cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Monte Carlo simulations of nanoscale focused neon ion beam sputtering.

A Monte Carlo simulation is developed to model the physical sputtering of aluminum and tungsten emulating nanoscale focused helium and neon ion beam etching from the gas field ion microscope. Neon beams with different beam energies (0.5–30 keV) and a constant beam diameter (Gaussian with full-width-at-half-maximum of 1 nm) were simulated to elucidate the nanostructure evolution during the physical sputtering of nanoscale high aspect ratio features. The aspect ratio and sputter yield vary with the ion species and beam energy for a constant beam diameter and are related to the distribution of the nuclear energy loss. Neon ions have a larger sputter yield than the helium ions due to their larger mass and consequently larger nuclear energy loss relative to helium. Quantitative information such as the sputtering yields, the energy-dependent aspect ratios and resolution-limiting effects are discussed.
A Low-Stretch-Guaranteed and Lightweight Geographic Routing Protocol for Large-Scale Wireless Sensor Networks

Geographic routing is well suited for large-scale wireless sensor networks (WSNs) because it is nearly stateless. One important challenge is that network holes may arbitrarily increase the routing path length. Fortunately, recent studies have shown that constant path stretch is achievable using nonlocal information. The constant stretch, however, is possible at the cost of high communication and storage overhead: a source node must complete a “path-setup” process prior to data transmission by exchanging a message with a destination node using a default geographic routing (e.g., GPSR). In this article, we propose the first geographic routing protocol (LVGR) that provably achieves worst-case stretch of Θ (D/γ) (where D is the diameter of the network and γ is the communication range of nodes) with low communication and storage overhead. LVGR represents a hole as a convex hull, the internal structure of which is represented as a local visibility graph. Based on the convex hulls and local visibility graphs, LVGR generates paths with guaranteed stretch. Through theoretical analysis and extensive simulations, we prove the worst-case stretch of LVGR and demonstrate that LVGR reduces communication overhead by up to 97p and storage overhead by up to 60p, compared with the state of the art.
Pablo Neruda y los misterios de la naturaleza

Resumen es: A pesar de haber entrado al mundo literario en esos anos locos dominados por la vanguardia, Neruda nunca fue un escritor vanguardista (ni surrealista, ni...
Regional mixed-effects height–diameter models for loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantations

A height–diameter mixed-effects model was developed for loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantations in the southeastern US. Data were obtained from a region-wide thinning study established by the Loblolly Pine Growth and Yield Research Cooperative at Virginia Tech. The height–diameter model was based on an allometric function, which was linearized to include both fixed- and random-effects parameters. A test of regional-specific fixed-effects parameters indicated that separate equations were needed to estimate total tree heights in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain physiographic regions. The effect of sample size on the ability to estimate random-effects parameters in a new plot was analyzed. For both regions, an increase in the number of sample trees decreased the bias when the equation was applied to independent data. This investigation showed that the use of a calibrated response using one sample tree per plot makes the inclusion of additional predictor variables (e.g., stand density) unnecessary. A numerical example demonstrates the methodology used to predict random effects parameters, and thus, to estimate plot specific height–diameter relationships.
LANG MAPS AND HARRIS'S CONJECTURE

We show that any variety in characteristic 0 possesses a universal dominant rational map, which we callthe Lang map, to a variety of general type. We discuss a conjecture of J. Harris regarding the relation between rational points and Lang maps.
The production of hyaluronate by spontaneously established cell lines and viral transformed lines of fibroblastic origin

Human diploid fibroblast strains and established mouse fibroblast lines continue to synthesize hyaluronate over many cell generations in culture. However, this property may be lost in the course of many years of serial culture of established lines as it is no longer detectable in three well-known mouse lines of fibroblastic origin, including L-cells. Transformation of the established mouse fibroblast line 3T3 by SV40 or polyoma virus and of human diploid fibroblast strains by SV40 leads in each case to a marked diminution in the rate of hyaluronate synthesis.
Peroxynitrite reduces vasodilatory responses to reduced intravascular pressure, calcitonin gene-related peptide, and cromakalim in isolated middle cerebral arteries

Vasodilatory responses to progressive reductions in intravascular pressure or to calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) or cromakalim were determined in rodent middle cerebral arteries (MCAs) before and after treatment with peroxynitrite (ONOO-). Middle cerebral artery diameters in isolated, pressurized MCAs were measured as intravascular pressure was reduced from 100 to 20 mm Hg in 20-mm Hg increments before and after inactive ONOO-, pH-adjusted ONOO-, or 10, 20, or 40 mol/L ONOO- was added to the bath. In other MCAs, responses to CGRP (1 10-9 - 5 10-8) or cromakalim (3 10-8 - 8 10-7) were measured before and after the addition of 25 mol/L ONOO-. Inactive ONOO- (n = 6, P = 0.40), pH-adjusted ONOO- (n = 6, P = 0.29), and 10 mol/L ONOO- (n = 6, P = 0.88) did not reduce vasodilatory responses to reduced intravascular pressure. Middle cerebral arteries treated with 20 (n = 6, P 0.0001) mol/L ONOO- constricted significantly when intravascular pressure was reduced. Vasodilatory responses to CGRP or cromakalim were reduced by ONOO- (P > 0.02, n = 6 and P > 0.01, n = 7, respectively). ONOO- had no effect on vasoconstriction in response to serotonin or vasodilation in response to KCl. These studies demonstrate that ONOO- reduces multiple cerebral vasodilatory responses.
Fluid–structure-interaction for a steel plate subjected to non-contact explosion

Abstract The objective of this study is to simulate behaviour of a steel plate subjected to non-contact explosion by using LS-DYNA software. Arbitrary-Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE) algorithm for fluid–structure-interaction model of the LS-DYNA software was adopted. Results of the fluid–structure-interaction model using the ALE algorithm were compared with the results of the Lagrangian model and experimental results of Boyd (2000) [1] . The efficiency and accuracy of fluid–structure-interaction and Lagrangian models were studied. The results indicated that pressure and impulse values of shock wave were mainly affected by initial internal energy of air. If the model of air have initial internal energy with a temperature of 3000 K and maintain pressure of standard atmosphere, both the pressure and impulse values of shock waves were close to the US Army Technical Manual TM5-1300 data, with a maximum relative difference of 10% for a scaled distance between 0.3 and 1.6 m/kg 1/3 . The results of a fluid–structure-interaction model with initial internal energy of 3000 K of air showed that the relative difference in the maximum midpoint displacement of a steel plate with Pentolite explosive at a distance of 50 and 25 cm were 15.3% and 0.5%, respectively.
Simultaneous human detection and ranging using a millimeter-wave radar system transmitting wideband noise with an embedded tone

This paper describes a millimeter-wave (mm-wave) radar system that has been constructed to simultaneously range and detect humans at distances up to 82 meters. This is done by utilizing a composite signal consisting of two waveforms: a wideband noise waveform and a single tone. These waveforms are summed together and transmitted simultaneously. Matched filtering of the received and transmitted noise signals is performed to range targets with high resolution, while the received single tone signal is used for Doppler analysis. The Doppler measurements are used to distinguish between different human movements using characteristic micro-Doppler signals. Using hardware and software filters allows for simultaneous processing of both the noise and Doppler waveforms. Our measurements establish the mm-wave system's ability to detect humans up to and beyond 80 meters and distinguish between different human movements. In this paper, we describe the architecture of the multi-modal mm-wave radar system and present results on human target ranging and Doppler characterization of human movements. In addition, data are presented showing the differences in reflected signal strength between a human with and without a concealed metallic object.
Unsteady aerodynamics of rotor-stator interaction in a turbine stage

The two-dimensional, compressible, unsteady, thin-layer Navier-Stokes equations have been used to study the turbulent flow field of a turbine rotor/stator configuration in the high pressure oxidizer turbopump of the Space Shuttle main engine. The calculations were performed on a system of patched and overlaid grids. The grid system consists of 'O-' and 'H-' grids, with the inner 'O-'grid enclosing the blade surface for an accurate resolution of the leading and trailing edges, while the outer 'H-'grid makes the treatment of boundary conditions easier. The integration scheme used is an iterative, factored, implicit method with numerical fluxes evaluated by the third-order accurate upwind-biased Osher scheme. Computed results in the form of pressure contours, Mach number contours, time-averaged surface pressure, unsteady pressure amplitude and unsteady velocity vectors are presented. Many flow phenomena, such as wake cutting by rotor airfoils and evolution of unsteady passage vortices, are discussed.
Analysis for kawa pyrones in extracts of Piper methysticum

Abstract The amounts of kawa pyrones (e.g. I and II) in ether extracts of Piper methysticum were determined using two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography on aluminium oxide. The concentrations of desmethoxyyangonin, yangonin, dihydromethysticin, methysticin, dihydrokawain, and kawain were determined by u.v. spectroscopy after elution of the spots with methanol. Recoveries of known compounds were 80–85 per cent for yangonin and 90–95 per cent for all others.
Vibrational energy dynamics of water studied with ultrafast Stokes and anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy

Abstract The transient Stokes Raman spectroscopy method is introduced to study the dynamics of OH-stretching vibrations in water excited by ultrashort infrared pulses. The combination of Stokes and anti-Stokes Raman probing allows the the absorption and emission contributions to be measured separately. Experiments with 3400 cm −1 pumping of OH-stretching of HOD solute in D 2 O solvent are reported. The Stokes Raman method is used to study the delay between the excited-state decay and the ground-state recovery, the vibrational Stokes shift, and the generation of weakened hydrogen bonding due to heat released by vibrational relaxation.
Teaching and Learning Physics in a 1:1 Laptop School

1:1 laptop programs, in which every student is provided with a personal computer to use during the school year, permit increased and routine use of powerful, user-friendly computer-based tools. Growing numbers of 1:1 programs are reshaping the roles of teachers and learners in science classrooms. At the Denver School of Science and Technology, a public charter high school where a large percentage of students come from low-income families, 1:1 laptops are used often by teachers and students. This article describes the school’s use of laptops, the Internet, and related digital tools, especially for teaching and learning physics. The data are from teacher and student surveys, interviews, classroom observations, and document analyses. Physics students and teachers use an interactive digital textbook; Internet-based simulations (some developed by a Nobel Prize winner); word processors; digital drop boxes; email; formative electronic assessments; computer-based and stand-alone graphing calculators; probes and associated software; and digital video cameras to explore hypotheses, collaborate, engage in scientific inquiry, and to identify strengths and weaknesses of students’ understanding of physics. Technology provides students at DSST with high-quality tools to explore scientific concepts and the experiences of teachers and students illustrate effective uses of digital technology for high school physics.
Progress In Fourier Transform Time-Resolved Spectroscopy

The development of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic studies of pulsed transient phenomena, using rapid scanning interferometers is described. Early results obtained using this technique have been shown to have been misinterpreted. Some problems that have been encountered are described and systems of interest discussed.© (1981) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Human neutrophil elastase-mediated goblet cell metaplasia is attenuated in TACE-deficient mice

Neutrophilic inflammation is associated with chronic airway diseases. It has been observed that human neutrophil elastase (HNE), which is secreted by active neutrophils during inflammation, induces...
A Model for Lattice-Mismatched Epitaxy: A Continuum View

To date, primarily only idealized equilibrium models for the growth mode and strain relaxation of elastically strained overlayers have been proposed. Here we present a general continuum model for lattice-mismatched epitaxy. As molecular beam epitaxy is inherently a nonequilibrium growth process, surface diffusion kinetics is incorporated in the model. Additionally, a new strain relaxation mechanism in a dislocation-free film is considered. Experimental support for our view is obtained from measurements made by reflection high energy electron diffraction, scanning tunneling microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy on the growth of InGaAs on GaAs(100). These results demonstrate the strong effects which strain, surface diffusion kinetics, and surface energy have on growth mode. From analytical and numerical analysis in 1 + 1 dimensions, the interrelationship of such physical factors is revealed. Our improved understanding enables control over the growth behavior of strained-layer superlattices and heterostructures.
Response of a free circular plate to a central transverse load

The axisymmetric response due to a point source at the center of a free circular plate is found. The forcing function is considered as both an impulsive load and as a sinusoidal load. The response is found by modal superposition of up to 500 modes generated by the Pickett plate theory. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the response with use of a large number of highly accurate modes, and to determine if such a large number of modes must be considered in problems involving the use of control systems designed to operate at high frequencies in space applications. Because of the application, unusually low damping values are chosen. It is shown that for the impulsive loading between 400 and 500 modes are required to produce a correct wave response when no damping is considered, but that only 100 modes are sufficient when one percent of critical damping is considered. For steady state response it is shown that the response at the higher frequencies is highly localized; that is, the response is much greater at the point of application of the force than at any other point. Also, for increased damping this localization becomes more pronounced.
Evaluating the accuracy of size perception in real and virtual environments

Accurate perception of the size of 3D objects depicted on 2D desktop displays is important for many applications. Whether users perceive objects depicted on a display to be the same size as comparable real world objects is not well understood. We propose using affordances judgments as a way of measuring the perceived size of objects depicted in desktop virtual environments and the real world. The methodology involves indicating whether or not a particular action can be performed in a given environment, making it a flexible measure that can be used across different display technologies. In two studies, we test users' perceptions of size by asking them to make affordance judgments in both the real world and a geometrically matched desktop virtual environment. In the first study, users judge whether they can grasp an object and in the second study, they judge whether they can fit their hand through an opening. In both experiments we show that users perceive the size of objects in the desktop virtual environment to be smaller than in the real world.
Extraction of enzymes from tannin-bearing tissue.

Abstract Aldolase activity of extracts of lyophilized preclimacteric and postclimacteric banana pulp tissue is the same. The activity of several other enzymes including the dehydrogenases of α-glycerolphosphate, glyceraldehyde phosphate, plucose-6-phosphate and 6-phosphogluconate, as well as phosphofructokinase, pectin methyl esterase, and hexokinase, remained unchanged or decreased with ripening. A leucoanthocyanin-type tannin is present in preclimacteric tissue. It occurs exclusively in the latex cells and diffuses readily when these cells are broken. It is nondiffusible in postclimacteric fruit tissue. When latex cells of preclimacteric tissue are broken, tannins adsorb to the cell debris of all the cells and bind protein. The binding of tannin to the cell debris and of protein to the adsorbed tannin can be prevented by addition of serum albumin, Carbowax 4000, nicotine, or caffeine to the extraction medium.
Second-order terms for the variances and covariances of the number of prime factors—Including the square free case ☆

We obtain second-order terms for the variance and covariance of Ω(n) and ω(n), the number of prime divisors counted with and without multiplicity, and connect these results to a formula of Renyi. We discuss the heuristic connection with the Landau-Sathe extension of the prime number theorem and develop new expansions for the mean and variance of ω(n) in the square free case.
In vivo autoradiography of radioiodinated (R)-3-quinuclidinyl (S)-4-iodobenzilate [(R,S)-IQNB] and (R)-3-quinuclidinyl (R)-4-iodobenzilate [(R,R)-IQNB]. Comparison of the radiolabelled products of a novel tributylstannyl precursor with those of the established triazene and exchange methods

Abstract Radioiodinated (R,S)-IQNB and (R,R)-IQNB are prepared either from a triazene precursor or using an exchange reaction. In both cases the radiochemical yield is low. The product of the exchange reaction also suffers from having a fairly low specific activity. A new method for preparing radioiodinated (R,S)-IQNB and (R,R)-IQNB from a tributylstannyl precursor has recently been developed. This method is more convenient and much faster than the triazene and exchange methods, and it reliably results in a high radiochemical yield of a high specific activity product. In rat brain, the in vivo properties of the radioiodinated products of the tributylstannyl method are identical to those of the corresponding radioiodinated (R,S)-IQNB and (R,R)-IQNB prepared using the triazene and exchange methods. Dissection studies of selected brain regions show that at 3 h post injection (R,S)-[125I]IQNB prepared by all three methods have indistinguishable %dose g−1 values in all brain regions studied. Autoradiographic comparison of coronal slices through the anteroventral nucleus of the thalamus, through the hippocampus and through the pons at 2 h post injection shows that (R,S)-[125I]IQNB prepared by the triazene and tributylstannyl methods have indistinguishable patterns of bindings
Carbon dioxide column abundances at the Wisconsin Tall Tower site

We have developed an automated observatory for measuring atmospheric column abundances of CO_2 and O_2 using near-infrared spectra of the Sun obtained with a high spectral resolution Fourier Transform Spectrometer (FTS). This is the first dedicated laboratory in a new network of ground-based observatories named the Total Carbon Column Observing Network. This network will be used for carbon cycle studies and validation of spaceborne column measurements of greenhouse gases. The observatory was assembled in Pasadena, California, and then permanently deployed to northern Wisconsin during May 2004. It is located in the heavily forested Chequamegon National Forest at the WLEF Tall Tower site, 12 km east of Park Falls, Wisconsin. Under clear sky conditions, ∼0.1% measurement precision is demonstrated for the retrieved column CO_2 abundances. During the Intercontinental Chemical Transport Experiment–North America and CO_2 Boundary Layer Regional Airborne Experiment campaigns in summer 2004, the DC-8 and King Air aircraft recorded eight in situ CO_2 profiles over the WLEF site. Comparison of the integrated aircraft profiles and CO_2 column abundances shows a small bias (∼2%) but an excellent correlation.
Privacy-Preserving Energy Theft Detection in Smart Grids: A P2P Computing Approach

In the U.S., energy theft causes about six billion dollar losses to utility companies (UCs) every year. With the smart grid being proposed to modernize current power grids, energy theft may become an even more serious problem since the "smart meters" used in smart grids are vulnerable to more types of attacks compared to traditional mechanical meters. Therefore, it is important to develop efficient and reliable methods to identify illegal users who are committing energy theft. Although some schemes have been proposed for the UCs to detect energy theft in power grids, they all require users to send their private information, e.g., load profiles or meter readings at certain times, to the UCs, which invades users' privacy and raises serious concerns about privacy, safety, etc. To the best of our knowledge, we are the first to investigate the energy theft detection problem considering users' privacy issues. Specifically, in this paper, utilizing peer-to-peer (P2P) computing, we propose three distributed algorithms to solve a linear system of equations (LSE) for users' "honesty coefficients". Extensive simulations are carried out and the results show that the proposed algorithms can efficiently and successfully identify the fraudulent users in the system.
Lost in Debate: The Safety of Domestic Unmanned Aircraft Systems

The United States is poised to integrate commercial unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) into the national airspace and enable government entities to use UAS in a more expedient manner. This policy change, mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, offers new economic, social and scientific opportunities as well as enhanced law enforcement capacity. However, such benefits will be accompanied by concerns over misuse and abuse of the new technologies by criminals and terrorists. Privacy has been the focus of public debate over the more widespread use of UAS. This paper examines a variety of issues related to allowing broad UAS operations in domestic airspace, and puts forth that safety should be the top priority of policy makers in their effort to integrate UAS into the national airspace system. This article is available in Journal of Strategic Security: http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/jss/vol7/iss4/5
Enjoyment mediates effects of a school-based physical-activity intervention.

ABSTRACTPurpose:The study evaluated whether targeted changes in factors influencing enjoyment of physical education (PE), physical activity enjoyment, and self-efficacy beliefs about participating in physical activity mediated the effect of the Lifestyle Education for Activity Program (LEAP) interve
College Students' Perceived Wellness Among Online, Face-to-Face, and Hybrid Formats of a Lifetime Physical Activity and Wellness Course

Background: College students are vulnerable to risks associated with unhealthy behaviors. Considering the role that colleges play in facilitating lifelong health and wellness behaviors of college students, health-related fitness (HRF) courses are being offered using multiple delivery formats. Purpose: There is a need to better understand the relationship between course delivery format and perceived wellness; thus, the purpose of this study was to assess perceived wellness among college students who self-selected into various delivery formats of a required university HRF course. Methods: The Perceived Wellness Survey was used due to its previously established reliability and validity for college populations. Participants included 378 college students enrolled in a HRF course. Results: Students with higher perceived wellness were more likely to be enrolled in online and hybrid course formats rather than face to face. Discussion: The results of this study provide a better understanding of the perceived welln...
The molecular mechanics program DUPLEX: Computing structures of carcinogen modified DNA by surveying the potential energy surface

The nucleic acids molecular mechanics program DUPLEX has been designed with useful features for surveying the potential energy surface of polynucleotides, especially ones that are modified by polycyclic aromatic carcinogens. The program features helpful strategies for addressing the multiple minimum problem: (1) the reduced variable domain of torsion angle space; (2) search strategies that emphasize large scale searches for smaller subunits, followed by building to larger units by a variety of strategies; (3) the use of penalty functions to aid the minimizer in locating selected structural types in first stage minimizations; penalty functions are released in terminal minimizations to yield final unrestrained minimum energy conformations. Predictive capability is illustrated by DNA modified by activated benzo[a]pyrenes.
A Rapid Cyclogenesis Event during GALE IOP 9

Abstract A cyclone that developed explosively during Intensive Observation Period (IOP) 9 of the Genesis of Atlantic Lows Experiment (GALE) is studied. Detailed surface analysis is conducted based on operationally available data, late reporting ship observations and GALE special observations to determine the surface storm track and deepening rate. GALE dropsonde and rawinsonde data are used to supplement the normal upper-level database, and are analyzed by a research version of the Navy Operational Regional Analysis and Prediction System (NORAPS) using optimal interpolation analysis. These analyses reveal critical subsynoptic features important in the development. Two surface lows are present during the early coastal development period. The western center is coupled to a mobile 500 mb short-wave trough while the eastern center develops in a strong baroclinic zone offshore. The objective analyses also show a strengthening of a jet streak east of the mobile short wave. The divergent quadrant of this jet str...
Nonlinear absorption of tetrabenzporphyrins

We studied the nonlinear absorption properties of tetrabenzporphyrins (TBP). Two dimensional delocalized pi- electron systems such as the macrocyclic dyes tetrabenzporphyrins exhibit nonlinear absorption. Their nonlinear absorption and refraction are due mainly to a mechanism that involves the formation of large populations of excited states. This takes place in the spectral regions between B and Q bands. The relevant time frame in which the nonlinear absorption takes place is determined by the dipole dephasing times in the case of the excited singlet states (which is of order picosecond). TBPs have been proposed as candidates for applications in optical power limiting. We have monitored the nature of the nonlinear absorption of TBP samples with picosecond laser pulses at 532 nm wavelength. Open aperture picosecond Z-scan measurements obtained with solutions of TBP in tetrahydrofuran (THF) exhibit reverse saturable absorption (RSA). Our experiments also reveal RSA for a thin film of TBP in a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) matrix. On the other hand we observed that for films deposited using the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique the RSA is decreased. A simple extrapolation of solution measurements to thin film samples might result in erroneous conclusions. We investigated the nonlinear absorption of TBP in THF-water mixture to elucidate the role of molecular aggregates in the nonlinear properties of TBP samples. The RSA observed in the case of THF solutions is lost in the mixture.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Clinicoarteriographic correlations in angina pectoris with and without myocardial infarction.

Previous studies have emphasized the essential similarity of arteriographic lesions in patients with angina pectoris and in those with acute myocardial infarction. In this study of 30 consecutive patients who underwent coronary arteriography for prolonged, severe angina, 15 had a history or electrocardiographic evidence of prior myocardial infarction and 15 did not. The frequency of intercoronary circulation and the presence of a rudimentary (“filamentous”) vessel distinguished the group with infarction, whereas the presence of focal bridging alone was characteristic of those with angina pectoris. The thesis is offered that angina is the result of proximal major vessel stenosis, with inadequate service by collateral circulation, and that the findings with infarction although quantitatively similar, result eventually in complete obstruction, often with retrograde flow in a major vessel. Such a working hypothesis suggests that minor degrees of myocardial damage are explicable in terms of major vessel constriction with resultant injury at the subendocardial level.
Necrotizing Esophagitis and Bleeding Associated With Cefazolin

Objective: To report the case of a patient who presented with rare necrotizing esophagitis related to cefazolin-associated coagulopathy. A review of the literature is also provided. Case Summary: A 53-year-old male patient was admitted for management of septicemia and femur osteomyelitis. Long-term cefazolin treatment was initiated after cultures and sensitivity revealed methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus. The patient was given intravenous cefazolin 2 g every 24 hours. On day 15 of cefazolin treatment, the patient presented to the emergency department complaining of black coffee ground emesis. On upper-gastrointestinal endoscopy, the patient was determined to have necrotizing esophagitis. He was found to have an international normalized ratio (INR) of 8.11 and prothrombin time (PT) of 89.2 s. Intravenous vitamin K, fresh frozen plasma, and packed red blood cells were administered. The INR was rechecked 4 hours later and found to have decreased to 1.55 with a PT of 17 s. The patient did not have m...
GeoSTAR: a microwave sounder for geostationary applications

The Geostationary Synthetic Thinned Aperture Radiometer, GeoSTAR, is a new concept for a microwave atmospheric sounder intended for geostationary satellites such as the GOES weather satellites operated by NOAA. A small but fully functional prototype has recently been developed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory to demonstrate the feasibility of using aperture synthesis in lieu of the large solid parabolic dish antenna that is required with the conventional approach. Spatial resolution requirements dictate such a large aperture in GEO that the conventional approach has not been feasible, and it is only now, with the GeoSTAR approach, that a GEO microwave sounder can be contemplated. Others have proposed GEO microwave radiometers that would operate at sub-millimeter wavelengths to circumvent the large-aperture problem, but GeoSTAR is the only viable approach that can provide full sounding capabilities equal to or exceeding those of the AMSU systems now operating on LEO weather satellites and which have had tremendous impact on numerical weather forecasting. GeoSTAR will satisfy a number of important measurement objectives, many of them identified by NOAA as unmet needs in their GOES-R pre-planned product improvements (P3I) lists and others by NASA in their research roadmaps and as discussed in a white paper submitted to the NRC Decadal Survey. The performance of the prototype has been outstanding, and this proof of concept represents a major breakthrough in remote sensing capabilities. The GeoSTAR concept is now at a stage of development where an infusion into space systems can be initiated, either on a NASA sponsored research mission or on a NOAA sponsored operational mission. GeoSTAR is an ideal candidate for a joint "research to operations" mission, and that may be the most likely scenario. Additional GeoSTAR related technology development and other risk reduction activities are under way, and a GeoSTAR mission is feasible in the GOES-R/S time frame, 2012-2014.
Postembedding immunogold labeling for electron microscopy using “LR White” resin

A method is described for performing postembedding immunogold immunocytochemistry on sections of LR White-embedded tissues. Fixation of tissue in a combination of paraformaldehyde and glutaraldehyde, or with low concentrations of glutaraldehyde followed by partial dehydration, resulted in preservation of antigenicity for a variety of proteins in different tissue samples. Good structural preservation facilitated high-resolution immunolabeling when coupled with the use of purified monoclonal antibodies. The technique is straightforward and versatile, offering the potential for many immunocytochemical applications with minimal modifications.
Straightening out the bends in curved DNA.

Polymeric DNA molecules possess a certain degree of intrinsic flexibility (Refs. 1-3; reviewed in Ref. 4), which affords their organization into various compact structures such as chromatin and viral capsids. Viewed from afar, at the level of hundreds of base pairs, such flexibility has generally been regarded as being isotropic, although recent theoretical studies [5-8] suggest that a strong local (base pair level) directionality exists for the transient deflections of the helix axis. Work over the past decade (recent reviews include
Obstructive and restrictive lung disease and functional limitation: data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination.

Objective To determine functional limitations in adults with obstructive or restrictive lung disease or respiratory symptoms. Design Cross-sectional study. Subjects Adult participants in phase 2 of the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1991-94. Methods We classified subjects using spirometric criteria into the following mutually exclusive categories using the forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), the forced vital capacity (FVC), the FEV1/FVC ratio and the presence of respiratory symptoms: severe obstruction, moderate obstruction, mild obstruction, respiratory symptoms only, restrictive lung disease and no lung disease. We developed regression models to predict functional limitations (unable to walk a quarter of a mile, unable to lift 10 pounds, needs help with daily activities) that controlled for age, race, sex, education, smoking status, body mass index and comorbid conditions. Results Severe and moderate obstruction were associated with an increased risk of being unable to walk a quarter of a mile [odds ratio (OR) 8.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.6, 19.9 and OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.4, 4.0]. Restrictive lung disease and the presence of respiratory symptoms in the absence of lung function impairment were also associated with an increased risk of this outcome (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.4, 5.6 and OR 2.8, 95% CI 2.0, 3.9). Similar results were obtained for the outcomes of being unable to lift 10 pounds or needing help with daily activities. Conclusions The presence of obstructive or restrictive lung disease, or respiratory symptoms in the absence of lung function impairment is associated with increased functional impairment.
Precipitates in a Cr(VI)-Contaminated Concrete

Examination of Cr(VI)-contaminated concrete from a former hard-chrome plating shop revealed the presence of long, thin crystals varying from white to bright yellow. Many of the crystals examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were acicular and 25−100 μm in length and 1−15 μm wide. The composition, determined by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, morphology, and d spacings, measured by electron diffraction, identifies these crystals as chromate enriched ettringite (Ca6Al2((S,Cr)O4)2(OH)12·26H2O) with the mole fraction of CrO42- in the SO42- position being 0.41 and 0.72. A nearly pure CrO42- -hydrocalumite (3CaO·Al2O3·CaCrO4·nH2O) is also observed. Some of these crystals appear to be pseudomorphs of ettringite. The CrO42--hydrocalumite crystals are coated with smaller acicular crystals that are most likely solid solutions between Si-ettringite (Ca6Al2(SiO3)3(OH)12·26H2O) and CrO42--ettringite. These crystals are bound together by an amorphous appearing SiO2 phase. Ca-silicate-hydrate gel (CSH) has...
655 TIME AND DOSE DEPENDENT EFFECT OF SUCROSE AND LACTOSE INTAKE ON SUCRASE AND LACTASE ACTIVITIES IN ADULT RAT JEJUNUM

To characterize mechanisms leading to a dietary evoked increase of sucrase (Sa) and lactase (La) activity by dietary intake of disaccharides [sucrose (S) or lactose (L)], two-month-old rats were fed for 7 days a low carbohydrate diet (LC) [BBA 676:108], then for the next 3 to 72 hours, they were force fed a S or L diet (20 or 40 cal%). Activity of La and Sa increased after 3 hours, but only Sa continued to increase for the next 48 hours. The effect of variation of carbohydrate intake on Sa and La after 12 hours is summarized below. Whereas Sa increased with greater intake of S and L, La did not. Determination of changes of enzyme activity along the height of the villus-crypt columns showed that the increase of Sa began at the lower villus, but the increase of La occurred along the entire villus. Conclusion. Differences in response of Sa and La to S arid L intake (time, dose, locus) suggest that the increase of both disaccharidases evoked by dietary intake of S or L is the result of different mechanisms.
Phase diffusion of hyper-parametric oscillations in a nonlinear whispering gallery mode resonator

We present a study of optical hyper-parametric oscillator based on a nonlinear high-Q whispering gallery mode resonator and demonstrate that the oscillator produces stable narrow band beat note of the pump, signal, and idler waves making an all-optical secondary frequency reference feasible. We discuss possibilities of tuning of the oscillator.
Protein chaperones and protein folding

A universal strategy for obtaining maximal protein expression or refolding remains elusive; however, headway has been made toward understanding these processes in vivo. The observation of reversible protein aggregation, asymmetry in protein-chaperone complexes, redox effects on disulfide formation, and the sequential involvement of multiple chaperones and foldases may suggest new approaches. Such new approaches include immobilized catalysts and manipulation of the bacterial periplasm.
RETROSPECIVE ANALYSIS OF PATIENTS WITH OVERLAPPING FEATURES OF TOWNES-BROCKS SYNDROME AND GOLDENHAR SYNDROME

RETROSPECIVE ANALYSIS OF PATIENTS WITH OVERLAPPING FEATURES OF TOWNES-BROCKS SYNDROME AND GOLDENHAR SYNDROME
Initial atypical diagnosis with carcinoma on subsequent prostate needle biopsy: findings at radical prostatectomy.

Purpose: Limited data exist on radical prostatectomy findings performed for cancer on repeat biopsy following an initial atypical biopsy (atypical glands suspicious but not diagnostic for carcinoma).Materials and Methods: We compared 169 such men to 15,810 without an initial diagnosis of atypical glands suspicious for carcinoma who underwent radical prostatectomy from 1993 to 2008.Results: Median time between atypical biopsy and repeat biopsy showing cancer was 6.1 months (range 0.7 to 94.8). An initial diagnosis of atypical glands suspicious but not diagnostic for carcinoma correlated significantly with nonpalpable disease, biopsy Gleason score 6 and lower tumor volume on needle cores. Compared to radical prostatectomy without prior atypical findings, radical prostatectomy cases with an initial atypical biopsy had a significantly lower Gleason score (p <0.0001) and pathological stage (p = 0.001), with 126 (74.5%) Gleason score 6 and 140 (83.0%) organ confined. Only 2 (1.2%) cases showed seminal vesicle i...
The Metabolic Syndrome, Oxidative Stress, Environment, and Cardiovascular Disease: The Great Exploration

The metabolic syndrome affects 30% of the US population with increasing prevalence. In this paper, we explore the relationship between the metabolic syndrome and the incidence and severity of cardiovascular disease in general and coronary artery disease (CAD) in particular. Furthermore, we look at the impact of metabolic syndrome on outcomes of coronary revascularization therapies including CABG, PTCA, and coronary collateral development. We also examine the association between the metabolic syndrome and its individual component pathologies and oxidative stress. Related, we explore the interaction between the main external sources of oxidative stress, cigarette smoke and air pollution, and metabolic syndrome and the effect of this interaction on CAD. We discuss the apparent lack of positive effect of antioxidants on cardiovascular outcomes in large clinical trials with emphasis on some of the limitations of these trials. Finally, we present evidence for successful use of antioxidant properties of pharmacological agents, including metformin, statins, angiotensin II type I receptor blockers (ARBs), and angiotensin II converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, for prevention and treatment of the cardiovascular complications of the metabolic syndrome.
Recent developments in osteogenesis imperfecta

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is an uncommon genetic bone disease associated with brittle bones and fractures in children and adults. Although OI is most commonly associated with mutations of the genes for type I collagen, many other genes (some associated with type I collagen processing) have now been identified. The genetics of OI and advances in our understanding of the biomechanical properties of OI bone are reviewed in this article. Treatment includes physiotherapy, fall prevention, and sometimes orthopedic procedures. In this brief review, we will also discuss current understanding of pharmacologic therapies for treatment of OI.
A targeted dual therapy approach to cardiovascular risk reduction

Abstract Endothelial dysfunction is an early feature of the atherosclerotic disease process. Damage to the endothelium leads to reduced nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability and facilitates vessel wall permeability to lipids and inflammatory cells. Endothelial dysfunction is causally related to a variety of risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD) including hyperlipidemia and hypertension; the strongest predictor of endothelial dysfunction is the total number of risk factors a person has. Elevations in oxidized low-density lipoprotein cholesterol lead to endothelial dysfunction and multiple inflammatory processes such as foam cell formation and increased cytokine production. Hypertension and associated metabolic disorders increase endothelial cell synthesis of collagen IV and fibronectin while reducing NO-dependent renal and cardiovascular relaxation. Several agents known to restore endothelial function and NO bioavailability have been shown to have beneficial antiatherogenic activities and improve cardiovascular outcomes. These observations justify the need for global risk assessment and an integrated therapeutic approach to the treatment of atherosclerosis. Future studies will determine whether combining agents that target different risk factors will have synergistic vascular benefits.
Measuring program similarity for efficient benchmarking and performance analysis of computer systems

Computer benchmarking involves running a set of benchmark programs to measure performance of a computer system. Modern benchmarks are developed from real applications. Applications are becoming complex and hence modern benchmarks run for a very long time. These benchmarks are also used for performance evaluation in the early design phase of microprocessors. Due to the size of benchmarks and increase in complexity of microprocessor design, the effort required for performance evaluation has increased significantly. This dissertation proposes methodologies to reduce the effort of benchmarking and performance evaluation of computer systems. Identifying a set of programs that can be used in the process of benchmarking can be very challenging. A solution to this problem can start by identifying similarity between programs to capture the diversity in their behavior before they can be considered for benchmarking. The aim of this methodology is to identify redundancy in the set of benchmarks and find a subset of representative benchmarks with the least possible loss of information. This dissertation proposes the use of program characteristics which capture the performance behavior of programs and identifies representative benchmarks applicable over a wide range of system configurations. The use of benchmark subsetting has not been restricted to academic research. Recently, the SPEC CPU subcommittee used the information derived from measuring similarity based on program behavior characteristics between different benchmark candidates as one of the criteria for selecting the SPEC CPU2006 benchmarks. The information of similarity between programs can also be used to predict performance of an application when it is difficult to port the application on different platforms. This is a common problem when a customer wants to buy the best computer system for his application. Performance of a customer’s application on a particular system can be predicted using the performance scores of the standard benchmarks on that system and the similarity information between the application and the benchmarks. Similarity between programs is quantified by the distance between them in the space of the measured characteristics, and is appropriately used to predict performance of a new application using the performance scores of its neighbors in the workload space.
A role for the corpus callosum in visual area V4 of the macaque

The classically defined receptive fields of V4 cells are confined almost entirely to the contralateral visual field. However, these receptive fields are often surrounded by large, silent suppressive regions, and stimulating the surrounds can cause a complete suppression of response to a simultaneously presented stimulus within the receptive field. We investigated whether the suppressive surrounds might extend across the midline into the ipsilateral visual field and, if so, whether the surrounds were dependent on the corpus callosum, which has a widespread distribution in V4. We found that the surrounds of more than half of the cells tested in the central visual field representation of V4 crossed into the ipsilateral visual field, with some extending up to at least 16 deg from the vertical meridian. Much of this suppression from the ipsilateral field was mediated by the corpus callosum, as section of the callosum dramatically reduced both the strength and extent of the surrounds. There remained, however, some residual suppression that was not further reduced by addition of an anterior commissure lesion. Because the residual ipsilateral suppression was similar in magnitude and extent to that found following section of the optic tract contralateral to the V4 recording, we concluded that it was retinal in origin. Using the same techniques employed in V4, we also mapped the ipsilateral extent of surrounds in the foveal representation of V1 in an intact monkey. Results were very similar to those in V4 following commissural or contralateral tract sections. The findings suggest that V4 is a central site for long-range interactions both within and across the two visual hemifields. Taken with previous work, the results are consistent with the notion that the large suppressive surrounds of V4 neurons contribute to the neural mechanisms of color constancy and figure-ground separation.