cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Response of Pitch to Higher Frequency Vibrations

Different grades of polishing pitch were subjected to vibrations with different frequencies (50Hz to 16kHz). Accelerometers monitored the extent to which vibrations pass through the pitch. Only vibrations over the pitch’s resonance frequency are attenuated.
A 70-Year-Old Man With a Transient Ischemic Attack: Review of Internal Carotid Artery Stenosis

Mr V, a man with severe coronary, aortic, and peripheral artery disease, had an episode of brain ischemia caused by severe preocclusive carotid artery disease in the neck. The major treatment options for his symptomatic carotid artery disease are optimizing medical treatment, carotid endarterectomy, and carotid artery stenting. Selection of treatment must take into consideration his severe symptomatic coronary artery disease as well as Mr V's concerns about surgery. Carotid endarterectomy presents a risk of myocardial infarction unless his coronary disease is treated effectively before surgery. Carotid stenting is problematic because the severity of the preocclusive arterial narrowing makes passing a protective device beyond the stenosis difficult without first performing potentially hazardous angioplasty. Optimizing medical treatment may be the best option for his severe systemic atherosclerosis. Treatment decisions in complex patients like Mr V require weighing the particular risks and benefits of available options, and the patient's own wishes and fears. These decisions, in this and other complex patients, often cannot be directly informed by results from randomized trials.
Macro Research on Campaign Mobilization in the United States

ABSTRACT This essay reviews the macro or aggregate-level academic literature on campaign mobilization and voter turnout in the United States. The conclusion that emerges from this literature is that hard-fought, high-stimulus electoral contests get out the vote. In part, the level of turnout on election day is a product of the efforts of strategic political actors (e.g., candidates, campaign contributors, and political parties) in the pursuit of elective office. The essay suggests that the academic literature on campaign mobilization would benefit from greater appreciation of how real world campaigns operate. A lesson that academics should draw from the practitioners is that strategic campaigns target and attempt to get out their voters. Careful consideration of the flows of information in campaigns would lead to a richer theory of mobilization. Looking at campaigns in a differentiated fashion, future research should recognize some fundamental points about their turnout implications: what campaigns do and...
Inhibition of tyrosine aminotransferase activity by low concentrations of urea

Summary Urea and gtianidine hydrochloride in relatively low concentrations can completely inhibit tyrosine aminotransferase ( L -tyrosine:2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase, EC 2.6.1.5) activity by direct addition of the inhibitor to the assay system or prior incubation systems. Guanidine hydrochloride is more effective on a molar basis than urea, however, the action of these reagents is qualitatively similar. The kinetic mode of urea inhibition in the assay is reversible with respect to enzyme and is noncompetitive with respect to each reactant of the system. Simultaneous addition of about 10−4 M pyridoxal phosphate or pyridoxamine phosphate to the prior incubation system affords nearly complete protection from concentrations of urea or guanidine hydrochloride which would produce 50% inhibition in the subsequent assay, L - Tyrosine, α-ketoglutarate, pyridoxal hydrochloride, or pyridoxamine hydrochloride do not protect from urea inhibition under these conditions. The fact that protection from urea inactivation requires concentrations of coenzyme of about 100 × Km together with the noncompetitive mode of inhibition suggests that urea induces structural changes. The inhibition resulting from the presence of urea with enzyme in prior incubation systems is more extensive when Tris buffer is used in prior incubation than when phosphate buffer is used, although Tris buffer does not significantly inhibit enzymatic activity compared to phosphate buffer in the assay systems. This protective effect of phosphate ion can be imitated by arsenate ion in comparison to Tris buffer in the prior incubation system. Anionic surface active agents such as sodium dodecylsulfate or sodium de-oxycholate are also very effective inhibitors of enzymatic activity, whereas a nonionic detergent was not inhibitory. The inhibition by anionic surface active agents is not eliminated by coenzyme in the prior incubation system and therefore appears to be qualitatively different from the action of urea or guanidine hydrochloride.
Derivation of Relativistic Three-Dimensional Formalisms from the Bethe-Salpeter Equation

A theoretically complete relativistic three-dimensional formalism was first derived from the Bethe-Salpeter equation by L\'evy, Klein, and Macke. Two new derivations of this work are given with the aim of clarifying its close connection but nonidentity with various popular alternative formalisms of more recent vintage. Insofar as possible, the merits of the various formalisms are presented.
A revised method for calculating γ-phase compositions in nickel-base superalloys

A method of calculating $gamma$ phase compositions in Ni-base superalloys is described in which the volume fraction of $gamma$' obtained using a regression equation is refined using an iteration procedure and the refined value is then used to compute the $gamma$ and $gamma$' compositions using further regression equations. The method is applied to heats of Udimet 700 and In 738. Resulting data are tabulated and analyzed. (JRD)
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Bumetanide in Critically Ill Pediatric Patients

This prospective, open-label, clinical trial was conducted to describe the pharmacology of bumetanide in pediatric patients with edema. Nine infants, children, and young adults with edema who were selected for diuretic therapy were studied. After a brief baseline period, each patient received parenteral bumetanide 0.2 mg/kg divided into two equal doses and administered every 12 hours. Urine excretion rate, fractional and total excretion of Na+, Cl-, and K+, creatinine clearance, and plasma and urine concentrations of bumetanide were measured at multiple intervals after drug administration. Bumetanide caused significant increases in the excretion rate of urine and each measured electrolyte. Unexpectedly, creatinine clearance increased dramatically after each dose. Adverse effects, including hypokalemia and hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis, were evident by the end of the treatment period. The plasma pharmacokinetics of bumetanide revealed mean +/- standard deviation values for total clearance and apparent volume of distribution of 3.9 +/- 2.4 mL/min/kg and 0.74 +/- 0.54 L/kg, respectively. Patients excreted an average of 34% of each dose unchanged in the urine over 12 hours. Plasma concentrations of bumetanide accurately predicted several renal effects using a link model with similar pharmacodynamic parameters in each case. Parenteral bumetanide 0.1 mg/kg administered every 12 hours produced significant beneficial and adverse effects in these critically ill pediatric patients with edema. Pharmacokinetic parameters are similar to those previously reported for infants. Plasma concentrations of bumetanide can predict effect-compartment pharmacodynamics.
A spectrally-tunable photocurrent microscope for characterizing nanoelectronic devices

Scanning photocurrent microscopy is a unique tool that facilitates both device characterization and the study of fundamental properties of optoelectronic nanomaterials. We have built a scanning photocurrent microscope that incorporates a super continuum laser as the light source. The microscope illuminates nanoelectronic devices with a micron-scale light spot and a photon energy that is tunable from 0.67 eV to 2.7 eV. We describe the design of our microscope and present measurements of carbon nanotube transistor devices. These measurements highlight the features of our microscope, particularly the advantages of combining spatial and spectral resolution when characterizing nanoelectronic devices.
The role of proficiency testing in achieving standardization and harmonization between laboratories.

Abstract Objectives Proficiency testing is part of a quality system that provides external assessment that a laboratory's performance meets clinical requirements. Design and methods A set of samples, intended to simulate clinical samples, is provided to a group of laboratories. The samples are measured for specified measurands and the results reported to the organizing body. Target values are assigned by the organizing body typically as the mean response of a group of laboratories that use similar measurement technology; or, when samples are commutable with native clinical samples, by a reference measurement procedure. Results Each participant's results are compared to the target values to determine if a laboratory's results are in conformance to the expectations for clinically acceptable results. When commutable samples are used, results can be compared to reference measurement procedure values to evaluate trueness. Unacceptable results are investigated and corrective action taken. Conclusion Proficiency testing allows an individual laboratory to evaluate if its performance is satisfactory for the intended clinical purpose. Comparison of results among laboratories allows evaluation of the effectiveness of calibration procedures in the field.
Subchronic inhalation toxicity of isobutyl nitrite in BALB/c mice. II. immunotoxicity studies

Initial epidemiologic studies of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) occurring in homosexual men identified the use of the inhalants amyl, butyl, and isobutyl nitrite as possible risk factors contributing to the disease. Because of the lack of immunotoxicological data on these chemicals, we studied the effects of subchronic exposure to isobutyl nitrite (IBN) on the immune system. BALB/c mice were exposed to either 50 or 300 ppm IBN for 6.5 h/d, 5 d/wk for up to 18 wk. After 7, 13, or 18 wk of exposure, mice were killed and the following assays were performed. Antibody producing cells were enumerated by a slide plaque assay on animals immunized with sheep red blood cells while still in exposure chambers. The lymphocyte proliferative response to mitogens (phytohemagglutinin, concanavalin A, pokeweed mitogen, and lipopolysaccharide) was tested using several concentrations of each mitogen. Additional mice were immunized with Freund's complete adjuvant 21 d prior to death and were tested for delayed hype...
Building Blocks for Multi-robot Construction

One notable capability of social insect colonies that has traditionally inspired distributed robot systems is their construction activity. In this paper, I describe a system of simple, identical, autonomous robots able to build two-dimensional structures of arbitrary design by rearranging blocks of building material into desired shapes. Structure design is specified compactly as a high-level geometric program; robots translate this program into physical form via their fixed behavioral programming. Robots are interchangeable both within and between construction projects, and need not be individually reprogrammed between dissimilar projects. Such a construction team could be used as the first stage in a system for remote building of structures, laying out the floor plan that a more sophisticated system could extend upwards.
The 96Zr(p, p′) and 96Zr(p, d) reaction at 19.4 MeV

Abstract Elastic and inelastic scattering measurements with 19.4 MeV protons from 96Zr have been performed. The angular distributions for seven inelastic proton groups have been compared to distorted wave calculations using both collective and shell-model form factors. Angular distributions for 11 deuteron groups were measured and compared to distorted wave calculations using a local, zero-range theory. Pick-up of 2 d 5 2 , 1 g 9 2 and 3 s 1 2 neutrons was observed and spectroscopic factors determined.
Substrate specificity of aromatic-L-amino acid decarboxylase☆

Abstract The benzo[b]thiophene and l-methylindole analogs of tryptophan have been tested for their ability to act as substrates for aromatic-L-amino acid decarboxylase in vitro . Neither of the analogs showed detectable decarboxylation under conditions that produced significant rates of decarboxylation of tryptophan. In addition, both analogs inhibited the decarboxylation of tryptophan and phenylalanine by the in vitro system.
Student Images of the High School Principal: Who's Who and What's Going On?:

If you want to find out how things are working you probably need to ask the people who are most affected by what you are doing or by what is going on. In our high schools it would seem that no other group is in a better position to provide that feedback than students.
Operationalizing a Definition of Learning Disabilities

Past, present, and future concerns regarding the definition of learning disabilities (LD) are documented. Research on efforts to clarify the LD label is discussed, with a focus on the questionable utility of the discrepancy model. Finally, an approach to operationalizing the NJCLD definition of LD is presented and applied.
Metabolism of 1-14C palmitic acid in goats in various metabolic states.

Abstract 1- 14 C Palmitate albumin complex was constantly infused intravenously through jugular catheter for four hours in goats in three metabolic states. I, 72-hr fasted, phlorizinized, and nonlactating; II, normally fed and lactating; III, 72-hr fasted, phlorizinized, and lactating. The 14 C activity was measured in ketone bodies and various lipid fractions of plasma at various time intervals, and quantitation of these fractions was carried out. The estimated percentage of C atoms of plasma ketone bodies derived from plasma free fatty acids were 89, 41, and 103 in the respective three trials. The ratio between β-hydroxybutyrate and acetone + acetoacetate changed from 4:1 in Trial II to 1.4:1 in Trial III; at the same time the concentration of total ketone bodies was three times higher in Trial III. The turnover rates of free fatty acids were 4.2, 4.3, and 7.9mg/kg/min for Trials I, II, and III, respectively. The corresponding turnover times were 4.6, 1.8, and 3.1min. Production of Ketone bodies from free fatty acids and free fatty acid turnover rate were directly related to the stress conditions imposed on the animals. In all metabolic states the major 14 C activity of plasma was recovered in the free fatty acid fraction, whereas in liver most of the activity was in glycerides. Adipose tissue samples in all the trials contained only a small amount of 14 C activity.
Effects of metabolic acidosis and diabetes on the abundance of specific renal mRNAs.

Abstract 1. 1. The effects of exogeneously (NH 4 C1 ingestion) and endogenously (streptozotocin-diabetes) generated chronic metabolic acidosis on the abundance of rat renal mRNAs have been examined. 2. 2. Total RNA was translated in vitro and the translation products analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. 3. 3. The translation product identified as phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) increased 3.5-fold in both acidosis and diabetes. 4. 4. This increase was not observed in diabetic rats treated with NaHCO 3 . 5. 5. The abundance of one other translation product increased in acidosis. 6. 6. That of 10 others increased in diabetes, several of which were elevated regardless of acid-base status. 7. 7. The abundance of one translation product decreased in acidosis and diabetes but not in NaHCo 3 treated diabetic rats, indicating acid-base regulation of this product. 8. 8. The results establish that the acidosis response is limited to a small number of renal mRNAs and confirm that renal PEPCK is primarily regulated by changes in acid-base status. 9. 9. They also indicate that diabetes affects the abundance of specific renal mRNAs through mechanisms independent of acid-base status.
Tracking of physical and physiological risk variables among ethnic subgroups from third to eighth grade: the Child and Adolescent Trial for Cardiovascular Health cohort study.

Abstract Background. The Child and Adolescent Trial for Cardiovascular Health (CATCH), a multisite field trial, tested the effectiveness of multiple interventions for cardiovascular disease risk behaviors in children in third through fifth grades. This paper reports the tracking of physiologic variables through eighth grade. Methods. The cohort began with 5,106 third grade students from diverse ethnic backgrounds: 69% Caucasian, 14% Hispanic, 13% African American, and 4% other. Seventy-two percent of students were remeasured. Measures described are serum lipids, blood pressure, and body anthropometrics. Tracking was examined across three time points (third, fifth, and eighth grades) with a scaled Kendall concordance coefficient and percentage retention within quintiles across time. Results. For the overall sample, tacking was strongest for body mass index (BMI) (Kendall coefficient = 0.86) and weight (0.86), followed by skinfold thicknesses (0.72–0.78), serum lipids (0.67–0.72), and blood pressure (0.45–0.51). For BMI, 96% of students stayed within ±1 quintile from third to fifth grades; 90% stayed within this range from third to eighth grades. Conclusions. There were small but noticeable gender and ethnic differences: tracking was stronger among boys and African American students. These results demonstrate that the children's relative level of cardiovascular risk remained stable over a 6-year period.
Large strain analysis of an incompressible rubber cone contacting with a rigid conical socket

Based on an incompressible three-dimensional model, the contact of a rubber cone with a rigid conical socket is analyzed by using the asymptotic method. Two parameters t and Open image in new window are introduced to attain the conclusion. The radial and angular distributions of stress and strain are obtained. The result shows that the stress field near the apex of the rubber cone is singular and possesses the singularity of order ln r, which differs from results in many previous studies. The elastic fields of the incompressible material model are quite different from those of the compressible material model.
Families with Burn Injury: Application in the Clinically Relevant Continuum Model

This article incorporates the findings from a predominantly qualitative, mixed-method study examining sibling survivors' experiences of a major childhood burn injury into the clinically relevant continuum model as a means of promoting culturally competent and family-centered care. Language: en
Assessment of student preparedness for freshman engineering courses through assessment of math background

We present an initial investigation of the relationship between math preparedness and student status, and success in freshman electrical and computer engineering courses. We utilize prior math coursework GPA and ALEKS scores as measures of preparedness and find that, with some caveats, they work reasonably well as predictors of success. The majority of our students take freshman engineering courses after completing Calculus 1 or higher. This runs counter to our efforts to engage students in engineering courses first. Students who graduated from high school with some college credit and transfer students with 45–89 transfer credits are susceptible to low grades and high withdrawal rates.
Qualitative simulation of chemical process systems: Steady‐state analysis

Dans une analyse qualitative le mauvais fonctionnement et l'effet des erreurs se propagent par causalite d'une variable a l'autre, en satisfaisant finalement les contraintes du procede en regime permanent. Les contraintes des series d'equations algebriques, sont representees par des equations de confluence stationnaires. La causalite est representee par le graphe oriente signe etendu (Extended Signed Directed Graph: ESDG)
Cardiorespiratory Interactions in Neural Circulatory Control in Humans

: The reflex mechanisms and interactions described in this overview provide some explanation for the range of neural circulatory responses evident during changes in breathing. The effects described represent the integrated responses to activation of several reflex mechanisms, including peripheral and central chemoreflexes, arterial baroreflexes, pulmonary stretch receptors, and ventricular mechanoreceptors. These interactions occur on a dynamic basis and the transfer characteristics of any single interaction are, in all likelihood, also highly dynamic. Nevertheless, it is only by attempting to understand individual reflexes and their modulating influences that a more thorough understanding of the responses to complex phenomena such as hyperventilation, apnea, and obstructive sleep apnea can be better understood.
Discrimination of song types and variants in song sparrows

Male song sparrows,Melospiza melodia, sing highly variable songs. Traditionally, researchers have partitioned this variability by assigning songs to discrete categories termed ‘song types’, but researchers also have recognized that songs classified as the same song type are themselves variable. Territorial playbacks were used in a habituation/recovery design to investigate whether song sparrows perceive songs classified as separate song types to be more distinct from one another than songs classified as variants of the same song type. Cluster analysis was used to classify playback songs as song types or variants. Playbacks consisted of focal songs repeated for 1 h, followed by a switch to 6 min of either (1) a second variant of the focal song type from the same source male or (2) a second song type of the same source male. Twelve sets of playback tapes were used in a total of 96 trials. Subjects showed habituation in the response measure (distance to the speaker) during playback of the focal songs. Response recovered for between-song type switches, with mean distance to the speaker decreasing significantly between the last 3 min pre-switch and the first 3 min post-switch, and between the last 6 min pre-switch and the 6 min post-switch. For within-type switches, recovery was significant when comparing only the last and first 3 min. Recovery was significantly greater for between-type switches than for within-type switches on both measures. These results suggest that in the perception of male song sparrows, different song types are more distinct than are different variants of a single type.
Molecular progress in infertility: polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract Objective: To review the evidence that polycystic ovary syndrome is a genetic disease. Design: Review of published literature. Results: The existing literature provides a strong basis for arguing that PCOS clusters in families. However, the mode of inheritance of the disorder is still uncertain, although the majority of studies are consistent with an autosomal dominant pattern, modified perhaps by environmental factors. In addition, studies on PCOS cells (theca, muscle, and adipocytes) in culture have documented a persistent biochemical and molecular phenotype that distinguishes them from normal cells. Although several loci have been proposed as PCOS genes including CYP11A , the insulin gene, and a region near the insulin receptor, the evidence supporting linkage is not overwhelming. The strongest case can be made for the region near the insulin receptor gene, as it has been identified in two separate studies. However, the responsible gene at chromosome 19p13.3 remains to be identified. Association studies have provided a number of potential loci with genetic variants that may create or add to a PCOS phenotype, including Calpain 10 , IRS-1 and −2 , and SHBG . Conclusions: Collectively, these findings are consistent with the concept that a gene or several genes are linked to PCOS susceptibility. Because the mutations/genotypes associated with PCOS are rare, and their full impact on the phenotype incompletely understood, routine screening of women with PCOS or stigmata of PCOS for these genetic variants is not indicated at this time. Currently the treatment implications for individually identified genetic variants is uncertain and must be addressed on a case by case basis.
Optimization of a high density gallium nitride based non-isolated point of load module

The demand for future power supplies to achieve higher output currents, smaller size, and higher efficiency cannot be achieved with conventional technologies. There are limitations in the packaging parasitics, thermal management, and layout parasitics that must be addressed to push for higher frequencies and improved power density. To address these limitations, the use of integrated 3D point of load (POL) converters utilizing GaN transistors, low profile magnetic substrates, and ceramic substrates with high thermal conductivity will be considered. This paper will discuss the effect of parasitics on the performance of high frequency GaN POLs, methods to improve the circuit layout of a highly integrated 3D integrated POL module, and the thermal design of a high density module using advanced substrates. The final demonstration is a 900W/in3 12V 2MHz Alumina DBC GaN converter which offers unmatched power density compared to state of the art industry products and research.
Sex differences in pattern of drinking

Abstract Drinking patterns of male and female Long-Evans rats were compared during a 15-day drinking period. All animals were tested for preference for alcohol for 24 h during which food, water, and beer containing 5% ethanol were freely available. Animals drinking 50 ml or more of beer were chosen for the experiments. On days 1–5, animals were offered food, water, and beer containing 5% ethanol (v/v). On days 6–15, the concentration of ethanol in the beer was doubled to 10% (v/v). Preference ratios (beer/total fluid) were higher for females than males, and females consumed more grams of alcohol per unit of body weight. When alcohol concentration was doubled, females increased alcohol intake (g/kg), while males tended to titrate alcohol intake to levels consumed at 5% concentration. Female patterns of drinking differed from male patterns of drinking.
Ninety-day toxicity study of alpha-iso-methylionone in rats.

Alpha-iso-methylionone (AIM), a fragrance ingredient, was evaluated for systemic toxicity in rats. Male and female Sprague Dawley rats were administered 0, 5, 30, or 500 mg/kg/d AIM via gavage for ...
The treatment of patients with chronic mucocutaneous candidosis and Candida onychomycosis with ketoconazole

Summary Twenty patients with chronic mucocutaneous candidosis (CMCC) and eleven patients with Candida onychomycosis (CO) were treated with oral ketoconazole. Twenty-seven patients completed therapy after a mean treatment duration of 7-6 months and were both clinically and mycologically free from infection. Clinical and mycological relapse was seen in five CMCC and one CO patient during follow up post treatment (8-4 months mean). All the patients with CMCC who relapsed after ketoconazole presented with recurrent oral candidosis. During treatment, side effects such as nausea, headache and dizziness were seen in seven patients. The mean blood level of the drug i h after 200 mg of ketoconazole was 2–2 mg/1, although some patients showed persistently low levels, below 0-4 mg/1. The use of ketoconazole is a significant advance in the management of chronic Candida infections of the nails. The relapse rate is low and there is a prompt response to retreatment.
Quantification of articular cartilage in the knee with three-dimensional MR imaging

Rationale and Objectives. To determine the volume of articular cartilage in cadavers, patients, and healthy volunteers by using a volumetric, fat-suppressed spoiled gradient-recalled signal acquisition in the steady state (SPGR) magnetic resonance (MR) sequence. Methods. Sagittal MR images were obtained with a fat-suppressed SPGR sequence (repetition time, 52 msec; echo time, 10 msec; 60° flip angle; 3.0–3.5-mm partitions, 256 × 192 matrix, two signals acquired). The cartilaginous surfaces of the tibia, femur, and patella were planimetrically defined with a three-dimensional workstation. A three-dimensional model volume was created by threshold segmenting the cartilage from the adjacent tissues. The volume as calculated by using MR imaging was compared with the actual volume of the cartilage specimens. Results. Observed measurements correlated with actual weight and volume displacement measurements with an accuracy of 82%–99% and linear correlation coefficients of 0.99 ( P = 2.5 e−15 ) and 0.99 ( P = 4.4 e−15 ). Precision of segmentation in healthy volunteers yielded a coefficient of variation of 0.4% for interobserver variability and 0.3% for intraobserver variability. Conclusion. This pilot study suggests that accurate volumetric calculations of knee articular cartilage are possible with currently available MR imaging pulse sequences and a commercially available work station.
Relationship between mechanical and electrical properties in solarex semicrystalline silicon

Abstract Four-point bending mechanical tests at 1100°C were performed on four different types of semicrystalline silicon: Solarex silicon grown by their standard growth method and by two different modifications to this method, and Wacker silicon. The bending tests showed that materials that produced inferior solar cells required roughly two times the applied stresses to initiate plastic deformation. These flow stresses reflect the deformation history of the material rather than the chemical make-up since the flow stresses are higher in samples without hardening agents. Room temperature, Vickers indentation hardness measurements correlate with the four-point bending results. The electrical properties of the as-grown materials were examined by both conventional low accelerating voltage electron-beam induced current (LAV-EBIC) and by EBIC using high accelerating voltages (HAV-EBIC). Solar cell efficiencies correlate better with currents measured by HAV-EBIC, which are representative of the bulk material behavior, than with LAV-EBIC, which primarily probes the junction depletion layer. These materials represent one of the few examples where there is a clear-cut relationship between the material microstructure and the electrical properties. Consequently, it may be possible to assess the quality of solar cell silicon directly from hardness measurements. Such a test might prove useful for in-line assessment of material quality and processing, resulting in more efficient and cost effective silicon solar cell production.
The importance of economic injury levels in the development of integrated pest control programs

Although economic injury levels have long been considered of importance in determining the needs for pest control measures, they take on added significance in integrated pest control programs. The designation of damage tolerance levels defines the goals of the integrated control effort. These management goals should be defined in terms of damage not numbers of pests. Although insect numbers and damage incidence are related they are not perfectly correlated and the relationship varies with changes in the ecological and economic environment. Many plants have the ability to tolerate or compensate for large amounts of injury without affecting yield or quality. Other plants have a limited capacity to produce a marketable crop; pest injury which does not reduce the capacity of the plant is not damage. These characteristics of plants, among others, and the limitations of artificial control measures permit the maintenance of subeconomic levels of pests in agricultural crop areas. These subeconomic pest populations foster an entomophagous fauna. It is very difficult to calculate precise cost/potential benefit ratios because of subtile long-term effects of artificial controls and the vagaries of estimates of potential economic value of the harvested crop.
Numerical Simulation of Flows in Cut-Throat Flumes

A numerical simulation is presented to obtain the flow characteristics of cut-throat flumes in rectangular open channels. Cut-throat flumes with a horizontal floor are used as simple devices for flow measurement in open channels. Since the flow in the throat section is highly three dimensional and curvilinear, the three-dimensional turbulence Reynolds stress model was applied in the present study to obtain the flow parameters such as the water surface profiles, the pressure distributions, and the mean velocity distributions. The volume of fluid scheme was used to determine the shape of the free surface by computing the fraction of each near-interface cell of a fixed grid that is partially filled with water. The previously published experimental data as well as data based on a new test related to cut-throat flumes were used to validate the simulation results.
Adaptive pre-OCR cleanup of grayscale document images

This paper describes new capabilities of ImageRefiner, an automatic image enhancement system based on machine learning (ML). ImageRefiner was initially designed as a pre-OCR cleanup filter for bitonal (black-and-white) document images. Using a single neural network, ImageRefiner learned which image enhancement transformations (filters) were best suited for a given document image and a given OCR engine, based on various image measurements (characteristics). The new release improves ImageRefiner in three major ways. First, to process grayscale document images, we have included three grayscale filters based on smart thresholding and noise filtering, as well as five image characteristics that are all byproducts of various thresholding techniques. Second, we have implemented additional ML algorithms, including a neural network ensemble and several "all-pairs" classifiers. Third, we have introduced a measure that evaluates overall performance of the system in terms of cumulative improvement of OCR accuracy. Our experiments indicate that OCR accuracy on enhanced grayscale images is higher than that of both the original grayscale images and the corresponding bitonal images obtained by scanning the same documents. We have noticed that the system's performance may suffer when document characteristics are correlated.
Discourse model for collaborative design

Abstract A Discourse Model, including a structure and a process, is developed that provides software support for collaborative engineering design. The model shares characteristics of other design systems in the literature, including frames, constraints, semantic networks, and libraries of sharable design objects. It contributes a new model for conflict-aware agents, dynamic identification and dissemination of agent interest sets, a virtual workspace language, automatic detection of conflict, and a unique protocol for negotiation that ensures that interested agents have an opportunity to participate. The model is implementation independent and applicable to many research and commercial design environments currently available. An example scenario is provided in the architecture/engineering/construction domain that illustrates collaboration during the conceptual design of a fire station.
Security for the members of defined benefit pension schemes1

This paper considers how members of defined benefit occupational pension schemes can be provided with security in the event of the sponsoring employer's bankruptcy. It considers the various forms of regulation in place in the EU and the USA and discusses their motivation and effectiveness. In particular, it considers how insolvency insurance contributes to member security.
Advanced water-vapor lidar detection system for aircraft and space deployment

An advanced compact differential absorption lidar detection system for atmospheric water vapor measurement is reported. This system interfaces the lidar receiver telescope to a personal computer and contains an advanced avalanche photodiode detector, signal conditioning circuit, 14-bit, 10 MHz digitizer and a microcontroller. The whole system was realized on one electronic card. Characterization results indicate low noise with reduced size, reduced mass and an extended measurement range over current lidar detection systems. The new system can be incorporated in spacecraft lidar systems. Simulated lidar return measurements were performed with the new system in order to obtain its minimum detectable signal limits.
Transient Tensile Facet Capsular Ligament Loading Above the Mechanical Threshold to Induce Pain Also Regulates Spinal Neuronal Hyperexcitability

Traumatic neck injuries are a primary cause of chronic pain, with the cervical facet joint and its capsule being a common source of the pain. During these injuries, the facet capsular ligament undergoes excessive stretching that can initiate pain [1]. Behavioral sensitivity is produced as early as 1 day after facet capsule stretch, which suggests that the excitatory systems in the spinal cord are modulated by certain tissue loading conditions. In particular, the signaling protein PKCe has been implicated in glutamate release in inflammatory pain [2] and is increased in afferents after painful facet injury [3]. Also, neuronal hyperexcitability has been detected after painful, but not nonpainful, facet joint distraction [4]. Despite the involvement of spinal neuronal activation in pain, the time course of its development and its relationship to painful mechanical facet joint injury is unknown.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Dilute polystyrene solutions in extensional flows: Birefringence and flow modification

Abstract The coil—stretch transition in dilute polymer solutions has been studied using four- and two-roll mills to generate two-dimensional extensional flows. Flow birefringence measurements give the polymer conformation in the flow, while velocity gradient measurements using homodyne light scattering reveal the effects of the polymer on the flow field. When the polymers become sufficiently extended there is a distinct onset of measurable decreases in the velocity gradients. A necessary condition for this occur is a very high level of domain overlap between the extended molecules. If we estimate this by the volume concentration of circumscribed spheres, φeff (i.e., the sphere diameter equals the extended length of the polymer), the onset of an effect of polymer on the flow does not occur until φeff ≈ 4000–6000. Nevertheless, our measurements show that dilute polymer solutions do inhibit the development of large strain rates in regions of persistent extensional flow. The present flow birefringence measurements also extend previous studies to a wider range of flow types, thus providing new information that can be used in the evaluation of molecular models for polymer flow dynamics. In the present paper, we compare experimental data with predictions from the elastic dumbbell model with various combinations of a nonlinear spring, conformation-dependent anisotropic friction (including strain-inefficient rotation), and internal viscosity.
An analysis of the feasibility for increasing woody biomass production from pine plantations in the southern United States

In the near future, wood from the 130 000 km2 of pine plantations in the southern United States could provide much of the feedstock for emerging bioenergy industries. Research and operational experience show that total plantation biomass productivity exceeding 22.4 Mg ha−1 y−1 green weight basis with rotations less than 25 years are biologically possible, financially attractive, and environmentally sustainable. These gains become possible when intensively managed forest plantations are treated as agro-ecosystems where both the crop trees and the soil are managed to optimize productivity and value. Intensive management of southern US pine plantations could significantly increase the amount of biomass available to supply bioenergy firms. Results from growth and yield simulations using models and a financial analysis suggest that if the 130 000 km2 of cutover pine plantations and an additional 20 000 km2 of planted idle farmland are intensively managed in the most profitable regimes, up to 77.5 Tg green weight basis of woody biomass could be produced annually. However, questions exist about the extent to which intensive management for biomass production can improve financial returns to owners and whether they would adopt these systems. The financial analysis suggests providing biomass for energy from pine plantations on cutover sites is most profitable when intensive management is used to produce a mixture of traditional forest products and biomass for energy. Returns from dedicated biomass plantations on cutover sites and idle farmland will be lower than integrated product plantations unless prices for biomass increase or subsidies are available.
Depletion of glutathione interferes with induction of glycerolphosphate dehydrogenase in the brains of young rats

In the rat brain hydrocortisone induces the enzyme, glycerolphosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH), during the first postnatal week. The present studies focused on a hypothetical role for glutathione-S-transferase (GST) in that phenomenon. Two forms of GST, Yb and Yp, had been detected in glial cells in mature rat brains, and it was suggested that they might function in hormone transport. Now GSTs have also been observed in the brains of 1-day-old rats. Two glutathione-depleting agents, buthionine sulfoximine and cyclohexene-1-one, were administered to rats, along with hydrocortisone, during the first postnatal week. Hydrocortisone or a depleting agent alone was administered to control animals. During the early days of the experiment there were lower GPDH specific activities in brains from the animals given hydrocortisone plus a depleting agent than in those from animals given hydrocortisone alone. Depleting agents alone did not affect the specific activities of GPDH. It is suggested that one function of the GST in rat brain is transport of hydrocortisone between or within glial cells.
Alleviating Head and Neck Pain

Pain in patients who have cancer can be caused by direct effects of the tumor or by complications of treatment, or it can be unrelated to the disease or its treatment. This article discusses interventional pain procedures in the treatment of head and neck pain as they relate to malignancies and cervicogenic headache and neck pain.
Effect of diffusionally accommodated interfacial sliding on the stress and deformation in copper/polyimide high density interconnects

Abstract The deformation and thermal stresses that develop in copper/polyimide high density interconnects subjected to thermal loading are investigated numerically. The finite element method is used to analyze the response of a single layer test structure composed of a thin film mounted on top of a silicon substrate. The film is made up of parallel copper lines surrounded by tantalum diffusion barriers and a polyimide dielectric. The structure is assumed to be stress free at an elevated temperature, and is then cooled at various rates. Based on the experimental observations by Zhmurkin et al. (Zhmurkin, D.V., Gross, T.S., BuchWalter L.P., Kaufman, F.B., 1996. J. Electronic Materials, 25, 976), we allow for diffusionally accommodated sliding at the copper/tantalum interfaces by assuming a linear relationship between the shear traction and the conjugate sliding rate. In the paper, the effects of interfacial roughness, cooling rate and tantalum liner thickness on the stress and deformation of a two-dimensional representative cell are investigated and the results are discussed.
Histopathology, ultrastructure, and clinical phenotypes in thin glomerular basement membrane disease variants

Recent genetic studies indicate that Alport syndrome and thin glomerular basement membrane disease (TMD) may both be due to COL4A3, COL4A4, and COL4A5 mutations, but there is continuing uncertainty concerning the diagnosis and management of patients without classic family history and symptoms. We examined kidney pathology and collagen alpha 3 to alpha 5(IV) expression in a series of 16 patients who presented with overlapping signs between TMD and Alport nephritis. All patients presented with hematuria, and 11 also had proteinuria, of whom 5 had nephrotic range proteinuria. Only 9 had family history of hematuria. In 9 of 16 (60%) we found premature glomerulosclerosis in the renal biopsies. Three of 16 had predominantly wide, lamellated glomerullar basement membranes (GBM), and in these, alpha 3 to alpha 5(IV) was absent in glomeruli or skin, diagnostic of Alport nephritis. One patient (12) had a very wide GBM with intramembranous lucencies but no lamellation. Skin biopsy was collagen alpha 5(IV) positive. Nine of 16 patients had predominantly thin GBM by electron microscopy, and 3 had thin and slightly lamellated GBM. Collagen alpha 3 to alpha 5(IV) expression in the kidney or skin biopsy was present in all of the latter 12 patients. Three patients had end-stage renal disease, 7 patients had hypertension, and 1 patient had chronic renal failure. We found that of the 16 patients with presumed TMD, 3 had X-linked Alport nephritis, 2 appeared to have autosomal recessive Alport nephritis, and the remaining patients had either an Alport or a TMD variant. The latter had histologic and/or clinical evidence of progressive renal disease, including premature glomerulosclerosis, hypertension, sustained proteinuria, and either thin or slight GBM lamellation focally, and preserved alpha 3 to alpha 5(IV) expression. These patients have a TMD variant, but an Alport variant with a potentially transmissible severe defect different from benign hematuria cannot be excluded.
Division algorithms and implementations

Many algorithms have been developed for implementing division in hardware. These algorithms differ in many aspects, including quotient convergence rate, fundamental hardware primitives, and mathematical formulations. The paper presents a taxonomy of division algorithms which classifies the algorithms based upon their hardware implementations and impact on system design. Division algorithms can be divided into five classes: digit recurrence, functional iteration, very high radix, table look-up, and variable latency. Many practical division algorithms are hybrids of several of these classes. These algorithms are explained and compared. It is found that, for low-cost implementations where chip area must be minimized, digit recurrence algorithms are suitable. An implementation of division by functional iteration can provide the lowest latency for typical multiplier latencies. Variable latency algorithms show promise for simultaneously minimizing average latency while also minimizing area.