cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of a customizable haptic feedback system for ground vehicle steer-by-wire interfaces

Advancements in mechatronic system technology has allowed the realization of adjustable automotive steering systems which can better meet customer preferences. Drive-by-wire systems use servo-motors, with accompanying sensors and control algorithms, to regulate the vehicle's operation. In this paper, a multi-modal human-vehicle haptic interface has been developed for ground vehicle steer-by-wire systems. The mathematical model and control structure offer tunable gains that allow the emphasis of different feedback factors including steering stiffness, damping, power assist, aligning torques, end stop, and static friction. Three steering system factors were assessed: control and confidence, ease of use, and perceived vehicle safety. As measured, driver performance improved with the provision of aligning torque plus stiffness and damping effects. Subjective and objective operator-in-the-loop results demonstrated that the driver experience can be positively impacted using a reconfigurable force feedback formulation.
Modeling in clinical nutrition: does it add to patient care?

Background/objectives Remarkable improvements in mathematical methodology combined with knowledge and data on the response of the human body to changes in nutrition, activity and environment have led to a rapid expansion of mathematical models that predict, describe and aggregate conclusions in nutrition. Although mathematical models in nutrition have made significant advances in predictive accuracy and physiological descriptions, these advances have compromised model simplicity, introducing obstacles to their widespread application and contribution to clinical care. The challenge of model complexity is moderated by delivery through well-designed software. Subjects/methods We reviewed several recent and novel web-based mathematical models related to nutrition and describe the successful application of a dynamic mathematical model to patient care implemented through counseling software in a recent weight-loss intervention. To illustrate the power of model transfer through software, we designed a Visual Basic macro within Microsoft Excel to deliver predictions from six well-established and validated resting energy expenditure formulas in children and adults. Results The six resting energy expenditure models that were deployed using the Visual Basic Application developer ranged in technical complexity requiring decision trees, calculation of nonlinear terms or inclusion of multiple covariates. The developed software allows users to select specific models and desired units. After input of individual height, weight, age and sex data through a user form, individuals can effortlessly view predictions. Conclusions Advances in web-based and widely accessible software provide the capacity to deliver more accurate and physiologically realistic nutrition-related models, and ultimately translating model results to patient care.
Rho Kinase Inhibition Rescues the Endothelial Cell Cerebral Cavernous Malformation Phenotype

Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCM) are vascular lesions causing seizures and stroke. Mutations causing inactivation of one of three genes, ccm1, -2, or -3, are sufficient to induce vascular endothelial cell defects resulting in CCM. Herein, we show that loss of expression of the CCM1, -2, or -3 proteins causes a marked increase in expression of the GTPase RhoA. Live cell imaging with a RhoA-specific biosensor demonstrates increased RhoA activity with loss of CCM1, -2, or -3, with an especially pronounced RhoA activation in both the cytosol and the nucleus with loss of CCM1 expression. Increased RhoA activation was associated with Rho kinase-dependent phosphorylation of myosin light chain 2. Functionally, loss of CCM1, -2, or -3 inhibited endothelial cell vessel-like tube formation and extracellular matrix invasion, each of which is rescued by chemical inhibition or short hairpin RNA knockdown of Rho kinase. The findings, for the first time, define a signaling network for CCM1, -2, and -3 in CCM pathology, whereby loss of CCM1, -2, or -3 protein expression results in increased RhoA activity, with the activation of Rho kinase responsible for endothelial cell dysregulation. The results define Rho kinase as a therapeutic target to rescue endothelial cells from loss of CCM protein function.
Role of COX-2, thromboxane A2 synthase, and prostaglandin I2 synthase in papillary thyroid carcinoma growth

The development of papillary thyroid carcinoma is influenced by many factors including genetic alterations, growth factors, and physical agents such as radiation. Arachidonic acid and its derivatives including prostaglandins (PG) and thromboxane along with the enzymes involved in their synthesis have been shown to influence the growth of various tumors. We analyzed the immunoreactivity for cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and mRNA expression levels of the enzymes COX-2, thromboxane A(2) (TXA(2)) synthase, and PGI(2) synthase by RT-PCR in papillary carcinomas and matching normal tissues to determine the role of these enzymes in the development of papillary thyroid carcinomas. A papillary thyroid carcinoma cell line TPC-1 was also studied in vitro to determine the role of the specific COX-2 inhibitor NS-398 on COX-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor-A, since COX-2 also has a role in regulating tumor angiogenesis. RT-PCR analysis showed significant increases in TXA(2) synthase mRNA levels in papillary thyroid carcinomas compared to normal thyroid tissues. Although COX-2 mRNA levels were generally increased in papillary carcinomas, the differences were not statistically significant. There were no significant differences in PGI(2) synthase mRNA levels. COX-2 protein expression was greater in papillary carcinoma compared to normal thyroid tissues; however, the levels were quite variable. In vitro studies with a COX-2 inhibitor, NS-398, showed inhibition of tumor growth along with increased levels of COX-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor-A mRNA expression. These results indicate that specific enzyme levels in the PG synthesis pathway such as TXA(2) synthase are increased in papillary thyroid carcinomas. COX-2 also has a role in papillary thyroid growth, since a specific inhibitor of COX-2 regulates papillary thyroid carcinoma cell proliferation. These results implicate several enzymes in the synthesis of prostanoids as regulators of thyroid papillary carcinoma proliferation and suggest that increased levels of expression of these enzymes may play a role in the pathogenesis of these tumors.
Secure wireless LANs

Mobile computing is a major area of current research. A variety of wirelessly networked mobile devices now make it possible for a physically untethered computer to function in a fully networked manner. Recent research has focussed on providing the mobile user a seamless environment of wired and wireless networks. One of the major hurdles in providing such a seamless environment is that wireless media are inherently less secure.In this paper, we propose a security scheme for wireless media which permits secure communication over a single wireless channel. Our scheme allows both communicating parties to authenticate each other and establish a shared key for secure communication. An unauthorized snooper cannot even discover the identity of the communicating parties. Mobile computers are thus provided a highly secure wireless environment. We describe an efficient practical implementation of the scheme and prove its correctness.
Reflections on Communication and Sport: On Ethnography and Organizations

In this essay, Nick Trujillo considers his research agenda and interest in communication and sport. The opening section reflects on why communication and sport matters and the many challenges that research faced in this area to be seen as important in communication studies. The section examines influences on the author’s personal and scholarly journey that framed his focus on sport in the organizational setting. The focus section of the essay on “Ethnography and Sport Organizations” considers the relative paucity and development of ethnographic research on sport organizations and reflects on the process and findings in the author’s research agenda on sport organizations and stadiums. The essay closes with observations for future communication and sport research and the continued prospects for this area of inquiry to develop.
Hematopoietic defects and iPSC disease modeling: Lessons learned

Abstract Hematopoiesis is a paradigm for stem cell biology in that it centers on differentiation of a self-renewing pluripotent precursor into multiple committed cell types with specific functions. The use of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) as a disease modeling tool has revealed numerous insights into the underlying pathophysiology of hematological diseases – those disorders arising from defective hematopoiesis. Likewise, studying hematopoiesis and the defects that can arise offer clues to understanding general stem cell survival and differentiation.
Phosphatese activity by marine bacteria under hydrostatic pressure

Abstract p -nitrophenyl phosphate was employed to determine phosphatase activity of marine bacteria under hydrostatic pressure. A wide variation in phosphatase activity was shown to occur. With increased hydrostatic pressure the phosphatase activity of some marine bacteria increased, of others decreased, while in some it remained relatively constant.
ANDROGEN ON PROSTATE BIOSYNTHETIC REACTIONS1

The object of this study is to find where and how androgens effect and maintain prostatic growth (protein synthesis) in vitro. It is shown that the site of action is not the metabolism of citric acid since this material does not accumulate remarkably within the cell. The finding that the rates of not only citric acid synthesis but also of fatty acid and protein production are greater in glands from intact than castrate animals and the additional discovery that the syntheses of fatty acid and protein are stimulated by 10-7 M testosterone have evoked the proposal that the hormone facilitates activation of acyl residues by adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the first step in all three biosynthetic activities. In support of this it was found that the synthesis of fatty acids from pyruvate, which does not require ATP for its activation, is insensitive to 10-1 M testosterone.
Similarity and Group Performance

This paper investigates the effects that different patterns of similarity among group members have on a group s performance on a problem-solving task. I discuss and test hypotheses on the effects of similarity on group performance derived from two literatures: balance theory and research on homophily. In an experiment I found that the relative balance of the pattern of similarity was more important in predicting how quickly groups establish norms of interaction and complete a task than how similar group members were to each other. Neither balance nor the degree of similarity had a significant effect on the quality of the groups' work. I conclude that groups with balanced similarity structures produce task solutions that approximate the quality of those from other groups, but they do so in significantly less time. That is, balanced groups are more efficient than unbalanced groups.
A nursing home can be a home

Abstract This article is based on semistructured, open-ended interviews that explored the long-term care choices of 20 African-American elders—10 nursing home residents and 10 home care clients—in a midwestern metropolitan area. Informants' ability to consider a nursing home a “home” was related primarily to the criteria they used to define “home.” Other indicators included the circumstances of nursing home placement, previous experience with nursing homes, and the degree of continuity achieved after placement. Findings from this study suggest that a consideration of home and nursing home both as abstractions and as concrete places is useful in explaining differences in informants' ability to regard the nursing home as a home.
Structure and function of archaeal box C/D sRNP core proteins.

Nop56p and Nop58p are two core proteins of the box C/D snoRNPs that interact concurrently with fibrillarin and snoRNAs to function in enzyme assembly and catalysis. Here we report the 2.9 A resolution co-crystal structure of an archaeal homolog of Nop56p/Nop58p, Nop5p, in complex with fibrillarin from Archaeoglobus fulgidus (AF) and the methyl donor S-adenosyl-L-methionine. The N-terminal domain of Nop5p forms a complementary surface to fibrillarin that serves to anchor the catalytic subunit and to stabilize cofactor binding. A coiled coil in Nop5p mediates dimerization of two fibrillarin–Nop5p heterodimers for optimal interactions with bipartite box C/D RNAs. Structural analysis and complementary biochemical data demonstrate that the conserved C-terminal domain of Nop5p harbors RNA-binding sites. A model of box C/D snoRNP assembly is proposed based on the presented structural and biochemical data.
Numerical Study of Coal Gasification Using Eulerian-Eulerian Multiphase Model

Gasification converts the carbon-containing material into a synthesis gas (syngas) which can be used as a fuel to generate electricity or used as a basic chemical building block for a large number of uses in the petrochemical and refining industries. Based on the mode of conveyance of the fuel and the gasifying medium, gasification can be classified into fixed or moving bed, fluidized bed, and entrained flow reactors. Entrained flow gasifiers normally feature dilute flow with small particle size and can be successfully modeled with the Discrete Phase Method (DPM). For the other types, the Eulerian-Eulerian (E-E) or the so called two-fluid multiphase model is a more appropriate approach. The E-E model treats the solid phase as a distinct interpenetrating granular “fluid” and it is the most general-purposed multi-fluid model. This approach provides transient, three-dimensional, detailed information inside the reactor which would otherwise be unobtainable through experiments due to the large scale, high pressure and/or temperature. In this paper, a transient, three-dimensional model of the Power Systems Development Facility (PSDF) transport gasifier will be presented to illustrate how Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) can be used for large-scale complicated geometry with detailed physics and chemistry. In the model, eleven species are included in the gas phase while four pseudo-species are assumed in the solid phase. A total of sixteen reactions, both homogeneous (involving only gas phase species) and heterogeneous (involving species in both gas and solid phases), are used to model the coal gasification chemistry. Computational results have been validated against PSDF experimental data from lignite to bituminous coals under both air and oxygen blown conditions. The PSDF gasifier geometry was meshed with about 70,000, hexahedra-dominated cells. A total of six cases with different coal, feed gas, and/or operation conditions have been performed. The predicted and measured temperature profiles along the gasifier and gas compositions at the outlet agreed fairly well.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Effects of variation in teacher organization on classroom functioning

Abstract This study examined effects of variation in teacher organization on how time is spent in classrooms, focusing on time spent in transitions and instruction, including child skill by teacher organization interactions. Forty-four first-grade classrooms were observed three times over the school year. Timed narratives of each activity were recorded. “Orient-organize” referred to time teachers spent orienting students to classroom procedures or organizing the class for specific assignments, and included instructional clarity, where teachers described objectives of activities to students. Using hierarchical linear modeling, substantial variation across teachers in orient-organize was observed. Overall, classrooms spent less time in organization as the school year progressed. In addition, spending more time in organization was related to less time spent in transition. Students in classrooms that spent more time in organization in the fall also experienced greater amounts of time in child-managed activities in the spring. There was also an interaction between child vocabulary and amount of orient-organize in the winter. Students with lower vocabulary scores were more likely to be in classrooms that spent more time in spring child-managed activities if they continued to receive substantial amounts of orient-organize in the winter. The opposite was the case for students with high vocabulary skills.
mRNAs encoding the Aplysia homologues of fasciclin‐I and β‐thymosin are expressed only in the second phase of nerve injury and are differentially segregated in axons regenerating in vitro and in vivo

Studies using Aplysia californica have demonstrated that transcription after nerve injury occurs during a rapid, transient first phase and a delayed, prolonged second phase. Although the second phase is especially important for regeneration, the mRNAs produced during this phase have not been identified. We characterized two such mRNAs following axotomy. One encodes a novel fasciclin-I homologue, Aplysia fasciclin-like protein (apFasP), and the other encodes Aplysia β-thymosin (apβT). In addition to mRNA synthesis, proteins required for regeneration must be available at the site of growth, and the transport and local translation of certain extrasomatic mRNAs aids in this process. We found apβT and apFasP proteins and mRNA at growth cones in vitro. However, only the mRNA for apβT was present in regenerating axons in vivo. This implies that the membrane protein apFasP is supplied by rapid transport from the soma, whereas the soluble apβT is synthesized locally. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Numerical modelling of electric current induced growth layers generated during Czochralski pulling

Abstract A one-dimensional mathematical model is presented which accounts for discontinuous absorption of heat at the crystal/melt interface (Peltier effect) associated with the formation of electric current induced growth layers during Czochralski pulling. The energy transport equations are solved using an explicit finite difference technique. Simulations were performed using crystal growth and heat transfer parameters which reflect actual experimental conditions encountered during growth of doped InSb. Assumptions made in order to calculate the Peltier coefficient from the dimensions of contiguous current induced growth layers are verified in simulation. The results are found to be in excellent agreement with the experiment.
Nod Factor Elicits Two Separable Calcium Responses inMedicago truncatula Root Hair Cells

Modulation of intracellular calcium levels plays a key role in the transduction of many biological signals. Here, we characterize early calcium responses of wild-type and mutant Medicago truncatula plants to nodulation factors produced by the bacterial symbiont Sinorhizobium meliloti using a dual-dye ratiometric imaging technique. When presented with 1 nm Nod factor, root hair cells exhibited only the previously described calcium spiking response initiating 10 min after application. Nod factor (10 nm) elicited an immediate increase in calcium levels that was temporally earlier and spatially distinct from calcium spikes occurring later in the same cell. Nod factor analogs that were structurally related, applied at 10 nm, failed to initiate this calcium flux response. Cells induced to spike with low Nod factor concentrations show a calcium flux response when Nod factor is raised from 1 to 10 nm. Plant mutants previously shown to be deficient for the calcium spiking response (dmi1 and dmi2) exhibited an immediate, truncated calcium flux with 10 nm Nod factor, demonstrating a competence to respond to Nod factor but an impaired ability to generate a full biphasic response. These results demonstrate that the legume root hair cell exhibits two independent calcium responses to Nod factor triggered at different agonist concentrations and suggests an early branch point in the Nod factor signal transduction pathway.
Ovarian carcinoma initially presenting as metastatic axillary lymphadenopathy

Abstract Background. Ovarian carcinoma usually presents at advanced stage due to diffuse intraabdominal disease. Presenting signs and symptoms often relate to the degree of intraabdominal spread. It is rare to have distant lymph node metastases, in conjunction with minimal intraabdominal disease, at initial presentation. Case. A 78-year-old woman was noted to have an enlarged axillary lymph node on a routine, screening mammogram. Biopsy revealed metastatic adenocarcinoma, consistent with primary breast cancer. Physical examination, diagnostic mammogram, and magnetic resonance imaging of the breasts were normal. A pelvic computed tomography scan revealed a 7-cm complex, right adnexal mass. At exploratory laparotomy, there was minimal intraabdominal tumor burden; only a 6-cm right ovarian tumor and a single 1.0-cm nodule adherent to the bladder peritoneum were found. After optimal cytoreductive surgery, she received tamoxifen for presumed metastatic breast cancer. One year later, recurrent disease developed in the pelvis. After reexploration and excision of all gross pelvic disease, a revised diagnosis of recurrent ovarian cancer was made, and therapy was changed to carboplatin and paclitaxel chemotherapy. The patient is currently without evidence of disease. Conclusion. Ovarian carcinoma usually presents with signs and symptoms related to the tumor burden within the peritoneal cavity. The finding of isolated, distant metastatic lymphadenopathy with minimal intraabdominal disease is very unusual. Immunohistochemical tumor markers can help determine the origin of a metastatic adenocarcinoma when the clinical presentation is atypical.
Nitrogen compounds as high yield precursors to branched fluorocarbons by direct fluorination

Abstract The low temperature direct fluorination of highly branched nitrile and amine containing hydrocarbons were conducted under conditions condusive to good yields of perfluorinated hydrocarbons. Perfluoroneopentane was produced from pivalonitrile and perfluoroisobutane from t-butyl amine. The results suggest the lability of ·NF 2 groups under the conditions of the experiment. In contrast, when normal nitriles, such as glutaronitrile and nitrogen containing ring compounds, such as morpholine are fluorinated, the corresponding nitrogen containing fluorocarbon is produced in higher yields than previously reported by other fluorination methods.
On the differential lipolytic capabilities of rat spleen and cardiac muscle. An in vitro incubation in conjunction with chromatographic and densitometric analysis

The phospholipid profiles of newborn, young adult and aged rat heart and spleen and their in vitro response to endogenous phospholipases at pH 7.4 and 38°C for 60 min were analysed by thin layer chromatography (TLC) technology and densitometry measurement. The noticeable high level of cardiolipin (CL) and its preferential deacylation, as detected by the formation of monolysocardiolipin (MLCL) and concurrent reduction of CL level were the most prevalent lipolytic events of rat cardiac muscle (newborn, young adult and aged) but the least prevalent in rat spleen. The level of ethanolamine plasmalogen (PE) was high in both the rat spleen and cardiac muscle (newborn, young adult and aged). Following in vitro incubation, the reduction in the level of PE and the high level of lyso alkenyl PE produced were most conspicuous in rat spleen (newborn, young adult and aged) and noticeably less in rat cardiac muscle. These data clearly illustrate the differential response of the endogenous substrates (phospholipids) to the endogenous phospholipases of these two tissues, and probably are related to their physiological activities in vivo. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Studies on mechanical impedance of the human skull: Preliminary report

The steady state vibration response of the human cadaver head across a frequency range including it's first three modes of vibration has been studied. Important first and third modes were found near 300 Hz (antiresonance) and 900 Hz (resonance), respectively. Below 200 Hz the skull moved relatively as a rigid body. In the antiresonant mode, maximum mechanical impedance (force/velocity) was found to occur, with acceleration amplification on the occiput greater than frontal input acceleration by a factor of 3. In the resonance mode minimal mechanical impedance occurs in which only that part of the head adjacent to the driven point is moving under the action of a vibratory force. It is hypothesised that long duration impacts (t > 0·005 sec) produce predominantly rigid body motion because the frequency spectrum of the pulse is too low to excite the lowest natural frequency of the skull. Consequently the driving force produces primarily acceleration of the head. Shorter duration pulses, particularly those with short rise time, have a broader frequency spectrum which can excite skull modes, thereby augmenting or modifying the skull flexure patterns produced by the force. It is not yet understood in what proportions these factors influence head injury, but impact head accelerations have been recorded opposite the blow for short duration impacts (t < 0·004 sec) that do not correlate with rigid body acceleration (a = force/head wt.) sometimes being greater by a factor of 2.
LASER DOPPLER MONITORING OF REPLANTS USING A SMALL PRISM PROBE

Eighteen patients admitted to Duke University Medical Center for upper limb replantation or revascularization were studied. A small laser Doppler flow prism probe and a cutaneous temperature probe were attached to the distal pulp of replanted digits. Measurements were recorded hourly for the first 3 postoperative days. In the successful cases, the mean laser Doppler flow measurement was 1.76 units (lower 97% confidence limit 0.5 units) and the mean temperature was 34.1 degrees C (lower 97% confidence limit 32 degrees C). In 4 patients with vascular compromise, the laser Doppler flow correctly identified the problem. The reduced size of the new laser Doppler probe makes monitoring of distal pulp flow technically easier while maintaining accuracy.
Feasibility of 106Ru peak measurement for MOX fuel burnup analysis

Abstract Simulations were performed using ORIGEN-ARP to investigate 137Cs and 106Ru–106Rh as suitable fission products for non-destructive analysis of irradiated MOX. The simulations confirm that both 137Cs and 106Ru will provide a linear correlation with burnup when exclusively applied to MOX fuel assemblies. Moreover, 106Ru can also be used in conjunction with cesium to form a ratio almost independent of enrichment and power history. Simulations were conducted using three different uranium enrichments and one MOX enrichment over a burnup range of 20,000–60,000 MWD/MTHM. Comparison of the three uranium enrichments indicates the 106Ru ratio is consistent in predicting burnup with a maximum standard deviation of 0.046. Two MOX cases were simulated confirming operational history independence of 106Ru in predicting total burnup. The 106Ru burnup ratio also has the benefit of enabling distinction between UO2 and MOX fuel because of its significantly larger (∼11 times) fission yield from 239Pu. To investigate the detectability of 106Ru and other cesium peaks, data was collected using a HPGe detector at the Missouri S&T nuclear reactor (MS&TR) beam port. Gamma spectra were obtained immediately following reactor shutdown with the most promising spectrums obtained 3–5 h after shutdown. Even for relatively high enrichment (∼20%) fuel at MS&TR, cesium peaks were prominent and easily discernable from the intense Compton continuum. The 106Ru peak was weak, though still distinguishable from the background, suggesting that with an appropriately designed collimator, suitable detector and electronics it might be feasible to reliably measure 106Ru in even UO2 fuel. For MOX and LEU LWR fuels one would expect a more intense 106Ru signature.
Identification and Characterization of an Antennae-Specific Aldehyde Oxidase from the Navel Orangeworm

Antennae-specific odorant-degrading enzymes (ODEs) are postulated to inactivate odorant molecules after they convey their signal. Different classes of insect ODEs are specific to esters, alcohols, and aldehydes – the major functional groups of female-produced, hydrophobic sex pheromones from moth species. Esterases that rapidly inactive acetate and other esters have been well-studied, but less is known about aldehyde oxidases (AOXs). Here we report cloning of an aldehyde oxidase, AtraAOX2, from the antennae of the navel orangeworm (NOW), Amyelois transitella, and the first activity characterization of a recombinant insect AOX. AtraAOX2 gene spans 3,813 bp and encodes a protein with 1,270 amino acid residues. AtraAOX2 cDNA was expressed in baculovirus-infected insect Sf21 cells as a ≈280 kDa homodimer with 140 kDa subunits. Recombinant AtraAOX2 degraded Z11Z13–16Ald and plant volatile aldehydes as substrates. However, as expected for aldehyde oxidases, recombinant AtraAOX2 did not show specificity for Z11Z13–16Ald, the main constituent of the sex pheromone, but showed high activity for plant volatile aldehydes. Our data suggest AtraAOX2 might be involved in degradation of a diversity of aldehydes including sex pheromones, plant-derived semiochemicals, and chemical cues for oviposition sites. Additionally, AtraAOX2 could protect the insect's olfactory system from xenobiotics, including pesticides that might reach the sensillar lymph surrounding the olfactory receptor neurons.
Two-amplitude model of pion DCX applied to the 18O angular distribution and excitation function☆

Abstract An earlier model developed to fit the DCX excitation function of 18O has been extended to account for the T π = 164 MeV 18 O DCX angular distribution in terms of that for 16O and a double-isobaric-analog transition.
OBSERVATION AND MODELING OF HIGH-n IRON L-SHELL LINES FROM INTERMEDIATE ION STAGES

The spectra of highly ionized iron species between 7 and 9 A have been studied using data obtained at the Princeton Large Torus tokamak under plasma conditions similar to those present in solar and stellar flares. The wavelengths of many iron lines are measured with very high accuracy (λ/Δλ up to 4 × 104), along with several other lines in species such as He-like Al XII and Mg XI. Theoretical spectra that predict both the wavelength and the intensity of Fe emission lines are compared with the observed spectra and are used to make accurate line identifications. Virtually all the observed iron lines are found to arise from n = 4, 5, and 6 → 2 transitions in Fe XXI-XXIV, and many lines are identified for the first time. Several transitions are shown to have diagnostic applications, and a detailed analysis of the density sensitivity of Fe XXII lines is presented.
Feedback Regulation of 3-Deoxy-d-arabino-Heptulosonate 7-Phosphate Synthetase from a Marine Bacterium, Vibrio MB22

Abstract A marine bacterium, Vibrio MB22, has been studied to determine the pattern of feedback regulation of the first enzyme unique to the biosynthesis of the aromatic amino acids, 3-deoxy-d-arabino-heptulosonate 7-phosphate (DAHP) synthetase. The crude extract was used to study response of the enzyme to various salts as well as possible feedback inhibitors. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid was found to be inhibitory to enzyme activity, and only CoCl2, of the salts tested, allowed full recovery as well as apparent stimulation of the DAHP synthetase activity. The DAHP synthetase activity was inhibited solely by the aromatic amino acids, tyrosine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine, of the possible effectors tested. Further work demonstrated the existence of three isozymes of DAHP synthetase, each primarily inhibited by one of the aromatic amino acids.
A new measure for quantifying the spectral changes of parasympathetic activity in heart rate variability

Heart rate variability (HRV) provides a noninvasive estimate of sympathetic and parasympathetic influences on heart rate. Spectral analysis and time-frequency (TF) representation techniques have been extensively used in analysis of HRV. However, these methods overlook the transient nature of the HRV signal in clinical exercise conditions. Previously, an adaptive algorithm was presented for spectral extraction of parasympathetic (PS) activity out of the HRV signal by tracking a respiration reference. In this paper, we demonstrate that the use of the frequency center measure can quantify the transient nature of parasympathetic activity in the frequency domain.
Comparison of cardiovascular adaptations to long-term arm and leg exercise in wheelchair athletes versus long-distance runners.

The effect of long-term arm exercise on cardiac morphology and function is unknown. To study these effects, highly trained wheelchair athletes were compared with long-distance runners and controls. In addition, the wheelchair athletes were compared with the long-distance runners to determine if long-term leg exercise confers a training effect during the performance of dynamic arm exercise. The study included 31 male subjects (mean age of 33 ± 5 years), who comprised 3 groups matched for age and weight: wheelchair athletes (n = 9), long-distance runners (n = 12), and healthy controls (n = 10). All underwent echocardiography at rest and arm ergometry exercise testing with expiratory gas analysis. The peak work rate during arm exercise was highest among the wheelchair athletes, and was significantly higher in both groups of trained athletes compared with the control group (p <0.001). Runners demonstrated a significantly lower submaximal heart rate response to arm exercise compared with wheelchair and control subjects. Wheelchair athletes had increased left ventricular (LV) volume and mass by echocardiography compared with controls, but not to the same degree as that of runners. Although chamber dimensions and wall thickness did not differ among the groups, the LV volume index tended to be largest in the runners. Doppler indexes of diastolic LV filling were similar between the trained and untrained subjects. These data demonstrate that both long-term arm and leg exercise yield increases in LV volume and mass compared with untrained control subjects, although to a lesser degree in arm-trained athletes. Runners demonstrated a transfer of training effect in the performance of dynamic arm exercise, as demonstrated by their ability to achieve a higher peak work rate than controls, and showed a lower heart rate response to submaximal exercise than the wheelchair athletes and control subjects.
Effect of Photoperiod and Acute Stress on Facilitative Glucose Transporter GLUT3 in Siberian Hamsters (Phodopus sungorus)

Metabolic activity in mammalian brains is dependent upon glucose utilization. Transport of glucose to the neurons requires mediation by a family of known as facilitative glucose transporter proteins (GLUTs). The GLUT3 isoform is solely responsible for facilitating glucose transport in mammalian brains. Studies show that age-related brain dysfunction and disease, as well as reductions in learning and memory correlate with decreased GLUT3 expression. Winter is a particularly difficult time to reproduce and survive because of the energy bottleneck caused by the coincidence of low ambient temperatures with reduced food availability. Individuals cope with this energetic bottleneck by engaging tradeoffs among expensive physiological processes through development of specific adaptations including adjustments in metabolic rate, body mass, reproduction, and immune function. Non-tropical animals determine time-of-year by monitoring photoperiod (day length) in order to evoke the appropriate suite of adaptations. However, such metabolic trade-offs can be challenged by stressors. To test the combined effects of acute stress and photoperiod on GLUT3 expression, male adult Phodopus sungorus were housed in either long or short photoperiods for 14 weeks. After 14 weeks, half of the animals from each photoperiod were subjected to restraint stress immediately prior to brain collection. Brain tissue from each animal was excised and used in GLUT3 gene expression analysis. The findings of this study demonstrate that photoperiod and acute stress do not impact the facilitative glucose transporter GLUT3 at the RNA expression level. Further research needs to be conducted in order to determine the precise mechanism which regulates the expression of the GLUT3 transporter in neurons of the hippocampus.
Effective and efficient update of xml in RDBMS

Querying XML effectively and efficiently using declarative languages such as XQuery and XPath has been widely studied in both academic and industrial settings. Most RDBMS vendors now support XML as a native data type with SQL/XML and XQuery support over it. However, the problem of updating XML is still the subject of ongoing effort. Several SQL/XML update extensions have been implemented and an XQuery Update Facility is in the proposal phase to add an update capability to XQuery. There are a lot of challenges involved in updating XML, particularly identifying and updating partial fragments of XML while maintaining concurrency, transactional semantics and validity of the document. In this paper, we illustrate the XML update functionality provided by Oracle XML DB within the context of SQL/XML. This functionality has been developed and optimized based on actual customer use cases of querying and updating XML. We discuss our design philosophy, optimization details for providing capability of updating XML and compare it with the current XQuery Update Facility proposal with the goal of providing insight into incorporating the XQuery Update Facility in the SQL/XML standard in the future.
SMILE: encounter-based trust for mobile social services

Conventional mobile social services such as Loopt and Google Latitude rely on two classes of trusted relationships: participants trust a centralized server to manage their location information and trust between users is based on existing social relationships. Unfortunately, these assumptions are not secure or general enough for many mobile social scenarios: centralized servers cannot always be relied upon to preserve data confidentiality, and users may want to use mobile social services to establish new relationships. To address these shortcomings, this paper describes SMILE, a privacy-preserving "missed-connections" service in which the service provider is untrusted and users are not assumed to have pre-established social relationships with each other. At a high-level, SMILE uses short-range wireless communication and standard cryptographic primitives to mimic the behavior of users in existing missed-connections services such as Craigslist: trust is founded solely on anonymous users' ability to prove to each other that they shared an encounter in the past. We have evaluated SMILE using protocol analysis, an informal study of Craigslist usage, and experiments with a prototype implementation and found it to be both privacy-preserving and feasible.
Design, Fabrication, and Performance of a Piezoelectric Uniflex Microactuator

Microactuators provide controlled motion and force for applications ranging from radio frequency switches to microfluidic valves. Large amplitude response in piezoelectric actuators requires amplification of the small strain, exhibited by the piezoelectric material, used in the construction of such actuators. This paper studies a uniflex microactuator that combines the strain amplification mechanisms of a unimorph and flexural motion to produce large displacement and blocking force. The design and fabrication of the proposed uniflex microactuator are described in detail. An analytical model is developed with three connected beams and a reflective symmetric boundary condition that predicts actuator displacement and blocking force as a function of the applied voltage. The model shows that the uniflex design requires appropriate parameter ranges, particularly the clearance between the unimorph and aluminum cap, to ensure that both the unimorph and flexural amplification effects are realized. With a weakened joint at the unimorph/cap interface, the model is found to predict the displacement and blocking force for the actuators fabricated in this work.
A High-Resolution Genetic Map of Yellow Monkeyflower Identifies Chemical Defense QTLs and Recombination Rate Variation

Genotyping-by-sequencing methods have vastly improved the resolution and accuracy of genetic linkage maps by increasing both the number of marker loci as well as the number of individuals genotyped at these loci. Using restriction-associated DNA sequencing, we construct a dense linkage map for a panel of recombinant inbred lines derived from a cross between divergent ecotypes of Mimulus guttatus. We used this map to estimate recombination rate across the genome and to identify quantitative trait loci for the production of several secondary compounds (PPGs) of the phenylpropanoid pathway implicated in defense against herbivores. Levels of different PPGs are correlated across recombinant inbred lines suggesting joint regulation of the phenylpropanoid pathway. However, the three quantitative trait loci identified in this study each act on a distinct PPG. Finally, we map three putative genomic inversions differentiating the two parental populations, including a previously characterized inversion that contributes to life-history differences between the annual/perennial ecotypes.
Influence of Anisotropic Texture on Crushing Behavior of Square Tubes

The crushing behavior of polycrystalline metallic square tubes under constant rate axial loading condition is investigated through a mesoscale crystal plasticity model embedded in an explicit finite element simulation code. The anisotropic texture is due to induced large plastic deformation created during the manufacturing process. To model the effect of orientation pattern in crystal structures, a single element model is used to simulate the load path under basic loading conditions including uniaxial tension and compression and simple shear to generate anisotropic texture patterns for use in crush simulations of square tubes. The initial texture information is then used in explicit crush simulations of a square tube made of an aluminum alloy. As energy absorption is dominated by the plastic collapse mechanisms at the corner elements, the influence of anisotropic texture and the evolution of grain orientation are found to be significant.
Transmission-line analysis of a capacitively coupled microstrip-ring resonator

The resonant frequencies of a microstrip-ring resonator capacitively coupled to a feed line are accurately analyzed using a transmission-line model. By making use of ABCD- and Y-admittance matrices, a compact closed-form expression for the input impedance of the ring alone is analytically derived and shows that the ring ran be equivalently viewed as a frequency-dependent capacitor. The coupling gap is then modeled by an equivalent L-network comprising a parallel and a series gap capacitance obtained by modifying Garg and Bahl's closed-form expressions for an end-to-end microstrip gap. By simplifying the parallel and series combinations of the overall equivalent circuit, the total input impedance looking from the feed line to the gap is analytically derived to predict the resonant frequencies. To verify the analysis, the resonant frequencies of the capacitively coupled ring resonator have been accurately measured, with the experimental results showing very good agreement with the theoretical predictions.
Planck distribution in a classical nonlinear coupled harmonic-oscillator system

A system ofN harmonic oscillators having a quadratic nonlinear coupling was numerically analysed. Solutions of the nonlinear problem are decomposed in terms of the normal modes of the linear system. A number of initial conditions were considered. We computed the energy in a mode as a function of time and the corresponding average energy. We found that, when initially all the energy of the mode system was in the lowest-frequency mode and the oscillators were at rest, the final time-averaged energy distribution showed that, as we increased the number of oscillators, the first fewlow odd modes received more energy on the average than neighboring even modes. When the energy was initially equipartitioned among the modes and the oscillators were initially at rest, we found that the time-averaged energy distribution of approximately the firstN/4 modes fell off monotonically with increasing frequency, with the other 3N/4 modes keeping essentially all of their energy. Finally, when the energy was initially distributed in a «Planck-like» distribution, the final time-averaged energy distribution was also a «Planck-like» distribution which was quite similar to the initial distribution. In fact, there was very little energy sharing among the modes in this case. When the space-time variation of the actual string was analysed, we found that the «Planck-like» distribution with the oscillators initially at rest was, at least to a good approximation, a «normal mode» of the nonlinear system.
Building Load and Energy Simulation Programs and the Design Process

AbstractSeveral building simulation programs have been developed for design, analysis and prediction of the distribution of temperature, airflow and heat transfer between the inside and outside of a building, and/or between different zones of the building. These programs are categorized as mono-zone models (e.g. AIDA and Type 19 of TRNSYS), multi-room models (e.g. HOT2000, DOE, Type 56 of TRNSYS, EnergyPlus, COMIS and CONTAMW), zonal models (e.g. POMA and CWSZ), Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models (e.g. EXACT3, FLUENT, FLOVENT, PHOENICS, and STAR-CD), and multi-zone models (eg. ESP-r). The number of computer programs cited here, for illustration, continues to increase with each reflecting different objectives and concerns. Some of these computer programs are dedicated to research and others to design and auditing. However, none of them automatically translates the design process as performed by design companies. This paper addresses the various simulation program categories and approaches developed ...
Compounding an Ethylene Propylene Terpolmer Elastomer for Dynamic Applications

Abstract Dynamic properties of vibration isolators made with EPT vulcanizates may be controlled, within limits, by choice of compounding ingredients in the vulcanizate. The choice of compounding ingredients will also affect efficiency of the isolator in preventing transmission of vibrations at low temperatures. Efficiency of vibration isolation may be calculated by measuring dynamic spring rates at the temperatures of operation.
Development of Cast Glass-Ceramic Turbine Housings

Corning became actively involved with vehicular gas turbine programs in 1952 during the development of a ceramic rotary regenerator core for the Chrysler automotive gas turbine. Material and process development research in this program led to efforts to apply very low thermal expansion, modest strength, sintered glass-ceramic materials to some of the static gas turbine engine components. One early program involved the first stage turbine plenum for the Ford Model 707 industrial gas turbine. Several process/material iterations ultimately led to the development of a glass-ceramic turbine housing for the Ford Motor Company Model 820 ceramic gas turbine. The housing required a sophisticated slip cast process and a special lithium aluminosilicate (LAS) glass-ceramic composition (Corning Code 9458) with a total thermal expansion between room temperature and 1200C of about 700 ppm. This paper reviews this project and indicates some possible directions for future developments. The design concept and application of the glass-ceramic housing to the Ford Model 820 ceramic gas turbine is discussed in an associated ASME paper by Mr. A. F. McLean of Ford Motor Company.Copyright © 1982 by ASME