cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Value analysis of Raman amplification in 40-Gbit/s optical networks using dispersion-managed fiber

We present an analytical model for performance of a transmission system in which Raman amplification is employed. We perform a network value analysis on the basis of that model and show that use of Raman amplification in 40-Gbit/s dispersion-managed systems can realize a savings in capital expenditure of ~20% compared with erbium-doped fiber amplifiers for a full network build of a large U.S. carrier.
ASSESSMENT OF THE SANITARY QUALITY OF FOOD PREPARATION SURFACES

The sanitary state of 27 tables routinely used for food preparation was measured by monitoring 10 locations per table by both the rodac plate and swab methods. The total bioburden at each location was determined by taking 5 successive rodac plates or three successive swabs. The study compared their efficiency for estimating the normal bioburden and determined the minimum number of locations required for testing to reliably characterize sanitation. The swab method appeared to recover a higher percentage of the bioburden, but microbial counts by rodac plates were higher than the swab method, probably due to a failure of the cotton fibers to release entrapped organisms. An acceptably low incidence of false positives or negatives is obtained if the maximum count of two randomly obtained rodac plates or swabs per surface does not exceed 150 CFU/25.8 cm2.
Biophysical properties of cultured human glial cells.

Summary Biophysical studies were performed on cultured human fetal brain cells identified by morphologic, cytologic and biochemical characteristics as astrocytic glia. Resting potentials were low (¯X= −7.7mV) because of the temperature during examination and because of an altered intracellular Na K ratio attributed to the culture metabolic conditions. Low resting potential appears unrelated to membrane biophysical properties and does not block the cell's ability to divide and grow although the growth rate is reduced 15 . The cells displayed no spontaneous electrical activity nor were regenerative responses seen despite large membrane potential displacements. The astrocytic membranes were non-rectifying to imposed current pulses. The glial cell's time constant averaged 311 μsec, 1/26 that of the feline Betz cell 35 but less than one standard deviation smaller than that found for in vivo feline astrocytes 56 . Membrane specific capacitance was found to be about 1 μF/sq.cm, a value common to many biological membranes. Membrane specific resistance averaged 327 ω·sq.cm, a very low value compared to that of neurons but in accord with calculations from other glial (astrocyte) studies. These biophysical values allow rapid transfer of large amounts of potassium.
Assessing the fire risk for a historic Hangar

NASA Ames Research Center (ARC) is evaluating options of reuse of its historic Hangar 1. As a part of this evaluation, a qualitative fire risk assessment study was performed to evaluate the potential threat of combustion on occupants and air vehicles. The study focused on the fire risk trade-off of either installing or not installing a Special Hazard Fire Suppression System in the Hangar 1 deck areas.
Interaction of the insulin receptor kinase with serine/threonine kinases in vitro

Insulin causes rapid phosphorylation of the β subunit (Mr = 95,000) of its receptor in broken cell preparations. This occurs on tyrosine residues and is due to activation of a protein kinase which is contained in the receptor itself. In the intact cell, insulin also stimulates the phosphorylation of the receptor and other cellular proteins on serine and threonine residues. In an attempt to find a protein that might link the receptor tyrosine kinase to these serine/threonine phosphorylation reactions, we have studied the interaction of a partially purified preparation of insulin receptor with purified preparations of serine/threoine kinases known to phosphorylate glycogen synthase. No insulin-dependent phosphorylation was ob served when casein kinases I and II, phosphorylase kinase, or glycogen synthase kinase 3 was incubated in vitro with the insulin receptor. These kinases also failed to phosphorylate the receptor. By contrast, the insulin receptor kinase catalyzed the phosphorylation of the calmodulin-dependent kinase and addition of insulin in vitro resulted in a 40% increase in this phosphorylation. In the presence of calmodulin-dependent kinase and the insulin receptor kinase, insulin also stimulated the phosphorylation of calmodulin. Phosphoamino acid analysis showed an increase of phosphotyrosine content in both calmodulin and calmodulindependent protein kinase. These data suggest that the insulin receptor kinase may interact directly and specifically with the calmodulin-dependent kinase and calmodulin. Further studies will be required to determine if these phosphorylations modify the action of these regulatory proteins.
A comparison of the environmental attitudes, concern, and behaviors of native-born and foreign-born U.S. Residents

This research offers an examination of environmental attitudes, concern, and behaviors among individuals presently living within the context producing contemporary American environmental awareness, but who originated from contexts socially, environmentally, and economically distinct. More specifically, data from the 1993 environmental module of the General Social Survey are used to examine variations in environmental awareness across native-and foreign-born individuals. Results suggest that immigrants living in the U.S. do, indeed, express similarattitudes toward environmental issues as compared to native-born residents. However, shorter-term immigrants (those residing abroad at age 16) in particular express significantly higher levels ofconcern with regard to environmental problems as compared to native-born residents. In addition, shorter-term immigrants are more likely to engage in “environmentally friendly” behaviors as compared to native-born residents, although they appear less likely to have signed an environmentally oriented petition.
Weighted vertex packing problem for specially structured geometric graphs

Consider a set of vertices V = {1, 2,…, n} placed on a two-dimensional Euclidean plane R2 with each vertex attached a nonnegative weight w: V → R. For a given constant d>0, the geometric graph G = (V, E) is defined to have edge set E = {(i, j): dij ⩽ d} with dij being the Euclidean distance between vertices i and j. The geometric vertex packing (GVP) problem, which is often called the independent set problem, is defined as selecting the set of pairwise nonadjacent vertices with maximum total weight. We limit our attention to the special case that no vertex is within a distance βd of any other vertices where 0 ⩽ β < 1. A special value of β (= 1/2) is referred to frequently because of its correspondence to a manufacturing problem in circuit board testing. In this article we show that the weighted vertex packing problem for the specially structured geometric graph (SGVP) defined with the above restriction is NP-complete even for the case that all vertex weights are unity and for any β. Polynomial procedures have been designed for generating cuts to obtain tight LP upper bounds for the SGVP. Two heuristics with bounded worst-case performance are applied to the LP solution to produce a feasible solution and a lower bound. We then use a branch-and-bound procedure to solve the problem to optimality. Computational results on large-scale SGVP problems will be discussed. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
PAGE: A Framework for Easy PArallelization of GEnomic Applications

With the availability of high-throughput and low-cost sequencing technologies, an increasing amount of genetic data is becoming available to researchers. There is clearly a potential for significant new scientific and medical advances by analysis of such data, however, it is imperative to exploit parallelism and achieve effective utilization of the computing resources to be able to handle massive datasets. Thus, frameworks that can help researchers develop parallel applications without dealing with low-level details of parallel coding are very important for advances in genetic research. In this study, we develop a middleware, PAGE, which supports 'map reduce-like' processing, but with significant differences from a system like Hadoop, to be useful and effective for parallelizing analysis of genomic data. Particularly, it can work with map functions written in any language, thus allowing utilization of existing serial tools (even those for which only an executable is available) as map functions. Thus, it can greatly simplify parallel application development for scenarios where complex data formats and/or nuanced serial algorithms are involved, as is often the case for genomic data. It allows parallelization by partitioning by-locus or partitioning by-chromosome, provides different scheduling schemes, and execution models, to match the nature of algorithms common in genetic research. We have evaluated the middleware system using four popular genomic applications, including VarScan, Unified Genotyper, Realigner Target Creator, and Indel Realigner, and compared the achieved performance against with two popular frameworks (Hadoop and GATK). We show that our middleware outperforms GATK and Hadoop and it is able to achieve high parallel efficiency and scalability.
Environmental factors as potential determinants of premonitory urge severity in youth with Tourette syndrome

Abstract Tics associated with Tourette syndrome (TS) are often preceded by aversive somatosensory experiences known as premonitory urges. These urges are highly prevalent among individuals with TS and appear to play a key role in tic expression. Despite the importance of premonitory urges, relatively little is known about environmental factors that may influence their severity. Some data suggest that experiencing environmental consequences for ticcing may increase the severity of premonitory urges, although evidence for this claim is limited. The present study tested this possibility using data from an Internet-based survey of 118 youth with TS and their parents. Results indicated that tic severity and urge severity were positively correlated with each other and with items measuring tic-related impact. Hierarchical linear regression analyses showed that the relationship between urge severity and tic-related impact persisted when accounting for comorbid psychiatric diagnoses and tic severity. These results are consistent with a behavioral model of TS and suggest that experiencing aversive consequences for ticcing may increase the severity of premonitory urges. Future research should further examine factors that influence premonitory urges and more completely test the behavioral model of TS.
Use of recA803, a partial suppressor of recF, to analyze the effects of the mutant Ssb (single-stranded DNA-binding) proteins in vivo and in vitro

We examined the possibility that the ssb-1 and ssb-113 mutants exert some of their effects by interfering with the normal function of wild-type RecF protein. Consistent with this possibility, we found that recA803, which partially suppresses recF mutations, also partially suppresses both ssb mutations, as detected by an increase in UV resistance. No evidence was obtained for suppression of the defect in lexA regulon inducibility caused by the ssb mutations. Consequently we suggest that suppression occurs by increasing recombinational repair. In vitro tests of Ssb mutant and wild-type proteins revealed that the single-stranded DNA dependent ATPase activity of RecA protein is more susceptible to inhibition than the joint-molecule-forming activity. All three Ssb proteins inhibit the ATPase activity of RecA wild-type protein almost completely while under similar conditions they inhibit the joint-molecule-forming activity only slightly. Both activities of RecA803 protein were found to be less inhibited by the three Ssb proteins than those of RecA wild-type protein. This is consistent with the suppressing ability of recA803. We found no evidence to contradict the previously proposed hypothesis that ssb-1 affects recombinational repair by acting as a weaker form of Ssb protein. We found, however, only very weak evidence that Ssb-113 protein interferes directly with recombinational repair so that the possibility that it interferes with a normal function of RecF protein must remain open.
Measuring Student Scholastic Effort: An Economic Theory of Learning Approach.

Wetzel asserts that “… using levels of achievement as the dependent variable may miss the major benefits of a particular teaching method, namely less effort and time spent studying economics and additional leisure time …” He then discusses the McKenzie-Staaf model, which is derived from the work-leisure model of wage theory, and asks if it is possible to construct an “effort variable.” Wetzel's paper reports the results of an attempt to develop an “effort variable” and examine its relationship to certain student characteristics. In fact, three different “effort variables” were constructed and tested. Both the results and the techniques employed should be of interest to all economic education researchers.
ALAMODE: A Layered Model Development Environment

To accurately simulate modern semiconductor process steps, TCAD tools must include a variety of physical models and numerical methods. Increasingly complex physical formulations are required to account for effects that were not important in previous generation of technology. As a specific example, the impurity diffusion mechanisms owing to point defects and damage kinetics are not well understood, and thus flexibility in definition of models is highly desirable. An object-oriented approach has been applied to implementing a 1-2-3D finiteelement dial-an-operator PDE solver. The control interface is based on Tcl and allows layered access to model definitions and solution techniques.
Efficacy of recainam, a new antiarrhythmic drug, for control of ventricular arrhythmias.

Abstract The antiarrhythmic efficacy and safety of oral recainam hydrochloride, a newly synthesized compound, were assessed during a 2-part study of 12 patients with frequent (at least 30/hour) ventricular premature complexes (VPCs). During the initial dose-ranging phase, 11 patients with qualifying arrhythmias (median VPC frequency 575/hour, range 37 to 1,494) received incremental oral doses of 100, 300 and 500 mg of recainam given every 8 hours, each for 3 days. Efficacy was assessed on the last day of each dose. The 300-mg/day dose of recainam was generally ineffective; the 900-mg/ day dose was partially effective (58% median VPC reduction, p = 0.03); and the 1,500-mg/day dose was very effective (79% reduction, p
Contesting Urban Space and Disability in Highland Ecuador

This article examines the experiences of people with physical and visual disabilities encountering inaccessible urban spaces in highland Ecuador. I draw on the notion of “embodied space” to explore how people with disabilities have begun to contest discourses of contagion, exclusion, and pity through collective action and spatial tactics aimed at constructing more inclusive spaces, such as community centers or public plazas. Through ethnographic analysis of both conflicts over transportation systems and public rallies aimed at social awareness, I argue that Ecuadorians with disabilities face new forms of socio-spatial exclusion as they challenge legacies of isolation and stigma.
Event processing for modular gamma cameras with tiled multi-anode photomultiplier tubes

Multi-anode photomultiplier tubes (MAPMTs) are good candidates as light sensors for a new generation of modular scintillation cameras for Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and Positron emission tomography (PET) applications. MAPMTs can provide improved intrinsic spatial resolution (<;1mm) compared to arrays of larger individual PMTs due to their small anode sizes, and the increased number of channels also allows accurate estimation of depth-of-interaction (DOl). However, the area of a single MAPMT module is small for a modular gamma camera, so we are designing read-out electronics that will allow multiple individual MAPMT modules to be optically coupled to a single monolithic scintillator crystal. In order to allow such flexibility, the read-out electronics, which we refer to as the event processor, must be compact and adaptable. In combining arrays of MAPMTs, which may each have 64 to 1024 anodes per unit, issues need to be overcome with amplifying, digitizing, and recording potentially very large numbers of channels per gamma-ray event. In this study, we have investigated different event-processor strategies for gamma cameras with multiple MAPMTs that will employ maximum-likelihood (ML) methods for estimation of 3D spatial location, deposited energy and time of occurrence of events. We simulated anode signals for hypothetical gammacamera geometries based on models of the stochastic processes inherent in scintillation cameras. The comparison between different triggering and read-out schemes was carried out by quantifying the information content in the anode signals via the Fisher Information Matrix (FIM). We observed that a decline in spatial resolution at the edges of the individual MAPMTs could be improved by the inclusion of neighboring MAPMT anode signals for events near the tiling boundaries. Thus in order to maintain spatial resolution uniformity throughout the modular camera face, we propose dividing an MAPMT's array of anode signals into regions such to help determine when triggers from one MAPMT need to be passed to a neighboring MAPMT so that it can contribute anode information for events between them.
On the convergence in mean of Martingale difference sequences

In [6] Freniche proved that any weakly null martingale difference sequence in L 1 [0, 1] has arithmetic means that converge in norm to 0. We show any weakly null martingale difference sequence in an Orlicz space whose N-function belongs to ∇3 has arithmetic means that converge in norm to 0. Then based on a theorem in Stout [13, Theorem 3.3.9 (i) and (iii)], we give necessary and sufficient conditions for a bounded martingale difference sequence in an Orlicz space whose N-function belongs to a large class of ∇2 functions to have means that converge to 0 a.s. Finally, we conclude with some expository comments including an easy proof of Komlos' theorem [9] for L p[0, 1], 1 < p < ∞.
Effects of Health Insurance on Perceived Quality of Care Among Latinos in the United States

BACKGROUND There is suggestive evidence that lower rates of health insurance coverage increases the gaps in quality and access to care among Latinos as compared with non-Latino whites. In order to examine these potential disparities, we assessed the effects of insurance coverage and multiple covariates on perceived quality of care.
Flow Characteristics of Fire‐Clay Refractories at High Temperatures

Several brick of intermediate duty, high duty, and superduty quality made by three different manufacturers were tested in the load equipment. The test brick was brought up to a temperature of 1400°C. (2550°F.) in 3 hours, soaked at this temperature for 1/2 hour, and then pressure was applied at the rate of 31/2 lb. per sq. in. per minute. Thus a pressure of 100 lb. per sq. in. was applied in 30 minutes. The effect of P.C.E., porosity, and lamination cracks on flow characteristics are described. It is shown that the increasing-load test is more rapid than the constant-load test for determining flow characteristics.
A biologically inspired modular VLSI system for visual measurement of self-motion

We introduce a biologically inspired computational architecture for small-field detection and wide-field spatial integration of visual motion based on the general organizing principles of visual motion processing common to organisms from insects to primates. This highly parallel architecture begins with two-dimensional (2-D) image transduction and signal conditioning, performs small-field motion detection with a number of parallel motion arrays, and then spatially integrates the small-field motion units to synthesize units sensitive to complex wide-field patterns of visual motion. We present a theoretical analysis demonstrating the architecture's potential in discrimination of wide-field motion patterns such as those which might be generated by self-motion. A custom VLSI hardware implementation of this architecture is also described, incorporating both analog and digital circuitry. The individual custom VLSI elements are analyzed and characterized, and system-level test results demonstrate the ability of the system to selectively respond to certain motion patterns, such as those that might be encountered in self-motion, at the exclusion of others.
HIV/HBV coinfection in children and antiviral therapy

Small cohort studies from countries where both HIV and HBV are endemic demonstrate prevalence rates of chronic hepatitis B in HIV-infected children of between 1 and 49%. While data on coinfected children are limited, results from studies in adults with HIV/HBV coinfection raise the concern that coinfected children may be at a higher risk of liver disease, hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis. With the scale-up of combination antiretroviral therapy worldwide, of which lamivudine is included in most first-line regimens, coinfected children treated with lamivudine risk development of HBV resistance mutations. This article summarizes the current literature relevant to HIV/HBV coinfection in children, the options for treatment and highlights priorities for future research.
Moyamoya Disease Associated With Hemoglobin Fairfax and Beta-Thalassemia

Moyamoya disease is a rare cerebrovascular condition characterized by steno-occlusive disease of the major intracranial arteries at the base of the brain, and the appearance of innumerable, tiny, arterial collaterals that resemble a "puff of smoke." Although it has been associated with hematologic diseases such as sickle-cell disease, the association with other hemoglobinopathies is less frequently observed. We describe the association of a unique hemoglobinopathy (hemoglobin Fairfax) with β-thalassemia and moyamoya disease in a 9-year-old girl with a history of stroke. To our knowledge, this is the first report of this unstable hemoglobin with moyamoya disease, and it emphasizes the potential for cerebral infarction due to the severe anemia of hemolytic disease.
Review of the Application of T-Matrix Calculations for Determining the Structure of Cell Nuclei With Angle-Resolved Light Scattering Measurements

Biomedical applications of light scattering have traditionally relied on Mie theory as a theoretical basis for analyzing experimental measurements. While this approach is computationally accessible, the use of Mie theory cannot always account for the spheroidal nature of biological scatterers such as cell nuclei. As an alternative, we have developed light scattering codes based on the T-matrix formalism to analyze angle-resolved light scattering measurements. In this paper, we discuss the development of computer codes to create a database of scattering profiles, validation of the database using experimental measurements of tissue phantoms containing spheroidal scatterers, and recent applications of the approach to analyze the structure of cell nuclei. The reviewed studies show that while the T-matrix approach adds important information for some light scattering studies, the additional computational cost may not always be justified when compared to the Mie theory.
Selective collection of non-magnetic rutile and quartz by means of a magnetic reagent by HGMS

A single wire HGMS collection scheme is used to study the selective attachment of rutile or quartz to a magnetic reagent. Data is presented for the magnetic collection of rutile and quartz, both individually and as a mixture as a function of the pH of the slurry, and the zeta-potentials of the several contents of the slurry which are given as a function of the pH. Single wire build-up data shows that at a pH below about 3, both quartz and rutile are attached to the magnetic reagent with nonselective capture of both minerals in a single wire experiment. An increase of pH, however, to 3.5 (or higher) results in the selective capture of rutile only. Typical experimental parameters are fields of 9 kOe and flow rates of 0.2 cm/s. The amount of magnetic reagent required to achieve these results is about two orders of magnitude smaller than the amount of minerals (e.g., rutile) to be separated. >
Quality of Life for Women Diagnosed With Breast Carcinoma in Situ

Purpose Limited data exist on long-term quality of life (QOL) for women diagnosed with breast carcinoma in situ (BCIS). Participants and Methods The data are on 795 BCIS participants diagnosed among female residents of Connecticut from September 15, 1994 to March 14, 1998, and 702 controls frequency-matched to the case participants by 5-year age intervals and geography. These women were participants in a large, population-based case/control study and subsequent follow-up study. Telephone interviews at follow-up were used to collect data on QOL at 5 years from initial diagnosis or contact, using the Medical Outcomes Study, Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression, and CAGE (Cut down, Annoyed, Guilty, Eye-opener) alcohol consumption scales. QOL outcomes were compared by case/control status and by case treatment group: lumpectomy, lumpectomy with adjuvant radiation therapy, and mastectomy. Results At 5 years after diagnosis, women diagnosed with BCIS report levels of physical, emotional, and mental health functioning similar with those reported in a general healthy female population. Case participants and controls did not differ in reported levels of limitations due to physical health problems, bodily pain, social functioning, or overall physical functioning. Case participants who underwent lumpectomy with radiation reported lower levels of emotional functioning, general health perceptions, vitality, sexual interest, and overall mental health, as well as more depressive symptoms than did control subjects; although, the clinical significance of these statistical differences appears to be limited. Conclusion At 5 years after treatment, women diagnosed with BCIS report good physical and emotional functioning relative to control populations.
Comparative Analysis of Antennae Sensory Arrays in Asian Citrus Psyllid, Diaphorina citri, and Potato Psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli (Hemiptera)

Abstract. Scanning electron microscopy was used for comparison of the morphological basis for host detection and mating behaviors by olfactory reception in two psyllid species, the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, and potato/tomato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli (Sulc) (Hemiptera: Psyllidae). The two psyllids inhabit different plant niches. The Asian citrus psyllid is essentially monophagous, feeding primarily on citrus, but the potato psyllid feeds on a wide range of solanaceous plants. This study identified two antennal sensory arrays, with a more complex arrangement occurring in the Asian citrus psyllid than potato psyllid. The antennal length of the Asian citrus psyllid was 0.23 mm and contained 10 segments, while the antenna of the potato psyllid was 0.60 mm long with 10 segments. Both species had two multi-porous, single-walled bristles apical to the sensillus terminalis. These bristles were longer in potato psyllids. A few mechanosensory and chemosensory hairs were found on all ant...
Low sensitivity in clinical diagnoses of dementia with Lewy bodies

The success of future neurodegenerative disease (ND) therapies depends partly on accurate antemortem diagnoses. Relatively few prior studies have been performed on large, multicenter-derived datasets to test the accuracy of final clinical ND diagnoses in relation to definitive neuropathological findings. Data were analyzed from the University of Kentucky Alzheimer’s Disease Center autopsy series and from the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center (NACC) registry. NACC data are derived from 31 different academic medical centers, each with strong clinical expertise and infrastructure pertaining to NDs. The final clinical diagnoses were compared systematically with subsequent neuropathology diagnoses. Among subjects meeting final inclusion criteria (N = 2,861 for NACC Registry data), the strength of the associations between clinical diagnoses and subsequent ND diagnoses was only moderate. This was particularly true in the case of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB): the sensitivity of clinical diagnoses was quite low (32.1% for pure DLB and 12.1% for Alzheimer’s disease (AD + DLB) although specificity was over 95%. AD clinical diagnoses were more accurate (85.0% sensitivity and 51.1% specificity). The accuracy of clinical DLB diagnoses became somewhat lower over the past decade, due apparently to increased “over-calling” the diagnosis in patients with severe cognitive impairment. Furthermore, using visual hallucinations, extrapyramidal signs, and/or fluctuating cognition as part of the clinical criteria for DLB diagnosis was of minimal utility in a group (N = 237) with high prevalence of severe dementia. Our data suggest that further work is needed to refine our ability to identify specific aging-related brain disease mechanisms, especially in DLB.
Enhancing Decision Making with Process Metadata: Theoretical Framework, Research Tool, and Exploratory Examination

The quality of the data used in a decision task has important implications for the decision outcome. Recent research suggests that data quality perception is context-dependent. This study examines process metadata, which describes how a particular data set was created and delivered, as a supporting aid for contextual quality assessment. We first develop a model for understanding the effects of process metadata on the decision outcome when it is provided together with intrinsic quality measurements. We then describe a research tool developed to assess the effect of process metadata. An exploratory test using this tool suggests that both data quality perceptions and the associated process metadata have beneficial effects on outcomes, when mediated by decision process efficiency. The model developed in this study and the preliminary empirical results highlight the value of embedding quality metadata within computer-supported decision environments.
Self-excited vibrations in a delay oscillator: Application to milling with simultaneously engaged helical flutes

This paper investigates the stability of a milling process with simultaneously engaged flutes by extending the state-space temporal finite elements method. In contrast to prior works, multiple flute engagement due to both a high depth of cut and a high stepover distance are considered. A particular outcome of this study is the development of a frame work to determine the stability of periodic, piecewise continuous delay differential equations. Another major outcome is the demonstration of different stability behavior at the loss of stability in comparison to prior results. To elaborate more, period doubling regions are shown to appear at relatively high radial immersions when multiple flutes with either a zero or non-zero helix angle are simultaneously cutting.
Approximate trajectory generation for differentially flat systems with zero dynamics

This paper describes algorithms to generate trajectories for differentially flat systems with zero dynamics. Zero dynamics in flat systems occur when the flat outputs are not the tracking outputs. This means that the output trajectories can be fully parametrized by the flat outputs, but that there is some additional freedom left. This freedom can be exploited to minimize a cost criterion. We parametrize the differentially flat outputs by basis functions, and solve for the parameters so as to track a prescribed trajectory approximately while minimizing a cost function. We give examples of such systems, and present simulations and experimental data. We focus on implementation issues and point out the computational cost involved in the various problems.
DETERMINING SEX IN POSTHATCHLING LOGGERHEAD SEA TURTLES USING MULTIPLE GONADAL AND ACCESSORY DUCT CHARACTERISTICS

The sex of young sea turtles is difficult to determine because they lack externally dimorphic characteristics and heteromorphic sex chromosomes, yet internal dimorphic morphology is defined at hatching. We tested the reliability of nine internal gonad and accessory duct characteristics to identify the sex of 558 posthatchling loggerhead sea turtles accurately. We modified existing laparoscopic procedures, previously used to classify the sex of larger sea turtles and other turtle species, for use in posthatchlings. Here we describe our approach and quantify the reliability of our morphological criteria. Sex was verified by histological examination of gonadal biopsies from a subset of the turtles. We noted seasonal shifts in early gonadal structure so that some characters which were reliable in the summer and fall were not reliable other times of the year. Thus, we confined the analysis to the six characters that were reliable year round: gonad shape, paramesonephric duct size, gonad size, paramesonephric duct lumen presence, paramesonephric duct mobility, and gonad attachment. Using discriminant analyses of the biopsy and morphological data, we found high correlations between sex from tissue biopsies and these six morphological characters; this analysis misclassified just 2% of the animals with histological verification. Applying the classification functions to animals without histology and comparing those results to our visual classification resulted in 2% reclassification. The analysis reclassified animals that we or the histology correctly identified that had both female-like and male-like characters. Our method provided accurate identification of sex in very young sea turtles. This methodology enables sex ratio assessments in early life stages, which are critical to species recovery efforts. Additionally, sex assignment data are basic to our understanding of patterns and processes directing dimorphic changes of the gonads and their ducts.
CROA: Design and Analysis of the Custom Rotary Oscillatory Array

Rotary clocking is a resonant clocking technology for clock network design and distribution in high performance digital VLSI circuits. Rotary clocking technology offers an attractive alternative to the conventional clocking with high frequency clock signal generation at a low power dissipation rate. Traditionally, rotary clocking has been implemented using a regular array (grid) topology called rotary oscillatory arrays (ROA). In this paper, a custom rotary oscillatory array (CROA) topology is proposed for the generation and distribution of rotary clocking. The issues related to timing closure are addressed and the simulation-based analysis of the custom rotary rings is presented. The CROA design methodology is tested on the IBM R1-R5 benchmark circuits. Compared to the traditional ROA, custom ROA results in 39.25% of tapping wirelength savings. The parasitic effects due to the customization of the topology - computed with partial element equivalent circuit (PEEC) analysis - are incorporated and the CROA topologies are simulated in SPICE. The simulation results show that, with additional parasitics due to the topological factors, the resultant clock frequency is observed to be 8.79% slower (assuming the tapping wirelength remains the same) than the expected frequency of operation without considering the topological factors.
A spatially shaded PVDF acoustic transducer

In an effort to design a transducer having low sidelobes in the radiation pattern but requiring only a single amplifier, the technique of spatial shading is explored. This method uses an array of small elements, each driven uniformly but randomly distributed along the transducer with a density distribution that matches the desired shading. As the individual elements shrink and their packing density increases, the theoretical radiation pattern approaches that of the ideal shading. The design of a 500-kHz stave transducer having a 2 degrees wide Gaussian radiation pattern, using lambda /4 long elements, is presented. The elements were placed using a Monte Carlo approach, and a theoretical sidelobe level of -21.8 dB was achieved. A transducer with this element distribution was built using 110- mu m-thick polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). Experiments reveal a radiation pattern very close to the predicted pattern, with -20.8-dB sidelobes. >
Linear Distributed Estimation

This paper considers the problem of implementation of linear centralized estimators in a distributed fashion. In the distributed estimator structure there is a coordinator which contains the model fo the observed process, and an arbitrary number of different observers taking observations of the state process. The measurements of each observer are processed locally. One way communication links exist between each local processor and the coordinator. The results of the local estimation algorithms are communicated to the coordinator. The coordinator reconstructs the statistics of the state process based on all the available measurements, using only the communicated local statistics. The models used to produce the local estimates may be different from the process model and from each other. By constraining the choice of the local models, the derived fusion algorithm reconstructs exactly the characteristics of a centralized estimator. This paper uses a different approach to generalize much of the previous work in distributed estimation with different local models to an arbitrary number of local processing facilities. A simple example of implementation of a centralized estimator in a distributd fashion is presented.
Advanced bio-fuels from pyrolysis oil: The impact of economies of scale and use of existing logistic and processing capabilities

Abstract The process for producing advanced bio-fuels from woody biomass using fast pyrolysis technology is in an early stage of development. Whether it will offer favorable economics versus future petroleum-derived fuels or other advanced bio-fuels is not clear at this time; however, a study of the value chain from growth to final distribution of drop-in bio-fuels has highlighted several factors that will have major impact on ultimate economics. These factors include: • the impact of economies of scale • advantages from using existing logistic capabilities, especially for first commercial production • existing refinery processing capabilities • the ability to finance timely process development and commercial scale-up with its associated risks. Most of the required facilities should be able to operate at scale comparable to that used in the current petroleum-based fuels industry, with substantial cost savings. Use of current refinery facilities and distribution networks for part of the process can add substantial additional savings. Using existing inland marine transportation capabilities will aid in achieving economic scale sooner as well as in reducing costs. Developing the technology to the point where a major scale-up is practical, including a relatively small demonstration of the commercial process is likely to be expensive. Value chains that are able to capture most of the potential economies of scale and compete with petroleum-derived fuels are likely to call for a billion dollars or more in initial investment.
Metabolic and biosynthetic features of lymphocytes from patients with diabetes mellitus: similarities to lymphocytes in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.

Summary This study assayed glucose utilization via the hexose monophosphate (HMP) shunt and Embden-Meyerhof pathways in lymphocytes from patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) employing the quantitative evolution of 14CO2 and production of radioactive glycolytic intermediates from [1-14C]glucose as respective experimental endpoints. In addition, DNA synthesis, as reflected by [14C]thymidine incorporation by the same cells in tissue culture, was measured. Most diabetic lymphocytes displayed depressed absolute and proportional glucose metabolism through the direct oxidative pathway and also demonstrated decreased incorporation of radioactive thymidine, particularly when the lymphocytes were stimulated by phytohaemagglutinin (PHA). The lymphocytes in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia showed the same abnormalities. Moreover, in all lymphocytes assayed, a correlative, semiquantitative relationship was present between the amount of glucose passing through the HMP pathway, which generates NADPH, and the synthesis of DNA, a process requiring this enzyme for reduction of oxyribonucleotides to deoxyribonucleotides. It is postulated that normal antigenic recognition and satisfactory initiation of the immune responses, as mediated by the lymphocyte, may have a metabolic basis, and that this function appears to be abnormal in most patients with diabetes mellitus in this particular study group.
Effects of dietary calcium and vitamin D3 on tumor promotion in mouse skin

Abstract The effects of low, adequate, and supplemental intake of calcium and vitamin D3 on 12‐O‐tetradecanoylphorbol‐13‐acetate (TPA) skin tumor promotion were examined. Administration of the experimental diets was started one week before the first TPA application to the 7,12‐dimethylbenz[a]anthracene‐initiated dorsal skin of female Sencar mice. Neither dietary calcium in a range from 0.15% to 2.0% of the diet as calcium carbonate nor vitamin D3 ranging from 200 to 4,000 IU/kg diet resulted in modulation of the skin papilloma response in terms of incidence, number per mouse, or size distribution of tumors. There were also no effects of the varied levels of calcium or vitamin D3 on mouse body weights, serum calcium, or TPA induction of epidermal ornithine decarboxylase activity. These results indicate that dietary administration of a wide range of doses of calcium or vitamin D does not alter the serum calcium levels and, therefore, does not appear capable of altering skin tumor promotion. These results ar...
A Clinical Indications Prediction Scale Based on TWIST1 for Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

In addition to their stem/progenitor properties, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) also exhibit potent effector (angiogenic, antiinflammatory, immuno-modulatory) functions that are largely paracrine in nature. It is widely believed that effector functions underlie most of the therapeutic potential of MSCs and are independent of their stem/progenitor properties. Here we demonstrate that stem/progenitor and effector functions are coordinately regulated at the cellular level by the transcription factor Twist1 and specified within populations according to a hierarchical model. We further show that manipulation of Twist1 levels by genetic approaches or by exposure to widely used culture supplements including fibroblast growth factor 2 (Ffg2) and interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) alters MSC efficacy in cell-based and in vivo assays in a predictable manner. Thus, by mechanistically linking stem/progenitor and effector functions our studies provide a unifying framework in the form of an MSC hierarchy that models the functional complexity of populations. Using this framework, we developed a CLinical Indications Prediction (CLIP) scale that predicts how donor-to-donor heterogeneity and culture conditions impact the therapeutic efficacy of MSC populations for different disease indications.
100 – Malassezia Baillon

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on Malassezia genus and its member species. Asexual reproduction in this genus occurs typically through monopolar (phialidic) enteroblastic budding on a broad base. Elongate hyphal-like cells are rare in culture but true hyphae with clusters of blastospores may be commonly observed in skin scales from hosts. The formation and separation of the bud generally leaves a pronounced scar or collar from which later buds emerge. The cell walls of this genus are multilamellar in nature, and the inner layer of the cell wall as observed with electron microscopy is corrugated with the grooves spiraling from the bud site. The member species of this species are Malassezia furfur, Malassezia pachydermatis, and Malassezia sympodialis. The cells of Malassezia furfur, after growth on glucose-peptone-yeast extract agar with olive oil for three days at 34° C, appear as ovoidal to ellipsoidal. The cells of Malassezia pachydermatis, after undergoing growth on glucose-peptone-yeast extract agar for three days at 34° C, appear mostly as ellipsoidal.
ESR1 Mutations in Breast Cancer: Proof-of-Concept Challenges Clinical Action

Wang and colleagues demonstrate that digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) identified ESR1 mutations in 7% of primary breast cancers. ESR1 mutations were also readily detected in metastatic tissues and circulating tumor DNA in the blood. These results suggest that ddPCR may be amendable for monitoring tumor burden, and to predict relapse. See related article by Wang et al., p. 1130.
The Space-in-Between: Machado de Assis and the Postmodernity Sensibility

Machado de Assis displayed an acute sensitivity to the liminal space that Silviano Santiago refers to as the "space-in-between" (o entre-lugar), which shapes experience. This enhanced his ability to convey a nuanced relationship between various categories of difference – particularly subject and object – compared with that of the normative modern worldview. Located in the late nineteenth and the early twentieth centuries, Machado's perspective, which views categories of difference as inherently relative and interlocking extremes on a continuum, displays an affinity with postmodern sensibilities.
A study of metabolic effects of experimental polycythemia in dogs

Although the clinical and morphological signs of plethora vera are known to a large extent, the metabolic effects produced by increasing the amount of blood in the body have been but sparingly investigated. The present research deals with the latter question. The augmentation of the supply of blood was effected by intravenous transfusion of defibrinated blood taken from the same species. In one experiment direct transfusion was performed after connecting a femoral artery of one dog with a small branch of a saphenous vein in another. After each transfusion, as will be shown later, there developed a condition of the blood that closely resembled polycythemia, as observed in man. These experiments also bear upon certain phases of the general question of parenteral nutrition.Seven experiments were conducted on as many apparently healthy dogs that were kept under observation for some time before the experiments were started. The majority of the experiments lasted from 5 to 6 weeks. Some dogs were under observat...
A MODEL FOR THE STUDY OF EXPERIMENTAL BONE METASTASES.

SummaryFibrosarcoma induced in the pituitary by feeding 3-MC to a castrated male Sprague-Dawley rat, has been transplanted into the medullary cavity of the femur in female animals. Growth progress within the bone has been successfully demonstrated by X-rays. Parathyroidectomy prior to introduction of the tumor significantly prolongs the survival time of the animal.
A polyester powder for thin film insulation

A polyester resin normally dissolved in solvents for die coating on wire has been modified to produce powders suitable for electrostatic thin film application on a continuous wire line. Experimental quantities of powder of uniform composition were prepared using a small, laboratory spray dryer.