cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chapter 9 – Glycoproteins

Publisher Summary This chapter describes glycoproteins as components that primarily have a protein character and that contain appreciable amounts of carbohydrates bound in such a manner that vigorous hydrolysis is required to liberate it. A better designation might be those proteins having at least one mole of hexose or hexosamine per mole of protein. All presently known glycoproteins contain hexose, hexosamine, and sialic acid, and contain little or no uronic acid. The chapter focuses on sugar components in the plasma glycoproteins, and the multiplicity of the plasma glycoproteins and their chemical structure. Structural studies on glycoproteins have largely consisted of cataloguing the nature and amounts of the carbohydrates, and, in some instances, of the amino acids they contain.
Gradient optimization of transversely graded Ti-TiB structures for enhanced fracture resistance

Abstract Metal-ceramic functionally graded materials (FGM) represent a class of composites in which the variation of ceramic (or metallic) content over a definable geometrical length can lead to a combination of desirable physical, mechanical, and thermal properties. These materials are often processed in high-temperature conditions. The asymmetric and variable thermo-physical properties along gradient directions in metal-ceramic FGMs lead to the development of process-induced residual stresses. Since these materials are primarily used as load-bearing components, the processing-induced residual stresses can be superimposed on in-service stresses and lead to premature failure. The present study aims to analyze the concurrent effects of gradation on processing-induced residual stresses and the fracture response of cracked transversely graded structures, that are FGMs with gradients parallel to the crack front. The analytical approach proposed in this work facilitates the identification of optimal gradients that lead to enhanced strength and fracture resistance.
Reduced Tearing With Stable Quality of Life After Vidian Neurectomy: A Prospective Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS Although vidian neurectomy (VN) is associated with decreased lacrimation, its impact on dry eye quality-of-life is not well-defined. Endoscopic endonasal transpterygoid approaches (EETA) may require vidian nerve sacrifice. STUDY DESIGN A prospective cohort trial. METHODS A prospective trial evaluating VN during EETA on lacrimation by phenol red thread testing and dry eye severity by the five-item Dry Eye Questionnaire (DEQ-5) was performed. Preservation of the contralateral vidian nerve allowed comparison between the eye subjected to VN and the control eye postoperatively. RESULTS Twenty-one subjects were enrolled with no preoperative difference in lacrimation between eyes (P = .617) and overall mild dry eye severity. Although the control eye had no difference in lacrimation pre- and postoperatively, decreased tearing was noted in the VN eye at 1 month (20.8 mm vs. 15.8 mm, P = .015) and at 3 months (23.2 mm vs. 15.8 mm, P = .0051) postoperatively. Overall, no difference was noted in the DEQ-5 score for dry eye severity between the pre- and postoperative measures. However, six patients were noted to have moderate to severe dry eye severity postoperatively and five of these six had decreased lacrimation (<20 mm) preoperatively. Patients with decreased tearing preoperatively demonstrated significantly worse postoperative DEQ-5 scores when compared to patients with normal tearing (P < .0056). CONCLUSIONS VN during EETA results in decreased tearing but is not associated with increased dry eye severity overall. However, patients with decreased tearing preoperatively are at risk for increased dry eye severity and should be counseled for this risk. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 2 Laryngoscope, 131:1487-1491, 2021.
Retaining Ethnic Identity in the Apparel Design of Modern Saudi Dress

The purpose of this research is to explore ways to develop new apparel designs for Saudi Arabian women that bridge the gap between outdated historic styles and modern, fashion-forward approaches to dressing. The FEA model provided an appropriate framework for analyzing the culture of the Saudi female as the intended consumer. It was used to contextualize the characteristics of Saudi ethnic dress for women, and to describe the characteristic aesthetic appearance of ethnic embroidery in the Hijaz region of western Saudi Arabia. The target consumer is the core of the FEA model. For this study, the target consumer is Saudi woman aged 25-35 years old, making her a contemporary woman who appreciates and respects historical and cultural values and expects these elements to be a part of her current clothing choices. This design was developed to demonstrate creative and innovative ways to incorporate ancient techniques in a contemporary design and to change how we view the current existing fashion paradigm. Specifically, from outdated, rigid designs to support consumers demand for a more unique, fashion trend products that inculcate craft culture.
Predictions of pressure drop and heat transfer in concentric annular ducts with modified power law fluids

The following numerical analysis examines the pressure drop and heat transfer characteristics associated with flows of modified power law fluids through concentric annular ducts. The flows considered are steady, fully developed and laminar with constant properties, except for viscosity. The boundary conditions for the heat transfer problem are constant heat flux at the inner tube, and an adiabatic outer tube. Results are presented for the friction factor-Reynolds number product and for the Nusselt number as a function of a dimensionless shear rate parameter. These are expressed as correlation equations which give a convenient description of the results throughout the complete domain of the analysis: from low shear rates where the viscosity is Newtonian, to the higher shear rates where the behavior is purely power law, and at the intermediate shear rates where the viscosity is transitional.
Feminist theory and interorganizational collaboration: An ethnographic study of gendered tension management

Building on feminist theories in organizational communication, this study investigated gendered tension management strategies in interorganizational collaboration. I analyzed data from a 2-year eth...
Reconstruction of supernova ν μ , ν τ , ν ¯ μ , and ν ¯ τ neutrino spectra at scintillator detectors

We present a new technique to directly reconstruct the spectra of ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}$, ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{\ensuremath{\tau}}$, ${\overline{\ensuremath{\nu}}}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}$, and ${\overline{\ensuremath{\nu}}}_{\ensuremath{\tau}}$ from a supernova, using neutrino-proton elastic scattering events ($\ensuremath{\nu}+p\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\nu}+p$) at scintillator detectors. These neutrinos, unlike ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{e}$ and ${\overline{\ensuremath{\nu}}}_{e}$, have only neutral current interactions, which makes it very challenging, with any reaction, to detect them and measure their energies. With updated inputs from theory and experiments, we show that this channel provides a robust and sensitive measure of their spectra. Given the low yields and lack of spectral information in other neutral current channels, this is perhaps the only realistic way to extract such information. This will be indispensable for understanding flavor oscillations of SN neutrinos, as it is likely to be impossible to disentangle neutrino mixing from astrophysical uncertainties in a SN without adequate spectral coverage of all flavors. We emphasize that scintillator detectors, e.g., Borexino, KamLAND, and $\mathrm{SNO}+$, have the capability to observe these events, but they must be adequately prepared with a trigger for a burst of low-energy events. We also highlight the capabilities of a larger detector like LENA.
An expert system for performance management

The rapid growth in size and complexity of distributed systems and the use of heterogeneous components require effective tools to manage their resources. The focus is on performance management which can be defined as the set of tools and functions needed to guarantee that the network meets its performance goal. The authors present a general approach to designing an expert system for the management of performance of a distributed function which is built based on the services provided by several application servers distributed across the network. The expert system reallocates the application servers so that all the clients will experience similar function response times. The expert system design has the following components: resource monitor, performance optimizer, and the management information base. >
Characterization and Regulation of Protease Synthesis and Activity in Bacillus licheniformis

Extracts of growing and sporulating cells contain a protease activity that has a broad pH optimum and an unusually broad specificity. The activity, which resides in at least two protein fractions, hydrolyzes all peptide bonds and can reduce a mixture of proteins into a mixture of free amino acids with a high efficiency. No inhibitors of the activity were found, but the protease showed a definite preference for denatured protein as substrate. The synthesis of the intracellular protease activity is under catabolite repression control, as is the extracellular activity. However, the synthesis of the two activities is not coordinate, making the relationship between the two unclear. Due to (i) the specificity of the intracellular activity, (ii) the fact that it is synthesized most rapidly under slow or nongrowing conditions, and (iii) our inability to measure in vivo protein turnover in cells containing high levels of enzyme, a scavenger role is postulated for the enzyme. The rate of protein turnover is not a function of the protease content of the cells.
Preparing for Practice: Motivations, Expectations and Aspirations of the MSW Class of 1990

Abstract Graduate students' commitment to serve poor and disadvantaged populations is a recurrent concern among social work educators. In the context of increasing federal abandonment of public service, faculty fear a trend is developing among MSW students toward careers in private practice, jeopardizing the profession's capacity to fulfill its traditional roles. Based on a national survey of full-time graduate students in public and private programs, this paper examines the characteristics and practice orientations of the Class of 1990. Comparison of 1990 graduates with earlier cohorts suggests that while students' personal characteristics have shifted dramatically, their motivations and goals are largely compatible with traditional social work functions.
Isozyme Genotype-Environment Associations in Natural Populations of the Harvester Ant, POGONOMYRMEX BADIUS

Harvester ants (P. badius) were collected from 49 localities in the southeastern U.S. Amylase and naphthylamidase activities were assayed by gel electrophoresis, and the frequencies of alleles controlling electrophoretic variation were calculated. Soil samples were analyzed and plotted against allelic frequencies. Climatographic and genetic data were analyzed by the method of principal components. Statistically significant correlations were found to occur between the patterns of genetic variation, and between the genetic and environmental patterns. These correlations are consistent with a selective basis for the maintenance of isozyme polymorphisms.
The Work of Power and the Power of Work: teaching for class consciousness in the neo-liberal age

As workers throughout the globe struggle to gain control over the conditions in which they labor as well as the means by which capital is produced, the importance of understanding class struggle, class formation and class consciousness as they relate to education and schooling takes on a new urgency. In the early part of the twenty-first century, neo-liberal ideology persists in normalizing relations of capital, just as contemporary educational theory has tended to subrogate class struggle for social movement. As such, the category of class as a potent historical actor with specific temporal qualities suffers for legitimacy in an age characterized by end-of-history prophets and profiteers; ‘bio-identity’ movements; neo-corporate hegemony; quasi-sovereign nation-states; global financiers monetarily and ideologically supported by the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and the World Trade Organization; increasing local and global disparities between wealth and poverty; and violence. A more comprehensiv...
Evaluation of the effect of perioperative rofecoxib treatment on pain control and clinical outcomes in patients recovering from gynecologic abdominal surgery : A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study

Background and Objectives: In this randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study, the efficacy and safety of rofecoxib* 50 mg was evaluated in patients undergoing major abdominal gynecologic surgery. Methods: Patients were randomized to receive rofecoxib 50 mg (n = 81) or placebo (n = 83) ∼2 hours before total abdominal hysterectomy or myomectomy and once daily over the ensuing 4 days. Clinical measurements included average daily opioid use over the 5-day period (primary endpoint), pain intensity on movement, and opioid-related side effects. Results: Patients receiving rofecoxib required 32% less (P = .001) intravenous and oral opioids to relieve their postoperative pain from days 1 to 5 (primary endpoint), used 21% less (P = .011) on day 1, and 42% less (P Conclusions: Compared with placebo, perioperative administration of rofecoxib 50 mg provided significant opioid sparing, significantly better pain control, improved clinical outcomes, and was well tolerated.
Open problems in computational linear algebra

In the recent past a few important open problems such as those involving developing polynomial-time iterative algorithms for solving linear programs in both integer and real number models and for testing and generating primes have been solved. There are still several problems we have not found solutions over decades/centuries. Problems such as those involving (i) devising a deterministic noniterative polynomial-time algorithm for linear programs, (ii) deciding a priori all required fail-proof prime bases for errorfree computations for linear systems and linear optimization, (iii) determining computational complexities in some deterministic algorithms, (iv) designing algorithms with the lowest possible bound of complexity for matrix multiplications, (v) developing a polynomial-time deterministic algorithm for computing the error-bounds in an error-free computation, (vi) verification of the solution of some nonlinear optimization problems in polynomial time, (vii) obtaining the error-bounds in the solution of some linear/nonlinear problems when solved probabilistically are open problems. The solution of these open problems has the potential to revolutionize the whole area of computational mathematics and science as well as super-/grid-computing. We present here some of these open problems precisely along with the related discussions.
POSS Polymers: Physical Properties and Biomaterials Applications

Research into polymers incorporating polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) has intensified during the past several years, revealing new fundamental polymer physics, new synthetic routes, and unexpected applications. The present review article critically examines the recent scientific literature on POSS polymers with an emphasis on structure-property relationships. We conclude that it is an exciting time to work on such materials and we expect the field to continue to grow in the foreseeable future.
Interleukin-22 genetic polymorphisms and risk of colon cancer

Interleukin-22 (IL-22) is a member of the IL-10 family of anti-inflammatory cytokines that mediates epithelial immunity. IL-22 expression is enhanced in inflamed colon mucosa in individuals with inflammatory bowel disease. We carried out an association study to examine the hypothesis that common variation in the IL-22 gene is associated with risk of colon cancer. Seven tagging SNPs were genotyped in 561 colon cancer cases and 722 population controls. Information on lifestyle risk factors was collected via a self-administered questionnaire. The rs1179251 SNP conferred an estimated odds ratio (OR) of 1.46 (95% CI = 1.04-2.05) and 2.10 (95% CI = 0.66-6.66), respectively, for those heterozygous and homozygous for the G variant (p (additive) = 0.013) after adjustment for age, gender, and race; the OR assuming a dominant model was 1.50 (95% CI = 1.05-2.08, p (dominant) = 0.016). No other SNP was statistically significantly associated with colon cancer risk. Haplotype analysis found that one haplotype containing the rs1179251 G allele gave an estimated 52% increase in risk of colon cancer for individuals with at least one copy (OR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.12-2.06, p = 0.0073). Our findings suggest that the rs1179251 SNP in IL-22 is associated with risk of colon cancer.
Distributed detection of randomly located targets in mobility-assisted sensor networks with node mobility management

Performance gain achieved by adding mobile nodes to a stationary sensor network for target detection depends on factors such as the number of mobile nodes deployed, mobility patterns, speed and energy constraints of mobile nodes, and the nature of the target locations (deterministic or random). In this paper, we address the problem of distributed detection of a randomly located target by a hybrid sensor network. Specifically, we develop two decision-fusion architectures for detection where in the first one, impact of node mobility is taken into account for decisions updating at the fusion center, while in the second model the impact of node mobility is taken at the node level decision updating. The cost of deploying mobile nodes is analyzed in terms of the minimum fraction of mobile nodes required to achieve the desired performance level within a desired delay constraint. Moreover, we consider managing node mobility under given constraints.
Multiple augmentation for interval-censored data with measurement error

There has been substantial effort devoted to the analysis of censored failure time with covariates that are subject to measurement error. Previous studies have focused on right-censored survival data, but interval-censored survival data with covariate measurement error are yet to be investigated. Our study is partly motivated by analysis of the HIV clinical trial AIDS Clinical Trial Group (ACTG) 175 data, where the occurrence time of AIDS is interval censored and the covariate CD4 count is subject to measurement error. We assume that the data are realized from a proportional hazards model. A multiple augmentation approach is proposed to convert interval-censored data to right-censored data, and the conditional score approach is then employed to account for measurement error. The proposed approach is easy to implement and can be readily extended to other semiparametric models. Extensive simulations show that the proposed approach has satisfactory finite-sample performance. The ACTG 175 data are then analyzed.
Iris melanoma. Nevus or malignancy

Although iris melanomas have an excellent prognosis when diagnosed and treated early, they should not be considered benign lesions. The authors report the orbital recurrence of a melanoma in a patient whose eye had been enucleated 30 years earlier because of an iris melanoma. The clinical, epidemiological and pathological characteristics of iris melanomas are summarized and compared to those of other uveal melanomas. The similarities suggest that iris melanomas are not by nature more benign than other uveal melanomas and that their better prognosis is due to the earlier detection allowed by their more obvious location.
Detection limits for sulfates and nitrates in aerosol particles by Raman spectroscopy

Abstract Detection limits by Raman spectroscopy are reported for sulfates and nitrates as trace constituents in aerosol particles. The aerosol particles under investigation are either single suspended solid particles with a diameter of 15 μm or present in a monodisperse particle stream generated by a vibrating orifice with a droplet diameter of 45 μm. The visible lines of a continuous wave (cw) Argon ion laser are used as the excitation source. Using the state-of-the art charge coupled device (CCD) detector, high sensitivity is achieved even for spontaneous Raman scattering. For suspended solid particles containing sodium nitrate as the trace constituent, the detection limit ( S N = 1 ) is about 4 × 10−15 moles or 3 × 109 molecules. For solution droplets, the detection limit is 2.5 millimolar for both sulfates and nitrates ions in aqueous solutions. A comparison of the sensitivities between spontaneous and stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) shows that the sensitivity of the spontaneous Raman scattering is at least 20–40 times higher than that of SRS.
Moisture Accumulation in Cellulose Insulation Caused by Air Leakage in Flat Wood Frame Roofs

The hygrothermal performance of assemblies can be assessed by testing and monitoring large-scale specimens exposed to realistic conditions under controlled laboratory settings. Moisture transfer cannot be measured directly, but moisture content can be monitored. A large-scale test of two flat roof assemblies filled with cellulose insulation is performed. The six-and-a-half-month test simulated a complete wetting and drying cycle from winter to summer. The wood structure and the cellulose insulation are the object of an extensive moisture content monitoring which included 102 resistance-type electronic moisture probes and 120 gravimetric specimens. The objective of this paper is to report on the changes in moisture content in the cellulose insulation as a function of the different air leakage paths.
The ontogeny of B lymphocytes. III. Opposite signals transmitted to B lymphocyte precursor cells by inducing agents and hormones

Present evidence supports the idea that agents inducing phenotype conversion in B and T precursor cells can be obtained from many sources (e.g. LPS, cate-cholamines, prostaglandin E1, and DB cyclic AMP). They share the feature of raising intracellular cyclic AMP in some systems. Our experiments have demonstrated another class of components (carbamyl choline, insulin, human growth hormone, 8-bromo-cyclic GMP) which inhibit induction of phenotype conversion in early B lymphocyte precursor cells. All of these substances are known or suspected to raise levels of intracellular cyclic GMP. The blocking effect is transient as precursor cells regain inducibility after removal of the inhibitor within 2 to 4 h. Thymopoietin (TP), which is a selective inducing agent for conversion of prothymocytes (Thy-1 −) to thymocytes (Thy-1+), inhibited the induction of expression of B cell markers, Ig and Ia. Conversely, tumor necrotizing serum (TNS), which selectively induces B precursor cells (Ig− Ig+ and Ia− Ia+), inhibited the inducing effect of TP on prothymocytes. We propose that induction requires interaction of a specific inducing hormone with a receptor associated with adenylate cyclase, whereas inhibition of induction requires interaction with a receptor which activates guanylate cyclase. Our data indicate that prothymocytes and pro-B cells have receptors for both TP and TNS, which are, however, associated with different signal mechanisms in B and T precursor cells. The manner in which a given precursor cell responds depends less on the specificity of hormone receptor interaction than on pre-set receptor associations to deliver stop or go signals. This system can be regarded as a model for regulation of T and B cell differentiation by pairs of hormones with opposing effects.
Water retention and solubility of soy proteins and corn germ proteins in a model system

Response surface methodology was used to study water retention and protein solubility of soy flour (SF), concentrate (SC), and isolate (SI), and corn germ protein flour (CGPF). Water retention increased with pH (6 to 8) and incubation temperature (10–70°C), but not with increasing incubation time (10–30 min). SC had highest water retention per gTam, followed by CGPF, SF, and SI. Water retention in relation to protein content was higher in CGPF than in the three soy products. Protein solubility was significantly affected by pH and temperature of incubation. Protein solubility increased when pH (6 to 8) and incubation temperature increased (30–70°C) in all samples. SI had highest protein solubility, and CGPF had the lowest.
Cocaine enhances one-way avoidance responding in mice.

Abstract We reported previously that posttraining cocaine injections enhance subsequent performance of an automated jump-up avoidance response and trough avoidance response in rats. In the present study we examined the species generality of the cocaine enhancement by investigating the effects of posttraining cocaine injection on subsequent performance of a one-way active avoidance response in mice. Cocaine (30 mg/kg, IP) administered to mice immediately following completion of two escape-only trials on day 1 significantly enhanced avoidance response performance on day 2. Neither lidocaine nor cocaine methiodide, when administered in doses equimolar to the effective cocaine dose, altered performance on day 2. These data indicate that cocaine's enhancement of avoidance responding in mice probably is neither peripherally mediated nor attributable to its local anesthetic properties.
Unsteady and Transitional Flows Behind Roughness Elements

The role of surface roughness in boundary layers continues to be a topic of significant interest, especially with regard to how controlled roughness might be used to delay laminar-to-turbulent transition. Although it may be useful for control, large-amplitude roughness may itself lead to transition. In an effort to understand the breakdown mechanics associated with large-amplitude surface roughness, experiments are conducted to investigate the steady and unsteady disturbances generated by three-dimensional roughness elements whose amplitudes are close to the critical roughness-based Reynolds number Re k for roughness-induced transition. Measurements are obtained in a flat-plate boundary layer downstream of a spanwise array of cylindrical roughness elements at both subcritical and supercritical values of Re k . The steady disturbance field has strong shear in the wall-normal and spanwise directions, and the unsteady streamwise velocities in the roughness elements' wake show evidence of hairpin vortices. The locations of maximum fluctuation intensity correspond to the locations of inflection points in the steady flow streamwise velocity, and this suggests that the fluctuations may result from a Kelvin-Helmholtz-type instability. Temporal power spectra indicate an unstable band of frequencies from 300 to 800 Hz. The Strouhal number associated with the 650-Hz fluctuations that are often observed to be the strongest give Sr = 0.15, a value that is in good agreement with previous findings. At supercritical Re k , rapid transition takes place when the unsteady disturbances reach nonlinear amplitudes. The disturbance growth rates indicate that in this situation transition can be understood as a competition between the unsteady disturbance growth and the rapid relaxation of the steady flow that tends to stabilize these disturbances.
Love-waves of High Frequency Along an Interface

Summary It was shown in an earlier paper (1929) that Love-waves could be propagated over the free surface of a heterogeneous medium provided that the velocity of distortional waves increased initially with depth below the surface, and an asymptotic formula was developed for waves of short wave-length. The present note extends the analysis to cover the case of a medium in which there is a depth at which the distortional wave-velocity is a minimum; as a particular example the junction of a homogeneous with a heterogeneous medium is discussed. The transmission of sound-waves through the sofar layer of the ocean may be similarly treated.
Comparison of the properties of chemical cellulose pulps

The literature related to differences between chemical cellulose pulps produced by different pulping processes has been reviewed. Kraft pulps tend to be stronger, particularly in tear strength, while sulfite pulps hydrate and beat more readily. Organosolv pulps tend to mirror the properties of sulfite more than those of kraft pulps. A number of theories have been offered to explain the different properties of the chemical pulps; however, none has been universally accepted. It may be that acidic processes develop weak points in the fibers which are magnified in tear strength losses since, at a constant tensile strength, a 10% loss in fiber strength can lead to a 25–30% loss in tear strength. The effects of acidic pulping may also be magnified in greater fiber breakage and damage in the subsequent refining stages. However, strength improvements for inferior pulps can be realized through post-chemical treatments. Caustic treatments appear to give the greatest improvements, presumably due to increases in acidic group content which results in enhanced swelling properties, and possible subtle reorientation of cell wall polymers. The strength of hornified, recycled fibers can also be enhanced with such treatments, although simple beating will restore considerable strength, but at the expense of drainage rates. It is clear that the processes are complex and involve both the chemistry and physics of the fibers and how these attributes combine to affect the subsequent beating of the fibers for bonding and strength development.
Mn++ binding by plasma proteins.

54Mn2+added to human or rabbit plasma in vitro combines selectively with the albumin fraction. At pH 7.0, the Scatchard plot yields a curve that may be resolved for two classes of sites: one, where n1 = 1 and K1 = 2.4 × 104, the other where n2 = 0.5 and K2 = 0.5 × 103.Zn2+, Ni2+and Co2+can compete effectively for these sites.
Climatological Drought in Arizona: An Analysis of Indicators for Guiding the Governor's Drought Task Force

Lacking a federal policy to address local water deficiencies within the United States, many states have developed their own methods for monitoring drought in an effort to mitigate its effects. This article provides an overview of efforts to standardize the use of drought indices in order to compare recent and historical drought both spatially and temporally for Arizona. Yearly averages of the Palmer Drought Severity Index and the Standardized Precipitation Index are placed into a frequency distribution to create standardization among the indices. The 1896–1904 drought ranked as the most severe, although the 1996–2004 drought was a close second.
Efficient manipulator collision avoidance by dynamic programming

Abstract This paper describes a research effort in the area of collision avoidance path planning for robotic manipulators. A robotic arm with known geometry is to perform a spatial manipulation in the presence of known obstacles in its workspace. The task is to generate a series of waypoints for its path to pass through which will guarantee a safe, collision-free trajectory from its predefined starting point to its predefined goal position. This is an important topic in the area of automated manufacturing. Automated factories are becoming increasingly important for the goals of greater manufacturing efficiency, better equipment utilization, and lower overall manufacturing costs. Robotic devices, including manipulator arms and assembly devices, are finding more uses in these factories. The approach is to discretize the robot's workspace into a transition network. The optimal path through this network, in terms of angular displacement of the manipulator's joints, is generated by dynamic programming. While this approach has been used previously, this paper adds the innovation of variable-node spacing, with the node density in various parts of the network reflecting the need for precise position control in each local area of the workspace. In this way, precise motion control is possible without an undue computational burden.
Duration of heart disease visits by elderly patients: productivity versus quality.

A balance should be reached between physician productivity and clinical quality, since the first comes at the expense of the second. The study described here used the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) to demonstrate that visit length for elderly heart disease patients is related to both appropriate (i.e. clinical) patient differences and to less justifiable factors. Both demand management and managerial control strategies should be considered.
Determination of Fixation Strength of Large-Diameter Interference Screws

Small-diameter interference screws are a widely used method of securing bone-tendon grafts during anterior cruciate ligament reconstructive procedures. Recent reports document tunnel widening and subsequent loss of fixation, leading to a need for alternative fixation methods. In cadaver tissue, the fixation strength of large-diameter (11-, 13-, and 15-mm) interference screws was tested and compared with that of clinically used 9-mm diameter screws. Patellar-tendon sections were fashioned into three grafts, each with bone plugs measuring 10 x 20 x 7.5 mm. Tunnels were created in the epiphyseal bone of the femurs and tibias, resulting in gap sizes of 4.5-, 6.5-, 8.5-, and 10.5-mm for the 9-, 11-, 13-, and 15-mm diameter screws, respectively. Grafts were pulled from the tunnel at a rate of 51 cm/min. Average fixation strengths were 276, 302, 328, and 328 N for the 9-, 11-, 13-, and 15-mm screws, respectively. No significant difference existed between the fixation strengths (ANOVA, P < or = .05). Arthroscopy 1998 Jan-Feb;14(1):70-4
Sexual dimorphism inAustralopithecus afarensis

Abstract This study reassesses body weight sexual dimorphism in A. afarensis by applying equations that predict body weight from hindlimb joint size in a comparative sample of modern apes and humans. The resulting estimates show a level of body size dimorphism in this fossil hominid to be below that seen in modern gorillas or orang-utans, greater than modern species of Pan , and well above modern H. sapiens . This degree of dimorphism fits with the behavioral model proposed by Foley & Lee, 1989 in which A. afarensis lived in large kin-related multimale groups with females that are not kin-related. The moderate level of body size sexual dimorphism found in this study removes one objection to the lumping of all Hadar hominids into a single species.
Defining the characteristics of a lingering crisis: Lessons from the National Zoo

Abstract This article begins to define the characteristics of a new type of organizational crisis—a “lingering crisis.” A qualitative case study involving the National Zoo indicated that a lingering crisis may involve (1) multiple events occurring over an extended timeframe; (2) intense media scrutiny; (3) escalating involvement of external organizations, including watchdog/regulatory/oversight agencies; (4) incongruent organizational messages and stakeholder perceptions; (5) external/internal charges of organizational deception; (6) insufficient organizational responses to stakeholder concerns; (7) organizational failure to address leadership responsibility for crisis.
Coherence in Spontaneous Radiation Processes

By considering a radiating gas as a single quantum-mechanical system, energy levels corresponding to certain correlations between individual molecules are described. Spontaneous emission of radiation in a transition between two such levels leads to the emission of coherent radiation. The discussion is limited first to a gas of dimension small compared with a wavelength. Spontaneous radiation rates and natural line breadths are calculated. For a gas of large extent the effect of photon recoil momentum on coherence is calculated. The effect of a radiation pulse in exciting "super-radiant" states is discussed. The angular correlation between successive photons spontaneously emitted by a gas initially in thermal equilibrium is calculated.
Impact response of layered steel–alumina targets

Abstract The efficacy of a ceramic in protecting against penetration by high velocity projectiles depends not only on its hardness but also on its resistance to flow after comminution. Here we investigate experimentally the response of a model armor system comprising an alumina tile and two steel face sheets subject to impact by steel spherical projectiles. Complementary experiments are performed on the face sheet materials and the ceramic alone in order to gain insights into the inelastic responses of the constituent materials. A parallel numerical modeling study is performed of the system response with emphasis on the shape of the back face following impact. To this end, we employ the ceramic deformation model developed by Deshpande and Evans and modified here to account for dilatational softening following full comminution. Comparisons between model predictions and experimental measurements demonstrate the important role of granular flow. Preliminary parametric studies further suggest that additional effort is required to understand the transition in mechanical response of a ceramic as it transforms from a monolithic solid to a densely-packed granulated medium.
Relationship between population density and rates of injury mortality in New York State (exclusive of New York City), 1978-1982.

The relationship between population density and rates of mortality from unintentional and intentional injuries is examined using mortality data from New York State (exclusive of New York City) 1978-1982. Records for 26118 individuals with an underlying cause of death due to injury were assigned to population density quintiles based on residence of decedent at time of death. Mortality rates for each population density quintile were examined separately by sex and for 11 causes of injury death. Overall injury mortality is highest in the most rural and most urban populations....The relationships observed here between injury mortality and population density are most likely due to concomitant variation with aspects of the physical and cultural environments such as socioeconomic status ethnicity and individual risk behaviors. (EXCERPT)
Role of water mobility on mold spore germination.

A sugar transport defected strain of Aspergillus nidulans (biA-1 sorA-2) was tested for spore germination in nutrient media containing various water activity (aw) values and varying amounts of non-nutritive, nontoxic carbohydrates (l-sorbose and cellulose). Freeze-dried media [containing the same nutrient level but different in sorbose/cellulose (s:c) ratio] were adjusted to 0.75−0.97aw at 25 °C before inoculation. Minimum aw for germination varied with s:c ratio. Because both sorbose and cellulose were not metabolizable and unable to be transported into the cells, the results reflected the molecular mobility of water. 2H NMR T2 relaxation time correlated well with spore germination time, and it distiguished the difference between water sorbed to cellulose and water in a solution associated with dissolved sorbose. On the other hand, mold germination time correlated poorly with aw. It was highly dependent on the s:c ratio. Water mobility was found to correlate better with biological activity than aw becaus...
In activation and modification of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase differentially labeled with bromopyruvate

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylkinase (GTP:oxaloacetate carboxy-lyase (transphosphorylating), EC 4.1.1.32) is inactivated by bromopyruvate with specific substrate protection against the inactivation. Despite the fact that the enzyme also is known to possess oxalacetate decarboxylase activity, the modification does not appear to be directed toward a pyruvate or enolpyruvate binding site, as evident from the kinetics of the inactivation and from protection studies. Thus, the reactivity of bromopyruvate is different than toward several other enzymes where pyruvate is a substrate or product. Acetopyruvate and oxalate inhibit carboxykinase activity, but neither of these compounds, nor pyruvate, protects against the inactivation. Using differentially labeled enzyme, it was shown that modification of one sulfhydryl is sufficient to cause loss of both catalytic activities. Protection by inosine nucleotides was found to be similar in each instance. It would appear that a common sulfhydryl is critical to both carboxykinase and oxalacetate decarboxylase activities, and that each utilizes the same nucleotide binding site, despite the known different roles of the nucleotide in each reaction.
The Role of the Architect: Changes of the Past, Practices of the Present, and Indications of the Future

For centuries, the master builder, the one who was responsible for both the design and the construction of a project, had sufficient design and construction expertise to oversee a project from inception to completion. Eventually, increased complexity required a higher level of specialization, leading to the separation of the designer and the builder. Since that separation, the role of the designer or architect has continued to shift and evolve. The exact role of the architect today is unclear. However, in integrating design and building team efforts the entire construction industry continues to grow and provide new opportunities for advancement. The successful architect of the future could be one who strives to reclaim lost responsibilities, explores new alternative services, and promotes a higher level of collaboration with the build team.
Effects of high temperature and high ZSM-5 additive level on FCC olefins yields and gasoline composition

Abstract FCC yields were quantified for operation under conditions that maximize the production of light olefins. These conditions include high reaction temperatures, use of low unit cell size base catalysts (USY and RE-USY), and addition of large amounts of ZSM-5. Adding 25% ZSM-5 additive nearly tripled propene yields, and increased butenes by about 60%. The fraction of isobutene in the butenes rose from 32–35 wt.−% to its equilibrium value of about 40%. For the base catalysts alone, increasing the reaction temperature from 811 K to 852 K gave a modest increase in C3–C4 olefins, but this effect was largely absent for the ZSM-5/base catalyst mixture. This suggests that raising temperature loses effectiveness as a means of increasing light olefins yield, in the presence of large amounts of ZSM-5. Addition of 25% ZSM-5 additive had effects on C2− species and butadiene which have not generally been observed with lower levels of ZSM-5. Ethylene yields increased, and methane and ethane yields decreased, while butadiene yields were halved. Increasing temperature gave significant increases in the yields of butadiene, all C2− species, and a decrease in butanes; these trends are the opposite of those seen with ZSM-5 addition. PIONA analysis of selected gasoline samples showed that raising temperature gave a more olefinic gasoline. ZSM-5 addition increased olefin branching and shifted olefins and paraffins to lower carbon numbers. Most yield shifts could be understood in terms of how changing temperature and adding ZSM-5 affect the relative rates of cracking versus hydrogen transfer for the gasoline-range olefins.
Application of large signal network analyzer measurements to model verification and device modeling

Modeling the nonlinear behavior in RF transistors has emerged as one of the most important issues for the design of future RF and mm-wave circuits. The large signal network analyzer (LSNA) and non-linear vector analyzer (NVNA) are providing new tools for the characterization of the non-linear response of RF transistors. This paper illustrates the application of LSNA measurements to various features of importance in device modeling including: (1) modeling of the nonlinearities, (2) low frequency dispersion, (3) symmetry of device characteristics in the inverted mode of operation and (4) the substrate network. The examples taken are mostly from 65 nm Si MOSFETs. Preliminary results on direct model extractions from real-time active load pull date are also presented.
Potent Activity of a Novel Dimeric Heat Shock Protein 90 Inhibitor against Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma In vitro and In vivo

Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is a molecular chaperone that promotes the conformational maturation of numerous client proteins, many of which play critical roles in tumor cell growth and survival. The ansamycin-based Hsp90 inhibitor 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG) is currently in phase I/II clinical testing. However, 17-AAG is difficult to formulate and displays weak activity against some tumors. A novel dimeric ansamycin, EC5, was evaluated for antitumor activity in eight head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines. Both 17-AAG and EC5 inhibited tumor cell proliferation effectively, but EC5 was more potent, with IC(50) below 200 nmol/L in most cell lines tested, including several lines that were resistant to 17-AAG. The inability of 17-AAG to kill JHU12 cells was linked to a defect in retinoblastoma signaling and could be rescued by ectopic expression of p16(INK4a). EC5 induced G(1) growth arrest of tumor cells and apoptosis, with the degradation of client proteins including epidermal growth factor receptor, c-Raf-1, Akt, and Cdk4 and inhibition of Akt phosphorylation. In vivo, EC5 dramatically reduced the growth rate of established HNSCC xenografts in nude mice and decreased expression of epidermal growth factor receptor and Akt within the xenografts. These results suggest that this novel ansamycin-based Hsp90 inhibitor affects multiple pathways involved in tumor development and progression and may represent a new strategy for the treatment of HNSCC patients.
A CASE OF URINOGENITAL MYIASIS CAUSED BY LARVAE OF ANISOPUS FENESTRALIS (DIPTERA: ANISOPIDAE)

A sample of larvae submitted to us for identification on 22 November 1967 by Dr. C. Hutton, Director, Diagnostic Laboratories, Janeway Child Health Centre, St. John's, was determined as Anisopus fenestralis (Scopol.) by Dr. H. J. Teskey, Ottawa.
Bacterial transfer to beverages during drinking games: ‘beer pong’

The study’s first phase identified bacteria recovered from ping pong balls used in games played by the general public. Ping pong balls were collected from uncontrolled environments and analysed according to playing location. Results showed that the highest levels of contamination were observed in games played outside, with a mean of 5.3 log CFU/ball, while the lowest levels were observed for games played over carpeted surfaces, with a mean of 2.8 log CFU/ball. In terms of identification, four distinct bacterial types were selected for presumptive identification based on their appearance on agar plates. The second part of the study examined bacterial transfer from inoculated ping pong balls to beer. Using a non-pathogenic E. coli strain as the inoculum, the mean level of contamination was 4.9 log CFU/ball. Overall, the results for both parts of this study demonstrate that the game of beer pong is a source of bacterial transfer.