cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sharing random bits with no process coordination

The authors present a method by which any polynomial-time randomized distributed algorithm is transformed in such way that each participating process needs only polylog local random bits and access to a server providing random strings. The method assumes no coordination among the processes. The error probability increases by only an additive negligible term, and the time complexity of each process increases by at most a polylog factor. The main contribution of the paper is in reducing the length of the local random string from (roughly) quadratic (as reported by Zimand (1997) to (roughly) linear in the logarithm of the length of the input.
Precision in dielectric measurements

In this paper we shall survey measurements of dielectric properties of materials with respect to precision. We shall consider both optimum and extreme conditions, and try to indicate the source and magnitude of errors. To better acquaint conferees (and readers) with the National Bureau of Standards, we shall choose a disproportionate share of the examples from work done or in progress at NBS.
Mg2+-dependent translational speed bump acts to regulate gene transcription.

The central dogma of molecular biology states that DNA is transcribed (by RNA polymerase) to messenger RNA that is then translated (by ribosomes) into protein (1). The regulation of gene expression can occur at any level: transcription, mRNA stability, translation that includes mRNA folding to reveal or occlude translation initiation sites, and protein modification and stability. In eukaryotes, the processes of transcription and translation are carried out in the cell nucleus and cytoplasm, respectively. In bacteria, which lack a nucleus, the processes of transcription and translation are coupled. This provides an evolutionary target that is unique to bacteria for controlling gene expression. Many gene regulatory mechanisms in bacteria use transcription–translation coupling to affect whether transcription elongation through specific single or multigene operons continues or terminates in response to changing concentrations of the metabolic product associated with a given operon. In bacteria, termination of transcription occurs when RNA polymerase is preceded by a stretch of RNA that is not being translated, which occurs in the 3′-untranslated RNA following the final translation termination codon of a given operon. Transcription termination in bacteria occurs by one of two mechanisms that is either dependent on the Rho transcriptional terminal factor or by the Rho-independent mechanism that involves the formation of a folded stem-loop structure in the RNA followed by a poly-U sequence (2⇓–4). Rho protein recognizes untranslated RNA that is rich in cytosine base residues (5). Suppression of transcription termination in gene regulation was first characterized as a mechanism to control the timing of gene expression during the infection growth cycle of bacteriophage λ in Escherichia coli (6). Here, antiterminator proteins, such as the λ N protein, must be transcribed, translated, and reach sufficient levels to bind termination sequences to prevent termination and allow transcription to continue into downstream genes … [↵][1]1Email: hughes{at}biology.utah.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Active planning based extrinsic calibration of exteroceptive sensors in unknown environments

Existing Simultaneous Localization and Mapping systems require an extensive manual pre-calibration process. Non-manual calibration procedures use manipulators to create known patterns in order to estimate the unknown calibration. Calibration is often time-consuming and involves humans performing repetitive tasks such as aligning a known calibration target at different poses with respect to the sensor. We propose an algorithm that plans a trajectory which actively reduces the uncertainty of the robot's calibration given a rough initial calibration estimate. Calibration is performed autonomously in a previously unknown environment by maintaining the belief over landmarks, poses, and the calibration parameters. We present experimental results to demonstrate the approach's ability to autonomously calibrate the exteroceptive sensor in simulated and real environments. We show that even a greedy approach can reduce the effort needed to perform calibration every time the robot is reconfigured for autonomous tasks and mitigates the possibility of human error added into the calibration.
Multiple Antenna System Equalization Using Semi-Blind Subspace Identification Methods

Abstract In this paper, we investigate the application of the subspace system identification (SSI) method (e.g. N4SID) to the MIMO frequency-selective fading channel estimation problem. The FIR constraint on the MIMO channel model is suggested to be relieved to draw benefit from possible parsimonious parametrization of the MIMO channel when subchannels become correlated. Also, the criterion for training sequence selection for SSI-based MIMO channel estimation is analyzed. Considering that the formalism of optimal input design is inappropriate for training sequence solution, we suggest still to use the conventional white and spatially uncorrelated sequences for SSI-based (non-FIR) MIMO channel estimation, even if they might be suboptimal. A modification of the SSI methods and a semi-blind approach are proposed to address the issue that only non-contiguous block-wise training sequences are available in practical mobile communication systems.
Sensing and control interface for precise gap control

Abstract A one degree-of-freedom precision position control system using an electrostatically actuated and capacitively sensed beam is reported. The beam is allowed to rock on a 10 µm high fulcrum which is fabricated from SU-8 deposited onto a glass substrate. The fulcrum establishes the nominal working gap between the beam and two electrodes located on the substrate. The differential capacitance formed by the beam and electrodes is sensed, however, the electrodes are also simultaneously used for applying controlled electrostatic forces to the beam. The system is unstable so feedback control is necessary to establish a desired stable gap but only after an appropriate feedforward filter that compensates for the forcer-to-pick-off coupling is implemented. The RMS displacement noise from DC to 100 Hz is 7 nm, and the gap can be regulated from DC to 600 Hz.
Classifying forest inventory data into species-based forest community types at broad extents: exploring tradeoffs among supervised and unsupervised approaches

Knowledge of the different kinds of tree communities that currently exist can provide a baseline for assessing the ecological attributes of forests and monitoring future changes. Forest inventory data can facilitate the development of this baseline knowledge across broad extents, but they first must be classified into forest community types. Here, we compared three alternative classifications across the United States using data from over 117,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) plots. Each plot had three forest community type labels: (1) “FIA” types were assigned by the FIA program using a supervised method; (2) “USNVC” types were assigned via a key based on the U.S. National Vegetation Classification; (3) “empirical” types resulted from unsupervised clustering of tree species information. We assessed the degree to which analog classes occurred among classifications, compared indicator species values, and used random forest models to determine how well the classifications could be predicted using environmental variables. The classifications generated groups of classes that had broadly similar distributions, but often there was no one-to-one analog across the classifications. The longleaf pine forest community type stood out as the exception: it was the only class with strong analogs across all classifications. Analogs were most lacking for forest community types with species that occurred across a range of geographic and environmental conditions, such as loblolly pine types. Indicator species metrics were generally high for the USNVC, suggesting that USNVC classes are floristically well-defined. The empirical classification was best predicted by environmental variables. The most important predictors differed slightly but were broadly similar across all classifications, and included slope, amount of forest in the surrounding landscape, average minimum temperature, and other climate variables. The classifications have similarities and differences that reflect their differing approaches and objectives. They are most consistent for forest community types that occur in a relatively narrow range of environmental conditions, and differ most for types with wide-ranging tree species. Environmental variables at a variety of scales were important for predicting all classifications, though strongest for the empirical and FIA, suggesting that each is useful for studying how forest communities respond to of multi-scale environmental processes, including global change drivers.
Online quality inspection using Bayesian classification in powder-bed additive manufacturing from high-resolution visual camera images

Despite their advances and numerous benefits, metal powder-bed additive manufacturing (AM) processes still suffer from the high chances of defect formation and a need for improved quality. This work develops an online monitoring system for quality of fusion and defect formation in every layer of the laser powder-bed fusion process using computer vision and Bayesian inference. An imaging setup is developed that for the first time allows capturing in-situ (during the build) images from every layer that visualize detailed layer defects and porosity. A database of camera images from every layer of AM parts made with various part quality was created that is the first visual labeled dataset from in-situ visual images of the powder-bed AM (also visualizing detailed layer features). The dataset is used in training-based classification to detect layers or sub-regions of the layer with low quality of fusion or defects. Features are carefully selected based on physical intuition into the process and extracted from the images of the various types of builds. A Bayesian classifier is developed and trained to classify the quality of the build that signifies the defective and unacceptable build layers or regions. The results can be used for quasi-real-time (layer-wise) process control, further process decisions, or corrective actions.
Multiple view image denoising using 3D focus image stacks

Abstract In this paper, we introduce a novel multi-view image denoising algorithm using 3D focus image stacks (3DFIS) to exploit image redundancy within and across views. Robust disparity map is first estimated using the 3DFIS with texture-based view selection and patch-size variation scheme. Leveraging both 3DFIS and the estimated disparity map, the proposed algorithm effectively denoises the target view from multiple views through a low rank minimization approach that incorporates robust similarity metrics and occlusion handling techniques. The paper combs through a number of existing image denoising methods, including the preliminary results in our earlier research efforts, and then details the ways, means and merits of our proposed algorithm. With extensive experiments, we conclude that this novel algorithm is superior over various existing state-of-the-art approaches in terms of both visual and quantitative performance.
Research note: Networks for sorting multitonic sequences

Lee and Batcher have designed networks that efficiently merge k separately provided sorted sequences of known lengths totalling n. We show that the design is still possible, and in fact easier to describe, if we do not make use of the lengths, or even the directions of monotonicity, of the individual sequences-the sequences can be provided in a single undelimited concatenation of length n. The depth of the simplest resulting network to sort sequences that are ''k-tonic'' and of length n is (1+@?log"2k@?)@?log"2n@?=O((logk)(logn)), generalizing Batcher's 1968 results for the extreme values of k (k=2 corresponding to merging, and k=@?n/2@? corresponding to general sorting). The exposition is self-contained and can serve even as an introduction to sorting networks and Batcher's results.
Dermatoglyphic Pattern Configurations

Numerous investigators have proposed rules, principles, and definitions that allow reliable analyses of dermatoglyphics. The earlier proposals have been reviewed by Cummins and Midlo (1961). Their monograph served as the most comprehensive guide to dermatoglyphic analysis for more than three decades.1 When a relationship was reported between unusual dermatoglyphic features and certain chromosomal abnormalities, interest in dermatoglyphic analysis increased rapidly. The widespread interest in this field and a need for a standardized dermatoglyphic terminology stimulated an international symposium. As a result, a “Memorandum on Dermatoglyphic Nomenclature” was published (Penrose, 1968). The memorandum listed and defined dermatoglyphic features, outlined accepted methods of dermatoglyphic analysis, and provided a nomenclature that was intended to serve as a universal standard. The more subtle aspects of dermatoglyphics, which were previously dealt with in detail by Cummins and Midlo (1961) were not included in the memorandum.
Bedside contrast-enhanced ultrasound diagnosing cessation of cerebral circulation in a neonate: A novel bedside diagnostic tool:

Imaging diagnosis of brain death is performed with either four-vessel cerebral angiography or radionuclide cerebral blood flow studies. Unfortunately, timely performance of either study at a critically ill period is not only cumbersome but not feasible in many cases. We present a case of a 6-month-old male three hours status post-cardiac arrest of unknown etiology who underwent contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for diagnosis of near absent perfusion, or near brain death. The patient passed away 30 minutes after the exam and clinical diagnosis of brain death was confirmed. The case report highlights the utility of CEUS for diagnosis of brain death. This can have significant clinical implications in neonates who may not be eligible for commonly used, cumbersome radiologic studies for diagnosis of brain death.
Pain Wars: A New Hope.

Nociceptin opioid peptide receptor agonists interact with mu-opioid receptor agonists for pain relief. A new study by Ding et al. (2018) examines a bifunctional nociceptin- and mu-opioid receptor agonist, AT-121, that provides analgesia without physiological side effects or abuse liability, offering a promising new hope toward better analgesics.
Looking back while moving forward: a justice-based, intersectional approach to research on contraception and disability.

Abstract For the first time in the 21st century, we have an emerging body of research regarding contraceptive use among adult women with disabilities in the United States. We highlight key findings from population-based analyses that found higher odds of female sterilization and lower odds of long-acting reversible contraception use among women with disabilities compared to their peers without disabilities. We consider potential reasons underlying these differences, including discriminatory attitudes and policies that restrict the sexual and reproductive autonomy of people with disabilities. We advocate for a justice-based, intersectional approach to research on contraception and disability with the aim of promoting the reproductive autonomy of people with disabilities.
No Rock Is Accidental! Stratigraphy, Structure, and Tectonics in the Wilson Cycle

Abstract In this upper level exercise, students analyzed and interpreted a suite of rock specimens collected from a variety of tectonic terranes in the Piedmont, Blue Ridge, and Valley and Ridge provinces of western Virginia and eastern West Virginia. Many of the locations were eventually visited during five field trips that comprised the “Integrating Structural and Stratigraphic Field Data” exercise (Whitmeyer and Fichter, this volume). Students worked in groups to observe, describe, and identify key sedimentary, metamorphic, and/or igneous features of each specimen. This extended into applying a variety of theoretical models (e.g., P/T, flow regime, stress/strain, geochemical, etc.) to determine the environmental conditions under which each rock formed. With some specimens, this involved multiple and distinctive historical/evolutionary stages; for example, a plutonic charnockite, that is now a protomylonite, with an overprint of greenschist facies. After collectively reviewing their interpretations, students determined the ideal environmental regime—whether it was igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic—for each specimen on a set of tectonic diagrams illustrating the sequential stages in a Wilson Cycle ( Wilson, 1966 ). Accepting the dictum that “no rock is accidental”—that all rocks must form in specific places for specific reasons—this exercise gave students a heuristic model for solving in the field and lab problems of local and regional tectonic evolution in the Mid-Atlantic Appalachian orogenic cycles.
Root nitrification capacity of lettuce plants with application to aquaponics

Abstract Aquaculture and hydroponics have experienced significant growth and market presence in recent years. While aquaponics, the combination of fish and plant culture systems, is beginning to experience the same exponential growth and interest that hydroponics did many years ago, very little information is available on sizing and design of these systems. Incorporation of hydroponic plants with recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) aids in removal of ammonia/ammonium based wastes, thus reducing the need for water discharge to control water quality. Surface only nitrification rates were quantified to be 0.83g/m2/day for inert surfaces and 0.20/m2/day for root surfaces. Direct assimilation of ammonia by the lettuce plants was less than 2% of the total ammonia and ammonium nitrogen (TAN) removed from the culture water, with the remainder being removal by oxidation of TAN into nitrate.
Towards an Adaptive Treecode for N -body Problems

N-body problems are notoriously expensive to compute. For N bodies, evaluating a sum directly scales like $${\mathcal {O}}(N^2)$$. A treecode approximation to the N-body problem is highly desirable because for a given level of accuracy, the computation scales instead like $${\mathcal {O}}(N\log {N})$$. A main component of the treecode approximation, is computing the Taylor coefficients and moments of a cluster–particle approximation. For the two-parameter family of regularized kernels previously introduced (Ong et al. in J Sci Comput 71(3):1212–1237, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10915-016-0336-0), computing the Taylor coefficients directly is algebraically messy and undesirable. This work derives a recurrence relationship and provides an algorithm for computing the Taylor coefficients of two-parameter family of regularized kernels. The treecode is implemented in Cartesian coordinates, and numerical results verify that the recurrence relationship facilitates computation of $$G^{\epsilon ,n}({\mathbf {x}})$$ and its derivatives.
Paleoethnobotanical identification criteria for bulbs of the North American Northwest

Paleoethnobotanical assemblages from the Northwestern region of North America often yield geophyte subterranean organs, but these carbonized remains are difficult to identify to species or genus level. We examine 11 species (8 genera) of the most ethnographically prevalent Northwest geophyte foods for macro- and micro-morphologic geophyte features, with a focus on bulbs from the Asparagales and Liliales orders. In this contribution, we discuss ethnographic practices which may affect archaeological material and provide digital photographic and quantitative references for both fresh and carbonized geophytes. We determine that pavement epidermal cells are the most diagnostic criteria for identifying bulbs in paleoethnobotanical assemblages. These identification standards provide researchers with comparative material to address questions of plant use, preparation, and stewardship across the greater Northwest Coast and Columbia-Fraser Plateau cultural and geographic regions.
Traumatisme postrévolutionnaire et romans autobiographiques : La deuxième génération d’exilées iraniennes en France

The Islamic revolution of 1979 and its developments have been the major reasons for the mass migration of Iranian intellectuals to the West and the main topic of the Iranian diaspora’s literary tex...
Gaseous transmitter regulation of hypoxia-evoked catecholamine secretion from murine adrenal chromaffin cells.

Catecholamine secretion from adrenal chromaffin cells is an important physiological mechanism for maintaining homeostasis during hypoxia. Here, we delineate carbon monoxide (CO)-sensitive hydrogen ...
Substance, Satire, and Style: The Language of Reform

Ben Jonson (1572–1637) delighted in skewering the reformed language of Hugh Broughton (1549–1612), a choleric biblical scholar and one of the best Hebraists in early modern England. Broughton produ...
Vitis shizishanensis, a new species of the grape genus from Hubei province, China

Vitisshizishanensis (Vitaceae), a new species from Hubei, China, is described and illustrated. It is morphologically similar to V.flexuosa and V.bryoniifolia, but differs in leaf lobing and pubescence. It can be easily distinguished from the two species based on its glabrous or with very sparse arachnoid tomentum on the abaxial mature leaf surface, and its unlobed to 3-7 lobed leaves. A detailed description, along with photographs for the new species, and a table for morphological comparisons with similar Vitis species, are also provided.
Donor-site morbidity with use of vascularized autogenous fibular grafts

One hundred and ninety-eight consecutive patients (247 vascularized fibular grafts) were studied to determine the prevalence of morbidity at the donor site after the grafts had been obtained. Objective motor weakness, subjective discomfort in the ankle and other sites in the leg, and sensory abnormalities in the lower limb (or limbs) from which the graft had been obtained were recorded. The average duration of follow-up was forty-seven months (range, twenty-four to 144 months). Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to estimate the prevalence of each finding for the entire cohort over time. Forty-seven (19.0 per cent) of the 247 lower limbs had at least one of the findings, and eighteen(24.3 percent) of the seventy-four limbs for which data were available at five years or more had findings at that time. Twenty-five (10.1 per cent) of the 247 limbs had evidence of motor weakness at three months postoperatively, although no limb had this finding subsequently. At five years or more postoperatively, the prevalence had decreased to two (2.7 per cent) of the seventy-four limbs. Twelve (4.9 per cent) of the 247 limbs had sensory deficits at three months; this increased to 11.8 per cent (95 per cent confidence interval, 7.7 to 17.7 per cent), according to the Kaplan-Meier analysis, at five years. Pain at sites other than the ankle was noted in nine (3.6 per cent) of the 247 limbs at three months and in 8.9 per cent (95 per cent confidence interval, 5.5 to 14.1 per cent), according to the Kaplan-Meier analysis, at five years. The prevalence of pain in the ankle also increased with time, from four (1.6 per cent) of the 247 limbs at three months to 11.5 per cent (95 per cent confidence interval, 7.4 to 17.6 per cent), according to the Kaplan-Meier analysis, at five years. Removal of a vascularized portion of the fibula is associated with a low prevalence of motor weakness and sensory deficits in the foot. The prevalence of pain in the ankle and lower limb increases with time, with some patients having a late onset of the symptoms. While free vascularized fibular grafts remain ideal for many applications, the morbidity must be weighed against the benefits.
Phosphorescence of Pyridoxal

Abstract The effect of pH on the relative distribution of pyridoxal structures in aqueous solution was examined by fluorescence spectroscopy. The hemiacetal structure, which is the predominant species at neutral pH, exhibits a symmetrical emission band at 378 mµ and is characterized by a quantum yield of 0.08. Luminescence studies at low temperature (77° K) have permitted the analysis of the phosphorescence properties of pyridoxal. The long lived emission of pyridoxal (phosphorescence lifetime, 1.1 sec) originates in a triplet state (π → π* transition) and shows a structureless phosphorescence band (λmax at 420 mµ). An energy level diagram for pyridoxal is proposed, and the possible role of pyridoxal as a sensitizer in photobiological processes is discussed.
Forecasting Earthquakes with the Virtual Quake Simulator: Regional and Fault-Partitioned Catalogs

We introduce a framework for forecasting earthquakes using Virtual Quake (VQ), the generalized successor to the perhaps better known Virtual California earthquake simulator. We briefly introduce the VQ simulator, including its availability to research organizations and statistics relevant to earthquake forecasting applications. We discuss contemporary, regional type, forecasts and also show that forecasts can be significantly improved by partitioning catalogs along fault sections.
A Case of Primary Meningeal Melanoma (P7.255)

OBJECTIVE: To present a case report of a Primary Meningeal Melanoma coming with first episode of seizure. BACKGROUND: Primary Central Nervous System Melanoma, especially meningeal melanoma is a rare neoplasm. Since, the first case described by Virchow in 1859, very few histologically proven cases have been reported. DESIGN/METHODS: This is a case study RESULTS: A 65 year old male presented with right handed weakness while showering, followed by brief unresponsiveness. Symptoms resolved but he was found confused and agitated at the time of admission. Medical history included hypertension, hyperlipidemia, asthma, nasal polyps, chronic otitis media. Examination revealed abrasion marks over face but no focal cranial nerve deficit, no focal sensory deficit, chronic left foot drop and normal reflexes. CT head was suspicious for subarachnoid hemorrhage in the precentral gyrus. MRI reflected abnormal leptomeningeal enhancement of left parietal, left frontal and right frontal lobes. Specially, the left central sulcus signal within the left primary sensory and motor cortices was most conspicuous. EEG was suggestive of mild encephalopathy without epileptiform discharges. Spinal fluid analysis showed occasional atypical mononuclear cells, normal protein and glucose, negative EBV, HSV, Syphilis, Mycoplasma, Toxoplasma and Cryptococcus. Work up for HIV, Sarcoidosis and Lyme was negative. Chest CT did show an inflammatory lung mass, confirmed by repeated FNAC. Immunocytochemistry analysis of CSF cells had patchy staining with melanoma cocktail. Brain biopsy sections revealed a nested melanocytic neoplasm (melanoma cocktail positive) with extension into perivascular spaces in the brain. Pathological finding was consistent with a diagnosis of primary meningeal melanoma. No other primary source was found. CONCLUSIONS: Primary meningeal melanoma is a neoplasm of leptomeningeal melanocytes embryonically originating from the neural crest. Initial presentation can vary from nerve palsies, focal weakness, seizure and personality changes. This patient presented with seizure and abnormal brain imaging. Diagnosis was established on the basis of CSF analysis, brain biopsy and immunohistological studies. Study Supported by: Disclosure: Dr. Roy has nothing to disclose. Dr. Al Zahmi has nothing to disclose. Dr. Danialan has nothing to disclose. Dr. Mandavilli has nothing to disclose.
Routine Indomethacin Prophylaxis: Has the Time Come?

Periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) remains a significant cause of long-term morbidity among premature infants1. Clinical trials2-4 have shown that prophylactic indomethacin is associated with a decreased incidence of IVH, including the severe form. In this issue of Pediatrics, Ment et al5 report on the long-term outcome of children who received indomethacin prophylaxis for IVH. Incidence of cerebral palsy (8%) was similar between the indomethacin-and placebo-treated groups; mean IQ scores determined from the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale (Form L-M, 1972) did not differ. IQ scores were significantly related to IVH, birth weight, and maternal education; ie, lower IQ scores with IVH and higher scores with higher birth weight and years of education.
Feedback Control of Frictional Dynamics

Using Lyapunov theory based methods, we analyze the local stability of an array of mechanically coupled particles whose frictional dynamics is described by the Frenkel-Kontorova model, and design feedback controls to precisely control the friction. We first establish the asymptotic stability of the system around the equilibrium positions of the particles. We then show how to construct efficient feedback control laws to achieve any predestined average velocity of the particle array, with no fluctuation, and irrespective of the detailed nature of the inter-particle coupling. These rigorous results are supported in extensive numerical simulations, and are expected to be applicable to other related physical systems as well.
Interpretation of standard distortion product otoacoustic emission measurements in light of the complete parametric response

Emission characteristics (at 2 f1–f2) are measured in Mongolian gerbil as a function of the independent variation of all four stimulus parameters, the frequencies (f1 and f2) and the intensities (L1 and L2) of the two stimulus tones. The main five-dimensional display chosen is a logarithmic grid of frequencies, where for each frequency pair there is a contour map of the emission amplitude as a function of the two stimulus levels. The feature which leads to the greatest complexity in the proper interpretation of emission responses is the widespread presence of “notches” in these contour maps. Notches are lines of relative minima in the emission amplitude, and are found at either: (1) constant L1, but only in regions where L1>L2; or (2) at constant L2, only where L2⩾L1. Notches are not found at any other orientations, and are associated with emission phase shifts of about 180° as the notch line is traversed. These notch characteristics are explained by phase cancellation in a simple cochlear amplifier model...
Effects of Colchicine on Ultrastructure of the Lactating Mammary Cell: Membrane Involvement and Stress on the Golgi Apparatus*

The effects of colchicine on ultrastructure of the lactating mammary cell in the rat and goat were studied by electron microscopy. Changes in tissue of the rat were examined over time (1, 2 and 4 h). The goat gland was evaluated by comparing ultrastructure of tissue at the time of maximum milk flow suppression induced by the drug with that of untreated tissue. Colchicine produced notable changes in the tissue of both species: 1) the secretion of lipid droplets and Golgi vesicle contents (exocytosis) was inhibited and the droplets and vesicles became randomly distributed throughout the cell, 2) the Golgi apparatus was significantly reduced in size, 3) casein and lipid continued to be synthesized as evidenced by greater numbers of secretory vesicles and increased sizes of casein micelles and lipid droplets, 4) secretory vesicles showed a propensity to cluster around lipid droplets, 5) isolated microtubules were found occasionally in the control tissue, ordinarily in the vicinity of the Golgi apparatus, but rarely in the colchicine-treated tissue. These observations indicate that colchicine has two effects leading to suppression of exocytosis in the mammary cell: one involves early interference with capacity of secretory vesicle membranes to fuse and a further effect, related to higher concentrations of colchicine, causes intracellular disorganization and loss of polarity. Microtubules were not seen as directly involved in the mechanisms of exocytosis. The secretion of milk fat globules is coupled to exocytosis and thereby is also inhibited by colchicine.
Microstructural evolution during fatigue of ultrafine grained aluminum alloy

A comparative study of the surface microstructural changes during fatigue of a precipitation hardened (PH) aluminum alloy in ultrafine grained (UFG) and microcrystalline conditions was done using orientation imaging microscopy (OIM). With increase in applied stress amplitude, the fatigue life of fine grained PH alloy deteriorated. On the other hand, at lower stress amplitudes an improvement in fatigue life was noted. This trend was reversed for the coarse grained PH alloy. In UFG alloy, the fatigue life improved at all stress amplitudes. The variation in fatigue life response between coarse, fine and ultrafine grain PH alloy was due to the increased interaction between low angle and high angle boundaries with grain size decrease. Both, conservative and non-conservative dislocation movement during fatigue controls this process. In UFG alloy, additional interaction with the dispersed second phase causes an overall improvement in fatigue life. A direct evidence of room temperature recrystallization during fatigue in UFG alloy was also observed.
Urban environmental imprints after globalization

While cities continue to cast a large environmental imprint on their regionally proximate environments, they are also exerting a stronger influence on the natural systems of more remote locations because of their growing interconnectedness and interdependence with other cities—in a word, globalization. This paper reviews some of the characteristic features of globalization and its environmental impacts. It also discusses possible responses to these developments and focuses in particular on the critical role that urban infrastructure systems can play. The paper concludes with a discussion of how one might conduct analyses supporting the management of changes in urban infrastructure systems to lighten urban environmental imprints.
Anchor Bolt Steel Strength in Annular Stand-Off Base Plate Connections

Anchor bolts in annular stand-off base plates connecting cantilever sign and signal structures to concrete foundations may experience high shear from base plate torsion and direct shear forces. A three-phase experimental study evaluated the steel shear strength of anchor bolts in grouted and ungrouted annular stand-off base plate connections to concrete. Phase 1 included flush-mounted and ungrouted stand-off base plates with 5/8- and 1-in.-diameter bolts loaded in direct shear. Phase 2 employed a novel torsion test approach on 10 circular groups of six 5/8-in.-diameter bolts installed in flush-mounted, ungrouted stand-off, and grouted stand-off base plates, along with three ungrouted groups of three 1-in.-diameter bolts. Phase 3 comprised one ungrouted and three grouted full-scale annular base plate tests of six 1.25-in.-diameter bolts under predominantly torsion loading. Results from this study suggest that AASHTO's provisions allowing bolt bending stresses to be ignored for anchor bolts with an exposed ...
Ratio of cuff width/arm circumference as a determinant of arterial blood pressure measurements in adults

Recommendations state that the optimum ratio of blood pressure cuff width/arm circumference (CW/AC) is about 0.4. In this study of middle-aged men (n = 940) and women (n = 1484), we analysed the effect of CW/AC on blood pressure measurement variability and its interaction with age, body mass index (BMI), pulse rate and room temperature. In univariate polynomial regression, the variability (R2) in blood pressure that was explained by CW/AC was greater for women (systolic 6.3% and diastolic 5.7%) than for men (2.0% and 0.5%). In multivariate analysis the maximum variability explained independently by CW/AC was 2.7% for male and 6.7% for female systolic blood pressure, and 1.1% and 6.0% for male and female diastolic blood pressure, respectively. For systolic blood pressure this represented 10.4% of the explained variability in men and 9.3% of that in women. CW/AC is an important independent contributor to inter-individual variation in blood pressure measurement. It should therefore be taken into consideration in epidemiological studies and when medical care is being planned.
The ISG15 Conjugation System Broadly Targets Newly Synthesized Proteins: Implications for the Antiviral Function of ISG15

ISG15 is an interferon-induced and antiviral ubiquitin-like protein (Ubl). Herc5, the major E3 enzyme for ISG15, mediates the ISGylation of more than 300 proteins in interferon-stimulated cells. In addressing this broad substrate selectivity of Herc5, we found that: (1) the range of substrates extends even further and includes many exogenously expressed foreign proteins, (2) ISG15 conjugation is restricted to newly synthesized pools of proteins, and (3) Herc5 is physically associated with polyribosomes. These results lead to a model for ISGylation in which Herc5 broadly modifies newly synthesized proteins in a cotranslational manner. This further suggests that, in the context of an interferon-stimulated cell, newly translated viral proteins may be primary targets of ISG15. Consistent with this, we demonstrate that ISGylation of human papillomavirus (HPV) L1 capsid protein has a dominant-inhibitory effect on the infectivity of HPV16 pseudoviruses.
Bench to bedside: BRCA: From therapeutic target to therapeutic shield

Three studies examine how resistance to chemotherapy develops in cancers deficient in BRCA1 and BRCA2. The mechanism involves restoration of BRCA1 and BRCA2 activity. Shah examines the implications for the clinic, such as the potential value of continuing treatment with cisplatin and similar agents even after drug resistance develops.
Fixed-priority scheduling of variable rate tasks for an autonomous mobile robot

We present an autonomous, mobile, robotics application that requires dynamic adjustments of task execution rates to meet the demands of an unpredictable environment. The Robotic Safety Marker (RSM) system consists of one lead robot, the foreman, and a group of guided robots, called robotic safety markers (a.k.a., barrels). The application requires adjusting task periods on the foreman to achieve desired performance metrics with respect to the speed at which a system activity is completed, the accuracy of RSM placement, or the number of RSMs controlled by the foreman. A static priority scheduling solution is proposed that takes into consideration the strict deadline requirements of some of the tasks and their dynamic periods. Finally, a schedulability analysis is developed that can be executed online to accommodate the dynamic performance requirements and to distinguish between safe operating points and potentially unsafe operating points.
Kinetics of Membrane Spreading on Compliant Bio-Adhesive Substrates

The contact formation between cell membrane and a bio-adhesive substrate is driven by binding between transmembrane mobile receptors (e.g., integrin) and complementary ligand molecules on the substrate (fibronectin, collagen, etc.) This short range specific adhesion is alleviated by a phalanx of interfacial non-specific forces. In addition to cell-substrate interfacial interactions, cell adhesion can be mediated by a wide range of substrate physiochemical properties. In particular, mechanical stiffness of the substrate has been recognized as one of the major regulators for bio-adhesion. Cells in general, exhibit an apparent adhesion preference for stiffer substrates and switch from a round to spread morphology as the substrate stiffness increases. Understanding the mechano-chemical pathways mediating the interplay between the substrate properties and cell behavior could be critical for effective performance of synthetic biomaterials in tissue engineering applications. In this study, we consider the effect of substrate elasticity on the dynamics of membrane spreading and growth of focal adhesion zone. The formation and growth of the focal adhesion points during the early stage of adhesion process is a result of spontaneous spreading of membrane on the substrate. This can be considered as a non-equilibrium kinetic process which is controlled by the diffusibility of receptor molecules. In order to study the effect of substrate elasticity on the kinetics of membrane-substrate association, receptors are assumed as ideal solute particles laterally diffusing within the plane of the membrane until they are stabilized through association with their complementary ligands which are immobilized on the surface of a compliant substrate. Considering different mechanical stiffness for the substrates, the displacement and speed of spreading at the edge of adhesion zone are predicted as a function of time. Results show that decreasing the stiffness of bio-adhesive substrates reduces the rate of membrane spreading, due to a weaker thermodynamic force which drives the membrane-substrate association. This mechanism restrains the growth of focal adhesion zones on compliant substrates and can be considered as a reason for smaller spread area of the cells after stabilization of adhesion.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
ESP: A New Standard Cell Placement Package Using Simulated Evolution

ESP (Evolution-based Standard cell Placement) is a new program package designed to perform standard cell placement and includes macro-block placement capabilities. It uses the new heuristic method of simulating an evolutionary process in order to minimize the cell interconnection wire length. While achieving results comparable to or better than the popular Simulated Annealing algorithm, ESP performs its task about ten times faster.
Thermophysical properties and biodegradation behavior of green composites made from polyhydroxybutyrate and potato peel waste fermentation residue

Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) is one of most biodegradable bioplastic, but its high cost and brittleness limits its applications. In this study, low-value waste byproduct from a fermentation process of potato peel waste, called the potato peel waste fermentation residue (PPW-FR) fibers, were recovered and compounded with PHB to form biocomposites of tunable properties. The mechanical and thermal properties of pure PHB and biocomposites were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), tensile and flexural tests, and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Fiber content was shown to have a significant effect on the surface hydrophobicity and water absorption of the biocomposites. All absolute and specific mechanical properties and water absorption (by normalizing the measured parameters against the measured density (ρ)) were investigated. The biodegradability of PHB and biocomposites were evaluated in soil over 8 months. The surface morphology, chemistry and melting/crystallization behavior were monitored and characterized by microscopy, FTIR spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), respectively. The biocomposites showed poor mechanical properties but extremely higher biodegradation rate as compared with pure PHB, especially when the fiber content was >15%. The degradation rate increased with increasing fiber content and positively correlated to the water absorption showing more cracks and deeper pits. FTIR spectroscopic analysis showed that the plant polysaccharides and PHB within the biocomposite were degraded with exposure time. At 50% fiber content the biocomposites were completely degraded by 8 months. These PPW-FR based biocomposites offer new opportunities for fast degrading biomaterials in agricultural and horticultural applications.
Laser induced thermal explosion mode for selective nano-photothermolysis of cancer cells

A new mechanism is proposed for selective laser killing of abnormal cells by laser thermal explosion of single nanoparticles - "nano-bombs" - delivered to the cells. Thermal explosion of the nanoparticles is realized when the heat generates within the strongly-absorbing target more rapidly than the heat can diffuse away. On the basis of simple energy balance, it is shown that the lower level of the threshold energy density of a single laser pulse required for thermal explosion of solid gold nanospehere is about 40 mJ/cm2, which is well below the safety standard for medical lasers (100 mJ/cm2) for healthy tissue and cells. The nanoparticle's explosion energy density can be reduced further (up to 11 mJ/cm2) by using gold nanorods due to higher plasmon-resonance absorption efficiency of nanorods. Additionally, the nanorods optical resonance lies in the near-IR region, where biological tissue transmissivity is the highest. Here, the effective therapeutic effect for cancer cell killing can be achieved due to nonlinear phenomena, which accompany the thermal explosion of the nanoparticles: generation of the strong shock wave with supersonic expansion of dense vapor in the cell volume, producing sound waves and optical plasma.
Creep characteristics of alumina, nickel aluminate spinel, zirconia composites

Fine grained, three-phase ceramic composites that exhibit favorable toughness, hardness, and high room-temperature strength were evaluated for high-temperature mechanical stability. A 50vol%Al2O3–25vol%NiAl2O4–25vol%3 mol%yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (3Y–TZP) and a 33vol%Al2O3–33vol%NiAl2O4–33vol%3Y-TZP composite were compression creep tested at temperatures between 1350 and 1450 °C under constant stresses of 20–45 MPa. The three-phase microstructure effectively limited grain growth (average d0 = 1.3 μm, average df = 1.6 μm after 65% true strain). True strain rates were 10−4 to 10−6 s−1 with stress exponents n = 1.7 to 1.8 and a grain-size exponent p = 1.3. A method for compensating for grain growth is presented using stress jump tests. The apparent activation energy for high-temperature deformation for 50vol%Al2O3–25vol%NiAl2O4–25vol%3Y–TZP was found to be 373 kJ/mol-K.
Serial Immune Markers Do Not Correlate With Clinical Exacerbations in Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated With Streptococcal Infections

OBJECTIVE. Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections is hypothesized to be a poststreptococcal autoimmune disorder. If clinical exacerbations are triggered by a streptococcal infection that activates cross-reacting antibodies against neuronal tissue or alters the production of cytokines, then a longitudinal analysis would be expected to identify a correlation between clinical symptoms and a change in autoimmune markers. PATIENTS AND METHODS. Serial serum samples were available on 12 children with pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections participating in a prospective blinded study: 2 samples before an exacerbation point, 1 during the clinical exacerbation, and 2 after the exacerbation. Six subjects had a well-defined clinical exacerbation in association with a documented streptococcal infection, and 6 had a clinical exacerbation without an associated streptococcal infection. All of the serum samples were assayed for antibodies against human postmortem caudate, putamen, and prefrontal cortex; commercially prepared antigens; and complex sugars. Cytokines were measured by 2 different methodologies. RESULTS. No correlation was identified between clinical exacerbations and autoimmune markers, including: enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay measures of antineuronal antibodies; Western immunoblotting with emphasis on brain region proteins located at 40, 45, and 60 kDa or their corresponding identified antigens; competitive inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to evaluate lysoganglioside GM1 antibodies; and measures of inflammatory cytokines. No differences were identified between individuals with pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections with or without exacerbations triggered by streptococcal infections. CONCLUSIONS. The failure of immune markers to correlate with clinical exacerbations in children with pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections raises serious concerns about the viability of autoimmunity as a pathophysiological mechanism in this disorder.