cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Heat capacity measurements and phase transitions in V3Si

Abstract The superconducting transition temperatures of both cubic and tetragonal phases of V 3 Si have been observed unambigously for the first time, by heat capacity measurements based on steady state calorimetry technique. They are separated by about 1°K. In pressed powder compacts of V 3 Si, another superconducting phase due to residual stress is found to occur with a transition temperature near 8°K.
The alkylation of high rank coals. Non-covalent bonding interactions

Abstract The alkylation of six high rank bituminous coals was carried out in the presence of hydroxide ions. Five of the six coals showed remarkable increase in pyridine extractability after O-butylation but only modest changes after O-methylation. The sixth coal showed high pyridine solubility after C-butylation. Several lines of argument suggest that hydrogen bonding interactions are not responsible for this result, rather the steric requirements of the butyl groups diminish non-covalent bonding interactions between the macromolecules and, thereby, alter the properties of these high rank coals.
On the geometry of generalized quadrics

Abstract Let { f 0 , … , f n ; g 0 , … , g n } be a sequence of homogeneous polynomials in 2 n + 2 variables with no common zeros in P 2 n + 1 and suppose that the degrees of the polynomials are such that Q = ∑ i = 0 n f i g i is a homogeneous polynomial. We shall refer to the hypersurface X defined by Q as a generalized quadric . In this note, we prove that generalized quadrics in P C 2 n + 1 for n ≥ 1 are reduced.
Comparison of the efficacy and the toxicity between gemcitabine with capecitabine (GC) and gemcitabine with erlotinib (GE) in unresectable pancreatic cancer

Objective We retrospectively compared the efficacy and toxicity of gemcitabine combination with capecitabine or erlotinib in unresectable pancreatic cancer to know whether the combination with cytotoxic and target agent has more benefit comparing to combination of cytotoxic agents.
The indirect incorporation of pyrrolidone carboxylic acid into transfer ribonucleic acid.

Abstract Pyrrolidone carboxylic acid (PCA) is the N-terminal amino acid of several proteins. Since PCA contains a blocked amino group and a structure about its α-carbon similar to that of formylmethionine, an investigation was begun to explore the possibility that PCA might be an initiator amino acid for mammalian protein synthesis. Radioactivity from PCA was shown to be incorporated into tRNA, and some of this radioactivity was in the form of PCA. Experiments using doubly labelled mixtures of PCA and glutamic acid, others testing competition for incorporation between PCA and glutamic acid, and the use of an enzyme preparation in which decyclization is inhibited by mercaptoethanol, demonstrated that PCA cannot be incorporated directly into tRNA, but must first be converted to glutamic acid. An enzyme which serves to decyclize PCA, but which was not a cyclase for glutamic acid, was detected. Since the PCA which was shown to be bound to tRNA had been derived from glutamyl-tRNA, a cyclase mechanism, which did not appear to be artifactual, was present in the pH 5 enzyme mixture. It was concluded that, although PCA cannot be incorporated directly into tRNA, the possibility that PCA serves as an initiator has neither been negated nor proved. The stage in the lifetime of a protein at which it acquires a terminal PCA in place of a terminal glutamine or glutamic acid has not yet been determined.
Plasticity in the acquisition of multisensory integration capabilities in superior colliculus

The multisensory integration capabilities of superior colliculus (SC) neurons are normally acquired during early postnatal life and adapted to the environment in which they will be used. Recent evidence shows that they can even be acquired in adulthood, and require neither consciousness nor any of the reinforcement contingencies generally associated with learning. This process is believed to be based on Hebbian mechanisms, whereby the temporal coupling of multiple sensory inputs initiates development of a means of integrating their information. This predicts that co-activation of those input channels is sufficient to induce multisensory integration capabilities regardless of the specific spatiotemporal properties of the initiating stimuli. However, one might expect that the stimuli to be integrated should be consonant with the functional role of the neurons involved. For the SC, this would involve stimuli that can be localized. Experience with a non-localizable cue in one modality (e.g., ambient sound) and a discrete stimulus in another (e.g., a light flash) should not be sufficient for this purpose. Indeed, experiments with cats reared in omnidirectional sound (effectively masking discrete auditory events) reveal that the simple co-activation of two sensory input channels is not sufficient for this purpose. The data suggest that experience with the kinds of cross-modal events that facilitate the role of the SC in detecting, locating, and orienting to localized external events is a guiding factor in this maturational process. Supported by NIH grants NS 036916 and EY016716.
Pancreatic cancer, gene delivery, and targets: The search for specificity

Despite the enthusiasm ~br gene therapy approaches in the management of cancer, and the approval of over 100 human trials dealing with this approach, the sobering reality is that partial or complete responses have occurred in less than 15% of the patients. 1 How does pancreatic cancer fit into this already humbling discipline? In reality, it fits in just like the other incredibly difficultto-treat tumors, such as mesothelioma, where median survivals range from 8 to 18 months: both are "cavitary" diseases, both recur violently after supposedly complete resection, and both are difficult to diagnose early in the course of the disease. However, in both of these diseases, despite the wellworn gene therapy criticisms of inadequate delivery systems, inadequate expression and durability of the transgenes, and immunemediated interference of transgene expression due to presently available vectors, multiple strategies are being investigated by different investigators to overcome these problems. The paper by Bouvet et al in this issue of Annals of Surgical Oncology may indeed be a landmark paper in this regard, not only for the elegance of the investigational methods, which apply technology to difficult problems, but also for their continued attempts to add specificity to molecular genetic therapeutic applications. 2 These investigators, whose strong background in this approach includes one of the first human gene therapy trials for lung cancer, have demonstrated successful gene transfer of wild-type p53 using an adenoviral vector into pancreatic cell lines, resulting in dosedependent growth suppression. The apoptotic mecha-
A selective survey on ISM-band noise profile measurement and forecasting

In this survey we identified some measuring metrics to study the average noise power variations in typical outdoor power substations. Power substations generally have metallic structures and despite the insulation considerations have high electric fields. The physical size of a substation does not allow a complete controlled experiment. We arranged a setup plan to study the noise floor variation in a few substation yards in residential, industrial/isolated (sparsely populated) subdivisions, collected the empirical data sets and compared the achieved results with the known noise constituents that were cited in the literature. A two-weeks measuring window was chosen to control for any possible factors that might confound results. The analysis suggests that the noise floor variation (and hence the link quality) has an underlying dominant semi-deterministic time-dependent constituent in addition to the classical random distribution. Although it is of no surprise that the semi-deterministic component is associated with the location of the substation yard (e.g. residential or industrial), its dynamic range is significant. The methodology, which is adopted in this study, has applications in the analysis of Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), Local Multipoint Distribution Service (LMDS).
Does TMV uncoat cotranslationally in vitro

Abstract Despite extensive knowledge of the structure, assembly and disassembly of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) and some similar, rod-shaped virus particles in vitro , we still have little information on uncoating and assembly events during the viral infection cycle in plants. A recent, surprising discovery that TMV particles will programme virus-specific protein synthesis in vitro and undergo progressive, 5′ to 3′, cotranslational disassembly, has stimulated a search for so-called ‘striposome' complexes (80S ribosomes on the exposed RNA portion of partly uncoated virions) in infected cells.
MULTIPLE GRANULAR CELL TUMORS IN A CHILD WITH NOONAN SYNDROME

Granular cell tumors are benign neurally derived neoplasms, involving cutaneous and subcutaneous tissues; and typically occur as solitary lesions. Multiple granular cell tumors occur in 10% of affected individuals, but are in children. Children with underlying somatic and genetic syndromes, including neurofibromatosis and Noonan syndrome, appear to be at higher risk of developing multiple granular cell tumors. Skin biopsy assists in diagnosis, since granular cell tumors have a similar appearance to other cutaneous nodules. Painful or rapidly growing granular cell tumors should be excised and asymptomatic non-growing granular cell tumors may be observed. Children with multiple granular cell tumors should have a complete physical examination to rule out an underlying genetic syndrome.
Spectral efficiency of cooperative relaying with imperfect channel estimation

It is well known that cooperative relaying has the potential to improve the performance of end-to-end wireless communications. However, compared to point-to-point communications, implementing cooperative relaying requires much more overhead. For example, more complicated coordination and transmission schemes are required. In this paper, the spectral efficiency of cooperative relaying is investigated, taking into account the overhead to acquire essential channel state information, as well as that required to select the relay(s). A comparison of three cooperative relaying schemes (Timer-based Best-Select relaying, Dis-STBC All-Select relaying, and M-group All-Select relaying) is presented. Numerical results are further provided to illustrate the impact of the overhead on the spectral efficiency.
Earth and Space Science Focuses on Methodology, Observations, and Data

John Orcutt, editor in chief of AGU's newest journal, believes in the power and importance of open data availability for the advancement of science. Furthermore, he says, scientists have no credible venue in which to publish the methodologies, instrument specifications, and processes used to gather data from their research.
Processing-induced crystalline anisotropy in 1-2-3 YBCO ceramic

Abstract Large ceramic samples of 1-2-3 YBCO, YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7− x superconductor with a high degree of crystalline orientation have been made by selecting the proper combination of charge preparation, temperature, and pressure. The processing conditions induce c -axis orientation of grains parallel to the direction of uniaxial pressure. The nucleation of the majority of the ab planes occurs in the orthogonal direction.
Spatial Discontiguity in Monkeys with Lesions of the Frontal Cortex

In learning a black-white discrimination response, the efficiency of rhesus monkeys with lesions of the anterior frontal cortex varies inversely with the spatial separation of the discriminative stimuli from the places of response and reward. Though there is a similar relationship in intact animals, impairment of learning due to discontiguity is greater in the animals with brain lesions.
Research on Prediction Model of Discharge Voltage under High-Altitude Condition Based on BP ANN

To obtain a mathematical model capable of predicting the 50% discharge voltage of air-gap under high-altitude conditions, we used the test results of air-gap in high altitude areas to establish the 50% discharge voltage BP neural network model of air-gap under high-altitude conditions. We used the model to forecast the 50% discharge voltage of air-gap under high-altitude conditions. The result shows that the maximum error between forecast voltage and test voltage is 1.42%, which certificates the possibility of using the neural network to build the multidimensional and nonlinear relationship between the environmental factors and discharge voltage. At the same time, we can simulate and analyze the effect of environmental factors on discharge voltage of air-gap with the help of model that we established, analysis showed that there was a positive correlation between the environmental factors, such as temperature, humidity and atmosphere pressure, and discharge voltage of air-gap.
Identification and Distribution of Vanadinite (Pb5(V5+O4)3Cl) in Lead Pipe Corrosion By-Products

This study presents the first detailed look at vanadium (V) speciation in drinking water pipe corrosion scales. A pool of 34 scale layers from 15 lead or lead-lined pipes representing eight different municipal drinking water distribution systems in the Northeastern and Midwestern portions of the United States were examined. Diverse synchrotron-based techniques, including bulk XANES (X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy), micro-XANES, micro-XRD (X-ray diffraction), and micro-XRF (X-ray fluorescence) mapping were employed along with traditional powder XRD, SEM-EDXA (scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray analysis), and ICP-OES (inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry) to evaluate vanadium speciation and distribution in these deposits. Vanadinite (Pb5(VO4)3Cl) was positively identified, and occurred most frequently in the surface layers. Low V(tot) in these waters is likely the limiting factor in the abundance of vanadinite in the pipe scales, along with the existence of divalent lead. The occurrence of V in these samples as a discrete mineral is important because it is formed in the presence of very low concentrations of V in the finished water, it provides a mechanism to concentrate microg x L(-1) amounts of V from the water to near-percent levels in the pipe scales, and the robustness of V accumulation and release in response to water chemistry changes is likely different than it would be with a sorption accumulation mechanism. Extrapolation from limited existing water chemistry data in this study provides an estimate of deltaG(f)degrees for vanadinite as approximately -3443 kJ x mol(-1), or less, leading to a log K(s)0 value of approximately -86 for the reaction Pb5(VO4)3CI(s) equilibrium {Pb2+}5 + {VO4(3-) + {Cl-}, in which {} denotes activity.
Hierarchical state-abstracted and socially augmented Q-Learning for reducing complexity in agent-based learning

A primary challenge of agent-based policy learning in complex and uncertain environments is escalating computational complexity with the size of the task space (action choices and world states) and the number of agents. Nonetheless, there is ample evidence in the natural world that high-functioning social mammals learn to solve complex problems with ease, both individually and cooperatively. This ability to solve computationally intractable problems stems from both brain circuits for hierarchical representation of state and action spaces and learned policies as well as constraints imposed by social cognition. Using biologically derived mechanisms for state representation and mammalian social intelligence, we constrain state-action choices in reinforcement learning in order to improve learning efficiency. Analysis results bound the reduction in computational complexity due to state abstraction, hierarchical representation, and socially constrained action selection in agent-based learning problems that can be described as variants of Markov decision processes. Investigation of two task domains, single-robot herding and multirobot foraging, shows that theoretical bounds hold and that acceptable policies emerge, which reduce task completion time, computational cost, and/or memory resources compared to learning without hierarchical representations and with no social knowledge.
Design of a low-light-level image sensor with on-chip sigma-delta analog-to-digital conversion

The design and projected performance of a low-light-level active-pixel-sensor (APS) chip with semi-parallel analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion is presented. The individual elements have been fabricated and tested using MOSIS* 2 micrometer CMOS technology, although the integrated system has not yet been fabricated. The imager consists of a 128 x 128 array of active pixels at a 50 micrometer pitch. Each column of pixels shares a 10-bit A/D converter based on first-order oversampled sigma-delta (Sigma-Delta) modulation. The 10-bit outputs of each converter are multiplexed and read out through a single set of outputs. A semi-parallel architecture is chosen to achieve 30 frames/second operation even at low light levels. The sensor is designed for less than 12 e^- rms noise performance.
Determination of Quaternary Ammonium Compounds

Abstract The official potassium ferricyanide assays of quaternary ammonium, preparations can be modified to include a potentiometric titration with silver nitrate instead of the suggested iodometric method for the determination of the excess ferricyanide. Sodium nitrite interferes with the ferricyanide assay methods.
Multi-wavelength Raman spectroscopy study of supported vanadia catalysts: Structure identification and quantification

Abstract Revealing the structure of supported metal oxide catalysts is a prerequisite for establishing the structure-catalysis relationship. Among a variety of characterization techniques, multi-wavelength Raman spectroscopy, combining resonance Raman and non-resonance Raman with different excitation wavelengths, has recently emerged as a particularly powerful tool in not only identifying but also quantifying the structure of supported metal oxide clusters. In this review, we make use of two supported vanadia systems, VO x /SiO 2 and VO x /CeO 2 , as examples to showcase how one can employ this technique to investigate the heterogeneous structure of active oxide clusters and to understand the complex interaction between the oxide clusters and the support. The qualitative and quantitative structural information gained from the multi-wavelength Raman spectroscopy can be utilized to provide fundamental insights for designing more efficient supported metal oxide catalysts.
Comparing strategies for 3D face recognition from a 3D sensor

We address the problem of 3D face recognition from 3D data, using different strategies. One strategy (1F-NF), explored earlier, is to match each individual frame to a set of reference frames. A second one (1F-3D) is to replace the set of reference frames by a 3D model resulting from the integration of individual frames. A third strategy (3D-3D) is to use a 3D face model inferred from multiple frames as the input probe. We show that the recognition performance using 3D model to 3D model outperforms the others, at the cost of a delay in response, due to the model building step.
Transport services for multimedia applications on broadband networks

Abstract A new class of computer network applications, called multimedia applications, is currently evolving. At the same time high speed networks such as FDDI, DQDB and B-ISDN are being developed. The question is, how can a multimedia application take best advantage of these high speed networks. The term multimedia applications, as used in this paper, refers to computer network applications with widely varying data traffic characteristics. In this paper an interface is outlined suitable for conveying the different application requirements to the communication subsystem, here called the transport system.
Preventing Prisoner Abuse: Leadership Lessons of Abu Ghraib

The abuse of prisoners by U.S. soldiers at Abu Ghraib had far-reaching consequences, leading many people around the world to question the legitimacy of U.S. goals and activities in Iraq. Drawing on extensive unclassified reports from multiple investigations that followed Abu Ghraib, this article considers both psychological and social-situational factors that contributed to ethical failures there. This analysis suggests that leaders need to be more attuned to the developmental stage of subordinates and take appropriate steps to reinforce ethical behaviors. From a psychological standpoint, young adults especially are strongly inclined to behave in accord with social conventions and pressures around them. Particularly in ambiguous circumstances, it is important that standards of behavior be clear and explicit throughout all phases of an operation and that leaders at all levels represent and reinforce those standards.
Intraventricular injections of tachykinin NK3 receptor agonists suppress the intake of "salty" tastes by sodium deficient rats.

Abstract Intraventricular injections of the tachykinin NK3 receptor (NK3-R) agonist, senktide, suppress the ingestion of hypertonic (0.5 M) NaCl by decreasing the initial lick rate and accelerating the decay in lick rate in sodium deficient rats. The present experiment examined whether the effects of intraventricular injections of senktide on lick rate were selective for NaCl solution, or if the ability of NK3-R agonists to inhibit intake generalizes other sodium-containing solutions. The effects of lateral ventricular injections of isotonic saline or senktide (200 ng) on intake and lick rate of 0.5 M solutions of sodium chloride (NaCl), sodium acetate (Na acetate), sodium bicarbonate (Na bicarbonate), and monosodium glutamate (MSG) were measured in sodium deficient rats. Compared to saline injection, senktide injection had no effect on the lick rate or intake of Na bicarbonate. In contrast, intraventricular injection of senktide suppressed the intake of NaCl, Na acetate, and MSG compared to saline injection. Senktide injection accelerated the decay in lick rate for NaCl, Na acetate and MSG, but only suppressed the initial lick rate for NaCl and Na acetate. The results show that activation of NK3-R in sodium deficient rats suppresses the intake of tastes that are classified as “salty” tasting and that the decrease in intake reflects effects on the initial lick rate, the decay in lick rate, or both.
Anti-AIDS agents. 37. Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of (3'R,4'R)-(+)-cis-khellactone derivatives as novel potent anti-HIV agents.

To explore the structural requirements of (+)-cis-khellactone derivatives as novel anti-HIV agents, 24 monosubstituted 3', 4'-di-O-(S)-camphanoyl-(+)-cis-khellactone (DCK) derivatives were synthesized asymmetrically. These compounds included 4 isomeric monomethoxy analogues (3-6), 4 isomeric monomethyl analogues (7-10), 4 4-alkyl/aryl-substituted analogues (11-14), and 12 4-methyl-(+)-cis-khellactone derivatives (15-26) with varying 3', 4'-substituents. These (+)-cis-khellactone derivatives were screened against HIV-1 replication in acutely infected H9 lymphocytes. The results demonstrated that the (3'R,4'R)-(+)-cis-khellactone skeleton, two (S)-(-)-camphanoyl groups at the 3'- and 4'-positions, and a methyl group on the coumarin ring, except at the 6-position, were optimal structural moieties for anti-HIV activity. 3-Methyl- (7), 4-methyl- (8), and 5-methyl- (9) 3',4'-di-O-(S)-camphanoyl-(3'R, 4'R)-(+)-cis-khellactone showed EC(50) and therapeutic index values of 2.15 x 10(6), respectively, in H9 lymphocytes, which are much better than those of DCK and AZT in the same assay. Furthermore, 8 and 9 also showed potent inhibitory activity against HIV-1 replication in the CEM-SS cell line, and most monosubstituted DCK analogues were less toxic than DCK in both assays.
Fatty acid synthetase, malic enzyme and other NADP+ binding dehydrogenases have similar antigenic determinant(s) at the NADPH binding domain.

Abstract Rabbit IgG prepared against malic enzyme inhibits pigeon liver fatty acid synthetase activity. By screening a number of polyclonal antibodies raised to several dehydrogenases, we have discovered that there is a direct relationship between this cross-reactivity and the existence of a common structural domain whose function is the binding of NADP + NADPH . The presence of NADP + NADPH in small concentrations protects against this immunoinhibition, thereby indicating a competitive binding of nucleotide and site-specific antibody at the antigenic domain. These data provide further support for the existence of an antigenic domain in the NADPH binding region of dehydrogenases which is responsible for the production of NADPH site-specific antibodies in polyclonal antisera.
MICROSTRUCTURE AND WEAR PROPERTIES OF LASER CLAD Fe-Cr-Mn-C ALLOYS.

The laser surface cladding technique was used to formin situ Fe-Cr-Mn-C alloys on AISI 1016 steel substrate. In this process mixed powders containing Cr, Mn, and C with a ratio of 10∶1∶1 were delivered using a screw feed, gravity flow carrier gas aided system into the melt pool generated by a 10 kw CO2 laser. This technique produced ultrafine microstructure in the clad alloy. The microstructure of the laser surface clad region was investigated by optical, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy and X-ray microanalysis techniques. Microstructural study showed a high degree of grain refinement and an increase in solid solubility of alloying elements which, in turn, produced a fine distribution of complex types of carbide precipitates in the ferrite matrix because of the high cooling rate. An alloy of this composition does not show any martensitic or retained austenite phase. In preliminary wear studies the laser clad Fe-Cr-Mn-C alloys exhibited far superior wear properties compared to Stellite 6 during block-on-cylinder tests. The improved wear resistance is attributed to the fine distribution of metastable M6C carbides.
AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF ELASTOHYDRODYNAMICS OF TOWED FLEXIBLE CYLINDERS AIDED BY VIDEO IMAGE PROCESSING

Abstract Experimental studies of the elastohydrodynamics of towed flexible cylinders aided by video image processing are reported. A scale model of a prototype hydrophone array has been designed, fabricated, and tested in a speed range of 1.0 to 4.5 m/sec. The experiments were conducted in a 67-m long towing tank. The instrumented flexible member, 12.7 mm in diameter and 13.55 m long, was fixed at the one end and free at the other and was slightly lighter than neutrally bouyant. Three tail drogue configurations were employed. An integral part of the physical model tests was the development and utilization of a microcomputer based video image processing system for model configuration reconstitution. Instability characteristics, tail acceleration spectral densities, lift force due to curvature, and drag coefficients are quantified and discussed.
The Effects of Qi Exercise on Maternal/Fetal Interaction and Maternal Well‐Being During Pregnancy

ABSTRACT Objective To investigate the effects of Qi exercise on maternal outcomes during pregnancy. Design A prospective, two-group, quasi-experimental, pretest/post test design was used. Setting A convenience sample was recruited from one women's wellness center and one women's health clinic in Seoul, Korea. Participants Participants were healthy pregnant women at more than 18 weeks gestation. A total of 70 women were included in the final analysis. Methods Qi exercise was carried out for 90 minutes, twice a week for 12 weeks. Study outcomes were measured by the Intrapersonal Communication Questionnaire (Talking to Your Baby), Zung's Self-rating Depression Scale (ZSDS), the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the Pregnancy Mild Discomfort Index. Analysis of covariance was used to compare outcomes between groups, after adjusting for baseline scores. Results The Qi exercise group had higher post test maternal/fetal interaction and lower maternal depressive symptoms and physical discomfort scores than the control group. There was no difference in anxiety. Conclusion The findings suggest that the holistic approach of Qi exercise may positively influence maternal/fetal interaction and mother's health. Whether these beneficial effects can be sustained throughout pregnancy requites additional research.
Nucleotide sequence analysis of the purEK operon encoding 5'-phosphoribosyl-5-aminoimidazole carboxylase of Escherichia coli K-12

5'-Phosphoribosyl-5-aminoimidazole (AIR) carboxylase (EC 4.1.1.21) catalyzes step 6, the carboxylation of AIR to 5'-phosphoribosyl-5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid, in the de novo biosynthesis of purine nucleotides. As deduced from the DNA sequence of restriction fragments encoding AIR carboxylase and supported by maxicell analyses, AIR carboxylase was found to be composed of two nonidentical subunits. In agreement with established complementation data, the catalytic subunit (deduced Mr, 17,782) was encoded by the purE gene, while the CO2-binding subunit (deduced Mr, 39,385) was encoded by the purK gene. These two genes formed an operon in which the termination codon of the purE gene overlapped the initiation codon of the purK gene. The 5' end of the purEK mRNA was determined by mung bean nuclease mapping and was located 41 nucleotides upstream of the proposed initiation codon. The purEK operon is regulated by the purR gene product, and a purR regulatory-protein-binding site related to the sequences found in other pur loci was identified in the purEK operon control region.
Infectious Disease Stigmas: Maladaptive in Modern Society

At multiple times in human history people have asked if there are good stigmas. Is there some useful function stigmas serve in the context of our evolutionary history; is stigma adaptive? This article discusses stigmas as a group-selection strategy and the human context in which stigmas likely appeared. The next section explores how human patterns have changed in modern society and the consequences for infectious disease (ID) stigmas in the modern age. The concluding section suggests that while social-living species may be particularly apt to create and communicate ID stigmas and enact ID-related stigmatization, such stigma-related processes no longer function to protect human communities. Stigmas do not increase the ability of modern societies to survive infectious diseases but, in fact, may be important drivers of problematic disease dynamics and act as catalysts for failures in protecting public health.
Assisted circulation: experience with the Novacor® Left Ventricular Assist System

Surgical therapy for the treatment of heart failure is a relatively young solution to a problem that has overwhelmed civilizations dating back to the First Dynasty. Despite centuries of enormous multidisciplinary medical and technological advance, nearly 2000 people in the USA died of cardiovascular disease every day in 2006, averaging one death every 35 seconds, and claiming more lives than the next four leading causes of death combined. In 2007, one in 30 female deaths will be from breast cancer, while one in 2.6 will be from cardiovascular disease. The prevalence of heart failure in our population is a staggering 5 million in the USA and 6.5 million in Europe per year. Furthermore, based on the 44-year follow-up of the National Heart, Blood, and Lungs Institute Framingham Heart Study, 80% of men and 70% of women under the age of 65 years who have heart failure will die within 8 years. The focus of this article will be to review the history and future of the Novacor Left Ventricular Assist System as it relates to the failing heart; the story of how the innovator, the researcher, the engineer and the surgeon have come together to offer a surgical solution to a medical problem of inconceivable scope.
Low-complexity EPS scheme for PAPR reduction in OFDM with no transmission of side information

High peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) is one of the major drawbacks of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM). In [8] a low-complexity probabilistic scheme to reduce PAPR in OFDM, called erasure pattern selection (EPS), was proposed. The EPS scheme described in [8] requires the transmission of side information with proper coding. In this paper we address waveform design for OFDM transmission and investigate a method that avoids transmission of side information. Simulation results show that the probability of incorrect detection of the selected erasure pattern is smaller than 10-3 for SNR larger than 6 dB. This means that only 1 in 1000 symbols have to be retransmitted. Also, EPS provide a reduction in PAPR of about 1.5 dB.
Encoded arithmetic for reversible logic

The CCD based implementations of reversible logic consume a constant amount of energy per switching event which depends only on the charge packet size and not on the interconnect length. Within this model of computation, it seems possible to leverage data, encoding to reduce the number of switching events for the computation, resulting in lower overall computation energy. We explore the applicability of encoding for different datapath functions. We also develop a lower bound on switching count in a model similar to the traditional VLSI model of computation. A notion of reversible communication complexity is also developed. >
Identification of Ellagic Acid in Blackberry Juice Sediment

ABSTRACT: The sediment in a commercial reconstituted ‘Evergreen’ blackberry (Rubus laciniatus L.) juice concentrate was found to be composed of ellagic acid, protein, and other unidentified compounds. The qualitative tannin and protein-tannin haze test indicated that the sediment was predominantly tannin or protein-tannin complexes. Nitrogen determination showed the sediment to be 6.69%± 2.21% protein on a dry-weight basis. Almost all of the extractable material was identified as ellagic acid by high-performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The ellagic acid content of the wet sediment was 0.05 g/100 g, whereas it was 7.41 g/100 g in freeze-dried sediment. Tannase enzyme did not significantly decrease the concentration of ellagitannins in Marion blackberry (Rubus spp. Hyb.) juice in this study.
The effects of temperature and dissolved oxygen on antioxidant defences and oxidative damage in the fathead minnow Pimephales promelas.

Fathead minnows Pimephales promelas maintained at 25° C for 6 h had significantly higher superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity than fish maintained at 7 or 32° C, but hypoxic conditions (3 mg l(-1) O2 ) over the same time period did not affect SOD activity. Fish in better body condition (length-adjusted mass) had higher SOD activity. In a separate experiment, P. promelas maintained at three water temperatures (7, 23 and 32° C) for 31 days did not differ in liver acrolein, a biomarker of oxidative stress.
Use of a Mild Gain Amplifier With Preschoolers With Language Delay

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (1991) has urged collaborative research among speech-language pathologists and audiologists in order to investigate the efficacy of using assistive ...
Nine-phase armature windings design, test, and harmonic analysis

A nine-phase armature winding was developed for a large generator. Alternative methods for interconnecting the pole-phase groups were examined. An alternate-pole connection scheme was adopted and a prototype induction motor was constructed to confirm the winding scheme. Since only a three-phase power source was available for testing, the induction motor was tested by using three, three-phase winding sections, one at a time. Air-gap harmonic fields produced some unusual results. These test results and harmonic analyses to explain them are presented herein. The tests confirmed the nine-phase winding scheme that was adopted. The harmonic analyses revealed that the complete nine-phase winding exhibited a very low harmonic content, a distinct advantage of a nine-phase winding for future applications.
Overview of Platelet Transfusion

Most platelet transfusions are given to prevent bleeding in thrombocytopenic patients undergoing chemotherapy for malignancy or hematopoietic stem cell transplant. In stable, uncomplicated patients the risk of bleeding is similar until the platelet count falls to
The Politics of the Resource Curse: A Review

Since 2001, hundreds of academic studies have examined the “resource curse,” meaning the claim that natural resource wealth tends to perversely affect a country's governance. There is now robust evidence that one type of mineral wealth, petroleum, has at least three harmful effects: it tends to make authoritarian regimes more durable, to increase certain types of corruption, and to help trigger violent conflict in low and middle income countries. Scholars have also made progress toward understanding the mechanisms that lead to these outcomes, and the conditions that make them more likely. This essay reviews the evidence behind these claims, the debates over their validity, and some of the unresolved puzzles for future research.
Effect of wall growth on scale‐up problems and dynamic operating characteristics of the biological reactor

If inhibitory substrates are being utilized in a well-stirred biological reactor, microbiological growth on the walls of the reactor can create a scale-up problem. A simple model is proposed which shows that without such growth, of the three existing steady states only one is stable and nontrivial, but with wall growth the trivial, stable, steady state (washout) is impossible. In addition, wall growth reduces the region over which three steady states are feasible and reduces the minimum residence time for which there is only one steady state that corresponds to a high conversion. Thus, a laboratory process with a high surface area to volume ratio can give an over optimistic prediction of both necessary residence; time and stability of the full scale process unless wall growth is accounted for.
Salinity currents in estuaries

In connection with studies of the mouth of the Columbia River, extended current measurements were made in the estuary; also included in the observations were several sets of salinity measurements between the ocean and the upper limits of salinity. This paper summarizes these data and presents an approximate method for separating the effects of tidal, fresh-water, and salinity currents.
Life-Threatening Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infections in Patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

Bacterial infections are a well-described complication of AIDS. However, relatively few reports have described infections due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa in adults who are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Seven cases of serious P. aeruginosa infection in HIV-infected patients occurred during 12 months in two hospitals in Houston, often in the absence of other host factors that are generally thought to predispose to this condition. One patient had no prior illness or antibody test results that were suggestive of HIV infection; for two other patients who were known to have antibody to HIV, an AIDS-defining diagnosis had never been made. Three patients had pneumonia (two with bacteremia and one with empyema), one had malignant otitis externa, and three had bacteremia that either resulted from or caused secondarily a soft-tissue focus of infection. Two patients died, and two others experienced one or more relapses after an initial course of treatment. Compromised host defense mechanisms, including loss of mucosal integrity, defects in humoral and cellular immunities, and qualitative or quantitative leukocyte abnormalities, may predispose HIV-infected patients to P. aeruginosa infections.
Recycled Material Web Map: Connecting Consumers and Producers

An online geographic information system web application that connects producers and consumers of recyclable material was developed to assist engineers and contractors in the beneficial reuse of recycled materials in transportation projects. The Recycled Material Web Map comprises four core layers: producers, stockpiles, specifications, and case studies. Producers of recycled material can locate their facility and enter contact information. The stockpile layer, connected to the producer layer, allows facility managers to add or update information about their recycled material stockpiles that includes material type, application, availability, and cost. Multiple stockpiles can be associated with each producer. The specification layer includes both Department of Transportation specifications and environmental regulations pertaining to the beneficial reuse of nonhazardous recycled material on the basis of specific location, material type, and application. The case study layer locates projects that successfully...
Rethinking Lactation Space: Working Mothers, Working Bodies, and the Politics of Inclusion

The 2001 dedication of the Lactation Support Program at Virginia Tech launched an initiative meant to support the needs of breastfeeding employees and the progressive image of the university as a family-friendly institution. While the program created clean, comfortable, private spaces to express breastmilk, the institutionalization of lactation spaces in university construction policy was not accompanied by a planned education piece and consequently an opportunity to have a broader conversation about gender equity was lost. The absence of an ongoing conversation about the meaning and purpose of this important spatial allotment meant that the “production of space” was limited to the creation of a physical space, and failed to consider how powerful these lactation rooms could be in representing not just the material needs of some working mothers but also in facilitating a dialogue about what it means to be a worker and a mother.
Graphen, Graphen, Graphen!

Graphen sind ein wichtiger Teil mathematischer Untersuchungen, und hier kann DERIVE helfen. Zuerst zeigen wir Ihnen, wie man den Bildschirm optimal einstellt.
Relationship of plasma zinc to human hypertension.

1. Plasma zinc (μg/100 ml) was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in ninety renal venous, inferior vena caval or peripheral venous specimens obtained from fifteen normal control subjects and thirty hypertensive patients, none of whom had renal failure. 2. Peripheral or central venous plasma zinc levels in ten patients with essential hypertension were not significantly different from those of control subjects. There were, however, significantly lower venous plasma zinc levels found in sixteen patients with renal artery stenosis and four patients with renal parenchymal disease. 3. The only clinical variable found to have a significant inverse correlation with plasma zinc was the mean arterial blood pressure. 4. There were no significant differences in zinc concentrations between central venous and renal venous plasma specimens.
LSTM time and frequency recurrence for automatic speech recognition

Long short-term memory (LSTM) recurrent neural networks (RNNs) have recently shown significant performance improvements over deep feed-forward neural networks (DNNs). A key aspect of these models is the use of time recurrence, combined with a gating architecture that ameliorates the vanishing gradient problem. Inspired by human spectrogram reading, in this paper we propose an extension to LSTMs that performs the recurrence in frequency as well as in time. This model first scans the frequency bands to generate a summary of the spectral information, and then uses the output layer activations as the input to a traditional time LSTM (T-LSTM). Evaluated on a Microsoft short message dictation task, the proposed model obtained a 3.6% relative word error rate reduction over the T-LSTM.
Phenology of Asian Citrus Psyllid (Hemiptera: Liviidae), With Special Reference to Biological Control by Tamarixia radiata , in the Residential Landscape of Southern California.

Since its discovery in 2008, the pestiferous Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae), has become widely established in residential citrus trees throughout southern California. In 2011, Tamarixia radiata (Waterston) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), a host-specific parasitoid of D. citri , sourced from Punjab Pakistan, was introduced into California as part of a classical biological program aimed at suppressing D. citri populations in urban areas. Despite these release efforts, little is known about the population dynamics of D. citri in urban citrus or the efficacy of T. radiata in controlling psyllid populations in urban-grown citrus. To address this shortcoming, the population phenology of D. citri was monitored biweekly for 2–3 yr on five different host plants (Rutaceae) at 11 residential sites across Riverside and Los Angeles Counties in southern California. Citrus flush growth patterns and parasitoid activity levels were also assessed. Urban D. citri populations were present year round at each site, with highest densities occurring over July through November. Temperature was an important indicator of overall D. citri densities with positive correlations across all life stages. Regularly flushing lime trees consistently supported the highest densities of psyllid eggs and nymphs, while equally vigorous flushing curry leaf plants supported the highest adult densities. While T. radiata activity was detected at all sites, average year-round percent parasitism was low throughout the study, averaging <5% in 2012, 2013, and 2014.
Swimming dynamics of the mesopelagic vertically migrating penaeid shrimp Sergestes similis: modes and speeds of swimming

ABSTRACT The mesopelagic vertically migrating penaeid shrimp Sergestes similis was studied in situ in Monterey Bay, California, at depths ranging from 291-569 m using a remotely operated submarine equipped with a video camera. Instances both of routine swimming and of escape behavior were observed. In routine swimming, S. similis (mean total length 43.5 mm) swims at an average of 7.4 cm/s. Propulsion is provided exclusively by the pleopods, which beat in an adlocomotory metachronous wave at approximately 4 Hz. The pereiopods are generally held close to the underside of the thorax. The long second antennae (hereafter "antennae" unless first antennae are specified) are invariably deployed in a characteristic position, with the relatively inflexible proximal portion, over 1 body length long, directed anterolaterally and angling slightly ventrally, and the flexible distal portion, over 2 body lengths long, trailing posteriorly from a distinct articulation or "kink" at the end of the proximal portion. The antennae clearly respond to tactile stimuli, and perhaps have chemosensory function as well. Sergestes similis was never observed to stop swimming except for brief bouts of grooming or momentary reactions to tactile contacts on the antennae. Downward swimming was always active, and was not accomplished by passive sinking. The extremely long, setose antennae would be expected to produce substantial drag which must be overcome by metabolically generated thrust. Thrust of the pleopods is maximized during the propulsive stroke by extending and separating the pleopods and spreading the setae, while drag is minimized on the recovery stroke by retracting the pleopods and holding them in apposition to one another and by folding the setae. The escape reaction in this species is the typical decapod tail flip.
Myzotarsa Anaxiphilius, New Genus, New Species, an Atylopsine Amphipod (Gammaridea: Pleustidae) Commensal With Lithodid Crabs in California

King crabs of the genus Paralithodes are hosts to a new genus and species of commensal pleustid amphipod off southern California. The dactyls of the walking legs of the amphipod bear a novel structure, a sucker, for adhesion to the host. The new genus is plesiomorphic in many aspects, but apomorphically modified as a commensal. Most (possibly all) specimens are found on crabs parasitized by the rhizocephalan Briarosaccus callosus, and the symbiosis seems to involve all three organisms. The new species is the first member of the subfamily Atylopsinae described from the Pacific Ocean. The family Pleustidae and subfamily Atylopsinae are rediagnosed to accommodate