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In the Spring of 2018, Western Digital Corporation commissioned Andrew Katz of Moorcrofts LLP to prepare a survey of open processor core licensing. This is an edited version of that report.

Key message A high-resolution genetic map combined with haplotype analyses identified a wheat ortholog of rice gene APO1 as the best candidate gene for a 7AL locus affecting spikelet number per spike. Abstract A better understanding of the genes controlling differences in wheat grain yield components can accelerate the improvements required to satisfy future food demands. In this study, we identified a promising candidate gene underlying a quantitative trait locus (QTL) on wheat chromosome arm 7AL regulating spikelet number per spike (SNS). We used large heterogeneous inbred families ( > 10,000 plants) from two crosses to map the 7AL QTL to an 87-kb region (674,019,191–674,106,327 bp, RefSeq v1.0) containing two complete and two partial genes. In this region, we found three major haplotypes that were designated as H1, H2 and H3. The H2 haplotype contributed the high-SNS allele in both H1 × H2 and H2 × H3 segregating populations. The ancestral H3 haplotype is frequent in wild emmer (48%) but rare (~ 1%) in cultivated wheats. By contrast, the H1 and H2 haplotypes became predominant in modern cultivated durum and common wheat, respectively. Among the four candidate genes, only TraesCS7A02G481600 showed a non-synonymous polymorphism that differentiated H2 from the other two haplotypes. This gene, designated here as WHEAT ORTHOLOG OF APO1 (WAPO1), is an ortholog of the rice gene ABERRANT PANICLE ORGANIZATION 1 (APO1), which affects spikelet number. Taken together, the high-resolution genetic map, the association between polymorphisms in the different mapping populations with differences in SNS, and the known role of orthologous genes in other grass species suggest that WAPO-A1 is the most likely candidate gene for the 7AL SNS QTL among the four genes identified in the candidate gene region. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00122-019-03382-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Shaping is a versatile process for machining gear teeth on complex monolithic components, which cannot otherwise be produced using other methods (like hobbing) due to geometric constraints. This paper presents a new model to accurately predict the chip geometry and cutting forces in shaping. Kinematics of gear shaping is modeled and verified. Cutter–workpiece engagement is predicted using a dexel-based geometric modeler, and refined by alpha-shape reconstruction. Varying rake and oblique angles are resolved along the cutting edges and used in three-dimensional force predictions. Simulated forces are shown to agree closely with those measured on a gear shaping machine.

Free and open source software (FOSS) is commonly made available to students in schools, but the schools do not necessarily take a holistic approach to their provision of IT (including software) which takes into account the nature of FOSS. In particular, we have identified a number of contracts with which Swedish students who are provided with laptops by their schools are required to comply which set out conditions for the use of the laptops, and associated software and content. Many clauses in these contracts are legally incompatible with certain FOSS licences, or contain misconceptions about FOSS, licensing and culture. This paper explores the relationship between the contracts and FOSS licensing and culture, and suggests a number of resolutions to the contradictions and misconceptions, as well as considering related issues.

Gear shaping is, currently, the most prominent method for machining internal gears, which are a major component in planetary gearboxes. However, there are few reported studies on the mechanics of the process. This paper presents a comprehensive model of gear shaping that includes the kinematics, cutter–workpiece engagement (CWE), and cutting forces. To predict the cutting forces, the CWE is calculated at discrete time steps using a tridexel discrete solid modeler. From the CWE in tridexel form, the two-dimensional (2D) chip geometry is reconstructed using Delaunay triangulation (DT) and alpha shape reconstruction. This in turn is used to determine the undeformed chip geometry along the cutting edge. The cutting edge is discretized into nodes with varying cutting force directions (tangential, feed, and radial), inclination angles, and rake angles. If engaged in the cut during a particular time-step, each node contributes an incremental force vector calculated with the oblique cutting force model. Using a three-axis dynamometer on a Liebherr LSE500 gear shaping machine tool, the cutting force prediction algorithm was experimentally verified on a variety of processes and gears, which included an internal spur gear, external spur gear, and external helical gear. The simulated and measured force profiles correlate closely with about 3–10% RMS error.

Elastic deflection of cutting tools relative to the workpiece is one of the major factors contributing to dimensional part inaccuracies in machining. This paper examines the effect of tool deflection in gear shaping and its effect on the gear's profile form error, which can cause transmission error and noise during gear operation. To simulate elastic tool deflection in gear shaping, the tool's static stiffness is estimated from impact hammer testing. Then, based on simulated cutter-workpiece engagement and predicted cutting forces, the elastic deflection of the tool is calculated at each time-step. To examine the effect of tool deflection on the profile error of the gear, a virtual gear measurement module is developed and used to predict the involute profile deviations in the virtually machined part. Simulated and measured profile deviations were compared for a one-pass external spur gear process and a two-pass external spur gear process. The simulated profile errors correlate very well with the measured profiles on the left flanks of the workpiece teeth, which are cut by the leading edges of the cutter teeth. However, additional research is needed to improve the prediction of the right flanks, which are cut by the trailing edges of the cutter teeth.

Background Assessing surgical skill is critical in improving patient care while reducing medical errors, length of stay, and readmission rates. Crowdsourcing provides 1 potential method for accurately assessing this; only recently has crowdsourcing been studied as a valid way to provide feedback to surgeons. The results of such studies are explored. Data sources A systematic literature search was performed on PubMed to identify studies that have attempted to validate crowdsourcing as a method for assessing surgical skill. Through a combination of abstract screening and full-length review, 9 studies that met the inclusion criteria were reviewed. Conclusions Crowdsourcing has been validated as an important way to provide feedback for surgical skill. It has been demonstrated to be effective in both dry-lab and live surgery, for a variety of tasks and methods. However, more studies must be performed to ensure that crowdsourcing can provide quality feedback in a wider variety of scenarios.

Background Benzodiazepine-resistant cases of alcohol withdrawal syndrome are common, and therefore alternate treatments are needed. Objective Our aim was to conduct a systematic review of published reports on the use of barbiturates for alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Methods We performed a systematic literature search of PUBMED for relevant citations that described the use of barbiturates either alone or in conjunction with other pharmacological agents to treat alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Results A total of 15 citations were identified; 2 citations looked at barbiturates alone; 1 found barbiturates effective in an emergency department setting at treating seizures and preventing return visits. A second showed that barbiturates caused a relatively low rate of respiratory depression. Further, 5 citations compared barbiturates with benzodiazepines; 1 suggested that they were better at treating severe withdrawal, and another showed they were more effective at preventing seizures; 4 citations found they were as effective as benzodiazepines, but 1 found a higher rate of respiratory depression. Also, 3 citations compared a combination of barbiturates and benzodiazepines to benzodiazepines alone; 1 showed decreased ventilation, another showed fewer intensive care unit admissions, and a third showed better symptom control; 3 citations described detailed reports of barbiturate protocols. Lastly, 2 citations compared barbiturates with other agents and found them equivalent. Conclusion Barbiturates provide effective treatment for alcohol withdrawal syndrome. In particular, they show promise for use in the emergency department and for severe withdrawal in the intensive care unit. Respiratory depression does not appear to be exceedingly common. Additional studies are needed to clarify the role of barbiturates in alcohol withdrawal syndrome.

Open hardware lags open source software in maturity. The two main licences assert a form of copyleft. This paper argues that copyleft's applicabilty to hardware is probelmatic, and concludes by proposing a simpler non-copyleft licence, based on Apache 2.0, for hardware.

Several European countries, as well as the European Commission, have acknowledged the importance of open standards (under various definitions of that term) and have taken steps accordingly. Formal (e.g. ISO) standards are often referred to in software development and procurement, but may not necessarily also be open standards. The authors consider the application of formal standards where national policy promotes their use, and, since much contemporary software development involves open source software, they further consider the interaction between the requirement to comply with open standards, and the implementation of open and formal standards in open source software, with particular reference to patent licensing. It is shown that not all formal standards are open standards. SSO policies and procedures regarding the notification of standards-essential patents (SEPs) present challenges for organisations wishing to implement standards in software since such policies and procedures need to be compliant with procurement requirements, patent licences and open source software licences. This paper draws out some implications for those organisations (differentiating where appropriate between small companies and other organisations) and suggests a number of ways of addressing the challenges identified. Use of formal standards may create barriers for implementation in open source software and inhibit an open and inclusive business-friendly ecosystem, and to avoid such barriers is of particular importance for small companies that are essential players in an innovative and international society.

Google’s business exists primarily of cloud services. Access to a cloud service is governed both by the functionality of the technical interface presented by the provider (the API—or application programming interface), and the terms of service which surround access. This chapter considers how cloud service providers such as Google implement terms and conditions for access to their cloud services, and the threats posed by closed APIs (computer—“West Coast”—code), and what legal regulation may exist to counter those threats.

The portacaval shunt rat is often used as a model of human portal-systemic encephalopathy, but its relevance to human portal-systemic encephalopathy remains uncertain. Specifically, it has not been demonstrated that the behavioral changes seen in this model respond to measures known to improve portal-systemic encephalopathy in human subjects. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to establish whether neomycin (an effective treatment for portal-systemic encephalopathy in human beings) added to the drinking water of rats subjected to portacaval shunt reversed or ameliorated the reduction in spontaneous motor activity, which represents a measure of encephalopathy in this animal model. A randomized, placebocontrolled crossover design was used, with each animal serving as its own control. After establishment of baseline activities, 12 rats with portacaval shunt and 12 sham-operated rats were divided into two equal groups: Group A animals received neomycin for 1 wk; this was followed by 1 wk off neomycin; in group B rats, the sequence was reversed. Spontaneous intake of neomycin for 7 days at doses comparable to human usage (0.1 to 0.2 gm/kg/day) was associated with a significant increase in spontaneous motor activity in rats subjected to portacaval shunt (26.4% in group A, 66.3% in group B; p

Copyright holds a fascination for members of the free and open source community. The copyleft nature of the GPL can exist only because copyright laws exist . This review considers William Patry's book “Moral Panics and the Copyright Wars”, and examines its argument that copyright laws are not fit for purpose.

Andrew Katz reviews the Third Edition of Law and the Internet (ed. Edwards and Waelde, 2009), with particular emphasis on chapters 10, 11 and 12, covering the legal protection of computer software, free and open source software, and open access, respectively.

This paper discusses the remote delivery of wind tunnel experiments performed at the Stability Wind Tunnel of Virginia Tech, in April 2020, during the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic The originally in-person laboratories were transformed to entirely remote sessions, on a time-frame of a few weeks, to ensure the delivery of the laboratory sessions and the safety of all participants via social distancing and the use of widely-available video conferencing software The paper outlines the structure of the laboratory sessions, comprising the tour of the facility, data acquisition, and data visualization alongside with all information technology components used to ensure the successful remote delivery of the laboratory sessions After the two-week-long experimental campaign, participating students provided feedback on the efficacy of the laboratories via a detailed questionnaire It was found that the students were highly satisfied with the remote delivery of the laboratory sessions but showed a preference for in-person laboratories © 2021, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc, AIAA All rights reserved