cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Preparation and reactions of epoxy‐modified polyethylene

Epoxy-modified polyolefins have been prepared by the radical grafting of glycidyl methacrylate to polymer melts. The reactions of these materials with amines and carboxylic acids were investigated. The modified polymers undergo typical epoxide reactions.
Approximate Computing: Making Mobile Systems More Efficient

Approximate systems can reclaim energy that's currently lost to the "correctness tax" imposed by traditional safety margins designed to prevent worst-case scenarios. Researchers at the University of Washington have co-designed programming language extensions, a compiler, and a hardware co-processor to support approximate acceleration. Their end-to-end system includes two building blocks. First, a new programmer-guided compiler framework transforms programs to use approximation in a controlled way. An Approximate C Compiler for Energy and Performance Tradeoffs (Accept) uses programmer annotations, static analysis, and dynamic profiling to find parts of a program that are amenable to approximation. Second, the compiler targets a system on a chip (SoC) augmented with a co-processor that can efficiently evaluate coarse regions of approximate code. A Systolic Neural Network Accelerator in Programmable logic (Snnap) is a hardware accelerator prototype that can efficiently evaluate approximate regions of code in a general-purpose program.
Tropical Furniture and Bodily Comportment in Colonial Asia

This essay examines graphic, textual, and material evidence concerning the use of chairs by European colonists in South and Southeast Asia and by Japanese colonists in Taiwan. It focuses particularly on informal furniture made from lightweight tropical fibers such as rattan. The significance of chair sitting and the ways that chairs were used in these different contexts reveal contrasting colonial sensibilities — that is, bodily awarenesses and experiences of the colonial milieu and colonial social relationships. Many Europeans in Asia adopted furniture suited to a posture of languishing that would have been socially unacceptable in the same settings in Europe but reflected the sense of tropical life as a constant physical affliction and the accompanying indifference to the presence of native servants. In Japan’s case, the process of colonization was concurrent with an effort to modernize national customs in both metropole and colonies on a European model, and inexpensive upright rattan chairs played a role in this. Yet Japanese colonists in Taiwan found themselves in an unusual situation since they were by habit floor sitters, placed by colonial conquest in a dominant position among a Chinese population accustomed to sitting on chairs. This introduced a complex dynamic into the bodily negotiation of relationships between colonizers and colonized in Taiwan, in which Japanese colonists’ attitudes and behaviors did not always successfully map the power relationship of metro-pole and colony. A coda briefly considers a third type of rattan chair and an accompanying set of sensibilities tied to circuits of deployment in the United States military empire in the Pacific after World War II.
Robust tests for unit roots in the foreign exchange market

Abstract Empirical studies that have tested for unit roots in foreign exchange rate data have assumed independent and identically distributed errors in order to apply Dickey-Fuller test procedures. This assumption ignores the temporal dependence of the error sequence present in many simple efficient market tests, as discussed in Hansen and Hodrick (1980), as well as Krasker (1980). In this paper we apply unit root test statistics that allow for heterogeneously distributed and mildly dependent error processes, and thus provide superior tests of the unit root hypothesis in the case of foreign exchange rates.
DNA Repair and DNA Triplet Repeat Expansion: The Impact of Abasic Lesions on Triplet Repeat DNA Energetics

Enhanced levels of DNA triplet expansion are observed when base excision repair (BER) of oxidative DNA base damage (e.g., 8-oxo-dG) occurs at or near CAG repeat sequences. This observation suggests an interplay between processing mechanisms required for DNA repair and expansion pathways that yield genotypes associated with many neurological/developmental disorders. It has been proposed that DNA expansion involves the transient formation within the triplet repeat domains of non-native slipped DNA structures that are incorrectly processed by the BER machinery of repair during DNA synthesis. We show here that replacement within a triplet repeat bulge loop domain of a guanosine residue by an abasic site, the universal BER intermediate, increases the population of slipped/looped DNA structures relative to the corresponding lesion-free construct. Such abasic lesion-induced energetic enhancement of slipped/looped structures provides a linkage between BER and DNA expansion. We discuss how the BER machinery of repair may be influenced by abasic-induced energetic alterations in the properties of regions proximal to and/or within triplet repeat domains, thereby potentially modulating levels of DNA expansion.
Some remarks on the Kedem-Katchalsky equations for non-electrolytes.

The Kedem-Katchalsky equation for the flow of a non-electrolyte through a homogeneous membrane is shown to be a first order expansion of an exact integral of the Spiegler-Bearman-Kirkwood frictional equations under the assumption that the partial frictional coefficients, ζ ij , are concentration independent. The equations are solved in terms of volume flow; there are no water-to-volume flow correction terms for the permeability, ω, or the reflection coefficient, σ. The precision of the expansion depends upon the magnitude of the water flow. The frictional coefficientsf sm andf sw are given as functions of the experimentally determined parameters ω and σ; the frictions, are shown to be independent ofL p .
American Adoption and the Experiences of Relinquishing Mothers

The birth of a child is a major life-cycle event in all societies, thus pregnancy, birth, and the post-partum period are culturally shaped and accompanied by rites of passage that help mother and new child into the appropriate status and role. This cultural shaping of biological processes varies significantly from society to society and strongly reflects prevailing cultural values.
Nitrate reductase activity in soils: Effects of trace elements

Studies to evaluate the effect of pH and 19 trace elements on nitrate reductase activity in soils showed that using Tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane(THAM)-Na acetate buffer, the optimum pH was at pH 7, and that most trace elements inhibited the activity of this enzyme in acid and neutral soils. The relative effectiveness of the trace elements in inhibition of nitrate reductase activity depended upon the type and concentration of the trace element and soil used. When the effect of the trace elements was compared at a concentration of 2.5 μmol g−1 soil, the inhibition of nitrate reductase activity in three soils showed that Ag(I), Cd(II), Hg(II), Se(IV), As(V) and W(VI) were the most effective inhibitors, with percentage inhibition of > 75% and that Mns(II) was the least effective inhibitor, with percentage inhibition ranging from 0 to 8%. Ba(II) either did not inhibit or enhanced the nitrate reductase activity. Other trace elements that inhibited the nitrate reductase activity in acid and neutral soils included Cu(I), Co(II), Cu(II), Fe(II), Ni(II), Pb(II), Zn(II), Al(III), As(III), Cr(III), Fe(III), V(IV), Mo(VI) and Se(VI); their degree of effectiveness varied among the three soils. Of these trace elements, only As(III) and Se(VI) inhibited the activity of this enzyme in the calcareous soil. B(III) enhanced nitrate reductase activity in a neutral soil, had no effect in a calcareous soil, and inhibited the activity of this enzyme in an acid soil. In general, the inhibitory effect of the trace elements increased when the concentration increased by 10-fold. The Eh7 values decreased significantly after incubation, and they were lower in the presence than in the absence of 2,4-dinitrophenol.
A Transistor Video Amplifier Having 80 Volts Output

A transistor video amplifier which has sufficient output signal, swing, and bandwidth to drive a standard picture tube is described. The amplifier consists of three junction transistors in the following configurations (starting at the input end): grounded-collector, grounded-emitter, and common-base. A resistive feedback path is provided from the output of the grounded-emitter stage to the amplifier input. Adequate dynamic range is obtained by means of the common-base stage which gives an output voltage swing that is twice the breakdown voltage of the transistor. The feedback employed not only improves the linearity and high-frequency response but also aids in obtaining d-c restoration. Because of the current and voltage variable reactance effects in junction transistors, the frequency response of the amplifier is a function of the operating point. Circuit models that are used in the analysis and design of such amplifiers are discussed.
Investigations of the non-linear transient response of quantum point contacts using pulsed excitation with sub-nanosecond time resolution.

Abstract We review recent work where we have investigated the non-linear transient response of quantum point contacts (QPCs) using pulsed excitation with sub-nanosecond time resolution. The transient response of these devices is shown to be dominated by a large parallel capacitance that is independent of the QPC conductance and pulse amplitude. These characteristics lead us to suggest that the capacitance is associated with charging of the two-dimensional reservoirs that source and sink current to the QPC. Our investigations also show that the transient conductance of the QPC must develop very quickly as the voltage pulse is applied, at least on a time scale shorter than the fastest rise time (2 ns) used in the experiments. We also find the existence of a characteristic fixed point in the non-linear conductance, at which its value is bias independent. The fixed point appears to correspond to the situation where the unbiased QPC is almost depopulated and can be accounted for by considering the unidirectional population of QPC subbands by the voltage bias. To discuss the behavior of the transient conductance away from the fixed point, we find that it should be necessary to consider the influence of the applied bias on the QPC profile and electron–phonon scattering.
The effects of stimulus hue on backward masking under conditions of monoptic and dichoptic stimulus presentation

Stimulus hue is a significant variable in visual backward masking when target and mask figure-ground brightness contrast is eliminated. Target stimulus hues are ordered from blue, red, green, to yellow in terms of their resistance to masking by hue. A similar ordering was found for masking stimulus hues in terms of their average inhibiting effect on all target stimuli. Significantly more masking occurred under dichoptic conditions of stimulus presentation.
Utilization of the extended rectus abdominis myofasciocutaneous free flap in upper extremity reconstruction

Degloving injuries of the upper extremity may require extensive soft tissue coverage. Free tissue transfer is often useful in the management of these injuries. We describe the use of an extended rectus abdominis myofasciocutaneous vascularized free flap in the management of a massive longitudinal upper extremity traumatic soft tissue defect.
Mother–Infant Synchrony During Preterm Infant Feeding

Newborn Care Poster Presentation Objective Synchrony between a mother and her infant is fundamental to the attachment relationship and encompasses multiple constructs characterizing the relationship as mutually responsive. Feeding is an essential activity that provides an opportunity for interaction between mother and infant. The purpose of this study was to test a coding system, the Maternal–Infant Synchrony Scale, for assessing synchrony of feeding interaction between mothers and preterm infants and describe mother–infant synchrony during feeding and during feeding over time.
Detection of autoantibodies to recombinant human thyroid peroxidase by sensitive enzyme immunoassay.

SUMMARY Autoantibodies to thyroid peroxidase (TPO), the thyroid ‘microsomal’ antigen, are widely utilized in the diagnosis of human autoimmune thyroid disease. Crude human thyroid preparations of TPO are of differing potency, contain residual thyroglobulin (Tg) and other human membrane antigens, and are available in only limited amounts. Hence, immunoassays for anti-TPO are unstandardized and of variable sensitivity and specificity. We co-transfected the Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line with a full-length human TPO cDNA expression plasmid. We selected a high expressing recombinant TPO positive cell population (CHO-TPO) by Northern blot analysis, then fluorescence laser flow cytometry using both human polyclonal and murine monoclonal anti-TPO antibodies. Solubilized 100 000g membrane preparations from both CHO-TPO and CHO cells were used as antigens in a specific ELISA with CHO antigen serving as background control. In a selected series of known anti-TPO positive (n = 46) and negative (n = 73) sera there was a high correlation between ELISAs utilizing recombinant or natural-TPO antigen (r = 0.93). There appeared to be no difference in the affinity of high titre human anti-TPO for recombinant and natural-TPO antigen with both ELISAs able to detect 0.05 U/ml of anti-TPO activity (reference preparation NIBSC 66/387). These data predict a new era in standardized thyroid autoantibody testing utilizing recombinant antigen preparations.
TURBULENT HEAT TRANSFER NEAR THE REATTACHMENT OF FLOW DOWNSTREAM OF A SUDDEN PIPE EXPANSION

Numerical predictions are obtained for the turbulent flow and heat transfer downstream from a sudden expansion in a circular pipe. A full Reynolds stress model is used to close the time-averaged Navier-Stokes equations, with an algebraic model for the thermal fluxes. The models account for the low Reynolds number effects in the wall region and thus avoid use of the conventional wall functions. The predicted Nusselt number distribution along the heated wall especially in the reattachment region is in very good agreement with available measurements.
Advanced Particulate Sensors for Spacecraft Early Warning Fire Detection

Preventing fires in spacecraft or remote habitats is always the first line of defense to avoid a fire that compromises the missions, hardware, and crew. If a fire occurs, the objective is to detect the associated fire signatures at the earliest possible time from inception, thus minimizing propagation and collateral damage while providing maximal margin for suppression. Knowledge of the particulate and/or gaseous fire signatures as they occur under the unique combination of a reduced-gravity environment and materials typical of spaceflight applications is essential for the design of spacecraft fire detectors. This paper describes how recent experiments conducted on the ISS have guided the design and development of a unique two-moment smoke particulate detector. This detector, known as the Multi-Parameter Aerosol Scattering Spectrometer (MPASS) determines both the total surface area and mass of the aerosol, corresponding to the second and third moments of the distributions, respectively. These quantities can be correlated with the specific materials being pyrolyzed, and potentially the spatial/temporal evolution as the aerosol ages. The methodology for designing a sensor with the desired response function is discussed, as well as test results that demonstrate the performance of prototype devices.
Data-driven verification of synthetic gene networks

Automatic design of synthetic gene networks with specific functions is an emerging field in synthetic biology. Quantitative evaluation of gene network designs is a missing feature of the existing automatic design tools. In this work, we address this issue and present a framework to probabilistically analyze the dynamic behavior of a gene network against specifications given in a rich and high level language. Given a gene network built from primitive DNA parts, and given experimental data for the parts, the tool proposed here allows for the automatic construction of a stochastic model of the gene network and in silico probabilistic verification against a rich specification.
Vehicle Evasive Maneuver Trajectory Optimization Using Collocation Technique

Vehicle evasive maneuvers or sudden lane changes pose stringent conditions on trajectory control, which require not only a desired path following but also a complete consideration of lateral forces and vehicle dynamic stability. Experienced drivers steer the vehicle on a desired path, as much as possible, without creating large lateral forces beyond the stability limits. Steering control systems have been developed to perform similar lane change or evasive maneuvers automatically but with limitations. A control method is developed to find desired trajectory automatically based on the defined design criteria using constrained optimization via collocation technique. The results are compared with two known suitable trajectories. The results show that the proposed control method produces peak lateral acceleration that are lower than the 5th order polynomial trajectory, and overall lateral accelerations that are lower than a comparable trapezoidal acceleration profile.© 2010 ASME
Acrolein-Induced Cell Death In Human Alveolar Macrophages☆

Acrolein is an environmental air pollutant that is known to suppress respiratory host defense against infections. The mechanism of the decrease in host defense is not yet clear. In this study, the effects of acrolein on human alveolar macrophages and their function were examined. Acrolein caused dose-dependent cytotoxicity to alveolar macrophages as demonstrated by the induction of apoptosis and necrosis. In addition, at lower doses, acrolein caused induction of heme oxygenase 1 protein; however, stress protein 72 (SP72) was not induced. These findings demonstrated that acrolein caused a dose-dependent selective induction of a stress response, apoptosis, and necrosis in human alveolar macrophages. Macrophage function was assessed by release of cytokines in response to endotoxin stimulation. Acrolein caused a dose-dependent inhibition of release of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-12. The inhibition of cytokine release and cytotoxicity to alveolar macrophages may in part be responsible for acrolein-induced immunosuppression of the lung.
Gaining Alphabetic Insight: Is Phoneme Manipulation Skill or Identity Knowledge Causal?.

The type of phoneme awareness that supports reading acquisition has been unclear. Phoneme awareness is usually operationalized as skill in manipulating phonemes in blending and segmentation tasks. However, B. Byrne and R. Fielding-Barnsley (1990) argued that phoneme awareness is knowledge of phoneme identities (i.e., recognition of individual phonemes in spoken word contexts). In a double-blind teaching experiment, 48 kindergartners were randomly assigned to identity, manipulation, or language experience programs. Children in the manipulation program made significantly greater gains on tests of blending and segmentation. However, children in the identity program made significantly greater gains on a test of phonetic cue reading, a measure of rudimentary decoding ability. Teaching recognition of particular phonemes in word contexts may help beginners gain insight into the alphabetic principle and apply their insights in early word identification.
Molecular dynamics in liquids from femtosecond time-resolved impulsive stimulated scattering

Molecular motions in simple liquids are observed on the femtosecond time scale by means of impulsive simulated scattering. In carbon disulphide and benzene liquids, weakly oscillatory time-dependent responses are observed. These are interpreted in terms of molecular orientational motion which at short times is vibrational (i.e. librational) in character due to intermolecular interactions. In CS/sub 2/, the dephasing of the oscillations is primarily inhomogeneous. Temperature-dependent values of the configuration-averaged librational frequency and the extent of its inhomogeneity are determined. >
Modular multilevel converters with integrated arm inductors for high quality current waveforms

This paper deals with the system structure and operating principle of a modular multilevel converter (MMC) with integrated arm inductors for improved performance. The proposed integrated inductors provide inductances not only for circulating current suppression, but also for switching ripple mitigation. Compared with the conventional MMC structure implemented with two separate inductors connected in both upper and lower arms by two magnetic cores, only one core is required for the arm inductor of each phase. Hence, the overall size, weight, and cost of magnetic components will be much lower than discrete ones. In addition, the relationships between the number of voltage levels, the equivalent differential inductance of the integrated inductor, and the total harmonic distortion (THD) of the phase voltage is analyzed based on the designed integrated inductor. Without differential inductance, the number of voltage levels should be more than 12 with N+1 phase shift PWM (PSPWM) or 8 with 2N+1 PSPWM to bring the THD below 5 %, while this goal can be achieved by 4 sub-modules MMC with only 2 mH differential mode (DM) inductance if N+1 modulation is applied, or 0.5 mH DM inductance if 2N+1 modulation is adopted. Simulation results for a three-phase inverter system are provided to support the theoretical considerations.
A Case of Bell's Palsy Associated with Blepharospasm

Abstract Background Bell's palsy is the most common acute mononeuropathy, with an incidence of 20 to 30 cases per 100,000 people per year. Objectives Blepharospasm associated with Bell's palsy has been rarely reported. We describe an unusual presentation of Bell's palsy associated with blepharospasm. Case Report A 44-year-old man presented to the Emergency Department with a few hours' history of right eye blepharospasm. His cornea and conjunctiva were normal on slit lamp examination, including fluorescein staining. His cranial nerves were intact except for a complete right facial nerve weakness, with the patient unable to raise his right eyebrow, and his mouth deviated towards the left. The patient was diagnosed with Bell's palsy associated with blepharospasm and discharged home on prednisone and famciclovir. By the eighth week he was back to baseline with no sequelae. Conclusion Although very rare, physicians should be aware of the existence of Bell's palsy associated with blepharospasm, as it may be under-reported.
Separation of biomolecules using adsorptive membranes

Abstract The efficient recovery of labile biomolecules requires rapid, reliable separation processes using mild conditions. Adsorptive membranes are available in a range of chemistries and geometries which permit their application as clarification, concentration, fractionation and purification tools in a biorecovery sequence. Available devices exhibit low backpressure, short residence times and high volumetric throughputs relative to conventional chromatographic packed beds. Non-uniform flow, dead volumes and backmixing observed in some adsorptive membrane systems preclude them from achieving substantial improvements in resolution relative to conventional packed beds. Improvements in design and operation of these systems should increase their separation performance tenfold. Adsorptive separations using affinity, ion-exchange and hydrophobic membranes are reviewed.
Complications of 5-fluorouracil therapy in head and neck cancer patients.

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is commonly used in chemotherapy protocols used to treat head and neck cancer patients. Cardiotoxicity associated with 5-FU is becoming recognized and reported with increasing frequency.l Because most patients with head and neck cancer have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, recognizing the potential for cardiotoxicity during 5-FU treatment protocols may be especially important. We present three cases of cardiac toxicity occurring with 5-FU administration in patients with head and neck squamous-cell carcinoma.
Growth promoting effects of prebiotic yeast cell wall products in starter broilers under an immune stress and Clostridium perfringens challenge

Abstract This study was designed to investigate the growth promoting effects of supplementing different sources and concentrations of prebiotic yeast cell wall (YCW) products containing mannanoligosaccharides in starter broilers under an immune stress andClostridium perfringens challenge. Through a series of 6 individual studies either 240 or 288 newly hatched chicks were randomly distributed to specific dietary treatments. All birds received a commercial infectious bursa disease vaccine at 10 or 15 d age followed by an orally administeredClostridium perfringens challenge on d 15, 16, and 17; or 18, 19, and 20. Weekly BW, feed consumption, and daily mortality were recorded per pen. Each study was terminated after 21 d. Pooled data analysis of all studies revealed no effect between different product sources of YCW. Products from both sources produced a significant improvement in growth rate compared to control birds fed no YCW. However, a blend of two YCW products showed an approximate 15% improvement in growth rate and a 10% reduction in FCR. The optimum dose of any YCW product among those tested was determined to be approximately 250 ppm. Prebiotic YCW additives increased BW and improved feed conversion and may be considered as alternative growth promoters for starting broilers.
An efficient multiple source localization approach: dynamic programming

A dynamic programming (DP) algorithm based on Bellman's principle of optimality (1962) for computing the MLE (maximum likelihood estimation) is proposed. By this algorithm, the multidimensional ML maximization problem is transformed into a recursively one-dimensional maximization problem. The global optimum of the MLE is guaranteed and obtained by simply maximizing the recursive likelihood function. The performance of the DP-MLE is compared to that of MUSIC via simulation. Three sources in the far field emitting plane waves into a linear sensor array of five elements uniformly half a wavelength apart are considered. It is shown that the noise performance of the DP-MLE is superior to that of MUSIC. This superiority is pronounced at low signal-to-noise ratios. It is concluded that the DP approach is an efficient algorithm for computing the MLEs of a number of sources and their directions of arrival. >
The Consistent Labeling Problem: Part II

In this second part of a two-part paper, we explore the power and complexity of the g=fKP and g=vKP class of look-ahead operators which can be used to speed up the tree search in the consistent labeling problem. For a specified K and P we show that the fixedpoint power of g=fKP and g=vKP is the same, that g=fKP+1 is at least as powerful as g=fKP, and that g=vK+1p is at least as powerful at g=fKP. Finally, we define a minimal compatibility relation and show how the standard tree search procedure for finding all the consistent labelings is quicker for a minimal relation. This leads to the concept of grading the complexity of compatibility relations according to how much look-ahead work it requires to reduce them to minimal relations and suggests that the reason look-ahead operators, such as Waltz filtering, work so well is that the compatibility relations used in practice are not very complex and are reducible to minimal or near minimal relations by a g=fKP or g=vKP look-ahead operator with small value for parameter P.
Magnitude-Scaled Selected Mapping: A Crest Factor Reduction Scheme for OFDM Without Side-Information Transmission

Selected mapping (SLM) is a distortionless crest factor reduction (CFR) method for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) transmission. With SLM, it is possible to reduce the peak-to-average power ratio (PAR) of an OFDM symbol by several decibels. In this paper, we propose a method for SLM phase sequence detection that does not require side information transmission. We refer to this method as magnitude-scaled SLM, in the sense that it scales the frequency-domain power profile of the OFDM symbol with an envelope function from a set of pre-determined envelope functions. From the envelope of the received symbol, the receiver can detect which envelope and thus which phase sequence was used in the transmission. Also presented in this paper are the theoretical characterizations of the detection error rate (DER) and symbol error rate (SER) in a magnitude-scaled SLM system. Compared with ordinary OFDM without CFR, magnitude-scaled SLM can achieve an order of magnitude SER improvement in a peak-power-limited channel.
Interactive data-driven discovery of temporal behavior models from events in media streams

This paper investigates a technique for the discovery of temporal behavior models within multimedia event data. Advancements in both technology and the marketplace present us the opportunity for research in analysis of situated human behavior using video and other sensor data (media streams). By situated analysis, we mean the study of behavior in time as opposed to looking at behavior in the form of aggregated data divorced from how they occur in context. Human and social scientists seek to model behavior captured in media, and these data may be represented in a multi-dimensional event data space derived from media streams. The knowledge of these scientists (experts) is a valuable resource which can be leveraged to search this space. We propose a solution that incorporates the expert in an iteratively, interactive data-driven discovery process to evolve a desired behavior model. We test our solution's accuracy on a multimodal meeting corpus with a progressive three tiered approach.
Distributed metric calibration of ad hoc camera networks

We discuss how to automatically obtain the metric calibration of an ad hoc network of cameras with no centralized processor. We model the set of uncalibrated cameras as nodes in a communication network, and propose a distributed algorithm in which each camera performs a local, robust bundle adjustment over the camera parameters and scene points of its neighbors in an overlay “vision graph.” We analyze the performance of the algorithm on both simulated and real data, and show that the distributed algorithm results in a fairer allocation of messages per node while achieving comparable calibration accuracy to centralized bundle adjustment.
Developmental Rates of the Native Milfoil Weevil, Euhrychiopsis lecontei, and Damage to Eurasian Watermilfoil at Constant Temperatures

Abstract The native aquatic weevil Euhrychiopsis lecontei (Dietz) is a potential biological control agent of Eurasian watermilfoil ( Myriophyllum spicatum L.). The weevil reduces the viability of milfoil by mining plant stems. We determined the influence of temperature on the developmental rates of the weevil and damage to Eurasian watermilfoil stems. Single E. lecontei eggs were laid on rooted plants in individual tubes filled with water and 16 such tubes were randomly assigned to each of eight environmental chambers set at constant temperatures of 15, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, and 31°C with a 16-h daylength. Weevils and plants were monitored daily and development times were recorded for the egg, larval, and pupal stages. Length of watermilfoil stem damaged (cm) was estimated at 21, 25, and 29°C. Developmental rate was linearly related to temperature, up to 29°C; the developmental maximum appeared to be between 29 and 31°C. Average egg hatch occurred in 12.0 days at 15°C and in 4.2 days at 31°C. Average larval development time took 20 days at 15°C and 6.1 days at 31°C. Complete egg to adult development ranged from 16.6 days at 29°C to 61.7 days at 15°C. The lower developmental threshold was between 8.2 and 10.5°C, and egg to adult development required 309 ± 27.6 (2 SE) degree-days above 9.8°C. Daily stem damage increased with temperature but total damage (by larvae) was equal across temperatures and averaged 15.1 ± 1.9 cm. Field temperature data indicated that up to five generations could be completed in a typical summer in Minnesota lakes.
Effects of Projectile and Cover Material Strength and Projectile Shape on the Impact Initiation of Composition B

To improve understanding of the response of munitions impacted by various types of projectiles, a combined experimental and computational study was conducted. The experimental configurations were simulated using the CTH hydrocode and the History Variable Reactive Burn (HVRB) initiation model. Three-dimensional simulations of projectile impact on covered explosives were performed and the critical velocities for initiation were determined. Simulations performed for the purpose of determining whether the relative strength of the projectile and the cover affect the critical velocity showed little influence. Additional simulations for projectiles shaped like parallelepipeds were performed to shed light on the effect of the aspect ratio of the impacting face of the projectile. The results showed that face area alone does not determine critical velocity.
Characteristics of Walkable Built Environments and BMI z-Scores in Children: Evidence from a Large Electronic Health Record Database

Background: Childhood obesity remains a prominent public health problem. Walkable built environments may prevent excess weight gain.Objectives: We examined the association of walkable built environ...
Total Sternal Reconstruction Using a Titanium Plate-Supported Methyl Methacrylate Sandwich

We report a case of total sternal reconstruction using a methyl methacrylate polypropylene sandwich secured by using titanium plates. After previously failed attempts to wean the patient from the ventilator, this reconstruction allowed successful separation from ventilatory support in 6 days.
Ultra-Thin Layer Activation as a Potential Tool for Nano-wear Characteriation

An application of the nuclear kinematics selective reaction is the usage of the recoil nuclear reaction in generating radioactive ion beams which may de used for MEMS and fine machinery parts labeling used for ultra thin layer activation techniques. The classical Thin or Ultra Thin Layer method relies in creation of a very thin layer on the technologic surface that to exhibit radioactivity of short life radioisotopes. For classical material loss applications concentrations of the order of ppb of different material generated by nuclear reaction were offering plenty of gamma or X radiation to be easily detected over the natural background level directly by a radiation gauge placed above the entire functional mechanism, or by accumulating these in the third tribologic medium – a lubricant or a fluid. In the case of MEMS devices the material concentrations are required to be high enough in order to produce a good radioactive signal or other methods based on resonant energies on isotopic materials may be used such as particle activated prompt gamma, connected with the possibility of the MEMS device of removing from the spot of the dislocated material that becomes technologically useless but carrying out tracer material. There are various possibilities of applying tracer materials on the MEMS devices in order to clearly determine in-situ and in operation the material loss and to correlate with the operation regime.
Complementary p and n-Channel Quantum-Well MI3SF'ET's

Heterostructure design and device fabrication techniques for vertically integrated p- and n-channel quantum-well FETs are descnied and the operation of FETs fabricated on a p/n double quantum-well heterostructure is demonstrated. The dependence of parasitic resistance and gate leakage on heterostructure layer parameters and device geometry is examined in experiments. Contact and N+ sheet resistances as low 0.2 Q-mm and 385 Q/O, respectively, and gr values of 300 &/mm are achieved in our best 1.5 pm n-FETs at 77 K. p-FETs fabricated on a double quantum-well heterostructure by 2rl diffusion show contact and P+ sheet resistances of approximately 0.5 Q-mm and 200 Q/n, with grx of 80 mS/mm for 1.5 pn gates at 77 K. Gate leakage is sufficiently low in both p- and n-FETs to allow high-speed complementary logic and memory at supply voltages of 1.1 V. The excellent characteristics for FETs fabricated on a p/n double quantum-well heterostructure demonstrate the viability of stratified integration of complementary quantum-well FETs.
Fimbriation of Haemophilus Species Isolated from the Respiratory Tract of Adults

Twenty-two clinical isolates of Haemophilus species were studied within two passages of their original isolation for the presence of fimbriae by negative-staining electron microscopy. Six isolates were identified as fimbriated, including three strains of nontypable Haemophilus influenzae, one strain of Haemophilus parainfluenzae, and two strains of Haemophilus haemolyticus. In fresh isolates of fimbriated strains of nontypable H. influenzae, approximately 40%-50% of cells had fimbriae; after five passages in vitro, less than 1% of the cells had fimbriae. Thus, a variety of Haemophilus species that colonize the human respiratory tract can be fimbriated, and this fimbriation is rapidly lost on passage in vitro.
Air gap permeance in doubly-slotted asynchronous machines

Irregularities in the air gap of asynchronous machines are sources of forces, torques, noise, and vibrations. A formal Fourier series solution for the variation in permeance is presented. It is assumed that the permeability of the iron portions of the magnetic circuit is infinitely great, the rotor slots are not skewed, and flux fringing is not considered as input information. The Fourier series for a rectangular gap varying between zero and unity is established, a key element in subsequent solutions for permeances. The Fourier series for variation in air gap due to stator slots opposite a smooth surface and a doubly slotted air gap are established. The reciprocals of these air gap variations are obtained. >
Serum Glutamate Levels Correlate with Gleason Score and Glutamate Blockade Decreases Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion and Induces Apoptosis in Prostate Cancer Cells

Purpose: During glutaminolysis, glutamine is catabolized to glutamate and incorporated into citric acid cycle and lipogenesis. Serum glutamate levels were measured in patients with primary prostate cancer or metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPCa) to establish clinical relevance. The effect of glutamate deprivation or blockade by metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (GRM1) antagonists was investigated on prostate cancer cells9 growth, migration, and invasion to establish biologic relevance. Experimental Design: Serum glutamate levels were measured in normal men ( n = 60) and patients with primary prostate cancer ( n = 197) or mCRPCa ( n = 109). GRM1 expression in prostatic tissues was examined using immunohistochemistry (IHC). Cell growth, migration, and invasion were determined using cell cytotoxicity and modified Boyden chamber assays, respectively. Apoptosis was detected using immunoblotting against cleaved caspases, PARP, and γ-H2AX. Results: Univariate and multivariate analyses showed significantly higher serum glutamate levels in Gleason score ≥ 8 than in the Gleason score ≤ 7 and in African Americans than in the Caucasian Americans. African Americans with mCRPCa had significantly higher serum glutamate levels than those with primary prostate cancer or benign prostate. However, in Caucasian Americans, serum glutamate levels were similar in normal research subjects and patients with mCRPC. IHC showed weak or no expression of GRM1 in luminal acinar epithelial cells of normal or hyperplastic glands but high expression in primary or metastatic prostate cancer tissues. Glutamate deprivation or blockade decreased prostate cancer cells9 proliferation, migration, and invasion and led to apoptotic cell death. Conclusions: Glutamate expression is mechanistically associated with and may provide a biomarker of prostate cancer aggressiveness. Clin Cancer Res; 18(21); 5888–901. ©2012 AACR .
Infection behavior, life history, and host parasitism rates of Emblemasoma erro (Diptera: Sarcophagidae), an acoustically hunting parasitoid of the cicada Tibicen dorsatus (Hemiptera: Cicadidae)

‘Eavesdropping’ parasitoids find their hosts by homing in on the communication signals of other insects. These parasitoids often exploit chemical communication, but at least some species of the sarcophagid genus Emblemasoma eavesdrop on the acoustic communications of cicadas. Despite considerable scientific interest in acoustic parasitoids, we know remarkably little about most species of Emblemasoma. To better understand the ecology and behavioral diversity of these flies, I used a combination of field and laboratory techniques to elucidate the infection behavior and life history of E. erro, which uses the cicada Tibicen dorsatus as a host, and I also investigated parasitoid loads and parasitism rates of T. dorsatus in multiple host populations in the central United States. Female E. erro used the acoustic signals of male T. dorsatus as the primary means of locating hosts, but they also required physical movement by the host, usually either walking or flight, to provide visual cues for the final larviposition attack. Larvae were deposited directly on the host’s integument and burrowed through intersegmental membrane to enter the host’s body. On average, E. erro larvae spent 88.0 h residing inside their host before leaving to pupariate, but residence time was strongly dependent on both ambient temperature and effective clutch size. Adult flies eclosed about 18 days after pupariation. Across all study sites, the mean parasitoid load of infected male T. dorsatus was 4.97 larvae/host, and the overall parasitism rate was 26.3%. Parasitism rates and parasitoid loads varied considerably among host population samples, and high parasitism rates were usually associated with high parasitoid loads. Previously, detailed information about the infection behavior, life history, and host parasitism rates of sarcophagid acoustic parasitoids was only available for one species, E. auditrix. This study reveals that the infection behavior of E. erro is quite different from that of E. auditrix and, more broadly, unlike that known for any other species of acoustic parasitoid. The life histories of these two Emblemasoma are also divergent. These differences suggest that sarcophagid acoustic parasitoids are more behaviorally and ecologically diverse than previously recognized and in need of further study.
Positive Impact of Fungal Histopathology on Immunocompromised Pediatric Patients With Histology-Proven Invasive Fungal Infection

Objectives: We investigated the performance and the clinical impact of histologic examination of infected tissue in patients with suspected invasive fungal infection (IFI) at a tertiary pediatric center. Methods: Unique episodes of IFI were identified from January 1, 2001, through December 31, 2012. Surgical pathology reports, fungal culture results, and clinical data were abstracted from medical records. Results: Forty-seven patients with IFI were identified. Each patient had one episode of IFI. Risk factors included chemotherapy for an oncologic condition (n = 35), hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (n = 6), solid organ transplantation (n = 4), and primary immunodeficiency (n = 2). Tissue was obtained from deep subcutaneous tissue (n = 21), visceral organs (14 lungs, five livers, and one spleen), or the sinonasal cavity (n = 6). Fungal culture was ordered in 40 of the 47 episodes of IFI. Fungus grew in 27 (68%) of the 40 cultures submitted, and all isolates were concordant with histology. Medical records were available for 36 (77%) of 47 patients. Communication of histology results prompted changes in antifungal therapy 64% of the time. This included initiation of antifungal therapy in 13 patients who were not previously receiving therapy. Fifteen (42%) patients underwent surgical excision within 48 hours of histologic diagnosis. Conclusions: Histology can provide rapid, accurate, and clinically actionable information to clinicians caring for children with IFI.
The Lennard-Jones equation of state revisited

We review the existing simulation data and equations of state for the Lennard-Jones (LJ) fluid, and present new simulation results for both the cut and shifted and the full LJ potential. New parameters for the modified Benedict-Webb-Rubin (MBWR) equation of state used by Nicolas, Gubbins, Streett and Tildesley are presented. In contrast to previous equations, the new equation is accurate for calculations of vapour-liquid equilibria. The equation also accurately correlates pressures and internal energies from the triple point to about 4·5 times the critical temperature over the entire fluid range. An equation of state for the cut and shifted LJ fluid is presented and compared with the simulation data of this work, and previously published Gibbs ensemble data. The MBWR equation of state can be extended to mixtures via the van der Waals one-fluid theory mixing rules. Calculations for binary fluid mixtures are found to be accurate when compared with Gibbs ensemble simulations.
Parallel Netwon-Krylov Methods for PDE-Constrained Optimization

Large scale optimization of systems governed by partial differential equations (PDEs) is a frontier problem in scientific computation. The state-of-the-art for solving such problems is reduced-space quasi-Newton sequential quadratic programming (SQP) methods. These take full advantage of existing PDE solver technology and parallelize well. However, their algorithmic scalability is questionable; for certain problem classes they can be very slow to converge. In this paper we propose a full-space Newton-Krylov SQP method that uses the reduced-space quasi-Newton method as a preconditioner. The new method is fully parallelizable; exploits the structure of and available parallel algorithms for the PDE forward problem; and is quadratically convergent close to a local minimum. We restrict our attention to boundary value problems and we solve a model optimal flow control problem, with both Stokes and Navier-Stokes equations as constraints. Algorithmic comparisons, scalability results, and parallel performance on a Cray T3E-900 are presented. On the model problems solved, the new method is a factor of 5-10 faster than reduced space quasi-Newton SQP, and is scalable provided a good forward preconditioner is available.
Strengths of Ceramic Fibers at Elevated Temperatures

Tensile strengths were measured and Young's moduli were estimated for two SiC-based and three oxide ceramic fibers for temperatures from 25° to 1400°C. The SiC-based fibers were stronger but less stiff than the oxide fibers at room temperature and retained more of both strength and stiffness to high temperatures. High-temperature strengths of the SiC-based fibers were limited by internal void formation and oxidation; those of the oxide fibers were limited by softening of an intergranular glassy phase.
Competitive Product Introductions in Technologically Dynamic Environments

New product development in several industries is driven by innovations in underlying technologies. Firms developing new generation products often face the following choice: they can either introduce a product based on a proven and immediately available technology, or delay product introduction to incorporate a superior, yet unproven, technology. In this paper, we study how competing firms introduce new products in such technologically fluid environments. We show that this technology selection decision for new-generation products depends on the evolution of technology trajectories, the additional risk involved in developing advanced versions and the competitive intensity in the end-product market. By staggering their new product introductions over time, firms are able to utilize introduction timing as an additional dimension to distance themselves from their rival. The optimal investment by a firm in product development, and its sensitivity with respect to competition, are also characterized. We also extend our analysis to consider the impact of market factors such as network effects and growth potential on the profitability of different introduction strategies.