cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fasting increases δ15N-values in the uric acid of Anolis carolinensis and Uta stansburiana as measured by nondestructive sampling

Previous studies suggest that a nutritional/energetic state may be determined from the δ15N-values of an animal's tissues. It has been hypothesized that if an animal is in a negative nutritional/energetic balance, 15N will be retained by the tissues preferentially and 14N preferentially excreted. Over time, this should cause enrichment of the δ15N-values of the tissues. Tests of this hypothesis have met with mixed results. To date, these studies have focused on endotherms. Few studies have considered the effects of fasting on the 15N/14N ratios of substrates from ectotherms. We hypothesized that the δ15N-values of tail tissue and uric acid of fasted lizards would increase over time, while that of the fed lizards would remain the same. We fasted five side-blotched lizards (Uta stansburiana) and five green anoles (Anolis carolinensis) for 14 days. At the same time we fed six side-blotched and four green anoles ad libitum. All lizards were given water ad libitum. During this period, we collected uric acid from each lizard daily and tail tissue on the first day of the study and on the last day of the study. We found the the δ15N-values of uric acid of fasted lizards at the end of the study were 15N-enriched compared with that of the control lizards in both species, probably due to a shift in amino acid source pools during fasting. However, we found no difference between treatment and controls in the δ15N-values of the tails. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Texture Analysis In Cytology Using Fractals

We present some preliminary results of a study aimed to assess the actual effectiveness of fractal theory in the area of medical image analysis for texture description. The specific goal of this research is to utilize "fractal dimension" to discriminate between normal and cancerous human cells. In particular, we have considered four types of cells namely, breast, bronchial, ovarian and uterine. A method based on fractal Brownian motion theory is employed to compute the "fractal dimension" of cells. Experiments with real images reveal that the range of scales over which the cells exhibit fractal property can be used as the discriminatory feature to identify cancerous cells.
Ultrastructural morphology of Schwann cell-neuronal relationships in the spiral ganglia of cats.

Electron microscopic study of the cat's spiral ganglia reveals that neuronal cytoplasmic extensions evaginate into the inner Schwann cell lamellae; some may become surrounded by the ensheathing Schwann cell. Inner lamellae of ensheathing Schwann cells penetrate the neuron and invest small portions of neuronal cytoplasm. Membrane-bound neuronal regions, completely or partially bare of Schwann cell ensheathment, also are observed within neurons or adjacent to the neuronal plasmalemma. Some of these isolated neuronal regions might represent cytoplasmic extensions of the same or another neuron. Speculations are made as to the mechanism by which the observed relationships are formed.
Timeless tools to manage your time

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to underscore the importance of time and outline timeless tools to manage your time. Design/methodology/approach – The tools are gleaned from author's 32 years of practical experience in industry, teaching, training, research and consultancy. It explains the significance of time and elaborates with illustrations to manage your time. Findings – The paper cautions that if you waste one second, you wasted one second of your life. Research limitations/implications – Qualitative/action research inevitably needs to be backed up by more formal research into the topic. This paper offers an agenda for action and further qualitative/quantitative research in time management. Practical implications – The timeless tools on time management can be applied in all areas of life such as personal, professional and social lives. Social implications – These time-tested tools are essential for everybody to make a difference for themselves and also for others. Originality/value – The paper...
How to do an oral cholecystogram

ADIOGRAPHIC R study of the opacified gallbladder enjoys a reputation as one of the safest and most accurate of all contrast studies. Although newer contrast agents have been introduced and are still undergoing clinical trial, Telepaque@ (iopanoic acid, Winthrop Laboratories, Inc.) is the contrast agent used in the vast majority of these examinations. Berk et a1.3 stated in 1974 that more than 40 million doses of Telepaque have been administered since its introduction 20 years ago. A retrospective study of over 5000 patients during a period of 3 years” confirms the safety and reliability of Telepaque. The known factors that influence opacification of the gallbladder need to be applied to the technique and interpretation of the gallbladder examination. The correct method of conducting the examination requires emphasis, especially in view of observations regarding second dose studies when the initial standard 3 g of Telepaque results in an inadequate gallbladder visualization.2,4,‘0,‘5
Isotope and solvent effects of deuterium on aconitase

Abstract The activity of aconitase has been compared in H 2 O and in 99% D 2 O, with deuteriocitrate and deuterioisocitrate as well as the protiated substrates, citrate, isocitrate, and aconitate. The rates of all six interconversions were markedly inhibited by D 2 O; the conversion of aconitate to citrate was affected much more than the conversion of aconitate to isocitrate. The values obtained for Michaelis constants and maximum velocities satisfactorily predict equilibrium conditions in H 2 O and D 2 O. Negligible isotope effects were observed with deuteriocitrate or deuterioisocitrate; this observation is consistent with the hypothesis that the first (and rate-limiting) step in the dehydration of these compounds is the rupture of the CO rather than the CH bond.
Correlations in the Motion of Atoms in Liquid Argon

A system of 864 particles interacting with a Lennard-Jones potential and obeying classical equations of motion has been studied on a digital computer (CDC 3600) to simulate molecular dynamics in liquid argon at 94.4\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K and a density of 1.374 g ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$. The pair-correlation function and the constant of self-diffusion are found to agree well with experiment; the latter is 15% lower than the experimental value. The spectrum of the velocity autocorrelation function shows a broad maximum in the frequency region $\ensuremath{\omega}=0.25(\frac{{k}_{B}T}{\ensuremath{\hbar}})$. The shape of the Van Hove function ${G}_{s}(r, t)$ attains a maximum departure from a Gaussian at about $t=3.0\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}12}$ sec and becomes a Gaussian again at about ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}11}$ sec. The Van Hove function ${G}_{d}(r, t)$ has been compared with the convolution approximation of Vineyard, showing that this approximation gives a too rapid decay of ${G}_{d}(r, t)$ with time. A delayed-convolution approximation has been suggested which gives a better fit with ${G}_{d}(r, t)$; this delayed convolution makes ${G}_{d}(r, t)$ decay as ${t}^{4}$ at short times and as $t$ at long times.
Proof of concept demonstration of GPON fed fibre-to-the-distribution point (FTTDp)

The first implementation of a FTTDp architecture is demonstrated using a commercial GPON, a pluggable SFP ONT and a newly developed FTTDp SU back-powered by a single customer. Raman amplification is also used to increase the GPON optical loss budget by ∼7dB.
Neuropeptide Y2 receptor (NPY2R) expression in saliva predicts feeding immaturity in the premature neonate.

Background The current practice in newborn medicine is to subjectively assess when a premature infant is ready to feed by mouth. When the assessment is inaccurate, the resulting feeding morbidities may be significant, resulting in long-term health consequences and millions of health care dollars annually. We hypothesized that the developmental maturation of hypothalamic regulation of feeding behavior is a predictor of successful oral feeding in the premature infant. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed the gene expression of neuropeptide Y2 receptor (NPY2R), a known hypothalamic regulator of feeding behavior, in neonatal saliva to determine its role as a biomarker in predicting oral feeding success in the neonate. Methodology/Principal Findings Salivary samples (n = 116), were prospectively collected from 63 preterm and 13 term neonates (post-conceptual age (PCA) 26 4/7 to 41 4/7 weeks) from five predefined feeding stages. Expression of NPY2R in neonatal saliva was determined by multiplex RT-qPCR amplification. Expression results were retrospectively correlated with feeding status at time of sample collection. Statistical analysis revealed that expression of NPY2R had a 95% positive predictive value for feeding immaturity. NPY2R expression statistically significantly decreased with advancing PCA (Wilcoxon test p value<0.01), and was associated with feeding status (chi square p value = 0.013). Conclusions/Significance Developmental maturation of hypothalamic regulation of feeding behavior is an essential component of oral feeding success in the newborn. NPY2R expression in neonatal saliva is predictive of an immature feeding pattern. It is a clinically relevant biomarker that may be monitored in saliva to improve clinical care and reduce significant feeding-associated morbidities that affect the premature neonate.
A RATHER GENERAL S-R PARADIGM

Si~nmary.-A rathrr general S-R paradigm is proposed in which stimulus biases, response biases, activation or general responsiveness, and association are defined as patterns of response strength or occurrence when a variety of responses are recorded to a variety of stimuli (an S-R matrix). Patterns of differences between similar matrices obtained on different occasions or with different groups of Ss are similarly defined as increments in stimulus biases, responses biases, activation, and association. Applications of the general paradigm to conditioning, verbal learning, and transfer srudies are suggested. In a recent experimenc (Babich, Jacobson, Bubash, e( Jacobson, 1965) riboniicleic acid (RNA) was excracted from the brains of rats previously crained co approach a food cup at the sound of a click. Untrained rats injected with this RNA made significantly more cup-approach responses when the click was sounded than a concrol group injected with RNA from uncrained rat brains. The authors state that various alternative interpretations of their results are possible, including memory coding in the RNA molecule. The ambiguity of the results of this experiment illustrates a methodological shortcoming common to many current S-R research efforcs: E is unablc to discriminate between general activation, stimulus and response biases, and S-R concingency or association. Although it is possible thac che parclculsr response of approaching the food cup when che click sounded was coded in the RNA from trained racs, there are ocher interpretations of the results which are more parsimonious. The RNA from trained animals might somehow increase the general activity of animals into which it is injected; perhaps the animals become more responsive in general to all stimu1i.l The obtained results might have been obtained by sensitizing the animals to the particular stimulus used; perhaps the RNA from trained animals made the experimental animals more sensitive to the click so that all responses to the click, including che cup-approach response, were made with greater frequency after injeccion. Finally, the RNA from crained animals might have produced a response bias; that is, approach responses might have been increased to all stimuli. In the - simple experimental design in which the observer records only a single response to a single stimulus, these differenc and potentially differentiable kinds of behavior are not discriminable. Without trying different stimuli, E cannoc show . that the response is stimulus specific; without recording a variety of possible responses, E cannot show that any response specificity exists, and without both 'An analogous activation effect might be obtained with white rats by injecting them with the blood of animals which hd undergone stressful training. The blood from the stressed animals might contain adrendin or some other activating substance, and the injected animals, becoming more active, might make the response of interest with greater frequency; such transfer of training a1ou;d hardly be regarded as memory coding.
Relative HLA-DRB1*13 allele frequencies and DRB3 associations of unrelated individuals from five US populations.

The frequencies of 30 HLA-DRB1*13 alleles and 15 DRB3 alleles were determined for the 5 major U.S. ethnic populations: Caucasians, African Americans, Asian/Pacific Islanders, Hispanics, and Native Americans. A random sampling (163) of DRB1*13-positive individuals from each self-described ethnic group was selected out of a pool of 82,979 unrelated individuals, providing at least an 80% probability of detecting a rare allele that occurred at 1%. These 815 samples were subjected to allele-level SSOP typing and/or DNA sequencing which identified 11 different DRB1*13 alleles. DRB1*1301 and DRB1*1302 were the most common alleles seen in the five major ethnic groups while DRB1*1304 was not detected among Caucasians and DRB1*1305 was not detected among African Americans. DRB1*13 allele diversity was surprisingly more limited among African Americans compared to both Caucasians and Asian/Pacific Islanders. To determine the extent of DRB1*13-DRB3 associations, 504 of these samples expressing only one DRB3-associated DRB1 allele were subjected to PCR-SSOP typing and 14 DRB1*13-DRB3 haplotypes were detected. The distribution revealed that African Americans were significantly different from Caucasians, Asian/Pacific Islanders, and Hispanics. Allele frequency studies such as this further support previous findings that the distribution of HLA types can differ significantly among different ethnic populations.
The denotative dimension of meaning for the mentally ill-healthy role: a theoretical implication.

Abstract The problem of measuring meaning continues to present conceptual and methodological difficulty in research. In most cases, attitudinal or connotative meanings are elicited from social objects particularly role sets, cultural groups of specialized aggregates. But in some cases, the scaling of a denotative object like a role set would have desirable advantages. For the mentally ill-healthy role set, this could mean avoiding stereotypic responses provided the scales were sufficiently projective. To exploit this possibility, a differential scale representing the ill-healthy roles was tested under various conditions of control. The findings suggest that the ill-healthy items adequately scale and distinguish between the concept criteria. A further theoretical implication was tested, showing that the mentally ill-healthy roles were not significantly different when compared to the evaluational dimension of the semantic differential implying that legitimacy (tendency to sanction) is the central focus of meaning for this dyadic structure.
Precision of a Novel Vertebral Motion Analysis System: Preliminary Results

Imaging modalities such as X-Ray, computerized tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and bone scan have all become essential to the evaluation of bone and soft tissue in patients with back pain. All techniques provide valuable static images of the spine, yet lack the capability of providing detailed information about spinal motion. Dynamic end-range x-rays, the standard in assessment of range of motion and vertebral translation, are taken at the patient’s maximum voluntary bending angle in flexion and extension (FE) and/or lateral bending (LB). The current standard of practice is to measure, with ruler and protractor, the relative change between adjacent vertebrae at each bending extreme. The resulting rotational or translational values are then expressed as the intervertebral angle (IVA) or as a percentage of vertebral body depth, respectively. This method, however, is subject to a high level of patient, imaging site, and observer related variability, in the form of uncontrolled bending angles, disparities in equipment and practices, and manual image analysis. An additional limitation of static imagery is the inability to assess motion in the spine as it traverses between end ranges. This information may expose motion abnormalities that occur mid-range that might otherwise be missed by clinicians. Lastly, motion of the spine may present differently in weighted and un-weighted positions. Effects of muscle activation and gravitational forces are not accounted for by current standards.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
RESPONSE OF EARTH DAMS TO P AND SV WAVES USING COUPLED FE‐BE FORMULATION

A study of the effects of dam-foundation interaction on the response of earth dams to obliquely incident P and SV waves is presented. Emphasis is placed on the effects of the foundation flexibility and the spatial variability of the ground motion. The study is based on a rigorous hybrid numerical formulation that combines the efficiency and versatility of the Finite Element Method (FEM) and the ability of Boundary Element Method (BEM) to account for the radiation conditions at the far field. The developed hybrid method is very powerful and can be used efficiently to obtain accurate solutions of problems of complex geometry, material heterogeneity and, for time-domain analyses, material nonlinearity. The 2-D frequency-domain formulation is used here to investigate the response of infinitely long earth dams to obliquely incident P and SV waves. By accounting rigorously for the energy radiated back into the half-space, the study demonstrates the dramatic effect of the flexibility of the foundation rock in reducing the overall response of the dam. The effects of the spatial variability of the ground motion for P and SV waves travelling across the width of the dam are also important, but somewhat less pronounced than those of the foundation flexibility.
Multimedia object exchange manager for a distributed multimedia system

We use the smart multimedia object concept to design a Distributed Multimedia System (DMS). A key module in the system is the Object Exchange Manager (OEM). In this paper, we present the design and implementation of the OEM module and discuss in detail the interaction between the Object Exchange Manager and other modules in the DMS system. An example is given to show the application of the DMS system.
Helium II level measurement techniques

In this paper, a survey of cryogenic liquid level measurement techniques applicable to superfluid helium (He II) is given. The survey includes both continuous and discrete measurement techniques. A number of different probes and controlling circuits for this purpose have been described in the literature. They fall into one of the following categories: capacitive liquid level gauges, superconducting wire liquid level gauges, thermodynamic (heat transfer-based) liquid level gauges, resistive gauges, ultrasound and transmission line-based level detectors. The present paper reviews these techniques and their suitability for He II service. In addition to these methods, techniques for measuring the total liquid volume and mass gauging are also discussed.
Virtual freedom: The obfuscation and elucidation of the subject in cyberspace

In his late work, Michel Foucault finds in Greek antiquity a form of subjectivity that makes no reference to a universal law. The virtual world of cyberspace appears to offer individuals a similar possibility, in which the fundamental limitations that form the subject in the external society no longer apply. However, this article argues that the universal law actually is more powerful in cyberspace, insofar as it remains outside of our capacity for recognizing it. Nevertheless, the redeeming possibility of cyberspace lies not in what cyberspace promises, but rather in its capacity to makes palpable our inevitable failure to achieve the promise of complete, digital satisfaction.
A genetic algorithm to refine input data selection for air temperature prediction using artificial neural networks

The accurate prediction of air temperature is important in many areas of decision-making including agricultural management, transportation and energy management. Previous research has focused on the development of artificial neural network (ANN) models to predict air temperature from one to twelve hours in advance. The inputs to these models included a constant duration of prior data with a fixed resolution for all environmental variables for all prediction horizons. The overall goal of this research was to develop more accurate ANN models that could predict air temperature for each prediction horizon. The specific objective was to determine if the ANN model accuracy could be improved by applying a genetic algorithm (GA) for each prediction horizon to determine the preferred duration and resolution of input prior data for each environmental variable. The ANN models created based on this GA based approach provided smaller errors than the models created based on the existing constant duration and fixed data resolution approach for all twelve prediction horizons. Except for a few cases, the GA generally included a longer duration for prior air temperature data and shorter durations for other environmental variables. The mean absolute errors (MAEs) for the evaluation input patterns of the one-, four-, eight-, and twelve-hour prediction models that were based on this GA approach were 0.564^oC, 1.264^oC, 1.766^oC and 2.018^oC, respectively. These MAEs were improvements of 3.98%, 4.59%, 2.55% and 1.70% compared to the models that were created based on the existing approach for the same corresponding prediction horizons. Thus, the GA based approach to determine the duration and resolution of prior input data resulted in more accurate ANN models than the existing ones for air temperature prediction. Future work could examine the effects of various GA and fitness evaluation parameters that were part of the approach used in this study.
A Nurse‐Managed Smoking Cessation Intervention During Pregnancy

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of a nurse-managed smoking cessation intervention in an outpatient setting among pregnant women who smoked. Design Prospective; control group participants' cessation rates were assessed 6-12 weeks after clinic contact. They were compared to cessation rates for subsequent intervention participants 6-12 weeks after receiving a nurse-managed smoking cessation intervention. Setting/Participants One hundred seventy-eight women who were daily smokers, during their first visit after confirmation of pregnancy at a teaching hospital prenatal clinic. Intervention Fifteen-minute individualized intervention delivered by an advanced-practice nurse, combined with a telephone contact by an advanced-practice nurse 7-10 days after the clinic visit. Main Outcome Measures Self-report of smoking, confirmed by saliva cotinine. Results Intervention group participants had a self-reported abstinence rate of 19% compared with 0% among control group participants. The cotinine-validated abstinence rate for the intervention group was 15.5%, compared with 0% in the control group. African Americans were more likely to quit, compared with white participants who received the intervention. Conclusion A nurse-managed intervention combined with a telephone contact may be an effective strategy for intervening with pregnant smokers, especially African Americans. JOGNN, 27, 47-53; 1998.
Type 1 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is preventable in animal models and predictable in humans. The increase in our knowledge of basic immunology has allowed the initiation of large-scale clinical efforts to prevent diabetes.
Environmental Transmission Electron Microscopy in Nanotechnology

We have shown that ETEM is a valuable technique for understanding the response of nanoparticle systems to a gaseous environment at near atomic-level. The modern ETEM allows the dynamic behavior of the nanoparticles to be studied in real time with atomic-resolution imaging and electron diffraction in up to 50 Torr of gas pressure. On a machine equipped with a field-emission gun, electron energy-loss spectra can be recorded using a sub-nanometer probe so that elemental and electronic structural changes occurring in individual nanoparticles can be followed in situ. This powerful combination of in-situ imaging, diffraction and spectroscopy provides detailed information about gas-solid phase transformation mechanisms in individual nanoparticles. Quantitative measurements can be used to derive reaction rates and activation energies from very small areas and should allow full reaction kinetics to be determined as a function of nanoparticles size. The ETEM can also be used to perform in-situ synthesis of nanophase materials. The simultaneous characterization can be performed during synthesis allowing synthesis conditions to be varied and optimized rapidly. Sub-nanometer electron probes can also permit nano-lithographic structures to be deposited and studied under a wide variety of different conditions.
Automated modelling of cartridge valve flow mapping

Proportional poppet-type cartridge valves are the key elements of the energy saving programmable valves, which have been shown in our previous studies to be able to achieve excellent motion control performance while significantly saving energy usage. Unlike costly conventional four-way valves, the cartridge valve has simple structure and is easy to manufacture, but its complicated mathematical model makes the controller design and implementation rather difficult Our previous works used either an off-line individually calibrated or manufacturer supplied flow mappings as the model of the cartridge valves. Neither method is ideal for industrial wide applications as the former method is time-consuming and needs trained engineers with additional flow sensors while the later leads to significantly degraded control performance due to the inaccuracy of the manufacturer supplied flow mappings. To solve this practically very significant problem, this paper focuses on the automated modelling of the cartridge valve flow mapping without using any extra sensors and removing the valves from the system. The estimation of the flow mapping is based on the pressure dynamics in the hydraulic cylinder with consideration of some unknown parameters like effective bulk modulus of fluid. Experimental results are obtained to illustrate the effectiveness and practicality of the proposed novel automated modelling method
Design and Development of an Architecture for Computer-Integrated Manufacturing in the Apparel Industry Part I : Basic Concepts and Methodology Selection

To be successful and competitive and achieve excellence in manufacturing, the textile/apparel industry must successfully use the most advanced concepts and meth ods, including computer-integrated m...
GPC characterization for assessing compatibility problems with heavy fuel oils

Precipitation of solids is one of the major problems associated with the shipping and handling of heavy residual oils especially No. 6 heating oil. ASTM specifications which currently include viscosity, flash point and pouring point are not adequate to predict the handling problems. The residual oils are becoming more complex in composition due to modern refinery techniques for cracking the heavier residues into distillable fractions. In this study, several heating oil samples, including a sample which partially solidified during transport, were analyzed using various techniques including separation by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), vacuum distillation, separation of petroleum asphaltenes by ASTM method, elemental analysis and proton and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The distillable species in the fraction separated by GPC were characterized by high resolution gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). The study showed that the GPC can be used as a reliable technique for the analysis of heavy residual oils. The GPC separation of No. 6 heating oil gave three fractions enriched with chemically distinct asphaltenes. The second fraction was mostly straight chain paraffins. The third fraction was composed of low molecular weight aromatics. Although occasional verification of GPC data by GC-MS and by NMR spectroscopy is desirable, the GPC alone is an efficient analytical tool for evaluating the composition as well as predicting the handling problems associated with shipping and storage of various residual oils.
Deep neural networks for single-channel multi-talker speech recognition

We investigate techniques based on deep neural networks (DNNs) for attacking the single-channel multi-talker speech recognition problem. Our proposed approach contains five key ingredients: a multi-style training strategy on artificially mixed speech data, a separate DNN to estimate senone posterior probabilities of the louder and softer speakers at each frame, a weighted finite-state transducer (WFST)-based two-talker decoder to jointly estimate and correlate the speaker and speech, a speaker switching penalty estimated from the energy pattern change in the mixed-speech, and a confidence based system combination strategy. Experiments on the 2006 speech separation and recognition challenge task demonstrate that our proposed DNN-based system has remarkable noise robustness to the interference of a competing speaker. The best setup of our proposed systems achieves an average word error rate (WER) of 18.8% across different SNRs and outperforms the state-of-the-art IBM superhuman system by 2.8% absolute with fewer assumptions.
Pathological upgrading and up staging with immediate repeat biopsy in patients eligible for active surveillance.

Purpose: Active surveillance with selective delayed intervention is a treatment regimen used in patients with low risk prostate cancer. Decision making is based on pretreatment prostate specific antigen, clinical stage and prostate biopsy results. We reviewed our experience with immediate repeat biopsy in patients eligible for active surveillance with selective delayed intervention.Materials and Methods: A retrospective review was done of the records of consecutive patients who underwent repeat biopsy within 3 months of a first positive biopsy from March 2002 to June 2007. Patients were considered eligible if they had prostate specific antigen less than 10 ng/ml, clinical stage T2a or less, Gleason pattern 3 or less, 3 or fewer positive cores and no single core with 50% or greater cancer involvement.Results: A total of 104 patients met eligibility criteria. Of the 104 repeat biopsies performed 27 (26%) were negative, 59 (57%) had a Gleason score of 6 or less and 17 (16%) had a Gleason score of 7. One pati...
Narrow Track Confinement by AC Field Generation Layer in Microwave Assisted Magnetic Recording

Microwave assisted magnetic recording (MAMR) has been proposed to provide sufficient writability in magnetic recording when the magnetic grain has a large crystalline anisotropy field in high recording density. In this paper, the relationship between the track width and recording head designs in this novel recording scheme is studied using micromagnetic modeling. By controlling the AC field generation layer width, high track density can be obtained without decreasing the main pole width in the writer. A quantitive result shows 770 KTPI can be realized in MAMR with a 120 nm wide main pole and 25 nm wide AC field generation layer.
Crowdsourcing Societal Tradeoffs

It would be desirable if, as a society, we could reduce the amount of landfill trash we create, the amount of carbon dioxide we emit, the amount of forest we clear, etc. Since we cannot (or are in any case not willing to) simultaneously pursue all these objectives to their maximum extent, we must prioritize among them. Currently, this is done mostly in an ad-hoc manner, with people, companies, local governments, and other entities deciding on an individual basis which of these objectives to pursue, and to what extent.A more systematic approach would be to set, at a global level, exact numerical tradeoffs: using one gallon of gasoline is as bad as creating x bags of landfill trash. Having such tradeoffs available would greatly facilitate decision making, and reduce inefficiencies resulting from inconsistent decisions across agents. But how could we arrive at a reasonable value for x?In this paper, we argue that many techniques developed in the multiagent systems community, particularly those under economic paradigms, can be brought to bear on this question. We lay out our vision and discuss its relation to computational social choice, mechanism design, prediction markets, and related topics.
Probability density function of the intensity for a laser-generated speckle field after propagation through the turbulent atmosphere

It is shown that, because of the effects of the turbulent atmosphere, the probability density function of the intensity for a monochromatic, fully developed speckle pattern changes from an exponential distribution at low turbulence levels to a K distribution as the turbulence level increases. A physical model that leads to the K distribution is proposed, and the parameters of the K distribution are derived in terms of the strength of turbulence, path length, wavelength, and beam size. The work is then extended to polychromatic and partially developed speckle patterns and to speckle with a coherent background. Good agreement is obtained between the theoretical predictions and experimental measurements.
A GIS Approach to the Spatial Assessment of Telecommunications Infrastructure

Telecommunications infrastructure has become the most extensive spatial structure in a region. This paper proposes a geographical information systems (GIS) approach for analyzing the adequacy of a regional broadband infrastructure by spatially relating infrastructure facilities with demand. The paper highlights the inherent difficulties of dealing with conceptual and geometric incompatibilities in the overlay analysis of telecommunications infrastructure and demands, and suggests a new method for achieving meaningful data integration, based on an extension of Chrisman's transformational approach. The method is illustrated by an analysis of the telecommunications infrastructure in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Development of a class selective immunoassay for the type II pyrethroid insecticides

A general and broad class selective enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was developed for the type II pyrethroid insecticides, such as cypermethrin, deltamethrin, cyhalothrin, cyfluthrin, fenvalerate, esfenvalerate and fluvalinate. Polyclonal antibodies were generated by immunizing with a type II pyrethroid immunogen ((RS)--cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl (RS)-cis,trans-2,2-dimethyl-3-carboxyl-cyclopropanecarboxylate) conjugated with thyroglobulin. Antisera were screened against nine different coating antigens. The antibody–antigen combination with the most selectivity for type II pyrethroids such as cypermethrin was further optimized and tested for tolerance to co-solvent, pH and ionic strength changes. The IC50s of the optimized immunoassay were 78 gl −1 for cypermethrin, 205 gl −1 for cyfluthrin, 120 gl −1 for cyhalothrin, 13 gl −1 for deltamethrin, 6 gl −1 for esfenvalerate, 8 gl −1 for fenvalerate and 123 gl −1 for fluvalinate. No cross-reactivity was measured for the type I pyrethroids such as permethrin, bifenthrin, phenothrin, resmethrin and bioresmethrin. This assay can be used in monitoring studies to distinguish between type I and II pyrethroids. © 2004 Published by Elsevier B.V.
Root-Controlled Accent In Cupeño

Recent work on the nature of faithfulness constraints in Optimality Theory (Prince and Smolensky 1993) has proposed distinct faithfulness constraints for roots and affixes. The distinction between root and affix faithfulness has been employed in the analysis of the privileged status of roots in a variety of phonological systems, such as root-controlled vowel harmony.In this article, I argue that this distinction is equally important in explaining the observation in Cupeno that inherent accent in roots takesprecedence over inherent accent in affixes. In addition, morphologicallydispersed faithfulness is shown to be instrumental in extending the analysisbeyond previous accounts, providing the right tools for the analysis ofpre-accentuation and the special phonology of the nominalizer suffix.
Nosocomial invasive Saksenaea vasiformis infection

Saksenaea vasiformis is a zygomycete fungus found in soils worldwide; however, it is rarely documented as a cause of human disease. We describe what, to our knowledge, is the first nosocomial infection caused by S. vasiformis and the first documentation that this organism exists in Louisiana. The infection developed at an arterial catheter site in an otherwise healthy young man treated with high-dose corticosteroids and antibiotics for serious head trauma and caused a "cheesy" yellow necrosis of skin, muscle, tendon, and fascia. Resolution of the process occurred following removal of the arterial catheter and without antifungal therapy. The organism was isolated from deep surgical specimens on routine media but did not produce its characteristic sporangia until grown on Czapek's solution agar. It is recommended that zygomycete isolates not identifiable by routine procedures be grown on media that permit Saksenaea to sporulate.
Flame Leading Edge and Flow Dynamics in a Swirling, Lifted Flame

Flames in high swirl flow fields with vortex breakdown often stabilize aerodynamically in front of interior flow stagnation points. In contrast to shear layer stabilized flames with a nearly fixed, well defined flame attachment point, the leading edge of aerodynamically stabilized flames can move around substantially, due to both the inherent dynamics of the vortex breakdown region, as well as externally imposed oscillations. Motion of this flame stabilization point relative to the flow field has an important dynamical role during combustion instabilities, as it creates flame front wrinkles and heat release fluctuations. For example, a prior study has shown that nonlinear dynamics of the flame response at high forcing amplitudes were related to these leading edge dynamics. This heat release mechanism exists alongside other flame wrinkling processes, arising from such processes as shear layer rollup and swirl fluctuations.This paper describes an experimental investigation of acoustic forcing effects on the dynamics of leading edge of a swirl stabilized flame. Vortex breakdown bubble dynamics were characterized using both high-speed particle image velocimetry (PIV) and line-of-sight high-speed CH* chemiluminescence. A wide array of forcing conditions was achieved by varying forcing frequency, amplitude, and acoustic field symmetry. These results show significant differences in instantaneous and time averaged location of the flow stagnation points. They also show motion of the flame leading edge that are of the same order of magnitude as corresponding particle displacement associated with the fluctuating velocity field. This observation suggests that heat release fluctuations associated with leading edge motion may be just as significant in controlling the unsteady flame response as the flame wrinkles excited by velocity fluctuations.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Noradrenaline-Functionalized Hyperbranched Fluoropolymer–Poly(ethylene glycol) Cross-Linked Networks As Dual-Mode, Anti-Biofouling Coatings

The strategy of decorating antibiofouling hyperbranched fluoropolymer-poly(ethylene glycol) (HBFP-PEG) networks with a settlement sensory deterrent, noradrenaline (NA), and the results of biofouling assays are presented. This example of a dual-mode surface, which combines both passive and active modes of antibiofouling, works in synergy to improve the overall antibiofouling efficiency against barnacle cyprids. The HBFP-PEG polymer surface, prior to modification with NA, was analyzed by atomic force microscopy, and a significant distribution of topographical features was observed, with a nanoscopic roughness measurement of 110 ± 8 nm. NA attachment to the surface was probed by secondary ion mass spectrometry to quantify the extent of polymer chain-end substitution with NA, where a 3- to 4-fold increase in intensity for a fragment ion associated with NA was observed and 39% of the available sites for attachment were substituted. Cytoskeletal assays confirmed the activity of tethered NA on adhering oyster hemocytes. Settlement assays showed deterrence toward barnacle cyprid settlement, while not compromising the passive biofouling resistance of the surface. This robust strategy demonstrates a methodology for the incorporation of actively antibiofouling moieties onto a passively antibiofouling network.
Trajectory Tracking by Approximate Inverse Dynamics: An Introduction to the IDRBF Algorithm

This paper introduces the Inverse Dynamics by Radial Basis Function (IDRBF) algorithm. This algorithm exploits the best approximation property of radial basis functions (RBF) to accurately approximate the inverse dynamics of non-linear systems. By simply providing a set of node/measurement pairings that span the domain of the system’s possible states, the algorithm can be trained to accurately approximate the system’s inverse dynamics. The approximation of the inverse dynamics can then be used to control the system such that it tracks a desired trajectory. This algorithm is applicable for both SISO and MIMO systems.
Application of the fictitious scattering radiation transport model for deep-penetration Monte Carlo calculations

The fictitious scattering radiation transport model, suitable for Monte Carlo applications in geometrically complex systems, has been extended for use in deep-penetration calculations by the develo...
Quality of life of hepatitis B and C patients after liver transplantation.

Liver transplantation is an accepted treatment for end-stage liver disease due to hepatitis C (HCV), but remains controversial for patients with hepatitis B(HBV). Recently, the use of aggressive hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIg) to maintain hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) titers greater than 500 IU/L has been reported to improve outcome of transplantation for hepatitis B. The aim of this study was to compare the quality of life of patients transplanted for HBV using this regimen of HBIg immunoprophylaxis (group 1) to patients transplanted for HCV (group 2). The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Sickness Impact Profile (SIP), and a work survey were administered to two groups of patients. The STAI measured anxiety while the SIP evaluated physical and psychosocial function. Lower scores indicated less anxiety and dysfunction. Questions regarding hours worked prior to illness and hours worked after transplantation were administered to both groups. Group 1 included a majority of patients who were hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) positive prior to transplantation. Survey response was 13: 16 (81%) for group 1; and 17: 24 (72%) for group 2. Group 1 revealed significantly lower scores than group 2 on the STAI and the overall SIP score. Group 1 reported working similar hours after transplantation as prior to illness while group 2 did not. Thus, patients transplanted for HBV and treated with aggressive HBIg immunoprophylaxis attained a higher quality of life than patients transplanted for HCV.
Attitude Scales: Should We Systematically Ignore Position Labeling and Order Effect?

The use of scales to measure attitude strength and/or polarity is an accepted practice in marketing as well as other social sciences. Often these scales are systematically reversed by shifting the polarity labels. Scales may also be presented alternatively with other types of scales. This paper presents an empirical study of the effects of these practices.
The improved interleaved voltage measurement method for series connected battery packs

Abstract This paper proposes an improved interleaved voltage measurement method for battery packs in electric vehicles, which can distinguish between the sensor fault and cell fault without hardware or software redundancy. The coprime constraint in the basic interleaved measurement method is revisited with a new proof, and a graphical interpretation is introduced to visualize the constraint. Based on that, an improved measurement topology is developed to remove the coprime constraint which enables broader application. Moreover, the hardware implementation of the improved method is discussed based on cost and circuit design. The associated improvement in noise performance is mathematically formulated, and the noise limit and trend of the interleaved measurement method are derived. Simulation results match the noise analysis and experiments validate the broader application of the improved method.
Coming out on Grey's Anatomy: Industry scandal, constructing a lesbian story line, and fan action

This analysis focuses on a series of industry scandals that created a need for and the development of a lesbian story line on Grey's Anatomy (ABC, 2005–), resulting in the creation of a lesbian-focused fan group dedicated to the lesbian pairing, Erica_Callie on LiveJournal. The resulting constructed representation portrays authentic lesbian and bisexual characters on mainstream broadcast television, promising inclusion to those who identify with these characters.
Case 66: Pseudomass of the Pancreas Associated with Bowel Malrotation

57-year-old woman with incidentally discovered pancreatic head mass for work-up of myasthenia gravis
FPGA implementation of Gram-Schmidt QR decomposition using high level synthesis

In this paper, a high precision QR decomposition implementation on FPGA is discussed. The Gram-Schmidt algorithm is used and synthesized from high level language to Register Transfer Level (RTL) Verilog HDL, using High Level Synthesis (HLS). The RTL Code is synthesized and implemented on Xilinx Zedboard FPGA. The IP core that is generated during simulation is designed for 10×10 floating point and fixed point implementation which can be scaled up for higher matrix sizes. The results for scaled up 100×100 matrix implementation are also discussed. Fixed point data type provides twice as fast implementation and consumes nearly 30% less area compared to floating point implementation with no more than 3% error in precision, for 10×10 matrix size. The error percentage would vary with the size of matrix as well.
Neoliberal urbanism as ‘Strategic Coupling’ to global chains: Port infrastructure and the role of economic impact studies:

This paper identifies and delineates a variant of neoliberal urbanism that grounds city-region economic development on the ability to gain financial and public support for large-scale infrastructur...