cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The conjugate formulation of a radiation induced transient natural convection boundary layer

The vertical surface of a non-reactive semi-infinite solid is suddenly heated by a radiative heat flux source. The surface temperature increases and a thermal wave penetrates the solid. At the same time, the hot surface heats the neighbouring air, which begins to move upward under the influence of gravity. The events in both domains are closely connected and the compressible fluid in the boundary layer establishes a hydrodynamic and thermal coupling. Such coupling and the non-linearity in this problem require a special solution approach. A numerical technique was selected, which is based on the finite control volume method developed by Patankar and Spalding. The Patankar–Spalding method was modified to accommodate both the solid domain and the gas phase domain simultaneously. The conjugate formulation for the transient combined solid phase and gaseous boundary layer was investigated. It was found that the new conjugate method provided reliable solutions to the current problem. Furthermore, the analysis revealed that the time required for the surface temperature to attain a specified value was inversely proportional to the square of the radiative heat flux.
Adhesion between Immiscible Polymers Correlated with Interfacial Entanglements

Adhesion in immiscible, weakly bonded polymeric layered structures is explored. Of particular interest are common commercial polymers used in multilayered packaging materials. Based on the scission of entangled chains at the polymer−polymer interface, a correlation between the critical mechanical energy release rate for fracture (Gc) and the characteristic number of interfacial entanglements (Nent) is developed. Nent, the ratio of the interfacial width to the average length scale required for entanglement, is calculable for a variety of homopolymers and random copolymers. Results of adhesion tests on melt and solvent laminated samples, coupled with random copolymer data from the literature, verify that a Gc ∝ Nent2 relationship exists. For small Nent, there are insufficient entangled chains to strengthen the interface, and the critical mechanical energy release rate goes to zero. The proposed model offers a method for designing new materials from common immiscible polymer systems.
The dependence of glucan conformational dynamics on linkage position and stereochemistry.

Abstract The 13C NMR T1 relaxation times for the (1 → 4)-linked maltooligomers (Mi) and the (1 → 6)-linked isomaltooligomers (IMi) with i = 2, 4, 6, and 8 were measured in aqueous solution at 22 and 65°C at a concentration (3%) low enough to have removed concentration-dependent effects on the measured T1 values. Separate T1 values were measured for each carbon in the residue at the reducing end of the oligosaccharide, in the residue at the non-reducing end, and in the interior, i.e., non-terminal, residue(s). Analogous data for the corresponding high polymers show that at 22°C the relaxation times for the carbons of the interior residues of the oligomers have converged to their high chain length asymptotes at about i = 10. This observation suggests that at room temperature polymeric motions in the frequency domain effective for 13C NMR relaxation at a magnetic field strength of 11.7 T have a “wavelength” of the order of 10 residues. The relaxation times characterizing the two ends of the chain are different, with longer T1 values for the carbons of the reducing end than for those of the non-reducing end. Carbons of α-anomeric residues at the reducing end have shorter relaxation times than those of the corresponding β-anomeric reducing sugars. Carbons of the interior residues have T1 values shorter than the carbons of either type of terminal residue. For oligomers of a given dp there is no T1 difference between oligomers of the Mi and IMi series at room temperature. This observation is seemingly at odds with the great differences in the inherent conformational freedom of the (1 → 4)- and (1 → 6)-linkages. At elevated temperatures the orientational relaxation behavior of the two series of oligomers measured by 13C T1 values show interesting differences, and in the case of the Mi series, structure develops in the chain length dependence of the T1 values.
Blended wing body airframe mass prediction

The blended wing body (BWB) concept is one in which the payload is carried within the inner wing of the aircraft, the local aerofoil sections being deepened to accommodate it. Difficulties, both in design and mass prediction, arise when the payload requires the pressurization of the non-circular cross- sections of the blended wing region. The paper presents a method by which the mass of the BWB airframe may be predicted using an empirically weighted theoretical approach. The ideal wing structure mass is modified by introducing penalties for the secondary structure and, in particular, the payload carrying function. Absolute validation of the method is not possible as no full-size aircraft of this category has been built and flown. Nevertheless, application of the method to several design studies gives reason to believe that it is acceptable for preliminary design purposes.
Sleep-Disordered Breathing and Impaired Glucose Metabolism in Normal-Weight and Overweight/Obese Individuals: The Sleep Heart Health Study

OBJECTIVE —To characterize the association between sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), combined IFG and IGT, and occult diabetes in individuals of different body habitus. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS —Cross-sectional analysis of 2,588 participants (aged 52–96 years; 46% men) without known diabetes. SDB was defined as respiratory disturbance index ≥10 events/h. IFG, IGT, occult diabetes, and body weight were classified according to recent accepted guidelines. Participants with and without SDB were compared on prevalence and odds ratios for measures of impaired glucose metabolism (IGM), adjusting for age, sex, race, BMI, and waist circumference. RESULTS —SDB was observed in 209 nonoverweight and 1,036 overweight/obese participants. SDB groups had significantly higher adjusted prevalence and adjusted odds of IFG, IFG plus IGT, and occult diabetes. The adjusted odds ratio for all subjects was 1.3 (95% CI 1.1–1.6) for IFG, 1.2 (1.0–1.4) for IGT, 1.4 (1.1–2.7) for IFG plus IGT, and 1.7 (1.1–2.7) for occult diabetes. CONCLUSIONS —SDB was associated with occult diabetes, IFG, and IFG plus IGT, after adjusting for age, sex, race, BMI, and waist circumference. The magnitude of these associations was similar in nonoverweight and overweight participants. The consistency of associations across all measures of IGM and body habitus groups and the significant association between SDB and IFG plus IGT, a risk factor for rapid progression to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and mortality, suggests the importance of SDB as a risk factor for clinically important levels of metabolic dysfunction.
A communication network for distributed database systems

A graph traversal algorithm and its application to a dynamically partitionable bus network for a distributed database system are presented. The approach can be summarized as follows: (1) transform database operations into a graph where vertices represent database operations and edges denote the conflicts of using system resources among database operations, (2) color the constructed graph so that the vertices corresponding to the nonconflicting database operations are assigned the same color, and (3) allow the nonconflicting database operations to proceed in parallel. The graph traversal algorithm, used to color the vertices of a graph is described. The dynamic bus partitioning technique for a distributed database system is delineated. >
Synchronous Machine With Solid Cylindrical Rotor

In this paper a rigorous mathematical analysis of a synchronous machine with solid cylindrical rotor is presented. The analysis embodies a departure from the usual method of considering machine performance by means of circuit theory, and presents an attack from the point of view of field-distribution theory. Such an analysis is desirable, for it provides a definite means of considering the effect of eddy currents in the solid iron rotor.
Language Hotspots: what (applied) linguistics and education should do about language endangerment in the twenty-first century

I outline the concept of Language Hotspots, seeking to direct public and professional awareness of the global language extinction crisis. The loss of a single language leaves the science of linguistics impoverished and yet even few linguists realize that the vast majority of language families will likely be lost by the end of this century. Language Hotspots can serve as a focal point around which to develop a comprehensive approach to addressing how to increase, improve and coordinate engagement by all stakeholders in the global language extinction crisis, not only linguists and the communities undergoing language shift themselves, but also applied linguists, the general public and educators at all levels. I briefly outline language endangerment and its causes and detail the science behind the global Language Hotspots list, and then turn to an exemplification of an area of extreme linguistic endangerment, the Eastern Siberia Language Hotspot. Finally, I make a plea for linguistic scientists to increase th...
An Investigation of Online Homework: Required or Not Required?.

In our research we investigate the use of online homework in principles of accounting classes where some classes required online homework while other classes did not. Users of online homework, compared to nonusers, had a higher grade point average and earned a higher grade in class. On average, both required and not-required users rated the online homework experience positively. Additionally, low-performing students appear to get more benefit than high-performing students from using online homework. Because of individual differences, no one study tool will be best for all students or in all situations. However, we conclude that use of online homework is an effective way to motivate students and may be particularly beneficial for less motivated or poorer performing students.
Renin, A Physiologic Regulator of Renal Hemodynamics?

1. Injections of hog renin and formation of antirenin in the dog will prevent or reduce the elevation of blood pressure associated with constriction of the renal arteries, but will not affect the systemic blood pressure in the normal animal. 2. The kidneys of both the normal and renal artery constricted animal respond with an increase in renin content during hog-renin injections which correlates closely with the serum antirenin titer. 3. The juxtaglomerular cell appears to be the site of renin formation and in this location may affect postglomerular vascular resistance. 4. Dogs with high titers of antirenin apparently have a reduced capacity to respond to an alteration in postglomerular resistance. 5. It is proposed that renin formation is controlled normally by a pressure-sensitive feedback mechanism operating across the glomerulus between the juxtaglomerular cell and postglomerular resistance.
“What” Effects on “Where”: Functional Influences on Spatial Relations

Spatial relations indicate the location of an object by specifying its direction with respect to a reference object whose location is known. It has been largely assumed that specific features of these objects are generally ignored in descriptions of spatial location. Within such a view, spatial relations can be described in terms of geometric or topological features that are not dependent on object details such as function. We demonstrate in two experiments that a geometric feature (center of mass) is not sufficient. Using two different tasks, we show that the function of the reference object and its relationship with the other object significantly influence the way in which vertical spatial relations (“above” and “below”) are applied to spatial configurations.
Recent progress in digital image formatting and current trends in computers: their role in digital image storage and telemedicine. Commentary.

This section of Current Opinion in Cardiology is dedicated to recent progress in imaging and echocardiography. Two trends apparent from the five articles in this symposium are the increasing importance of quantitation in cardiovascular imaging and the emergence of new modalities for assessing cardiac structure and function. The exploding volume of imaging data available to the practicing cardiologist has made it increasingly difficult to organize and manage this information in order to obtain an integrated picture of the patient's clinical status. Fortunately, we are also in the midst of a revolution in digital image storage and transmission, which will ease the task of organizing multimodal clinical images and avoiding unnecessary duplication of tests. This commentary reviews important progress in the past year in the development of standardized image formats as well as trends in better computer performance. In echocardiography, ultrasound loops can be stored with calibration data (spatial, temporal, and velocity) to facilitate automated application of some of the new quantitative algorithms outlined by Frank Flachskampf in his article (pp 634-639) [2]. Spatial localizing information can also be stored with the echocardiographic images to facilitate three- and four-dimensional reconstruction of these data. In cineangiography, the DICOM standard codifies methods for storing view orientation, interventional device identification, and the details of contrast administration, facilitating the threedimensional reconstruction and physiological analysis of catheterization data [3]. Finally, in the nuclear cardiology standard, entire protocols involving multiple radioisotopes may be encoded within a single digital study, facilitating the automated display and analysis, for instance, of such data as positron-emission tomography perfusion and metabolic imaging.
Robust centroid determination of noisy data using FCM and domain specific partitioning

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (FMRI) datasets are composed of spatial and temporal features and contain unique noise degradation. We propose a feature partition along noise-specific domains to fit the fuzzy c-means (FCM) algorithm to this problem. Each domain will consist of unique features and use a domain-specific metric. The distance term in the FCM membership update equation is replaced by a weighted sum of domain distances. Exploiting conceptual cleavage of the sample features invites intuitive remedial action in the form of robust metrics, decreased weighting, or selective enhancement processing. Robust centroids are determined by suppressing the role of feature subsets contaminated by significant noise levels or intractable noise types. This paper examines synthetic datasets of FMRI activations and shows that a specialized FCM algorithm determines higher accuracy centroids in the presence of high noise levels.
RNA polymerase approaches its promoter without long-range sliding along DNA

Sequence-specific DNA binding proteins must quickly bind target sequences, despite the enormously larger amount of nontarget DNA present in cells. RNA polymerases (or associated general transcription factors) are hypothesized to reach promoter sequences by facilitated diffusion (FD). In FD, a protein first binds to nontarget DNA and then reaches the target by a 1D sliding search. We tested whether Escherichia coli σ54RNA polymerase reaches a promoter by FD using the colocalization single-molecule spectroscopy (CoSMoS) multiwavelength fluorescence microscopy technique. Experiments directly compared the rates of initial polymerase binding to and dissociation from promoter and nonpromoter DNAs measured in the same sample under identical conditions. Binding to a nonpromoter DNA was much slower than binding to a promoter-containing DNA of the same length, indicating that the detected nonspecific binding events are not on the pathway to promoter binding. Truncating one of the DNA segments flanking the promoter to a length as short as 7 bp or lengthening it to ∼3,000 bp did not alter the promoter-specific binding rate. These results exclude FD over distances corresponding to the length of the promoter or longer from playing any significant role in accelerating promoter search. Instead, the data support a direct binding mechanism, in which σ54RNA polymerase reaches the local vicinity of promoters by 3D diffusion through solution, and suggest that binding may be accelerated by atypical structural or dynamic features of promoter DNA. Direct binding explains how polymerase can quickly reach a promoter, despite occupancy of promoter-flanking DNA by bound proteins that would impede FD.
Preparation of A New Carbon Nano-particle by Arc Discharge

Synthesis and characterization of a new carbon particle are investigated in this study. The carbon particle, which possesses a very high surface area (682 cm2/g), is suitable for catalysts loading in application of fuel cell. As well known, carbon materials are used to be a support of Pt catalyst to achieve high dispersion to enhance the activity of Pt. The synthesis was performed by conventional arc discharge process between two graphite electrodes in vacuum. A high-current range from 100~ 300 ampere was utilized to evaporate the cathode electrode in order to produce carbon soot onto the wall of chamber, and further high production rate of 10 g/hr was achieved. The morphology and microstructure of the materials were investigated by SEM, HRTEM, XRD and Raman spectroscopy. Observations of the soot by SEM and HRTEM have shown that it consists agglomerations of carbon particles linked each other to form a chain-like structure. Most carbon particles are approximate 30 ~ 60 nm in diameter. HRTEM observation reveals that a carbon particle is comprised of several defective onions with different diameters and extremely curled graphene sheets, which appear as double-sheet layers.
Exploiting slack time for just-in-time scheduling in wireless sensor networks

We consider the problem of real-time data collection in wireless sensor networks, in which data need to be delivered to one or more sinks within end-to-end deadlines. To enhance performance with respect to end-to-end deadline miss ratio, existing approaches schedule packets by prioritizing them based on per-packet deadlines and other factors such as the distance to the sink. However, important factors affecting the end-to-end performance such as queuing delays and buffer overruns have largely been ignored in the existing real-time schemes. Packet prioritization by itself cannot assist with these issues, and may in fact, exacerbate them for real-time data collection, since many high priority packets may simultaneously contend for the constrained network resources. In sensor networks, where the channel bandwidth and buffer space are often quite limited, these issues can dramatically impact real-time performance. Based on this observation, we propose Just-in-Time Scheduling (JiTS) strategies where packets are judiciously delayed within their slack time to reduce contention and load balance the use of the network buffers. We explore several policies for delaying data packets at different intermediate nodes considering potential contention. In addition, we also show that the routing protocol has a significant impact on real-time performance. In particular, shortest path routing leads to considerably better performance than geographic forwarding, which is often used for real-time data transmission in wireless sensor networks. Using an extensive simulation study, we demonstrate that JiTS can significantly improve the deadline miss ratio and packet drop ratio compared to two state-of-the-art approaches for real-time packet delivery for sensor networks (RAP and SPEED) under various scenarios. Notably, JiTS requires neither lower layer (e.g., MAC layer) support nor synchronization among the sensor nodes.
The Foundations of Enterprise Performance: Dynamic and Ordinary Capabilities in an (Economic) Theory of Firms

The dynamic capabilities framework has had a significant impact on strategic management theory and practice, but the sizable literature on the topic has not always been unified. This paper begins with a restatement of the framework encompassing clarifications and extensions that have occurred since it was introduced. The paper highlights key elements that have been omitted or poorly integrated into the dynamic capabilities literature: the role of individual action by entrepreneurial managers, the role of resources, strategy, and the distinction between ordinary and dynamic capabilities. Dynamic capabilities is advanced as a multidisciplinary framework to explain long-run enterprise performance. Ambidexterity and other related frameworks are tailored versions of dynamic capabilities. Linkages between (strategic) management theory and (Austrian) economic theory are explored. The concepts of x-inefficiency and d-ineffectiveness are compared.
Distinguishing coupled ocean–atmosphere interactions from background noise in the North Pacific

Abstract When considering physical mechanisms for decadal-timescale climate variability in the North Pacific, it is useful to describe in detail the expected response of the ocean to the chaotic atmospheric forcing. The expected response to this white-noise forcing includes strongly enhanced power in the decadal frequency band relative to higher frequencies, pronounced changes in basin-wide climate that resemble regime shifts, preferred patterns of spatial variability, and a depth-dependent profile that includes variability with a standard deviation of 0.2–0.4°C over the top 50–100 m. Weak spectral peaks are also possible, given ocean dynamics. Detecting coupled ocean–atmosphere modes of variability in the real climate system is difficult against the spectral and spatial structure of this ‘null-hypothesis’ of how the ocean and atmosphere interact, especially given the impossibility of experimentally decoupling the ocean from the atmosphere. Turning to coupled ocean–atmosphere models to address this question, a method for identifying coupled modes by using models of increasing physical complexity is illustrated. It is found that a coupled ocean–atmosphere mode accounts for enhanced variability with a time scale of 20 years/cycle in the Kuroshio extension region of the model's North Pacific. The observed Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) has many similarities to the expected noise-forced response and few similarities to the model's coupled ocean–atmosphere variability. However, model deficiencies and some analyses of observations by other workers indicate that the possibility that part of the PDO arises from a coupled ocean–atmosphere mode cannot be ruled out.
The Interdependence of Interpretive Ethnographic and Quantitative Psychological Methodologies in Cultural Psychology

Arguments are made in this commentary for the importance of integrating quantitative psychological and interpretive ethnographic methodologies in cultural psychology, and for overcoming the present insularity related to disciplinary affiliation of work within this tradition. Theoretical attention centers on the importance of cultural sensitivity, the compatibility of alternative empirical methodologies, and the pragmatic nature of explanation.
Agglomeration of High Calcium Fly Ash for Utilization II. Binding Mechanisms

Fly ashes from the Lansing and Ottumwa power plants in Iowa were agglomerated by means of a continuous pan agglomerator, a continuous auger and a batch turbine agglomerator. In order to compare agglomeration mechanisms the following parameters were determined: (a) particle size distributions of the untreated fly ashes; (b) particle size distributions of the agglomerated fly ashes; (c) pore size distribution of agglomerates; (d) crystalline hydration products by X-ray diffraction; and (e) morphological characterization by scanning electron microscopy. In the batch system coalescence mechanisms were favoured. The agglomerates were fairly irregular in shape and had a rough surface texture. As residence time in the system increased breakage of agglomerates occurred, reducing the average agglomerate size. In the continuous systems layering of the fine feed particles onto established agglomerates was the predominant growth mechanism. The agglomerates were smooth and spherical. The layer structure was observed by scanning electron microscopy. Agglomerates of widely varying size, strength, and pore matrix can be produced in both systems. It is envisaged that while agglomerates could be produced with characteristics essential for their proposed end use by either method, continuous pan agglomeration would be the most versatile system to utilize.
Stability of Lisinopril in Two Liquid Dosage Forms

BACKGROUNDLisinopril is used in pediatric patients with hypertension. It is not commercially available as a liquid. Little is known about the stability of lisinopril in extemporaneously prepared liquid dosage forms.OBJECTIVETo determine the stability of lisinopril in 2 oral suspensions stored at 4 and 25 °C in plastic prescription bottles.METHODSFive bottles contained methylcellulose 1%:simple syrup NF (1:13) and the other 5 bottles had Ora Plus–Ora Sweet (1:1) at a lisinopril concentration of 1 mg/mL. Three samples were collected from each bottle at 0, 7, 14, 28, 42, 56, 70, and 91 days and analyzed by stability-indicating HPLC analytical method (n = 15).RESULTSAt 4 °C, the mean ± SD concentration of lisinopril remained >95.1 ± 1.8% of the initial concentration in the methylcellulose formulation and 95.1 ± 3.2% of the initial concentration in the Ora Plus–Ora Sweet formulation throughout the 91-day study period. At 25 °C, the mean concentration of lisinopril remained >92.4 ± 2.2% of the initial concentra...
Large-N factorizing configurations

A method is outlined for finding the large-N Euclidean factorizing configurations in quadratic building-block theories. Explicit solutions are found and discussed in potential theory.
Gene Therapy and Cardiovascular Diseases

Gene therapy is a promising new field in modern medicine and holds great potential for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. This chapter will discuss the principles and methods of gene-based therapy and the use of gene transfer in research and in treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
A Review of “The Chinese Army Today: Tradition and Transformation for the 21st Century”

Among foreign observers, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) has a reputation for opacity. This is predictable: states in general are reluctant to frankly discuss their precise military capabilities...
Control of chylomicron export from the intestine

The control of chylomicron output by the intestine is a complex process whose outlines have only recently come into focus. In this review we will cover aspects of chylomicron formation and prechylomicron vesicle generation that elucidate potential control points. Substrate (dietary fatty acids and monoacylglycerols) availability is directly related to the output rate of chylomicrons. These substrates must be converted to triacylglycerol before packaging in prechylomicrons by a series of endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-localized acylating enzymes that rapidly convert fatty acids and monoacylglycerols to triacylglycerol. The packaging of the prechylomicron with triacylglycerol is controlled by the microsomal triglyceride transport protein, another potential limiting step. The prechylomicrons, once loaded with triacylglycerol, are ready to be incorporated into the prechylomicron transport vesicle that transports the prechylomicron from the ER to the Golgi. Control of this exit step from the ER, the rate-limiting step in the transcellular movement of the triacylglycerol, is a multistep process involving the activation of PKCζ, the phosphorylation of Sar1b, releasing the liver fatty acid binding protein from a heteroquatromeric complex, which enables it to bind to the ER and organize the prechylomicron transport vesicle budding complex. We propose that control of PKCζ activation is the major physiological regulator of chylomicron output.
Chemical Stability of Reactively Sputtered AlN with Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposited SiO2 and SiNx

We have studied the chemical stability of reactively sputtered aluminum nitride film with plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposited SiO2 and SiNx films. It was found that the PECVD SiO2 film reacted with A1N to form aluminosilicate (3Al2O3·2SiO2) at the SiO2/A1N interface after annealing above 550°C. The presence of Al-0 bonds at the SiO2/AlN interface was verified with x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and x-ray induced Auger electron spectroscopy. The formation of aluminosilicate resulted in significant decrease in the wet etch rate of A1N layer. For SiNx/AlN/Si layered structure, no interfacial reactions were detected at the SiNx/AlN interface after annealing up to 850°C. These results confirm the thermodynamic predictions on the mutual stability of SiNx/AlN and SiO2/AlN.
Mechanical Properties of Fe3Al Intermetallic Matrix Composites

Iron aluminides are of considerable interest due to their low cost, relatively high melting point, relatively low density, and excellent resistance to oxidation, sulfidation and molten salts. However, poor ductility and fracture toughness at room temperature hinder their use as a structural material. Refining of the microstructure is known to be one method to increase the room temperature ductility. Mechanical alloying (MA) is an easy way to obtain fine microstructures. In addition, pulse discharge sintering (PDS) is a new technology which suppresses grain growth during sintering because the sparks generated during sintering break the surface oxide layer of the powder particles and thus speed up the sintering process. Therefore, the combination of MA and PDS processes results in final products with very fine microstructures. Fe-28at.%Al alloy and its composite reinforced with 5vol.% of TiB2 particles were fabricated by the MA-PDS process. The mechanical properties of these materials were improved significantly as compared to conventionally processed materials.
Analysis of Huangshan Tea Industry

Based on field survey,Huangshan tea industry was analyzed.Taking Huangshan Mao Feng as an example,structure and problems of Huangshan tea industry were analyzed.It is found out that farmers on the industry chain shared only 18% of profits.Some recommendations to resolve problems in the tea industry chain were put forward.
Anatomy of penile venous drainage in potent and impotent men during cavernosography

Recent data suggest that approximately 80 per cent of the men with vasculogenic impotence have evidence of failure to store blood (venous leakage) within the corpora cavernosa. To identify the venous channels into which corporeal blood drains in impotent men, we performed cavernosograms after intracorporeal injection of papaverine in 44 consecutive men presenting with erectile dysfunction and these were compared to studies in 10 potent men. The cavernosograms were examined for evidence of venous drainage from the penis and the site of leakage was identified. It was determined that among the impotent population with vasculogenic impotence 37 of 40 evaluable men (92.5 per cent) demonstrated contrast medium in the venous system draining the penis: the deep dorsal vein was visualized in 55 per cent, proximal cavernosal and crural veins in 55 per cent, deep dorsal and proximal veins in 22.5 per cent and corpus spongiosum in 25 per cent. Only 2 of the 10 potent men demonstrated contrast medium in the venous channels draining the penis. From these observations we conclude that in men suspected of having venogenic impotence identification of the drainage vessels by cavernosography appears to be important in planning any surgical approach to occlude these veins. However, the finding of a venous leak by cavernosography must not be considered a sine qua non diagnosis of venogenic impotence, since a certain percentage of potent men will demonstrate this radiographic finding.
How to Make a SWEET Sensor

Translocation of sugars from photosynthetic to sink tissues is a critical step in seed and tuber development. To help realize the potential of engineering sugar allocation to increase yields, we are developing genetically encoded biosensors based on SWEET transporters to monitor sugar translocation across cell membranes in vivo.Transporter-GFP fusions, in which structural rearrangements of the transporter affect the state of the GFP chromophore, have been shown to effectively monitor the activity of Arabidopsis and yeast ammonium transporters.Here we report our progress towards the development of sugar transport sensors constructed from members of the SWEET family of sugar transporters. We also review current advances in SWEET structure-function analysis and describe their implications for sensor design.
Gender differences in adults' knowledge about fat and cholesterol.

Cognitive learning theories suggest that an individual’s prior knowledge is a major factor for determining what can be learned. The objectives of this study were to compare the organization of knowledge about fat and cholesterol in adult, middle-class men and women and changes in that knowledge after reading an educational bulletin. Forty men and 48 women participated in two semistructured interviews to assess their knowledge, half received a US Department of Agriculture bulletin on fat and cholesterol at the end of the first interview. Concept maps (two-dimensional representations of an individual’s cognitive knowledge structure) were made from the interview transcripts to assess knowledge organization. Both genders had limited knowledge, scoring less than 25% of the maximum possible score at interview 1. Overall, known and not known concepts were similar in men and women; however, women had slightly more integrated knowledge and more misconceptions than men. Both groups receiving the bulletin made significant gains in knowledge at interview 2, but knowledge gains were twice as great in men as in women. Our findings indicate that practitioners need not create separate materials about fat and cholesterol for middle-class men and women.
A Moreau-Yosida approximation scheme for a class of high-dimensional posterior distributions

Exact-sparsity inducing prior distributions in Bayesian analysis typically lead to posterior distributions that are very challenging to handle by standard Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods, particular in high-dimensional models with large number of parameters. We propose a methodology to derive smooth approximations of such posterior distributions that are, in some cases, easier to handle by standard MCMC methods. The approximation is obtained from the forward-backward approximation of the Moreau-Yosida regularization of the negative log-density. We show that the derived approximation is within $O(\sqrt{\gamma})$ of the true posterior distribution in the $\beta$-metric, where $\gamma>0$ is a user-controlled parameter that defines the approximation. We illustrate the method with a high-dimensional linear regression model.
The influence of taste in willingness-to-pay valuations of sirloin steaks from postextraction algal residue-fed cattle.

Consumer preferences and willingness-to-pay (WTP) for beef sirloin steaks with differing production, physical, and credence attributes related to the use of postextraction algal residue (PEAR), a novel feed ingredient, were estimated. Ninety-six consumers participated in a sensory tasting panel before completing a choice set survey; 127 consumers completed only the choice set survey without sampling products. Steaks from grain- and PEAR-fed steers had similar Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) scores (1.89 kg and 2.01 kg, respectively; = 0.77) and had lower WBSF scores than steaks from grass-fed steers (3.37 kg; 0.26). Panelists rated the juiciness like/dislike of steaks from PEAR-fed cattle the highest ( < 0.01) among the 3 samples. Sensory tasting of the products was observed to alter the preferences of consumers. Consumers who completed only the survey negatively perceived beef from PEAR-fed cattle compared with beef from grain-fed cattle, with a WTP discount of -US$1.17/kg. However, with sensory tasting, the WTP for beef from PEAR-fed cattle was not discounted relative to beef from grain-fed cattle ( = 0.21). The nontasting consumers had much higher stated WTP values for credence attributes. Factors that influence the eating experience (tenderness and quality grade) dominated as the most important attributes on WTP among the tasting group. The use of no hormones and no antibiotics in production had a premium of $2.34/kg among the nontasting group, but with tasting, the premium was $1.19/kg. If PEAR-fed beef came to market, there would be no need to differentiate it from grain-fed beef unless retailers wanted to market it as a differentiated product. If it were marketed as a differentiated product, retailers would need to hold promotional tastings to change consumer's preconceived notions about the product.
Numerical study of viscous starting flow past wedges

This paper presents a numerical study of vortex formation in the impulsively started viscous flow past an infinite wedge, for wedge angles ranging from to . The Navier–Stokes equations are solved in the vorticity-streamfunction formulation using a time-splitting scheme. The vorticity convection is computed using a semi-Lagrangian method. The vorticity diffusion is computed using an implicit finite difference scheme, after mapping the physical domain conformally onto a rectangle. The results show details of the vorticity evolution and associated streamline and streakline patterns. In particular, a hierarchical formation of recirculating regions corresponding to alternating signs of vorticity is revealed. The appearance times of these vorticity regions of alternate signs, as well as their dependence on the wedge angles, are investigated. The scaling behaviour of the vortex centre trajectory and vorticity is reported, and solutions are compared with those available from laboratory experiments and the inviscid similarity theory.
Population Diversity and Sensitivity to Azoxystrobin of Alternaria brassicicola in New York State

Alternaria brassicicola is the causal agent of Alternaria leaf spot, a common disease of brassica crops in New York State. New York isolates of A. brassicicola were collected from a variety of brassica crops and locations to evaluate the population diversity and screen for fungicide sensitivity. Isolates were genotyped for 10 microsatellite loci and assayed for sensitivity to azoxystrobin, a quinone outside inhibitor fungicide. The New York State population of A. brassicicola was found to have high levels of genotypic diversity and the population was found to be in linkage disequilibrium. Based on in vitro assays, the effective concentrations of azoxystrobin reducing spore germination by 50% ranged from 0.22 to 14.12 μg/ml. In order to confirm the sensitivity of 47 isolates to azoxystrobin, the cytb gene was characterized and sequenced to determine whether any of the mutations known to confer resistance to azoxystrobin were present. The mutations F129L, G137R, and G143A were not detected in the isolates studied.
A synergistic DNA logic predicts genome-wide chromatin accessibility

Enhancers and promoters commonly occur in accessible chromatin characterized by depleted nucleosome contact; however, it is unclear how chromatin accessibility is governed. We show that log-additive cis-acting DNA sequence features can predict chromatin accessibility at high spatial resolution. We develop a new type of high-dimensional machine learning model, the Synergistic Chromatin Model (SCM), which when trained with DNase-seq data for a cell type is capable of predicting expected read counts of genome-wide chromatin accessibility at every base from DNA sequence alone, with the highest accuracy at hypersensitive sites shared across cell types. We confirm that a SCM accurately predicts chromatin accessibility for thousands of synthetic DNA sequences using a novel CRISPR-based method of highly efficient site-specific DNA library integration. SCMs are directly interpretable and reveal that a logic based on local, nonspecific synergistic effects, largely among pioneer TFs, is sufficient to predict a large fraction of cellular chromatin accessibility in a wide variety of cell types.
Goals of the engineering information systems project

An engineering information system (EIS) is described that provides a framework for tool integration based on information sharing. The basic functions of the EIS are outlined, and EIS program goals are discussed. These include integration and uniformity; acceptability; adaptability and extensibility; and easy insertion into existing design environments. >
High prevalence of catecholamine-facilitated focal ventricular tachycardia in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy

Background— Exercise-related ventricular tachycardia (VT) and high burden of premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are common in arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy. We hypothesized that VT in arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy shows a high degree of association with the PVC at baseline. Methods and Results— The study population included 16 consecutive arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy patients with recurrent VT who underwent catheter ablation. Median age of the patients was 27 years (range, 18–66) and 50% were men. All patients had frequent ectopy at baseline with a median PVC count of 7275 (range, 1353–19 084). During EP study, a total of 27 VTs were induced, of which 16 (59%) occurred during high-dose isoproterenol infusion. VT morphology was identical to the baseline PVCs in all the VTs induced during high-dose isoproterenol infusion. Focal ablation at the site of earliest activation and 12/12 pace map of the PVC eliminated the VT in all cases. Target site for focal ablation localized to scar border. Cumulative freedom from VT after ablation was 85.2% and 74.5% at 1 and 2 years, respectively, which was associated with a reduction in PVC count. Conclusions— We report a high degree of association between PVCs at baseline and the VTs induced during catecholamine infusion. These VTs originated from the border region of scar most commonly in the right ventricular outflow tract and right ventricle basal regions. These findings highlight the importance of catecholamine challenge and PVC mapping, which can in turn facilitate ablation of the VT in arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy.
Application of PMU to detect high impedance fault using statistical analysis

Utilities have recently installed phasor measurement units (PMUs) in their systems. In the control room, massive amounts of data come in from PMUs, but it is hard to utilize in real-time. Situational awareness and event detection are necessary to avoid cascading outages. Tangible algorithms need to be implemented in order to make this abundant data useful to a system operator. Several events cause frequency deviation, including load variation and faults. Of these events, changing loads and switching shunt capacitors on and off is necessary. The developed algorithms need to flag faults without giving false positives for other events. Of the fault types, a high impedance fault (HIF) is the hardest to detect since it may not trip a breaker and causes a smaller frequency deviation from lower impedance faults. This paper proposes an approach to detect a HIF using statistical analysis: a null and alternative hypothesis test is conducted to determine whether a system has diverged from the 60Hz average to another less probable value. The approach uses utility PMU measurements at substations to achieve the standard deviation of the system. A high impedance fault is simulated in Matlab/Simulink, and the bus frequency at the fault location is exported for analysis. Real-time PMU measurements and the simulated frequency deviation are then combined to test whether the HIF would be detectable in the real system. The results show the effectiveness of this approach for HIF detection.
Ureteral stent duration and the risk of BK polyomavirus viremia or bacteriuria after kidney transplantation

Objectives Ureteral stents are used in kidney transplantation (KTX) to decrease post-operative complications, but are associated with BK polyomavirus viremia (BKV). Our primary outcome was to determine the association between ureteral stent duration and BKV. Secondary outcome measures were the association between bacteriuria and stent duration or use of ureteral stent strings. Methods Between January 2010 and January 2015, 403 patients underwent KTX at Virginia Mason Medical Center and met inclusion criteria. Stent duration was classified as short ( 3 weeks). Multivariate logistic regression models were created to assess for factors associated with BKV. The covariates in the BKV model were chosen a priori based on stent duration and risk factors previously described in the literature. Results Ureteral stents were placed in 304 (75.4%) transplants. Stent strings were left attached in 166 (54.6%) patients. On multivariate analyses, long stent duration was significantly associated with increased risk of BKV compared to no stent (odds ratio [OR] 1.92, P=0.044, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04–3.74). Short stent duration was not associated with BKV. Sixty-two (15.4%) patients had bacteriuria. Bacteriuria was associated with female gender (OR 2.77, P<.001, 95% CI 1.58–4.95) and there was a dose-dependent effect with stent duration compared to no stent – short duration (OR 2.46, P=.049, 95% CI 1.05–6.49) and long duration (OR 3.58, P=.004, 95% CI 1.58–9.25). Stent strings were not associated with either complication. Conclusions The association between ureteral stents and BKV may be dose dependent. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
A Distributed Scheduling Algorithm for Underwater Acoustic Networks With Large Propagation Delays

Underwater acoustic (UWA) networks are a key form of communications for human exploration and activities in the oceanographic space of the earth. A fundamental issue of UWA communications is large propagation delays due to water medium, which has posed a grand challenge in UWA network protocol design. Conventional wisdom of addressing this issue is to live with this disadvantage by inserting a guard interval to introduce immunity to propagation delays. Recent advances in interference alignment (IA) open up a new direction to address this issue and promise a great potential to improve network throughput by exploiting large propagation delays. In this paper, we investigate propagation delay-based IA (PD-IA) in multi-hop UWA networks. We first develop a set of simple constraints to characterize PD-IA feasible region at the physical layer. Based on the set of PD-IA constraints, we develop a distributed PD-IA scheduling algorithm to greedily maximize interference overlapping possibilities in a multi-hop UWA network. Simulation results show that the proposed PD-IA algorithm yields higher throughput than an idealized benchmark algorithm without propagation delays, indicating that large propagation delays are not adversarial but beneficial for network throughput performance.
Quantum Imaging of Non-Unitary Objects with Spatially Entangled Photon Pairs

We image one- and two-photon parts of the state of entangled photon pairs transmitted through lossy objects using an EMCCD camera and demonstrate that the one-photon intensity contains information on the degree of spatial entanglement.