cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Implementing a user interface management system for existing applications using an object-oriented database tool

Numerous engineering application systems have been developed over the past twenty years, and many of these applications will continue to be used for many years to come. Examples of such applications include CAD Systems, finite-element analysis packages and inspection systems. Because many of these applications were developed before graphical workstations became available, they often have simple command-line user interfaces. Thus, there is a need for a graphical user interface management system (UIMS) that can be used to build point-and-click style interfaces for these existing engineering applications. In this paper we describe such a UIMS, and discuss its implementation using an object-oriented database tool. This UIMS allows users to create and modify user interfaces by editing graphical representations of the interfaces, thus eliminating the need to write code to build or modify an interface. The UIMS is implemented using an object-oriented database tool to take advantage of the data manipulation and storage management capabilities it provides. This approach reduces both the quantity and complexity of the code needed to implement the UIMS. It also allowed the UIMS to be implemented in a minimal amount of time.
p53 intron 2 genotypes detected in normal specimens and lung carcinomas in Hong Kong

Previous studies suggest that the polymorphic p53 intron 2 displays a high frequency of mutations, occurring with different frequencies in tumor tissues versus peripheral blood of lung cancer patients as compared to healthy individuals. We evaluated the significance of these polymorphisms and mutations utilizing matched triple specimens from the lung tumor, normal lung tissue, and peripheral blood of cancer patients. Identical genotypes were observed in normal tissues and blood, while 4 mutations were observed in tumors. The A1 allelic frequency was increased in the adenocarcinoma tissues as compared to normal tissues. Two p53 exon 2 polymorphisms were detected, appearing with equal frequencies among cancer patients and healthy individuals. The p53 intron 2 polymorphic locus is a hot spot for mutations in Hong Kong lung cancer patients.
Interactive effects of TCDD and p,p'-DDE on male reproductive tract development in in utero and lactationally exposed rats.

Abstract The developing male rat reproductive system is highly sensitive to low doses of TCDD and p,p′ -DDE (DDE), which exert antiandrogenic effects via different mechanisms. This study investigates the interactive effects of in utero and lactational exposure to a mixture of these compounds. Pregnant Holtzman rats received one of the following: vehicle on gestation day (GD) 14–18, 0.25 μg/kg TCDD on GD15, 100 mg/kg DDE on GD 14–18, or 0.25 μg/kg TCDD on GD15 and 100 mg/kg DDE on GD 14–18. Male offspring were euthanized on postnatal day (PND) 21 (weaning), PND 32 (prepuberty), PND 49 (puberty), and PND 63 (postpuberty). Coadministration of these doses of TCDD and DDE appeared to potentiate their individual actions on prostate weight on PND 21, while immunostaining for the prostatic androgen receptor exhibited patterns characteristic of the effects of both compounds individually. Cauda epididymal sperm number was reduced by each compound but was not further reduced by exposure to TCDD and DDE in combination. Anogenital distance, age at onset of puberty, daily sperm production, testicular and accessory sex organ weight (nonprostate), and levels of prostatic androgen-regulated gene transcripts are affected at higher doses of both compounds, but not at the doses used in the present study. Only DDE-treated animals retained nipples on PND 13. Serum androgen levels did not differ between treatment groups. In conclusion, the developing rat prostate is uniquely sensitive to the effects of TCDD and DDE, which may augment one another's effects in this organ.
The metaphorical foundations of chemical explanation.

: To address the question of whether typical chemical explanations have characteristics that distinguish them from explanations in other sciences, it is important to recognize the deeply metaphorical nature of scientific explanation in general. The theory of conceptual metaphor, based on results from modern cognitive sciences, postulates that largely unconscious thought processes, grounded in embodied experience and in experiences drawn from the social domain, are at the core of scientific reasoning. I argue, using several examples, that models employed by chemists as explanatory instruments are metaphorical in nature and have a character distinguishable from explanatory representations employed in other fields of science.
Deterioration of functional capacities in Alzheimer's disease after a 1-year period.

There is a paucity of data regarding Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients' longitudinal deterioration in the ability to conduct numerous activities required for daily living. In this study, 52 patients with AD were assessed at baseline and at a 1-year follow-up using the Direct Assessment of Functional Status (DAFS) scale, an objective, well-validated measure of a broad spectrum of functional capacities that is administered within the clinical setting. An important finding was that the level of initial performance on each of the 11 functional tasks measured did not related to the degree of functional decline in that particular area. Communication skills, such as using the telephone (deterioration among 35.4% of the patients) and preparing a letter for mailing (deterioration among 32.7%), showed the most frequent deterioration among patients upon follow-up. More than half of the AD patients studied demonstrated impairment on one or both of these measures. The pattern of findings indicates that many subtests of the DAFS were sensitive to functional decline after a 1-year period and that the scale has utility in objectively establishing longitudinal patterns of deterioration.
Would a STEM School ‘by any Other Name Smell as Sweet’?

The purpose was to understand how students’ math scores change on Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) after their schools changed into specialized, inclusive STEM high schools. In the present study, the sample was selected from five schools in the state of Texas and included 142 students who could be tracked from 7th to 11th grade (2007-2011). The longitudinal data were obtained from the database at the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Paired t-tests using Mplus 7 were computed, and the 95% CIs were interpreted to determine how students’ math scores on Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) changed. Results showed students’ achievement during their STEM school experiences had a statistically significant increase (p<0.05; d =0.64) from 10th to 11th grade. When considering longitudinal change, there was a statistically significant difference in the growth rates favoring STEM school participation (p<0.05, d =0.34), and both genders experienced practically important change (Male, d =0.30; Female, d =0.44). The changes that occurred as schools earned STEM designation seemed to have a positive impact longitudinally. However, it is important to monitor schools to determine if the improvements are durable.
A new equation for calculating wave loads on offshore structures

This paper derives an equation for the potential-flow wave loading on a lattice-type offshore structure moving partially immersed in waves. It is for the limiting case of small lattice-member diameter, and deals entirely in member-centreline fluid properties, so that it can be applied computationally by a simple ‘stick model’ computer program. This field is currently served by a simple two-term semiempirical formula ‘Morison's equation’: the new equation is effectively a replacement for the Morison inertial term, allowing the Morison drag term (or some refinement of it) to describe exclusively the effects of vorticity, which can in principle be calculated to greater accuracy when isolated in this way.The new equation calculates the potential-flow wave load accurate to second order in wave height, which is a great improvement on ‘Morison's equation’: such results can currently only be sought by very much more complicated and computationally intensive methods, of currently uncertain repeatability. Moreover the third-order error is localized at the free-surface intersection, so the equation remains attractive for fully nonlinear problems involving intermittent immersion of lattice members, which are currently beyond even the most sophisticated of these computationally intensive methods. It is shown that the primary reason for this large contrast in computational efficiency is that the loads are derived from energy considerations rather than direct integration of surface pressures, which requires a lower level of flow detail for a given level of load-calculation accuracy.These improvements must of course be seen against the current levels of uncertainty over the calculation of vorticity-induced loads, which in many applications completely dwarf inaccuracies in potential-flow load calculation. The conditions are accordingly established under which the improvements are comparable to the total wave load predicted by the Morison drag and inertia terms in combination. They are that the lattice member diameter is greater than its length/10, or the relative fluid motion/5, or the structure's motion radius/20, or the wavelength/30: if any one of these conditions is satisfied, the new equation is worthwhile even when used in combination with simple vorticity-induced load calculations from a Morison drag term.
Hannah Arendt’s Antiprimitivism

This essay examines Arendt’s descriptions of “Hottentots” in The Origins of Totalitarianism , especially the comparisons and contrasts she frequently draws between Hottentots and other peoples. In particular, Arendt highlights dehumanization of presumptively “civilized” people in comparing them to African “savages.” Close reading of such analogies demands that we look beyond the racial explanations that other scholars have offered and focus instead on how Arendt’s conception of humanity is bound up with a specific sense of culture that is antiprimitivist—exclusive of peoples without history, primitives. Analysis of her moral anthropology uncovers the Cape Colony discourses and postenlightenment German philosophical supports that inform her antiprimitivism. However, Arendt’s antiprimitivism may not remain confined to Origins. In later essays, Arendt analyzes the various aspects of culture in instructive ways.Yet she also synthesizes culture concepts into a schema that introduces problems for her.
Observed Southern Ocean Cloud Properties and Shortwave Reflection. Part I: Calculation of SW Flux from Observed Cloud Properties*

AbstractThe sensitivity of the reflection of shortwave radiation over the Southern Ocean to the cloud properties there is estimated using observations from a suite of passive and active satellite instruments in combination with radiative transfer modeling. A composite cloud property observational data description is constructed that consistently incorporates mean cloud liquid water content, ice water content, liquid and ice particle radius information, vertical structure, vertical overlap, and spatial aggregation of cloud water as measured by optical depth versus cloud-top pressure histograms. The observational datasets used are Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) effective radius filtered to mitigate solar zenith angle bias, the Multiangle Imaging Spectroradiometer (MISR) cloud-top height–optical depth (CTH–OD) histogram, the liquid water path from the University of Wisconsin dataset, and ice cloud properties from CloudSat. This cloud database is used to compute reflected shortwave radi...
Gender and age differences in employee decisions about new technology: an extension to the theory of planned behavior

This research extends the theory of planned behavior by incorporating gender and age as moderators of user perceptions and individual adoption and sustained use of technology in the workplace. Individual reactions and technology use behavior were studied over a six-month period among 342 workers being introduced to a new software technology application. While previous studies in the literature have reported gender or age differences separately, the pattern of results from the study reported here indicated that gender effects in individual adoption and use of technology differed based on age. Specifically, gender differences in technology perceptions became more pronounced among older workers, but a unisex pattern of results emerged among younger workers. The theory and empirical results are also discussed in relation to the widely employed technology acceptance model. The results from this study suggest that old stereotypes that portray "technology" as a male-oriented domain may be disappearing; particularly among younger workers. In light of these findings, theoretical implications for researchers and practical suggestions for managers are discussed.
Dynamic batching heuristic for simultaneous processing

This study focuses on computer integrated manufacturing as a means of supporting real-time resource allocation decisions in the semiconductor industry. Two general questions are addressed: (1) how can be global current state of the factory, which would be available in a computer integrated manufacturing system, be summarized into information for decisions? and (2) how much improvement might be expected from such a strategy? Partial answers to these questions for a particular decision, dynamic batch sizing, are provided. It is described how the myopic strategy, minimum batch size rule, performs batch process. A heuristic is proposed to handle batch processing in the look-ahead case, and the sensitivity of this heuristic to forecasting errors is tested. >
Detection by Reverse Transcription-PCR and Genetic Characterization of Field Isolates of Swine Hepatitis E Virus from Pigs in Different Geographic Regions of the United States

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an important public health concern in many developing countries. HEV is also endemic in some industrialized counties, including the United States. With our recent discovery of swine HEV in pigs that is genetically closely related to human HEV, hepatitis E is now considered a zoonotic disease. Human strains of HEV are genetically heterogenic. So far in the United States, only one strain of swine HEV has been identified and characterized from a pig. To determine the extent of genetic variations and the nature of swine HEV infections in U.S. pigs, we developed a universal reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) assay that is capable of detecting genetically divergent strains of HEV. By using this universal RT-PCR assay, we tested fecal and serum samples of pigs of 2 to 4 months of age from 37 different U.S. swine farms for the presence of swine HEV RNA. Thirty-four of the 96 pigs (35%) and 20 of the 37 swine herds (54%) tested were positive for swine HEV RNA. The sequences of a 348-bp region within the ORF2 gene of 27 swine HEV isolates from different geographic regions were determined. Sequence analyses revealed that the 27 U.S. swine HEV isolates shared 88 to 100% nucleotide sequence identities with each other and 89 to 98% identities with the prototype U.S. strain of swine HEV. These U.S. swine HEV isolates are only distantly related to the Taiwanese strains of swine HEV, with about 74 to 78% nucleotide sequence identities; to most known human strains of HEV worldwide, with <79% sequence identities; and to avian HEV, with 54 to 56% sequence identities. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all the U.S. swine HEV isolates identified in this study clustered in the same genotype with the prototype U.S. swine HEV and the two U.S. strains of human HEV. The data from this study indicated that swine HEV is widespread and enzoonotic in U.S. swine herds and that, as is with human HEV, swine HEV isolates from different geographic regions of the world are also genetically heterogenic. These data further raise potential concerns for zoonosis, xenozoonosis, and food safety.
Sleep disordered breathing and mortality: eighteen-year follow-up of the Wisconsin sleep cohort.

Background: Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is a treatable but markedly under-diagnosed condition of frequent breathing pauses during sleep. SDB is linked to incident cardiovascular disease, stroke, and other morbidity. However, the risk of mortality with untreated SDB, determined by polysomnography screening, in the general population has not been established.
Self-Assembly of Cylinder-Forming Block Copolymers on Ultrananocrystalline Diamond (UNCD) Thin Films for Lithographic Applications

Block copolymers (BCPs) consist of two or more chemically distinct and incompatible polymer chains (or blocks) covalently bonded. Due to the incompatibility and connectivity constraints between the two blocks, diblock copolymers spontaneously self-assemble into microphase-separated nanoscale domains that exhibit ordered 0, 1, 2 or 3 dimensional morphologies at equilibrium. Commonly observed microdomain morphologies in bulk samples are periodic arrangements of lamellae, cylinders, or spheres. Block copolymer lithography refers to the use of these ordered structures in the form of thin films as templates for patterning through selective etching or deposition. The self-assembly and domain orientation of block copolymers on a given substrate is critical to realize block copolymer lithography as a tool for large throughput nanolithography applications. In this work, we survey the morphology of cylinder-forming block copolymers by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Three kind of block copolymers were studied: a) poly(styrene-block-ferrocenyldimethylsilane), PS-b-PFS b) poly(styrene-block-methylmethacrylate), PS-b-PMMA and c) poly(styrene-block-dimethylsiloxane) PS-b-PDMS. Block copolymers were dissolved in a neutral solvent for both blocks (toluene) in order to obtain solutions of various concentrations (1 and 1.5 wt %). From these solutions, films were prepared by spin casting on ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD) thin film substrates. Results indicate that PS-b-PFS exhibits chemical and morphological compatibility to the UNCD surface in terms of wetting and domain control. A systematic comparison of self-assembly of these polymers on silicon nitride substrates demonstrates that UNCD thin films would require pre-treatment to be considered as a substrate for BCP lithography.
Polyoxo Anions: Synthesis and Structure

Abstract A summary of the vast field of discrete polyoxometalate anions, which has until recently, predominantly been defined by heteropoly- and isopolymolybdates and -tungstates, and to a lesser extent, -vanadates. Unexpected developments in recent years have included the recognition of (a) a more extensive range of polyoxoniobates with an accessible alkaline solution chemistry, (b) polyoxoanions of d 8 metal centers, especially palladium(II), based on assemblies of square-planar MO 4 building units and (c) an extensive set of polyoxo(uranyl) and related actinyl clusters.
The efficacy of a sonographic morphology index in identifying ovarian cancer: A multi-institutional investigation

Transvaginal sonography (TVS) has been shown to be the most effective means to screen for ovarian cancer. TVS is associated with a high sensitivity and specificity. However, the positive predictive value associated with TVS in the diagnosis of malignancy is low. A morphologic scoring index for use with TVS has been used at the University of Kentucky since 1991. The current study was performed to more fully evaluate the efficacy and interobserver variation in ultrasonographic morphology index scores attributed to ovarian tumors. Ultrasound records of 213 patients from five participating centers were reviewed by three independent observers. Morphology index scores were assigned to each tumor in a blinded fashion. The morphology index scores were then compared with the final histopathologic findings. One hundred sixty-nine patients had benign tumors and 44 patients had ovarian malignancies. The mean morphology index scores were significantly higher in malignant ovarian tumors (MI 7.3 +/- 1.9) than in benign ovarian tumors (MI 3.3 +/- 1.8). Statistical evaluation of the morphology index scores revealed a sensitivity of 89% and a positive predictive value of 46%. Interobserver variation was lowest in assessing ovarian volume and higher in the evaluation of wall structure and septal structure. A multilogistic regression model was used to evaluate the predictive power of each component of the morphology index. The use of a morphology index is an effective and cost-efficient method of increasing the positive predictive value of TVS screening for ovarian cancer. Use of this index in large numbers of patients will generate data which should help refine appropriate structural scoring categories and reduce interobserver variation.
Why Parenthood, and Why Now? Gay Men's Motivations for Pursuing Parenthood

The current qualitative study of 35 pre-adoptive gay male couples (70 men) examined gay men’s motivations to parent and their reasons for pursuing parenthood at the current time. Similar to heterosexual couples, gay men described a range of psychologically-oriented reasons as shaping their decision to become parents. Some of these (e.g., desire to teach a child tolerance) may have been uniquely shaped by their sexual minority status, and others (e.g., desire to give a child a good home) in part reflect their adoptive status. Men named age, finances, and relationship factors, as well as unique contextual factors such as the need to find and move to gay-friendly neighborhoods, as influencing their readiness to pursue parenthood at the current time. Gay men’s motivations to parent echo normative life course decision-making processes, but also reflect concerns that are uniquely informed by their sexual minority status.
Intrapartum fetal pulse oximetry: Fetal oxygen saturation trends during labor and relation to delivery outcome

Objectives: To study fetal arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) trends by continuous pulse oximetry during labor in subjects with normal and abnormal delivery outcomes.
HIV/AIDS Gender-Specific Risk Assessment Differentials of African American Women: A Comparative Study of Two Unequal US Inner-City Communities

Objective : We appraised the differences and similarities in awareness, attitude, beliefs, misconceptions and the various high-risk behaviors that influence the rate of infectiousness of HIV/AIDS among African American (AA) women in two unequal US inner-city communities of Baltimore, Maryland and Dover, Delaware. Methods : A cross-sectional convenience-sample survey of 449 African-American women was conducted in Baltimore, MD and Dover, DE between 2009 and 2011. With the main outcome dependent variables of knowledge, attitude, feelings, behavior/practices and potentials for behavior change among the subjects, we administered a 50-item ethnically-sensitive &, gender-specific instrument (AKFBQ) to subjects via person-to-person interview method. The instrument was initially developed by Dancy (1992) and modified by authors to meet the current study criteria. Results : Of the 449 respondents, (Baltimore=53%; Dover=47%), none in the two communities indicated homosexual or bisexual tendency. Number of respondent’s sex partners in the previous 12 months were: 1-2 (53%); 3-4 (25.7%); 5 and higher (20.5%). Statistically significant differences were observed between the two populations on HIV/AIDS knowledge (p< 0.001), HIV/STIs testing history (p < 0.001), unprotected intercourse with drug users (p< 0.001) , unprotected casual sex (p < 0.001), communication with potential sex partners regarding sexual limits prior to intercourse (p = 0.348), and respondents’ attitudes toward stigmatization of HIV/AIDS patients (p = 0.025). Conclusions : Although the level of knowledge of HIV/AIDS was higher among subjects in smaller inner-city Dover, than those of greater Baltimore metropolis, the overall respondents’ beliefs, attitude/feelings, behavior and potentials for behavioral change did not differ significantly among the women in the two un-identical urban communities. Studies with wider population samples have been advocated.
GFP‐labelled Rubisco and aspartate aminotransferase are present in plastid stromules and traffic between plastids

Plastid stromules are membrane-bound protrusions of the plastid envelope that contain soluble stroma. Stromules are often found connecting plastids within a cell and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) experiments have demonstrated that green fluorescent protein (GFP) can move between plastids via these connections. In this report, the ability of endogenous plastid proteins to travel through stromules was investigated. The motility of GFP-labelled plastid aspartate aminotransferase and the Rubisco small subunit was studied in stromules by FRAP. Both fusion proteins assemble into protein complexes that appear to behave similarly to their endogenous counterparts. In addition, both enzymes are capable of trafficking between plastids via stromules.
Adenosine-induced hyperpolarization in guinea pig coronary artery involves A2b receptors and KATP channels.

The role of P1 purinoceptor subtypes, the adenylyl cyclase (AC) pathway, and ATP-sensitive K+(KATP) channels in adenosine (Ado)-induced membrane hyperpolarization was investigated in isolated segme...
Risk Factors for Sudden Death in Children with Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy

transplant (HTx) recipients is unknown. Our study assessed the prevalence of BKV infection and its association with renal dysfunction in pediatric HTx recipients. Methods: We conducted a single center retrospective cohort study on all pediatric HTx recipients (aged < 18) who received a HTx between May 1989 and July 2013 who are currently followed at our center and had BKV testing. Since April 2012, urine BKV loads have been checked in all patients at time of annual evaluation, and prior to that, in patients with chronic kidney disease or acute kidney dysfunction. Serum BK viremia was assayed in patients with positive BK viruria. Data collected included demographics, donor information, immunosuppression regimen, and history of viral illnesses. Descriptive statistics, Fisher’s exact analysis, and Student’s T-test were done to compare patients with and without BK viruria (controls). Results: Of 100 eligible HTx recipients, 51 have been screened to date. Seventeen (33%) of these had BK viruria, and 4 (8%) developed viremia. One viremic patient (2%) progressed to BKV nephropathy diagnosed by biopsy, and required a renal transplant for end stage renal disease. Increasing mean urine viral load was significantly associated with progression from BK viruria (2.1x10^8 copies/mL) to viremia (22.2x10^8 copies/mL) (p= 0.01). History of positive EBV serologies (p= 0.01), use of Sirolimus immunosuppression (p= 0.0006), and duration of time since HTx (6.42 years vs. 3.84 years; p= 0.04) were significantly associated with BK viruria. Renal function, in terms of Schwartz CKiD eGFR, was not significantly different between patients with BK viruria and controls (74.2 vs. 79.8 mL/min per 1.73 m^2, p= 0.41). Conclusion: Increasing mean urine BK viral load, time since HTx, evidence of past EBV infection, and use of Sirolimus were associated with BKV. A prospective study is planned to assess the incidence of BKV in HTx recipients. Routine screening of the urine BK viral load should be considered in this population.
Flight Testing of Autonomous Parafoils Using Upper Surface Bleed Air Spoilers

Upper surface bleed air spoilers are a novel control mechanism for guided airdrop systems. In contrast with conventional trailing edge deflection mechanisms, upper surface bleed air spoilers have been shown to be extremely effective for both lateral (turn rate) and longitudinal (glide slope) control of parafoil aircraft. Bleed air spoilers operate by opening and closing several span-wise slits in the canopy upper surface thus creating a virtual aerodynamic spoiler from the stream of expelled ram air. The work reported here investigates the autonomous landing performance of parafoil aircraft in both computer simulation and flight testing using upper surface bleed air spoilers exclusively for lateral steering control and combined lateral and longitudinal control. Additionally, a novel incanopy bleed air actuation system has been designed and successfully flight tested on a variety of larger parafoil aircraft ranging in payload weight from 300 lb to nearly 1000 lb. The in-canopy system consists of several small, specifically designed winch actuators mounted inside the parafoil canopy capable of opening one or more upper surface bleed air spoilers completely independent of the system AGU. Details of the in-canopy hardware, unique internal rigging structure, and resulting flight performance using the in-canopy system are also presented with excellent results.
Surface tension examination of various liquid oral, nasal, and ophthalmic dosage forms

Surface tension at the surface-to-air interface is a physico-chemical property of liquid pharmaceutical formulations that are often overlooked. To determine if a trend between surface tension and route of administration exists, a suite of oral, nasal, and ophthalmic drug formulations were analyzed. The surface tension at the surface-to-air interface of the oral formulations studied were in or above the range of the surface tension of gastric, duodenum, and jejunum fluids. The range of surface tensions for oral formulations were 36.6–64.7 dynes/cm. Nasal formulations had surface tensions below that of the normal mucosal lining fluid with a range of 30.3–44.9 dynes/cm. Ophthalmic OTC formulations had the largest range of surface tensions at the surface-to-air interface of 34.3–70.9 dynes/cm; however, all formulations indicated for treatment of dry eye had surface tensions higher than that of normal tears, while those for treatment of red eye had surface tensions below. Therefore, surface tension at the surface-to-air interface of liquid formulations is dependent on the route of administration, environment at site of introduction, and for ophthalmics, what the formulation is indicated for.
When Does Convergence in the Mean Imply Uniform Convergence

1. BACKGROUND. Recently we were attempting to prove the existence of a solu tion to a nonlinear integro-differential equation by first transforming it into an inte gral equation, then creating a sequence of functions by Picard iteration, and finally showing that the sequence converged. Although we could easily demonstrate conver gence in the mean, in order to prove that the limit function satisfied the integral equa tion, and thereby the differential equation, we had to show that the convergence was uniform.
OGSA, WSRF, and GT4

Two acronyms that are often seen associated with GT4 and, in fact, with Grid computing itself, are OGSA (Open Grid Services Architecture) and WSRF (Web Services Resource Framework). But…what do they mean? How are they related to the Globus Toolkit 4? This chapter attempts to clarify these important concepts and how they are related. The Open Grid Services Architecture (OGSA), developed by The Global Grid Forum, aims to define a common, standard, and open architecture for grid-based applications. The goal of OGSA is to standardize practically all the services one commonly finds in a grid system (job management services, resource management services, and security services) by specifying a set of standard interfaces for these services. The WSRF is a collection of specifications under the auspices of OASIS. WSRF specifies how to make a Web Services stateful, along with adding a lot of other cool features. It is important to note that WSRF is a joint effort by the Grid and Web Services communities, so it fits pretty nicely inside the whole Web Services Architecture. The relation between OGSA and WSRF is that WSRF provides the stateful services that OGSA needs. Another way of expressing this relation is that, while OGSA is the architecture, WSRF is the infrastructure on which that architecture is built on.
Introduction to the Design of Discrete Filters

According to the eigenfunction property of LTI systems, filtering changes the frequency content of an input signal. In the discrete-time domain, two types of filters designs are possible: the infinite impulse response (IIR) filter resulting from rational approximation, and the finite impulse response (FIR) filter that results from polynomial approximation. These discrete filters are implemented using software or dedicated hardware and minimal direct, cascade, and parallel forms. The filter design consists in specifying a desired magnitude or impulse response followed by rational or polynomial approximation to obtain a stable and realizable filter. For IIR filters, the classical analog filter design methods together with the bilinear transformation, that maps the analog s -plane into the Z -plane, are used to design low-pass filters. Frequency transformations allow design of other filters. Given that the FIR filters are unique to the discrete domain, the approximation procedures for FIR filters are unique to that domain. A basic design uses windowing. The effect of different windows and the linearity of the phase are discussed. Design of IIR and FIR filters are illustrated using MATLAB.
Purinergic signaling in testes revealed.

Key physiological functions of organisms, such as sensory transduction, regulation of heart rate, smooth muscle contraction, bile secretion, endocrine regulation, immune responses, and various pathophysiological conditions, including neuropathic pain, diabetes, kidney failure, and cancer, are
Orthostatic Disorders of Blood Pressure Control: Treatment and Prognosis

Surprisingly, it has been found that orthostatic hypotension due to autonomic insufficiency and most other causes, as well as the various forms of the pooling syndrome, all appear to respond to similar forms of treatment. This finding provides further indirect support for the view that these derangements are all consequences of similar pathogenetic mechanisms. The one important group of exceptions to these generalities is that hypocortisolism, hypoaldosteronism, pheochromocytoma, drug-induced disorders, and other derangements of known etiology should obviously be treated, whenever possible, by correction or removal of the cause and frequently without the need for the therapeutic measures described in this chapter.
Complex Structures of Nitrogenase

Biological nitrogen fixation is catalyzed by the nitrogenase system, which consists of two component metalloproteins, the iron (Fe-) protein and the molybdenum iron (MoFe-) protein. During substrate reduction, the two proteins associate to form a transient complex where electron transfer from the Fe-protein to the MoFe-protein is coupled to MgATP hydrolysis. Ultimately, electrons and protons are transferred to substrates bound to the active metallocenter of the MoFe-protein to generate reduced products.
Identification of MAPK Substrates Using Quantitative Phosphoproteomics

Activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) under diverse biotic and abiotic factors and identification of an array of downstream MAPK target proteins are hot topics in plant signal transduction. Through interactions with a plethora of substrate proteins, MAPK cascades regulate many physiological processes in the course of plant growth, development, and response to environmental factors. Identification and quantification of potential MAPK substrates are essential, but have been technically challenging. With the recent advancement in phosphoproteomics, here we describe a method that couples metal dioxide for phosphopeptide enrichment with tandem mass tags (TMT) mass spectrometry (MS) for large-scale MAPK substrate identification and quantification. We have applied this method to a transient expression system carrying a wild type (WT) and a constitutive active (CA) version of a MAPK. This combination of genetically engineered MAPKs and phosphoproteomics provides a high-throughput, unbiased analysis of MAPK-triggered phosphorylation changes on the proteome scale. Therefore, it is a robust method for identifying potential MAPK substrates and should be applicable in the study of other kinase cascades in plants as well as in other organisms.
Stock returns and interest rates in China: the prequential approach

ABSTRACTThis article aims to study whether interest rates help to forecast stock returns in China using the prequential approach. A bivariate VAR model and a univariate autoregressive model are examined. Out-of-sample probability forecasts, generated based on both a bootstrap-like simulation method and a nonparametric kernel-based simulation method, are evaluated from both calibration (reliability) and sorting (resolution) perspectives. The results from calibration test indicate that including interest rates in the model improves the model’s ability to issue realistic probability forecasts of stock returns (be well-calibrated). Considering stock returns also enhances the prediction of interest rates with respect to calibration. Assessment through Brier score and Yates partition suggests that the model performs better in distinguishing stock returns that actually occur and stock returns that do not occur after incorporating the influence of interest rates. Overall, interest rates help in forecasting stock ...
High capacity VCSEL-based links

▪ Commercial Cloud Servers and High Performance Computing (HPC) need higher data rate short distance links — 100% of Fiber Cables in Blue Gene Q Sequoia (20 PFlop system) 71 Gb/s — Continued improvements in VCSEL bandwidth and RIN could realize 100 Gb/s NRZ — NRZ is preferred, PAM4+FEC adds undesired latency. — Continued improvements in DACs/ADCs for > 150 Gb/s HOM ▪ Optics needs to move to the First Level Package to realize full potential — If possible, sweep driver and receiver functions into the ASIC/Switch chip — SiGe first followed by CMOS later
Oral Cancer: After the Completion of the Human Genome Project

This chapter describes the rationale for gene profiling leading to gene expression leading to diagnosis (identification of mutated genes) and to treatment (development of novel drugs to shut off mutated genes). Gene expression profiling measures the amount of mRNA which is produced by normal as well as abnormal or cancer cells. The amount of mRNA measures the progress of a disease. Several hundred genes are expressed simultaneously. We have expression of good as well as bad gene profiles. Gene profiling identifies which gene is functioning normally to produce healthy cells. For developing treatment or cure, we are also interested in identifying mutated genes whose expression produces bad proteins causing abnormal growth resulting in cancers.
Comparison of coaxial radial flux magnetic gears independently optimized for volume, cost, and mass

This study employs a genetic algorithm (GA) to optimize coaxial radial flux magnetic gear designs using both 2D Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and 3D FEA. Specifically, the GA optimizes different designs, which are all rated for a stall torque of 500 N·m and a gear ratio of approximately 5, to independently maximize volumetric torque density (VTD), torque per dollar (TPD), and gravimetric torque density (GTD). Maximum VTDs of 274 kNm/m3 and 210 kNm/m3 were obtained with 2D and 3D simulations, respectively. Maximum TPDs of 5.86 N·m/$ and 5.47 N·m/$ were obtained with 2D and 3D simulations, respectively. Maximum GTDs of 102.7 N·m/kg and 86.8 N·m/kg were obtained with 2D and 3D simulations, respectively. The results demonstrate that independently maximizing these three metrics leads to markedly different designs with widely varying performance characteristics. The most significant differences occur between the maximum VTD and maximum TPD designs, and the analysis includes a thorough discussion of the dominant design parameters driving this phenomenon. Finally, the impacts of end-effects on the optimal design parameters are also illustrated to demonstrate that consideration of these 3D effects leads to significantly different performance predictions and different optimal design selections.
An Empirical Examination of Overt and Covert Integrity Tests

This study investigated the relationship between overt and covert integrity tests. Undergraduate college students completed both an overt and covert integrity test, a personality test, a survey about counter-productive behavior, and a survey about attitudes toward tests. Both the overt and covert integrity tests were predictive of self reports of theft admissions and counterproductive behaviors. While different personality constructs were related to each integrity test, hierarchical regression indicated the personality subtests predicted additional variance for both the overt and covert integrity tests. Differential effects for integrity test type on test-taking attitudes were also found.
Reproducing severe acute subglottic stenosis in a rabbit model.

Abstract Objectives The objectives of this study were to develop an animal model with consistent, severe subglottic stenosis (SGS), and to develop the timeline needed for intervention to limit rabbit mortality. Methods Subglottic stenosis was created endoscopically using either a nylon or polypropylene brush in sixteen New Zealand White rabbits. The subglottic cross-sectional area was measured endoscopically using a right-angled probe and an open source image analysis software The cross-sectional areas of the stenotic and native airways were compared to calculate the subglottic stenosis percentage and Myer-Cotton grade classification. Results The average diameter of the native subglottis was 4.7 mm (SD 0.4). The mean subglottic stenosis percentage was 73% (SD 32) for all rabbits. The three rabbits injured with the nylon brush had 30, 52, and 76% stenosis. Nine of the 12 surviving rabbits (75%) injured with the polypropylene brush had a >86% subglottic stenosis. Four rabbits in the polypropylene brush cohort died from procedural complications. Conclusion This study demonstrates a reliable model using a polypropylene brush to create severe acute subglottic stenosis. Cartilage exposure after creating the injury was associated with more severe stenosis. Mortality rate may have been reduced if endoscopic balloon dilation was performed electively seven days after injury, rather than emergently nine days after injury. Level of evidence 4.
Link Prediction through Deep Learning

Inferring missing links or predicting future ones based on the currently observed network is known as the link prediction problem, which has tremendous real-world applications. Indeed, a successful link prediction method will substantially reduce the experimental effort required to establish the topology of a network (such as the protein-protein interaction network or the drug-target interaction network). It will also accelerate mutually beneficial interactions (such as potential friendship on social media) that would have taken much longer to form serendipitously. Numerous methods have been proposed to solve this classical problem. Yet, existing methods are typically designed for undirected networks, and their performances differ greatly for networks from different domains. Here, by representing the adjacency matrices of networks as binary images and leveraging the power of deep generative models in computer vision, we developed a new link prediction method, which works for general directed or undirected complex networks. We applied this method to various real networks, finding that overall it shows superior performance against existing methods.
A 12-Bit 1.6, 3.2, and 6.4 GS/s 4-b/Cycle Time-Interleaved SAR ADC With Dual Reference Shifting and Interpolation

This paper demonstrates a multi-bit/cycle successive-approximation register (SAR) analog-to-digital converter (ADC) architecture for low-power and high-speed operation. The proposed dual reference shifting and interpolation technique reduces the power and area overhead of the multi-bit/ cycle SAR architecture, allowing for a higher number of bit quantization for each conversion cycle and thus, a higher conversion rate. To prove the concept, a 12-bit 32-way time-interleaved 4-b/cycle SAR ADC prototype is fabricated in 65-nm CMOS technology. The ADC prototype can be configured with multiple sampling rates (1.6, 3.2, and 6.4 GS/s). It measures a peak effective number of bits (ENOB) of 10.9 bits at 6.4 GS/s and 9.4 ENOB at the maximum input frequency of 1 GHz. The prototype achieves a Schreier figure-of-merit (FOMSchreier) of 154.9 dB at 6.4-GS/s sampling rate.
The moral agency of family and consumer sciences teacher candidates: a grounded theory

If we are to agree that teaching is a moral endeavor, exploring the moral dimension of teacher candidates, as future moral agents, should be considered indispensable. Assessing someone’s moral development based on the hypothetico-deductive method is valuable, yet learning how an individual views him/herself as a moral agent is also important. This research describes family and consumer sciences teacher candidates’ (FCSTCs’) sense of their moral agency, that is their understanding of what is “good or bad” and “right or wrong.” Based on FCSTCs’ constructed meaning developed through semi-structured interviews, this research disclosed factors that shape FCSTCs’ moral agency. To gain insight into the FCSTCs’ understanding of themselves as moral agents, I used grounded theory, as an inductive research method, to avoid the influence of preconceived notions and existing theories that might skew the horizon of my research. Data were obtained from 13 female FCSTCs at Iowa State University (I.S.U.) via focus groups and individual semi-structured interviews. Following grounded theory procedures, a Moral Agency Framework with communicative and socio-psychological dimensions emerged to conceptualize key factors in FCSTCs’ moral agency. The descriptive nature of this research acknowledges the complexity of individuals’ moral agency. This framework accounts for the multidimensional aspects that influence participants’ sense of moral agency. Communication, mainly through sharing perspectives and experiences, and less frequently through definitions and strategies, showed the participants’ understanding of their moral agency as they brought the past into the present
NEUROPHYSIOLOGICAL AND BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENT OF PESTICIDE TOXICITY

Abstract Behavior is not a single entity. It is a complex mix of thousands of learned and reflex behavioral elements. Any one neurotransmitter, such as acetylcholine, the primary “target” of organophosphate and carbamate pesticide (OCP) actions, may be involved in many different behaviors each of which may or may not be elicited in any given set of circumstances. Consequently, there is no single test, or experimental approach, that can meaningfully assess OCP neurobehavioral toxicity. In these circumstances selection of a suitable set of tests of OCP toxicity depends upon an evaluation of the behavior patterns of the “population at risk,” together with a consideration of the clinical behavioral evidence available. From such analyses we can derive hypotheses about OCP actions on brain mechanisms and behavior patterns and from these hypotheses we can then formulate specific experimental approaches which can effectively assess OCP toxicity for the behaviors and “population at risk” we have defined. In this paper we have discussed several such approaches to the assessment of OCP toxicity. A single unit approach to the neurophysiological assessment of OCP toxicity to visual mechanisms was described as were several behavioral approaches to the assessment of OCP effects on memory, time sense and spatial orientation. Emphasis was placed, not on the details of the methods, nor on the results obtained, but rather on the reasons for selecting these approaches to the measurement of OCP toxicity.