cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Investigation of Dynamic Near-Field Radiation Between Quantum Dots and Plasmonic Nanoparticles for Effective Tailoring of Solar Spectrum

This paper presents the theoretical and experimental studies of dynamic near-field interactions between quantum dots (QDs) and plasmonic gold nanoshell (GNS) nanoparticles suspended in an aquatic solution in attempts to effectively tailor the solar spectrum. The photoemission measurement of the CdTe QD/GNS nanofluid (1×1017 mL−1 for QDs and 5×108 mL−1 for GNSs) is amplified by 2.7 times when compared with the photoemission for QD-only solution with the same QD concentration. In order to investigate the mechanism of such enhancement, the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) numerical scheme combined with the Langevin formalism was developed. The modified DSMC can stochastically trace particle movements of QDs and GNSs in the nanofluid, suggesting that QDs within near-field of GNSs are responsible for the photoemission enhancement. The obtained results will provide the feasibility of using the dynamic near-field radiation to down-convert the solar spectrum with enhancement, which could be applied towards high-efficiency photovoltaics.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
A generalized Langevin equation for the angular velocity of a spherical brownian particle from fluctuating hydrodynamics

The rotational motion of a spherical brownian particle in an incompressible fluid is analysed using a method first developed for the case of translation by Bedeaux and Mazur. It is shown that a generalised Faxen theorem for the torque on the sphere can be deduced by reformulating the hydrodynamic boundary value problem in terms of an induced-force density. This theorem is used to derivee a Langevin equation for the angular velocity of the sphere from the equations of fluctuating hydrodynamics.
A PARAMETER FOR COMPARING THE DAMAGE TOLERANCE OF STRESSED PLAIN WEAVE FABRICS

A micromechanics-based mathematical model for a slit-damaged (i.e., a series of consecutive yam breaks), biaxially stressed, plain weave fabric is used to define and motivate a candidate screening parameter pu, which can provide a measure of damage tolerance for a class of such fabrics. Preliminary results are presented from damage growth tests on a variety of fabrics with initial slit damage consisting of the same number of breaks that corroborate the model and demonstrate the viability of the parameter. The contents of the parameter, which include microstructural properties of the fabric (e.g. , yarn stiffness, yam strength, crossover point slip frictional forces, warp and fill direction crossover point spacings), are shown to suggest how the parameter can be useful in selecting or developing fabrics where improved damage tolerance is desired.
Stabilizing inorganic photoelectrodes for efficient solar-to-chemical energy conversion

An efficient, inexpensive and stable photosynthetic material system that absorbs sunlight and uses the absorbed energy to electrochemically produce chemical and fuel products including hydrogen requires photoelectrode assemblies that are stable in electrolytes. Here we report a photoelectrochemical/photosynthetic cell based on inorganic semiconductor photoelectrodes that shows the long-term operational stability necessary for the production of solar fuels and chemicals. The cell's stability is achieved by forming an active device using an inexpensive spin casted (20 nm) transparent conducting polymer coating (poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS)). PEDOT:PSS protects the photoelectrodes from photoelectrochemical corrosion and functionally serve as either a Schottky contact or as an efficient hole transport layer depending upon the choice and design of the underlying semiconductor heterostructure. Coated semiconductors were assessed both as photoelectrochemical and as freestanding, “autonomous” photosynthetic units and found to be stable for over 12 hours (for wired configuration) in corrosive electrolytes. The solar-to-chemical conversion efficiencies match or exceed devices with more expensive metal-based coatings. Furthermore, the PEDOT:PSS was found to have high electrocatalytic activity, thus no additional electrocatalyst was required. The results suggest a pathway to large scale, inexpensive, hybrid organic–inorganic solar-to-chemical energy conversion systems.
The role of the Federal Government in promoting health through the schools: report from the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.

Statement of J. Michael McGinnis, MD, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Public Health Service, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, before the Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, Committee on Governmental Affairs, U.S. Senate, November 14, 1991.
FUNGAL DECOMPOSITION AND AMINO ACID ANALYSIS OF MYSIS RELICTA LOVÉN1

Mysis relicta collected from Cayuga Lake, New York, contained 21% ash, 15.6% lipid, 10.2% N, and 37.0% organic carbon on a dry weight basis. Quantitative data are given for amino acids in a hydrolysate of whole specimens. Digestion by brook trout resulted in the separation, but not destruction, of exoskeletal parts. Laboratory decomposition experiments (5–20C, 2–16 months) in phosphate-buffered glucose, a sediment-water mixture, and lake water alone showed that a chytrid fungus, tentatively identified as a species of Allomyces, was associated with the destruction of mandibles and probably other exoskeletal structures as well.
In Vivo Pump-Probe Microscopy of Eumelanin, Pheomelanin in Melanoma

We employ pump-probe microscopy to highlight eumelanin versus pheomelanin content of in vivo pigmented skin lesions, and combine it with confocal reflectance and fluorescence microscopies to gain a more complete illustration of the skin.
Effects of stress and hippocampal NMDA receptor antagonism on recognition memory in rats.

Exposures to uncontrollable stress have been shown to alter ensuing synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus and interfere with hippocampal-dependent spatial memory in rats. The present study examined whether stress, which impairs hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP), also affects (nonspatial) hippocampal-dependent object-recognition memory, as tested on the visual paired comparison task (VPC) in rats. After undergoing an inescapable restraint-tailshock stress experience, rats exhibited markedly impaired recognition memory at the 3-h (long) familiarization-to-test phase delay but not at the 5-min (short) delay. In contrast, unstressed control animals showed robust recognition memory (i.e., they exhibited reliable preferences for novel over familiar objects) at both short- and long-delay periods. The impairing effect of stress on long-delay recognition memory was transient because 48 h after undergoing stress experience, animals performed normally at the long delay. Similar to stress, microinfusions of DL-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (APV), a competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist that blocks LTP, into the dorsal hippocampus selectively impaired object-recognition memory at the long-delay period. Together, these results suggest that stress and intrahippocampal administration of APV affect recognition memory by influencing synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus.
Effective thermal conductivity of composites with fibre-matrix debonding

Debonding of the fiber-matrix interface is a major cause for the degradation of the mechanical properties and the loss of thermal conductivity of fiber-reinforced composites. This paper discusses two analytical approaches for modeling the thermal conduction problem of composites. One is based on the concept of modeling the thermal barrier by an equivalent heat transfer coefficient at the fiber-matrix interface, as described by Hasselman and Johnson (1987) and Benveniste and Miloh (1986). The other approach, suggested by Hatta and Taya (1986), is by treating a composite with debonded interface as a coated-fiber composite. The major advantage of the latter aproach is that the thickness of the fiber coating can be realistically modeled depending upon the extent of degradation of the composite with the thermal conductivity of the coating as that of air.
Use of Bupropion in Combination with Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors

Incomplete symptom remission and sexual side effects are common problems for which bupropion often is added to treatment with selective serotonin and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs and SNRIs) for patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). This article reviews the literature on combining bupropion with SSRIs or SNRIs. We used MEDLINE to select studies that included patients diagnosed with MDD treated with any combination of bupropion and an SSRI or SNRI, either to enhance antidepressant response or to ameliorate antidepressant-associated sexual dysfunction. Bibliographies of located articles were searched for additional studies. Controlled and open-label studies support the effectiveness of bupropion in reversing antidepressant-associated sexual dysfunction, whereas open trials suggest that combination treatment with bupropion and an SSRI or SNRI is effective for the treatment of MDD in patients refractory to the SSRI, SNRI, or bupropion alone. The available data suggest that, although not an approved indication, the combination of bupropion and either an SSRI or an SNRI is generally well tolerated, can boost antidepressant response, and can reduce SSRI or SNRI-associated sexual side effects. Additional randomized controlled studies are needed to answer important questions, such as those regarding optimal dose and duration of treatment.
One-dimensional superconductors

We report here measurements of the excess fluctuation conductivity in one-dimensional Al samples. Because sample diameters were so small (typically, square cross sections \ensuremath{\sim} 600 \AA{} \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} 600 \AA{}), we were able to measure excess conductivity over a temperature range much wider than previously possible. Good agreement with the Thompson-Maki theory is observed at temperatures $Tl1.3{T}_{c}$. The recent theory due to Patton is also in qualitative agreement. Above $1.4{T}_{c}$ the data do not agree quantitatively with any theory.
Features of the partially expanded human inferior conjunctival sac

Space in the inferior conjunctival sac has not been studied in sufficient detail to allow optimal physical design of conjunctival inserts. We analyzed shape and volume of partially expanded, anesthetized, left inferior conjunctival sacs in 10 young adult subjects by injection of a liquid polysiloxane molding compound. Mean volume, greatest thickness, central thickness, horizontal width, and vertical height of 60 molds were 125.7 microliters (SD = 55), 1.56 mm (SD = 0.69), 1.46 mm (SD = 0.62), 20.7 mm (SD = 2.2), and 8.9 mm (SD = 0.8), respectively. Volumetric and linear dimensions varied between subjects, but certain features were common to all molds: 1) a crescent shape horizontally; 2) a thick inferior horizontal ridge; and 3) a wedge-like shape sagittally. We postulate several advantages of conjunctival inserts with features representative of our molds of conjunctival sacs, e.g. such inserts may be more comfortable, less expelled, larger in volume, and contact more tissue area.
Evaluation of heart rate changes: electrocardiographic versus photoplethysmographic methods

The heart rate (HR) variation to forced deep breathing (HRDB) and to the Valsalva maneuver (Valsalva ratio; VR) are the two most widely used tests of cardiovagal function in human subjects. The HR is derived from a continuously running electrocardiographic (ECG) recording. Recently, HR derived from the arterial waveform became available on the Finapres device (FinapHR), but its ability to detect rapid changes in HR remains uncertain. We therefore evaluated HRDB and VR derived from FinapHR using ECG-derived HR (ECGHR) recordings as the standard. We also compared the averaged HR on Finapres (Finapav) with beat-to-beat Finapres (FinapBB) values. Studies were undertaken in 12 subjects with large HR variations: age, 34.5 +/- 9.3 (SD) years; six males and six females. FinapBB values were superimposable upon ECGHR for both HRDB and VR. In contrast, Finapav failed to follow ECGHR for HRDB and followed HRECG with a lag for the VR. To evaluate statistically how closely FinapHR approximated ECGHR, we undertook regression analysis, using mean values for each subject. To compare the two methods, we evaluated the significance of the difference between test and standard values. For HRDB, FinapBB reproducibly recorded HR (R2 = 0.998), and was significantly (p = 0.001) better than Finapav (R2 = 0.616; p < 0.001). For VR, HRBB generated a VR that was not significantly different from the correct values, while HRav generated a value that was slightly but consistently lower than the correct values (p < 0.001). We conclude that FinapHR reliably records HR variations in the beat-to-beat mode for cardiovascular HR tests.
Cerium Chloride-methanol Adduct Crystals, CeCl3(CH3OH)4: Preparation, Crystallography, And Scintillation Properties

A new methanol adduct of cerium trichloride of composition CeCl3(CH3OH)4 was crystallized from a solution growth in methanol. Large single crystals (more than several cubic centimeters) have been grown in controlled temperature baths. The molecular adduct of composition Ce2Cl6(CH3OH)8 is determined from X-ray crystal structure analysis, and this molecule undoubtedly persists in solution as well. Motivations for studying these compounds are their promising unique scintillation properties for radiation detection applications and the model structural systems they provide for the realization of new low-dimensional quantum magnets. This material apparently represents the first example of a metal-organic scintillator that is applicable to X-ray, γ-ray, and neutron detection.
K01 Behaviour assessments in children at risk for huntington's disease

Background Although the primary neuropathology of HD is that of neurodegeneration, mutant Huntingtin ( mHTT ), which is present throughout the life span, may also affect normal brain development. Therefore, subtle differences in behaviour, cognition, and motor skills may be present life-long (ie, functional “traits”) with significant worsening of these functions as disease onset approaches. The KidsHD program evaluates children (ages 6–18 years) who are at risk for HD (no children manifesting symptoms, no JHD included). For research purposes only, participants are genotyped and separated into gene-expanded (GE) and those that are non gene-expanded (GNE). A group of normal healthy control (HC) children are also assessed. Aims To evaluate effects of gene-expansion on quantitative measures of behaviour in GE, GNE, and HC children. Methods Parents completed ratings on two standardised questionnaires, Paediatric Behaviour Scale (PBS) and Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF). GE children (n=29) and GNE children (n=30) were each matched by sex and age to three HC children. Multiple Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA) was used to compare behaviour ratings across groups controlling for age sex and social class. The higher the scores, the more problematic the behaviour. Results GE children had significantly elevated scores compared to HC: opposition, explosiveness, impulsivity, hyperactivity, and inattention within PBS. Depression/anxiety scores were not elevated. Within the BRIEF, the GE group had elevations in shifting, initiation, working memory, planning/organizing and monitoring scores. GNE had no significant differences in scores compared to HC. Conclusions Subtle but significant differences in behaviour in children who are estimated to be decades ahead of HD diagnosis may reflect early influence of mHTT on normal neural developmental process, manifesting in specific patterns of behavioural traits.
Attributes associated with the submission of electronic versus paper résumés

This study investigated whether submitting resumes in electronic versus paper form affects attributes associated with job applicants. One hundred participants reviewed a resume, either in paper or electronic form, of a journalist applying for a vacant position at a newspaper. Participants also reviewed a job description for that position either specifying the need for Internet research experience (technical reference group) or not (non-technical reference group). The participants then rated the applicant on seven attributes (intelligence, technical skills, interpersonal skills, leadership ability, motivation, resourcefulness, and overall qualifications). Analyses revealed the paper resume applicant was perceived as more friendly while the electronic resume applicant was viewed as more intelligent, technologically advanced, and possessing better overall qualifications. In addition, the applicant in the non-technical reference group was perceived as more intelligent, more technologically advanced, and possessing better overall qualifications compared with the applicant in the technical reference group.
Conservation of substructures in proteins: interfaces of secondary structural elements in proteasomal subunits

Abstract It is observed that during divergent evolution of two proteins with a common phylogenetic origin, the structural similarity of their backbones is often preserved even when the sequence similarity between them decreases to a virtually undetectable level. Here we analyzed, whether the conservation of structure along evolution involves also the local atomic structures in the interfaces between secondary structural elements. We have used as study case one protein family, the proteasomal subunits, for which 17 crystal structures are known. These include 14 different subunits of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, 2 subunits of Thermoplasma acidophilum and one subunit of Escherichia coli. The structural core of the 17 proteasomal subunits has 23 secondary structural elements. Any two adjacent secondary structural elements form a molecular interface consisting of two molecular patches. We found 61 interfaces that occurred in all 17 subunits. The 3D shape of equivalent molecular patches from different proteasomal subunits were compared by superposition. Our results demonstrate that pairs of equivalent molecular patches show an RMSD which is lower than that of randomly chosen patches from unrelated proteins. This is true even when patch comparisons with identical residues were excluded from the analysis. Furthermore it is known that the sequential dissimilarity is correlated to the RMSD between the backbones of the members of protein families. The question arises whether this is also true for local atomic structures. The results show that the correlation of individual patch RMSD values and local sequence dissimilarities is low and has a wide range from 0 to 0.41, however, it is surprising that there is a good correlation between the average RMSD of all corresponding patches and the global sequence dissimilarity. This average patch RMSD correlates slightly stronger than the Cα-trace RMSD to the global sequence dissimilarity.
Treatment of chemotherapy-resistant advanced ovarian cancer with a combination of cyclophosphamide, hexamethylmelamine, adriamycin, and cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (CHAP).

Abstract A four-drug regimen consisting of cyclophosphamide, hexamethylmelamine, adriamycin, and cis -diamminedichloroplatinum (II) (CHAP) produced three complete clinical and seven partial responses for 21 patients with adenocarcinoma of the ovary after objective progression of disease during treatment with standard chemotherapy. Median survival was 15 months for responders and 7 months for all patients.
An assessment of the luminol chemiluminescence technique for measurement of NO2 in ambient air

Abstract The detection of NO2 by its chemiluminescent reaction with luminol is a rapid and sensitive means of measuring atmospheric NO2. However, testing and field use of a commercial NO2 monitor employing this detection scheme have shown that several corrections are necessary in order to obtain accurate NO2 data at low concentrations. In use aboard aircraft, the NO2 data must be corrected for zero offset, altitude (i.e. pressure), nonlinearity of response, and interferences from ozone and PAN. Detector response is dependent on the age of luminol reagent solution. This paper describes the tests performed to determine correction factors, the algorithms and order of precedence for applying the corrections, and other observations regarding detector performance.
Beta Subunits Bridge Two Alpha Subunits Within the BK Channel Tetramer

BK potassium channels contain four pore-forming alpha subunits and four modulatory beta subunits. Transmembrane (TM) helices S1-S6 of BK alpha are homologous to S1-S6 of other V-gated potassium channels; however, BK alpha contains a unique seventh TM helix, S0, N terminal to S1. The beta subunits contain two TM helices, TM1 and TM2. From the extent of endogenous disulfide crosslinking between Cys substituted for the four residues just flanking the extracellular ends of alpha S0-S6 and of beta1 TM1 and TM2, we previously inferred that the flank of S0 was closest to the four-residue loop between S3 and S4 and also contacted the flanks of S1 and S2. Furthermore, the flank of beta1 TM1 was closest to the flanks of S1 and S2, and the flank of TM2 was closest to the flank of S0. We have now extended this analysis to the membrane doman. We find that Cys in the first helical turn of S0 within the membrane forms disulfides with Cys subsituted in the first helical turns of S3 and S4 but not with similarly located Cys in S1 or S2. Thus, in the membrane, S0 is next to S3 and S4 but not to S1 and S2, although the flank of S0 reaches the flanks of S1 and S2. Furthermore, co-expression of the double-Cys mutant of alpha, W23C in the first helical turn of S0 and F144C in the S2 flank, and the double-Cys mutant of beta1, Y42C in the TM1 flank and L157C in the first helical turn of TM2, resulted in the crosslinking of two alphas through one beta1, S0 to TM2 and TM1 to S2. Thus, TM1 and TM2 of each beta subunit lie between the voltage-sensing domains (S0-S4) of adjacent alpha subunits.
Tritiated imipramine binding in obsessive-compulsive volunteers and psychiatrically normal controls

The authors evaluated platelet tritiated imipramine binding in 22 outpatients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and 22 psychiatrically normal controls matched for age and gender. Mean maximal binding site density (Bmax) and equilibrium dissociation affinity (Kd) values were not significantly different. In OCD patients, Bmax was positively associated with age but was not associated with age of onset, gender, personality disorder, or five measures of illness severity. Eight patients with OCD were subsequently treated with clomipramine up to 300 mg/day for 10 weeks. Among these 8 patients, Bmax values had a 65% mean decrease from baseline, but Bmax values did not change among 7 OCD patients receiving placebo. The results suggest that a reduced density of tritiated imipramine binding sites may not be associated with OCD.
Commercial Policy and Economic Nationalism

I. Theory of economic policy and processes of economic growth, 574. — II. Factors in appraising the developmental content of economic policy, 577. — III. Commercial policy in postwar Southeast Asia, 579. — IV. Conclusion, 586.
CARBONIC ANHYDRASE AND CARBON FIXATION IN COCCOLITHOPHORIDS1

Rates of carbon fixation in coccolithophorids in culture, unlike many other algae, are carbon limited at ambient levels of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC). Apparently, plants often rely on activity of carbonic anhydrase (CA) to raise the level of CO2 in cells and achieve carbon saturation. However, CA activities in the coccolithophorids, Coccolithus (= Emiliania) huxleyi Lohmann and Hymenomonas (=Cricosphaera) carterae Braarud, were either not detectable or very low compared to activities in other systems, including other algae, higher plants, and representative animals. Furthermore, additions of CA to medium with 2 mM DIC at pH 8.1 resulted in nearly 30% enhancement of photosynthesis, but not coccolith formation. Although carbon fixation in coccolithophorids can be suppressed by the CA inhibitor acetazolamide, studies of CaCO3 nucleation revealed a non-specific effect of the inhibitor. Using a 30 min assay based on pH decreases accompanying loss of dissolved. CO32-, inhibition of crystal formation in the absence of CA at 1 mM acetazolamide was demonstrated for decalcified crab carapace, a tissue with which normal CaCo3 deposition in vitro has been shown. The results suggest only a minor role for CA in coccolithophorids.
Using the K6 to Assess the Mental Health of Jailed Women

Despite high prevalence rates, many jails lack validated measures or consistent processes for detecting mental illness. In this study, we examined the utility of the K6, an internationally used brief mental health screening measure within an urban jail. The K6 and several other mental health measures were administered to 515 jailed women. The K6 identified 36% as having a serious mental illness. There was a high concordance with the other measures, particularly when using the highest level of symptom distress (top quartile) as the comparison. These findings are promising, particularly when other mental health screening tools have less success in detecting depression and trauma-related disorders among women.
Role Preference Characteristics in Persons With Asthma

Asthma self-management requires the patient and health care provider to work together. Understanding what role asthma patients prefer may improve adherence to the prescribed treatment plan and improve clinical outcomes. Role preference is how a patient prefers to participate in the decision making with their health care provider. There are 3 role preferences: passive, collaborative, and active. The objective of this study was to describe role preference characteristics in persons with asthma. The study sample consisted of 225 patients with asthma. Data collection included demographic and clinical characteristics. Patients were categorized into passive, collaborative, and active role groups using the Control Preferences Scale. Noninferential and inferential statistics were used to describe and explore the sample. Most demographic and clinical characteristics were not significantly different among the 3 role preference groups, except for education and environmental irritant exposures. Education level was si...
A time-based VLSI potentiostat for ion current measurements

A time-based CMOS integrated potentiostatic control circuit has been designed and fabricated. The design maintains a constant bias potential between the reference and working electrodes for an amperometric chemical sensor. A technique of converting input currents into time for amperometric measurements is proposed. This technique eliminates current amplifying circuitry, reduces matching problems, and increases dynamic range while saving on area and power consumption. Redox currents ranging from 1 pA to 200 nA can be measured with a maximum nonlinearity of /spl plusmn/0.1% over this range. The design can be used to generate cyclic voltammograms for an electrochemical reaction by sweeping the voltages across a range specified by the user. Analog inputs are processed and digital outputs are generated without requiring a power-hungry A/D converter. A prototype chip has been fabricated in the 0.5-/spl mu/m AMI CMOS process. Experimental results are reported showing the performance of the circuit as a chemical sensor.
Reconstructing shape from motion using tactile sensors

We present a new method to reconstruct the shape of an unknown object using tactile sensors without requiring object immobilization. Instead, the robot manipulates the object without prehension. The robot infers the shape, motion and the center of mass of the object based on the motion of the contact points as measured by tactile sensors. Our analysis is supported by simulation and experimental results.
Polypharmacy in multiple sclerosis: relationship with fatigue, perceived cognition, and objective cognitive performance.

Abstract Objective Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) commonly use a variety of medications to slow disease progression, alleviate symptoms, and treat comorbid conditions. Polypharmacy has been linked to adverse outcomes in other patient groups, but has not been studied extensively in MS. We investigated the impact of polypharmacy on fatigue, objective neuropsychological performance, and subjective cognitive impairment in a sample of patients with MS. Methods MS patients (n = 85) completed a medication inventory, self-report questionnaires, and a battery of neurocognitive tests. MS patients with polypharmacy were compared to MS patients without polypharmacy, using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). Results After controlling for disease characteristics, MS patients with polypharmacy (n = 28) exhibited prospective memory deficits and reported significantly more fatigue and subjective cognitive problems than MS patients without polypharmacy. Conclusion Clinicians and patients should carefully weigh the costs and benefits of prescribing multiple medications, as these may contribute to iatrogenic fatigue and cognitive problems in MS. Moreover, researchers should account for polypharmacy when conducting studies examining fatigue and cognition in MS.
Interactive volume rendering of thin thread structures within multivalued scientific data sets

We present a threads and halos representation for interactive volume rendering of vector-field structure and describe a number of additional components that combine to create effective visualizations of multivalued 3D scientific data. After filtering linear structures, such as flow lines, into a volume representation, we use a multilayer volume rendering approach to simultaneously display this derived volume along with other data values. We demonstrate the utility of threads and halos in clarifying depth relationships within dense renderings and we present results from two scientific applications: visualization of second-order tensor valued magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data and simulated 3D fluid flow data. In both application areas, the interactivity of the visualizations proved to be important to the domain scientists. Finally, we describe a PC-based implementation of our framework along with domain specific transfer functions, including an exploratory data culling tool, that enable fast data exploration.
Noun-noun combination: Meaningfulness ratings and lexical statistics for 2,160 word pairs

The combining of individual concepts to form an emergent concept is a fundamental aspect of language, yet much less is known about it than about processing isolated words or sentences. To facilitate research on conceptual combination, we provide meaningfulness ratings for a large set of (2,160) noun–noun pairs. Half of these pairs (1,080) are reversed versions of the other half (e.g., ski jacket and jacket ski), to facilitate the comparison of successful and unsuccessful conceptual combination independently of constituent lexical items. The computer code used for obtaining these ratings through a Web interface is provided. To further enhance the usefulness of this resource, ancillary measures obtained from other sources are also provided for each pair. These measures include associate production norms, contextual relatedness in terms of latent semantic analysis distance, total number of letters, phrase-level usage frequency, and word-level usage frequency summed across the words in each pair. Results of correlation and regression analyses are also provided for a quantitative description of the stimulus set. A subset of these stimuli was used to identify neural correlates of successful conceptual combination Graves, Binder, Desai, Conant, & Seidenberg, (NeuroImage 53:638–646, 2010). The stimuli can be used in other research and also provide benchmark data for evaluating the effectiveness of computational algorithms for predicting meaningfulness of noun–noun pairs.
Performance of AWGR-based optical interconnects with contention resolution based on all-optical NACKs

This paper analyzes a 10Gb/s 64×64 optical interconnect switch exploiting an all-optical NACK technique. Simulations show that this switch architecture supports high throughput and low-latency even at 0.85 load in contrast to the flattened-butterfly architecture.
Five-Lipoxygenase Products in Glomerular Immune Injury'

Leukocyte infiltration, proliferation, and activation are central pathogenetic components of immune injury in the glomerulus. Initial cellular infiltration by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) is a consequence of the deposition of immune complexes at discreet sites in the glomerulus. This is often followed by macrophage/monocyte infiltration, as well as proliferation of resident mesangial macrophages. Activated leukocytes constitute a rich source of lipid-derived bioactive autacoids, in particular, oxygenated metabolites of arachidonic acid. Here, we assess the role of the five-lipoxygenase (5-LO) family of eicosanoids, in particular, leukotrienes D4 and B4 (LTD4 and LTB4) in mediating functional and structural deterioration during immune inflammatory reactions in the glomerulus. LTD4 and other peptidyl LT appear to play a central role in the reductions in GFR in the acute phases of injury by virtue of their potent vasoactive properties, in particular, their capacity to reduce the glomerular capillary ultrafiltration coefficient, likely through contraction of smooth muscle elements in glomerular mesangial cells. The latter cells possess specific receptors for LTD4 in both humans and rat and contract in vitro when exposed to LTD4 after receptor-mediated activation of phospholipase C. LTB4, a nonvasoconstrictor LT, is released in the early phases of immune injury, likely from leukocyte sources as well as from transcellular metabolism of its precursor, LTA4, by the enzyme LTA4-hydrolase in glomerular mesangial and endothelial cells. LTB4, a potent promoter of PMN attraction, adhesion, and activation exacerbates glomerular functional impairment and structural damage by amplifying PMN-dependent mechanisms of injury. In their totality, 5-LO products of arachidonic acid contribute to the impairment of the normal glomerular filtration and sieving functions that attend acute inflammatory injury in the renal glomerulus and to the subsequent progression of glomerular destruction. This is high-lighted by the significant degree of protection afforded by the selective inhibition of arachidonate 5-LO in vivo in acute and chronic models of experimental glomerulonephritis.
First imported relapse case of Plasmodium vivax malaria and analysis of its origin by CSP sequencing in Henan Province, China

In recent years, there has been a substantial increase of imported Plasmodium vivax incidence in Henan Province. As China is in a pre-elimination phase, the surveillance of imported malaria is essential, but there is no good way to distinguish imported cases from indigenous cases. This paper reports a case of a 39-year-old man who acquired P. vivax while staying in Indonesia for one month in 2013, and relapsed in Henan, China in 2014. This was diagnosed as vivax malaria based on rapid diagnostic test, Giemsa-stained peripheral blood smear and Plasmodium species-specific nested PCR. The genetic sequence for the circumsporozoite protein genes was analysed and the genetic variations were compared with a previously constructed database of Chinese isolates. The results from the circumsporozoite protein (CSP) gene sequence analysis centered on the repeat patterns showed that the imported cases had completely different sequences from any subtypes from Chinese isolates, but well matched with the countries travelled by the patient. The imported vivax cases were able to clearly distinguish from the indigenous vivax cases by detecting the CSP gene and were able to confim its origin by genotyping.
On the initialization of sequential circuits

A general method for determining whether a certain design is initializable, and for generating its initialization sequence, is presented. This method is based on structural decomposition of the circuit, and can handle both logical (using X-value simulation) and functional initializabilities. Results for some benchmark circuits are also presented.
Delay constrained minimum energy broadcast in cooperative wireless networks

We formulate the problem of delay constrained energy-efficient broadcast in cooperative multihop wireless networks. We show that this important problem is not only NP-complete, but also o(log(n)) inapproximable. We derive approximation results and an analytical lower-bound for this problem. We break this NP hard problem into three parts: ordering, scheduling and power control. We show that when the ordering is given, the joint scheduling and power-control problem can be solved in polynomial time by a novel algorithm that combines dynamic programming and linear programming to yield the minimum energy broadcast for a given delay constraint. We further show empirically that this algorithm used in conjunction with an ordering derived heuristically using the Dijkstra's shortest path algorithm yields near-optimal performance in typical settings. We use our algorithm to study numerically the trade-off between delay and power-efficiency in cooperative broadcast and compare the performance of our cooperative algorithm with a smart non-cooperative algorithm.
Coherent and incoherent operation in optical vibration microscopy

We present an experimental and theoretical analysis of vibration microscopy using an arbitrarily defined detection aperture. For the two limiting cases, incoherent operation (no aperture) offers intensity-gradient information in the amplitude of higher harmonics of the vibration frequency, whereas coherent operation (pinhole aperture) reflects the phase of the object being scanned in the amplitude of the first harmonic. The possibilities of phase microscopy, when the system is used in a coherent mode of operation, are discussed.
Charting Image Artifacts in Digital Image Sequences Using Velocital Information Content

ABSTRACT This paper introduces a metric called Velocital Information Content (VIC) which is used to chart quality variationsin digital image sequences. Both spatially-based and temporally-based artifacts are charted using this single metric.VIC is based on the velocital information in each image. A mathematical formulation for VIC is shown along withits relation to the spatial and temporal information content. Some strengths and weaknesses of the VIC formulationare discussed. VIC is tested on some standard image sequences with various spatio-temporal attributes. VIC is also tested on a standard image sequence with various degrees of blurring using a linear blurring algorithm. Additionally, VIC is tested using standard sequences that have been processed through a digital transmission algorithm. Thetransmission algorithm is based on the discrete cosine transform (DCT), and thus introduces many of the knowndigital artifacts such as blocking. Finally, the ability of VIC to chart image artifacts is compared to a few othertraditional quality metrics. VIC offers a different role from traditional transmission-based quality metrics whichrequire two images: the original input image and degraded output image to calculate the quality metric. VICcan detect artifacts from a single image sequence by charting variations from the norm. Therefore, VIC offers ametric for judging the quality of the image frames prior to transmission, without a transmission system or withoutany knowledge of the higher quality image input. The differences between VIC and transmission-oriented quality
Asyzygies, modular forms, and the superstring measure II

The goal of this paper and of a subsequent continuation is to find some viable ansatze for the three-loop superstring chiral measure. For this, two alternative formulas are derived for the two-loop superstring chiral measure. Unlike the original formula, both alternates admit modular covariant generalizations to higher genus. One of these two generalizations is analyzed in detail in the present paper, with the analysis of the other left to the next paper of the series.
Host tumor infiltrating lymphocytes in B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.

Tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes (TIL-T) were quantitated by three color flow cytometry in cell suspensions from excisional biopsy specimens of 43 B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) and 8 benign lymphoid hyperplasias (BLH) to identify potential differences in host T cell responses. We quantitated three TIL-T subsets: CD3 + CD4 + CD8- (helper-inducer), CD3 + CD4-CD8 + (suppressor-cytotoxic) and CD3 + CD25-HLADr+ (long term activated TIL-T) and compared them in three diagnostic groups: BLH, low grade B cell NHL (LG NHL) and intermediate-high grade B cell NHL (IG-HG NHL). The following results were obtained: Mean percentage ± s.e. of activated TIL-T for BLH, LG-NHL and IG-HG NHL: 10.3± 1.9, 23.2 ± 4.6 and 38.8 ± 9.5, respectively. Mean percentage ± s.e. of suppressor-cytotoxic TIL-T for same groups: 13.9 ± 1.5, 14.9 ± 1.9 and 34.4 ± 4.5, respectively. Mean percentage ± s.e. of helper-inducer TIL-T cells for the same groups was 38.2 ± 12.7, 32.1 ±7.2 and 22.5 ± 4.6, respectively. Helper/suppressor ratio ± s...
Maximizing the liquid fuel yield in a biorefining process.

Biorefining strives to recover the maximum value from each fraction, at minimum energy cost. In order to seek an unbiased and thorough assessment of the alleged opportunity offered by biomass fuels, the direct conversion of various lignocellulosic biomass was studied: aspen pulp wood (Populus tremuloides), aspen wood pretreated with dilute acid, aspen lignin, aspen logging residues, corn stalk, corn spathe, corn cob, corn stover, corn stover pellet, corn stover pretreated with dilute acid, and lignin extracted from corn stover. Besides the heating rate, the yield of liquid products was found to be dependent on the final liquefaction temperature and the length of liquefaction time. The major compounds of the liquid products from various origins were identified by GC–MS. The lignin was found to be a good candidate for the liquefaction process, and biomass fractionation was necessary to maximize the yield of the liquid bio-fuel. The results suggest a biorefinery process accompanying pretreatment, fermentation to ethanol, liquefaction to bio-crude oil, and other thermo-conversion technologies, such as gasification. Other biorefinery options, including supercritical water gasification and the effectual utilization of the bio-crude oil, are also addressed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Treatment of potassium balance disorders.

Derangements in potassium balance can result from disorders of external balance (intake versus elimination) or from disorders of internal balance (equilibrium between intra- and extracellular fluid space). Hyperkalemia can result from renal failure, or from severe dehydration and acidosis in calves with diarrhea. Hypokalemia can result from inappetence, metabolic acidosis, or from increased excretion due to corticosteriod administration combined with other treatments for ketosis. Treatment of hypokalemia is best accomplished with oral potassium supplementation.
The Effect of Storage Temperature and Desiccation of Germination of Ascospores of Neurospora Crassa

Long-term storage of ascospores without loss of viability or selection against particular genotypes is of value to geneticists who wish to sample progeny over an extended period of time. Although several studies have investigated the effects of various treatments on the survival of fungus conidia (Haskins, 1957; Leef and Mazur, 1978; Mazur, 1968; Wellman and Walden, 1971), few studies have dealt with the effects of storage temperature on ascospore germination. Faull (1930) demonstrated the resistance of ascospores of Neurospora crassa Shear & Dodge to temperatures as low as -190 C, but most exposures were for a few hours or days. Faull reported that ascospores still germinated after 82 da of storage at 0 C, but the percent germination was not indicated. The present study sought to determine optimum conditions for the preservation of ascospores of Neurospora crassa. Our results indicate that the ascospores are killed by freeze-drying under the conditions of our experiment. Spores stored in distilled water retain viability equally well at 4, 25, and 32 C but lose viability gradually at -19 C. Spores desciccated without freezing gave results similar to those obtained with spores stored in water, but the germination percentages were more variable from sample to sample. In order to obtain ascospores for study, a newly isolated serine auxotroph (Maxwell et al., 1974): A, al-2 (15300), cot-1 (C102t) ser (JBM 4-13) was crossed to FGSC #639 a; pe (Y8743m), fi (L);
Demonstration of the Optimal Control Modification for 6-DOF Control of a General Aviation Aircraft

This paper presents the design of a model reference adaptive control (MRAC) system using the Optimal Control Modification (OCM) adaptation method for a general aviation aircraft. The implementation was for control of all six degrees of freedom, commanding the three aircraft angular rates and forward velocity of a Beech Bonanza, a General Aviation (GA) aircraft. The design balances the requirements of good tracking and robustness by selecting linear controller and adaptive gains that minimize the tracking error and maximizing the time delay margin. The time delay margin is critical for the GA application as the elevator actuator in the flight test aircraft has a very large (0.2 sec) delay. The designed system is shown to perform well in the nominal case and in the case of degraded control surfaces and modeling errors.
Multiple active conformers of mouse ornithine decarboxylase.

Purified recombinant mouse ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) was denatured with urea or with guanidinium chloride. Enzymic activity was efficiently recovered upon dilution of the denaturing agent. ODC renatured after urea treatment was further characterized. Kinetics of decarboxylation of the natural substrate ornithine or of the suicide substrate alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) were not significantly changed by denaturation/renaturation. Surprisingly, the renatured enzyme was not stably labelled with radioactive DFMO, in contrast with the native enzyme not subjected to denaturation. Native and renatured ODC did not differ in their c.d. spectra, but the former contained four reactive cysteine residues and the latter seven. These data indicate that a conformational change results from denaturation/renaturation that does not alter decarboxylation of substrates, but does change the accessibility or stability of the cysteine-360 residue modified by decarboxylated DFMO.