cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Results for 13-cm absorptivity and H2SO4 abundance profiles from the season 10 (1986) Pioneer Venus Orbiter radio occultation experiment

Results are reported from 13-cm radio-occultation absorptivity measurements of H2SO4 in the northern-hemisphere atmosphere of Venus, obtained by the Pioneer Venus Orbiter on 23 orbits during late 1986 and early 1987. The theoretical basis of the occultation measurements is explained; the error-analysis procedures are outlined; and the data are presented in tables and graphs. The abundance and distribution of gaseous H2SO4 in the equatorial zone (11-25 deg N) are found to be significantly different from those at latitudes above 36 deg N, and evidence for a reduction in H2SO4 abundance since the 1979 measurements is detected.
Foetal thymidine kinase in tumours and colonic flat mucosa of man

WE have characterised two forms of deoxythymidine kinase (TK) using antisera prepared against the enzyme partially purified from human colonic mucosa. One of these forms is associated with rapidly proliferating lower colonic crypt cells and the other, with non-dividing surface cells. Antibody to the latter cross reacted with several tumours and placental extracts but not with phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated or leukaemic lymphocytes. This cross reactivity of surface cells and colonic tumours supports the concept that surface cells rather than crypt cells are the site of origin of colonic cancer1,2.
An equivalent gain for nonlinear elements different from that proposed by Booton

The Booton technique of replacing a nonlinear element in a feedback control system by an equivalent gain is widely accepted. In this letter, the use of a criterion for choosing the equivalent gain which is different from that proposed by Booton is suggested and discussed.
Near-field infrared sum-frequency generation imaging of chemical vapor deposited zinc selenide

Infrared sum-frequency generation (SFG) has been detected with near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) for the first time. SFG NSOM images of a chemical vapor deposited (CVD) disk of zinc selenide were recorded as a function of infrared (IR) wavelengths ranging from 3.1 to 4.4 μm from an amplified femtosecond laser. Striation patterns, which are not observed in the topography, were detected in the optical images and exhibited increased SFG in comparison to homogeneous regions of the semiconductor. SFG images were demonstrated to have ∼ λ/20 spatial resolution in comparison to the IR wavelengths used to produce the sum frequency.
Characterization of Grain‐Boundary Segregation in MgO

Using Auger electron spectroscopy, segregation of Ca and Si corresponding to the adsorption of a partial monolayer adjacent the boundary in polycrystalline MgO was observed. Segregation of Sc is different in nature; the distribution consists of a 3.0-nm wide region corresponding to a positive space charge layer balancing a negative boundary charge. Various segregation models are applied to the observed behavior.
Patterned Ground in the Western Snake River Plain, Idaho, and Its Possible Cold-Climate Origin

A distinctive sorted pattern of soil mounds and stone pavement, which resembles patterned ground of cold regions, is widely distributed in southern Idaho on gravel fans, basaltic lava flows, and marginal rocky colluvium, as well as on some outcrops of lake beds and welded tuff. Soil mounds in flat areas are closely packed, monotonously uniform circular heaps 50–60 feet across and 3 feet high, but on slopes they are elliptical and lie in rows along paths of soil that trend downhill. Each mound is composed of a lens-shaped cap of silt about 18 inches thick, abruptly underlain by 1–2 feet of brown clay that rests on siliceous hardpan. Stone pavement that surrounds mounds in rocky places consists of a shallow layer of well-sorted stones derived from underlying parent rocks. It is marked by vertical sorting (large stones on smaller ones), by tabular stones turned on edge (commonly parallel to the pavement border), and by numerous broken stones—all encrusted with lichens. The pattern varies with local slope. A net pattern, consisting of pavement woven between equally spaced mounds on flat terrain, gradually lengthens into a striped pattern, consisting of alternate rows of soil and pavement on hillsides. Striped patterns are first perceptible on grades of 3 per cent, dominant on grades of 10 per cent, and still recognizable on grades of 50 per cent. The patterned ground could have formed under a periglacial climate during the late Pleistocene when mass-wasting was presumably favored by freeze and thaw of saturated soil, but this origin is based only on analogy with patterns in cold regions, and the evidence of age is inconclusive. If this opinion is correct, the cold aspect of the Pleistocene extended several hundred miles farther south than has been generally assumed.
Detection of sclerotic bone metastases in the spine using watershed algorithm and graph cut

The early detection of bone metastases is important for determining the prognosis and treatment of a patient. We developed a CAD system which detects sclerotic bone metastases in the spine on CT images. After the spine is segmented from the image, a watershed algorithm detects lesion candidates. The over-segmentation problem of the watershed algorithm is addressed by the novel incorporation of a graph-cuts driven merger. 30 quantitative features for each detection are computed to train a support vector machine (SVM) classifier. The classifier was trained on 12 clinical cases and tested on 10 independent clinical cases. Ground truth lesions were manually segmented by an expert. The system prior to classification detected 87% (72/83) of the manually segmented lesions with volume greater than 300 mm 3 . On the independent test set, the sensitivity was 71.2% (95% confidence interval (63.1%, 77.3%)) with 8.8 false positives per case.
Calypso in the Caribbean A musical metaphor for Barbados

In the past century, the multiple Caribbean islands that form part of a culturally diverse region called the West Indies were settled by many Europeans such as the British, Danish, Dutch, French, Portuguese, and Spanish. The Caribbean region has not been the subject of much management research. We focus on one of the countries in the region, Barbados, and use an emic approach to analyze and understand the culture and its implications for the workplace. In the past thirty years, Barbados has grown to become a leading international centre in the Caribbean. We use the metaphor of Calypso music to examine Barbadian culture along some of the popular cultural dimensions used in management research. Music is an integral part of the West Indian culture and Calypso is a rich tool to examine Barbadian culture in particular.
Robust search for structured object placement using unmanned vehicles

We develop a robust method for planning an undersea search by unmanned vehicles; the goal of which is to find groups of objects that may be placed randomly or arranged in predefined patterns on the ocean floor. This approach revolves around the computation of target pattern priors that describe the underlying geometrical structure of the expected group of objects. These priors are updated based on limited search observations, followed by a search performance assessment in the remaining region utilizing these observed target pattern distributions. We outline the derivation of this approach to assessing the performance of unmanned searches. The algorithms performance is tested in a simulation example to illustrate the improvement in search evaluation accuracy provided by the consideration of object structure. We conclude with a discussion of how this search planning strategy can be employed in realistic scenarios, searching for objects that are expected to appear in more general patterns.
Advanced quantum cascade laser transmitter architectures and infrared photonics development

Quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) provide a viable infrared laser source for a new class of laser transmitters capable of meeting the performance requirements for a variety of national security and civilian applications. The high output power, small size, and superb stability and modulation characteristics of QCLs make them amenable for integration as transmitters into ultra-sensitive, ultra-selective point sampling and remote short-range chemical sensors. This paper reports on the current development in infrared photonics that provides a pathway for QCL transmitter miniaturization. This research has produced infrared waveguide-based optical components in chalcogenide glass using both direct-laser writing and holographic exposure techniques. We discuss here the design and fabrication concepts and capabilities required to produce integrated waveguides, waveguide couplers, and other photonic devices.
Genetic variation at five trimeric and tetrameric tandem repeat loci in four human population groups.

Trimeric and tetrameric short tandem repeats (STRs) represent a rich source of highly polymorphic markers in the human genome that may be studied with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We report the analysis of a multilocus genotype survey of 97-380 chromosomes in U.S. Black, White, Mexican-American, and Asian populations at five STR loci located on chromosomes 1, 4, 11, and X. The heterozygote frequencies of the loci ranged from 0.36 to 0.91 and the number of alleles from 6 to 20 for the 20 population and locus combinations. Relative allele frequencies exhibited differences between populations and unimodal, bimodal, and complex distributions. Although deviations were noted at some locus-population test combinations, genotype data from the loci were consistent overall with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium by three tests. Population subheterogeneity within each ethnic group was not detected by two additional tests. No mutations were detected in a total of 860 meioses for two loci studied in the CEPH kindreds and five loci studied in other families. An indirect estimate of the mutation rates gave values from 2.3 x 10(-5) to 15.9 x 10(-5) for the five loci. Higher mutation rates appear to be associated with greater numbers of tandem repeats in the core motif. The most frequent genotype for all five loci combined appears to have a frequency of 7.59 x 10(-4). Together, these results suggest that trimeric and tetrameric STR loci are useful markers for the study of new mutations and genetic linkage analysis and for application to personal identification in the medical and forensic sciences.
Political mosaics and networks: Tiwanaku expansion into the upper Desaguadero Valley, Bolivia

AbstractOngoing debate about the expansion of the Tiwanaku state has centred on the extent to which it exercised direct political control over a continuous territory. Positions in this debate range from those that posit a unified Tiwanaku heartland comprising much of the Lake Titicaca Basin to those that conceptualize Tiwanaku influence as more circumscribed, and perhaps limited to the city itself. We engage this debate by assessing evidence for Tiwanaku expansion into the upper Desaguadero Valley, a region often argued to have been within the core area of Tiwanaku control. We present new evidence from four sites: Khonkho Wankane, Iruhito, Cerro Chijcha and Nazacara. These data suggest that Tiwanaku political influence was selective and focused on developing relationships with riverine communities in order to gain access to caravan circuits. Rather than a core area of continuous control, these processes created a shifting political mosaic rooted in fluid politico-religious webs.
Reply to Kuper's Commentary

Kuper's historiography combines two grand traditions: the chauvinism of 20th-century anthropology when considering 19thcentury studies and the chauvinism of metropolitan science. It is also a historiography that contains a large number of unsubstantiated assertions, misreadings, and omissions of crucial importance. I can here mention only a few of them, and these only briefly. In his consideration of philology, Kuper chooses to overlook the fact that the founda-
Occupational Rhinitis and Other Work-Related Upper Respiratory Tract Conditions

The nose and upper airways form the initial area of impact for air pollutants and allergens. The development of nasal allergies in the workplace (occupational rhinitis) may herald subsequent development of occupational asthma. Exposure controls, periodic surveillance, and early intervention may circumvent work-related airways disease and prevent unnecessary worker impairment and disability.
Institutions, size and age in transition economies: Implications for export growth

We consider the influence of economic institutions on firm performance by examining how size and age are related to export growth under different levels of free-market institutional development. Using a multi-country sample of Central and Eastern European firms, we test our predictions that size and age will have a positive diminishing relationship with export growth in transitional economies, but a U-shaped relationship in less advanced transitional economies. We find significant relationships largely in line with our predictions, demonstrating the importance of considering both economic institutions and firm characteristics when examining export growth.
Biraciality and nationhood in contemporary American art

(2000). Biraciality and nationhood in contemporary American art. Third Text: Vol. 14, No. 53, pp. 43-54.
Exploring Time-lapse Photography as a Means for Qualitative Data Collection

Collecting information via time-lapse photography is nothing new. Scientists and artists have been using this kind of data since the late 1800s. However, my research and experiments with time-lapse have shown that great potential may lie in its application to educational and social scientific research methods. This article is part history, part research method, and part methodology. As I uncover the science and art of time-lapse and sort through theory and practice from a number of fields, I share these findings, collect my own time-lapse data, and pose new queries into the use of time-lapse data collection for qualitative and social research.
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor is required for normal development of the central respiratory rhythm in mice

1Molecular mechanisms underlying maturation of the central respiratory rhythm are largely unknown. Previously, we found that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is required for expression of normal breathing behaviour in newborn mice, raising the possibility that maturation of central respiratory output is dependent on BDNF. 2Respiratory activity was recorded in vitro from cervical ventral roots (C1 or C4) using the isolated brainstem-spinal cord preparation from postnatal day (P) 0.5–2.0 and P4.5 wild-type mice and mice lacking functional bdnf alleles. 3Loss of one or both bdnf alleles resulted in an approximately 50 % depression of central respiratory frequency compared with wild-type controls. In addition, respiratory cycle length variability was 214 % higher in bdnf null (bdnf−/−) animals compared with controls at P4.5. In contrast, respiratory burst duration was unaffected by bdnf gene mutation. 4These derangements of central respiratory rhythm paralleled the ventilatory depression and irregular breathing characteristic of bdnf mutants in vivo, indicating that central deficits can largely account for the abnormalities in resting ventilation produced by genetic loss of BDNF. BDNF is thus the first growth factor identified that is required for normal development of the central respiratory rhythm, including the stabilization of central respiratory output that occurs after birth.
Large Eddy Simulation of a Free-Burning Arc Discharge in Argon with a Turbulent Cross Flow and External Field

In most of the numerical approaches proposed for modeling high-intensity plasma-arcs, the effects of turbulence on the arc structure are often excluded because of the intricate physics originating from the interaction of turbulent scales, high-temperature gas dynamics, magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) and chemical kinetics. The goal of this study is threefold: to develop a generic turbulent MHD model to simulate free-burning arc discharges, to validate the code with available experimental data, and to investigate the effect of an external field and turbulent cross flow on the free-burning arc configuration. The governing equations are solved in conservative form using a hybrid scheme that combines a high-order monotonic upwind scheme with a second-order central scheme. The fluid and MHD turbulence are resolved using a large eddy simulation (LES) approach with a recently developed sub-grid closure model. An implicit scheme is used to compute the magnetic diffusion term appearing in the magnetic induction equation to alleviate the severe time-step constraint. The comparison of the model prediction with experimental data for Argon arcs at different current intensities shows generally good agreement. When an external field is applied, the overall shape of the free-burning arc drastically changes. The straightening of the arc indicates the potential for stabilization of a free-burning arc by magnetic forces. Even though the turbulence is significantly attenuated as a result of the thermal expansion near the cathode, it adds an unsteady characteristic to the arc and, in general, has a negative impact on the stabilization of the electrical discharge.
Compliance from kindergarten to college: A speculative research note

Focused on children's developing ideas of rule, justice, and compliance, interview data from 115 subjects in kindergarten through college are used to reconstruct the jurisprudence—or legal value system—of youth. This investigation of normal legal reasoning (1) clarifies changing conceptions of roles vis-a-vis rule systems and (2) assesses the products and potential of legal socialization. Developmentally, youth see rules guarding against disorder and functioning as more prospective than coercive, prescriptive than prohibitive, beneficial than punitive, and dynamic than sacred. Parallel changes emerge in defining role relationships. By their own assessment, youth's perceptions are guided by a law-and-order frame, although they recognize that purpose and principle should determine compliance. For most, neither absolutist positions nor authoritative fiats insure justice. Optimally, justice is guaranteed through equality, rationality, consensus, and human rights. Only a modest number, however, accept that they can internalize these principles and, in judging the system by them, not be obligated to obey an unfair rule. While youth have the capacity for legal reasoning consistent with principles of major jurisprudents, to attain such ethical legality, socializing agents must define new goals, appraise old values, and create conducive contexts.
Verification of Array, Record, and Pointer Operations in Pascal

A practical method is presented for automating in a uniform way the verification of Pascal programs that operate on the standard Pascal data structures Array, Record, and Pointer. New assertion language primitives are introduced for describing computational effects of operations on these data structures. Axioms defining the semantics of the new primitives are given. Proof rules for standard Pascal operations on data structures are then defined using the extended assertion language. An axiomatic rule for the Pascal storage allocation operation, NEW, is also given. These rulers have been implemented in the Stanford Pascal program verifier. Examples illustrating the verification of programs which operate on list structures implemented with pointers and records are discussed. These include programs with side effects.
Cutaneous manifestations of pediatric HIV infection.

Children who are infected with human immunodeficiency virus may develop a wide variety of mucocutaneous manifestations, such as skin infections, tumors, and inflammatory skin disorders. The most significant infectious diseases are candidiasis, dermatophytosis, herpes simplex, herpes zoster, and pyoderma. Inflammatory disorders include seborrheic dermatitis, vasculitis, and pyoderma gangrenosum. Kaposi sarcoma is extremely rare in children with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
A Fourier method for three-dimensional partial differential equations in periodic geometry. Application: HELIAC

A numerical method based on Fourier expansions and finite differences is presented. The method is demonstrated by solving a scalar, three-dimensional elliptic equation arising in MFE research, but has applicability to a wider class of problems. The scheme solves equations whose solutions are expected to be periodic in one or more of the independent variables.
Push-out bond strength of a new endodontic obturation system (Resilon/Epiphany).

Abstract Endodontic sealers should demonstrate adhesive properties to dentin to reach the objectives of the obturation of the canal space and seal the canal space both apically and coronally, thus decreasing the chance of endodontic treatment failure. Adhesion to dentin with bonding to the tooth structure in the canal may provide greater resistance to tooth fracture and greater clinical longevity of an endodontically treated tooth. In this study, human single-canal canines were endodontically treated and obturated with two different endodontic obturation systems (Epiphany/Resilon system and gutta-percha/AH 26). Thirty roots (divided into two groups) were horizontally sliced for a push-out strength test, which was performed from apical to coronal in the universal testing machine. Differences in push-out bond strength between the two different material systems were obtained using repeated measures analysis of variance on ranks. Gutta-percha had significantly higher push-out bond strength than Epiphany (p
Extrapulmonary small cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND Extrapulmonary small cell carcinoma (EPSCCA) is often an underrecognized clinicopathologic entity, distinct from small cell lung carcinoma. The purpose of this study was to review the study institution's experience with EPSCCA with specific emphasis on the epidemiology and response to treatment of these uncommon neoplasms. METHODS Using the tumor registry database of the study institution, the authors retrieved and reviewed the records of all patients with EPSCCA treated between 1974 and 1994. Study eligibility required that the patients had a normal chest radiograph, computed tomography scan of the chest, sputum cytology, and/or negative bronchoscopy. Patients with well differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas and Merkel cell carcinomas of the skin were excluded. RESULTS Primary sites of EPSCCA in the current series were: gastrointestinal system in 29 patients, ear, nose, and throat in 14, genitourinary system in 12, internal genitalia in 10, upper respiratory system in 5, unknown primary-lymph nodes in 5, unknown primary-other in 2, the thymus in 3, and the peritoneum in 1. After the initial evaluation and confirmation of histologic diagnosis, 10 of 81 patients had been lost to follow-up. Of the remaining 71 patients, 54 had limited disease. Forty of the 54 patients underwent surgical treatment of their malignancy; 10 patients (25%) remained alive and disease free at least 3 years after surgery, whereas 30 patients (75%) relapsed with a median disease free survival of 6 months. Six patients of 54 with limited disease were treated with chemotherapy and radiation. Five of these 6 (83%) relapsed at a median time of 11.5 months. Another 8 of the total of 54 patients received only radiation therapy and all had disease recurrence at a median time of 5 months. In the group of patients with extensive or recurrent disease, platinum-based chemotherapy was employed in 22 patients. There was a 72% response rate with a median duration of 8.5 months. Seven patients had doxorubicin-based chemotherapy. There was a 57% response rate with a median duration of 4.5 months. In the current study group of patients, the 3-year disease free and overall survival rates were 26% and 38%, respectively, whereas the 5-year disease free and overall survival rates were each 13%. CONCLUSIONS EPSCCA is usually a fatal disease, with a 13% 5-year survival rate. In a small percentage of patients, surgery can be curative if the tumor is small and confined to the organ of origin. Because of the poor overall outcome, one needs to consider the possible use of adjuvant chemotherapy in appropriate circumstances if surgery is to be employed. In most patients with limited disease, the combination of chemotherapy and radiation as the primary treatment can be as effective as surgery. EPSCCA is responsive to commonly employed regimens for small cell lung carcinoma; however, the responses are short-lived. The extent of disease at diagnosis represents the most sensitive predictor of survival. Cancer 1997; 79:1729-36. © 1997 American Cancer Society.
Recruiting and training leadership through professional societies: A report from the American Society of Preventive Oncology Junior Members Interest Group

The American Society of Preventive Oncology (ASPO) is a membership society composed of ∼440 committed professionals engaged in clinical, educational, and research disciplines, who recognize the benefit of a multidisciplinary scientific forum for advancing a comprehensive approach to cancer
Diaspora Philanthropy: Lessons From a Demographic Analysis of the Coptic Diaspora

Research on diaspora philanthropy is in its infancy, primarily focused on individual country case studies, and often prone to over-generalization. Based on an extensive survey of the Coptic diaspor...
Comparison of TGF-β/BMP Pathways Signaled by Demineralized Bone Powder and BMP-2 in Human Dermal Fibroblasts†

Demineralized bone induces chondrogenic differentiation of human dermal fibroblasts in vitro. Analyses of signaling gene expression showed that DBP and BMP-2 regulate common and distinct pathways. Although BMP-2 was originally isolated as a putative active factor in DBP, rhBMP-2 and DBP do not affect all the same genes or in the same ways. Introduction: Demineralized bone powder (DBP) induces chondrogenic differentiation of human dermal fibroblasts (hDFs) in 3D culture, but the initiating mechanisms have not been identified. We tested the hypotheses that DBP would affect expression of signaling genes and that DBP's effects would differ from the effects of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs). Materials and Methods: A chondroinduction model was used in which hDFs were cultured with and without DBP in a porous collagen sponge. BMP-2 was delivered in a square of absorbable collagen felt inserted into a collagen sponge. Total RNA was isolated after 3 days of culture, a time that precedes expression of the chondrocyte phenotype. Gene expression was evaluated with two targeted macroarray screens. Effects of DBP and rhBMP-2 were compared by macroarray, RT-PCR, and Northern hybridization analysis of selected genes in the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β/BMP signaling pathways. Results: By macroarray analysis of 16 signal transduction pathways, the following pathways were modulated in hDFs by DBP: TGF-β, insulin/LDL, hedgehog, PI3 kinase/AKT, NF-κB, androgen, retinoic acid, and NFAT. There was convergence and divergence in DBP and rhBMP-2 regulation of genes in the TGF-β/BMP signaling pathway. Smad target genes were the predominant group of DBP- or rhBMP-2-regulated genes. Several genes (IGF-BP3, ID2, and ID3) showed similar responses (increased expression) to DBP and rhBMP-2. In contrast, many of the genes that were greatly upregulated by DBP (TGFBI/βig-h3, Col3A1, TIMP1, p21/Waf1/Cip1) were barely affected by rhBMP-2. Conclusion: These findings indicate that multiple signaling pathways are regulated in fibroblasts by DBP, that one of the major pathways involves Smad target genes, and that DBP and rhBMP-2 elicit different gene expression responses in hDFs. Although BMP-2 was originally isolated as a putative inductive factor in DBP, rhBMP-2 and DBP do not affect all the same genes or in the same ways.
Allozymic Differences between Black and White Crappies

Abstract Allozymic variation was examined from two allopatric and two sympatric populations of white crappie Pomoxis annularis and black crappie P. nigromaculatus in Texas. Twenty-five presumptive enzyme-encoding loci were assayed. Nine loci were monomorphic for the same alleles in both species. Eleven loci were characterized by electromorphs that allowed discrimination between these two species. The fixed allelic differences between the species provide an accurate means for identifying artificially propagated F1 crappie hybrids, evaluating subsequent reproductive success, and assessing introgression where both species are stocked together or where hybrid crappies are stocked into resident populations of black or white crappie.
Alternative pathways of thiamine biosynthesis in Neurospora.

Abstract Evidence, consisting of analysis of growth requirements and assay of thiamine and precursors accumulated by various strains of Neurospora, strongly suggests that there are two alternative pathways of thiamine biosynthesis in this organism, but that the predominant pathway involves the condensation of pyrimidine with a precursor of thiazole to form a thiamine-like intermediate which is secondarily changed to B1. The reactions are summarized in Eq. (1) (Introduction). These reactions explain the anomalous behavior of those strains which require exogenous pyrimidine and thiazole for growth but synthesize as much of these compounds as does the wild type. The implications of these findings are briefly discussed.
Science, technology and Industrialisation in Africa

(1984). Science, technology and Industrialisation in Africa. Third World Quarterly: Vol. 6, No. 2, pp. 327-350.
Thiol-reactive luminescent lanthanide chelates: Part 2

Luminescent lanthanide complexes have unusual spectroscopic characteristics, including millisecond excited-state lifetime and sharply spiked emission spectra. These characteristics make them valuable alternatives to conventional organic fluorescent probes in detection applications and for measuring nanometer-scale conformational changes in biomolecules via resonance energy transfer. Our group has previously reported the syntheses and application of various luminescence complexes that have polyaminocarboxylate chelates coupled to a carbostyril antenna and thiol or amine-reactive groups. Here we report the syntheses of new thiol-reactive forms of DTPA-cs124 chelates, including two iodoacetamide forms (phenylalanine-iodoacetamide and ethylenediamine iodoacetamide) and two methane-thio-sulfonate forms (ethylmethanethiosulfonate and carboxyethylmethanethiosulfonate). In addition, we have developed an improved synthesis of a previously reported maleimide form.
Should we treat periodontal disease during gestation to improve pregnancy outcomes

Until recently many physicians in the United States including obstetrician gynecologists have been relatively unconcerned with oral health. During most physical examinations, the oral cavity is given only a rudimentary examination. With the recognition of the oral-systemic health care link, physicians have been keenly interested in the findings from their dental colleagues in periodontal medicine which have convincingly linked periodontal disease with such diverse systemic health complications as aging, Alzheimer disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and also pregnancy complications including low birth weight, preterm delivery, preeclampsia, and early pregnancy loss. Intervention trials designed to improve oral health during pregnancy have proven to be safe; however, the outcomes have been inconsistent. Further studies will be required to determine the nature of the association and the optimal timing and efficacy of intervention.
The LEAP FPGA operating system

FPGAs offer attractive power and performance for many applications, especially relative to traditional sequential architectures. In spite of these advantages, FPGAs have been deployed in only a few, niche domains.We argue that the difficulty of programming FPGAs all but precludes their use in more general systems: FPGA programmers are currently exposed to all the gory system details that software operating systems long ago abstracted away. In this work, we present the Latency-insensitive Environment for Application Programming (LEAP), an FPGA operating system built around latency-insensitive communications channels. LEAP alleviates the FPGA programming problem by providing a rich set of portable latency-insensitive abstraction layers for program development. Unlike software operating systems services, which are generally dynamic, the nature of FPGAs requires that many configuration decisions be made at compile time. We present an extensible interface for compile-time management of resources. We demonstrate that LEAP provides design portability, while consuming as little as 3% of FPGA area, by mapping several designs on to various FPGA platforms.
Effect of Sidegroup on Mechanical Properties of Acrylate Networks for Biomedical Applications

The purpose of this study was to understand how the side group dictates thermo-mechanical properties of shape-memory acrylate networks, specifically strain to failure and toughness. A useful parameter in assessing shape memory polymers is the strain to failure because it is critical to know how much recovery strain the material can experience. To understand how the structure is related to mechanical properties, such as strain to failure, materials of differing chain stiffness ratio, C∞, were compared at varying percentages of crosslinker. While the chemical and thermal properties of acrylate networks have been discussed in much detail, methods of toughening networks by the precise choice of certain acrylates have not been thoroughly examined. In order for these networks to be of practical use as biomedical devices, such as minimally invasive shape memory polymer stents, detailed structure-property relationships must be established.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Predicting the total suspended solids in wastewater: A data-mining approach

Total suspended solids (TSS) are a major pollutant that affects waterways all over the world. Predicting the values of TSS is of interest to quality control of wastewater processing. Due to infrequent measurements, time series data for TSS are constructed using influent flow rate and influent carbonaceous bio-chemical oxygen demand (CBOD). We investigated different scenarios of daily average influent CBOD and influent flow rate measured at 15min intervals. Then, we used five data-mining algorithms, i.e., multi-layered perceptron, k-nearest neighbor, multi-variate adaptive regression spline, support vector machine, and random forest, to construct day-ahead, time-series prediction models for TSS. Historical TSS values were used as input parameters to predict current and future values of TSS. A sliding-window approach was used to improve the results of the predictions.
The substitution chemistry of a useful new synthon with neutral donor ligands. The reactions of [TcCl3(NNPh2)(PPh3)2] with phosphine ligands. The X-ray crystal structures of [TcCl2(NNPh2)(PMe2Ph)3][PF6], [TcCl(NNPh2)(dppe)2][PF6]2 and [TcCl2(NNPh2)(TRIPHOS)][BPh4]

Abstract The reaction of (Bu4N)[TcOCl4] with 1,1-diphenylhydrazine.HCl and PPh3 in refluxing MeOH yields the neutral, Tc(III) isodiazene complex [TcCl3(NNPh2)(PPh3)2]. The reaction of this complex with PMe2Ph in MeOH yields the cationic complex [TcCl2(NNPh2)(PMe2Ph)3]+ which is isolated as the hexafluorophosphate salt. The X-ray structure of this complex shows a meridional arrangement of phosphine ligands with the diphenylisodiazene ligand and a chloride in the axial sites. The Tc–N(1) bond length is 1.741(3) A, while N(1)–N(2) is 1.287(4) A and the Tc–N(1)–N(2) bond angle is 176.4(3)°, which reflects the multiple bonding through out the zwitterionic isodiazene moiety. The distorted octahedral geometry results from the steric congestion associated with the three phosphine ligands in the equatorial plane. In the reaction of [TcCl3(NNPh2)(PPh3)2] with a three molar excess of dppe, {dppe=1,2 bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane} the dicationic isodiazene complex [TcCl(NNPh2)(dppe)2]2+ is isolated as the bis hexafluorophosphate salt. The X-ray structure of this dication shows an equatorial arrangement of phosphine ligands with the isodiazene ligand and chloride in the axial positions. The Tc–N(1) bond length is 1.758(7) A and the N(1)–N(2) bond length is 1.312(9) A again reflecting the multiple bonding throughout the M–N–N framework. The Tc–N(1)–N(2) bond angle is 179.7(9)° which is indicative of sp2 hybridization on the β-nitrogen atom. The reaction of [TcCl3(NNPh2)(PPh3)2] with TRIPHOS {TRIPHOS=bis(2-diphenylphosphinoethyl)phenylphosphine} yields the cationic product, structurally analogous to the Tris–PMe2Ph cation described above, [TcCl3(NNPh2)(TRIPHOS)]+, which is isolated as the tetraphenylborate salt. The bonding constraints put on the coordination geometry by the tridentate ligand cause significant distortion from an ideal octahedron. The Tc–N(1) bond length is 1.752(3) A and the N(1)–N(2) bond length is 1.286(4) A, and the Tc–N(1)–N(2) bond angle is 176.2(3)°, again reflecting the multiple bonding throughout the isodiazene M–N–N linkage and the sp2 hybridization on the β-nitrogen atom.
Self-reported prosthetic sock use among persons with transtibial amputation

Background:Daily changes in the shape and size of the residual limb affect prosthetic socket fit. Prosthetic socks are often added or removed to manage changes in limb volume. Little has been published about how persons with transtibial amputations use socks to manage diurnal changes in volume and comfort.Objectives:To investigate prosthetic sock use with a customized, self-report questionnaire.Study design:Cross-sectional survey.Methods:Persons with transtibial amputation reported number, thickness, and timing of socks used over a 14-day period.Results:Data from 23 subjects (16 males and 7 females) were included. On average, socks were changed less than once per day (0.6/day) and ply increased over the day (4.8–5.5 ply). Subjects wore prostheses significantly longer (15.0–14.1 h, p = 0.02) and changed socks significantly more often (0.6/day–0.4/day, p = 0.03) on weekdays compared to weekends. Participants were also divided into two subgroups: those who used socks to manage limb volume and those who used ...
Thin film TiC/TaC thermocouples

TiC and TaC thin films were investigated, for the first time, for thin film thermocouple applications. Thin films of TaC and TiC were deposited on electronic grade alumina substrates using the r.f. sputter deposition technique. Sheet resistance of the thin films was measured using a four point probe. It was observed that the sheet resistance of the films depends critically on the deposition parameters such as substrate temperature during deposition, sputter gas pressure and r.f. power used. The deposition parameters were optimized to yield the lowest sheet resistance of the thin films at room temperature. The thermoemf of the deposited films was measured as a function of temperature in a vacuum using a home made device. It was observed that thin films of TaC and TiC yield fairly high and stable thermoemf throug hout the temperature range of stability. Under the optimized deposition conditions, thin film thermocouples were fabricated. The thermocouples were calibrated against temperature and the output was measured in vacuum (pressure <10−6 Torr). TiC/TaC thermocouples yield stable output up to 1350 K, temperatures above which breakdown occurs. The thermocouple output was theoretically estimated from the thermoemf measured, and compared. It was observed that these thermocouples yield reproducible output in the temperature range of stability and hold excellent potential for high temperature thin film temperature sensor applications in vacuum or inert atmospheres.
THE FEW-NUCLEON SYSTEMS WITH VELOCITY-DEPENDENT POTENTIALS

Abstract The calculated binding energies and r.m.s. radii are given for the ground states of the three and four-nucleon systems for nine assumed central potentials. Two of the potentials have hard cores and six have velocity-dependent terms. The results are grouped according to the S-state phase shifts produced by the potentials in the two-body system. The properties of the three and four-nucleon systems are correlated very sensitively with the S-state phase shifts for laboratory energies below 100 MeV and are independent of the type of potential involved.
The increasing incidence of newborn circumcision : Data from the nationwide inpatient sample

ABSTRACT Purpose: Newborn circumcision is the most common surgical procedure in the United States, yet there are few contemporary data regarding circumcision rates or the factors that affect these rates. The goal of this study was to determine trends in the national rate of newborn circumcision between 1988 and 2000, and to evaluate patient and hospital factors associated with newborn circumcision. Materials and Methods: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample provides information on 5 million to 7 million inpatient stays per year. Newborn male hospitalizations were selected, and those newborns who underwent circumcision were identified using International Classification of Disease-9 procedure codes. Weighted national estimates of circumcision rates were calculated, and patient and hospital characteristics were examined to identify factors associated with newborn circumcision. Results: We identified 4,657,402 newborn male hospitalizations during a 13-year period. Circumcision rates increased significantly with time—48.3% of newborn males underwent circumcision in 1988 to 1991 vs 61.1% in 1997 to 2000 (p Conclusions: There was a significant increase in the rate of newborn circumcision between 1988 and 2000. The increase may be related to increased recognition of the potential medical benefits of circumcision. However, the increase may also result in a higher incidence of surgical complications of circumcision.
Calculating the two‐dimensional magnetotelluric Jacobian in finite elements using reciprocity

SUMMARY To speed up the calculation of the field Jacobian for 2-D magnetotelluric inversion using finite elements, the principle of electromagnetic reciprocity is applied. The governing relationship for the Jacobian of the field along strike is obtained by differentiating the Helmholtz equation with respect to the resistivity of each region in the finite-element mesh. The result is a similar Helmholtz equation for the Jacobian, with new sources distributed over all nodes within the parameter medium. However, according to the principle of electromagnetic reciprocity, the roles of sources and receivers are interchangeable. Utilizing reciprocity, the field values obtained from the original forward problem and for new unit sources imposed at the receivers are then utilized in the calculation of the Jacobian by simple multiplication and summation with finite-element terms at each rectangle in the mesh. For the auxiliary (across-strike) fields, the Jacobian terms are obtained by solving source vectors loaded with parabola coefficients used in the approximation to Maxwell's equations. Jacobian terms for the apparent resistivity (pa), the impedance phase (4) and the vertical magnetic field &) are then calculated utilizing the parallel- and auxiliary-field Jacobians. Comparison of Jacobian values obtained from reciprocity calculations and by differencing two forward solutions show that the reciprocity method is accurate and can be used to decrease the number of calculations required to obtain sensitivities by one to two orders of magnitude.
Swept Frequency Acoustic Time Domain Reflection Measurement for Extraction of Acoustic Mode Velocities

The purpose of this paper is to discuss an extension of the swept frequency technique (SFT) for the extraction of acoustic velocities in piezoelectric materials, which uses data obtained by sweeping not only the acoustic waves launched at the fundamental transducer operating frequency, but also the waves generated by the harmonic operation of the transducer. The wideband S11 response provides new detail in the extracted time-echo pulse, which allows a better "signature" in the extracted pulse shape, leading to better accuracy. In addition, further discussion of the concept of data padding for obtaining better time domain resolution of the extracted pulse delay is provided.
Mechanisms of SHP-1 P2 promoter regulation in hematopoietic cells and its silencing in HTLV-1-transformed T cells

The Src homology-2-containing protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1 (SHP-1), is a negative regulator of cell signaling. It is also considered a tumor suppressor gene because of its ability to antagonize the action of tyrosine kinases. Although SHP-1 is expressed strongly in hematopoietic cells, decreased expression has been observed in various hematological malignancies, which suggests a central involvement of SHP-1 in leukemogenesis. We have shown previously that human T cell lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1) Tax-induced promoter silencing (TIPS) is an early event causing down-regulation of SHP-1 expression, which is dependent on NF-κB. In this study, DNase I footprinting and EMSA also revealed binding of transcription factors, specificity protein 1 (Sp1) and octamer-binding transcription factor 1 (Oct-1) to the P2 promoter, and site-directed mutagenesis confirmed that these factors contribute to the basal P2 promoter activity. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (CHIP) assays showed that Sp1, Oct-1, NF-κB, CREB-1, and RNA polymerase II interacted with the core SHP-1 P2 promoter in CD4+ T cells and Jurkat cells but not in HTLV-1-transformed MT-2 and HUT102 cells when HTLV-1 Tax is present. Furthermore, bisulfite sequencing of the SHP-1 P2 core region revealed heavy CpG methylation in HTLV-1-transformed cells compared with freshly isolated CD4+ T cells and HTLV-1-noninfected T cell lines. A significant inverse correlation between degree of CpG methylation and expression of SHP-1 mRNA or protein was observed. Taken together, our data support the notion that in HTLV-1-transformed CD4+ T cells, TIPS causes dissociation of transcription factors from the core SHP-1 P2 promoter, which in turn leads to subsequent DNA methylation, an important early step for leukemogenesis.
Diffusionsprobleme beim Anfangswachstum dünner Schichten

Diffusion is a stochastic process. The known differential equation of diffusion theory is valid on assumptions which are not realized always at the beginning of thin film growth. Moreover the stochastic processes of aggregation produce cluster size distribution in which each cluster size has an own probability distribution. In a simple example the probability distribution of adatom concentration is calculated. Die Diffusion ist ein stochastischer Prozes. Die bekannte Differentialgleichung der Diffusionstheorie gilt unter Voraussetzungen. die beim Anfangswachstum dunner Schichten nicht in jedem Fall erfullt sind. Daruberhinaus fuhren die zufalligen Zusammenlagerungsvorgange auf Clustergrosenverteilungen, wobei jede einzelne Clustergrose eine eigene Wahrscheinlichkeitsverteilung besitzt. In einem einfachen Beispiel wird die Wahrscheinlichkeitsverteilung der Adatomkonzentation berechnet.
SAT02-4: Performance Impacts of a DS-CDMA System for Satellite Communications On The Move Applications

This paper examines a direct-sequence code division multiple access (DS-CDMA) system for the reverse link in satellite communications on the move applications. In order to limit interference to adjacent satellites, strict limits on the effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) spectral density are established by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). Performance analysis of the DS-CDMA is carried out subject to this transmit power limitations and in the presence of channel and system impairments that are typically encountered in Ku-band (14-GHz band) satellite systems. Specific impairments considered are: small signal variations due to environmental conditions which are typically modeled by lognormal shadowing, atmospheric scintillations, and motion induced antenna pointing errors. Also, a novel methodology is developed to characterize motion induced antenna pointing errors and their impact on the system performance.