suitable dielectric could presumably couple to an electron stream along the axis through the Cerenkov effect, and would thus provide feedback.
Similarity of the concentration field of gas-phase turbulent jets

This work is an experimental investigation of the turbulent concentration field formed when the nozzle gas from a round, momentum-driven, free turbulent jet mixes with gas entrained from a quiescent reservoir. The measurements, which were made with a non-intrusive laser-Rayleigh scattering diagnostic at Reynolds numbers of 5000, 16000, and 40000, cover the axial range from 20 to 90 jet exit diameters and resolve the full range of temporal and spatial concentration scales. Reynolds-number-independent and Reynolds-number-dependent similarities are investigated. The mean and r.m.s. values of the concentration are found to be consistent with jet similarity laws. Concentration fluctuation power spectra are found to be self-similar along rays emanating from the virtual origin of the jet. The probability density function for the concentration is also found to be self-similar along rays. Near the centreline of the jet, the scaled probability density function of jet fluid concentration is found to be nearly independent of the Reynolds number.
Dichogamy correlates with outcrossing rate and defines the selfing syndrome in the mixed-mating genus Collinsia

Background and aims How and why plants evolve to become selfing is a long-standing evolutionary puzzle. The transition from outcrossing to highly selfing is less well understood in self-compatible (SC) mixed-mating (MM) species where potentially subtle interactions between floral phenotypes and the environment are at play. We examined floral morphological and developmental traits across an entire SC MM genus, Collinsia, to determine which, if any, predict potential autonomous selfing ability when pollinators are absent (AS) and actual selfing rates in the wild, s(m), and to best define the selfing syndrome for this clade. Methods Using polymorphic microsatellite markers, we obtained 30 population-level estimates of s(m) across 19 Collinsia taxa. Species grand means for the timing of herkogamy (stigma-anther contact) and dichogamy (stigmatic receptivity, SR), AS, floral size, longevity and their genetic correlations were quantified for 22 taxa. Key results Species fell into discrete selfing and outcrossing groups based on floral traits. Loss of dichogamy defines Collinsia's selfing syndrome. Floral size, longevity and herkogamy also differ significantly between these groups. Most taxa have high AS rates (>80 %), but AS is uncorrelated with any measured trait. In contrast, s(m) is significantly correlated only with SR. High variance in s(m) was observed in the two groups. Conclusions Collinsia species exhibit clear morphological and developmental traits diagnostic of 'selfing' or 'outcrossing' groups. However, many species in both the 'selfing' and the 'outcrossing' groups were MM, pointing to the critical influence of the pollination environment, the timing of AS and outcross pollen prepotency on s(m). Flower size is a poor predictor of Collinsia species' field selfing rates and this result may apply to many SC species. Assessment of the variation in the pollination environment, which can increase selfing rates in more 'outcrossing' species but can also decrease selfing rates in more 'selfing' species, is critical to understanding mating system evolution of SC MM taxa.
Abstract 1123: Transforming growth factor α signaling in pancreatic acinar-to-ductal metaplasia

Pancreatic cancer is the most lethal type of cancer due to its high proliferation, metastasis and resistance to chemotherapy. In pancreatic cancer, pancreatic ductal adenocacinoma (PDAC) is the most common form. Current opinion is that PDAC originates from acinar or centroacinar cells though a process called “acinar-to-ductal metaplasia” (ADM). During ADM, acinar cells undergo a transformation to ductal PanIN (pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia) cells, which is believed as the first step in PDAC formation. Transforming growth factor α (TGFα) is produced by pancreatic cancer cells and promotes tumor growth. In an ex vivo explant culture system, TGFα transforms murine pancreatic acinar cells into ductal cells. Here we describe a cell signaling pathway that TGFα utilizes to induce acinar-to-ductal transformation. We show that K-ras is downstream of TGFα and is sufficient to drive ADM. We further show the mechanisms that K-ras uses to induce cell structural rearrangement of acinar cells. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1123. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-1123
Molecular simulation and experimental study of CO2 absorption in ionic liquid reverse micelle.

The structure and dynamics for CO2 absorption in ionic liquid reverse micelle (ILRM) were studied using molecular simulations. The ILRM consisted of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([bmim][BF4]) ionic liquid (IL) as the micelle core, the benzylhexadecyldimethylammonium ([BHD]+) chloride ([Cl]−) was the cationic surfactant, and benzene was used as the continuous solvent phase in this study. The diffusivity values of this ILRM system were also experimentally determined. Simulations indicate that there is ion exchange between the IL anion ([BF4]−) and the surfactant anion ([Cl]−). It was also found that the [bmim][BF4] IL exhibits small local density at the interface region between the IL core and the [BHD]+ surfactant cation layer, which leads to a smaller density for the [bmim][BF4] IL inside the reverse micelle (RM) compared with the neat IL. These simulation findings are consistent with experimental results. Both our simulations and experimental results show that [bmim][BF4] inside the RM d...
Topic discovery and future trend forecasting for texts

Finding topics from a collection of documents, such as research publications, patents, and technical reports, is helpful for summarizing large scale text collections and the world wide web. It can also help forecast topic trends in the future. This can be beneficial for many applications, such as modeling the evolution of the direction of research and forecasting future trends of the IT industry. In this paper, we propose using association analysis and ensemble forecasting to automatically discover topics from a set of text documents and forecast their evolving trend in a near future. In order to discover meaningful topics, we collect publications from a particular research area, data mining and machine learning, as our data domain. An association analysis process is applied to the collected data to first identify a set of topics, followed by a temporal correlation analysis to help discover correlations between topics, and identify a network of topics and communities. After that, an ensemble forecasting approach is proposed to predict the popularity of research topics in the future. Our experiments and validations on data with 9 years of publication records validate the effectiveness of the proposed design.
Circadian expressions of related genes of cry2,per2,timeless and rev-erb in peripheral white blood cells in mice

Objective To investigate features of circadian expressions of related genes of cry2,per2,timeless and rev-erb in peripheral white blood cells in mice under the 12 h-light and 12 h-dark cycle conditions. Methods Forty-eight male C57 /BL6 mice were randomly divided into 6 groups,with each group directed to a corresponding time point. The animals were kept under the light regimen of LD cycle( 12L /12D) for four weeks. Then,peripheral blood samples were taken at 6 time points( 9: 00,13: 00,17: 00,21: 00,1: 00,5: 00) and white blood cells were separated. Total RNA was extracted from the white blood cells and mRNA levels of each gene( cry2,per2,timeless and rev-erb) were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction( real time PCR) at different time points. The data were analyzed both by the cosine function software and the amplitude F test to investigate the circadian rhythm. Results Under the light regimen of LD cycle,the four genes in white blood cells showed a significant circadian oscillation,with the apexes of different genes being obviously higher than the troughs( P 0. 01). The apex of per2 was at about 4: 00,while the apex of the other three genes were at about 11: 00-12: 00. From the standpoints of apex time and oscillation,the apex time of cry2,timeless and rev-erb was before that of per2,with a higher level of amplitude than that of per2. The apex time of cry2,timeless,rev-erb mRNA was before that of per2,with the amplitude being higher than that of per2. However,the mRNAs of cry2,timeless and rev-erb showed a similar apex time and amplitude. Conclusion Research findings demonstrated that the expressions of the 4 genes in peripheral white blood cells showed an obvious circadian rhythm. It seemed that the effects of cry2,timeless and rev-erb were stronger than that of per2 in the negative regulation,while the effect of rev-erb was similar in the negative regulation. This research might not only be helpful to the deep understanding of the circadian fluctuation of immune function in mammals,but provide a target for diagnosis and therapy of immune disorders as well. Further detail study was required to fully understand how these 4 genes regulate immune cells in the peripheral blood.
Poverty, Payments, and Ecosystem Services in the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania

A social trap is a situation where the short-term benefits of a decision are at odds with long-term optimal outcome (Cross and Guyer 1980). Some poverty traps are social traps. For example, rampant clear-cut deforestation may have short-term payoffs but is, in many cases a long-term net loss for both the agents of deforestation and wider society. With regard to socio-ecological systems, these traps may be spatial as well as temporal – where the actions of some in one locale may adversely affect others elsewhere (economists call these externalities). In a world of rapidly changing environmental quality, our inability to solve social traps across time and space affects the immediate welfare of millions of people living at the margin, as well as the long-term welfare of society and wildlife populations writ large.
Analysis of the p-adic construction of multivariate correction coefficiencts in polynomial factorization: Iteration vs. recursion

In a recently published paper [4] the author described a new algorithm for multivariate polynomial factorization over the integers. One important feature of this algorithm is the variable-by-variable p-adic construction of all factors in parallel. To perform such p-adic construction of the factors, a second p-adic construction for multivariate "correction coefficients" is used. This second p-adic construction is in an "inner loop" of the construction process. Therefore its efficiency is of central importance to the entire factoring algorithm. In [4], an iterative algorithm is used for this second p-adic construction. A timing analysis of this iterative algorithm is included. A new recursive method for the p-adic construction of the correction coefficients is presented and analyzed.
Neoadjuvant therapy versus upfront surgical strategies in resectable pancreatic cancer: A Markov decision analysis

Abstract Background Neoadjuvant therapy is gaining acceptance as a valid treatment option for borderline resectable pancreatic cancer; however, its value for clearly resectable pancreatic cancer remains controversial. The aim of this study was to use a Markov decision analysis model, in the absence of adequately powered randomized trials, to compare the life expectancy (LE) and quality-adjusted life expectancy (QALE) of neoadjuvant therapy to conventional upfront surgical strategies in resectable pancreatic cancer patients. Methods A Markov decision model was created to compare two strategies: attempted pancreatic resection followed by adjuvant chemoradiotherapy and neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by restaging with, if appropriate, attempted pancreatic resection. Data obtained through a comprehensive systematic search in PUBMED of the literature from 2000 to 2015 were used to estimate the probabilities used in the model. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed. Results Of the 786 potentially eligible studies identified, 22 studies met the inclusion criteria and were used to extract the probabilities used in the model. Base case analyses of the model showed a higher LE (32.2 vs. 26.7 months) and QALE (25.5 vs. 20.8 quality-adjusted life months) for patients in the neoadjuvant therapy arm compared to upfront surgery. Probabilistic sensitivity analyses for LE and QALE revealed that neoadjuvant therapy is favorable in 59% and 60% of the cases respectively. Conclusion(s) Although conceptual, these data suggest that neoadjuvant therapy offers substantial benefit in LE and QALE for resectable pancreatic cancer patients. These findings highlight the value of further prospective randomized trials comparing neoadjuvant therapy to conventional upfront surgical strategies.
A Computational Model for Explosive Fracture of Oil Shale

Successful in-situ retorting of subsurface oil shale beds may depend on the ability to achieve sufficient permeability by explosive fracturing. To provide guidance in field experiments as to the type and amount of explosive; the number, size, and spacing of satellite wells; stemming and venting; and other criteria, it is necessary to obtain calculations of fracture damage. Thus, the objective of this research [1] was to develop a mathematical model for dynamic fracture of oil shale that could be used as a subroutine in wave propagation codes to compute the extent of fracture produced under given circumstances.
A Study of Analog Resonances in 87Y Excited by Elastic and Inelastic Scattering of Polarized Protons

Since polarization observables depend sensitively upon interference between contributing partial waves, polarized beam experiments can significantly increase the quantity and quality of information available from the study of isobaric analog resonances (IAR’s). Polarization experiments can greatly reduce uncertainties in the extraction of IAR parameters and in addition shed some light on the reaction mechanisms involved in the scattering. For example, in favorable cases, the contribution to the scattering from the complicated compound nuclear (CN) states in the vicinity of the IAR can be separated from the “direct” scattering in a very nearly model-independent way1).
Connecting the dots on ketamine and schizophrenia

Many theories have been proposed to account for the neurobiological mechanisms of schizophrenia, with new theories driven by developments in human brain imaging and post-mortem work along with new animal models. One prominent view posits that there is an excess of excitatory neurotransmission in schizophrenia, which is mediated by glutamate and its receptor, the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) type glutamate receptor. It is thought that excessive glutamatergic transmission may alter the balance between excitatory and inhibitory processes regulating brain activity and network connectivity. Although simplistic, this model has nonetheless allowed for empirical testing, which researchers have done by infusing intravenously the club drug and NMDA antagonist ketamine into schizophrenia patients or healthy individuals. In schizophrenia patients, ketamine provokes psychotic symptoms at doses that have minimal effects on healthy individuals, resulting in alterations in the connectivity of brain networks broadly implicated in cognition. In a new study, Kraguljac et al. add to this body of work by imaging ketamine-induced changes in both brain network connectivity (with resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging) and metabolite concentrations (with magnetic resonance spectroscopy) in healthy individuals infused intravenously with ketamine. They found that ketamine reduced hippocampal connectivity and increased hippocampal glutamate levels and that the degree of hypoconnectivity was related to the degree of glutamate increase. Thus, these findings strengthen the link between glutamatergic neurotransmission, glutamate levels, and brain connectivity in a manner that supports a unified mechanistic model for schizophrenia. Despite this advance, several caveats are important to consider, including the lack of a placebo arm in this trial (blinding is difficult with ketamine due to its psychotropic effects), that intravenous ketamine affected the entire brain rather than discrete circuits, and that spectroscopy signals measured crude metabolite concentrations irrespective of their cellular location or function. Nonetheless, these findings show how work integrating diverse imaging modalities can shed light on the complex mechanisms underpinning diseases such as schizophrenia. N. V. Kraguljac et al. , Ketamine modulates hippocampal neurochemistry and functional connectivity: A combined magnetic resonance spectroscopy and resting-state fMRI study in healthy volunteers. Mol. Psychiatry 10.1038/mp.2016.122 (2016). [[Abstract]][1] [1]: http://www.nature.com/mp/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/mp2016122a.html
Atrial fibrillation inducibility during cavotricuspid isthmus-dependent atrial flutter ablation as a predictor of clinical atrial fibrillation. A meta-analysis.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) and cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI)-dependent atrial flutter (AFL) are two separate entities that coexist in a significant percentage of patients. We sought to investigate whether AF inducibility during CTI AFL ablation predicted the occurrence of AF at follow-up after successful AFL ablation. A systemic review of Medline, Cochrane, and Embase was done for all the clinical studies in which assessment of AF inducibility in patients undergoing ablation for CTI AFL was performed. Given the low heterogeneity (i.e., I 2 <25), we used a fixed effect model for our analysis. A total of 10 studies (4 prospective and 6 retrospective) with a total of 1299 patients (male, 73%; mean age 59 ± 11 years) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. During a mean follow-up period of 23 ± 7.6 months, 407 patients (31%) developed AF during AFL ablation. The overall incidence for new-onset AF during follow-up was 29% (47% in the group with inducible AF vs. 21% in the non-inducible group). The odds ratio (OR) for developing AF after AFL ablation in patients with AF inducibility for all studies combined was 3.72, 95% CI 2.83–4.89 [prospective studies (OR 5.52, 95% CI 3.23–9.41) vs. retrospective studies (OR 3.23, 95% CI 2.35–4.45)]. Although ablation for CTI AFL is highly effective, AF continues to be a long-term risk for individuals undergoing this procedure. AF induced by pacing protocols in patients undergoing CTI AFL predicts for future AF. Inducible AF is a clinically relevant finding that may help guide decisions for long-term anticoagulation after successful typical AFL ablation especially in patients with elevated CHADS-VASc scores (≥2) and in considering prophylactic PVI during CTI AFL ablation.
Hydrogen Production in the Radiolysis of Dodecane and Hexane

ABSTRACTThe yields of molecular hydrogen, H2, have been measured in the radiolysis of dodecane and hexane following radiolysis by γ-rays and a variety of heavy ions. Measured yields with γ-rays are found to be slightly higher than literature values and decrease by about 25% on aeration of the sample. Increasing the linear energy transfer (LET) from γ-rays to radiolysis with protons results in a decrease of H2 yields by about 15% due to the increased importance of second-order H atom combination reactions. A further increase in LET results in a slight increase in H2 yields.
Crop sequence and in-season nitrogen (N) application effects on organic winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield and quality

AbstractThe objective of this study was to determine an optimum combination of N inputs for dryland organic winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (WW). Trials were conducted on separate fields near Concord, Nebraska in 2008–2009 and 2010–2011. WW followed previous crops of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)/corn (Zea mays L.) and alfalfa/alfalfa. Cattle manure was applied at three rates (providing approximately 0, 58, and 112 kg ha−1 predicted plant available N [0, base, and double rates]), in either fall (autumn) or spring. An organic-approved foliar N was applied at three rates (0, 11, and 22 kg ha−1 N) in late spring (flag leaf stage). In Trial I, yield and N uptake were greater for fall (autumn) manure (4.0 Mg ha−1 and 82.9 kg N ha−1) than for spring manure (3.5 Mg ha−1 and 76 kg N ha−1). In Trial I, grain protein concentration was slightly improved (~2%) by both rates of foliar N and the double rate of spring manure, and slightly decreased (~2%) by both rates of fall manure. In Trial II no treatment had a cl...
Teaching online courses 101

There is tremendous growth and demand for online learning. In this paper, we share our experiences in what to do and what not to do in preparing and delivering online courses. Key elements and tips are discussed. We also address issues with respect to interactive assignments and presentations in facilitating online learning.
Using Blogs to Support Reflection in Teacher Education.

The use of blogging as an instructional practice has the potential to reshape teacher education. The purpose of this year-long project was to examine how blogging worked to support inservice K thro...
DNA in Action

This chapter addresses the series of observations and experiments that led scientists to relate deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) to protein synthesis. The chapter also describes the mechanisms by which the biochemical information in DNA is converted to biochemical information in protein. Upon realizing that chromosomes influence patterns of heredity, scientists began to investigate the role of DNA in living systems. Garrod found that enzymes are related to gene activity, and Beadle and Tatum's experiments revealed that a gene regulates the production of an enzyme. Ingram's experiments further showed that genes regulate protein production. Crick's group identified a three-base sequence in DNA as the genetic code. It has been recognized that DNA encodes three forms of ribonucleic acid (RNA). RNA plays an important role in translating the genetic message in DNA to an amino acid sequence in protein. The nature of genetic codes in DNA helps to understand the way various genetic sequences are established. Gene expression is controlled by regulatory proteins and is required to preserve cell energy and chemical resources, which can result in occurrence of negative and positive control. The complexity of DNA in action is illustrated by the activity of a cluster of genes called an “operon.” The chapter concludes suggesting further research in the bacterial system for a better understanding of DNA technology.
The viscoelastic properties of ordered latices: experiments

Abstract Osmotic pressures, shear moduli, and dynamic viscosities are reported for ordered polystyrene latices of three different particle sizes over a range of ionic strengths and volume fractions. The pressures and moduli increase by orders of magnitude with increasing volume fraction and decreasing radius or ionic strength. The dynamic viscosity remains within a factor of 2 of that for water for all conditions. The data are compared with calculations from the self-consistent field model presented previously by the authors and a pairwise additive theory in the literature. The former provides reasonably accurate predictions when the surface potential is obtained from electrophoresis measurements at an ionic strength equivalent to that in the concentrated suspension. The latter, in its original form, fails to predict the effect of added electrolyte on the modulus.
The Thermodynamics of CO2 Conversion

ABSTRACT Thermodynamics provides a quantitative measure of what is possible and realistic in chemical conversion of CO2. Because CO2 is a highly stable form of carbon, large-scale conversion of CO2 to more reduced carbon products (such as acids, aldehydes, carbohydrates, alcohols or alkanes) will require a source of energy. Reducing equivalents must be supplied by either H2, other reduced chemical species, or electrochemistry. High-energy intermediates pose obstacles for the conversion of CO2 to relatively stable products, especially in electrochemical reduction. Some catalytic strategies have been developed which avoid these barriers.