cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The future of WDM systems

The recent sharp increase in the demand for bandwidth has, in a short period of time, pushed dense WDM from laboratory curiosity to wildly popular field proven technique for economically increasing fiber capacity. This talk looks at where we believe key issues lie in WDM systems.
Familiarity and transparency in idiom explanation: a developmental study of children and adolescents.

Idioms differ widely in their degree of difficulty for children and adolescents. Two factors that might account for these differences, familiarity and transparency, were examined. Children and adol...
Human Microtubule-Associated Protein 1a (MAP1A) Gene: Genomic Organization, cDNA Sequence, and Developmental- and Tissue-Specific Expression

Microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) regulate microtubule stability and play critical roles in neuronal development and the balance between neuronal plasticity and rigidity. MAP1a (HGMW-approved symbol MAP1A) stabilizes microtubules in postnatal axons. We describe human MAP1a's genomic organization and deduced cDNA and amino acid sequences. MAP1a is a single-copy gene spanning 10.5 kb. MAP1a coding sequence is contained in five exons. Translation begins in exon 3. Human MAP1a contains 2805 amino acids (predicted molecular weight 306.5 kDa) and is slightly larger than rat MAP1a (2774 amino acids). Like rat and bovine MAP1a, human MAP1a contains conserved tubulin binding motifs in the amino-terminal region. The carboxy-terminal portion contains a conserved pentadecapeptide that is present in the light chain portion of rat and bovine MAP1a/LC2 polyprotein. We show that human MAP1a gene expression occurs almost exclusively in the brain and that there is approximately 10-fold greater gene expression in adult brain compared to fetal brain. Strong, interspecies conservation between human and rat MAP1a cDNA and amino acid sequences indicates important relationships between MAP1a's function and its primary amino acid sequence.
Reversible rostral basilar artery syndrome.

• We prospectively studied 34 patients with clinical and radiologic evidence of rostral basilar artery syndrome, a vasoocclusive disorder, who had uniformly excellent short-term functional recovery, in marked contrast to the classic syndrome. All patients displayed important neurobehavioral disturbances, including an acute confusional state, necessitating medical consultation. The composite group had minimal hypertension, significant arrhythmias in the young, and no history of vertebrobasilar insufficiency. Unsuspected cases of idiopathic orthostatic hypotension, as well as cardiac arrhythmias in the elderly, were discovered. A vascular cause was not considered in 79% of those presenting for emergency evaluation and prevented proper acute diagnostic evaluation in 88%. Recognition of this potentially reversible cerebrovascular syndrome may prevent hazardous diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. ( Arch Intern Med 1988;148:166-169)
Overexpression of the Arabidopsis thaliana MinE1 bacterial division inhibitor homologue gene alters chloroplast size and morphology in transgenic Arabidopsis and tobacco plants.

Higher-plant chloroplast division requires some of the same genes that are involved in prokaryotic cell division. These include the FtsZ and MinD proteins. Other genes that might be involved in higher-plant chloroplast division have yet to be characterized. The Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. MinE (AtMinE1) gene was identified in the genomic database, isolated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and constitutively expressed in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) and Arabidopsis plants in both the sense and antisense orientation. Confocal and electron-microscopic analysis of the sense-overexpressing AtMinE1 transgenic tobacco and Arabidopsis plants revealed that the chloroplasts were abnormal in size and shape compared to wild-type Arabidopsis and tobacco chloroplasts. Our results, based on the overexpression of the AtMinE1 gene in tobacco and Arabidopsis, confirm that the AtMinE1 gene is involved in plant chloroplast division.
An information-theoretic two-stage, two-decision rule, choice model

Abstract Recent articles in choice modeling advocate two-stage decision processes in which the decision maker uses the first stage to screen down the number of feasible alternatives, and the second stage to make a final choice. A key question in the analysis of two-stage decision processes is whether the probabilities estimated in the first stage strongly influence the final second stage probabilities, or is the first stage used only to reduce the number of alternatives? This question has not been addressed in the literature, primarily because the second stage model is generally a sinusoidal simultaneous compensatory model such as logit, probit, tobit, … using maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) which cannot directly incorporate first stage probability estimates as the dependent variable. This paper formulates a minimum discrimination information (MDI) approach to intertwine the two stages of a decision process. The MDI methodology discussed in this paper is capable of using proportions directly as input for estimation of the simultaneous compensatory models which makes it potentially useful for a variety of other applications. For a wide class of models the MDI estimates exist and the MDI estimate of logit model is unique. The performance of the MDI method is compared with the MLE in a Monte Carlo simulation and in application to a real world data set. For the real world data set analyzed, the first stage probabilities appear to strongly influence the final choice probabilities.
The impact of quadruple immunosuppression with OKT3 on kidney transplantation in black recipients.

Background Black recipients of kidney transplants have been shown to have lower graft survival than other racial groups. There is ongoing controversy about the optimal immunosuppressive protocol for blacks after kidney transplantation. Patients and Methods Five hundred-eighty-two recipients of kidney transplants performed between 1985 and 1994 were divided into three groups: (1) nonblacks who received cyclosporine and prednisone (N = 292); (2) blacks who received “quadruple” cyclosporine based immunosuppression with OKT3 induction (N = 98); and (3) blacks who received cyclosporine and prednisone only (N = 192). Patient and graft survival and incidence of acute rejection episodes were compared among the groups. Results Blacks had lower graft survival when compared with nonblacks. However, in the subgroup of black recipients who received quadruple immunosuppression, graft survival at 1 year was higher and the incidence of acute rejection episodes was significantly decreased compared with blacks without induction. Graft survival and the incidence of acute rejection in blacks on quadruple therapy was comparable with nonblacks. Conclusions Our data support the principle that quadruple immunosuppression should be used routinely for black recipients of kidney transplants.
Activation and desensitization of glutamate-activated channels mediating fast excitatory synaptic currents in the visual cortex

Brief glutamate applications to membrane patches, excised from neurons in the rat visual cortex, were used to assess the role of desensitization in determining the AMPA/kainate receptor-mediated excitatory postsynaptic current (EPSC) time course. A brief (1 ms) application of glutamate (1-10 mM) produced a response that mimicked the time course of miniature EPSCs (mEPSCs). Direct evidence is presented that the rate of onset of desensitization is much slower than the decay rate of the response to a brief application of glutamate, implying that the decay of mEPSCs reflects channel closure into a state readily available for reactivation. Rapid application of glutamate combined with nonstationary variance analysis provided an estimate of the single-channel conductance and open probability, allowing an approximation of the number of available channels at a single synaptic site.
Modification of cardiac Na+ channels by batrachotoxin: effects on gating, kinetics, and local anesthetic binding.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the characteristics of Na+ channel modification by batrachotoxin (BTX) in cardiac cells, including changes in channel gating and kinetics as well as susceptibility to block by local anesthetic agents. We used the whole cell configuration of the patch clamp technique to measure Na+ current in guinea pig myocytes. Extracellular Na+ concentration and temperature were lowered (5–10 mM, 17 degrees C) in order to maintain good voltage control. Our results demonstrated that 1) BTX modifies cardiac INa, causing a substantial steady-state (noninactivating) component of INa, 2) modification of cardiac Na+ channels by BTX shifts activation to more negative potentials and reduces both maximal gNa and selectivity for Na+; 3) binding of BTX to its receptor in the cardiac Na+ channel reduces the affinity of local anesthetics for their binding site; and 4) BTX-modified channels show use-dependent block by local anesthetics. The reduced blocking potency of local anesthetics for BTX-modified Na+ channels probably results from an allosteric interaction between BTX and local anesthetics for their respective binding sites in the Na+ channel. Our observations that use-dependent block by local anesthetics persists in BTX-modified Na+ channels suggest that this form of extra block can occur in the virtual absence of the inactivated state. Thus, the development of use-dependent block appears to rely primarily on local anesthetic binding to activated Na+ channels under these conditions.
High Resolution Emission Computed Tomography with a Small Germanium Camera

The imaging capabilities of the germanium camera, (high spatial resolution and scatter rejection) combined with processing to recover loss of resolution at depth, have resulted in single-photon emission tomography with significant improvement in spatial resolution when campared to devices based on conventional technology. Multiple radionulides can be imaged, and spatial resolution of 2-4 mm at depth can be realized.
Fuming of stannous oxide from silicate melts

The kinetics of vaporization of SnO from silicate melts was studied in helium, nitrogen, argon and argon-helium mixtures, and in inert gas—carbon monoxide mixtures. The rate of extraction of tin from the meltvia SnO vaporization was significantly higher in reducing gases than in inert gases. The enhanced vaporization phenomenon, commonly recognized in metallic systems, is demonstrated to occur in silicate melts. The vapor phase reduction of SnO (g) was studied experimentally, and the reduction was found to be very rapid. The addition of acidic or basic oxides to the binary SnO-SiO2 melts decreased the vaporization rate.
Cortical shell unwrapping for vertebral body abnormality detection on computed tomography

The vertebral body is the main axial load-bearing structure of the spinal vertebra. Assessment of acute injury and chronic deformity of the vertebral body is difficult to assess accurately and quantitatively by simple visual inspection. We propose a cortical shell unwrapping method to examine the vertebral body for injury such as fractures and degenerative osteophytes. The spine is first segmented and partitioned into vertebrae. Then the cortical shell of the vertebral body is extracted using deformable dual-surface models. The cortical shell is then unwrapped onto a 2D map and the complex 3D detection problem is effectively converted to a pattern recognition problem on a 2D plane. Characteristic features adapted for different applications are computed and sent to a committee of support vector machines for classification. The system was evaluated on two applications, one for fracture detection on trauma CT datasets and the other on degenerative osteophyte assessment on sodium fluoride PET/CT. The fracture CAD achieved 93.6% sensitivity at 3.2 false positive per patient and the degenerative osteophyte CAD achieved 82% sensitivity at 4.7 false positive per patient.
Antigenic components of normal and burned mouse skin.

In Extrakten normaler und verbrannter Haut von Mausen wurde kein Unterschied zwischen den Antigenen gefunden. Kurze Zeit nach der Verbrennung wurden Antigene auch im Serum festgestellt.
3-Methylhistidine Excretion as an Index of Muscle Protein Breakdown in Birds in Different States of Malnutrition

Abstract Using 3-methylhistidine (3-MeHis) excretion as an index, we evaluated the abilities of molting and non-molting sparrows to adjust muscle protein degradation rates in response to three types of nutritional limitations: total food shortage, protein deficiency, or sulfur amino acid (SAA) deficiency. Regardless of nutritional status, molting birds excreted daily at least two-fold as much 3-MeHis as their non-molting counterparts. Both molting and non-molting birds significantly reduced daily excretion of 3-MeHis in response to a 1-day fast. Likewise, both molting and non-molting birds promptly reduced daily excretion of 3-MeHis in response to protein deficiency (within 1 day) and significantly so by day 5 and through day 9 of dietary treatment. Reductions in excretion of 3-MeHis by fasted or protein-limited birds could not be explained solely on the basis of reduced body protein mass and provided evidence of adjustments in muscle protein degradation rates. Responses of birds to SAA deficiency differed between molting and non-molting birds and from responses to the other nutritional limitations. In these birds, 3-MeHis excretion increased significantly on day 1 of dietary treatment. By day 5 and through day 9 of SAA deficiency, non-molting birds excreted 3-MeHis at rates similar to those of their well-nourished counterparts. In contrast, excretion of 3-MeHis by molting birds experiencing SAA deficiency remained significantly higher than by their well-nourished counterparts. Neither molting nor non-molting birds readily reduced muscle protein degradation rates in response to SAA deficiency and it is suggested that their failure to do so may provide evidence of a direct and (or) indirect role for glutathione in the regulation of muscle protein degradation.
Treatment of Comorbidity in Families

SUMMARY Half or more of all people presenting for treatment for alcohol disorders will also have an additional current or past psychological disorder. The presence of a comorbid disorder makes design and implementation of a treatment plan more complicated, completion of treatment less likely, and the odds of relapse greater. In addition, the presence of a comorbid disorder creates added stress on the social support network of the client, in particular, the client's family. In many cases, the stress reaches a level that leads to a cutoff between the client and family. However, when the family is still actively involved in the client's life, the family members may be able to provide much needed assistance in diagnosis, treatment, and support for abstinence. Current studies indicate that, in order to increase the likelihood of successful treatment, most comorbid disorders should be treated concurrently with alcohol disorders.
(l)-2,5-dihydrophenylalanine from the fireblight pathogen Erwinia amylovora

Abstract ( l )-(−)-2,5-Dihydrophenylalanine isolated from axenically grown Erwinia amylovora induces necrosis of pear cells in culture.
Morphogenesis as an amorphous computation

In this paper, we present a programming language viewpoint for morphogenesis, the process of shape formation during embryological development. Specifically, we model morphogenesis as a self-organizing, self-repairing amorphous computation and describe a framework through which we can program large-scale shape formation by giving local instructions to cell-like objects. Then, using this programmatic perspective, we specify some example developmental processes and discuss the characteristics that make them suitable candidates for evolutionary variation and selection. Consistent with the theory of facilitated variation from evolutionary biology, we find that variation in developmental processes can be introduced and conserved due to the hierarchical organization of growth specification.
Accuracy of tropospheric and stratospheric water vapor measurements by the cryogenic frost point hygrometer: Instrumental details and observations

[1] The cryogenic frost point hygrometer (CFH), currently built at the University of Colorado, is a new balloon borne hygrometer, which is capable of continuously measuring water vapor between the surface and the middle stratosphere. The design is loosely based on the old NOAA/CMDL frost point hygrometer, with improved accuracy and a number of significant new features that overcome some limitations of the older instrument. The measurement uncertainty of the new instrument depends on altitude and ranges between less than 4% in the tropical lower troposphere to no more than 10% in the middle stratosphere at 28 km. In the tropopause region the uncertainty is less than 9%. This instrument is used routinely at several sites for validation of satellite measurements and process studies in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere region. It has proved to be particularly well suited for dehydration observations in the tropical upper troposphere, because the effects of cloud contamination have been significantly reduced. Results of this instrument are compared with the old NOAA/CMDL hygrometer, the Russian Fluorescent Lyman Alpha Stratospheric Hygrometer, the Vaisala RS92, the AURA/MLS satellite instrument, a cloud lidar, the NOAA/CSD frost point hygrometer and the Harvard Lyman-alpha hygrometer, both of the later instruments flown on board the NASA WB-57F high-altitude research aircraft. These comparisons demonstrate the level of accuracy of tropospheric and stratospheric water vapor measurements made by this instrument and point to areas where more research and development are needed.
Stochastic field theory: theS-matrix

A modified definition of the stochastic S-matrix ensemble {S(L)} was given. It had only finite matrix elements in any order, was unitary, and seemed to satisfy all other requirements. (C.E.S.)
Serotonin-norepinephrine interactions in the tremorolytic actions of phenoxybenzamine and trazodone ☆

Phenoxybenzamine (5 mg/kg IP) and trazodone (5 mg/kg IP) reduced tremors produced in mice by administration of oxotremorine (10 mg/kg), harmaline (80 mg/kg), catechol (60 mg/kg), kepone (200 mg/kg) and clonidine (100 mg/kg). Azapetine (10 mg/kg IP) in combination with L-5-hydroxytryptophan (50 mg/kg IP) reduced the tremor induced by oxotremorine, catechol, kepone and clonidine. In mice with lower thoracic spinal cord transection, phenoxybenzamine and trazodone reduced catechol-induced tremor above and below the site of transection. These findings suggest that an alpha noradrenergic-serotonergic neuronal balance in the spinal cord may modulate tremors of different etiologies.
Climatology at Urban Long‐Term Ecological Research Sites: Baltimore Ecosystem Study and Central Arizona–Phoenix

The Baltimore Ecosystem Study (BES) and Central Arizona–Phoenix (CAP) Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) programs, established in 1997, are part of an international National Science Foundation long-term ecology monitoring and research network. The study sites are excellent laboratories to integrate ideas on climate of urban areas and how climate change and local variability of climate relate to social, political, economic, and ecological processes over a long time period. A large variety of research data are available online from individual LTER Web sites and a combined database called CLIMDB/HYDRODB is available for climate and ecology researchers and others, to investigate climate and hydrology in LTER study regions including those of BES and CAP. The basic program, climate aspects of these two areas, selected past research, and current ongoing work is briefly reviewed. A large benefit of this National Science Foundation program is the maintenance of support over a very long period of time. With the advent of a National Ecological Observatory Network, continuing collection of climate and environmental information over the coming decades at the local and regional scales, and maintenance of protocols of measurement, it is hoped that a more meaningfully integrated urban climatology with urban ecology will emerge. This will better prepare scientists to gage the impending rapid global warming expected not only of natural environments, but also of burgeoning urban places around the world.
Depression in the Spousally Bereaved Elderly: Correlations with Subjective Sleep Measures

Complaints of poor sleep and symptoms of depression are likely to coexist in the spousally bereaved elderly. This study was concerned with the correlation between depressive symptoms and various measures of subjectively reported sleep using questionnaire and diary instruments in 38 bereaved seniors (60y+). Correlations between the sleep measures and days since loss and grief intensity were also calculated. All sleep disruption measures correlated significantly with depression score, but only sleep duration correlated with grief intensity, and no sleep measure correlated with days since loss. Therapies which address both sleep and depression are likely to be of benefit to bereaved seniors.
Modeling routes of chronic wasting disease transmission: environmental prion persistence promotes deer population decline and extinction

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal disease of deer, elk, and moose transmitted through direct, animal-to-animal contact, and indirectly, via environmental contamination. Considerable attention has been paid to modeling direct transmission, but despite the fact that CWD prions can remain infectious in the environment for years, relatively little information exists about the potential effects of indirect transmission on CWD dynamics. In the present study, we use simulation models to demonstrate how indirect transmission and the duration of environmental prion persistence may affect epidemics of CWD and populations of North American deer. Existing data from Colorado, Wyoming, and Wisconsin's CWD epidemics were used to define plausible short-term outcomes and associated parameter spaces. Resulting long-term outcomes range from relatively low disease prevalence and limited host-population decline to host-population collapse and extinction. Our models suggest that disease prevalence and the severity of population decline is driven by the duration that prions remain infectious in the environment. Despite relatively low epidemic growth rates, the basic reproductive number, R0, may be much larger than expected under the direct-transmission paradigm because the infectious period can vastly exceed the host's life span. High prion persistence is expected to lead to an increasing environmental pool of prions during the early phases (i.e. approximately during the first 50 years) of the epidemic. As a consequence, over this period of time, disease dynamics will become more heavily influenced by indirect transmission, which may explain some of the observed regional differences in age and sex-specific disease patterns. This suggests management interventions, such as culling or vaccination, will become increasingly less effective as CWD epidemics progress.
Using stable isotopes to assess seasonal patterns of avian predation across a terrestrial-marine landscape

In this study, we used the stable isotope ratios 15N/14N and 13C/12C to clarify the spatial and temporal patterns of small mammal derpredation by wide-ranging raptors across a salt marsh and grassland landscape. To determine whether clear isotope signals existed for the two adjoining habitats, and if these differences could allow for an assessment of the seasonal habitat origins of depredated rodents, primarily the vole, Microtus californicus, we investigated the nitrogen and carbon isotope ratios for three sets of data. First, to establish potential differences in isotope signatures between the two habitats, we collected plant species consumed by the vole. Second, we analyzed bone collagen from voles originating from known locations along a gradient from marsh to grassland. Finally, the signatures of these unpredated voles were then used to categorize isotope values of vole remains found in the pellets of their raptor predators. Results indicated that mean δ15N and δ13C were both higher in marsh plants than in grassland species. Although both isotopes showed a trophic level increase from plant to bone collagen, nitrogen provided the more informative signature when attempting to distinguish the habitat origins of voles. We found that the δ15N values of unpredated voles were significantly related to the distance of the specimen along the marsh-grassland interface, with higher values in the marsh habitat. Analysis of the depredated bones found in raptor pellets indicated that a greater percentage of voles originated in grassland during the spring/summer season (88%), as compared with the fall/winter period (60%). Finally, we compared this pattern of habitat and season-specific predation to another measure of predation risk, the relative encounter rates of raptors foraging for voles, and found that the two estimates were similar except during the winter season. This study demonstrates the usefulness of stable isotope analysis for elucidating seasonal patterns of predation across a complex landscape.
Postnatal or in utero ethanol exposure reduction of the volume of the sexually dimorphic nucleus of the preoptic area in male rats.

Abstract Adult male rats exposed to alcohol in utero results in reduction of the volume of the sexually dimorphic nucleus of the preoptic area (SND-POA). Reduction of the volume of this nucleus is also significantly reduced in rats exposed to ethanol postnatally compared to the volume in animals not exposed to ethanol (P
On the oscillation of infinitely divisible and some other processes

A sufficient condition is given for processes admitting a series expansion with partially dependent components to have nonrandom oscillation. Included are infinitely divisible processes with no Gaussian component. This immediately gives information about the sample paths of such processes, e.g. a Belayev type dichotomy between path continuity and unboundedness for stationary or self-similar processes. The sufficient condition for nonrandom oscillation is shown to be necessary for a large class of infinitely divisible processes to have finite nonrandom oscillation. It is also used to relate path continuity to continuity at each point. Similar results are described for path differentiability.
Site blocking by hydrogen: CO on clean and H-presaturated Fe(100)

Abstract Because CO has been observed to facilitate transfer of adsorbed hydrogen to surface-found ethyl groups on Fe(100) and to weaken the FeH bond, we have studied CO binding on hydrogen-presaturated Fe(100) surfaces with electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) to identify differences in CO binding on the clean and hydrogen-saturated surface. The dominant binding site is shown to be quite different for the hydrogen-presaturated surface. We reproduce the CO(α 3 ) desorption state on the clean surface reported by others, representing CO bound in four-fold hollows, which exhibits an unusually low stretching frequency of 1140 cm −1 . On the clean surface this state dominates at low CO coverage and remains as bridging and atop CO states are populated. The hydrogen-presaturated surface clearly blocks binding of CO in this state; the CO(γ) stretching frequency observed is characteristic of bridging and atop binding. Conversion to the CO(α 3 ) state occurs after heating to 343 K to desorb the hydrogen. These results show (i) that coadsorption of CO onto the hydrogen-saturated Fe(100) surface does not lead to phase separation into the phase expected for CO alone on Fe(100) and (ii) that site conversion of CO with hydrogen removal may contribute to the driving force for hydrogen transfer reactions.
The Syndemic Condition of Psychosocial Problems and HIV Risk Among Male Sex Workers in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

In Vietnam, the co-occurrence (i.e., “syndemic”) of psychosocial factors (e.g., depression and substance use) may disproportionately burden male sex workers and increase their HIV risk. A comprehensive survey was conducted among 300 male sex workers in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam in 2010. We performed logistic regression to examine the association between the syndemic variable—a count score of the number of five psychosocial conditions endorsed—and unprotected anal sex (UAS) in the past. One-third of participants reported any UAS, and 42 % reported ≥2 psychosocial health problems. In multivariable models, experiencing ≥4 psychosocial health problems was significantly associated with UAS. Every unit increase in number of psychosocial health problems was associated with a 25–30 % increase in odds of UAS. Understanding the syndemic condition and its association with HIV risk among male sex workers in Vietnam may lead to the development of more effective, comprehensive interventions.
Electronic properties of bulk copper-aluminum and copper-zinc alloys

Magnetic-susceptibility, as well as resistivity, Hall-effect, transverse-magnetoresistance, and thermoelectric-power, measurements have been made on a series of well-characterized bulk samples covering the entire copper-aluminum and copper-zinc phase diagrams. In both systems the resistivity of the $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ phase exhibits a sharp minimum as a function of composition. This minimum correlates with anomalies observed in the other measured properties and supports the hypothesis that the behavior is due to electronic effects associated with overlap between the Fermi surface and the Jones zone for this structure. Comparison of the properties of other phases in the two systems indicates similarities which can be also ascribed to band-structure effects.
Reaction-infiltrated, net-shape SiC composites

Abstract The processing and net-shape capability of SiC composites formed by reactive infiltration of glassy carbon preforms using liquid silicon alloys have been studied. Composites consisting of 65–85 vol.% SiC with a secondary phase of Si, Si-Al, or Si-Cu compounds have been prepared. Tests of dimensional changes and the retention of surface finish during reactive infiltration have been conducted. Changes in linear dimensions between a machined preform and the reacted composite can be smaller than 0.1%. Surface finishes Ra,
A new approach in analysing social-technical roles at Toyota: the team leader

Many companies have attempted to imitate and copy Toyota's team leader position in the implementation of lean manufacturing. Unfortunately, most observations of this role fail to quantify and accurately represent how this role is designed and integrated into Toyota's complicated lean production system. This work combines classical role theory and latent semantic analysis (LSA) in the study and classification of the team leader role. The findings of this work are that the team leader role shares many of the rights and obligations of that of the group leader. This new insight and others, provide an increased understanding of the training and development needs of the team leader role in social-technical environments. Lastly, this mathematical analysis can be used to visualise many unique role features and components of a role that has traditionally been unidentified using observation and interviewing techniques.
Term necessity prediction

The probability that a term appears in relevant documents (P(t | R)) is a fundamental quantity in several probabilistic retrieval models, however it is difficult to estimate without relevance judgments or a relevance model. We call this value term necessity because it measures the percentage of relevant documents retrieved by the term - how necessary a term's occurrence is to document relevance. Prior research typically either set this probability to a constant, or estimated it based on the term's inverse document frequency, neither of which was very effective. This paper identifies several factors that affect term necessity, for example, a term's topic centrality, synonymy and abstractness. It develops term- and query-dependent features for each factor that enable supervised learning of a predictive model of term necessity from training data. Experiments with two popular retrieval models and 6 standard datasets demonstrate that using predicted term necessity estimates as user term weights of the original query terms leads to significant improvements in retrieval accuracy.
Schema Theory: A Critical Appraisal and Reevaluation

The authors critically review a number of the constructs and associated predictions proposed in schema theory (R. A. Schmidt, 1975). The authors propose that new control and learning theories should include a reformulated (a) notion of a generalized motor program that is not based on motor program but still accounts for the strong tendency for responses to maintain their relative characteristics; (b) mechanism or processes whereby an abstract movement structure based on proportional principles (e.g., relative timing, relative force) is developed through practice; and (c) explanation for parameter learning that accounts for the benefits of parameter variability but also considers how variability is scheduled. Furthermore, they also propose that new theories of motor learning must be able to account for the consistent findings spawned as a result of the schema theory proposal and must not be simply discounted because of some disfavor with the motor program notion, in general, or schema theory, more specifically.
Prediction of anthracene solubilities in binary alcohol+alcohol solvent mixtures using alcohol-specific mobile order theory stability constants

Experimental solubilities are reported for anthracene dissolved in six binary mixtures containing 2-methyl-1-pentanol with 1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol, 2-butanol 2-methyl-1-propanol, and 1-octanol at 25°C. Results of these measurements, along with previously published solubility data for anthracene in binary alcohol + alcohol solvent mixtures, are used to test the limitations and applications of expressions derived from mobile order theory and the Kretschmer-Wiebe association model. Alcohol-specific mobile order theory association constants are calculated from vapor-liquid equilibrium data for binary alkane + alcohol solvent mixtures and used in the solubility predictions. For the 57 systems considered, both models provided very accurate predictions of the anthracene solubilities, with an overall average absolute deviation between measured and calculated values being 1.7 and 1.2% for mobile order theory and the Kretschmer-Wiebe association model, respectively.
Electronic money: toward a virtual wallet

Music synthesizers and computers can produce almost any sound imaginable, but for a long while only keyboardists could directly control their expressiveness. But now a new breed of digital controllers-some of which trace their roots to the turn of the century-lets you fiddle, drum, blow, or even dance your way into electronic soundscapes. The author discusses electronic keyboards, percussion interfaces, stringed instruments, interfaces for wind instruments, and noncontact interfaces. The the on-line version of IEEE Spectrum boasts over 20 video and sound files from around the world, displaying the controllers in use. It even includes a Web page where any number of people on the Internet can make music (of a sort) at the same time.
Evaluation of a Rapid Readout Biological Indicator for Flash Sterilization with Three Biological Indicators and Three Chemical Indicators

Objective Flash sterilization is most commonly used for emergency sterilization of unwrapped items in a gravity displacement sterilizer for three minutes. Sterilization quality assurance is monitored by biological indicators that require a 24-hour incubation prior to reading. In this study, we compared a new biological indicator that provides results within 60 minutes with three conventional, 24-hour biological indicators for monitoring flash sterilization and three chemical indicators. Design Conventional biological indicators tested included the conventional Attest 1261, Proof Flash and Assert, while the rapid readout indicator tested was Attest 1291. Attest Rapid Readout detects the presence of a Bacillus stearothermophilus enzyme by reading a fluorescent product that is produced by the enzymatic break-down of a nonfluorescent substrate. Chemical indicators tested included Comply, Incheque, and Thermalog S. Survival at 132 degrees C in a gravity displacement sterilizer was measured by media color change after incubation for 24 hours at 56 degrees C for the three conventional biological indicators, fluorescence at 60 minutes for the Attest Rapid Readout biological indicator, and color change for the chemical indicators. Each exposure time was replicated four times with 10 of each biological and chemical indicator per run. Results The conventional biological indicators (Attest, Proof Flash, and Assert) had 90%, 48%, and 40% spore survival at two minutes exposure; 23%, 3%, and 0% at three minutes exposure; and 3%, 0%, and 0% at four minutes exposure respectively. The Attest Rapid Readout biological indicator had 88%, 33%, and 0% enzyme activity detectable at 2, 3, and 4 minutes exposure. The chemical indicators Comply, Incheque, and Thermalog S revealed sterilization failure rates of 100%, 100%, and 100% at 0 minutes exposure; 100%, 100%, and 45% at one minute; 0%, 0%, and 28% at two minutes exposure; 0%, 0%, and 18% at three minutes exposure; and 0%, 0%, and 0% at four minutes exposure, respectively. Conclusion The sensitivity of the Attest Rapid Readout parallels the conventional biological indicators. These data suggest that a 60-minute rapid readout biological indicator is equivalent to the 24-hour biological indicators. If further studies demonstrate that a four-minute flash sterilization cycle provides a needed safety margin to ensure sterilization, then consideration should be given to requiring a four-minute flash sterilization cycle. Chemical indicators were too sensitive to the processing conditions (eg, steam) and are inadequate to ensure adequate sterilization.
Recovery from non-traumatic localised gas gangrene and clostridial septicaemia.

Abstract Non-traumatic clostridial infections present either as septicaemia or as a metastatic localised lesion. Almost all such infections occur in elderly debilitated patients with ulcerating lesions in the gastrointestinal, biliary, or genitourinary tracts. In addition, most cases have developed in diabetics or in patients receiving cancer chemotherapeutic agents. All eight reported cases of non-traumatic clostridial myonecrosis have died of overwhelming clostridial infection, usually within 24 hours. The case described here was recognised early and treated promptly by debridement of necrotic muscle and by hyperbaric oxygen. This 74-year-old man recovered completely from the gas gangrene, though he died 3 weeks later with widespread gram-negative sepsis.
Bending of Blood Vessel Wall: Stress-Strain Laws of the Intima-Media and Adventitial Layers

In order to determine the stress-strain relationship of the inner (intima and media) and outer (adventitia) layers of blood vessels in the neighborhood of the zero-stress state, bending experiments were performed on aortic strips of rats. In the experiments, one end of a strip was clamped, and a force was applied on the other end. The deflection curves of the strips were measured. By regarding the aortic strip as a curved beam, the classical beam theory was employed to analyze the strain distribution from the experimental data. A computer program dealing with nonlinear equations and nonlinear least squares optimization was developed. Strains were referred to the zero-stress state. The load-deflection relationship was then used to determine the stress-strain relationship. Certain forms of the stress-strain laws were assumed. The linear laws fit the experimental data accurately, probably because the strains during bending are quite small, although the rotations are large. The Young's modulus of the inner layer, which consists of endothelial and smooth muscle cells and elastic lamina, was found to be three to four times larger than that of the outer layer which consists of collagen with a small amount of fibroblasts and elastin. The residual stresses and strains at the no-load state were calculated from the deduced stress-strain relationship. It is shown that large errors (up to 50 percent) in the values of the residual strains will occur if the wall material was treated as homogeneous, i.e., if the layered constitution was ignored.
Domain-specific languages and diagram customization for a concurrent engineering environment

A major open question for advocates of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) is the question of how system and subsystem engineers will work together. The Systems Modeling Language (SysML), like any language intended for a large audience, is in tension between the desires for simplicity and for expressiveness. In order to be more expressive, many specialized language elements may be introduced, which will unfortunately make a complete understanding of the language a more daunting task. While this may be acceptable for systems modelers, it will increase the challenge of including subsystem engineers in the modeling effort. One possible answer to this situation is the use of Domain-Specific Languages (DSL), which are fully supported by the Unified Modeling Language (UML). SysML is in fact a DSL for systems engineering.
Application of salt whey in process cheese food made from Cheddar cheese containing exopolysaccharides

The objective of this work was to use salt whey in making process cheese food (PCF) from young (3-wk-old) Cheddar cheese. To maximize the level of salt whey in process cheese, low salt (0.6%) Cheddar cheese was used. Because salt reduction causes undesirable physiochemical changes during extended cheese ripening, young Cheddar cheese was used in making process cheese. An exopolysaccharide (EPS)-producing strain (JFR) and a non-EPS-producing culture (DVS) were applied in making Cheddar cheese. To obtain similar composition and pH in the EPS-positive and EPS-negative Cheddar cheeses, the cheese making protocol was modified in the latter cheese to increase its moisture content. No differences were seen in the proteolysis between EPS-positive and EPS-negative Cheddar cheeses. Cheddar cheese made with the EPS-producing strain was softer, and less gummy and chewy than that made with the EPS-negative culture. Three-week-old Cheddar cheese was shredded and stored frozen until used for PCF manufacture. Composition of Cheddar cheese was determined and used to formulate the corresponding PCF (EPS-positive PCF and EPS-negative PCF). The utilization of low salt Cheddar cheese allowed up to 13% of salt whey containing 9.1% salt to be used in process cheese making. The preblend was mixed in the rapid visco analyzer at 1,000 rpm and heated at 95°C for 3 min; then, the process cheese was transferred into copper cylinders, sealed, and kept at 4°C. Process cheese foods contained 43.28% moisture, 23.7% fat, 18.9% protein, and 2% salt. No difference in composition was seen between the EPS-positive and EPS-negative PCF. The texture profile analysis showed that EPS-positive PCF was softer, and less gummy and chewy than EPS-negative PCF. The end apparent viscosity and meltability were higher in EPS-positive PCF than in EPS-negative PCF, whereas emulsification time was shorter in the former cheese. Sensory evaluation indicated that salt whey at the level used in this study did not affect cheese flavor. In conclusion, process cheese, containing almost 13% salt whey, with improved textural and melting properties could be made from young EPS-positive Cheddar cheese.
The dirichlet problem for nonlinear second‐order elliptic equations. II. Complex monge‐ampère, and uniformaly elliptic, equations

On considere le probleme de Dirichlet pour des equations elliptiques non lineaires d'ordre 2 pour une fonction reelle dans un domaine borne Ω de R n a frontiere lisse ∂Ω
HIV-1 Integrase Strand Transfer Inhibitors Stabilize an Integrase-Single Blunt-Ended DNA Complex

Abstract Integration of human immunodeficiency virus cDNA ends by integrase (IN) into host chromosomes involves a concerted integration mechanism. IN juxtaposes two DNA blunt ends to form the synaptic complex, which is the intermediate in the concerted integration pathway. The synaptic complex is inactivated by strand transfer inhibitors (STI) with IC50 values of ∼ 20 nM for inhibition of concerted integration. We detected a new nucleoprotein complex on a native agarose gel that was produced in the presence of > 200 nM STI, termed the IN–single DNA (ISD) complex. Two IN dimers appear to bind in a parallel fashion at the DNA terminus, producing an ∼ 32-bp DNase I protective footprint. In the presence of raltegravir (RAL), MK-2048, and L-841,411, IN incorporated ∼ 20–25% of the input blunt-ended DNA substrate into the stabilized ISD complex. Seven other STI also produced the ISD complex (≤ 5% of input DNA). The formation of the ISD complex was not dependent on 3′OH processing, and the DNA was predominantly blunt ended in the complex. The RAL-resistant IN mutant N155H weakly forms the ISD complex in the presence of RAL at ∼ 25% level of wild-type IN. In contrast, MK-2048 and L-841,411 produced ∼ 3-fold to 5-fold more ISD than RAL with N155H IN, which is susceptible to these two inhibitors. The results suggest that STI are slow-binding inhibitors and that the potency to form and stabilize the ISD complex is not always related to inhibition of concerted integration. Rather, the apparent binding and dissociation properties of each STI influenced the production of the ISD complex.
Christianity Today, J. Howard Pew, and the Business of Conservative Evangelicalism

Founded in 1956 by Billy Graham, L. Nelson Bell, and a cadre of evangelical theologians and business leaders, Christianity Today (CT) was—and still is—the world’s foremost Christian periodical. From the late 1950s through the early 1970s, CT’s editors also branded it as a new vehicle for conservative discourse and public assertiveness, especially regarding the relationship of the state to church, business, and society. Given CT’s theological and political stances, it garnered financial support and institutional direction from oil executive J. Howard Pew. This essay examines Pew’s contributions as a way of understanding the crucial role played by business elites in the construction of American conservative evangelicalism. Moreover, through a case study of CT, this essay re-periodizes the origins of corporate-evangelical alliances to the early twentieth century and evaluates the relative successes and failures of conservatives in postwar evangelicalism, state policy, and cultural politics.
A gate-charging model for ILD related plasma processes in MOSFETs

A model explaining gate-charging damage in MOSFETs observed during inter-layer-dielectric (ILD)-related plasma processes is reported. It indicates that the charging damage associated with the ILD plasma process can be related to the effect of photoconduction and/or capacitive impedance coupling of plasma potential through the multiple ILD layers. The model leads to a conclusion that by placing a larger-area lower-layer metal (such as Metal-1) plate or polysilicon plate at the gate terminal of MOSFETs, this ILD process-related charging damage can be eliminated or significantly reduced due to a substantial reduction in the gate-to-substrate impedance of the transistors.