cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Singularity avoidance and the control of an eight-revolute-joint manipulator

The "optimum" 6R manipulator's singular configurations are used to develop the "best" 4R orientation and 4R regional structures for singularity avoidance. For comparison with the "best" 4R regional structure, the kinematics of a second 4R regional structure is explored. Conceptually, the control algo rithms for the 4R orientation and two 4R regional structures begin in primary mode with three actuator screws apiece. In primary mode the traditional position kinematics approach is used. However, when either the orientation or regional struc ture has difficulty following its Cartesian trajectory, control for that structure goes into secondary mode, where the redundant actuator is called on. The algorithms maintain a sixth-order screw system for an 8R manipulator with bounded actuator rates and well-behaved actuator values. The numerical com putations for an 8R manipulator are comparable to those for the "optimum" 6R manipulator and can be implemented in real time.
Circumplex Scales of Intergroup Goals An Interpersonal Circle Model of Goals for Interactions Between Groups

Six studies (N = 1,682) used the Circumplex Scales of Intergroup Goals (CSIG)—an inventory based on the interpersonal circle—to assess individuals’ agentic and communal goals for interactions between groups (nations in Studies 1-4, organizations in Study 5, political parties in Study 6). Noteworthy findings included the following: People with stronger unagentic-and-uncommunal goals perceived other groups as dangers, were wary of intergroup negotiations, and sanctioned authoritarianism and inequality. People with stronger agentic-and-uncommunal goals proudly identified with their country and compatriots, disapproved of nations unlike their own, and preferred the conservative candidate in a national election. People with stronger communal-and-unagentic goals identified with people beyond their ingroup, and wanted their group to resolve intergroup conflicts by behaving cooperatively rather than competitively or aggressively. By providing an encompassing framework capable of organizing and integrating these t...
Research on corpus creation and development of oracle bone inscriptions

Based on the research background analysis, this paper clarifies the importance of natural language processing for domain documents. After analyzing the specialty of domain corpus, this paper discusses the idea and principle of domain corpus creation in a deep degree. Meanwhile, it also further researches on part of speech tagging information of corpus. Finally we develop an assistant processing system of domain corpus for the purpose of providing theory instruction and technique support for domain corpus creation.
Morphological and cytological features of gene activity in an amphibian hybrid system.

Abstract Results obtained from transfers of diploid blastula nuclei from Rana palustris into enucleated eggs of Rana pipiens confirmed earlier preliminary studies. Approximately one-fourth of these nucleocytoplasmic hybrids die during gastrulation and one-half are arrested during neurulation after displaying abnormally wide neural folds. The remaining fourth form extremely large heads and developed to early postneurula stages. This contrasts strikingly with nucleocytoplasmic hybrids of the reciprocal combination ( pipiens nuclei in palustris cytoplasm), the majority of which survive to late postneurula stages and develop very small heads. Karyotype analysis of typical nucleocytoplasmic hybrids revealed that their deviation from the normal pattern of development is not caused by cytologically detectable changes in chromosome constitution.
Treatment of typhoid fever with terramycin

Summary 1. Six patients with clinical typhoidfever were treated with terramycin. 2. The terramycin was effective in four cases. 3. In two cases in which terramycinwas not effective, the dosage may have been too small. 4. No toxic effects were noted inany of our patients.
Relation of dosage and time of administration of diphenylhydantoin to its teratogenic effect in mice

Diphenylhydantoin was teratogenic and caused prenatal death in Swiss-Webster mice. Most deaths resulted after single treatment on days 10, 11, 12, 14, and 15. Fetal body weight was significantly reduced in a dose-related manner after single treatment on days 9 to 15. Single injections of diphenylhydantoin produced open eye, ectrodactyly, cleft lip, cleft palate, hydronephrosis, and internal hydrocephalus. Skeletal defects noted were incomplete ossification of sternebrae or cervical centra, unfused sternebrae, and fused vertebrae. Long bones were shortened in a day- and dosage-dependent fashion. Mortality, teratogenesis, and effect on fetal growth were day- and dosage-dependent as was the spectrum of anomalies produced.
Cardiac vagal control and children's adaptive functioning: a meta-analysis.

Abstract Polyvagal theory has influenced research on the role of cardiac vagal control, indexed by respiratory sinus arrhythmia withdrawal (RSA-W) during challenging states, in children's self-regulation. However, it remains unclear how well RSA-W predicts adaptive functioning (AF) outcomes and whether certain caveats of measuring RSA (e.g., respiration) significantly impact these associations. A meta-analysis of 44 studies (n = 4996 children) revealed small effect sizes such that greater levels of RSA-W were related to fewer externalizing, internalizing, and cognitive/academic problems. In contrast, RSA-W was differentially related to children's social problems according to sample type (community vs. clinical/at-risk). The relations between RSA-W and children's AF outcomes were stronger among studies that co-varied baseline RSA and in Caucasian children (no effect was found for respiration). Children from clinical/at-risk samples displayed lower levels of baseline RSA and RSA-W compared to children from community samples. Theoretical/practical implications for the study of cardiac vagal control are discussed.
Aspects of sequential organization in plea bargaining discourse

This paper pursues a beginning, formal understanding of negotiation or bar? gaining as a naturally occurring phenomenon. The approach represents a depar? ture from usual studies c|f negotiation, which can be classified into two major groups. First, students of the criminal justice process have, especially in the last decade, subject "plea bargaining" to close scrutiny with respect to its status as an instrument of justice and its function as an aspect of courtroom decision making. Second, social psychologists have studied the influence of manipulable variables, such as attitudinal commitment, prior experience, and group and individual differ? ences, on outcomes of joint negotiations. What neither of these perspectives has explicitly addressed, however, is just how some discourse is organized so as to make its status as negotiation and bargaining a rational or accountable feature of the interaction.
Formation of the earliest continental crust: Inferences from the scourian complex of northwest Scotland and geophysical models of the lower continental crust

Abstract In this paper the structure, composition, and pre-metamorphic lithology of the Scourian Complex at its type locality are compared with models of the lower continental crust proposed by several authors on the basis of seismic reflection profiling and exposures in the Ivrea zone and the Vredefort dome. It is shown that the Scourian Complex resembles these models in major characteristics, consisting of gently-dipping granulite gneisses of intermediate bulk composition formed from partly or largely supracrustal precursors. In addition, seismic investigations of northwest Scotland indicate that granulites of the Scourian type make up most of the 26 km of continental crust in the area. It is therefore proposed that the Scourian Complex provides a representative exposure of the lower continental crust. If this is so, it implies that the lower crust is dominantly of supracrustal origin with normal superposition age relationships except for localized thrusting and intrusion. Such age relationships in turn imply that isotopic investigations (SmNd and RbSr) date only later additions to the early crust, either intrusions or supracrustal additions, not formation of entire crustal segments. It is therefore proposed that older continental crust may underlie even the oldest exposed rocks; that primordial crust may survive near the Moho; and that the earliest continental crust was formed largely by andesitic volcanism that produced a widespread, possibly global, layer now represented by granulites of the Scourian type.
Social Support and Depression Following Spinal Cord Injury

ABSTRACT: Examined the associations of different social relationships with depres-sive behavior among 182 persons with acquired spinal cord injuries. A cross-sectionaldesign was utilized to investigate possible differential effects across time since theonset of injury. Relationships which reassured the worth of die individual werepredictive of lower depression scores. To a lesser extent, relationships providin g a senseof social integration were also associated with lower depression scores. Results arediscussed as they pertain to adjustment following acquired disability and theoreticalmodels of social support. It is often assumed that persons who experience chronic medical conditions arepreoccupied with their situation and become depressed (Wright, 1983). Thisexpectation is particularly salient for persons who have acquired severe physicaldisabilities. Many people—including medical and social service profession-als—believe depression is a frequent and understandable reaction to acquiredphysical disability (CaplanSGans, 1981;MasonM Westbrook & Nordholm, 1986). Anecdotal models of adjustment follow-ing trauma and loss maintain that persons initially become depressed shortlyafter realizing their condition, and this depression alleviates over time asindividuals gradually adjust to the situation (Wortman & Silver, 1989). From thisperspective, depression is typically viewed as a predictable and time-limitedbehavioral phenomenon. Clinicians adhering to this view have encouraged the
Time-frequency analysis for radar classification of land-mine images

We use time-frequency (t-f) analysis techniques to examine the echo returns present in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images of land-mine fields. A flying platform illuminates a mine field containing various types of mines and "confusers," with an ultra-wideband radar. A number of familiar time-frequency distributions are used to inspect the various possible mine locations above and below the ground surface. The 2-dimensional plots generated by these distributions offer a larger variety of features and clues that facilitate the discrimination of each mine type from the others and from possible "confusers." Conclusions emerge that confirm that the pseudo-Wigner–Ville and the Choi–Williams distributions provide the best discrimination results, as was pointed out in earlier work. Larger mines such as the ones denoted here as "type 1" are the easiest to discriminate. Comparison of mines to clutter objects ("confusers") shows that such objects are clearly distinguishable from all the present metal mines.
Residency reform: anticipated effects of ACGME guidelines on general surgery and internal medicine residency programs.

Introduction The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) has recently amended guidelines for resident work environment. This study was conducted to evaluate opinions of program directors regarding the impact of the changes on residents and residency programs. Methods General surgery and internal medicine program directors were sent a 19-question survey. Questions were asked regarding anticipated effects on patient safety, resident well-being, education, medical errors, implementation costs, and methods needed for compliance. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test, the Mann-Whitney method, and the independent samples t-test where appropriate. Results Responses were received from 153 surgery program directors and 126 medicine program directors. Differences noted were hours worked (surgery 84.2 hours vs medicine 68.7 hours, p Conclusions Program directors anticipate improved resident safety and well-being. However, education, continuity of care, and board certification success are not expected to improve. Increased cost to institutions is anticipated. Surgery program directors feel medical errors will not decrease; medicine program directors are neutral. To facilitate compliance, surgery program directors anticipate employing physicians' assistants and technology, whereas medicine program directors may implement night float. Neither surgery nor medicine program directors expects increased quantity or quality of applicants. Program directors agree resident work hour reform is essential; however, varied methodology and outcomes are expected.
Time-resolved photoluminescence in amorphous silicon dioxide.

We report time-resolved measurements of photoluminescence in bulk a-${\mathrm{SiO}}_{2}$ using 7.9- and 6.4-eV excitation. Time-resolved spectra have been obtained at room temperature and 25 K, and the intensity and decay rates of various luminescence bands have been measured as a function of temperature. Bands at 1.9, 2.2, 2.7, and 4.3 eV are identified. In addition, there is a very broad luminescence peaking between 3\char21{}4 eV but extending to below the 1.5-eV cutoff of our measurements. We have also measured photoluminescence in crystalline quartz and in a thermally grown oxide. Both the 4.3- and 1.9-eV bands are seen in the thermal oxide, but the 2.7-eV band is absent. In the crystal, the 1.9-eV band is absent.
Association of plasma cortisol and chronic lung disease in preterm infants.

Background. It has been suggested that preterm infants may have developmental immaturity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and that decreased cortisol response to stress increases risk of chronic lung disease (CLD) secondary to inflammatory lung injury. Methods. To investigate the relationship between endogenous corticosteroid and CLD, we measured plasma cortisol during the first 28 days of life in a subset of neonates in the North American Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone (TRH) Collaborative Trial. Analyses were performed on 314 infants, 24 to 32 weeks9 gestation, whose mothers received 1 or 2 courses of antenatal corticosteroids plus TRH or placebo. Results. Mean cortisol was 3.1 μg/dL (range: 0.1–17.9) at birth, reached maximal levels at 24 hours (19.4 μg/dL, range: 0.8–124.6), and decreased to 5.9 μg/dL (range: 0.2–24.7) at 14 to 28 days of age; levels during the first week were not associated with gestational age. The Clinical Risk Index for Babies (CRIB), a neonatal assessment tool that is correlated with risk of mortality, was positively associated with cortisol level on days 1 and 3 through 7. TRH versus placebo treatment did not influence cortisol levels at any time point. To examine the relationship between cortisol and adverse outcome of death or CLD at 36 weeks9 postmenstrual age (CLD36), logistic regression models adjusting for known contributing clinical factors (gestational age and CRIB score) were fit. There was a statistically borderline negative association between median cortisol level at 3 to 7 days and CLD36. After adjusting for gestational age and CRIB score, the predicted probability of CLD36 was only minimally influenced by the cortisol concentration. Conclusion. In preterm infants, basal plasma cortisol concentration during the first week is a weak predictor for CLD36. Possible benefits as well as risks of supplemental, low-dose cortisol treatment of high-risk preterm infants remain to be determined.
Enantiomeric Separations of Terbutaline by CE with a Sulfated β-Cyclodextrin Chiral Selector: A Quantitative Binding Study

Sulfated β-cyclodextrin, a negatively charged chiral selector, was used for the enantiomeric separation of racemic terbutaline by capillary electrophoresis. Chiral separation was found to increase with decreasing cyclodextrin concentration. Host−guest complex binding constants for this system were determined by UV difference spectroscopy (Kav = 1490 M-1) and by CE under conditions of minimal EOF and reversed polarity (K1 = 1730 M-1, K2 = 1590 M-1, α = 1.09). The effect of organic modifiers, methanol, and acetonitrile was also studied over a wide range of modifier concentrations. Binding constants decreased while selectivity increased with increasing organic modifier concentration (10% MeOH: K1 = 1590 M-1, K2 = 1130 M-1, α = 1.41. 10% ACN: K1 = 1320 M-1, K2 = 870 M-1, α = 1.52). Experimental results are discussed in the context of existing separation models.
Midbrain dopamine neurons from hESCs

The Kriks et al. protocol has finally achieved what we believe are genuine midbrain, dopamine neurons. Perrier et al. (2004) described a method to make dopamine neurons that we initially thought were mDA neurons. Later work by developmental biologists, however, discovered additional markers of these neurons that the Perrier cells lacked (e.g., FOXA2/TH). The Perrier protocol used neural rosettes as a patterning intermediate to make dopamine neurons. Later work in vivo demonstrated that rodent mDA neurons are derived from the floor plate, a cell type at the base of the neural tube that is not normally neurogenic – its usual role is to produce SHH that helps pattern the neural tube. Fasano et al. (2010) demonstrated a protocol to make floor plate from hESCs but the protocol was not efficient at making mDA neurons. Floor plate is achieved by very early, pre-rosette exposure to high levels of SHH. The Kriks et al. protocol modified this protocol to include early WNT activation, and this turned out to be the key for driving the progenitors into mature mDA neurons. Importantly, these neurons can be transplanted into the brain and retain the mDA neuron phenotype: something that the Perrier et al. cells could not do.
Notes on Paratheresia Claripalpis Van Der Wulp, Aparasite of Diatraea Saccharalis Fabr.

Observations are given on the life history of the dexiid parasite, Paratheresia claripalpis Van der Wulp in Argentina and Peru. Notes are included on the varying percentages of parasitism on the different stages of the sugar-cane moth borer, Diatraea Saccharalis Fabr. It has been found that this parasite can withstand cold storage when in the puparium, and that shipments can be made over long distances.
Estimation using subjective knowledge with tracking applications

Within the framework of classical estimation theory, there is no technically legitimate way to utilize knowledge that cannot be codified by either deterministic or strict probability models. The authors introduce a theoretically defensible approach called coordinated objective/subjective estimation (COSE) for the simultaneous incorporation of both objective and subjective knowledge in estimation. Also discussed is a technique, called heuristically constrained estimation (HCE) which is a particular interpretation of the Bayesian use of subjective priors. COSE, HCE, and classical maximum a posteriori probability (MAP) estimation are applied to a tracking problem. >
Nuclear tyrosine kinases: from Abl to WEE1

The notion of a critical role for protein tyrosine kinases in the nucleus is supported by recent findings linking these proteins with components of the cell cycle and with the transcription machinery. Several of these tyrosine kinases localize to both nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments of the cell, and may coordinate signal transduction events in the cytoplasm with specific changes in the nucleus. Among these proteins are Abl, Rak, Fes and Fer. The past year has brought significant progress both towards the elucidation of the pathways that lead to activation of the Abl tyrosine kinase and towards the identification of novel Abl targets. Recent advances have also been made in understanding the regulation of the nucleus-specific human WEE1 tyrosine kinase. Nuclear tyrosine kinases may participate in the regulation of multiple cellular processes including transcription, DNA repair and the cell cycle.
Capillary electrochromatography-mass spectrometry for the separation and identification of isomeric polyaromatic hydrocarbon DNA adducts derived from in vitro reactions.

Capillary electrochromatography (CEC) is an emerging technique that combines features of both micro-capillary high-performance liquid chromatography (μHPLC) and capillary electrophoresis (CE). This separation technique possesses high speed and the efficiency of an electro-driven system, while the selectivity and sample loadability compare to those of a packed capillary LC column. Since the separation mechanism is based on that of HPLC, the concept of isoeluotropic strength and selectivity of solvents as well as the on-column focusing techniques for sample introduction used in LC can be applied in CEC. This article examines some of these features of CEC in the context of our own experiences with the technique. More specifically, emphasis is placed on applications of CEC to the analysis of DNA adducts of polyaromatic hydrocarbons by coupling CEC to mass spectrometry. It is shown that, with proper selection of mixed organic modifiers in the mobile phase, i.e. ternary and quaternary mobile phases, complex DNA adduct mixtures derived from in vitro reactions can be separated isocratically with improved selectivity and much greater speed than by HPLC. Additionally, the speed of the analysis is further enhanced by employing a step gradient. Furthermore, CEC may be easily coupled to mass spectrometry such that the characterization of each isolated component from the mixtures is performed on-line with the separation. By using on-column focusing, the sample loadability onto a CEC column is improved.
Predictive biomarker validation in practice: lessons from real trials:

Background With the advent of targeted therapies, biomarkers provide a promising means of individualizing therapy through an integrated approach to prediction using the genetic makeup of the disease and the genotype of the patient. Biomarker validation has therefore become a central topic of discussion in the field of medicine, primarily due to the changing landscape of therapies for treatment of a disease and these therapies purported mechanism(s) of action.Purpose In this report, we discuss the merits and limitations of some of the clinical trial designs for predictive biomarker validation using examples from ongoing or completed clinical trials.Methods The designs are broadly classified as retrospective (i.e., using data from previously well-conducted randomized controlled trials (RCT)) versus prospective (enrichment or targeted, unselected or all-comers, hybrid, and adaptive analysis). We discuss some of these designs in the context of real trials.Results Well-designed retrospective analysis of prospe...
MECHANICAL RELAXATIONS OF NYLON-POLYUREA BLOCK COPOLYMERS

Dynamic mechanical analysis from −150 to +150°C has been carried out on seven block copolymers that were prepared by the in situ anionic polymerization of caprolactam in the presence of a preformed polyurea. The various relaxations have been identified and activation energies calculated. Some polymer–polymer miscibility of the polyurea and amorphous nylon copolymer segments is indicated by the compositional dependence of the α relaxation.
Energy correlations in random transverse field Ising spin chains

The end-to-end energy-energy correlations of random transverse field quantum Ising spin chains are computed using a generalization of an asymptotically exact real space renormalization group (RG) previously introduced. Away from the critical point, the average energy-energy correlations decay exponentially with a correlation length that is the same as that of the spin-spin correlations. The typical correlations, however, decay exponentially with a characteristic length, proportional to the square root of the primary correlation length. At the quantum critical point, the average correlations decay subexponentially as [overline C[sub L]]~e–const L1/3, whereas the typical correlations decay faster, as ~e -Ksqrt(L) , with K a random variable with a universal distribution. The critical energy-energy correlations behave very similarly to the smallest gap, computed previously; this is explained in terms of the RG flow and the excitation structure of the chain. In order to obtain the energy correlations, an extension of the previously used methods was needed; here, this was carried out via RG transformations that involve a sequence of unitary transformations.
Vitamin B12 distribution between plasma and cells.

PUBLISHED values for vitamin B12 and blood dyscrasias are nearly all based upon values in serum1. Since B12 assays can be carried out without inhibition of the assay organisms by whole blood and without interference by colour2–4, we investigated the distribution of B12 between plasma and the cellular elements of blood.
Team Member Personality, Performance and Stress in a RoboFlag Synthetic Task Environment:

Effective teamwork is an important component in the control of multiple unmanned vehicles (UVs). Personality traits of individual team members may be a factor influencing overall team performance a...
Direct measurements of the terminal laser level lifetime in neodymium-doped crystals and glasses

We have measured the terminal level lifetime (τ11/2) for the 1-μm neodymium transition in several laser media, using a novel pump (2.41-μm) and probe (1.06-μm) technique. This method allows us to populate the 4I13/2 level directly and subsequently to monitor the terminal level 4I11/2 population as a function of time by observing the change in integrated fluoresence of the 0.88-μm emission for each time delay between the pump and the probe pulses. We developed a computer model to analyze the data and determined the upper and lower limits for the τ11/2 lifetime. The results for some of the materials investigated are 115–225 ps for Nd:Y3Al5O12, 250–450 ps for Nd:LG-750 (phosphate glass), 535–740 ps for Nd:LG-660 (silicate glass), 896–1900 ps for Nd:YAlO3, and 10.5–20 ns for Nd:YLiF4. In addition, we found the lifetimes to be independent of the neodymium doping concentration for the phosphate and silicate glass samples investigated.
An adaptive test of significance for a subset of regression coefficients

An F-test for a subset of regression coefficients is often used in order to compare two nested linear models. An adaptive test is proposed that has higher power than this F-test for many non-normal distributions of error terms. The adaptive test uses a weighted least squares procedure with weights determined from the Studentized deleted residuals from a linear model. A permutation method is then used so that the resulting test maintains its size near the nominal value. Results from several simulation studies are used to compare the power of the adaptive test to the F-test. The adaptive test is recommended as a way of increasing the power of many common tests when used with models that have few parameters whenever the distribution of errors is non-normal and the number of observations exceeds 20.
A hierarchical model of the evolution of human brain specializations

The study of information-processing adaptations in the brain is controversial, in part because of disputes about the form such adaptations might take. Many psychologists assume that adaptations come in two kinds, specialized and general-purpose. Specialized mechanisms are typically thought of as innate, domain-specific, and isolated from other brain systems, whereas generalized mechanisms are developmentally plastic, domain-general, and interactive. However, if brain mechanisms evolve through processes of descent with modification, they are likely to be heterogeneous, rather than coming in just two kinds. They are likely to be hierarchically organized, with some design features widely shared across brain systems and others specific to particular processes. Also, they are likely to be largely developmentally plastic and interactive with other brain systems, rather than canalized and isolated. This article presents a hierarchical model of brain specialization, reviewing evidence for the model from evolutionary developmental biology, genetics, brain mapping, and comparative studies. Implications for the search for uniquely human traits are discussed, along with ways in which conventional views of modularity in psychology may need to be revised.
Regulatory T Cells in the Antibody Response to Haemophilus influenzae Type b Polysaccharide

An in vitro culture system for the induction of an antipolysaccharide response was used to study the cellular interactions which determine the magnitude and nature of this B-lymphocyte response. Healthy adult volunteers were vaccinated with the Haemophilus influenzae type b polysaccharide (PRP)-tetanus toxoid (TT) conjugate vaccine. Optimal in vitro anti-PRP and anti-TT antibody responses were obtained when B cells were cultured with equal amounts of T cells. The in vitro response is antigen dependent and antigen specific. Culturing with PRP mixed with TT in the presence of T cells induces the highest number of anti-PRP antibody-secreting cells (ASC) (128.4 x// 15.9 [geometric mean x// standard deviation] immunoglobulin M [IgM] anti-PRP ASC/10(6) cells; 9.3 x// 7.6 IgG anti-PRP ASC/10(6) cells). Culturing without T cells induced no anti-PRP ASC; culturing with only PRP, in the presence of T cells, yielded low numbers of anti-PRP ASC (3.7 x// 5.2 IgM anti-PRP ASC/10(6) cells and 1.2 x// 2.2 IgG anti-PRP ASC/10(6) cells). Transwell studies showed that the requirements for the antibody response against the polysaccharide are different from those of an antiprotein response. Cytokines formed as a consequence of contact between protein-specific B and T cells were on their own not sufficient to activate TT-specific B cells (8.4 x// 1.4 anti-TT ASC/10(6) cells); direct contact between T and B cells appeared to be an absolute requirement. However, physical contact between B and T cells in one compartment of the Transwell system resulted in the release of soluble factors able to stimulate B cells in the other compartment to secrete antipolysaccharide antibodies (164 x// 1.6 anti-PRP ASC/10(6) cells).
Magnesium isotopic fractionation in chondrules from the Murchison and Murray CM2 carbonaceous chondrites

We present high-precision measurements of the Mg isotopic compositions of a suite of types I and II chondrules separated from the Murchison and Murray CM2 carbonaceous chondrites. These chondrules are olivine- and pyroxene-rich and have low 27 Al/ 24 Mg ratios (0.012-0.316). The Mg isotopic compositions of Murray chondrules are on average lighter (d 26 Mg ranging from 0.95& to 0.15& relative to the DSM-3 standard) than those of Murchison (d 26 Mg ranging from 1.27& to +0.77&). Taken together, the CM2 chondrules exhibit a narrower range of Mg isotopic compositions than those from CV and CB chondrites studied previously. The least-altered CM2 chondrules are on average lighter (average d 26 Mg = 0.39 0.30&, 2SE) than the moderately to heavily altered CM2 chondrules (average d 26 Mg = 0.11 0.21&, 2SE). The compositions of CM2 chondrules are consistent with isotopic fractionation toward heavy Mg being associated with the formation of secondary silicate phases on the CM2 parent body, but were also probably affected by volatilization and recondensation processes involved in their original formation. The low-Al CM2 chondrules analyzed here do not exhibit any mass-independent variations in 26 Mg from the decay of 26 Al, with the exception of two chondrules that show only small variations just outside of the analytical error. In the case of the chondrule with the highest Al/Mg ratio (a type IAB chondrule from Murchison), the lack of resolvable 26 Mg excess suggests that it either formed >1 Ma after calcium-aluminum-rich inclusions, or that its Al-Mg isotope systematics were reset by secondary alteration processes on the CM2 chondrite parent body after the decay of 26 Al.
Polynomial-time verification of diagnosability of partially observed discrete-event systems

The problem of verifying the properties of diagnosability and I-diagnosability is considered. We present new polynomial-time algorithms for deciding diagnosability and I-diagnosability. These algorithms are based on the construction of a nondeterministic automaton called a verifier.
Electrode position and size in electrical impedance myography

Abstract Objective Linear-electrical impedance myography (EIM) is a non-invasive technique for the evaluation of muscle, in which high-frequency alternating current is injected into the body via two surface electrodes, and the resulting voltage pattern over a selected muscle is measured using a second, larger set of electrodes. The precise location and size of the electrodes can be critical to the data obtained, and in this study the effects of variation in these factors were evaluated. Methods Linear-EIM was performed in 5 subjects while varying the location of the current injecting electrodes and in an additional 8 subjects while varying the position of the voltage electrodes. Results The major outcome variable, the ‘spatially averaged phase’ ( θ avg ), decreased as the ipsilateral current injecting electrode was moved farther from the voltage electrodes, reaching a plateau 15–20 cm distant. As for the voltage electrode array, distal–proximal shifts resulted in the greatest changes, with variation in θ avg being as high as 14% per cm; circumferential shifts around the limb had more modest effects. Conclusions Linear-EIM results depend systematically on current and voltage electrode positions, but with reasonable care variation can be minimized. Significance With proper attention to electrode placement, linear-EIM has sufficient reproducibility to become an important clinical tool in neuromuscular disease evaluation.
International Assessment: A Rasch Model and Teachers' Evaluation of TIMSS Science Achievement Items.

The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) is a comparative assessment of the achievement of students in many countries. In the present study, a rigorous independent evaluation was conducted of a representative sample of TIMSS science test items because item quality influences the validity of the scores used to inform educational policy in those countries. The items had been administered internationally to 16,009 students in their eighth year of formal schooling. The evaluation had three components. First, the Rasch model, which emphasizes high quality items, was used to evaluate the items psychometrically. Second, readability and vocabulary analyses were used to evaluate the wording of the items to ensure they were comprehensible to the students. And third, item development guidelines were used by a focus group of science teachers to evaluate the items in light of the TIMSS assessment framework, which specified the format, content, and cognitive domains of the items. The evaluation components indicated that the majority of the items were of high quality, thereby contributing to the validity of TIMSS scores. These items had good psychometric characteristics, readability, vocabulary, and compliance with the assessment framework. Overall, the items tended to be difficult: constructed response items assessing reasoning or application were the most difficult, and multiple choice items assessing knowledge or application were less difficult. The teachers revised some of the sampled items to improve their clarity of content, conciseness of wording, and fit with format specifications. For TIMSS, the findings imply that some of the non-sampled items may need revision, too. For researchers and teachers, the findings imply that the TIMSS science items and the Rasch model are valuable resources for assessing the achievement of students. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 49: 1321–1344, 2012
Mass culture of the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis and its evaluation as a food for larval anchovies

Growth rates of anchovy larvae, Engraulis mordax, reared for 19 days under constant environmental conditions on a diet of laboratory-cultured organisms, exceeded the growth rates of anchovies fed on a diet of wild plankton. The rotifer Brachionus plicatilis was found to be a nutritous food source when fed to the larvae in concentrations of 10 to 20/ml and in combination with the dinoflagellate Gymnodinium splendens (100/ml). Optimum conditions were determined for mass culture of the rotifer. A high food concentration was the most important parameter needed to assure a high yield of rotifers. Large volumes (464 I) of the unicellular flagellate Dunaliella sp. were cultured for feeding the rotifers. The rotifer culture technique described produces approximately 2.5×106 organisms/day, providing a reliable food source for rearing studies. The lengths of B. plicatilis (without eggs) ranged between 99 and 281 μ, most rotifers being larger than 164 μ and less than 231 μ. Individuals weighed 0.16 μg and contained 8×10-4 cal.
Unified model of boron diffusion in thin gate oxides: effects of F, H/sub 2/, N, oxide thickness and injected Si interstitials

This work is describes the first unified network-defect-level model for B diffusion in SiO/sub 2/ for use in process simulation. Models have been developed to explain silicon processing effects on B diffusion through thin gate oxides. With these models we can predict the enhanced B diffusion effects in poly Si/SiO/sub 2/ structures from BF/sub 2/ implants, wet oxidation and exposure to H/sub 2/ ambients, and the concentration of N in nitrided oxides in reducing B diffusion. We have also shown for the first time that there is an oxide thickness dependence on B diffusion.
EarthDB: scalable analysis of MODIS data using SciDB

Earth scientists are increasingly experiencing difficulties with analyzing rapidly growing volumes of complex data. Those who must perform analysis directly on low-level National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Level 1B calibrated and geolocated data, for example, encounter an arcane, high-volume data set that is burdensome to make use of. Instead, Earth scientists typically opt to use higher-level "canned" products provided by NASA. However, when these higher-level products fail to meet the requirements of a particular project, a cruel dilemma arises: cope with data products that don't exactly meet the project's needs or spend an enormous amount of resources extracting what is needed from the unadulterated low-level data. In this paper, we present EarthDB, a system that eliminates this dilemma by offering the following contributions:1. Enabling painless importing of MODIS Level 1B data into SciDB, a highly scalable science-oriented database platform that abstracts away the complexity of distributed storage and analysis of complex multi-dimensional data,2. Defining a schema that unifies storage and representation of MODIS Level 1B data, regardless of its source file,3. Supporting fast filtering and analysis of MODIS data through the use of an intuitive, high-level query language rather than complex procedural programming and,4. Providing the ability to easily define and reconfigure entire analysis pipelines within the SciDB database, allowing for rapid ad-hoc analysis. To demonstrate this ability, we provide sample benchmarks for the construction of true-color (RGB) and Normalized Difference Vegetative Index (NDVI) images from raw MODIS Level 1B data using relatively simple queries with scalable performance.
Protolith age and timing of Precambrian magmatic and metamorphic events in the Priest River complex, northern Rockies

U–Pb dating of detrital zircons, magmatic zircons, and metamorphic zircon overgrowths and titanites from the Priest River complex, USA, reveal the ages of high-grade metasedimentary rocks, intrusiv...
NUMERICAL INTERFACES IN FINITE DIFFERENCE METHODS FOR HYPERBOLIC EQUATIONS WITH DISCONTINUOUS COEFFICIENTS

In this paper, we discuss the interface problems arising in using finite difference methods to solve hyperbolic equations with discontinuous coefficients. The schemes developed here can be used to handle four important types of numerical interfaces due to: (1) the discontinuity of the coefficients of the PDE, (2) using artificial boundary, (3) using different finite difference formulae in different areas, and (4) using different grid sizes in different areas. Stability analysis for these schemes is carried out in terms of conventional l1, l2, and l∞ norms so that the convergence rates of these schemes are obtained. Several numerical examples are supplied to demonstrate properties of these schemes.
Measuring the fine structure constant using helium fine structure

The fine structure of the 2/sup 3/S-2/sup 3/P transition in helium has been precisely measured using laser excitation of an atomic beam. The results give /spl alpha//sup -1/=137.035 853 (3) (7) (99). The three values of standard deviation are from the uncertainty in the measured atomic frequency interval, the total experimental error (including the frequency calibration), and helium theory (1978 value), respectively. >
Frequency Discrimination in Regions of Normal and Impaired Sensitivity

Psychometric functions for frequency discrimination were obtained from both normal-hearing and hearing-impaired listeners at 300, 1200, and 3000 Hz. Difference limens for frequency (DLFs) were deri...
Characterization of the short isoform of the growth hormone receptor synthesized by rat adipocytes

Two mRNA transcripts that are believed to be alternately spliced products of the GH receptor gene have been reported in a variety of rat tissues. The smaller (1.2 kilobases) transcript was cloned from an adipocyte library, sequenced, and found to encode a protein identical to the soluble GH-binding protein (GHBP) in plasma. An assay that is specific for the short isoform of the GH receptor, often referred to as the GHBP, has been developed using a rabbit antiserum that recognizes the unique amino acid sequence at its carboxyl end. The assay depends upon immunoprecipitation of a complex consisting of [125I]human GH, the binding protein, antiserum, and protein-A cross-linked to agarose beads. To validate the assay, samples of rat plasma were analyzed and found to contain sufficient binding protein to bind 1.46 pmol (32 ng) GH/ml, with an affinity of 2.7 x 10(9) M-1. In adipocyte extracts, binding protein activity was sufficient to bind 61 fmol GH/g tissue, with an affinity of 2.3 x 10(9) M-1. The binding pr...
Composing architectural styles from architectural primitives

Architectural styles are named collections of constraints on configurations of architectural elements, and are believed to bring economies of scale in applying software architecture techniques to software development. Existing research on architectural styles provides little guidance for the systematic design and construction of architectural style elements. This paper proposes a framework, Alfa, for systematically and constructively composing "architectural primitives" to obtain elements of architectural styles. This is based on our observation that architectural styles share many underlying concepts that lead to architectural primitives. We have identified eight forms and nine functions as architectural primitives that reflect the syntactic and semantic characteristics of architectural styles and are expressive enough to compose their elements. Our approach is also illustrated using a familiar style -- pipe-and-filter.
Extending Shape Grammars with Descriptors

One of the problems in using shape grammars is being able to describe succinctly and precisely the conditions necessary to perform the appropriate transformation in a drawing. This paper proposes new descriptors in shape grammars that can control rule selection and the matching conditions between a schema and a drawing. The framework for the descriptors is based on the decision making process when applying a rule. This process is divided into six phases: rule selection, drawing state, parameter requirements, transformation requirements, contextual requirements, and application method. The characteristic of each phase is described and some examples are presented.
Review of Collaboration in Libraries and Learning Environments

The problem with this book is that it is unfortunately titled. This book is not about librarians collaborating with faculty in online courseware, or even the merging of library and IT desks (alone). This book is a collection of interesting and relevant case studies, many involving what are often called Learning or Information Commons on a grand scale. Not all of them involve libraries, and for many that do, the library is not the focus. Most of the chapter authors are nonlibrary, or more-than-library, administrators. I suspect that, given the title, many librarians will pick up this book and be disappointed in the lack of library focus, and many others in higher education will not pick this book up at all. It is not a book for the average librarian or, despite the “learning environments” in the title, an online courseware administrator or instructional designer.
Amylose content decreases during tuber development in potato

BACKGROUND Potato starch is composed primarily of amylopectin and amylose in an approximately 3:1 ratio. Amylose is considered to be nutritionally desirable in North American and European markets, so there is interest in finding strategies to increase the amylose content of potato starch. There is also interest in marketing ‘baby’ potatoes, which are harvested when they are physiologically immature. This study was carried out to determine weekly changes in amylose content in potato tubers of 11 North American cultivars during the growing season. The trial was repeated across 3 years. RESULTS We determined that amylose content is highest early and it decreases in a linear fashion as the growing season progresses. Mean amylose content across cultivars and years declined from 30.0% in late June to 26.8% in late August. The rate of decrease varied across years, with slopes of linear regression plots ranging from −0.17 in 2012 to −0.74 in 2011. Amylose content in tuber starch varied among cultivars, with the highest levels observed in Ranger Russet (30.7%) and White Pearl (31.6%); it was lowest in Kennebec (25.7%) and Langlade (25.6%). CONCLUSIONS This study adds to a growing body of literature on the nutritional value of immature potato tubers. In addition to having higher levels of some phytonutrients, as reported in other studies, immature tubers have a higher proportion of amylose in the starch. This is nutritionally desirable in affluent regions where high fiber content is more important than calories from carbohydrates. Published 2016. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Importance of fine particles in pesticide runoff from concrete surfaces and its prediction.

Pesticides such as pyrethroids have been frequently found in runoff water from urban areas and the offsite movement is a significant cause for aquatic toxicities in urban streams and estuaries. To better understand the origination of pesticide residues in urban runoff, we investigated the association of pyrethroid residues with loose particles in runoff water from concrete surfaces after treatment with commercial products of bifenthrin and permethrin. In runoff water generated from simulated precipitations after 1 to 89 d exposure under dry outdoor conditions, over 80% of the pesticides was found on particles >0.7 μm for most treatments. The solid–water partitioning coefficient (Kd) on day 1 was estimated to be 2.4 × 103 to 1.1 × 105 L/kg for permethrin and bifenthrin on these solids. Except for solid formulations, the pesticide-laden particles likely originated from dust particles preexisting on the concrete before treatment and the disintegration of the surficial concrete matter through weathering. We c...
The Joy Luck Club: directed by Wayne Wang, with screenplay by Amy Tan and Ronald Bass, and novel by Amy Tan (1989). Produced by Oliver Stone. Hollywood, CA: Hollywood Pictures Films, 1993

The Joy Luck Club is a 1993 Western American film based upon the book of the same name by Amy Tan. The film focuses primarily on the relationship between four Chinese American women and their relat...