cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predictors of Survival in Contemporary Practice After Initial Radiosurgery for Brain Metastases

Summary Purpose: The number of brain metastases (BM) is a major consideration in determining patient eligibility for stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), but the evidence for this popular practice is equiv- ocal. The purpose of this study was to determine whether, following multivariate adjustment, the number and volume of BM held prognostic significance in a cohort of patients initially treated with SRS alone. Methods and Materials: A total of 251 patients with primary malignancies, including non-small cell lung cancer (34%), melanoma (30%), and breast carcinoma (16%), underwent SRS for initial treatment of BM. SRS was used as the sole management (62% of patients) or was combined with salvage treatment with SRS (22%), whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT; 13%), or resection (3%). Median follow-up time was 9.4 months. Survival was determined using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox regression was used to assess the effects of patient factors on distant brain failure (DBF), local control (LC), and overall survival (OS). Results: LC at 1 year was 94.6%, and median time to DBF was 10 months. Median OS was 11.1 months. On multivariate analysis, statistically significant predictors of OS were presence of extracranial disease (hazard ratio (HR), 4.2, P 2c m 3 ). The number of BM was not predictive of DBF, LC, or OS. Conclusions: The number of BM is not a strong predictor for clinical outcomes following initial SRS for newly diagnosed BM. Other factors including total treatment volume and systemic
The Control of Precipitation in Sol-Gel Solutions

The preparation of homogeneous gels from liquid solutions necessitates the prevention of precipitation. This becomes increasingly difficult in multicomponent systems. Currently, there are no systematic considerations on precipitation in sol-gel solutions. This paper is concerned with the methods to control precipitation in alkoxide solutions. Each method is applied to specific systems, containing alkoxides of various metals, such as yttrium, lanthanum, barium, and titanium, in alcoholic solutions.
An exponential decay characterization of BMOA on Riemann surfaces

An exponential decay characterization of BMOA on Riemann surface with a form of surface integral is given. Some other characterizations are given too.
Development of an improved CAD scheme for automated detection of lung nodules in digital chest images

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in men and women in the United States, with a 5-year survival rate of only about 13%. However, this survival rate can be improved to 47% if the disease is diagnosed and treated at an early stage. In this study, we developed an improved computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) scheme for the automated detection of lung nodules in digital chest images to assist radiologists, who could miss up to 30% of the actually positive cases in their daily practice. Two hundred PA chest radiographs, 100 normals and 100 abnormals, were used as the database for our study. The presence of nodules in the 100 abnormal cases was confirmed by two experienced radiologists on the basis of CT scans or radiographic follow-up. In our CAD scheme, nodule candidates were selected initially by multiple gray-level thresholding of the difference image (which corresponds to the subtraction of a signal-enhanced image and a signal-suppressed image) and then classified into six groups. A large number of false positives were eliminated by adaptive rule-based tests and an artificial neural network (ANN). The CAD scheme achieved, on average, a sensitivity of 70% with 1.7 false positives per chest image, a performance which was substantially better as compared with other studies. The CPU time for the processing of one chest image was about 20 seconds on an IBM RISC/6000 Powerstation 590. We believe that the CAD scheme with the current performance is ready for initial clinical evaluation.
A new and unusual roentgenographic finding of fatty liver in infants.

A new roentgenographic sign, the "radiolucent liver," secondary to extensive fatty degeneration of the liver is presented in 2 infants.In 1 infant the cause of liver damage was not completely ascertained (although infectious or toxic hepatitis was postulated) while kwashiorkor was the problem in our second infant.The radiolucent liver sign is quite striking roentgenographically and is probably specific for extensive fatty replacement of the liver.Both our infants died shortly after the roentgenographic and clinical findings were documented, and although it is not believed that one can unequivocally attach prognostic significance to this sign, it does seem to be associated with very extensive end stage fatty replacement of the liver, probably well beyond significant recovery.
Development of high-resolution liquid-argon and -xenon detectors for 1 MeV-20 GeV gamma rays

Abstract A new concept in gamma ray detection is under development by the University of Texas at Dallas and the University of California, Los Angeles collaboration. Liquid-argon and -xenon detectors, used simultaneously as drift ionization chambers and as scintillation counters, combine the high energy resolution of ionization chambers and the high time resolution of scintillation counters with the very high spatial resolution and particle-track-imaging capability of liquid drift chambers. The detectors are characterized by their event-by-event processing and decision-making feature. Together with gas drift chambers and plastic scintillators, these detectors will be capable of carrying out gamma-ray and charged-particle measurements on accelerators, detecting cosmic gamma rays and charged particles in space-based experiments and observing high-energy particles deep underground. In addition to this, liquid-xenon detectors can be applied to high-resolution medical imaging of gamma rays.
Expression of cytochrome P450 1A1, an estrogen hydroxylase, in ovarian granulosa cells is developmentally regulated

Abstract In this paper we report the analysis of porcine ovarian granulosa cells for the expression of several known hepatic estrogen hydroxylase RNAs. Of the P 450s examined, only CYP 1A1 RNA was detected. Accordingly, the regulation of this mRNA was studied. The RNA for CYP 1A1 was dramatically and completely induced within 2 hours after exposure of immortalized granulosa cells to 3-methylcholanthrene (3MC) and expression could be inhibited with 10 μM phorbol myristate acetate. This message was also inducible by 3MC in cultured primary granulosa cells isolated from immature and developing follicles. Dexamethasone increased the relative expression of CYP 1A1 RNA in 3MC treated cells. In the absence of 3MC, the CYP 1A1 message was expressed in cultured granulosa cells from developing but not immature follicles, indicating developmental regulation of this enzyme. Further support for developmental regulation was provided by studies which detected the appearance of CYP 1A1 RNA during growth of ovarian follicles in vivo . This is the first report identifying a specific P 450 estrogen hydroxylase RNA in ovarian granulosa cells.
Exploring Nostalgia's Influence on Psychological Growth

Prior research shows that the experience of nostalgia—a sentimental longing for the past—serves to buffer self-threat. Complementing this work, the current research assessed the possibility that nostalgia promotes psychological growth—that is, the potential to cultivate inner potentialities, seek out optimal challenges, and integrate new experiences into the self-concept. Two studies tested the effect of experimentally induced nostalgia on growth-oriented self-perceptions and behavioral intentions. To examine whether this effect reflects growth in particular, we built on Fredrickson’s (1998, 2001) claim that positive emotion is the prime mechanism underlying growth-promoting experiences. As predicted, nostalgia increased growth outcomes indirectly by increasing positive emotion (Study 1). Study 2 explored which specific psychological resource provided by nostalgia accounts for its positive effect on growth. Prior literature suggested three candidate mediators: belongingness, meaning in life, and positive self-regard. Nostalgia increased all three, but only positive self-regard mediated nostalgia’s effect on growth outcomes.
Separate contributions of UhpA and CAP to activation of transcription of the uhpT promoter of Escherichia coli.

Activation of promoters by multiple transcription factors might occur through favorable contacts of the activators with themselves or RNA polymerase, or by changes in DNA geometry that enhance formation of the transcription complex. Transcription of the Escherichia coli uhpT gene, encoding the organophosphate transporter, requires the response regulator UhpA and is stimulated by the global regulator protein CAP. CAP binds to the uhpT promoter at a single site, centered at -103.5 bp relative to the start of transcription, and UhpA binds to multiple sites between positions -80 and -32. Overexpression of UhpA did not reduce the degree of CAP stimulation of uhpT-lacZ expression, showing that CAP action is more complex than enhancement of the binding of UhpA. Footprinting experiments demonstrated that UhpA and CAP modestly stimulated each other's binding to the uhpT promoter, but did not affect the positioning of the binding sites. An in vitro transcription system was used to examine the contribution of each transcription factor at the uhpT promoter. Action of UhpA and CAP proteins was not affected by template supercoiling. Kinetic analyses of productive and abortive initiation showed that CAP acted both to stabilize by fivefold the open promoter complexes formed in the presence of UhpA and to enhance by twofold the rate of their formation. These results indicate that open complex formation requires UhpA and that CAP stabilizes the open complex.
The Global Stationary Wave Response to Climate Change in a Coupled GCM

Abstract The stationary wave response to global climate change in the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory's R30 coupled ocean–atmosphere GCM is studied. An ensemble of climate change simulations that use a standard prescription for time-dependent increases of greenhouse gas and sulfate aerosol concentrations is compared to a multiple-century control simulation with these constituents fixed at preindustrial levels. The primary response to climate change is to zonalize the atmospheric circulation, that is, to reduce the amplitude of the stationary waves in all seasons. This zonalization is particularly strong in the boreal summer over the Tropics. In January, changes in the stationary waves resemble that of an El Nino, and all months exhibit an El Nino–like increase of precipitation in the central tropical Pacific. The dynamics of the stationary wave changes are studied with a linear stationary wave model, which is shown to simulate the stationary wave response to climate change remarkably well. The linea...
Apolipoprotein A-I, B-100, and B-48 Metabolism in Subjects With Chronic Kidney Disease, Obesity, and the Metabolic Syndrome

The metabolism of apolipoproteins (apo)B-48, B-100, and A-I was studied with a primed constant infusion of deuterium-labeled leucine in the fed state in 3 male individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD), a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 28 to 57 mL/min/1.73 m2, obesity (body mass index [BMI] 33.1), and the metabolic syndrome. Compared to 5 obese controls (BMI 30.1) and 13 non-obese controls (BMI 25.2), these CKD subjects had high plasma levels of triglycerides (TG) (343 +/- 27.5 mg/dL v 144 +/- 34.4 in the obese controls, P < .001) and low apoA-I (86.7 +/- 3.9 mg/dL). An abnormal high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particle subpopulation pattern was found, with low levels of pre beta-1 and alpha1. Compared to the obese controls, very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and intermediate-density lipoprotein (IDL) apoB-100 levels were elevated 2- to 3-fold, while LDL apoB-100 levels were slightly lower (-7 %) and apoB-48 levels were comparable. The high TG levels were not associated with statistically significant changes in VLDL apoB-100 kinetics, although the production rate (PR) was higher and the fractional catabolic rate (FCR) was lower. The slightly lower LDL apoB-100 levels were accompanied by a significant 3-fold increase in the FCR and a 2.7-fold increase in the PR. The lower apoA-I levels were accompanied by a 1.6-fold increase in the FCR. Compared to the non-obese controls, the PR of apoA-I was increased by 61% and 38%, respectively (P < .001) in CKD and in obese control subjects. In the control subjects, the PR of apoA-I was significantly correlated with the BMI (r = 0.81, P < .0001). The kinetic results are consistent with these hypotheses: (1) CKD is associated with decreased clearance of the TG-rich lipoproteins (TRLs) and increased catabolism of LDL; (2) obesity increases apoB-100 and apoA-I production; and (3) in CKD, TG transfer to HDL, making HDL more susceptible to catabolism, accounts for the low apoA-I levels.
Potential application of NRC aging research to license renewal

Abstract A strong technical base, when developed and implemented, to manage aging in plant safety related systems, support systems, structures, and components will give confidence to all of us in the nuclear community with regard to our ability to maintain continuous safe operation of nuclear power plants of all ages. This technical base for managing aging must be built over the foundation of reviews and analyses of original designs, operating experience of over 20 years, experts' opinions, and the utilization of research results. The key elements of managing aging are the understanding of risk significance of aging phenomena and the licensee program(s) for inspection, surveillance, condition monitoring, trending, record-keeping and maintenance to mitigate the influence and effects of aging. An overview is provided of the intended application of plant aging research results. In the process it delineates some key steps recommended for the development of appropriate regulatory guides and review procedures involving the technical issues for license renewal considerations. This application of aging research results is based primarily upon the NPAR theme of “Understanding Aging-A Key to Ensuring Safety, and Managing Aging-A Necessity to Ensuring Safety.”
Strategies for implementing decision technology systems successfully: a field study in army housing management

A decision technology system (DTS) has been proposed to provide direct support for the entire decision-making process. In the 1990s, the concept was implemented in stages to facilitate US Army housing management. This implementation has been the first successful field application of the DTS theory. Recent enhancements confirmed earlier insights and offered important new lessons in developing, implementing, and benefiting from DTSs. This paper discusses the original insights and fresh lessons. To provide a context, the article first briefly describes the enhancements and presents a typical, but streamlined, system session. The paper then summarizes the documented gains from implementing the DTS theory, reports the utilized strategies, and infers the implications for the systems analysis and design process.
Data-mining-based automated reverse engineering and defect discovery

A data mining based procedure for automated reverse engineering and defect discovery has been developed. The data mining algorithm for reverse engineering uses a genetic program (GP) as a data mining function. A GP is an evolutionary algorithm that automatically evolves populations of computer programs or mathematical expressions, eventually selecting one that is optimal in the sense it maximizes a fitness function. The system to be reverse engineered is typically a sensor that may not be disassembled and for which there are no design documents. The sensor is used to create a database of input signals and output measurements. Rules about the likely design properties of the sensor are collected from experts. The rules are used to create a fitness function for the GP allowing GP based data mining. This procedure incorporates not only the experts’ rules into the fitness function, but also the information in the database. The information extracted through this process is the internal design specifications of the sensor. These design properties can be used to create a fitness function for a genetic algorithm, which is in turn used to search for defects in the digital logic design. Significant theoretical and experimental results are provided.
Helicobacter pylori and ITP: many questions, few answers

The factors that incite immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) remain uncertain, though the association of ITP with hepatitis C, cytomegalovirus, and common childhood viruses suggests that infectious agents may contribute. In this issue of Blood, Michel and colleagues (page [890][1]) report their
Analysis of a Singular Functional Differential Equation That Arises from Stochastic Modeling of Population Growth

Abstract The singular functional differential equation x(1 − x)A(x)y′(x) + by(h(x)) − by(x) = −bg(x), x in (0, 1), is studied for initial data y = 0 on x ⩽ a, y continuous on (a, 1) and y(1−) bounded. The singularity at x = 0+ is removable for a certain class of delayed arguments, h(x). The final end point at x = 1− is the most important singularity because it results in a genuine singular boundary value problem. A formal solution is constructed and is shown to be unique and bounded when g(x) is bounded. A singular decomposition transforms the problem into two nonsingular initial value problems. Singular FDEs of this type arise in the study of the persistence of populations undergoing large random fluctuations when modeled by compound Poisson processes superimposed on logistic-type growth.
Inhibition of Endothelial Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 Expression by Nitric Oxide Involves the Induction and Nuclear Translocation of IκBα *

The induction of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) expression by tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha requires the activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) via a process involving the phosphorylation and degradation of its cytoplasmic inhibitor, IkappaBalpha. We have shown that nitric oxide (NO) decreases VCAM-1 expression via inhibition of NF-kappaB activation. To determine how NO inhibits NF-kappaB, we studied the fate of IkappaBalpha following TNF-alpha stimulation in the presence of NO donors S-nitrosoglutathione and sodium nitroprusside. Activation of NF-kappaB by TNF-alpha occurred within 15 min and coincided with rapid degradation of IkappaBalpha. Co-treatment with NO donors did not prevent IkappaBalpha phosphorylation or degradation. However, after 2 h of TNF-alpha stimulation, NO donors inhibited NF-kappaB activation and augmented IkappaBalpha resynthesis and nuclear translocation by 2.5- and 3-fold, respectively. This correlated with a 75% reduction in TNF-alpha-induced VCAM-1 expression. In a time-dependent manner, NO donors alone caused the nuclear translocation of IkappaBalpha. To confirm that NO donors have similar effects as endogenously derived NO, murine macrophage-like cells, RAW264.7, were co-cultured with endothelial cells. Induction of RAW264.7-derived NO inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced endothelial VCAM-1 expression, which was reversed by the NO synthase inhibitor Nomega-monomethyl-L-arginine. These findings indicate that NO inhibits NF-kappaB activation and VCAM-1 expression by increasing the expression and nuclear translocation of IkappaBalpha.
Medicaid-Covered Alcohol and Drug Treatment Use Among People With Intellectual Disabilities: Evidence of Disparities

Abstract For some, community inclusion facilitates access to alcohol and drugs and, therefore, the potential for developing substance abuse disorders. However, little is known about substance abuse...
Structure−Property Relationships in Porous 3D Nanostructures: Epoxy-Cross-Linked Silica Aerogels Produced Using Ethanol as the Solvent

Cross-linking silica aerogels with organic groups has been shown to improve the strength over un-cross-linked aerogels by as much as 2 orders of magnitude. Previous cross-linking chemistry has been developed using solvents specifically chosen to dissolve the monomers and accommodate the reaction temperature. Because the process of making the aerogels requires so much solvent, it is of interest to consider less toxic solvents such as ethanol to increase safety and enhance scale up. To this end, two different epoxy precursors with suitable solubility in ethanol were evaluated as cross-linkers for silica gels prepared from (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane and tetraethylorthosilicate. In addition, 1,6-bis(trimethoxysilyl)hexane (BTMSH) was used as an additive in the underlying silica structure to add flexibility to the aerogels. It was found that the ethanol-derived aerogels exhibited more shrinkage than those prepared from other solvents but that including BTMSH in the aerogels significantly reduced this shrinkage. Inclusion of BTMSH also imparted the ability of the aerogel monoliths to recover elastically when compressed up to 50% strain. In addition, optimized cross-linked aerogels prepared in this study have mechanical properties comparable to those using other more undesirable solvents and cross-linkers.
The Effect of Prolonged Implementation of Cooperative Learning on Social Support Within the Classroom

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to determine whether cooperative learning experiences are related to social support in the classroom. The relationship between cooperative learning and social support, the impact of prolonged implementation of cooperative learning on social support, and the effect of different frequency of cooperative learning experiences on social support in the classroom were investigated. An instrument measuring social support was administered in November and in January to 91 eighth-grade students from a suburban school district in the Midwest. The results indicate that cooperative learning was highly related to social support within the classroom and that the longer and more frequently students engaged in cooperative learning, the greater the social support within the classroom.
A new technique of endoscopic video capsule delivery for patients with dysphagia, pyloric stenosis, or prior gastric surgery

A new technique of endoscopic video capsule delivery for patients with dysphagia, pyloric stenosis, or prior gastric surgery
A Self-Stabilizing Distributed Algorithm to Find the Median of a Tree Graph

We propose a self-stabilizing algorithm (protocol) for computing the median in a given tree graph. We show the correctness of the proposed algorithm by using a new technique involving induction.
Analysis of Hydrogen Adsorption in Microporous Adsorbents at Room Temperature and High Pressures

An experimental study of hydrogen adsorption in a variety of high-surface area adsorbent materials has been conducted at room temperature and pressures up to 500 bar on high surface area activated carbons, zeolite templated carbons (ZTC), and metal organic frameworks (MOFs). For all materials, excess hydrogen adsorption isotherms were measured up to 500 bar and have been analyzed in terms of the BET surface area and pore size distribution. The materials were also evaluated for their increase in hydrogen storage density over compressed gas. It was determined that, due to the lower excess adsorption and skeletal densities for the microstructured materials, MOF-177 and ZTC have worse storage densities than compressed gas at most pressures, even when assuming a bed compaction factor of two, while the activated carbons offer marginal increases in storage density over the pressure range investigated.
Hydrologic parameters of salt marsh peat

Because of their profound influence on water movement and nutrient cycling in salt marshes, the two key physical properties of hydraulic conductivity and compressibility were studied in the Great Sippewissett Marsh and in the Ebben Creek Marsh in Massachusetts. Hydraulic conductivity was the most variable property: most frequently observed conductivities were of the order of 10−3 cm s−1 in both marshes, but extremes ranged from about 10−1 to 10−5 cm s−1. Compressibility was much less variable, and contributed of the order of 10−3 cm−1 to the specific storativity of marsh sediment, making compression a major mechanism for changes in water storage in the sediment. Surface sediments frequently exhibited below-average conductivity, in contrast to freshwater bog peats which are usually most conductive at the surface. These measured properties may be applied to estimate the importance of many critical processes, such as the extent of infiltration occurring on the marsh surface, the hydrologic influence of the tidally varying creeks, and the hydrologic response to spring-neap tidal cycles.
An integrated approach to 3D motion analysis and object recognition

An integrated system for 3D motion estimation and object recognition with outdoor stereo image sequences as inputs is presented. The goals are to obtain from input stereo images the 3D motion description and the identification of a vehicle moving against a stationary background. In order to accomplish the desired goals, the system consists of four stages; motion estimation, distinctive feature extraction, model database, and object recognition. The results of 3D motion estimation are used to narrow down considerably the search space in the stage of object recognition. The system is applied to eight sets of stereo image pairs. Experimental results demonstrate that the system can successfully provide the 3D motion description and the identification of the vehicle in all the stereo image pairs. >
Short-Term Pravastatin Mediates Growth Inhibition and Apoptosis, Independently of Ras, via the Signaling Proteins p27Kip1 and PI3 Kinase

Abstract . Growth factor-stimulated DNA synthesis in a variety of cell lines has been shown to be decreased after overnight (or longer) treatment with the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase inhibitors, the statins. Although this anti-mitogenic effect had been presumed to be the result of the impairment of Ras lipidation, a stable modification (T 1/2 approximately 20 h), this study provides new data demonstrating that brief (approximately 1 h) pretreatment of rat vascular smooth muscle cells with 100 μM pravastatin before platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) stimulation results in attenuation of DNA synthesis through a Ras-independent mechanism. PDGF-BB-stimulated PDGF-β receptor tyrosine phosphorylation, Ras activity, and mitogen-activated protein/extracellular signal-regulated kinase activity are unaffected by from 10 min to 1 h of pravastatin incubation, while Raf activity is markedly increased after 1 h of pravastatin. Phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase activity and phosphorylation of its downstream effector Akt are decreased after 1 h pravastatin incubation. Rho is stabilized by pravastatin, and ADP-ribosylation of Rho by C3 exoenzyme decreases PDGF-stimulated phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase activity, mimicking the effect of pravastatin on this signaling protein. Levels of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27 Kip 1 are increased when cells were preincubated with pravastatin for 1 h and then exposed to PDGF, and apoptosis is induced by pravastatin incubation times as short as 1 to 4 h. Thus, short-term, high-dose pravastatin inhibits vascular smooth muscle cell growth and induces apoptosis independently of Ras, likely by means of the drug9s effect on p27 Kip 1 , mediated by Rho and/or phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase. This work demonstrates for the first time that the statins may be therapeutically useful when applied for short periods of time such that potential toxicity of long-term statin use (such as chronic Ras inhibition) may be avoided, suggesting future therapeutic directions for statin research.
Numerical Solution of Stochastic Differential Equations in Finance

This chapter is an introduction and survey of numerical solution methods for stochastic differential equations. The solutions will be continuous stochastic processes that represent diffusive dynamics, a common modeling assumption for financial systems. We include a review of fundamental concepts, a description of elementary numerical methods and the concepts of convergence and order for stochastic differential equation solvers. In the remainder of the chapter we describe applications of SDE solvers to Monte-Carlo sampling for financial pricing of derivatives. Monte-Carlo simulation can be computationally inefficient in its basic form, and so we explore some common methods for fostering efficiency by variance reduction and the use of quasi-random numbers. In addition, we briefly discuss the extension of SDE solvers to coupled systems driven by correlated noise, which is applicable to multiple asset markets.
Thermal transition effects and electrochemical properties in organic coatings. Part 1: Initial studies on corrosion protective organic coatings

Abstract Thermal effects in a high-performance fusion-bonded epoxy (FBE) powder coating on steel were measured by electrochemical means. Experimental performance of the coating in immersion indicated the coating resistance as acquired by electrochemical noise methods (ENM), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and direct current resistance (RDC) measurements decreased in an Arrhenius manner with increasing temperature up to the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the immersed coating film. Coating resistance then abruptly decreased more rapidly. The abrupt change in film resistance (a coating transport property) at Tg was seen in all three film resistance measures. Using independent differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) experiments, Tg was shown to be that of the water-plasticized film and not of the dry film. Calculation of film capacitance values from EIS indicated increased water uptake with temperature consistent with water-plasticization as seen in Tg measurements. Data implied that use o...
High-temperature RF probe station for device characterization through 500/spl deg/C and 50 GHz

A high-temperature measurement system capable of performing on-wafer microwave testing of semiconductor devices has been developed. This high-temperature probe station can characterize active and passive devices and circuits at temperatures ranging from room temperature to above 500/spl deg/C. The heating system uses a ceramic heater mounted on an insulating block of NASA Shuttle tile. The temperature is adjusted by a graphical computer interface and is controlled by the software-based feedback loop. The system is used with a vector network analyzer to measure scattering parameters over a frequency range from 1 to 50 GHz. The microwave probes, cables, and inspection microscope are all shielded to protect from heat damage. The high-temperature probe station has been successfully used to characterize gold transmission lines on silicon carbide at temperatures up to 540/spl deg/C.
Marketing conquest and the vanishing Indian: An Indigenous response to Jared Diamond’s Guns, Germs, and Steel and Collapse

In recent years, Jared Diamond’s Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies (1996) and Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Survive (2005) have come to represent the widely read and discussed secular narratives of human social and cultural evolution in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. Disguised as an attack on racial determinism, Guns suggests that colonization and conquest were largely ‘accidents’ of history and that modern collapses can be avoided by careful study of Indigenous environmental mismanagement. Much of Diamond’s data is drawn from archaeological literature largely written in isolation from Native American descendent communities. The universalizing discourses advanced by processual studies can provide powerful counter-arguments to these claims when rearticulated with more recent Native American historical narratives. This essay responds to Diamond’s works, questions their veracity and assumptions and suggests that narratives such as Diamond’s are the most po...
Death of the user: Reconceptualizing subjects, objects, and their relations

The article explains why the concept of the user in Library and Information Science (LIS) user studies and information seeking behavior is theoretically inadequate and it proposes a reconceptualization of subjects, objects, and their relations according to a model of ‘double mediation.’ Formal causation (affordances) is suggested as a substitute for mechanistic causation. The notion of ‘affective causation’ is introduced. The works of several psychoanalysts and continental and Anglo‐American philosophers are used as tools to develop the model. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Adrenal exhaustion in septic patients with vasopressor dependency.

Abstract Purpose The use of low-dose corticosteroids for patients with septic shock who remain vasopressor dependent after adequate fluid resuscitation is recommended, but there is lack of agreement on how to diagnose relative adrenal insufficiency (RAI) and when to start steroid supplementation among these patients. This case series reports changes in cortisol concentrations during the course of vasopressor-dependent septic shock. Methods Observational study was performed at a university hospital medical intensive care unit. Consecutive adult patients with vasopressor-dependent septic shock admitted to the medical intensive care unit were studied. Clinical data, cortisol concentrations, and dose of vasopressor agents at different times during the course of septic shock were recorded and reported as mean ± SD. Results Thirteen patients were included. Mean age was 59 ± 15 years. Mean basal nonstimulated cortisol level was 41.7 ± 30.9 μ g/dL (within 24 hours of intensive care unit admission in all but 2 patients). Steroids were initiated in 8 patients and then discontinued after cortisol values were obtained and RAI was ruled out. Because of inability to discontinue vasopressor support, cortisol testing was repeated after 6.2 ± 4.8 days of initial assessment. Repeated concentrations were 10.0 ± 6.3 μ g/dL ( P Conclusions Adrenal function in the critically ill is a dynamic process, and an appropriate initial adrenal response does not preclude later development of RAI.
Bactericidal activity of low-dose clindamycin administered at 8- and 12-hour intervals against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Bacteroides fragilis.

Twelve volunteers received 300 mg of clindamycin intravenously (i.v.) or orally (p.o.) administered every 8 h (q8h) or q12h by random assignment over four study periods. Serum bactericidal titers were determined for each regimen against two isolates each of Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae (one penicillin-sensitive isolate and one penicillin-resistant isolate), and Bacteroides fragilis. The duration of measurable bactericidal activity over the dosing interval (expressed as a percentage of the dosing interval) was determined for each isolate. No significant differences in the duration of activity were observed between i.v. and p.o. regimens dosed according to the same interval (P > 0.05). All regimens provided bactericidal activity against S. pneumoniae for 100% of their respective dosing intervals. Against B. fragilis, bactericidal activity was observed for greater than 80% of the dosing interval for each of the regimens. Although a statistically significant difference favoring the q8h i.v. regimen (P < 0.05) was detected, this difference is not believed to be clinically significant. The q8h and q12h regimens provided measurable bactericidal activity against S. aureus for greater than 85 and 50% of the dosing intervals, respectively (P < 0.001). Clindamycin dosed at 300 mg i.v. or p.o., q8h or q12h, provides adequate coverage against S. aureus, S. pneumoniae, and B. fragilis.
Broad-band signal-subspace spatial-spectrum (BASS-ALE) estimation

An approach to spatial-spectrum estimation of broadband sources is described. The approach, termed broadband signal-subspace spatial spectrum (BASS-ALE) estimation, is based on the eigenstructure of a broadband spatial/temporal covariance matrix and is justified by identifying the low-rank character of spatial/temporal observations of broadband sources. BASS-ALE estimators are described which incorporate: source focusing, spatial/temporal noise decorrelating, a signal (or noise-only) subspace generated from the eigenstructure of the transformed spatial/temporal covariance matrix, and broadband source models. Through discussion and simulation, BASS-ALE estimators are compared to the coherent signal-subspace processor (a similar subspace method), and relative advantages of the two are identified. >
Age Differences in Movement Patterns Used to Rise from a Bed in Subjects in the Third Through Fifth Decades of Age

Background and Purpose. The purposes of this study were to describe the movement patterns of middle-aged adults when rising from a bed and to determine whether there are age-related differences in movement patterns across the third through fifth decades of age. Subjects. Ninety-three adults (30 men, 63 women), ranging in age from 30 to 59 years, participated in the study. Methods. The subjects were videotaped during 10 trials of rising from a bed. Subjects comprised three age groups, as defined by the decades of the thirties, forties, and fifties. Movement patterns for four body regions were used to classify the videotaped performances. The incidence of each movement pattern was determined for each decade and graphed. Results. Subjects in their thirties differed from older subjects in movement patterns used to rise from a bed. Movement pattern incidence varied across age groups for each body region. The movement patterns of one body region predominated in reverse order of a previously proposed developmental sequence. Conclusion and Discussion. Results indicate physical therapists should consider the patient's age when selecting movement patterns to teach.
Permuted Standardized Time Series for Steady-State Simulations

We describe an extension procedure for constructing new standardized time series procedures from existing ones. The approach is based on averaging over sample paths obtained by permuting path segments. Analytical and empirical results indicate that permuting improves standardized time series methods. We compare permuting to an alternative extension procedure known as batching. We demonstrate the permuting method by applying it to estimators based on the maximum and the area of a normalized path.
Sensor deployment strategy for target detection

In order to monitor a region for traffic traversal, sensors can be deployed to perform collaborative target detection. Such a sensor network achieves a certain level of detection performance with an associated cost of deployment. This paper addresses this problem by proposing path exposure as a measure of the goodness of a deployment and presents an approach for sequential deployment in steps. It illustrates that the cost of deployment can be minimized to achieve the desired detection performance by appropriately choosing the number of sensors deployed in each step.
Ube3a-ATS is an atypical RNA polymerase II transcript that represses the paternal expression of Ube3a

The Angelman syndrome gene, UBE3A, is subject to genomic imprinting controlled by mechanisms that are only partially understood. Its antisense transcript, UBE3A-ATS, is also imprinted and hypothesized to suppress UBE3A in cis. In this research, we showed that the mouse antisense ortholog, Ube3a-ATS, was transcribed by RNA polymerase (RNAP) II. However, unlike typical protein-coding transcripts, Ube3a-ATS was not poly-adenylated and was localized exclusively in the nucleus. It was relatively unstable with a half-life of 4 h, shorter than most protein-coding RNAs tested. To understand the role of Ube3a-ATS in vivo, a mouse model with a 0.9-kb genomic deletion over the paternal Snrpn major promoter was studied. The mice showed partial activation of paternal Ube3a, with decreased expression of Ube3a-ATS but not any imprinting defects in the Prader-Willi syndrome/Angelman syndrome region. A novel cell culture model was also generated with a transcriptional termination cassette inserted downstream of Ube3a on the paternal chromosome to reduce Ube3a-ATS transcription. In neuronally differentiated embryonic stem (ES) cells, paternal Ube3a was found to be expressed at a high level, comparable with that of the maternal allele. To further characterize the antisense RNA, a strand-specific microarray was performed. Ube3a-ATS was detectable across the entire locus of Ube3a and extended beyond the transcriptional start site of Ube3a. In summary, we conclude that Ube3a-ATS is an atypical RNAPII transcript that represses Ube3a on the paternal chromosome. These results suggest that the repression of human UBE3A-ATS may activate the expression of UBE3A from the paternal chromosome, providing a potential therapeutic strategy for patients with Angelman syndrome.
Energy shifts of K x-ray lines for different chemical compounds of Ru, Pr, and Yb

The energy shifts of Kα2, Kα1, Kβ3, Kβ1, and Kβ2 x rays were measured for the following Ru, Pr, and Yb compounds: Ru, Ru(CO2)Cl2, RuO2, [Ru(NH3)4OHCl]Cl · 2H2O, and RuF3; Pr, PrC2, Pr2O3, PrFeO3, Pr6O11, PrO2, CsPrF5, and Cs2PrF6, Yb, YbF3, and Yb2O3. The results are compared with free-ion relativistic self-consistent-field calculations. The measurements bear out the dominant role of the 4f electrons in energy shifts between the trivalent and tetravalent Pr and the divalent and trivalent Yb. In Yb the full free-ion value is observed, while in Pr the free-ion value appears to be attenuated by a factor of 0.4, presumably owing to covalency. In all cases the relation of the x-ray energy shift to the Mossbauer isomer shift is discussed.
Exploratory Analysis of Collaborative Web Accessibility Improvement

The Web is becoming a platform for daily activities and is expanding the opportunities for collaboration among people all over the world. The effects of these innovations are seen not only in major Web services such as wikis and social networking services but also in accessibility services. Collaborative accessibility improvement has great potential to make the Web more adaptive. Screen reader users, developers, site owners, and any Web volunteers who want to help the users are invited into the activities to improve accessibility in a timely manner. The Social Accessibility Project is an experimental service for a new needs-driven improvement model based on collaborative metadata authoring technologies. In 20 months, about 19,000 pieces of metadata were created for more than 3,000 Web pages through collaboration based on 355 requests submitted from users. We encountered many challenges as we sought to create a new mainstream approach and created distinctive features in new user interfaces to address some of these challenges. Although the new features increased user participation, serious issues remain. The productivity of the volunteers exceeded our expectations, but we found large and important problems in the users’ lack of awareness of their own accessibility problems. This is a critical problem for sustaining the active use of the service, because about 70p of the improvement starts with a request from a user. Helping users with visual impairments understand the actual issues is a crucial and challenging topic, and will lead to improved accessibility. We first introduce examples of collaboration, analyze several kinds of statistics on the activities of the users and volunteers of the pilot service, and then discuss our findings and challenges. Five future foci are considered: site-wide metadata authoring, encouraging active participation by users, quality management for the created metadata, metadata for dynamic HTML applications, and collaborations with site owners.
Scalable s-to-p broadcasting on message-passing MPPs

In s-to-p broadcasting, s processors in a processor machine contain a message to be broadcast to all the processors, 1/spl les/s/spl les/p. We present a number of different broadcasting algorithms that handle all ranges of s. We show how the performance of each algorithm is influenced by the distribution of the s source processors and by the relationships between the distribution and the characteristics of the interconnection network. For the Intel Paragon we show that for each algorithm and machine dimension there exist ideal distributions and distributions on which the performance degrades. For the Cray T3D we also demonstrate dependencies between distributions and machine sizes. To reduce the dependence of the performance on the distribution of sources, we propose a repositioning approach. In this approach, the initial distribution is turned into an ideal distribution of the target broadcasting algorithm. We report experimental results for the Intel Paragon and Cray T3D and discuss scalability and performance.
Trigonometrically-fitted second derivative method for oscillatory problems

A continuous Trigonometrically-fitted Second Derivative Method (CTSDM) whose coefficients depend on the frequency and stepsize is constructed using trigonometric basis functions. A discrete Trigonometrically-fitted second derivative method (TSDM) is recovered from the CTSDM as a by-product and applied to solve initial value problems (IVPs) with oscillating solutions. We discuss the stability properties of the TSDM and present numerical experiments to demonstrate the efficiency of the method.
Lactic Acid Bacteria: Physiology and Stress Resistance

Dairy processing provides many abiotic stress conditions that change the phenotypic response of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) during fermentation and storage. Genome sequencing of LAB is expanding and leading to significant opportunities to establish specific genetic mechanisms that lead to single and multiple stress responses that underpin the physiological changes. Response differentiation between closely related LAB is linked to a handful of genetic regulatory elements that cascade into hundreds of changes in structure and metabolism of the cell. Determination of the conservation of the regulatory molecule that mediates stress responses provides insights into the mechanisms leading to the various metabolic and cellular responses produced during dairy processing across various strains and provides a basis for predicting the variation of stress response. Although LAB have a somewhat small genome, the capability to respond to stress is clearly fully functional. Among the stringent and the SOS responses of regulatory elements there exist some lead to stress mitigation via expression of a myriad of metabolic changes useful for repairing DNA, neutralizing acid, and producing energy from proteins amino acids and production of new flavor-active metabolites. In addition, lactococci have a small number of unique genes (i.e., cept, codY,Z) that provide additional survival capabilities through metabolism of protein and induce the industrially-import responses. In the postgenomics era, simultaneous measurement of the cellular phenotype and the metabolomic, proteomic, and genomic mechanism promises to provide a systemwide picture of the intricate molecular dance induced by stresses during dairy processing. This picture has the potential to provide new methods for strain selection and processing changes to direct the survival and metabolism of LAB to achieve new metabolic products in dairy products.
The Walking Classroom: Active Learning Is Just Steps Away!

Walking is a viable and valuable form of exercise for young children that has both physical and mental health benefits. There is much evidence showing that school-age children are not getting the recommended 60 minutes of daily exercise. A school-wide walking program can be a great way to encourage walking in and out of school, can be aligned with the curriculum for educational benefits, and has proven to be a successful motivator. This article describes a variety of walking programs that were developed for schools, which have proven to be fun, motivating and successful.