cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The synchronization of traffic signals by mixed-integer linear programming

Traffic signals can be synchronized so that a car, starting at one end of a main artery and traveling at preassigned speeds, can go to the other end without stopping for a red light. The portion of a signal cycle for which this is possible is called the bandwidth for that direction. A mixed-integer linear program is formulated for the following arterial problem: Given 1 an arbitrary number of signals, 2 the red-green split at each signal, 3 upper and lower limits on signal period, 4 upper and lower limits on speed between adjacent signals, and 5 limits on change in speed, find 1 common signal period, 2 speeds between signals, and 3 the relative phasing of the signals, in order to maximize the sum of the bandwidths for the two directions. Several variants of the problem are formulated, including the problem of synchronizing a network of signals. Branch-and-bound algorithms are developed for solving the mixed-integer linear programs by solving sequences of ordinary linear programs. A 10-signal arterial example and a 7-signal network example are worked out.
Strong wind observations in the atmospheric surface layer

Abstract The content of this article is a contribution to the limited amount of available strong-wind multi-level tower observations in the atmospheric surface layer, and is primarily intended for those engineers and scientists engaged in the field of wind engineering. The observations were used to evaluate the correctness of the predictions obtained from theoretical and empirical models, the latter used frequently by the wind engineering community. The comparisons included profiles of mean wind, turbulence intensity, and gust velocities. To test the mean-velocity models for the prediction of wind speeds at locations where no recording stations were present, observations at a reference location were used to predict and to compare with the simultaneous observations at a number of locations where wind speed observations were available. The analysis of the data revealed that under strong wind conditions thermal stability effects should not be ignored. For obstacle-free open terrain significant variations of the aerodynamic roughness length are observed. The height of the surface layer that increases with roughness and wind speed is at least 150 m. Davenport's “gradient” height, not a function of wind speed, is approximately twice the height of the surface layer that applies to the strong wind data analyzed. Estimation of wind speed at locations where normally no observations are available may exceed the actual speed by as much as 50%.
Diffusion and implementation: Sources of resistance to educational change

This is the second in a series of articles dealing with the DIFUSION AND IMPLEMENTATION of instructional inovations. The initial introductory article to this series appeared in the April issue. Subsequent articles will deal with various special aspects of planned change in education.
Relationship between Private Self-Consciousness and Indices of Reliability and Homogeneity

Previous research has shown that scores on private self-consciousness were related to increased test-retest reliability and internal consistency of responses. To extend these findings to other measures, split-half reliability and Cronbach alpha 84 women and 27 men completed the Self-consciousness Scale and the NEO-Five Factor Inventory. It was hypothesized that subjects scoring high in private self-consciousness would show greater split-half reliability and homogeneity. The results did not support the hypotheses as scores for private self-consciousness were not significantly related to split-half reliability or homogeneity on the NEO-Five Factor Inventory. The present results, combined with previous findings, suggest that private self-consciousness is related to temporal stability of test scores but not to estimates of reliability associated with parallel forms of a test or to internal consistency.
Discovery of HIV fusion inhibitors targeting gp41 using a comprehensive α-helix mimetic library.

Abstract The evaluation of a comprehensive α-helix mimetic library for binding the gp41 NHR hydrophobic pocket recognizing an intramolecular CHR α-helix provided a detailed depiction of structural features required for binding and led to the discovery of small molecule inhibitors ( K i 0.6–1.3 μM) that not only match or exceed the potency of those disclosed over the past decade, but that also exhibit effective activity in a cell–cell fusion assay (IC 50 5–8 μM).
Meat‐related mutagens/carcinogens in the etiology of colorectal cancer

Diets containing substantial amounts of red or preserved meats may increase the risk of various cancers, including colorectal cancer. This association may be due to a combination of factors such as the content of fat, protein, iron, and/or meat preparation (e.g., cooking or preserving methods). Red meat may be associated with colorectal cancer by contributing to N-nitroso compound (NOC) exposure. Humans can be exposed to NOCs by exogenous routes (from processed meats in particular) and by endogenous routes. Endogenous exposure to NOCs is dose-dependently related to the amount of red meat in the diet. Laboratory results have shown that meats cooked at high temperatures contain other potential mutagens in the form of heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). To investigate the role of these compounds, we have created separate databases for HCAs and PAHs, which we have used in conjunction with a validated meat-cooking food frequency questionnaire. The role of meat type, cooking methods, doneness levels, and meat-cooking mutagens has been examined in both case-control studies and prospective cohort studies, with mixed results. Here, we review the current epidemiologic knowledge of meat-related mutagens, and evaluate the types of studies that may be required in the future to clarify the association between meat consumption and colorectal cancer.
A latent variable model approach to estimating systematic bias in the oversampling method

The method of oversampling data from a preselected range of a variable’s distribution is often applied by researchers who wish to study rare outcomes without substantially increasing sample size. Despite frequent use, however, it is not known whether this method introduces statistical bias due to disproportionate representation of a particular range of data. The present study employed simulated data sets to examine how oversampling introduces systematic bias in effect size estimates (of the relationship between oversampled predictor variables and the outcome variable), as compared with estimates based on a random sample. In general, results indicated that increased oversampling was associated with a decrease in the absolute value of effect size estimates. Critically, however, the actual magnitude of this decrease in effect size estimates was nominal. This finding thus provides the first evidence that the use of the oversampling method does not systematically bias results to a degree that would typically impact results in behavioral research. Examining the effect of sample size on oversampling yielded an additional important finding: For smaller samples, the use of oversampling may be necessary to avoid spuriously inflated effect sizes, which can arise when the number of predictor variables and rare outcomes is comparable.
Dielectric behavior of Bi4Ti3O12 at low temperature

Abstract The dielectric permittivity, spontaneous polarization and coercive field at 60 Hz have been measured for fields applied along the ‘c’ axis of unpoled bismuth titanate crystals over the temperature range from 350°K to 5°K. In contrast to the behavior of normal ferroelectrics, P s decreases with temperature; E c at first decreases slowly to a minimum at about 100°K, then increases rapidly on further cooling. The permittivity e c only decreases slightly over the whole measured range.
Resveratrol inhibits MAPK activity and nuclear translocation in coronary artery smooth muscle: reversal of endothelin-1 stimulatory effects.

In porcine coronary arteries, short-term treatment with resveratrol (RSVL) substantially inhibited MAPK activity (IC50=37 μM); and immunoblot analyses revealed consistent reduction in the phosphorylation of ERK-1/-2, JNK-1 and p38, at active sites. Endothelin-1 (ET-1), a primary antecedent in coronary heart diseases, enhanced MAPK activity, phosphorylation and nuclear translocation in a concentration-responsive but RSVL-sensitive manner. RSVL had no effect on basal or forskolin-stimulated cAMP levels, a known downregulator of the MAPK cascade. Likewise, inhibition of MAPK by RSVL was not reversed by the estrogen receptor blockers tamoxifen and ICI-182,780. Conversely, RSVL remarkably attenuated basal and ET-1-evoked protein tyrosine phosphorylation. Because MAPKs promote smooth muscle proliferation and contraction, their current inhibition may contribute to the putative protection by RSVL against coronary heart diseases. These effects apparently do not involve interaction with estrogen receptors.
A NUMERICAL STUDY OF TWO-DIMENSIONAL COMPRESSIBLE NAVIER-STOKES FLOWS

A series of computations have been conducted to study the performance of a newly developed numerical algorithm for highly compressible flows. The algorithm is based on a generalization of a low-speed algorithm developed earlier and utilizes many features different from the conventionally adopted approach for solving compressible flows. By combining it with an adaptive grid procedure, both laminar and turbulent (closed by the k-e model) flows can be satisfactorily computed and compared with the inviscid-flow solutions. The issue related to the adaptive gridding technique, the finite-difference operator, as well as the fluid dynamical aspects of inviscid, laminar, and turbulent flows are studied here. By assessing the results against generally established knowledge in terms of the flow separation, and shock wave and boundary-layer interaction, physically sensible solutions with a wide range of Mach numbers and Reynolds numbers can be observed from the present numerical algorithm.
Atmospheric Pressure Resistive Barrier Cold Plasma for Biological Decontamination

Summary form only given. We have investigated the non thermal resistive barrier gas discharge at atmospheric pressure for low temperature sterilization purposes. We have carried out electrical, chemical, optical, and biological studies on the discharge, with the intent of identifying the chemically and biologically active species produced. We have also demonstrated that effective decontamination can be achieved without causing any damage to the active media. The figure shows a photograph of a business envelope immersed in a large volume of plasma; it shows the plasma is penetrating the envelope. There were no damages done to the envelope during or after the process. The biological studies indicate that effective decontamination can be achieved within minutes when bacteria are exposed to ionized gases in close contact to the contaminating surface. The optical studies results show us that there is no presence of ultraviolet light in the discharge. We have measured the free electron density and the electron recombination time by microwave absorption measurements in the frequency region, 1.5-2.5 GHz. The reactor works on both AC and DC. It is considered to be an advantage of flexibility of its operation especially in distant and/or isolated locations. The running and maintenance costs are far less compared to other conventional plasma reactors
High-Speed Magnetohydrodynamic Flow Control Analyses with Three-Dimensional Simulations

Magnetohydrodynamic studies of high-speed flow control are described with emphasis on understanding fluid response to specific plasma-based perturbations. The theoretical model consists of a verified blend of first principles and empirical components. Detailed analysis is presented of the effect of magnitudes and gradients of magnetic and electric fields, their orientation relative to the velocity vector, ionized region location and extent, and various nondimensional parameters. The balance between ponderomotive force and heating is a major determinant of the effectiveness through competition between work and ohmic dissipation and viscous/inviscid interactions play a crucial role by distorting the velocity field. The interaction with an external circuit through electrodes is relatively efficient when fluid is slowed and energy is extracted, but yields high boundary-layer heating and loss of control performance when fluid is accelerated. These observations are employed to unify results focused on a broad range of objectives. Specific flowfields examined include heat transfer reduction in an Edney type-IV interaction at Mach 8, three-dimensional separation suppression at Mach 5 with magnetic-field-facilitated momentum transfer, inviscid instability-growth-rate modulation in an entropy layer at Mach 6, and energy management in simulated tip-to-tail scramjet designs of both axisymmetric and rectangular cross sections.
Mining important predictors of heart attack

Risk of heart attack is a global issue. This paper attempts to mathematically model the influence of eleven predictors on the heart attack risk. The contribution of each predictor and the related risk of heart attack are obtained from a group of medical doctors. Total 300 such cases are structured in a 300 * 12 matrix to conduct the study. Using statistical data mining, significant joint predictors have been extracted and clinically validated. The study also measures the variations in interpretations among doctors.
The role of curriculum in influencing students to select generalist training: a 21-year longitudinal study.

To determine if specific curricula or backgrounds influence selection of generalist careers, the curricular choices of graduates of Mount Sinai School of Medicine between 1970 and 1990 were reviewed based on admission category. Students were divided into three groups: Group 1, those who started their first year of training at the School of Medicine; Group 2, those accepted with advanced standing into their third year of training from the Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education, a five-year program developed to select and produce students likely to enter primary care fields; and Group 3, those accepted with advanced standing into the third year who spent the first two years at a foreign medical school. All three groups took the identical last two years of clinical training at the School of Medicine. There were no significant differences with respect to initial choice of generalist training programs among all three groups, with 46% of the total cohort selecting generalist training. Of those students who chose generalist programs, 58% in Group 1,51% in Group 2, and 41% in Group 3 remained in these fields rather than progressing to fellowship training. This difference was significant only with respect to Group 3. However, when an analysis was performed among those students providing only primary care as compared to only specialty care, there were no significant differences. Analysis by gender revealed women to be more likely to select generalist fields and remain in these fields without taking specialty training (P<.0001). Differentiating characteristics with respect to choosing generalist fields were not related to either Part I or Part II scores on National Board Examinations or selection to AOA. However, with respect to those specific specialties considered quite competitive (general surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, and ophthalmology), total test scores on Part I and Part II were significantly higher than those of all other students. The analysis indicated that, despite the diverse characteristics of students entering the third year at the School of Medicine, no one group produced a statistically greater proportion of generalists positions than any other, and academic performance while in medical school did not have a significant influence on whether a student entered a generalist field.
Biology of Hyalomma impeltatum (Acari: Ixodidae) under laboratory conditions.

Completion of the life cycle of Hyalomma impeltatum Schulze & Schlottke required an average of 108 d at 26 ± 1°C, 92–96% RH, and 12:12 (L:D) photoperiod. Weights of unfed larvae, nymphs, and females were 0.02, 0.16, and 15.4 mg, respectively, and increased 23-, 164-, and 55-fold, respectively, as a result of feeding on guinea pigs. Larvae and adults exhibited host-seeking behavior less than 1 d after hatching and molt, respectively; nymphs exhibited host-seeking behavior 2.9 d after molt. The mean (±SE) feeding period as larvae was 5.9 (±2.23) d, nymphs 6.7 (±1.10) d, and females 8.0 (±0.19) d. Larvae molted 12.4 (±0.26) d and nymphs molted 28.9 (±0.22) d after engorgement. A sex ratio of 1.26:1 female/male was determined from emerged adults. Females began oviposition 8.9 (±0.22) d after engorgement and produced 10,680 (±300) eggs per female. Egg hatch was 84% (±2.68) after an incubation period of 32.8 (±0.19) d. Females converted 55% of engorged weight into eggs and produced 12,475 (±188) eggs/g of engorged body weight. A freshly laid egg on the first day of oviposition weighed 47.7 (±0.65) µg. An inverse relationship between egg weight and rate of egg production was observed.
The changing face of food science education

Abstract A shift from the paradigm of providing instruction to the paradigm of producing learning is occurring in higher education. In food science education, this paradigm shift is evidenced by the incorporation of innovative approaches in many courses. These include the use of student journals, other writing-to-learn assignments, cooperative and collaborative learning techniques, attempts to accommodate varying learning styles, and methods to enhance problem-solving abilities and critical-thinking skills. We expect the use of these and other innovative approaches to increase as more food science educators come to understand that ‘producing learning’ is their goal.
Angioma serpiginosum with extensive cutaneous involvement

Angioma serpiginosum is a rare condition that involves both the proliferation and dilatation of superficial blood vessels in the skin. It classically begins in childhood, is more common in females, and is asymptomatic. Typical lesions appear on the extremities and are often asymmetric. We report a case of angioma serpiginosum involving extensive areas of the extremities and the trunk to emphasize that extensive cutaneous involvement must be included in the clinical spectrum of this condition.
The accumulation of superoxide radical during the aerobic action of xanthine oxidase. A requiem for H2O4.

The action of xanthine oxidase upon acetaldehyde or xanthine at pH 10.2 has been shown to be accompanied by substantial accumulation of O2− during the first few minutes of the reaction. H2O2 decreases this accumulation of O2− presumably because of the Haber-Weiss reaction (H2O2+O2− → OH−+OH+O2) and very small amounts of superoxide dismutase eliminate it. This accumulation of O2− was demonstrated in terms of a burst of reduction of cytochrome c, seen when the latter compound was added after aerobic preincubation of xanthine oxidase with its substrate. The kinetic peculiarities of the luminescence seen in the presence of luminol, which previously led to the proposal of H2O4−, can now be satisfactorily explained entirely on the basis of known radical intermediates.
Some observations on the course and composition of the cingulum bundle in the rhesus monkey

The course and composition of the cingulum bundle was examined by using the autoradiographic tracer technique in the rhesus monkey. The cingulum bundle is observed to consist of three major fiber components originating from thalamus, cingulate gyrus, and cortical association areas. Following isotope injections in the anterior and lateral dorsal thalamic nuclei, labelled fibers form an arch in the white matter behind the cingulate sulcus and occupy the ventral sector of the cingulum bundle. The fibers from the anterior thalamic nucleus coursing in the cingulum bundle extended rostrally to the frontal cortex and caudally to area 23 and the retrosplenial cortex. In contrast, the fibers from lateral dorsal nucleus reached the retrosplenial cortex as well as the parahippocampal gyrus and presubiculum. Efferent fibers from the cingulate gyrus occupy a dorsolateral sector of the cingulum bundle. Those fibers from area 24 of the cingulate gyrus are directed to the premotor and prefrontal regions as well as area 23 and retrosplenial cortex. The fibers from area 23 extend rostrally to the prefrontal cortex and caudoventrally to the presubiculum and parahippocampal gyrus. Finally, an association component originates mainly from prefrontal cortex and posterior parietal region. These fibers occupy a more dorsal and lateral periphery in the cingulate white matter. Cingulum bundle fibers from the prefrontal cortex extend up to the retrosplenial cortex while those from the posterior parietal cortex extend caudally to the parahippocampal gyrus and presubiculum, and rostrally up to the prefrontal cortex.
Bloomfield the Man

SUMMARYThe wide-spread conception of Bloomfield as a cold, unfeeling person, devoted only to a naive scientism, is discussed and refuted. The very intensity of his feelings led him to repress them and to give vent to them only indirectly, often which quiet but bitter wit and sarcasm. He consequently distanced himself from many of the normal concerns of every-day life and of university politics. This had unfortunate results in the failure of the University of Chicago's administration to recognize his merits; his move to Yale in 1940; his wife's resultant mental break-down on separation from her Chicago environment; and his ensuing stroke in 1946. His contribution to linguistics during the war-years (1941-45) was thus outweighed by the loss of further influence he might have had on the development of American "structuralism" after 1946.RESUMEL'auteur discute et refute l'idee generalement recue que Bloomfield fut une personne froide, inaccessible aux emotions humaines, et devoue exclusivement a un scientisme naif. L'intensite meme de ses sentiments l'amena a les reprimer et a ne les exprimer qu'indirectement, souvent avec un humour amer et sarcastique. Par consequent, il s'est detache de beaucoup des soucis normaux de la vie quotidienne et de la politique universitaire. Le resultat en fut que l'administration de l'Universite de Chicago ne reconnut pas ses merites et qu'il la quitta pour se transferer a Yale University en 1940; que sa femme perdit sa raison apres sa separation de son milieu de Chicago; et qu'il fut frappe d'apoplexie en 1946. De cette facon, bien que sa contribution a la linguistique americaine pendant les annees de la guerre (1941-45) fut considerable, le developpement ulterieur du "structuralisme" americain fut prive de ses conseils et de sa sagesse.
Enhancement of benzodiazepine binding by progabide (SL 76002) and SL 75102

The new GABA derivatives, progabide (SL 76002) and SL 75102 (the corresponding carboxylic acid), enhanced [3H]diazepam binding to rat cortical membranes. SL 75102 was as effective as GABA, and both were less active than muscimol. Similar to other GABA agonists, progabide and SL 75102 enhanced binding in vitro by an increase in affinity. The elevation of [3H]diazepam binding in the presence of SL 75102 was antagonized by bicuculline. In ex vivo experiments, brain membrane preparations of mice pretreated with progabide were found to bind a greater amount of [3H]diazepam. This increased binding was characterized by an elevation in Bmax, while KD was unaffected. [3H]Flunitrazepam binding to brain in vivo was also enhanced in mice pretreated with progabide. Other GABA agonists (muscimol, THIP, isoguvacine) and GABAergic agents (sodium valproate) elicited an increase in [3H]flunitrazepam binding in vivo. Binding of intravenous [3H]flunitrazepam in vivo may be useful for discovering enhancers of benzodiazepine binding.
Exercise radionuclide imaging approaches to coronary artery disease

Abstract Exercise thallium-201 myocardial imaging and exercise radionuclide angiography are the two techniques of nuclear cardiology most widely used for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease. Each of these tests provides information of diagnostic and functional value. The diagnostic accuracy and clinical utility of these two tests for the detection of coronary artery disease are compared. The strengths and weaknesses of each approach are discussed. A clinical approach to the detection and evaluation of coronary artery disease using these radionuclide exercise techniques is presented.
Effects of ultrasound on Drosophila—IV. Pulsed exposures of eggs

Abstract Drosophila larvae are damaged by exposures to low temporal average intensity pulsed ultrasound with peak intensities of 10–20 W/cm 2 (2 MHz). Eggs of the same organism are affected by exposures to 3 W/cm 2 c.w. ultrasound. This experiment shows that eggs become sensitive to high peak intensity (50–100 W/cm 2 ) pulsed ultrasound only shortly before hatching. At this age the larvae have formed and have taken air into the respiratory system. This observation supports the postulate that the sites of action of the ultrasound are the small stabilized gas bodies within the organisms.
Hydriding and dehydriding kinetics of Dy2Co7 hydride

The rates of hydrogen desorption from the β- and γ-phases of Dy2Co7 hydride, as well as hydrogen absorption into the α- and β-phases were measured and compared. This represents the first time that such comparisons have been made of two-phase transitions within the same intermetallic hydride. Experiments were designed so that constant pressure thermodynamic driving forces were established and nearly isothermal conditions were maintained. Under these conditions, the rates of hydrogen evolution from the γ-phase were approximately 7 times faster than that from the β-phase. Hydrogen absorption by the β-phase was approximately 8 times faster than that by the α-phase. One possible explanation for the observed differences is that hydrogen atoms in the β- and γ-phases are in different types of lattice sites and this causes them to have different stability and mobility. This explanation would require that diffusion of hydrogen atoms within the crystal lattice have some role in the rate-controlling process. Enthalpies of formation, reaction orders, rate constants and activation energies were determined for each phase transition.
Substrate Profiling of PRMT1 Reveals Amino Acid Sequences That Extend Beyond the “RGG” Paradigm†

Protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1) catalyzes the mono- and dimethylation of certain protein arginine residues. Although this posttranslational modification has been implicated in many phy...
Strength-based and fracture-based approaches in the analysis of fibre debonding

The debonding behavior of fibers strongly affects the properties of fiber-reinforced composites. In the literature, two different approaches to the fiber debonding problem have been developed. In strength-based approaches, interfacial debonding is assumed to occur once an interfacial strength is reached. In fracture-based approaches, the debonded interfacial zone is regarded as a tunnel crack which grows in size once an interfacial toughness is overcome at the crack tip. In this communication, the conditions for validity of these two different approaches will be discussed with respect to different possible stress distributions along the interface. A method to determine which approach is appropriate for a given composite system will be suggested.
Observations of solid H2, D2 and N2 at pressures around 1.5 Mbar at 25°C

Abstract Observations of Raman scattering of hydrogen, deuterium, and nitrogen pressurized to the solid crystal state reveal dramatic turnovers of the vibron frequency shift as a function of pressure. These phenomena were observed earlier in this study with the hydrogen isotopes, but are reported here for the first time in nitrogen. The molecular bond appears to be weakening in both hydrogen and nitrogen with increasing compression. The specific volume of hydrogen at the highest pressures attained in these experiments is within the range of predicted values for metallization in the molecular form. At 1.5 Mbar the vibron frequency is significantly below (90 cm−1) the 1 bar value. In contrast to the behavior of the hydrogen isotopes, nitrogen changes color and becomes virtually opaque at 1.8 Mbar, suggesting an incipient transformation to an electrically conducting state. At these pressures the molecular vibron in solid nitrogen was still observed.
A computationally practical method for stochastic groundwater modeling

Abstract Stochastic theories of subsurface flow and transport have changed the way we think about heterogeneity but have not had much impact on practical groundwater modeling. Most numerical models still provide no information on prediction uncertainty. This gap between theory and practice is due largely to the excessive computational demands of available numerical methods for solving stochastic problems. The two primary alternatives, Monte Carlo and classical perturbation methods, both require solving large numbers of equations on fine grid spacings that are smaller than the log conductivity correlation length, no matter how smooth the mean flow and variance dynamics of interest are. This results in computational times that are many orders-of-magnitude greater than those required for conventional deterministic simulations. In addition, classical perturbation methods need much more real memory than comparable deterministic simulations. In this paper, we present an innovative approach for stochastic groundwater modeling––one that finally allows taking advantage of the scale disparity between the mean distributions and small-scale process. The new approach, which is called the nonstationary spectral method, implicitly separates the problem into rapidly varying random (stationary) part and a slowly varying deterministic (nonstationary) part and only the latter needs to be solved numerically. A general analysis and a specific numerical example both demonstrate that the nonstationary spectral method is much more efficient than the available alternatives. The methodological innovation dramatically increases the size and range of the problems that can be solved using stochastic methods and represents a major step forward in our effort to make stochastic uncertainty analysis a routine part of groundwater modeling.
Fabrication and testing of an ionic electrospray propulsion system with a porous metal tip array

We report the fabrication and testing of an ionic electrospray propulsion system (iEPS) for maneuvering small satellites in space. Compared with previous ionic electrospray thrusters [1–3], our devices have emission tip arrays made of porous metal that ensure more uniform flow and higher currents while maintaining the high power and propellant efficiencies inherent in these devices. Fabrication of the device was realized by MEMS processes and precision die level assembly. Our test shows a thrust of a few μN for the first time in this type of iEPS device.
Spreading of a Liquid Point Source over a Complex Surface

The flow of thin viscous films over complex surfaces is relevant to the description of heat- and mass-transfer processes over ordered packings. This work focuses on the gravity-induced bulk spreading of a liquid point source over periodic surfaces. This simulates the flow from a drip point over ordered packings in packed beds. Experimental observations indicate that in the absence of contact lines, for corrugations normal to the vertical, the liquid film adopts a shape similar to a Gaussian distribution as it spreads down the solid surface. For this type of flow, a viscous long-wave-type approximation was used to derive a film evolution equation. The film evolution equation retains all three possible driving forces, i.e., components of gravity normal and tangent to the solid surface and capillarity. Agreement between experimental and predicted film thicknesses is seen to be quite good. Experimental data are given also on flow over complex surfaces with corrugations inclined with respect to the vertical.
Localized representations for large amplitude molecular vibrations

Abstract Two novel, closely related variational quantum approaches for efficient and accurate calculation of highly excited vibrational levels of triatomic molecules are presented. The two approaches employ, in slightly different ways, the discrete variable representation (DVR) and the distributed Gaussian basis (DGB) for representation of the internal degrees of freedom. The scope of their applicability is broad; they are particularly suitable for molecules having one or more large amplitude vibrations, on potential surfaces with several local minima. Although formulated in Jacobi and hyperspherical coordinates, respectively, both approaches can be implemented in any coordinate system for which suitable DVRs can be defined. The DVR allows us to define sequentially problems of lower dimensionality, whose truncated sets of eigenvectors serve as very compact, contracted basis sets for the higher dimensional problem. Other important advantages of the DVR-DGB approaches, as well as applications to molecules like LiCN/LiNC, HCN/HNC and H2O, are discussed.
A thermostable promiscuous glucose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase from Helicobacter pylori for the synthesis of nucleotide sugars

Abstract UDP-α- d -glucose pyrophosphorylase (α- d -glucose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase) (UGPase) catalyzes the formation of activated UDP-glucose from glucose-1-phosphate and UTP. Herein we report the cloning and characterization of a thermostable UGPase from a mesophilic, Gram-negative pathogen Helicobacter pylori . An electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS)-based assay demonstrates that the recombinant enzyme absolutely requires divalent cation for its activity, reaching a maximum in the presence of 3 mM Mg 2+ . The optimum activity of the enzyme was around pH 8–9.5 in Tris–HCl buffer and at 37–70 °C; maximum activity was observed at pH 8.5 and 60 °C. Apart from its natural substrate, glucose-1-phosphate, the enzyme also accepts mannose-, galactose-, and glucosamine-1-phosphates. The apparent Michaelis constants of the purified enzyme for glucose-1-phosphate with UTP and dTTP and for mannose-1-phosphate with UTP are 15 ± 2, 32 ± 4 and 77 ± 9 μM, respectively, with the corresponding turnover numbers 5.4, 5.4 and 1.2 min −1 , respectively. An initial velocity study of the forward reaction of the enzyme indicates an ordered bi–bi catalytic mechanism. Analysis of the genomes of other organisms that grow at 37 °C predicts many more such thermostable biocatalysts.
Remarks on model-based estimation of nonhomogeneous Poisson processes and applications to biological systems

This paper makes some remarks concerning model-based estimation methods for the rate of a nonhomo- geneous Poisson processes that describes events arising from modeling biological phenomena in which discrete events are measured. We describe an approach based on observers and Kalman filters as well as preliminary simulation results, and compare these to other methods (not model-based) in the literature. I. INTRODUCTION This work is motivated by questions arising from modeling biological phenomena in which discrete measurements such as "spikes" or "tumbles" are measured, and the objective is to estimate the underlying rate (t) of a nonhomogeneous Poisson processes (NHPP) that describes these events. In such problems, often a small number of realizations is available (for example, through single-cell measurements of a number of neurons or of a population of bacteria). Current microfluidic (for bacteria) or electrode (for neurons) technology allows one to assume that internal variables (voltages, protein concentrations) in these systems behave reasonably identically, so that the only source of randomness is in a jump process driven by these internal variables. In this paper, we outline an approach based on observers and Kalman filters, providing simulation results and comparing these to other methods (not model-based) in the literature. A follow-up paper will further develop theory. We remark that superficially analogous problems have been studied in which a diffusion (stochastic differential equation) describes the evolution of internal parameters and a nonhomogeneous Poisson process is observed, see for example (15), (2). However, our problem is substantially different, because no randomness is assumed in the internal variables, but repeated realizations are observed. In the statistics and signal processing literature, this prob- lem has been studied for certain special classes of signals. There are many ways to pose mathematically the estimation problem that we are interested in. For example, one could look for a maximum likelihood (ML) estimate of parameters, if a parametric model class is assumed for (t). This amounts essentially to a maximum a posteriori (MAP) estimate with a uniform distribution on parameters as prior (5). However, there is no natural probabilistic structure in our applications to suggest the most natural prior; even a conjugate prior to the given Poisson model would not be necessarily justified. where (t) > 0;8t 2 (0;T ), and (t) is continuous for almost all t 2 (0;T ). The cumulative intensity function ( t) is estimated from k (overlapping or non-overlapping) realizations on (0;T ); with ni, i = 1; 2; ;k being the number of observations in the i th realization, and n = P k i=1 ni being the total number of observations. For this estimator, a strong consistency result and an asymptotically valid 100(1 )% confidence interval for ( t);8t2 (0;T ) were shown, as ~ ( t)! ( t); with probability one as k!1;8t2 (0;T ); and
Advanced function printing: a tutorial

Advanced Function Printing (AFP) is an IBM product for printing mixed text, image, and graphics in a system-printing environment. Described is the AFP printing model. We demonstrate the way in which this model is used for existing printing applications, enhanced line printing, and full advanced-function printing.
The Risk of Incident Coronary Heart Disease Among Veterans With and Without HIV and Hepatitis C

Background—Whether hepatitis C virus (HCV) confers additional coronary heart disease (CHD) risk among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected individuals is unclear. Without appropriate adjustment for antiretroviral therapy, CD4 count, and HIV-1 RNA and substantially different mortality rates among those with and without HIV and HCV infection, the association between HIV, HCV, and CHD may be obscured. Methods and Results—We analyzed data on 8579 participants (28% HIV+, 9% HIV+HCV+) from the Veterans Aging Cohort Study Virtual Cohort who participated in the 1999 Large Health Study of Veteran Enrollees. We analyzed data collected on HIV and HCV status, risk factors for and the incidence of CHD, and mortality from January 2000 to July 2007. We compared models to assess CHD risk when death was treated as a censoring event and as a competing risk. During the median 7.3 years of follow-up, there were 194 CHD events and 1186 deaths. Compared with HIV−HCV− Veterans, HIV+HCV+ Veterans had a significantly highe...
Divergent Antibody Subclass and Specificity Profiles but Not Protective HLA-B Alleles Are Associated with Variable Antibody Effector Function among HIV-1 Controllers

Understanding the coordination between humoral and cellular immune responses may be the key to developing protective vaccines, and because genetic studies of long-term HIV-1 nonprogressors have associated specific HLA-B alleles with spontaneous control of viral replication, this subject group presents an opportunity to investigate relationships between arms of the adaptive immune system. Given evidence suggesting that cellular immunity may play a role in viral suppression, we sought to determine whether and how the humoral immune response might vary among controllers. Significantly, Fc-mediated antibody effector functions have likewise been associated with durable viral control. In this study, we compared the effector function and biophysical features of HIV-specific antibodies in a cohort of controllers with and without protective HLA-B alleles in order to investigate whether there was evidence for multiple paths to HIV-1 control, or whether cellular and humoral arms of immunity might exhibit coordinated profiles. However, with the exception of IgG2 antibodies to gp41, HLA status was not associated with divergent humoral responses. This finding did not result from uniform antibody responses across subjects, as controllers could be regrouped according to strong differences in their HIV-specific antibody subclass specificity profiles. These divergent antibody profiles were further associated with significant differences in nonneutralizing antibody effector function, with levels of HIV-specific IgG1 acting as the major distinguishing factor. Thus, while HLA background among controllers was associated with minimal differences in humoral function, antibody subclass and specificity profiles were associated with divergent effector function, suggesting that these features could be used to make functional predictions. Because these nonneutralizing antibody activities have been associated with spontaneous viral control, reduced viral load, and nonprogression in infected subjects and protection in vaccinated subjects, understanding the specific features of IgGs with potentiated effector function may be critical to vaccine and therapeutic antibody development. IMPORTANCE In this study, we investigated whether the humoral and cellular arms of adaptive immunity exhibit coordinated or compensatory activity by studying the antibody response among HIV-1 controllers with different genetic backgrounds.
Transition to turbulent electric current sheet reconnection

Electric current sheets develop in the solar corona when different flux systems come into contact. At these sheets magnetic energy is transformed into heat and kinetic energy by means of reconnection. We have previously demonstrated how to accelerate neutral sheet energy conversion by means of a transition to turbulent reconnection via ideal, three-dimensional secondary instabilities, as conjectured by Montgomery. In this paper we describe how our previous results are modified by the presence of a finite mean sheetwise magnetic field. We find a stabilization from this field, due to a decrease in energy transfer from the basic magnetic field to the three-dimensional perturbed fields. An increase in perturbed dissipative energy losses is also observed.
Perceived access to reinforcers as a function of alcohol consumption among one First Nation group.

BACKGROUND: Spillane and Smith (2007, Psychol Bull 133:395-418) postulated that high levels of problem drinking in some First Nation (FN) communities resulted in part from the perception that there is low access to alternative reinforcers (e.g., jobs, friendships, family relationships, and financial security), that many alternative reinforcers are less contingent on sobriety, and that others are available regardless of drinking status for reserve-dwelling FN members. METHODS: This study examined perceptions of access to alternative reinforcers and the extent to which access varied as a function of drinking in 211 FN members living on 1 reserve in Canada, 138 middle socioeconomic status Caucasians (MCCs), and 98 low socioeconomic status Caucasians (LCCs). RESULTS: The FN group expected less access to employment, quality family and friend relationships, and financial security compared with the MCC group. After controlling for perceived access in general, gender, and age, the FN group reported that drinking would not cause a decrease in access to employment, family relationships, friendships, and finances as compared to the MCC group. The FN group did not differ from the LCC group in the degree to which they expected drinking to cost access to family relationships or finances, but the LCC group expected drinking to have less of an impact on access to jobs and friendships as compared to the FN group. CONCLUSIONS: The results provide initial support for the Spillane and Smith theory of problem drinking among this 1 FN group. The results suggest that increasing access to these reinforcers may reduce problematic drinking in this FN group. Language: en
Segment streaming for efficient pipelined televisualization

The authors believe that a pipelined televisualization model is suitable for efficient implementation of most visualization applications. In order to support this model over high-speed networks, they are developing a segment streaming interprocess communication mechanism within the Axon communication architecture. Important aspects of this effort include the segment streaming paradigm which supports low-overhead communication as well as concurrency between the communication and local computation; a two-level flow control method that provides interstage flow control and ensures that the transport level is conforming to the rate agreement with the underlying network; and an application-oriented error control method which allows error control to be optimized for different applications. >
Relationship between traumatic events in childhood and chronic pain

Purpose: The purpose was to examine the relationships between traumatic events in childhood, such as sexual and physical abuse, alcoholism, and drug addiction, and three types of chronic pain: facial pain, myofascial pain, and fibromyalgia. A fourth group, a heterogeneous group of other pain, was used as a comparison group. Method: Ninety one patients with chronic pain, age range 20-60, were consecutively recruited from the outpatient clinics of a rehabilitation hospital and a general hospital. Patients were given four measures for completion at evaluation: Childhood History Questionnaire; Childhood Traumatic Events Scale; McGill Melzack Pain Questionnaire; Pain Disability Index. Chi-square was used to test significant differences among four pain groups on sexual, physical, and verbal abuse; alcoholism; drug dependence; medications; major upheaval, childhood illness, death of a family member or friend, and separation or divorce of parents. Logistic regression was used to predict membership in the four pai...
Parallel packet switching using multiplexors with virtual input queues

Parallel packet switches (PPS) use internal, parallel switch planes that operate at less than line speed. A PPS can scale-up to faster line speeds than a single-plane switch can. Load balancing between planes and providing QoS to flows are open problems. We investigate the performance of a new "VIQ PPS" that distributes cells or variable-length packets to planes and uses multiplexors with virtual input queues (VIQ). A VIQ at an output multiplexor consists of one FIFO queue for each input. Simulation is used to evaluate the performance of a 10-Gbps VIQ PPS that contains ten 1-Gbps switch planes. It is found that at high offered loads the mean delay of a VIQ PPS switch is lower than that of a single-plane iSLIP switch. For unbalanced loads, the VIQ PPS demonstrates stability where an iSLIP switch is unstable. Especially promising results are shown for VIQ PPS native switching of variable-length Ethernet packets.