cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An electrostatic engine model for autoinhibition and activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR/ErbB) family.

We propose a new mechanism to explain autoinhibition of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR/ErbB) family of receptor tyrosine kinases based on a structural model that postulates both their juxtamembrane and protein tyrosine kinase domains bind electrostatically to acidic lipids in the plasma membrane, restricting access of the kinase domain to substrate tyrosines. Ligand-induced dimerization promotes partial trans autophosphorylation of ErbB1, leading to a rapid rise in intracellular [Ca2+] that can activate calmodulin. We postulate the Ca2+/calmodulin complex binds rapidly to residues 645–660 of the juxtamembrane domain, reversing its net charge from +8 to −8 and repelling it from the negatively charged inner leaflet of the membrane. The repulsion has two consequences: it releases electrostatically sequestered phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2), and it disengages the kinase domain from the membrane, allowing it to become fully active and phosphorylate an adjacent ErbB molecule or other substrate. We tested various aspects of the model by measuring ErbB juxtamembrane peptide binding to phospholipid vesicles using both a centrifugation assay and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy; analyzing the kinetics of interactions between ErbB peptides, membranes, and Ca2+/calmodulin using fluorescence stop flow; assessing ErbB1 activation in Cos1 cells; measuring fluorescence resonance energy transfer between ErbB peptides and PIP2; and making theoretical electrostatic calculations on atomic models of membranes and ErbB juxtamembrane and kinase domains.
Micro-Computer Video Games and Spatial Visualization Acquisition

Children spend many hours of their free time “playing” computerized video games. This learner involvement may have significant educational implications. One area of impact is on the acquisition of spatial visualization skills. The general nature of spatial visualization and its educational and social relevance is presented. Skills development by student/video game interaction is also explored.
YRAST SPECTROSCOPY : STATUS OF YRAST ISOMERS, OBLATE SHAPES AND FEEDING OF YRAST STATES

The properties of very-high-spin states at the yrast line are addressed. Three different but related topics are discussed: the status of yrast isomers (mainly in the A approx. 150 region); the nuclear shape along the yrast line; and the feeding of the yrast states as a function of spin. A recurrent theme is the response of the core to the polarizing effects of a successively increasing number of valence particles and how the investigation of very-high-spin states bears on this problem. 10 figures, 1 table. (RWR)
Comparison of Sharp Interface and Smoothed Profile Methods for Laminar Flow Analysis Over Stationary and Moving Boundaries

This study is a comparison of two techniques for simulation of particulate flows on fixed Cartesian grids: Sharp interface Method (SIM) (Udaykumar et al., 2001, 2002, 2003) and a modified version of Immersed Boundary Method (Peskin, 1977) (IBM) known as Smoothed Profile Method (SPM) (Nakayama and Yamamoto, 2005; Luo et. al, 2009). Different cases were studied includes flow over one or two moving and stationary particles. Predictions of the drag coefficient shows that SPM and SIM are very close to the experiments. SIM slightly under-predicts the value of the drag coefficient while SPM has a small over-estimation. Moreover, SPM is more accurate on coarse grids. However, with refinement of the grid SIM approaches the exact values very fast leading to better results on fine grids. Flow pattern and vortex structures of SPM and SIM are almost the same. Both methods are capable of analyzing the wake flow. Unlike SIM, SPM is able to simulate the flow when two particles are in contact. When two particles are in motion and are very close in a way that the two interfaces overlap, SPM shows a repulsion force between two spheres which reduces the accuracy in comparison with SIM. However, SPM can achieve the collision of two particles without problem.© 2014 ASME
Radiation-sensitive and recombinationless mutants of salmonella typhimurium

Abstract Mutants of S. typhimurium sensitive to UV light fall into several categories. In addition to quantitative UV differences, some are sensitive to X-ray and chemical mutagens, some are unable to repair damage to irradiated phage (hcr), some are recombinationless (rec) and, after lysogenization, some cannot be induced to produce mature phage. More than 60 radiation-sensitive mutants have been collected and classified as to phenotypes. X-ray sensitive mutants were tested for sensitivity to nitrosoguanidine and, as yet, no case has been found where the two phenotypes are separable. If the mechanism of repair of damage by the two agents is identical, the use of nitrosoguanidine would be extremely helpful for inactivation measurements and in screening procedures, especially in those laboratories where X-ray equipment is not readily available. A simplified method for scoring inducibility was developed based upon the knowledge that S. typhimurium is naturally lysogenic. The rec mutants have pleiotropic properties, but these are probably due to a single mutation, since all properties became wild-type upon reversion or recombination. Among the pleiotropic properties of rec is the exhibition of liquid-holding recovery, a characteristic not seen in most of the other radiation-sensitive mutants. 3 of the radiation-sensitive mutants were found by testing appropriate auxotrophs in our collection, without any selection procedure involving exposure to radiation.
Synthesis and characterization of o-benzoquinonediiminebis(o-phenylenediamine)ruthenium(II) hexafluorophosphate

Abstract The title compound, o-benzoquinonediiminebis(o-phenylenediamine)ruthenium(II) hexafluorophosphate, has been synthesized and characterized by crystal structure, IR, UV–Vis and NMR spectroscopy.
Pharmacodynamics and clinical use of cardiovascular drugs after cardiac surgery

Abstract The use of cardioactive drugs in patients after cardiac surgery is based on an understanding of the specific action of each drug and on attention to unique alterations of physiology leading to cardiac arrhythmias, ventilation disturbances and metabolic imbalances. Four groups of drugs are reviewed: digitalis glycosides, antiarrhythmic agents, inotropic drugs and adrenergic blocking agents. Their specific indications, contraindications and physiologic effects are discussed in the context of the postoperative period. Digitalis is generally withheld for 2 days before cardiac surgery and then administered postoperatively for the management of congestive heart failure or supraventricular tachyarrhythmias. Propranolol, also helpful in the control of these tachyarrhythmias, should be used with caution because it depresses myocardial function. Lidocaine is the drug of choice for the treatment of ventricular tachyarrhythmias, although procainamide and diphenylhydantoin may be used for long-term treatment or persistent arrhythmia. The postoperative low cardiac output syndrome is most effectively treated with isoproterenol, which has both inotropic and chronotropic effects. Dopamine, epinephrine and glucagon are reported to be beneficial in this syndrome and are still under investigation. Drugs with alpha adrenergic blocking properties—phenoxybenzamine, phentolamine and chlorpromazine—may be useful occasionally in treatment of decreased cardiac output associated with excessive peripheral vasoconstriction.
CT of the craniovertebral junction.

R adiology in the l990s finds itself in a unique paradox. On one hand, the explosion of imaging technology has allowed us to study parts of the body that were previously accessible only to surgeons or pathologists. Furthermore, data can be gathered more expeditiously because of decreased examination times permitted by helical CT or high-field-strength MR imaging. On the other hand, public focus on cost containment and health care reform demands that imaging and other diagnostic tests be judiciously applied only to situations deemed appropriate I 1 1 (Table I). The recent radiologic literature has contamed two papers that promote routine use of CT of the craniovertebral junction in trauma patients [2, 3]. In the first instance, Blacksin and Lee recommended using CT instead of open-mouth atlantoaxial radiography. They emphasize the difficulty often experienced in trying to obtain these plain radiographic studies and the ease with which CT may be performed. After studying 100 consecutive trauma patients. Blacksin and Lee reported that craniocervical CT performed instead of open-mouth radiography revealed eight fractures in seven patients. Although Blacksin and Lee claim that none ofthe fractures were seen on plain radiographs, they do report that soft-tissue swelling in the prevertebral region was seen in two of the seven patients. One illustration in the paper of Blacksin and Lee shows a fracture through the posterior arch of the axis and a widening of the interspinous space between the posterior arch of the atlas and the spinous process of C2. These findings should prompt CT examination. Of the eight fractures identified, three occurred in an occipital condyle. two at Cl, and three at C2. All five of the noncondylar fractures were in the lateral masses of C 1 or the posterior elements of C2. Blacksin and Lee reported that all patients with a diagnosis of fracture were treated with a halo. The second paper by Link et al. 13] was a prospective study of 202 patients with head injuries. Of this group, nine patients (4%) suffered fractures of an occipital condyle and 28 patients ( 14%) had fractures of Cl or C2. The authors claimed that plain films did not reveal cervical injuries in 1 1 of these 37 patients. Unfortunately, the plain film illustrations in the paper of Link et al. are too dark to show whether cervical fractures are present. The authors recommended using craniocervical CT on all patients with significant head trauma. The use of CT to clear the cervical vertebral column is not a new concept 14-61. Kirshenbaum et al. 14] advocated craniocervical CT for “unsuspected” upper cervical fractures. However, the authors erroneously reported that plain film findings of fractures could not be identified on any of their
Second-order conditioning of the conditioned emotional response: Some methodological considerations

Employing rats in a CER procedure, the present study sought to determine the extent to which the second-order conditioning effects reported by Rizley and Rescorla (1972) represented first-rather than second-order conditioning. Subjects receiving first-order pairings of flashing light (CS1) and shock followed by second-order pairings of noise (CS2) and CS1 displayed greater suppression to CS2 than did control subjects receiving second-order pairings in the absence of first-order conditioning. This was true whether or not control subjects had experienced unsignaled shock or habituation to CS1 prior to CS2CS1 pairings. Simple stimulus pairings did produce some suppression to CS2, however. The procedure developed by Rizley and Rescorla (1972) appears to be a reliable means for producing and studying second-order aversive conditioning.
Yield and quality of furrow and trickle irrigated hop (Humulus lupulus L.) in Washington State

Abstract The results of a 2 year study of the effect of trickle and furrow irrigation methods on hop production in a desert region in northwest United States are presented. Also discussed are the implications to hop production in areas with higher rainfall. Trickle, furrow, and cutback furrow irrigation systems and their associated methods of fertilization were evaluated in a commercial hop yard. Leaf diffusive resistance, leaf water potential, alpha and beta acid content, and yield were measured. Also monitored was the efficiency of irrigation water use and the intregration of these irrigation methods with commercial crop production practices. Trickle irrigation with fertilizer injection provided several crop management advantages but required changes in cultivation practices. In the 2nd year of study, the highest yield and quality of hop was obtained from trickle irrigated plots which received the least amounts of water, fertilizer and labor inputs.
Addressing the organizational barriers to developing global leadership talent

Few corporations have in place the sophisticated processes that can groom managers and executives to lead successfully across countries and cultures. Most have failed to build rigorous and standardized performance management systems to assess their leadership talent across the globe. Few organizations have true global leadership pools supported by dedicated and systemic development interventions. In addition to a lack of supportive structures, many organizations lack a culture of mobility that actively encourages high potential talent to work outside their home countries or the corporate center. As a result, the development of global leadership talent is at best a hit or miss proposition in the vast majority of organizations. We address these barriers and provide critical steps that organizations can take to remedy them.
Quantitative fMRI of rat brain by multi-modal MRI and MRS measurements

Abstract Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy (MRS) measurements of energy metabolism (i.e., cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen consumption (CMRO2)), blood circulation (i.e., cerebral blood flow (CBF) and volume (CBV)), and functional MRI (fMRI) signal over a wide range of neuronal activity were used to interpret the energetic and physiologic basis of blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) image-contrast at 7 T in the rat brain. Since each parameter that can influence the BOLD image-contrast is measured quantitatively and separately, multi-modal measurements of changes in CMRO2, CBF, CBV, BOLD fMRI signal allow the calibration and validation of the BOLD image-contrast in glutamatergic neurons of the rat cerebral cortex. Good agreement between changes in CMRO2 calculated from the BOLD theory and measured by 13C MRS reveals that BOLD fMRI signal-changes at 7 T are closely linked with alterations in the neuronal glucose oxidation. Comparisons of CMRO2 and CBF over a wide dynamic range of neuronal activity provide insight into the regulation of energy metabolism and oxygen delivery in the cerebral cortex. Consequences of these results from rat brain for similar calibrated BOLD fMRI studies in the human brain are discussed. The current results revealed the energetic and physiologic components of the BOLD fMRI signal and indicated the required steps towards mapping the neuronal activity quantitatively by fMRI at steady state.
Sexual arousal and arousability to pedophilic stimuli in a community sample of normal men

Self-reported and physiological sexual arousal to adult and pedophilic stimuli were examined among 80 men drawn from a community sample of volunteers. Over ¼ of the current subjects self-reported pedophilic interest or exhibited penile arousal to pedophilic stimuli that equalled or exceeded arousal to adult stimuli. The hypothesis that arousal to pedophilic stimuli is a function of general sexual arousability factors was supported in that pedophilic and adult heterosexual arousal were positively correlated, particularly in the physiological data. Subjects who were highly arousable, insofar as they were unable to voluntarily and completely inhibit their sexual arousal, were more sexually aroused by all stimuli than were subjects who were able to inhibit their sexual arousal. Thus, arousal to pedophilic stimuli does not necessarily correspond with pedophilic behavior.
The heritability of resistance to early blight in diploid potatoes (Solanum tuberosum subsp. phureja and stenotonum)

The heritability of resistance to early blight caused byAlternaria solani (Ell. & Martin) Son was estimated for field grown, diploid potatoes at Fletcher, North Carolina in 1981. Fourteen breeding lines, selected from a random mated hybrid population ofSolanum tuberosum, subsp.phureja andstenotomum, were used. Resistance was measured as the slope obtained by regressing the logit of the disease proportion Y, measured as % defoliation, on time. A wide range of resistance was found. Narrow-sense heritability, as determined by offspring-midparent regression, on an individual plant basis, was calculated to be 0.825.
Field Release and Environmental Fate of a Transgenic Entomopathogenic Nematode

Abstract A strain of the entomopathogenic nematodeHeterorhabditis bacteriophora,genetically enhanced for thermotolerance by introduction of a heat-shock protein gene from the free-living nematodeCaenorhabditis elegans,was released in turfgrass field microplots in the spring, summer, and fall of 1996. As predicted, transgenic and wildtype strains did not differ in their ability to persist. We document the regulatory procedures at the federal, state, university, and local levels needed before field release, none of which posed any significant difficulties. Our risk assessment study supports the regulatory view that the transgenic nematode strain is an unlikely environmental threat. Subsequent regulatory reviews in the United States appear likely to continue to be decided on a case-by-case basis according to organism phenotype rather than the techniques used to generate them. This is the first report of a nonmicrobial, genetically engineered insect natural enemy being released into the environment.
ADAPTATION OF FETAL PULMONARY BLOOD FLOW TO PHARMACOLOGIC VASODILATORS

The normally high resistance of the fetal pulmonary circulation decreases acutely in response to some pharmacologic agents and to increases in fetal PO2. We have previously observed adaptation of fetal pulmonary blood flow to small increases in fetal PO2. To determine if adaptation also occurs to pharmacologic stimuli, we infused three known fetal pulmonary vasodilators, acetylcholine (A) and histamine (H) in 5 and bradykinin (B) in 3, chronically prepared fetal sheep. A cuff electromagnetic flow probe measured blood flow to the left lung (QL). Catheters in the main pulmonary artery (PA) and aorta (AO) measured pressure. A catheter was also placed in the left pulmonary artery (LPA) for direct infusion into the left lung thereby minimizing systemic effects. After a 1 hour control period, we infused A or H (0.5 μg.min−1.kg−1) or B (15 ng.min−1.kg−1) through the LPA catheter for 2 hours. After an initial increase, QL (x ± SEM ml.min−1) decreased toward baseline during the remaining infusion period. AO and PA pressures did not change. We conclude that an adaptive response, as seen previously with small increases in PO2, is observed in the fetal pulmonary circulation with local infusion of three pharmacologic vasodilators.
A comparison of oculomotor and motion parallax cues of egocentric distance.

Abstract Using the head motion procedure, the apparent distance of a point of light in an otherwise dark visual field was measured under conditions in which oculomotor cues (accommodation, convergence) and absolute motion parallax were varied together and separately. It was concluded that absolute motion parallax is almost as effective a cue to distance as are oculomotor cues from monocular observation, but is not as effective as oculomotor cues from binocular observation. Evidence was also presented that the null adjustment method, used in conjunction with the head motion procedure, provides an unbiased measure of apparent distance.
Tumor and Virus Antigens of Simian Virus 40: Differential Inhibition of Synthesis by Cytosine Arabinoside

Cells infected with the papovavirus SV40 not only synthesize viral antigen but also synthesize the specific nonviral antigen found in SV40-induced tumors. In the presence of the DNA antagonist cytosine arabinoside, infected cells fail to make viral antigen but still synthesize the tumor antigen. Iododeoxyuridine does not inhibit the synthesis either of tumor or of virus antigen but does prevent the development of infectious virus.
45 nm SOI and Beyond - Getting to a General Purpose Technology

SOI technology has taken power/performance benefits of CMOS beyond those of bulk-CMOS technology in the arena of high-performance applications, including 4.7 GHz dual core Power 6 IC, PowerPC, and game processors. At the 45 nm node we have expanded the menu of devices offered in SOI technology to include general purpose applications, including ASICs and low power products. A spectrum of memory solutions, including high-performance SRAM, high-density SRAM, and very high-density/low-power embedded DRAM provide great flexibility.
Plasticization of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) networks by supercritical carbon dioxide

It has been shown by a number of authors that supercritical carbon dioxide is an extremely efficient plasticizer for amorphous, carbonyl-containing polymers. In this paper, we have examined the plasticization of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) networks by CO2 as a function of pressure using dielectric measurements. Results show that the degree of plasticization increases rapidly at pressures up to approximately 1200 psig (8.274 MPa), levelling off (and possibly decreasing) at higher pressures. This phenomenon is possibly due to the counteracting effects of pressure on free volume and CO2 sorption. The experimental trends are consistent with predictions of free volume in CO2PMMA mixtures derived from a modified lattice model.
Effects of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation on cardiac performance as determined by echocardiographic measurements

We evaluated the effects of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) on cardiac performance by echocardiographic measurements in 15 infants. Heart rate and blood pressure were also recorded. Echocardiographic measurements included aortic and pulmonary peak blood flow velocities, pulmonary time to peak velocity, left ventricular shortening fraction, velocity of circumferential fiber shortening corrected for heart rate, and peak systolic wall stress before, during, and after venovenous ECMO. Pre-ECMO echocardiograms showed borderline or normal indexes of cardiac function. After initiation of venovenous ECMO, all infants had normalization and no infant had deterioration of cardiac performance. The inotropic agents dopamine and dobutamine were decreased from average doses of 12 and 3.6 μ g/kg per minute, respectively, to 3.7 and 1.3 μ g/kg per minute, respectively, within 8.8 hours of the institution of venovenous ECMO. During this time the mean arterial pressure remained stable, and the heart rate decreased (169 ± 21 vs 136 ± 15 beats/min; p p = 0.04) and pulmonary time to peak velocity improved (47 ± 11 vs 65 ± 16 msec; p = 0.026). We conclude that venovenous ECMO does not have deleterious effects on cardiac performance.
A dynamic approach to operations management: An alternative to static optimization

Abstract In today's globally competitive manufacturing environment, many firms are compelled to rapidly improve and evolve their operations. But traditional formal analysis of operations management is “static”, emphasizing optimization in a steady state world. We propose an alternative “dynamic” approach to analyzing operations management. Our approach deals explicitly with four elements not considered by most static approaches: knowledge, learning, contingencies, and problem solving. In studying each of these elements in detail, emphasis shifts from improving efficiency assuming complete technological knowledge, to deliberately enhancing rates of improvement and of adaptation to new situations. Robotic assembly of watches is discussed in detail as an example of a process that ought to fit the static approach, i.e., be managed for static efficiency. In fact, we find that the process is managed dynamically. We propose several ways of applying traditional modeling tools to dynamic issues. Considerable further research will be needed to develop models for dynamic situations that are as powerful as traditional models are for static situations.
Patterns of Freshwater Bivalve Global Diversity and the State of Phylogenetic Studies on the Unionoida, Sphaeriidae, and Cyrenidae*

The objective of this paper is to review the current state of our knowledge of freshwater bivalve diversity and evolution in order to identify some of the “Great Unanswered Questions” in the field. Twenty-one bivalve families have been attributed to fresh waters, but only 16 actually live and reproduce in inland waterways. Of 1209 species of freshwater bivalves, 1178 (97%) belong to eight primary freshwater families: Unionidae, Margaritiferidae, Hyriidae, Mycetopodidae, Iridinidae, and Etheriidae (all Unionoida), Sphaeriidae, and Cyrenidae (both Veneroida). The remaining 31 species represent secondary freshwater lineages of predominantly brackish/marine bivalve families. The global geographical patterns of freshwater bivalve richness are discussed, and an appendix detailing the families, genera, and species of freshwater bivalves is provided.Although the primary freshwater bivalve families represent at least three independent radiations from marine into inland aquatic habitats, these lineages have converged on similar adaptations to life in a flowing hypoosmotic medium. For example, all have abandoned broadcast spawning and planktonic veligers. Phylogenetic studies of the Unionoida, Sphaeriidae, and Cyrenidae have also converged on a suite of common challenges: outgroup issues, biased ingroup taxon and character sampling, and atypical modes of genetic inheritance that uncouple gene trees from species trees. The recent phylogenetic literature on the three primary radiations is reviewed, emphasizing areas in need of research. Ample opportunities exist in freshwater bivalve research but progress is hindered by the limited numbers of researchers and students in the field.
A NEW TRANSMISSION-LINE IDENTITY

A transmission-line equivalence involving a direct substitution of a stub by a pair of half-length stubs is presented. The achieved design flexibility may be used for extending the practical feasibility range of microwave circuits, as impedance scaling is obtained. ©1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 23: 62–63, 1999.
Synthesis of developmental proteins in morphogenetic mutants of Polysphondylium pallidum.

Abstract Changes in labeling of 9 polypeptides were followed during development of 17 morphogenetic mutants using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of pulse-labeled cultures. In most cases the change in labeling of a particular polypeptide either occurred normally or failed to occur altogether in a particular mutant, and cases where the change was partial or of a pattern different from the wild type were rare. From a table showing labeling changes in polypeptides during development of the several mutants a diagram was constructed which implies causal relations among the labeling events.
An Approach Toward Making a Design Decision Based on Future Demand Prediction

This paper presents an approach for modeling uncertainty of future demand according to a forecast of an influential exogenous variable, which serves as the first step toward making a product design decisions based on future demand prediction. Optimum product design that maximizes expected profit or expected utility of profit depends on future demand influenced by future exogenous variables (i.e., economic, societal, and political variables beyond designers’ control). For example, an optimum design among gasoline, hybrid, electric, and fuel cell vehicles may depend on economic variables such as future gasoline prices, societal variables such as future climate change, and political variables such as future government standards for fuel-efficient vehicles. However, in particular for large-scaled and complex products, designers quite often make design decisions many years before the product is introduced to the marketplace without knowing future exogenous variables. To enable designers to make design decisions according to predicted demands, this study proposes to link demand distributions with exogenous variables and update demand distributions based on exogenous variable forecasts and their degrees of accuracies. An illustrative example is used to demonstrate impacts of exogenous variable forecasts and their accuracies on future demand prediction and expected profit calculation of a fuel cell vehicle.Copyright © 2011 by ASME and General Motors Company
Algebraic interval constraint driven exploration in human-agent collaborative problem solving

To enable effective human-agent collaboration, new human-centric computing paradigms are needed. This paper presents a soft constraint representation scheme based on generalized intervals. With logically quantified intervals, semantics and intent can be integrated in numerical computing. The interpretable numerical results allow for better human-agent communication.
Mobilizing Ethnic Resources in the Transnational Enclave Ethnic Solidarity as a Mechanism for Mobility in the Korean Church in Beijing

In recent years, scholars have noted that migrants exhibit distinct patterns of adaptation characterized by frequent movement to their countries of origin. Increasing numbers of migrants have settled in "new" types of enclave communities that have helped them sustain their transnational lifestyles. This article uses original survey data, interviews, and ethnographic research on the Korean transnational enclave in Beijing, comparing how South Korean and Korean Chinese migrants collectively mobilize resources within the ethnic church. Findings suggest that the ways in which ethnic organizations such as the church, influence the cultivation is more important than the availability of transnational resources as solidarity acts as the key mechanism by which migrants are able to actually mobilize and benefit from these resources.
A PCB BASED CAPACITIVE SHEAR FORCE SENSOR DEVELOPED FOR ROBOTIC GRIPPER APPLICATION

The shear force sensor is one of the key elements in future robotic industry, it is of great importance in applications where robotic arms are required to delicately interact with objects to be handled. In this paper, we present the development of a capacitive shear force capable of sensing shear forces in two degrees of freedom. The fabrication of the sensor is based on the printed circuit board (PCB) fabrication process, a well-known and mature technology. We adopt the capacitance sensing scheme for its high sensitivity and easy implementation. For sensor characterization, we used a force gauge and an optical interferometer to measure sensor's parameters including its sensing coefficient and resolution. The dimension of our prototype shear force sensor including the metal housing is 26 mm×13 mm×58 mm suitable for the integration with commercial robotic grippers. For sensor performance, we achieved a shear force sensing coefficient of 23.3 fF/N and a resolution of smaller than 5mN.
Sociology as a Practice in Humanity: Noam Chomsky, Howard Zinn, and Social Responsibility 1

Th is paper presents sociology as a practice in humanity, whose members have a social responsibility to engage in work contributing to social progress and reform. In lieu of viewing sociology as praxis, sociologists frequently adhere to the hegemony of a conventional pedagogy, an “objective” scientific orientation, and an institutional view of scholarship that confines further positive impact on students and communities. Th e ramifications are myriad, including a divisive milieu within the discipline. Identified and explored is a missing link: a discipline-oriented model synthesizing intellectualism, teaching, and activism. An intervening model external to sociology, accentuating dissent, is presented from case studies of linguist and social critic Noam Chomsky and historian Howard Zinn, reflecting the potential and importance of sociology to contribute meaningfully in our society. Wedding theory and praxis, the case studies reexamine current sociological ideology and punctuate social responsibility among practitioners through institutional transformation.
Associations Between Sildenafil Use and Changes in Days of Hospitalization in a Population With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Associated With Connective Tissue Disease

Abstract Purpose Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) can be a complication in patients with connective tissue disease (CTD). Although the phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor sildenafil shows evidence of efficacy and tolerability among patients with PAH associated with CTD in clinical trials, no studies have examined the association between its use and health care resource utilization in clinical practice. The objective of this study was to assess the associations between the use of sildenafil and health care resource utilization, specifically days of hospitalization, in a population with PAH associated with CTD. Methods A retrospective, matched, case–control analysis was conducted using data from a commercial claims database. Patients with a claim dated between 2003 and 2009 were selected. Cases and controls were matched on age, sex, and baseline total days of hospitalization. A longitudinal, zero-inflated, negative binomial model was used for analyzing the data after control for age, sex, region, Charlson comorbidity score, and use of PAH-specific medication other than sildenafil. Findings A total of 420 individuals, 210 cases and 210 controls, were included in the sample. The sample was 85.71% women, and the mean age was 57.6 years. Estimates for variances of an intercept random effect (5.08 × 10 –13 ) and for a time-variable random effect (2.84 × 10 –16 ) were both essentially zero. Thus a zero-inflated negative binomial model without random effects was used. When individuals were not using sildenafil, each 1-month interval was associated with a 2.8% increase in the mean number of days of hospitalization. In contrast, when individuals were using sildenafil, each 1-month interval was associated with a decrease of 3.3% in days of hospitalization. Implications In this data analysis of the association between sildenafil use and days of hospitalization among individuals with PAH associated with CTD in a large-scale population, sildenafil use in the treatment of PAH associated with CTD was associated with reduced days of hospitalization during the year after the initiation of treatment.
A size-structured model of bacterial growth and reproduction

We consider a size-structured bacterial population model in which the rate of cell growth is both size- and time-dependent and the average per capita reproduction rate is specified as a model parameter. It is shown that the model admits classical solutions. The population-level and distribution-level behaviours of these solutions are then determined in terms of the model parameters. The distribution-level behaviour is found to be different from that found in similar models of bacterial population dynamics. Rather than convergence to a stable size distribution, we find that size distributions repeat in cycles. This phenomenon is observed in similar models only under special assumptions on the functional form of the size-dependent growth rate factor. Our main results are illustrated with examples, and we also provide an introductory study of the bacterial growth in a chemostat within the framework of our model.
Early Life Stress and Trauma and Enhanced Limbic Activation to Emotionally Valenced Faces in Depressed and Healthy Children

Objective Previous studies have examined the relationships between structural brain characteristics and early life stress in adults. However, there is limited evidence for functional brain variation associated with early life stress in children. We hypothesized that early life stress and trauma would be associated with increased functional brain activation response to negative emotional faces in children with and without a history of depression. Method Psychiatric diagnosis and life events in children (starting at age 3–5 years) were assessed in a longitudinal study. A follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study acquired data (N = 115 at ages 7–12, 51% girls) on functional brain response to fearful, sad, and happy faces relative to neutral faces. We used a region-of-interest mask within cortico-limbic areas and conducted regression analyses and repeated-measures analysis of covariance. Results Greater activation responses to fearful, sad, and happy faces in the amygdala and its neighboring regions were found in children with greater life stress. Moreover, an association between life stress and left hippocampal and globus pallidus activity depended on children's diagnostic status. Finally, all children with greater life trauma showed greater bilateral amygdala and cingulate activity specific to sad faces but not the other emotional faces, although right amygdala activity was moderated by psychiatric status. Conclusions These findings suggest that limbic hyperactivity may be a biomarker of early life stress and trauma in children and may have implications in the risk trajectory for depression and other stress-related disorders. However, this pattern varied based on emotion type and history of psychopathology.
Type inference and informative error reporting for secure information flow

If we classify the variables of a program into various security levels, then a secure information flow analysis aims to verify statically that information in the program can flow only in ways consistent with the specified security levels. To make such analysis more practical, this paper proposes a novel type inference approach that gives programmers the freedom to specify the security levels of whichever variables are of interest, leaving the security levels of other variables to be inferred automatically. Type inference in this context is not new, but previous approaches have been based on gathering a set of subtyping constraints from the program, and then solving them with an abstract constraint solver. As a result, it has been difficult to report type errors to users in an informative way. Our inference approach stays closer to the original program, making it easier for us to explain precisely the source of each type error. We develop our type inference algorithm for a small imperative language with arrays, and prove that it is sound and complete. We also discuss our techniques for informative error reporting, and illustrate their effectiveness through examples.
CPU service classes for multimedia applications

We present the design, implementation, and experimental results of our soft real time (SRT) system for multimedia applications on top of a general purpose UNIX environment. The SRT system supports multiple CPU service classes for the real time processes based on their processor usage pattern including periodic constant processing time class (PCPT) and periodic variable processing time (PVPT) class. It also provides the following features: reservation and processing time guarantees for the service classes; overrun protection and scheduling algorithm; and system-initiated adaptation strategies. The other unique feature of the SRT system is its easy portability to any operating systems with real time extensions because it is implemented purely in the user space without any modifications to the kernel. We have implemented the SRT system on the Solaris 2.6 operating system with scheduling overhead under 400us and with good performance guarantees.
Survey Research and Social Class in Venezuela: Evaluating Alternative Measures and Their Impact on Assessments of Class Voting

The ascendance of the left in Latin America has sparked new interest in the politicization of social class. What factors should scholars consider in choosing and constructing measures of social class in survey research? To what degree can measurement affect results? This article evaluates several common measures in terms of validity and reliability. It then shows that alternative measures produce strikingly different results when examining class voting in Venezuela’s 2006 presidential election. Simple measures of household income or wealth, which fare poorly in validity assessment, suggest minimal levels of class voting. Various socioeconomic scales that also incorporate data on education and, in some cases, weights for household composition, suggest very high levels of class voting. The article provides guidelines for evaluating measures and illuminates the debate on class voting in Venezuela. Scholars have reached contradictory conclusions while using different measures, but the decisive role of measurement has gone unrecognized.
Epidemiology of cancer-related venous thromboembolism

Recent studies have better defined the epidemiology of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in cancer patients. The incidence is highest in patients who have metastatic disease at the time of presentation and who have fast growing, biologically aggressive cancers associated with a poor prognosis. The incidence is also high in patients with haematological cancers. Other specific risk factors that affect the incidence of VTE include undergoing invasive neurosurgery, the number of underlying chronic co-morbid conditions, and being of Asian/Pacific Islander decent (lower incidence). The incidence is highest in the first few months after diagnosis, which may reflect the biology of the cancer or medical interventions such as major surgery or start of chemotherapy. The development of VTE is clearly associated with decreased survival, and this effect is greater among patients initially diagnosed with local- or regional-stage cancer compared with patients with metastatic cancer, probably because VTE reflects the presence of a biologically aggressive cancer. Finally, a small percentage of patients with idiopathic VTE and no clinical or laboratory evidence of cancer may harbour an aggressive but ‘occult’ malignancy likely causally linked to the development of VTE.
Registered report: Oncometabolite 2-hydroxyglutarate is a competitive inhibitor of α-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases.

In order to produce quantitative replication data, we will run the experiment six times. Each time we will quantify band intensity. We will determine the standard deviation of band intensity across the biological replicates and combine this with the reported value from the original study to simulate the original effect size. We will use this simulated effect size to determine the number of replicates necessary to reach a power of at least 80%. We will then perform additional replicates, if required, to ensure that the experiment has more than 80% power to detect the original effect.
A Space-Time Network Optimization Model for Traffic Coordination and Its Evaluation

In transportation systems, the existing infrastructure can potentially be used more efficiently by deploying intelligent net-centric solutions that coordinate vehicles and traffic signals in real-time. For capacity planning and assessing the cost/benefit tradeoffs of intelligent net-centric coordination infrastructures, it is essential to determine the performance of optimal solutions, i.e., the best possible traffic flow that can be achieved. Given the scale and complexity of transportation systems, it may not be feasible to actually achieve these optimal performances in practice. However, if the results show that substantial improvements are possible by simply using the current physical roadway infrastructures more effectively, then one can justify the cost of deploying intelligent vehicle/traffic-light coordination systems. In this paper, we demonstrate these concepts through a case study of scheduling vehicles on a grid of intersecting roads. We develop heuristic algorithms and an optimization model using the space-time network for this problem, and compare them. Moreover, we also compare the space-time network modeling technique with the integer programming optimization approach and show that the former is better for modeling traffic coordination systems.
Personalized queries under a generalized preference model

Query personalization is the process of dynamically enhancing a query with related user preferences stored in a user profile with the aim of providing personalized answers. The underlying idea is that different users may find different things relevant to a search due to different preferences. Essential ingredients of query personalization are: (a) a model for representing and storing preferences in user profiles, and (b) algorithms for the generation of personalized answers using stored preferences. Modeling the plethora of preference types is a challenge. In this paper, we present a preference model that combines expressivity and concision. In addition, we provide efficient algorithms for the selection of preferences related to a query, and an algorithm for the progressive generation of personalized results, which are ranked based on user interest. Several classes of ranking functions are provided for this purpose. We present results of experiments both synthetic and with real users (a) demonstrating the efficiency of our algorithms, (b) showing the benefits of query personalization, and (c) providing insight as to the appropriateness of the proposed ranking functions.
A comparison of weighed and recalled intakes for schoolchildren and mothers in rural Kenya

Departments of Community Health Sciences and Pediatrics, Schools ofPublic Health and of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, CA 90095, USASubmitted 30 January 2008: Accepted 18 August 2008: First published online 15 September 2008AbstractObjective: To evaluate the relative validity of recalled intake among school-children and mothers in rural Kenya.Design: Cross-sectional study. Mothers’ recall of both the schoolchild’s intake andher own intake on the previous day were compared with intakes that wereweighed by an interviewer in the home.Setting: Karurumo location of Embu District in Kenya.Subjects: A total of forty-two sets of grade 1 students and their mothers.Results: Between 08.00 and 17.00hours, when foods were both weighed andrecalled, approximately 70% of weighed food items were recalled the next day.Under-reporting of food amounts was seen across most food categories for therecall, with added sugars, sweets and fats being most affected. The recallunderestimated energy intakes by approximately 6–9% during this period.Correlation coefﬁcients between nutrient intakes ranged from 0?43 to 0?65, whileweighted k values ranged from 0?22 to 0?50. Higher levels of agreement werenoted for nutrient densities, with correlation coefﬁcients between 0?46 and 0?82and weighted k values between 0?30 and 0?73.Conclusions: Although the recall methodprovides anacceptable alternativeto themore labour-intensive and expensive food-weighing method, there is need tofurther improve its performance in this population through more accurate recallof single foods, especially fruits, as well as added sugars, fats, dairy products andmeats, which are often added in small amounts to mixed dishes.KeywordsDietary assessmentSchoolchildrenMothersKenyaBecause of its relative ease of administration and relativelylower respondent burden, the 24h recall remains themethod of choice for assessing dietary intake among dif-ferent populations around the world, and still is the mostcommonly used instrument in dietary assessment in Africa.However, a literature review revealed that few 24h recallvalidation studies have been reported for this region.Those that have been carried out have compared nutrientintakesamongpre-schoolchildren,women,theelderlyandhouseholds