cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stress resistant scheduling algorithms for CIOQ switches

Practical crossbar scheduling algorithms for CIOQ switches such as PIM and i-SLIP, can perform poorly under extreme traffic conditions, frequently failing to be work-conserving. The common practice of evaluating crossbar scheduling algorithms according to the packet delay under random admissible traffic tends to obscure significant differences that affect the robustness of different algorithms when exposed to extreme conditions. On the other hand, algorithms such as LOOFA with provably good worst-case performance, don't lend themselves readily to high performance implementation. We advocate evaluating crossbar scheduling algorithms using targeted stress tests which seek to probe the performance boundaries of competing alternatives. Appropriately designed stress tests can reveal key-differences among algorithms and can provide the insight needed to spur the development of better solutions. In this paper, we introduce the use of stress testing for crossbar scheduling and use it to evaluate the performance of PIM, i-SLIP and LOOFA. Our results show that PlM and i-SLIP need large speedups in order to perform well on stress tests, while LOOFA can deliver excellent performance, even for speedups less than 1.5. We then develop improved versions of PIM and i-SLIP, which take output queue lengths into account, making them much more robust. We also develop an algorithm which closely approximates the behavior (and performance) of LOOFA, but which admits a straightforward, high performance hardware implementation.
Notch ligand Delta-like 4 regulates disease pathogenesis during respiratory viral infections by modulating Th2 cytokines

Recent data have indicated that an important instructive class of signals regulating the immune response is Notch ligand-mediated activation. Using quantitative polymerase chain reaction, we observed that only Delta-like 4 (dll4) was up-regulated on bone marrow-derived dendritic cells after respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection, and that it was dependent on MyD88-mediated pathways. Using a polyclonal antibody specific for dll4, the development of RSV-induced disease was examined. Animals treated with anti-dll4 had substantially increased airway hyperresponsiveness compared with control antibody-treated animals. When the lymphocytic lung infiltrate was examined, a significant increase in total CD4+ T cells and activated (perforin+) CD8+ T cells was observed. Isolated lung CD4+ T cells demonstrated significant increases in Th2-type cytokines and a decrease in interferon gamma, demonstrating an association with increased disease pathogenesis. Parallel in vitro studies examining the integrated role of dll4 with interleukin-12 demonstrated that, together, both of these instructive signals direct the immune response toward a more competent, less pathogenic antiviral response. These data demonstrate that dll4-mediated Notch activation is one regulator of antiviral immunity.
Managing and resolving conflict in the supervisory system

The purpose of this article is to offer a brief review of relevant literature on conflict in the therapist-supervisor system. The authors discuss factors that contribute to conflict and the principal areas of disagreement in the supervisory system. Additionally, the authors present several ideas regarding what a supervisor can do proactively to prevent conflict within supervision. Finally, various ways to address and resolve supervisor-trainee conflict, including terminating the supervisory relationship, are discussed.
Phylogeny of Libellula Linnaeus (Odonata: Insecta)

Phylogenetic analysis was performed on a set of 242 morphological characters. The taxon sample included 31 Libellula, and representative species from selected libeluline tribes, from all libellulid subfamilies, from all libelluloid families, from all anisopteran superfamilies, and Epiophlebia. Corduliinae was shown to be paraphyletic even among genera characterized by a well developed anal loop bisector. Sympetrini was found to be polyphyletic with Crocothemis the sister group to Libellulini. The traditional placement of Trameini, far from Libellulini is in doubt, because it is here placed as the sister group to Crocothemis + Libellulini. Kennedy’s phylogeny of Libellula was largely corroborated, with the following exceptions: the subgenera Libellula, Eolibellula, and Syntetrum form a monophyletic group which is the sister group to a clade including Belonia, Holotania, Neotetrum, and Eotainia subgenus nov. [type species Mesothemis composita Hagen]; and Eurothemis is determined to be the sister group of Ladona instead of Neotetrum. In addition we confirm Belonia to be monophyletic, and find Platetrum + Plathemis to form a monophyletic group, sister to Ladona + Eurothemis; these four subgenera together form the sister group to Libellula sensu stricto (s.s.).
Theory, Operationalization, Identification, and the Interpretation of Different Differences in Time Series Models

The principals in this exchange, David Cantor, David Greenberg, and Kenneth Land, have each contributed outstanding methodological and substantive scholarship to criminology and to the social sciences more generally. In exchanges such as this we are engaged in a collective process of refining and advancing our knowledge in the areas of both criminology and statistical methods. The issues raised by Greenberg provide an opportunity to reflect on time series modeling and to revisit some issues concerning operationalization and model specification. I do not expect any of us to agree fully on these issues, but we may be able to shed some light on these issues, and collectively this may help the larger community of criminologists and social scientists.
NARS: The Politics of Placement

This morning I would like to share some thoughts with you about the placement of the national archival function within the federal government. As many of you know, I was with the National Archives from 1941 until my retirement nine months ago, with the exception of my World War II military duty. During most of those years, I served as the administrative link between archivists and the staff and management offices of the parent agency, the General Services Administration. I came to know as well as anyone the successes and failures of the relationship between NARS and GSA. Since my retirement, I have had time to reflect on that relationship and to gather my thoughts together. I trust that you will forgive my lapses into the pronoun we; although retired, I still feel the associational pull of NARS.
Bats and Gaps: The Role of Early Successional Patches in the Roosting and Foraging Ecology of Bats

Early successional habitats are important foraging and commuting sites for the 14 species of bats that inhabit the Central Hardwood Region, especially larger open-adapted species such as hoary bats (Lasiurus cinereus), red bats (L. borealis), silver-haired bats (Lasionycteris noctivagans), and big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus). Forest gaps, small openings, and the edges between early successional patches and mature forest are especially important habitats because they are used by both open-adapted and clutter-adapted species. Several bat species select roosts in close proximity to early successional patches, perhaps to minimize foraging and commuting costs. Future research on effects of early successional patch size, shape, vegetation structure, and connectivity on bat use, and the distribution of early successional habitats in relation to mature forest, roosting sites, and water sources will assist managers in providing the optimal types and distribution of early successional patches on the landscape.
On the Mechanical Response of Polymer Fiber Composites Reinforced with Nanoparticles

An experimental study was conducted on the effect of interply nanofiller on the mechanical response of fiber reinforced composite (FRC). Laminate samples were made by hot pressing of woven carbon fiber fabric prepregs. Two batches of samples are prepared, one using five plies of the basic prepreg, the other with silica nanofillers added between the plies during lay-up. Tensile specimen were cut from the laminate under 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 degrees of fiber orientation are prepared from the laminate. DIC based tensile test is made and the effect of the nano fillers on the mechanical properties are analyzed. Appreciable improvement in strength and Modulus of Elasticity is obtained for fiber orientation of 75° and 60° and reversed response is observed for the fiber angle of 30° and 15°
Leukemia inhibitory factor/human interleukin for DA cells: a growth factor that stimulates the in vitro development of multipotential human hematopoietic progenitors.

We investigated the in vitro hematopoietic stimulatory activity of leukemia inhibitory factor/human interleukin for DA cells (LIF/HILDA) on bone marrow progenitor populations in 17 normal individuals. In serum-free cultures LIF/HILDA did not induce colony growth. In serum containing media, LIF/HILDA stimulated the growth of colony forming unit (CFU)-MIX and CFU-EO in a dose-dependent fashion and resulted in an increased CFU-MIX and burst forming unit-erythrocytes (BFU-E) colony size. Similar stimulatory effects were seen on a highly purified hematopoietic progenitor population obtained after immunomagnetic depletion of mature myeloid precursors and lymphoid cells. Addition of LIF/HILDA to cultures containing maximally stimulatory concentrations of recombinant human interleukin-3 (rhuIL3), rhuIL3 + rhuIL6, or rhu granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhu GM-CSF) in serum containing media significantly increased the number of CFU-MIX and eosinophil colonies and increased size and cluster number of CFU-MIX and BFU-E. Depletion of accessory T lymphocytes or monocytes from bone marrow progenitors did not alter the response of hematopoietic precursors to LIF/HILDA. A similar increased colony growth was seen when LIF/HILDA was added to cultures of positively selected CD34/HLA- DR+ or CD34+/HLA-DR- bone marrow hematopoietic progenitor cells stimulated with maximally stimulatory concentrations of rhuIL3 + rhuIL6. LIF/HILDA is a novel cytokine capable of stimulating growth and proliferation of multi-lineage, erythroid, and eosinophil colonies in the presence of serum. LIF/HILDA exerts its activity by direct interaction with highly purified immature bone marrow progenitor cells, has an additive effect when used with other cytokines known to stimulate primitive hematopoietic precursors, and does not require accessory cells.
Localized Ensemble-Based Tangent Linear Models and Their Use in Propagating Hybrid Error Covariance Models

AbstractHybrid error covariance models that blend climatological estimates of forecast error covariances with ensemble-based, flow-dependent forecast error covariances have led to significant reductions in forecast error when employed in 4DVAR data assimilation schemes. Tangent linear models (TLMs) designed to predict the differences between perturbed and unperturbed simulations of the weather forecast are a key component of such 4DVAR schemes. However, many forecasting centers have found that TLMs and their adjoints do not scale well computationally and are difficult to create and maintain—particularly for coupled ocean–wave–ice–atmosphere models. In this paper, the authors create ensemble-based TLMs (ETLMs) and test their ability to propagate both climatological and flow-dependent parts of hybrid error covariance models. These tests demonstrate that rank deficiency limits the utility of unlocalized ETLMs. High-rank, time-evolving, flow-adaptive localization functions are constructed and tested using rec...
An Assessment of the Negative and Positive Aspects of Stereotypes and the Derogatory and Nonderogatory Uses of Slurs

In a recent study on indirect reports published in Journal of Pragmatics, Capone (2010) points out how several leading pragmatic theorists have recently argued that utterance interpretation incorporates societal information such that the final result of semantic and pragmatic interpretation takes sociocultural defaults into account (e.g., Jaszczolt, 2005a). Croom (2013) for one has pointed out how different in-group and out-group speakers have in fact used slurs in different ways, and further suggests that several salient cultural markers can aid in the interpretation of whether a slur is being used derogatorily or nonderogatorily in a given context (p. 200). Thus, for pragmatic theorists concerned with the semantics and pragmatics of slurs more specifically, several highly important yet currently unexplored questions include the following: Are racial slurs always used to express offense, and are racial stereotypes always concerned with negative characteristics? How might the stereotypical features of members that a slur typically targets influence the meaning that slur communicates in context, and how might racial slurs and stereotypes differentially affect members of different races? Concerned with such questions, Embrick and Henricks (2013) recently argued that racial slurs and stereotypes function as symbolic resources that exclude nonwhite or non-European American minorities, but not whites or European Americans, from opportunities or resources, and so are necessarily negative or derogatory irrespective of the particular context of their use (pp. 197–202). They accordingly advocate an account of racial slurs and stereotypes that is consonant with the context-insensitive accounts of Fitten (1993) and Hedger (2013), yet dissonant with the context-sensitive accounts of Kennedy (2002) and Croom (2011). The purpose of this chapter is to first briefly explicate the context-insensitive and context-sensitive accounts of racial slurs and stereotypes, consider reasons for why issues concerning the semantics and pragmatics of slurs have often appealed to stereotypes and stereotypical features, and then critically evaluate the main claims that Embrick and Henricks (2013) recently proposed in support of their context-insensitive account by drawing upon empirical evidence on (in-group and out-group uses of) racial slurs and stereotypes (for European Americans and ­African Americans) from recent research in linguistics, sociology, and psychology. The chapter concludes by discussing implications of the present findings for future work in pragmatics on racial slurs and stereotypes.
Dissecting the inflammatory twitch in allergically inflamed mice.

We have previously advanced the hypothesis that the allergic inflammatory response in the lungs occurs as a self-limited sequence of events that begins with the onset of inflammation and then resol...
Capability of Field Instrumentation to Measure Radionuclide Limits

The guidelines given in this paper are only tentative and not official (except in a few cases). The guidelines are believed to be conservative, and instrument systems capable of handling these guidelines should more than meet most future environmental control practices. The criteria (or guidelines) are based on observations, reports, memoranda, and direct communication with personnel throughout the nuclear industry. The general consensus is that, logically, criteria should vary from site to site. The tables are but a start in this relatively new field of in situ and sa-de instrumentation. Much work needs to be done to firm up criteria and existing in situ and sa-de instrumentation, and to develop new systems. Instruments as discussed in the preceding pages are a necessity for characterizing wastes, noting their possible migration over time and surveillance over the years.
Trajectory Estimation of Bat Flight Using a Multi-View Camera System

The high maneuverability and stability of biological fliers has re-ignited research in flapping wing flight mechanics in the last 10 years. Research to date has studied the kinematics, dynamics, and aerodynamics of bats to determine how they maneuver. This research requires motion capture studies of a specimen in flight to determine wing and body motion. A key difficulty in using motion capture techniques is frequent point occlusion which is caused by the highly articulated nature of bat wings during flight. In this paper we present extended and unscented Kalman filter algorithms that are derived for multi-view motion capture experiments with highly redundant camera configurations. Two experimental data sets are studied in this paper. The first contains bat ear motion capture data obtained using two low-distortion cameras; this data is used to validate the Kalman filter algorithms. The second set includes bat flight data which uses 5 high-distortion cameras that are employed to estimate inertial trajectory reconstruction.
Hematologic observations on the yak.

SummaryThe yak has two hemoglobins sharing a common globin chain. Hb slow appears unique to the yak among the ruminants studied. It is not known if Hb slow is important in high altitude adaptation, but physiologic rather than hematologic adjustments may be more important after acute blood loss, as 2,3-DPG remains nil and no disproportionate hemoglobin production occurs.The authors thank Dr. B. R. Baidya, Director General, and Dr. N. K. Shah, Chief Epidemiologist, His Majesty's Government Directorate of Health Services, Nepal, for their approval and assistance in carrying out this study, and Drs. C. R. Valeri and C. G. Zaroulis of the U.S. Naval Blood Research Laboratory, Chelsea, MA, for the 2,3-DPG, ATP and lactate levels. Supported by PHS Grant No. 5 R07 AI 10048-13.
Performance Analysis of LCMV Wideband Beamforming With Sensor Delay Lines in Subbands

Subband sensor delay lines(SDL)performance based on linearly constrained minimum variance(LCMV)adaptive wideband beamforming algorithm is analyzed.The output signal-to-interference-plusnoise ratio(SINR)of subband LCMV algorithm is derived.The performance of fullband LCMV beamforming and subband LCMV beamforming is compared,including array response and output SINR with different number of elements,input signal-to-noise ratio(SNR),and element spacing.Output SINR performance of subband LCMV beamforming with different parameters of subband filter banks is also analyzed.Simulation results verify that the subband LCMV algorithm improves its performace and reduces the element need at no cost of performance.
A Microfluidic Sedimentation Particulate Capture Device with Internal Degassing Membranes

A prototype design for a microfluidic sample preconditioning module is presented that is capable of removing sedimenting particles from the product stream of an air sampler. This device is the first stage of a multi-stage sample preconditioning system intended for the isolation and preconcentration of chemical and biological warfare agents. The prototype device was fabricated using a laminate-based construction technique in which fluidic features are cut using a CO2 laser machining system. Continuous high specificity capture of 4 microspheres (simulating airborne particles of no interest) while passing 3μm blue polystyrene microspheres (simulating a warfare agent bacterium) downstream at a flow rate of 100μL/min was demonstrated.
The Redox Reaction Between Cytochrome b H and the Semiquinone-Quinol Couple of Q c is Electrogenic in Ubiquinolcyt c 2 Oxidoreductase

The ubiquinol-cyt c 2 oxidoreductase of Rhodobacter sphaeroides acts in concert with the photosynthetic reaction center (RC) to complete cyclic electron transfer in the bacterial chromatophore membrane (for a review see 1,2). Electron transfer between the complexes is mediated by a mobile, membrane bound pool of quinone (Qpool) and cyt c 2 . The cyt bc 1 uses the free energy difference between its substrate quinol (QH2) and product, ferricytochrome c 2 (cyt c 2 ) to catalyze the formation of an electrochemical proton gradient (ΔμH+).
Development of a novel method for the determination of aqueous inorganic 129I speciation.

The objective of this research was to develop a method suitable for the determination of aqueous concentrations of radioactive iodine as I2, I–, and IO3–. As one of the primary risk-drivers and con...
Rural Schools and the “Best Citizens of the State”: The Struggle for Knowledge and Empowerment in the Aftermath of the Great Leap

Mao Zedong's Great Leap Forward was a threefold war on Chinese villagers: a war for their resources, their bodies, and their minds. To capture the minds of village people, the Communist Party attacked the values and personal identities of the rural schoolteachers who stood for pluralistic discourse and fought against the reach of the imperious central party-state. In Da Fo, local party leaders loyal to Mao attacked the very people who, in the Republican period, had championed the efforts of villagers to stand up against Kuomintang state corruption and repression. THE IMPACT OF THE GREAT LEAP FORWARD ON DA FO'S TEACHERS In the early 1950s, the Communist Party set out to improve rural education, and the county party leaders set up a Teacher's Training School in Dongle county. According to Zheng Bingzhang, a graduate who went on to teach in Zhaozhuang village, the school graduated only fifty teachers in the years 1951–1955, and most villages were without qualified teachers. The situation deteriorated after 1955, and the school system collapsed during the Great Leap Forward. The Communist Party victory spelled trouble for Da Fo's vibrant system of schooling. The trouble actually began as early as 1951, before the so-called honeymoon phase of party rule, when the imposition of Mao's tonggou tongxiao (unified state purchase and sale of grain) policy on the Dongle county countryside had a devastating impact on rural education in general and on Da Fo's private school in particular. Prior to 1949, Da Fo village's school had been supported by voluntary private grain contributions from its big landowners, artisans, and small farmers – particularly from members of the dominant Bao lineage. Its teachers had a good track record of sending graduates on to Shangcun high school and the Kuomintang-managed postsecondary colleges, including the Daming Seventh Normal College – the regional college of first choice for young aspirants to teaching careers and official positions in the Nationalist government in the early 1930s. Teacher salaries, often paid in kind, were critical to sustaining the competitive position of Da Fo's school, and they constituted the largest part of the school's operating cost.
Laryngeal ultrasound and pediatric vocal fold nodules

Objectives/Hypothesis The term vocal fold nodules refers to bilateral thickening of the membranous folds with minimal impairment of the vibratory properties of the mucosa. Nodules are thought to be related to repetitive mechanical stress, associated with voice use patterns. Diagnosis is typically made in the office via either rigid or flexible laryngeal stroboscopy. Depending on the individual child, obtaining an optimal view of the larynx can be difficult if not impossible. Recent advances in high-frequency ultrasonography allows for transcervical examination of laryngeal structures. The goal of this project was to determine if laryngeal ultrasound (LUS) can be used to identify vocal fold nodules in dysphonic children. Study Design Prospective case-control study in which the patient acted as his or her own control. Methods Forty-six pediatric patients were recruited for participation in this study; the mean age was 4.8 years. Twenty-three did not have any vocal fold lesions and 23 had a diagnosis of vocal fold nodules on laryngeal stroboscopy. Recorded LUSs were reviewed by two pediatric radiologists who were blinded to the nodule status. Results There was substantial inter-rater agreement (κ = 0.70, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.50-0.89) between the two radiologists regarding the presence of nodules. There was also substantial agreement (κ = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.72-1) between LUS and laryngeal stroboscopy. Sensitivity of LUS was 100% (95% CI: 85%-100%) and specificity was 87% (95% CI: 66%-97%). Conclusions LUS can be used to identify vocal fold nodules in children with substantial agreement with laryngeal stroboscopy. Level of Evidence 3b Laryngoscope, 2016
The Intramolecular Mannich and Related Reactions

Cyclization reactions of iminium ions, R12CNR2+, are a recurring theme in the assembly of cyclic nitrogenous compounds by both chemists and Nature.1 The electron-deficient iminium ion is the nitrogen analog of an α-alkoxycarbenium (oxonium) ion or activated carbonyl group and as such is a fundamental electrophilic component of CC bond formation. Although it is common practice in synthesis to modify the reactivity of simple iminium ions by introducing electron-withdrawing or electron-donating groups (Figure 1), only cyclization reactions of the parent species will be covered in this chapter. The important cyclization reactions of N-acyliminium ions are examined separately (see Volume 2, Chapter 4.5).
Enhanced short-channel effects in NMOSFETs due to boron redistribution induced by arsenic source and drain implant

The experimentally observed V/sub T/ roll-off and Drain Induced Barrier Lowering (DIBL) at channel lengths of approximately=0.2 mu m in Si-MOSFETs is underestimated by conventional 2D numerical simulations. In this paper it is shown that this is due to B segregation from the channel region towards the As-implanted source/drain regions during the As activation anneal. The resulting B depletion close to the source and drain lowers the local V/sub T/ and contributes significantly (up to 50% in 0.2 mu m n-channel MOSFETs) to the V/sub T/ roll-off and DIBL in sub-quarter micron NMOSFETs. This B redistribution originates mainly from ion implantation damage in the source and drain. >
Adolescent ELLs' collaborative writing practices in face-to-face and online contexts: From perceptions to action

Abstract This multiple case study explores adolescent ELLs' collaborative writing practices in face-to-face and online contexts from an ecological perspective, focusing on adolescent ELLs' perceptions of collaborative writing and their development of writing through collaboration. The findings reveal both benefits and challenges adolescent ELLs face during collaborative writing activities as well as their perceptions of teacher and student feedback both face-to-face and online. The study examines in detail how adolescent ELLs changed their writing in response to feedback from and collaboration with their peers. These findings contribute to research on and practice in adolescent L2 writing by showing the adolescent ELLs' literacy development through collaboration in face-to-face and online contexts.
Generation and Characterization of a Human iPSC Cardiomyocyte Model of Troponin T I79N Linked Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the functional consequences of a troponin T mutation (I79N) associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in cardiomyocytes derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC). Method and Results: We generated a TnT-I79N hiPSC HCM model by inserting the 236T>A mutation into the TNNT2 gene of one of the alleles of hiPSC derived from a healthy donor using CRISPR/Cas9. There was no off-target cleavage produced by CRISPR/Cas9. Nano-liquid chromatography mass spectrometry showed that 43% of TnT protein was mutant in cardiomyocytes (CM) derived from TnT-I79N hiPSCs. In 2D monolayers, the impedance amplitude (a measure of contractility) was increased and the Ca-contractility relationship leftward shifted in TnT-I79N hiPSC-CMs compared to isogenic control hiPSC-CM. Results were confirmed using single hiPSC-CM cultured on a matrigel matress: The TnT-I79N mutation altered cytosolic Ca buffering properties by lowering the apparent dissociation constant Kd (0.40±0.04 μM in TnT-I79N, n=12 vs. 0.72±0.10 μM in control, n=16, P<0.05) without changing the maximal binding capacity Bmax, indicating that TnT-I79N mutation enhanced the Ca-binding affinity of myofilaments. Likely as a result of the increased cytosolic Ca-binding affinity, I79N hiPSC-CM paced at 0.2 Hz exhibited significantly reduced intracellular Ca-transients (ΔF/Fratio 0.85±0.03 in I79N vs. 1.01±0.06 in control, P<0.05) and reduced caffeine transient (ΔF/Fratio 0.92±0.06 in I79N vs. 1.10±0.06 in control, P<0.05), whereas Ca-decay kinetics where unchanged. Despite the reduced Ca-transient amplitude, TnT-I79N mutation enhanced contractility but delayed the relaxation in single hiPSC-CMs, indicating an increased sensitivity to Ca. Conclusion: The I79N hiPSC-CM model reproduces key findings from I79N transgenic mice: increased myofilament Ca-sensitivity, enhances contractility, impaired relaxation and enhanced cytosolic Ca-binding affinity. Human iPSC-CM could be a promising tool to model HCM in vitro.
Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation after brown recluse envenomation.

Sir,A previously healthy nine-year-old boy with a body surface area 1.08 m2 presented with a one-day history of fever and diffuse maculopapular rash. Examination revealed an interactive, non-toxic,...
Thermochemie des Bessemerverfahrens

Die am meisten in die Augen fallende Eigentumlichkeit des Bessemerverfahrens ist die Erscheinung, das trotz der grosen Menge kaltor Luft, die durch das geschmolzene Roheisen geblasen wird, das Metall am Schlus der Operation heiser ist als am Anfang. Bei einigem Nachdenken wird uns der Vorgang jedoch schon weniger verwunderlich erscheinen. Denken wir uns namlich den Konverter ausschlieslich mit gluhendem Brennstoff gefullt und kalte Luft eingeblasen, dann ist ohne weiteres klar, das die Temperatur im Konverter eine hohere werden wurde. In der Tat ist der Vorgang in beiden Fallen ganz gleich. Bei dem Bessemerverfahren sind es gewisse Bestandteile des Roheisens, welche durch ihre Oxydation oder Verbrennung die ganze fur den Prozes erforderliche Warme liefern. 10 t Roheisen enthalten z. B. etwa 350 kg Kohlenstoff, die wahrend der Operation vollstandig verbrennen und ungefahr ebensoviel Warme wie 400 kg Koks entwickeln. Diese Warmemenge erscheint besonders gros, weil die Verbrennung auf den sehr kurzen Zeitraum von wenigen Minuten zusammengedrangt ist.
Electrically tunable polarisation-independent blue-phase liquid crystal binary phase grating via phase-separated composite films

ABSTRACTA simple method for fabricating polarisation-independent blue-phase liquid crystal phase grating is demonstrated by implementing photopolymerisation-induced phase separation through a binary photomask. The dynamic focusing property of the proposed liquid crystal grating is independent of the polarisation state of incident light. The efficiency of various diffraction orders for the phase grating was measured as a function of the applied voltage. Experimental results show that the maximum diffraction efficiency reaches 36% for the ±1 order, which approaches the theoretical limit ~41%. The measured rise time is 1.4 ms and fall time is 2.2 ms. Such a tunable grating has great potential for photonic applications.
Perineural invasion by prostate cancer on MR/US fusion targeted biopsy is associated with extraprostatic extension and early biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy

In recent years, multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance/ultrasound fusion targeted biopsy (TB) have become more widely adopted to aid in prostate cancer (PCa) detection. Previously, TB has been found to increase the yield of clinically significant PCa and is more likely to sample the index tumor compared with traditional 12-core extended sextant biopsies. Currently, the prognostic significance of perineural invasion (PNI) when identified on TB (PNI-TB) is unknown. We identified 95 men at 2 tertiary referral centers who underwent TB followed by radical prostatectomy between January 2014 and January 2017. Clinical, radiological, and pathological variables were retrospectively reviewed. PNI was identified on TB in 27 of 95 (28.4%) patients. On multivariable logistic regression, independent predictors of extraprostatic extension were prostate-specific antigen, TB maximum % core involvement, and PNI-TB (all P<.05). Furthermore, Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that PNI-TB was associated with early biochemical recurrence events within 12 months after prostatectomy (log-rank P=.049). Given the increasing adoption of TB for PCa detection in clinical practice, PNI-TB may be useful for PCa risk stratification.
RTI's Solid Sorbent-Based CO2 Capture Process: Technical and Economic Lessons Learned for Application in Coal-fired, NGCC, and Cement Plants☆

Abstract RTI International has developed an advanced solid sorbent-based CO2 capture process for application to exhaust gas from various industrial sources – including coal-fired power plants, NGCC power plants, and cement plants. The technical and economic hurdles to solid sorbent CO2 capture are being addressed through transitioning a promising sorbent chemistry (based on supported amines) to a low-cost sorbent suitable for use in a fluidized-bed process. This sorbent has been scaled for bench- and prototype testing in both simulated coal-fired flue gas at RTI's test facility and actual cement plant flue gas at Norcem's cement plant in Brevik, Norway. Parametric testing has shown how CO2 capture performance is impacted by changing process variables. Long-term testing has generated data needed to set process conditions for operating a solids-based system for optimal performance, with continuous 90% CO2 capture, and no operational interruptions. Data collected from all phases of testing has been used to develop detailed techno-economic assessments of RTI's technology for the various CO2 emission sources applications. These detailed analyses show that RTI's technology has significant economic advantages over current amine scrubbing and potential to achieve the U.S. DOE's Carbon Capture Program's goal of >90% CO2 capture rate at a cost of
Image Deblurring Based on Physical Processes of Blur Impacts

Main methods of image deblurring, as well as their advantages and disadvantages, are considered in this chapter. It is revealed that these methods do not take into account the physical processes that occur during a blur impact. It is shown that instead of the continuous function of illuminating intensity it is convenient to consider its discrete-analog modification, in which the size of a discrete will be equal to the size of a photosensitive element. In the case of the stationary images, such replacement will not impact on the formed video signal in any way. On the contrary, when objects move relative to the fixed sensor, the processes of blur may appear. Due to these reasons, the models of various blur types, such as the linear, non-linear, and vibrational models, were built. Note that these models are subdivided on the models with the small and large blur according to the ratio of movement displacement of an object and its length. The constructed models are the systems of the simple non-uniform algebraic equations with non-singular matrixes that allows to build the deblurring algorithms. The proposed algorithms were tested using natural images obtained from the imaging device layout.
Small interfering RNA targeting survivin specifically sensitizes non-small cell lung cancer cells to the HIV protease inhibitor ritonavir.

5503 Purpose: These studies were designed to determine whether ritonavir exhibits inhibitory activity against non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) lines in vitro and whether inhibition of receptor kinase pathways or promotion of apoptotic pathways can potentiate ritonavir activity. Reduction of survivin mRNA has been demonstrated to potentiate chemotherapy activity and therefore, its potential role in promoting ritonavir inhibition of NSCLC was examined. Experimental Design: Ritonavir was tested for inhibition of NSCLC growth and promotion of apoptosis in the NSCLC lines A549, H460, H522 and H23. Effects of siRNA targeting c-Src, STAT3 and survivin on ritonavir inhibition of NSCLC cell proliferation were studied. Results: Ritonavir inhibits growth of A549, H460, H522 and H23 lines, exhibiting IC 50 values of 35, 48, 42 and 44 microM, respectively. The lines A549 and H522 lines were studied in more detail for mechanism of ritonavir sensitivity. Ritonavir down-regulates CDK2, 4, and 6, and cyclin D 1 and dephosphorylates Rb, associated with G1 arrest. Ritonavir also induces apoptosis, but Akt and ERK phosphorylation may be increased or decreased depending upon the line, suggesting that this drug may inhibit other NSCLC survival pathways. Ritonavir reduced phospho-c-Src, phospho-STAT3 and survivin levels. siRNA species that target c-Src, STAT3 and survivin markedly reduce the proliferation of the A549 and H522 lines and induce apoptosis, confirming that all three lines are dependent upon these signaling proteins. To develop a therapeutic strategy to effectively use ritonavir for NSCLC inhibition, it was determined whether c-Src, STAT3 or survivin siRNA potentiates ritonavir inhibition. Survivin siRNA reduces the ritonavir IC 50 to 25 μM for both lines, while c-Src and STAT3 siRNA had no effect, indicating a specific role for survivin in resistance to ritonavir. Over-expression of survivin increases the ritonavir IC 50 in both lines further suggesting that ritonavir resistance may be mediated through the survivin. Conclusions: These results indicate that ritonavir inhibits NSCLC growth, in part, by inhibiting CDK regulation of cell cycle progression, in part, by inhibition of c-Src-, STAT3- and survivin-mediated proliferation and survival. Ritonavir may be of interest for clinical development for NSCLC therapeutics and its efficacy may be potentiated by strategies that target survivin.
Piecing together cis‐regulatory networks: insights from epigenomics studies in plants

5-Methylcytosine, a chemical modification of DNA, is a covalent modification found in the genomes of both plants and animals. Epigenetic inheritance of phenotypes mediated by DNA methylation is well established in plants. Most of the known mechanisms of establishing, maintaining and modifying DNA methylation have been worked out in the reference plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Major functions of DNA methylation in plants include regulation of gene expression and silencing of transposable elements (TEs) and repetitive sequences, both of which have parallels in mammalian biology, involve interaction with the transcriptional machinery, and may have profound effects on the regulatory networks in the cell. Methylome and transcriptome dynamics have been investigated in development and environmental responses in Arabidopsis and agriculturally and ecologically important plants, revealing the interdependent relationship among genomic context, methylation patterns, and expression of TE and protein coding genes. Analyses of methylome variation among plant natural populations and species have begun to quantify the extent of genetic control of methylome variation vs. true epimutation, and model the evolutionary forces driving methylome evolution in both short and long time scales. The ability of DNA methylation to positively or negatively modulate binding affinity of transcription factors (TFs) provides a natural link from genome sequence and methylation changes to transcription. Technologies that allow systematic determination of methylation sensitivities of TFs, in native genomic and methylation context without confounding factors such as histone modifications, will provide baseline datasets for building cell-type- and individual-specific regulatory networks that underlie the establishment and inheritance of complex traits. This article is categorized under: Laboratory Methods and Technologies > Genetic/Genomic Methods Biological Mechanisms > Regulatory Biology.
Negotiable Obligations for Discount: Notes, Acceptances, DPUs and BPOs

This article, which will be published fall 2013 in the Banking & Finance Law Review (Osgoode Hall Law School), assumes that the discounting of payment obligations generated under a letter of credit is a beneficial commercial practice and that the principle of negotiability enhances that benefit. The article contends, therefore, that commerce should extend the negotiability concept to a pair of new payment obligations which now appear in international trade. The article begins with a brief description of common law and statutory support for traditional negotiable instruments used in trade finance: notes and acceptances. The article then recounts the common law and statutory routes in some jurisdictions that bring the negotiability feature to the Deferred Payment Undertaking (DPU). Finally, the article suggests that by flexible use of the common law or by statutory revision, commercial law could and should extend negotiability to the Bank Payment Obligation (BPO).
Gatekeepers to broadening participation in engineering investigating variation across high schools comparing who could go versus who does go into engineering

This paper introduces the Gatekeepers Study, a three-year project with the goal of examining variation in enrollment in postsecondary engineering programs for students from Virginia high schools. Our research takes a macroscopic, systemic view of an entire state's high school-to-postsecondary engineering pathway to understand how each high school performs in terms of having its students from underrepresented groups who fit an engineering academic profile actually choose to enroll in an engineering postsecondary program. We frame our research holistically to understand how the variety of potential gatekeepers — including the people, places, programs, and policies — might be positioned, tweaked, or trained to support a more diverse population of students who choose to enroll in postsecondary engineering programs. This mixed-methods research design is organized into three sequential phases and will be grounded theoretically using Social Cognitive Career Theory to guide variable identification and qualitative protocol development. We are currently in Phase 1 and will describe preliminary results.
Perceptions of Pre-Service Teachers on Mentor Teachers' Roles in Promoting Inclusive Practicum: Case Studies in U.S. Elementary School Contexts.

This case study examines a Chinese and Korean-Chinese pre-service teachers’ perceptions of their mentor teachers’ role in supporting inclusive practicum experiences in USA elementary school context...
Anthropometric measures of obesity and renal artery calcification: Results from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Abstract Background and aims Renal artery calcium (RAC) has been linked to several cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, including age, male gender, and hypertension. The purpose of this study was to determine whether anthropometric measures of obesity are associated with presence of RAC. Methods We studied 1287 community-dwelling adults enrolled in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. Logistic regression models adjusted for CVD risk factors were used to examine body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) as primary predictors of RAC. Results Study participants had a mean age of 67.7 years, 55.7% were female, and 36.8% were non-Hispanic White. Prevalence of RAC was 33.3%. WC and WHR as continuous variables were not significant with adjustment. Subjects with high WC, as defined by World Health Organization cut-offs, had significantly higher odds for RAC in the fully adjusted model. BMI and HC were not significantly associated with RAC in any models. Conclusions In this community-based sample of older adults, higher levels of WC are significantly associated with RAC independently of CVD risk factors. Adults who meet World Health Organization criteria for high WC may be at higher risk for complications of calcified atherosclerosis in the renal arteries.
Electron Nuclear Dynamics Simulations of Proton Cancer Therapy Reactions: Water Radiolysis and Proton- and Electron-Induced DNA Damage in Computational Prototypes

Proton cancer therapy (PCT) utilizes high-energy proton projectiles to obliterate cancerous tumors with low damage to healthy tissues and without the side effects of X-ray therapy. The healing action of the protons results from their damage on cancerous cell DNA. Despite established clinical use, the chemical mechanisms of PCT reactions at the molecular level remain elusive. This situation prevents a rational design of PCT that can maximize its therapeutic power and minimize its side effects. The incomplete characterization of PCT reactions is partially due to the health risks associated with experimental/clinical techniques applied to human subjects. To overcome this situation, we are conducting time-dependent and non-adiabatic computer simulations of PCT reactions with the electron nuclear dynamics (END) method. Herein, we present a review of our previous and new END research on three fundamental types of PCT reactions: water radiolysis reactions, proton-induced DNA damage and electron-induced DNA damage. These studies are performed on the computational prototypes: proton + H2O clusters, proton + DNA/RNA bases and + cytosine nucleotide, and electron + cytosine nucleotide + H2O. These simulations provide chemical mechanisms and dynamical properties of the selected PCT reactions in comparison with available experimental and alternative computational results.
Acute kidney injury after aortic valve replacement in a nationally representative cohort in the USA.

Background Randomized trials have consistently shown lower rates of acute kidney injury (AKI) with transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) compared with surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Comparative rates of AKI for TAVR versus SAVR, and predictors and prognostic implications of AKI after aortic valve replacement (AVR) have not been well studied in nationally representative real-world data. Objectives First, to compare rates of AKI and dialysis requiring AKI in TAVR versus SAVR. Second, to determine predictors of AKI and prognostic implications of AKI in patients undergoing TAVR or SAVR. Methods We used the 2011-14 National Inpatient Sample to identify all patients undergoing isolated TAVR or SAVR using validated international classification of diseases, ninth revision ICD-9 codes. Rates of AKI and AKI requiring dialysis (AKI-D) were compared between the two groups using a propensity-matched design. Predictors of AKI and prognostic impact of AKI on in-hospital outcomes were ascertained using multivariate logistic regression. Results A total of 8004 unweighted TAVR procedures and 29 355 unweighted SAVR procedures representative of 39 898 TAVR and 143 608 SAVR procedures nationwide were included in the analysis. Mean age of all patients undergoing AVR was 70.9 years and 42.3% were females. In a propensity-matched cohort of 4889 pairs of TAVR and SAVR procedures, TAVR was associated with significantly lower rates of AKI [odds ratio (OR) 0.73, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.66-0.80, P < 0.001] and AKI-D (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.50-0.96, P = 0.03) compared with SAVR. AKI was associated with significantly higher rates of in-hospital mortality for TAVR (OR 7.16, 95% CI 5.52-9.29, P < 0.001) as well as SAVR (OR 9.43, 95% CI 7.71-11.55, P < 0.001). Conclusions In a large propensity-matched cohort of TAVR and SAVR procedures, TAVR was associated with significantly lower rates of AKI and AKI-D compared with SAVR. AKI and AKI-D are predictors of poor in-hospital outcomes in TAVR as well as SAVR.