cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Why Was the Mule Used in Southern Agriculture? Empirical Evidence of Principal-Agent Solutions

Abstract The relative number of mules versus horses varied between the North and the South and across the South. This paper tests the hypothesis that mule use in the South varied positively with sharecroppers in order to limit the capital depreciation of workstock. The evidence comes from two data sets: (1) microlevel plantation data from Georgia and (2) county-level data from 1920. Both indicate that mules were used more, the greater the overall use of draft animals by nonowners. For a number of reasons, mules are preferred to horses when principals find it difficult to monitor agents.
Remark on stably updating mean and standard deviation of data

Although not published as a numbered algorithm, Hanson's article “Stably Updating Mean and Standard Deviation of Data” in the January, 1975, issue of Communications, [1] describes an algorithm for sequentially recomputing the mean and standard deviation of a weighted series of numbers when new numbers are added to the series. The procedure requires that only a summary matrix of data be retained, not the entire series, for the new mean and standard deviation to be computed.
Avoiding Interferences from Good's Buffers: A Contiguous Series of Noncomplexing Tertiary Amine Buffers Covering the Entire Range of pH 3–11

Of the 20 well-known buffers proposed by Good, all but 3 form metal ion complexes which can result in serious interferences, particularly in protein analyses. The structural features responsible for such complex formation have been identified. Based on a mechanistic analysis of the metal complexation process, it is proposed that tertiary amine compounds, having N-substituents which are ethyl or larger, are sterically inaccessible for initial bond formation with solvated metal ions in aqueous solution. Thus, in the absence of donor atoms on the alpha-, beta-, or gamma-carbons, metal complexation cannot proceed. The proposed noncomplexing compounds include Good's 3 noncomplexing buffers (Mes, Mops, Pipes) plus six related species. Mixed-mode acid dissociation constants (hydrogen ion in terms of activity, conjugate acid-base species in molar concentrations) have been determined for all compounds in their protonated form at 25 degrees C, mu = 0.10 M (NaNO3). The values for four compounds in this series are reported here for the first time: viz., N,N'-diethylpiperazine for which log Ka1m = 4.67 +/- 0. 03 and log Ka2m = 8.83 +/- 0.02; N,N,N',N'-tetraethylmethylenediamine for which log Ka1m < 1 and log Ka2m = 11.01 +/- 0.03; N,N'-diethyl-N,N'-bis(3-sulfopropyl)ethylenediamine for which log Ka1m = 5.75 +/- 0.03 and log Ka2m = 9.37 +/- 0.02; and piperazine-N,N'-bis(2-ethanesulfonic acid) (Pipes) for which log Ka1m = 2.81 +/- 0.01 (the value of log Ka2m having been previously reported).
Trajectory Optimization using Reinforcement Learning for Map Exploration

Automatically building maps from sensor data is a necessary and fundamental skill for mobile robots; as a result, considerable research attention has focused on the technical challenges inherent in the mapping problem. While statistical inference techniques have led to computationally efficient mapping algorithms, the next major challenge in robotic mapping is to automate the data collection process. In this paper, we address the problem of how a robot should plan to explore an unknown environment and collect data in order to maximize the accuracy of the resulting map. We formulate exploration as a constrained optimization problem and use reinforcement learning to find trajectories that lead to accurate maps. We demonstrate this process in simulation and show that the learned policy not only results in improved map building, but that the learned policy also transfers successfully to a real robot exploring on MIT campus.
Acute toxicity of methyl mercury to the larval lamprey, Petromyzon marinus.

Mercury compounds pollute many aquatic habitats and are extremely toxic to aquatic organisms. Acute toxicity of waterborne methyl mercury has been studied in several teleost species. Lampreys are taxonomically distant from teleosts and are used for comparative toxicological purposes. Landlocked sea lampreys, Petromyzon marinus, inhabit the Great Lakes region, and their larvae (ammocoetes) burrow in stream sediments. In this study, the authors present toxicity curves for ammocoetes exposed acutely to methyl mercuric chloride solutions. Susceptibility was related to temperature and animal size.
Boundaries and Functional Domains in the Animal/Vegetal Axis of Xenopus Gastrula Mesoderm

Abstract Patterning of the Xenopus gastrula marginal zone in the axis running equatorially from the Spemann organizer—the so-called “dorsal/ventral axis”—has been extensively studied. It is now evident that patterning in the animal/vegetal axis also needs to be taken into consideration. We have shown that an animal/vegetal pattern is apparent in the marginal zone by midgastrulation in the polarized expression domains of Xenopus brachyury ( Xbra ) and Xenopus nodal-related factor 2 ( Xnr2 ). In this report, we have followed cells expressing Xbra in the presumptive trunk and tail at the gastrula stage, and find that they fate to presumptive somite, but not to ventrolateral mesoderm of the tailbud embryo. From this, we speculate that the boundary between the Xbra- and Xnr2- expressing cells at gastrula corresponds to a future tissue boundary. In further experiments, we show that the level of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation is polarized along the animal/vegetal axis, with the Xnr2- expressing cells in the vegetal marginal zone having no detectable activated MAPK. We show that inhibition of MAPK activation in Xenopus animal caps results in the conversion of Xnr2 from a dorsal mesoderm inducer to a ventral mesoderm inducer, supporting a role for Xnr2 in induction of ventral mesoderm.
Temperature dependence of the structure factor in Nb-Ni glasses

Using the results of x-ray scattering experiments, the structure factor $S(k)$, the radial distribution function, and the coordination number have been determined at room temperature for two Nb-Ni glass samples (of composition ${\mathrm{Nb}}_{0.4}$${\mathrm{Ni}}_{0.6}$ and ${\mathrm{Nb}}_{0.5}$${\mathrm{Ni}}_{0.5}$). Furthermore, the height of the first peak in the structure factor, $S({k}_{p})$, has been measured as a function of temperature for these two samples in the range 4-675 K. $S({k}_{p})$ remains approximately constant from 4 to \ensuremath{\sim}100 K, after which it decreases linearly with increasing temperature until the glass crystallizes at \ensuremath{\sim}675 K. This behavior is in excellent agreement with a recent calculation which expresses the temperature dependence of $S(k)$ of an amorphous metal in terms of the Debye-Waller factor. According to the Ziman theory for the resistivity of amorphous metals, a decrease of $S({k}_{p})$ with increasing temperature may lead to a negative temperature coefficient of resistivity as has been observed in these glasses. The observed change of $S({k}_{p})$ is large enough to account for the observed change in resistivity at room temperature and above. Possible reasons for the discrepancy between the Ziman theory and the structure-factor data below room temperature are discussed.
Studies on the molecular evolution of the Crocodylia: footprints in the sands of time.

A reasonably large number of studies focusing on the molecular evolution of crocodilians have been completed during the past 100 years. Proteins were initially studied before DNA was known to carry the genetic information of cells and organisms, and were subsequently studied to infer changes at the DNA level. More recently, studies on the DNA itself have been completed. We have had the pleasure of taking part in or facilitating many studies conducted over the past 50 years, especially several of the earliest studies done using newly developed molecular techniques. We provide a review of the molecular genetic studies on crocodilians, summarizing the findings of these studies as well as the context in which they were undertaken. This review is a personal look at the history of molecular studies on the evolutionary biology of crocodilians. Our excuse for this focus is that our professors, our students and we have had the opportunity to be among the first to apply many new techniques to studies of crocodilians since 1950, when one of us (HCD) was a graduate student of Roland Coulson and Tom Hernandez. Although we will review much of the material in this subject area, we do not claim that it is complete. Instead, we focus our presentation on work in which we have participated or with which we are particularly familiar. We especially focus on materials relevant to the research presented at the 2nd International Crocodilian DNA Workshop, 7–9 November, 2001, at the San Diego Zoo. Thus, the following review also stands as a tribute to our mentors, students, and colleagues. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 294:302–311, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Acoustic signal analysis for noise source identification in mechanisms

Proper interpretation of the time and frequency characteristics of machine noise provides information useful in identifying and quantifying noise sources in complex mechanisms. The use of commercial acoustic instrumentation led to the development of unique analog instrumentation for noise-time analysis and ultimately to a real-time analog-digital signal analysis capability. The hybrid system described in this paper provides the time and frequency resolution necessary for noise source identification and evaluation.
Wireless health monitoring of cracks in structures with MEMS-IDT sensors

The integration of MEMS, IDTs (interdigital transducers) and required microelectronics and conformal antennas to realize programmable, robust and low cost passive microsensors suitable for many military structures and systems including aircraft, missiles and munitions is presented in this paper. The technology is currently being applied to the structural health monitoring of critical aircraft components. The approach integrates acoustic emission, strain gauges, MEMS accelerometers, gyroscopes and vibration monitoring devices with signal processing electronics to provide real-time indicators of incipient failure of aircraft components with a known history of catastrophic failure due to fracture. Recently a combination of the need for safety in the air and the desire to control costs is encouraging the use of in-flight monitoring of aircraft components and systems using light-weight, wireless and cost effective microsensors and MEMS. An in-situ Aircraft structural health monitoring (ASHM) system, with sensors embedded in the composite structure or surface-mounted on the structure, would permit the timely detection of damage in aircraft. Micromachining offers the potential for fabricating a range of microsensors and MEMS for structural applications including load, vibration and acoustics characterization and monitoring. Such microsensors are extremely small; they can be embedded into structural materials, can be mass-produced and are therefore potentially cheap. Additionally a range of sensor types can be integrated onto a single chip with built-in electronics and ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), providing a low power Microsystems. The smart sensors are being developed using the standard microelectronics and micromachining in conjunction with novel Penn State smart electronics or wireless communication systems suitable for condition monitoring of aircraft structures in-flight. A hybrid accelerometer and gyroscope in a single chip suitable for inertial navigation system and other microsensors for health monitoring and condition-based maintenance of structures, drag sensing and control of aircraft, strain and deflection of structures and systems, ice sensing on aircraft, remote temperature and humidity measurement of propellant in munitions, chemical sensing, etc. are discussed.
J. Edgar Hoover and the Anti‐interventionists: FBI Political Surveillance and the Rise of the Domestic Security State, 1939–1945 – By Douglas M. Charles

In February 1941, amid the “great debate” about possible U.S. intervention in the Second World War, President Franklin Roosevelt learned of an anti‐interventionist pamphlet that accused him of subv...
Accelerated phospholipid degradation in anoxic rat hepatocytes

Abstract Accelerated degradation of membrane phospholipids characterizes the reaction of rat liver and myocardial cells to ischemia. A similar disturbance in phospholipid metabolism was sought in anoxic hepatocytes. Primary cultures of adult rat hepatocytes were made anoxic by evacuation of the CO 2 O 2 atmosphere with N 2 . The resulting loss of ATP was reversible upon reoxygenation after periods of anoxia up to 2 h. With 3–4 h of anoxia, the cells were incapable of regenerating ATP levels. Loss of viability was also indicated by the inability of over 90% of the cells after 3–4 h to exclude trypan blue. The baseline rate of turnover of [ 14 C]-ethanolamine or glycerol prelabeled phospholipids was then established. A constant rate of turnover was found for, at least, the first 3 days the cells were in culture. No loss of total phospholipid occurred during this time. Anoxia induced very significant differences in the fate of prelabeled phospholipids. With [ 14 C]-ethanolamine there was a 30% loss of total cellular radioactivity within 4 h. Total phospholipids determined as lipid phosphate decreased by 20%. This depletion of cellular phospholipids was paralleled by an accumulation of hydrophilic degradation products in the culture medium. Phosphorylethanolamine accounted for 50% of these, with equal amounts of glycerophosphorylethanolamine and ethanolamine the other 50%. A similar accumulation in the medium occurred with [ 14 C]-glycerol- and [ 14 C]choline-prelabeled phospholipids. The accelerated degradation of phospholipid was accompanied by evidence of membrane dysfunction as shown by the loss of 50% of the glucose 6-phosphatase activity in whole cell homogenates. The results of these studies establish that anoxia induces in cultured rat hepatocytes a similar disturbance to phospholipid metabolism as does ischemia of the same cells in the intact animal. This implies that the deprivation of oxygen per se determines the characteristic reaction of cells to ischemia. This conclusion allows further analysis of the effects of O 2 deprivation on cultured hepatocytes as a new experimental model with which to further explore the effects of ischemia on cells.
High-voltage spark atomic emission detector for gas chromatography

A dc-powered, double-gap, miniature nanosecond spark source for emission spectrochemical analysis of gas chromatographic effluents is described. The spark is formed between two thoriated tungsten electrodes by the discharge of a coaxial capacitor. The spark detector is coupled to the gas chromatograph by a heated transfer line. The gas chromatographic effluent is introduced into the heated spark chamber where atomization and excitation of the effluent occurs upon breakdown of the analytical gap. A microcomputer-controlled data acquisition system allows the implementation of time-resolution techniques to distinguish between the analyte emission and the background continuum produced by the spark discharge. Multiple sparks are computer averaged to improve the signal-to-noise ratio. The application of the spark detector for element-selective detection of metals and nonmetals is reported.
Harmonic enrichment functions: A unified treatment of multiple, intersecting and branched cracks in the extended finite element method

A unifying procedure to numerically compute enrichment functions for elastic fracture problems with the extended finite element method is presented. Within each element that is intersected by a crack, the enrichment function for the crack is obtained via the solution of the Laplace equation with Dirichlet and vanishing Neumann boundary conditions. A single algorithm emanates for the enrichment field for multiple cracks as well as intersecting and branched cracks, without recourse to special cases, which provides flexibility over the existing approaches in which each case is treated separately. Numerical integration is rendered to be simple—there is no need for partitioning of the finite elements into conforming subdivisions for the integration of discontinuous or weakly singular kernels. Stress intensity factor computations for different crack configurations are presented to demonstrate the accuracy and versatility of the proposed technique. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cheek rubbing as grooming by Abert squirrels

Cheek rubbing is thought to be a form of active scent marking in many terrestrial and arboreal sciurids. However, some observations of arboreal sciurids suggest that cheek rubbing may also be a form of self-grooming. The purpose of this study was to examine possible functions of cheek rubbing by free-living Abert squirrels, Sciurus aberti. When the frequencies of behaviour patterns that occurred within a cheek-rubbing sequence were compared to the frequencies of acts that occurred at other times, grooming and alert behaviour patterns had a higher probability of occurring, whereas travelling, nesting, and various social behaviour patterns (such as chasing) had a significantly lower probability of occurring during cheek-rubbing sequences. Food-related behaviour patterns or grooming usually preceded cheek rubbing. Cheek rubbing also did not predominantly occur at home-range boundaries or at nest sites. Although passive scent marking cannot be ruled out, these results suggest that cheek rubbing by Abert squirrels has evolved more as a form of self-grooming to remove food residue, rather than as active scent marking.
A STUDY OF CONDITIONS FOR THE OPTIMUM PRODUCTION OF PR8 INFLUENZA VIRUS IN CHICK EMBRYOS

In order to determine the conditions for the optimum production of PR8 influenza virus in chick embryos, a study has been made of the roles of concentration of virus in the inoculum, temperature of incubation of infected embryos, length of time of incubation of infected embryos, and age of embryos at the time of inoculation. Relative amounts of virus in different preparations were measured indirectly by means of determinations of chicken red blood cell agglutination titers. Frozen infectious allantoic fluid which produced infection in chick embryos at a maximum dilution of 10(-7) was employed as a stock inoculum. Best results were obtained with an amount of stock inoculum of 0.1 cc. of a 10(-5) dilution, a temperature of incubation of 35 degrees C., a length of time of incubation of 36 to 48 hours, and with embryos brought to 10 or 11 days of age at 37 degrees C. or 9 or 10 days of age at 39 degrees . An uncontrolled factor arising from inherent variations in the properties of different embryos and different batches of embryos was discussed.
Application of the ultrasonic technique for real-time holdup monitoring for the control of extraction columns

Abstract The noninvasive and nonintrusive ultrasonic technique developed by Bonnet and Tavlarides for phase fraction measurements in liquid—liquid column extractors is further developed to provide automatic multiple-point measurements for real-time holdup monitoring for the control of the extraction process. Multiple-point measurements provide information on the holdup profile along the extractor and are shown to be very useful for controlling the holdup near flooding. Results of dynamic tests are reported and open-loop data are discussed.
To bleed or not to bleed: What is the factor?

Keywords: factor VIII inhibitor; acquired hemophilia A; bleeding disorder; isolated elevated aPTT; coagulation; autoantibodies
Comparison of immunodiffusion and crossed-immunoelectrophoresis in the diagnosis of invasive candidiasis.

A restrospective single blind study was conducted to compare the efficacy of crossed-immunoelectrophoresis using concanavalin A intermediate gel with double immunodiffusion tests in the diagnosis of invasive candidiasis. On the basis of cytoplasmic antibody detection, crossed-immunoelectrophoresis with concanavalin A differentiated reliably betweenCandida albicans fungemia and invasive candida infection, whereas double immunodiffusion did not. With regard to sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value crossed-immunoelectrophoresis with concanavalin A was superior to double immunodiffusion. Analysis of double immunodiffusion precipitin bands revealed fuzzy and sharp precipitin bands which corresponded to mannan (fuzzy) and cytoplasmic (sharp) antibodies in the crossed-immunoelectrophoresis with concanavalin A assay. Therefore, the finding of sharp bands in the double immunodiffusion procedure supports the diagnosis of invasive candidiasis.
Pediatrics: Timely diagnosis of primary hyperoxaluria type 1.

Primary hyperoxaluria eventually leads to end-stage renal disease and systemic oxalosis; if left untreated, it may be fatal. The outcome might be different if primary hyperoxaluria is diagnosed early, but when is 'early'?
Correlates of flexible working arrangements, stress, and sleep difficulties in the US workforce: does the flexibility of the flexibility matter?

Using the 2008 National Study of the Changing Workforce, we study how two forms of flextime correlate with family stress, workplace stress, and sleep difficulties. The first flextime measure is the ability to easily take time off for personal and family matters, which correlates with a statistically and economically significant reduction in workplace stress. Subsequently, we find that this same flexibility is associated with 6–10 % reduction in the likelihood of self-reported sleep difficulties for the full sample, and as high as an 11–25 % reduction in a subgroup analysis concerning unmarried females with children. The second flextime measure is the option of a compressed workweek, which also correlates with a statistically reduction in workplace stress, though the estimate is considerably smaller than for the first flexibility; a subsequent analysis finds no statistically significant relationship between this flexibility and sleep difficulties. Our findings suggest that the more flexible flexibility (i.e., more short-notice schedule flexibility) appears to be associated with larger reductions in the probability of being stressed, enough, in fact, to carry through to noticeable improvements in concomitant sleep difficulties. Thus, the first form of flextime may function, based on this observational analysis, as a tangible non-medical way to meet worker flextime desires and firm aspirations for increased safety and less absenteeism, all while potentially offering a positive public health externality. The size and significance of the flextime results prevail through bias assessments and sensitivity analyses.
Gadolinium-based contrast agents as an alternative at vena cavography in patients with renal insufficiency--early experience.

The authors reviewed results of digital subtraction vena cavography with a gadolinium-based contrast agent in 14 patients with serum creatinine levels greater than or equal to 1.5 mg/dL (133 μmol/L). All cavograms were diagnostic. In 11 patients, there was no impairment of renal function. In three patients, a rise in serum creatinine level of greater than or equal to 0.5 mg/dL (44 μmol/L) was attributable to concurrent medical problems. Gadolinium-based contrast agents may be suitable for digital subtraction vena cavography in patients with renal insufficiency.
Elastic moduli of randomly oriented, chopped-fibre composites with filled resin

An analytical method is developed to determine the effective elastic moduli of a filled resin reinforced by randomly oriented chopped fibres, a three-phase composite such as a filled sheet moulding compound (SMC). The analytical results compare well with experimental results for both filled (glass/calcium carbonate/polyester) and unfilled (glass/polyester) SMC composites. The numerical results also illustrate the important influence of the filler phase on the composite stiffness properties.
Parallelization of Pipelined Algorithms for Sets of Linear Banded Systems

Solution of independent sets of linear banded systems is a core part of implicit numerical algorithms. In this study we propose a novel pipelined Thomas algorithm with low parallelization penalty. We introduce two-step pipelined algorithms (PAs) formally and show that the idle processor time is invariant with respect to the order of backward and forward steps. Therefore, the parallelization efficiency of the PA cannot be improved directly. However, the processor idle time can be used if some lines have been computed by the time processors become idle. We develop the immediate backward pipelined Thomas algorithm (IB-PTA). The backward step is computed immediately after the forward step has been completed for the first portion of lines. The advantage of the IB-PTA over the basic PTA is the presence of solved lines, which are available for other computations, by the time processors become idle. Implementation of the IB-PTA is based on a proposed static processor schedule that switches between forward and backward computations and controls communication between processors. Computations are performed on the Cray T3E MIMD computer. Combination of the proposed IB-PTA with the “burn from two ends” algorithm shows low parallelization penalty.
Elevation stepping of gimballed devices on rotor-stabilized spacecraft

Marko, W. J., "Transonic Dynamic and Static Stability Characteristics of Three Blunt-Cone Planetary Entry Shapes," JPL TR321357, Sept. 1969, Jet Propulsion Lab., Pasadena, Calif. Sammonds, R. I., "Dynamics of High-Drag Probe Shapes at Transonic Speeds," TN D-6489, Sept. 1971, NASA. Krumins, M. V., "Drag and Stability of Mars Probe/Lander Shapes," Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, Vol. 4, Aug. 1967, pp. 1052-1057. Cassanto, J. M. and Brice, P., "Free Fall Stability and Base Pressure Drop Tests for Planetary Entry Configurations," Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, Vol. 8, July 1971, pp. 790-793. Costigan, P. J., "Dynamic-Model Study of Planetary-Entry Configurations in the Langley Spin Tunnel," TND-3499, July 1966, NASA. Marte, J. E. and Weaver, R. W., "Low-Subsonic Dynamic Stability Investigation of Several Planetary-Entry Configurations in a Vertical Wind Tunnel—Parts I and II," JPL TR-32-743, May 1965, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. Short, B. J., "Dynamic Flight Behavior of a Ballasted Sphere at Mach Numbers from 0.4 to 14.5," TN-D-4198, Oct. 1967, NASA. Seiff, A., Reese, D. E., Sommer, S. C., Kirk, D. B., Whiting, E. E., and Niemann, H. B., "PAET, an Entry Probe Experiment in the Earth's Atmosphere," Icarus, Vol. 18, April 1973, pp. 525-563.
The bacterial battery and the effect of different exposure conditions on biofilm properties

Abstract A galvanic cell with pure copper and Al 2024 and Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 in Luria Bertani (LB) medium and a control cell, which did not contain the bacteria, have been tested. Potentiodynamic polarization experiments were used to determine cell voltage ( V )–current ( i ) and power ( P )– i curves as a function of time. The results for the cell without bacteria demonstrated that the maximum power output was obtained in the first day and dropped drastically in the following days. For the cell with MR-1 the power output of the cell increased slowly with time for around 100 days and remained at similar values for another 100 days. For pure Cu significant changes of the impedance spectra were found in the presence of MR-1. The impedance spectra resembled those usually observed for polymer-coated metals. In order to investigate this phenomenon in more detail, the effects of the different exposure conditions on the electrochemical behavior of copper were evaluated in LB containing MR-1. A second time constant was observed in the impedance spectra of copper that was partially immersed in the test solution (cell B). Complete immersion of copper in the electrolyte (no air/liquid interface) or deaeration of cell B resulted in one-time-constant spectra that are typical of those found for passive metals. Excellent corrosion protection was provided by MR-1 regardless of exposure condition. The corrosion potential increased with time for the Cu electrode exposed in cell B, while it decreased for the other two exposure conditions.
Anne Bradstreet’s Ecological Thought

Anne Bradstreet’s quaternions form the bulk of her first volume of poetry, The Tenth Muse, Lately Sprung Up in America (1650), the text that stakes her claim as “the first poet’s voice, male or fem...
THE IDENTIFICATION OF A NOVEL G4.5 MUTATION IN BARTH SYNDROME• 96

Barth syndrome is an X-linked recessive cardioskeletal myopathy associated with neutropenia, growth retardation, abnormal mitochondria (abnormal cristae), and elevated levels of urinary 3-methylglutaconic acid and 2-ethylhydracrylic acid. Lipid myopathy, decreased plasma free carnitine, lowered cytochrome concentrations, and granulocytopenia are also characteristic of this disease. The gene for Barth syndrome, which was previously mapped to Xq28, was recently identified as G4.5. This 6,234 bp gene consists of 11 exons, three of which (exons 5, 6, and 7), are differentially spliced resulting in five protein products. These proteins, classified as tafazzins, show no homolgy to any previously identified proteins, and thus, are unique. Four mutations in G4.5 have previously been described in patients with Barth syndrome. We report a new mutation in G4.5 in one family having three males affected with Barth syndrome.
Considering the Total Cost of Electricity From Sunlight and the Alternatives [Point of View]

Photovoltaic (PV) electricity generation has grown to about 17 GW in the United States, corresponding to one tenth of the global capacity. Most deployment in the country has happened during the last 6 years. Reflecting back in time, in early 2008 this author and his collaborators James Mason and Ken Zweibel, published in Scientific American and in Energy Policy a Solar Grand Plan demonstrating the feasibility of renewable energy in providing 69% of the United States electricity demand by 2050, while reducing CO2 emissions by 60% from 2005 levels; the PV contribution to this plan was assessed to be 250 GW by 2030 and 2900 GW by 2050 [1]. The DOE’s more detailed SunShot vision study, released in 2012, showed the possibility of having 300 GW of PV installed in the United States by 2030, and 630 GW by 2050. Assessing the sustainability of such rapid growth of photovoltaics necessitates undertaking a careful analysis because PV markets largely are enabled by its promise to produce reliable electricity with minimum environmental burdens. Measurable aspects of sustainability include cost, resource availability, and environmental impact. The question of cost concerns the affordability of solar energy compared to other energy sources throughout the world. Environmental impacts include local-, regional-, and global-effects, as well as the usage of land and water, which must be considered in a comparable context over a long time, multigenerational horizon. Finally, the availability of material resources matters to current and future-generations under the constraint of affordability.
In the Clinic

This issue of Annals contains the inaugural installment of a new section, “In the Clinic.” The goal of “In the Clinic” is to better connect Annals to clinical practice. This section focuses on a si...
Real-Time Implementation of an Observer for Measuring Multiple Turns of a Shaft With a One-Turn Potentiometer

Accurate measurement of multiple rotations of a shaft with a single-turn potentiometer is made possible by a nonlinear observer. A PC-in-the-loop real-time implementation illustrates the performance of the system.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Peptide coding capacity of polysomal and non-polysomal messenger RNA during growth of animal cells.

Abstract The major peptides encoded by cytoplasmic RNA preparation translated in vitro in extracts of wheat germ were displayed by two-dimensional electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels. With this assay system polysomal and non-polysomal RNA preparations were found to differ in coding capacity. These differences tended to be greater in RNA preparations from stationary phase cells than in those from exponential phase cells. These differences were maintained when the concentrations of potassium and magnesium were above or below the optimal concentrations for incorporation. Most of the messenger RNA activities preferentially in the post-polysomal region could be driven into the polysomal region in the presence of cycloheximide. We conclude that these measurements are valid measurements of concentrations of individual functional mRNA species in these RNA preparations.
Effect of the premature infant oral motor intervention on feeding progression and length of stay in preterm infants

Purpose Preterm infants frequently experience oral feeding difficulties due to underdeveloped oral motor skills and the lack of coordination of sucking, swallowing, and respiration. The infants' ability to consume all feedings orally while maintaining physiologic stability and weight gain is necessary for their discharge. Therefore, difficulty with oral feeding leads to longer hospital stays and higher costs. For example, with more than half a million of premature infants born each year, a 3-day decrease in hospital stay would save more than 2 billion dollars annually. There is a need for evidenced-based interventions that facilitate development of oral-motor skills, leading to improved oral feeding, thus shortening hospital stays and lowering costs. The purpose of this research was to test the newly developed Premature Infant Oral Motor Intervention (PIOMI) beginning at 29 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA), before oral feedings were introduced, to determine whether the prefeeding intervention would result in a shorter transition from gavage to total oral feedings and a shorter length of hospital stay (LOS). The PIOMI is a 5-minute oral motor intervention that provides assisted movement to activate muscle contraction and provides movement against resistance to build strength. The focus of the intervention is to increase functional response to pressure and movement and control of movements for the lips, cheeks, jaw, and tongue. The cheeks (internal and external), lips, gums, tongue, and palate were stimulated per specific protocol with finger stroking. Subjects A total of 19 infants from 1 level III NICU born between 26 and 29 weeks PMA: 10 in the experimental group and 9 in the control group. Design A randomized, blinded, clinical trial was conducted to examine outcomes related to the newly developed PIOMI. Methods Beginning at 29 weeks PMA (and before the introduction of oral feeding), the experimental group received the PIOMI for 5 minutes per day for 7 consecutive days. The control group received a sham intervention to keep staff and parents blinded to the infants' group assignment. Physiological and behavioral stabilities were continually assessed throughout the intervention. A chart review was then conducted to compare the transition from gavage feeding to total oral feedings between the experimental and control group, as well as LOS. Results The PIOMI was well tolerated by 29-week PMA infants, as evidenced by physiological and behavioral cues. Infants who received the once-daily PIOMI transitioned from their first oral feeding to total oral feedings 5 days sooner than controls (P = .043) and were discharged 2.6 days sooner than controls. Conclusion This pilot work supports further study on the use of the PIOMI with preterm infants to enhance oral-feeding skills and decrease LOS.
Mythic Elements in Television News

The modern narrative is highly structured; “the Greek gods on Mount Olympus were no less remote and only slightly more powerful.”
Managing the Quality of Virtualized Services

Managing the quality of virtualized services that are delivered on the cloud is very challenging. Such services are often composed of smaller components that are assembled on an as-needed basis. In this paper, we propose a framework to measure and semi-automatically track quality delivered by a Virtualized service delivery system. The framework provides a mechanism to relate hard metrics typically measured at the backstage of the delivery process to quality related hard and soft metrics tracked at the front stage where the consumer interacts with the service. This allows administrators responsible for the functioning of a service to monitor its quality based on the measurements typically already done for the component services. The framework is general enough to be applied to any type of IT service. In the paper, we primarily concentrate on the Helpdesk service. We include the performance rules we have created by mining Helpdesk data.
Managing radiation exposure in children—reexamining the role of ultrasound in the diagnosis of appendicitis

Abstract Purpose To assess the efficacy and accuracy of ultrasonography (US) and selective computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in children. Methods A retrospective review of all ultrasound evaluations for appendicitis from July 1, 2003, to June 30, 2010, was conducted at two urban pediatric centers. Beginning in 2003, a multi-disciplinary diagnostic protocol was implemented to reduce radiation exposure employing US as the initial imaging modality followed by CT for non-diagnostic US studies in patients with an equivocal clinical presentation. The imaging, operative findings, and pathology of 802 patients (365 females, 437 males, age less than 18years) with suspected appendicitis were reviewed. The sensitivity, specificity, predictive value, and negative appendectomy rate of the protocol were analyzed. A telephone survey was conducted of patients discharged without a diagnosis of appendicitis to evaluate the missed appendicitis rate. Results Of the 601 pediatric appendectomies performed, a total of 275 (46%) were diagnosed by protocol. The selective protocol had a sensitivity of 94.2%, specificity of 97.5%, positive predictive value of 95.2%, and negative predictive value of 97.0%. The negative appendectomy rate was 1.82%, and the missed appendicitis rate was 0%. No patient discharged after only ultrasound evaluation without undergoing surgery reported missed appendicitis on the survey (41.7% response rate). Protocol use increased from 6.7% to 88.3%. US was the sole imaging modality in 630 of all 802 patients (78.6%). Conclusions US followed by selective CT for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis is useful and accurate. This has important implications in the reduction of childhood radiation exposure.
Vector Model of the Weak Interactions

We search for a renormalizable gauge theory incorporating our modified weak current. The right-handed quarks participate to give a natural explanation for the nonleptonic $\ensuremath{\Delta}I=\frac{1}{2}$ rule. We argue that extra quarks and/or extra leptons are necessary. We focus on a vector-like model involving six different quark "flavors," each in a color triplet: 18 quarks all told. The model also involves a third charged lepton and several massive neutral leptons. We compare the predictions of our model with the conventional (12 quarks) model. Present experimental data are insufficient to discriminate between the two models. We give detailed analyses and predictions concerning charged-current and neutral-current phenomena, including inclusive scattering, scattering of neutrinos by electrons, single-pion production, and neutrino or antineutrino elastic scattering on protons.
The mechanics of first order splay faulting: The strike-slip case

Abstract First order splay faults, as defined here, are secondary faults that form at acute angles symmetrically on either side of a primary fault of the same sense of shear. We show that these faults form when the primary fault becomes critically misaligned with the principal stresses such that splay fault formation, on the optimum plane for faulting, is favored. First order splay faults, in distinction from other splay faults, are secondary only in the temporal sense – they are subsequent but not subordinate, in a tectonic sense, to the primary fault. Here we analyze the case of strike-slip faults, and compare it with data for several continental transform fault systems, where we show that the splay faults form in the most favorable direction: parallel to the plate motion vector. We also discuss and speculate on several outstanding problems with regard to first order splay faults: the placement of them in space, means by which primary faults become misoriented in the stress field, and the mechanics of first order splay fault-primary fault junctions, once formed.
Construction of handwriting databases using transcript-based mapping

A recognition-based system was developed for constructing handwriting databases. The system automatically recognizes the word and the character images in handwritten document images by applying a transcript mapping algorithm. The transcript-mapping process is modeled as an optimization problem involving multiple word-segmentation hypotheses, word recognition and word alignment. The extensive experiments show that a large number of character and word images can be automatically extracted with very high reliability.
JRCA: A joint routing and channel assignment scheme for wireless mesh networks

In this paper we consider the joint channel assignment and routing problem in multi-radio multi-gateway wireless mesh networks for improving the quality of communications in the network. This channel assignment problem is proven to be an NP-complete problem. We present a novel backtracking and genetic algorithm based channel assignment and quality aware route selection scheme to maximize the overall performance of communications while reducing the computational complexity. We perform extensive simulation studies that show that our proposed channel assignment and route selection scheme performs significantly better than single channel and random channel selection based schemes.
End-Plate Acetylcholine Receptor: Structure, Mechanism, Pharmacology, and Disease

The synapse is a localized neurohumoral contact between a neuron and an effector cell and may be considered the quantum of fast intercellular communication. Analogously, the postsynaptic neurotrans...
Analysis of Boundary Control for Buck Converters With Instantaneous Constant-Power Loads

This paper examines a boundary control for dc-dc buck converters subject to instantaneous constant-power loads. These loads introduce a destabilizing nonlinear effect on the converter through an inverse voltage term that leads to significant oscillations in the main bus voltage or its collapse. Converter dynamics are analyzed in both switching states and the various operating regions of switch interaction with a first-order switching surface (boundary) are identified. Furthermore, sufficient conditions for large-signal stability of the closed-loop system are established. The analysis indicates that a linear switching surface with a negative slope passing through the desired operation point yields a stable operation. It is also shown that instability as well as system-stalling, which we term the invariant-set problem, may still occur in reflective mode. However, a hysteresis band that contains the designed boundary may be used to prevent system-stalling. This hysteresis band also allows for a practical implementation of the controller by avoiding chattering. Design considerations are included and recommendations are given. The theoretical analysis is verified by simulations and experimental results.
A PERTURBATION SOLUTION OF THE NONLINEAR BOUSSINESQ EQUATION: THE CASE OF CONSTANT INJECTION INTO A RADIAL AQUIFER

Babu, D.K. and Van Genuchten, M.Th., 1980. A perturbation solution of the nonlinear Boussinesq equation: the case of constant injection into a radial aquifer. J. Hydrol., 48: 269--280. A generalized version of the Boussinesq equation is solved, using a singular perturbation technique. Flow takes place in radial directions into an initially-dry homogeneous isotropic soil under the assumption of a constant injection rate at the origin. Explicit formulae are derived for the location of the advancing wetting front and the free surface height (or pressure head). Analytical results are compared graphically with a numerical finite-element solution. Excellent agreement is obtained between the results of the two methods.
Psychosomatic relationships in ulceromembranous stomatitis

1. During a three and one-half year period, ulceromembranous stomatitis was the most frequent remediable physical disease occuring among new admissions in the female division of the Creedmoor State Hospital. The incident rate was 6.5 per cent. 2. Psychosomatic relationships of this disease both before and after treatment have been discussed. 3. The usual methods of treatment were found to be varied, time-consuming and frequently ineffective. 4. Mapharsen applied in the manner outlined was the most convenient, economical and effective remedy used. No somatic injury was noted in patients under this treatment. 5. A routine method, applicable to institutions, for the detection and treatment of this disease has been described.
Findings and Implications of the NASSP National Study of Leadership in Middle Level Schools, Volumes I and II: Teachers in Middle Level Schools

This article examines and compares teachers in a national sample of middle level schools to those in a selected group of highly successful middle level schools. The context within which they work, ...
Motion planning for active acceleration compensation

The goal of this research is to enhance the capabilities of transport vehicles so that they can carry delicate objects of various shapes and sizes without requiring extensive packaging to protect them. This will be achieved, as first proposed by Graf and Dillmann (1997), by mounting a robotic device on top of the vehicle whose motion compensates for any forces or torques that act on the objects as a result of the vehicle's motion, including disturbances caused by uneven terrain. This approach is called "active acceleration compensation". Several different approaches for the motion planning are implemented and compared. One degree-of-freedom motion planning algorithms include: (1) an algorithm based on optimal control theory; (2) an algorithm based on global optimization schemes; and (3) a more flexible local optimization scheme based on feedback algorithms (FMPA). Finally, a three degrees-of-freedom motion planning algorithm, based on a combination of FMPA and a so called pendulum algorithm, is presented. Simulation, results show that active acceleration compensation using these methods has the potential to significantly improve the performance of the system, as compared to (a) using no actuation at all; or (b) using the classic wash-out filter for motion planning.
A two-step DDEM ADC for accurate and cost-effective DAC testing

This paper presents a scheme for testing DAC static nonlinearity errors by using a two-step flash ADC with deterministic dynamic element matching (DDEM). In this work, the structure of the two-step ADC, the switching strategy of DDEM, and the DAC test algorithm are discussed. The performance of the proposed approach is validated by using numerical simulation. Simulation results show that a low accuracy two-step ADC with an 8-bit coarse stage and a 6-bit fine stage is capable of testing a 14-bit DAC to 1-LSB accuracy by using the proposed DDEM strategy. This test approach has potential for built-in self-test (BIST) of precision DAC because of the low requirement on ADC performance and the simple element matching strategy.