cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Enhanced Sensitivity of Photodetection via Quantum Illumination

The use of quantum-mechanically entangled light to illuminate objects can provide substantial enhancements over unentangled light for detecting and imaging those objects in the presence of high levels of noise and loss. Each signal sent out is entangled with an ancilla, which is retained. Detection takes place via an entangling measurement on the returning signal together with the ancilla. This paper shows that for photodetection, quantum illumination with m bits of entanglement can in principle increase the effective signal-to-noise ratio by a factor of 2 m , an exponential improvement over unentangled illumination. The enhancement persists even when noise and loss are so great that no entanglement survives at the detector.
Improved synthetic routes to polynitroheterocycles

Abstract The preparations of several explosive precursors utilizing oxidative nitration are described. These include 1,3-di-t-butyl-5,5-dinitrohexahydropyrimidine, 3-t-butyl-5,5-dinitrotetrahydro-1,3-oxazine, 2,2-dinitro-1,3-propanediol (ADIOL) and potassium aci-2,2-dinitroethanol. The former pyrimidine and oxazine precursors were nitrolyzed to 1,3,5,5-tetranitrohexahydropyrimidine (DNNC) and 3,5,5-trinitrotetrahydro-1,3-oxazine (TriNOx). ADIOL, a widely used reagent in explosives preparation, was prepared by the trans-ketalization of 2,2-dimethyl-5,5-dinitro-1,3-dioxane. The dioxane was prepared in high yield by the oxidative nitration of 5-hydroxymethyl-2,2-dimethyl-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane. The little known explosive, 1,3,3,5,5-pentanitro-piperidine (PNP), has been prepared from potassium aci-2,2,4,4-tetranitrobutanol and t-butylamine hydrochloride. The vacuum thermal stabilities of DNNC, TriNOx and PNP at 100°C are reported.
Siblicide and Genetic Relatedness in Chicago, 1870-1930

Using a sample of siblicides committed in Chicago from 1870 through 1930, the authors tested two predictions heuristically guided by an evolutionary perspective. They predicted a greater proportion of siblicides of in-law siblings will be perpetrated by beatings, relative to the proportion of siblicides of full siblings. This difference did not reach statistical significance although it was in the predicted direction. They found, as predicted, that a significantly greater proportion of accidental deaths occurred with siblicides of full siblings relative to the proportion of siblicides of in-law siblings. Discussion addresses limitations of this research and the need for a national-level database that codes for the genetic relationship between the siblicide victim and offender to capitalize on greater statistical power.
CH-Radical Concentration Measurements in Fuel-Rich CH4/O2/Ar and CH4/O2/NO/Ar Mixtures Behind Shock Waves

CH radicals are important precursors in prompt-NO formation and they also play a role in NO removal via reburning. Little information exists, however, on the absolute concentrations of CH during fuel-rich methane oxidation and their dependence on NO concentrations. Here the authors report results of CH-radical measurements for such conditions, using a shock tube in combination with a sensitive CH absorption diagnostic. These measurements provide useful data for the further development of large-scale reaction mechanisms, such as the recently developed Gas Research Institute methane oxidation and NO reburning mechanism (GRI-Mech 2.11). CH-radical profiles were measured at high temperatures for fuel-rich methane oxidation with and without addition of NO. Comparison of these data with predictions based on the GRI-Mech 2.11 mechanism shows significant deviations, suggesting the need for additional high-temperature rate data on important CH reactions and for further optimization of the detailed mechanism.
Applications of critical temperature in minimizing functions of continuous variables with simulated annealing algorithm

The simulated annealing (SA) algorithm has been recognized as a powerful technique for minimizing complicated functions. However, a critical disadvantage of the SA algorithm is its high computational cost. Therefore, it is the goal of this paper to investigate the use of the critical temperature in SA to reduce its computational cost. This paper presents a systematic study of the critical temperature and its applications in the minimization of functions of continuous variables with the SA algorithm. Based on this study, a new algorithm was developed to exploit the unique feature of the critical temperature in SA. The new algorithm combines SA and local search to determine global minimum effectively. Extensive tests on a variety of functions demonstrated that the new algorithm provides comparable performance to well-established SA techniques. Furthermore, the new algorithm also improves the determination of the starting temperature for the SA algorithm. The results obtained in this study are expected to be useful for improving the efficiency of SA algorithms, and for facilitating the development of temperature parallel SA algorithms.
The edge chromatic difference sequence of a cubic graph

Abstract We study the integer sequences that might be the edge chromatic difference sequence of a cubic graph. Included in our results is a best possible lower bound for the number of edges in a maximum matching and a lower bound for the maximum number of edges in a 2-edge-colorable subgraph. We also provide examples of cubic graphs whose edge chromatic difference sequences are not monotonic. They have the property that no maximum matching extends to a maximum k -edge colorable subgraph for k = 2, 3 even though by a result of Catlin, there must exist a maximum matching that extends to a 4-edge coloring.
Differential pattern of activity of some prostaglandins in diverse superfused tissues

Abstract Dose-response curves to prostaglandins (PG) E 1 , E 2 , F 1α , F 2α , A 1 and A 2 were carried out in the rat stomach fundus, rat colon, chick rectum and rabbit aortic strip superfused with Krebs solution containing adrenergic, cholinergic, serotonergic and histaminergic blockers, and arranged in a cascade fashion. In the stomach and rectum, the order of potency was PGE's > PGF's > PGA's. In the aorta and colon, PG 2 's were more active than their corresponding PG 1 's. By determining the colon/stomach and aorta/colon activity ratios, it was possible to define differential patterns of activity for PGE 1 , PGE 2 , PGF 1α , PGF 2α and PGA's. The present results indicate the importance of determining complete dose-response curves in the cascade for the characterization of PG-like activity.
Optical properties of small-bore hollow glass waveguides

Hollow glass waveguides with a 250-µm i.d. have been fabricated with a liquid-phase deposition technique that uses silica tubing as a base material. The losses of the 250-µm-bore guide measured at CO(2) laser wavelengths are as low as 2.0 dB/m. The straight losses for the hollow guides are in good agreement with theoretically predicted losses as a result of the nearly ideal structure of the guides. It is also shown that the guides have low bending losses, a nearly pure-mode delivery, and good high-power laser transmission. By proper design of the dielectric thickness, the guide is also able to deliver Er:YAG laser energy with a low loss of 1.2 dB/m for the 320-µm-bore waveguide. Because the hollow glass waveguide is very flexible and robust, it is quite suitable for medical applications.
Parallel Use of Multiple Channels in Multi-hop 802.11 Wireless Networks

We consider parallel use of multiple channels in a multi-radio, multi-hop 802.11 wireless network, with the goal of maximizing the total multi-hop throughput. We first quantify several fundamental forms of radio interference that cause performance degradation when the number of hops increases and that prevent total throughput from scaling up with number of radio interfaces at each node. We then evaluate three different methods of parallel channel use: ad-hoc, frequency-division multiplexing (FDM), and time-division multiplexing (TDM). We measure their performance on a linearly connected multi-hop network of dual-radio nodes. Although theoretically these three methods should have comparable performance, their actual measured performances are quite different. We find that TDM has the best performance, followed by ad-hoc and then FDM. The performance differences are due to these methods' capabilities of combating interference. We conclude that interference, especially adjacent channel interference, has significant effect on the achievable performance of a multi-radio, multi-hop network and hence should be carefully taken into account in the design and deployment of such a network.
Chemotactic behavior and dynamics of bacteria propelled microbeads

Flagellated bacteria have been well understood in regards to its adhesion to surfaces and in swimming propulsion. However, its ability to be used as a source of propulsion for artificial microsystems is of great interest to the micro-robotics community; its high efficiency in converting chemical energy to motion is highly attractive for microsystems that demand a low payload and high rate of actuation. In this paper, we describe the behavior of Serratia marcescens bacteria-propelled polystyrene beads in the presence of a chemoattractant, L-threonine. We compare the results of this chemotactic behavior to that bacteria-propelled bead without a chemoattractant. The results from this analysis indicate a clear sign of directionality, as well as an improved bead velocity, for the bacteria-attached microbeads in the presence of a chemoattractant.
Penile rehabilitation therapy with PDE-V inhibitors following radical prostatectomy: proceed with caution

Penile rehabilitation therapy following radical prostatectomy is a much debated topic. Erectile dysfunction is still a significant contributor to postoperative morbidity following radical prostatectomy, despite meticulous nerve-sparing technique. Secondary smooth muscle changes in the penis have been identified as the underlying causes of penile atrophy, veno-occlusive dysfunction, and fibrosis. Initial observations that intracavernous injection therapies used on a regular basis postoperatively resulted in improvements in the return of spontaneous erectile function led to the development of penile rehabilitation protocols. Chronic dosing of PDE-V inhibitors is now commonly used by urologists after radical prostatectomy. Despite the current enthusiasm of penile rehabilitation therapy, current scientific evidence with clinical trials is still limited.
Taking family history seriously.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations regarding genetic testing for breast or ovarian cancer are based on evaluation of family history in a woman's first- and second-degr...
An analysis of fosaprepitant-induced venous toxicity in patients receiving highly emetogenic chemotherapy

Purpose Fosaprepitant is an antiemetic used for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. We recently reported increased infusion site adverse events (ISAE) in a cohort of breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (AC). In this current study, we evaluated the venous toxicity of fosaprepitant use with non-anthracycline platinum-based antineoplastic regimens.
Rhodotorula fujisanensis, a new taxonomic combination

The demonstration of carotenoid pigments in the type strain and one additional strain ofTorulopsis fujisanensis Soneda necessitates the transfer of this species to the genusRhodotorula asRhodotorula fujisanensis (Soneda) Johnson et Phaff comb. nov.
Race/Ethnicity, Religion and Partisan Leanings

Using the 2004–2008 national politics studies, our work suggests that race/ethnicity matters to our understanding of religion and partisan leanings. Among Whites, the association between religious faith and partisan leanings are, in part, explained by contrasting social–political attitudes held by Evangelical and Non-Evangelical Protestants. Similarly, the degree to which White attendees of congregations that encourage political discourse maintain more liberal partisan leanings than other Whites is partly explained by their lower scores on our measures of state power, patriotic symbols, and structural understanding of racial inequality. Even when these views are accounted for, attending worship services, on average, is associated with conservative partisan leanings among Whites. In contrast, worship attendance maintains a fairly negligible relationship with the partisan leanings of Hispanic and African Americans. Similarly, religious faith and attending political congregations maintains a relatively inconsistent relationship with the partisan leanings of racial/ethnic minorities. And, the extent to which these forms of religion are associated with their partisan leanings, their views on state power, patriotism, and race and opportunities play a fairly marginal and inconsistent role in explaining these relationships.
Assessment of hopelessness in suicidal patients

Abstract Beck (1963) proposed that hopelessness is a common feature of depression and an important element in its etiology. The development of the Hopelessness Scale (Beck, Weissman, Lester, & Trexler, 1974) sparked substantial research into the phenomenon of hopelessness, as well as some controversy. Current interest in the construct and its measurement centers around its potential value in assessing risk for suicidal behavior, since several studies have demonstrated that many suicidal individuals have cognitive and emotional attributes of hopelessness. This paper explores developments in the assessment of hopelessness, and reviews the relevant research supporting its utility in the assessment of suicide risk. Empirical findings and controversies are summarized. Recommendations are made for instrument development, along with further study of state/trait characteristics of hopelessness and the utility of hopelessness as a predictor of suicidal behavior.
SoxE Factors Function Equivalently during Neural Crest and Inner Ear Development and Their Activity Is Regulated by SUMOylation

Sox9 and the closely related factor Sox10 are essential for the formation of neural crest precursor cells, and play divergent roles in the process by which these cells are subsequently directed to form specific derivatives. These group E Sox factors have also been implicated in the development of the vertebrate inner ear. Despite their importance, however, the mechanisms that allow SoxE proteins to regulate such a diverse range of cell types have remained poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that during vertebrate development, the activities of individual SoxE factors are well conserved and are regulated by SUMOylation. We show that SoxE mutants that cannot be SUMOylated, or that mimic constitutive SUMOylation, are each able to mediate a subset of the diverse activities characteristic of wild-type SoxE proteins. These findings provide important mechanistic insight into how the activity of widely deployed developmental regulatory proteins can be directed to specific developmental events.
Electrolytic gold deposition on dodecanethiol-modified gold films.

The electrochemical nucleation and growth of Au from a Au sulfite electrolyte onto dodecanethiol-modified Au surfaces is investigated by a combination of microscopy and chronoamperometry methods. The self-assembled dodecanethiol monolayers are continuous but exhibit defects in correspondence of the Au grain boundaries and on top of Au terraces. Nucleation of Au films occurs initially at these defect sites, but only a small fraction of these nuclei survive an initial competition process. The remaining nuclei expand through three-dimensional progressive nucleation followed by diffusion-limited growth. The resulting Au films exhibit microstructures which are widely different from those observed in the electrochemical growth of Au on Au and that depend on the applied potential: while at low overpotentials the film grows as an assembly of hemispherical clusters, at intermediate overvoltages the films are smooth and at high overvoltages become dendritic. Metal growth onto self-assembled monolayer-modified subst...
Linear quintuple-product identities

In the first part of this paper, series and product representations of four single-variable triple products T0, T1, T2, T3 and four single-variable quintuple products Q0, Q1, Q2, Q3 are defined. Reduced forms and reduction formulas for these eight functions are given, along with formulas which connect them. The second part of the paper contains a systematic computer search for linear trinomial Q identities. The complete set of such families is found to consist of two 2-parameter families, which are proved using the formulas in the first part of the paper.
The effect of X-rays and of ultraviolet light of different wavelengths on the production of cytochrome-deficient yeasts

Abstract Cytochrome-deficient “petite” yeast cells have previously been shown to be due to the loss or inactivation of nongenic self-duplicating elements from the cell. There is only a slight increase in the number of such petites among the survivors of x-radiation, but they are produced readily by ultraviolet irradiation with peak activity around 2600 A., the absorption maximum for nucleic acid. It appears from this that petite production involves absorption and destruction or alteration of some nucleic acid-containing element of the cell. The simplest and most direct hypothesis is that these are the self-duplicating elements that have been shown to be destroyed or inactivated in the production of petites. The possibility is suggested that the self-duplicating particles are the PNA-containing mitochondria. That kill and petite production are due to the same kind of action by ultraviolet is indicated by the very high correlation in the effectiveness of ultraviolet in producing these two effects at different wavelengths.
Multi-extended-objects excitation in the massive Thirring model

The Bethe-ansatz approach by Bergknoff and Thacker on the massive Thirring model is extended to study a multi-extended-objects (solitons and breathers) excitation. The quantization of the physical momentum of each extended objects can be written in a Bethe-ansatz form using renormalized phase shifts for the scattering of extended objects.
In Buxtehude’s footsteps

This article investigates the seminal position of Dieterich Buxtehude in the history of organ pedalling, one of the crucial aspects of the north German organ art and one which set it apart not only from other forms of music-making but from the organ traditions of all other European nations. Although the chronology of Buxtehude ' s organ works cannot be established with any real speciﬁ city, his solos seem to be the ﬁrst fully formed examples to have survived. The most famous of these opens his Praeludium in C major, BuxWV 137. Pedalling like this is equally improbable as a form of physical movement as it is a mode of musical discourse, yet this epoch-making solo succeeds by the force of a bravura that uses massive organ sound to convey to distant listeners the motion of the body. So convincing was Buxtehude ' s essay in pedal rhetoric that it continues to captivate because of its freshness and its monumentality.
Immunization of Chickens Against Coccidiosis with Extracts of Eimeria-Infected Tissues

Abstract Immunization of chickens with extracts prepared from Eimeria- infected tissues was attempted. Significant protection against weight depression was conferred when chickens were inoculated intra-abdominally with tissue extracts prepared from ceca infected with two different strains of E. tenella. When extracts were given intravenously, with or without the adjuvant, polyandenylic-polyuridylic acid, weight depression was not ameliorated after challenge. Experiments using extracts from two strains of E. acervulina- and E. maxima- and one strain of E. brunetti- infected tissues failed to protect against weight gain depression after challenge.
Dipyridamole-thallium versus dobutamine echocardiographic stress testing: A clinician's viewpoint

41. Homma S, Kaul S, Boucher C. Correlates of lung/heart ratio of thallium-201 in coronary artery disease. J Nucl Med 1987;28:1531-5. 42. Heo J, Cave V, Wasserleben V, Iskandrian AS. Planar and tomographic imaging with technetium-99m-labeled tetrofosmin: correlation with thallium-201 and coronary angiography. J Nucl Cardio11994;1:317-24. 43. Rabinovitch M, Suissa S, Elstein J, StaniloffH, Tang A, Rush C, Aldis A, Tannous R, Turek M, Addas A, O'Brien C, Burgess JH, Rosenthall L. Sex-specific criteria for interpretation of thallium-201 myocardial uptake and washout studies. J Nucl Med 1986;27:1837-41. 44. Dagenais GR, Rouleau JR, Christen A, Fabia J. Survival of patients with a strongly positive exercise electrocardiogram. Circulation 1982; 65:452-6. 45. Weiner DA, Ryan TJ, McCabe CH, Chairman BR, Sheffield T, Ferguson JC, Fisher LD, Tristani F. Prognostic importance of a clinical profile and exercise test in medically treated patients with coronary artery disease. J Am Coll Cardiol 1984;3:772-9.
Normal Repression in a Deletion Mutant Lacking Almost the Entire Operator-Proximal Gene of the Tryptophan Operon of E. coli

THE results of several studies suggest that the feedback-sensitive polypeptide specified by the operator-proximal gene of a biosynthetic operon is involved in repression1–6. To determine whether the product of the most operator-proximal gene of the tryptophan operon of E. coli is involved in regulation we have isolated a deletion mutant in which almost the entire gene is deleted and have examined this mutant's regulatory properties.
Losses in Armored Single-Conductor Lead-Covered A-C. Cables

The losses occurring in single-conductor armored cables whose sheath and armor are bonded and grounded at more than one point are?besides the copper loss and the dielectric loss?the circulating-current losses in the sheath and in the armor, and the additional iron losses in an armor of magnetic material. The circulating-current losses are due to the currents induced in the sheath and armor circuits by the fluxes linking these circuits when these circuits are closed by the bonds or grounding connections. Since the losses obtained in such cables are widely variable, depending on the cable design, both designers and operating engineers desire to know the loss magnitudes obtained in different cases and to have an understanding of the factors tending to give low losses. In this paper the sheath and armor losses have been analyzed for a steel-wire armored cable, a copper-wire armored cable, a steel-tape armored cable, and a cable enclosed in an iron pipe, and have been compared with the losses occurring in a plain lead-covered cable without armor. The data used include test data and calculated values. It is shown that a steel-wire armored 350,000-circular mil single-conductor copper cable with sheath and armor short circuited by low-impedance bonds had a total loss (exclusive of dielectric losses), of 2.8 times the conductor loss, by test in a single-phase 60-cycle circuit at 4 ft. cable spacing, at 260 amperes. The corresponding loss in a similar cable without armor, with lead sheath short circuited, was 2.4 times the conductor loss.
Mechanisms and kinetic modeling of calcium oxalate crystal aggregation in a urinelike liquor. Part II: Kinetic modeling

A general form of the population balance equation, including aggregation and rupture terms, was solved numerically to model the experimental calcium oxalate distributions generated in Part I of this series. Semiempirical formulations for the aggregation and disruption functions were found that resulted in excellent matches between experimental and predicted distributions. Both the aggregation and the disruption rates were found to vary with oxalate concentration and inner cylinder rpm of the aggregator.
Ultrastructural and radioautographic studies of the digestive gland cells of Drosera capensis II. Changes induced by stimulation

Abstract A previous paper dealt with morphologic and radioautographic studies of the developmental stages of the digestive gland cells of the carnivorous plant, Drosera capensis ( Outenreath and Dauwalder (1982) J. Ultrastruct. Mol. Struct. Res.80, 71–88). Additional experiments were undertaken to explore what modifications might be induced in the digestive gland cells after contact with organic materials. Following stimulation, there is a marked change in outer gland cell wall morphology, and secretory activity increases dramatically. Incorporation of [3H]galactose reveals decreased labeling over the cell walls compared with unstimulated glands and there are specific label accumulations over Golgi apparatus in the outer apical digestive gland cells. In addition, there is an apparent increase in the relative degree of label uptake in stimulated glands. The results suggest a selective activation of a specific population of cells in the digestive gland with the Golgi apparatus primarily involved in this activation. The high degree of specialization of the Drosera digestive gland is discussed in relation to the secretory process in eucaryotic cells in general.
Curvature of dinucleotide poised for formation of trinucleotide in transcription with Escherichia coli RNA polymerase.

A frequently used schematic model of transcriptional elongation shows an RNA polymerase molecule moving along a linear DNA. This model is of course highly idealized and not compatible with promoter sequences [Gralla, J. D. (1991) Cell 66, 415-418; Schleif, R. (1992) Annu. Rev. Biochem. 61, 199-223] and regulatory proteins [Koleske, A. J., and Young, R. A. (1995) Trends Biochem. Sci. 20, 113-116; Dunaway, M., and Droge, P. (1989) Nature 341, 657-659; Muller, H. P., Sogo, J. M., and Schaffner, W. (1989) Cell 58, 767-777] located some distance away from the point of transcription initiation [Karsten, R., von Hippel, P. H., and Langowski, J. (1995) Trends Biochem. Sci. 20, 500-506]. These circumstances lead to the expectation of curvature along the DNA strand and require looping between sometimes distant points. We have now shown curvature in a dinucleotide formed at the very onset of transcription when it is poised for reaction with a mononucleotide to form a trinucleotide. The curvature became evident from the demonstration that a metal ion bound with a mononucleotide in the i+1 (elongation) site is approximately equidistant from bases at the 5' end (i-1 site) and 3' end (i site) of the dinucleotide. Similar results were obtained with three different dinucleotides and four mononucleotides. Curvature of the RNA initiate may reflect curvature of the DNA to which it is bound. These studies show curvature to be a significant feature in the interaction between DNA template and RNA elongate even at the very beginning of transcription.
Endocrine sequelae of cancer and cancer treatments.

Introduction Exposure to cancer and its treatments, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy, may result in late adverse effects including endocrine dysfunction. Endocrine disorders are the most commonly reported long-term complications of cancer treatment, especially by adult survivors of childhood cancers. This review will explore the endocrinologic adverse effects from non-endocrine cancer therapies.
Long-term trends of zonally averaged aerosol optical thickness observed from operational satellite AVHRR instrument†

Atmospheric aerosols are solid and liquid particles suspended in air. Aerosols have important consequences for global climate, ecosystem processes and human health due to their various sizes and chemical compositions. In this paper, nearly 23 years of aerosol optical thickness (AOT) data from operational satellite AVHRR observations over the global ocean have been used to study the latitudinal variations of the linear long-term trends (LLT) of zonal mean AOT. For the LLT of zonally averaged AOT over the global ocean, their significance generally falls below the 95% confidence level. However, the LLT of zonal mean AOT for the individual oceans, such as the Atlantic Ocean (AO), Indian Ocean (IO), and West Pacific Ocean (WPO), can easily pass 95% confidence level in some latitude belts (e.g. 5–25°N for IO, 33–40°N for WPO, 30–50°N for AO) and may produce zonally averaged solar dimming/brightening accordingly in cloudless conditions. The results will help us to understand the latitudinal features of the decadal changes in aerosol loadings, as well as surface solar radiation, better. Published in 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Spectral Phasor Perspective in Zebrafish Muscle Development

Hyperspectral imaging provides the potential for assessing biochemical interactions in the zebrafish embryo in a label-free manner that extends beyond conventional morphological and molecular phenotyping. It takes advantage of the intrinsic wavelengths emitted or reflected from a sample without the need for extrinsic staining methods. The specific spectral signature from a sample can arise from chemical interactions, molecular bonds and macro-structural arrangements. A challenge in hyperspectral imaging is the large spectral data sets that result from acquiring a spectrum for every pixel within an image. Spectral Phasor offers an efficient representation of the spectral data as vectors in Fourier space, thereby condensing each spectrum into a single point in a 2-D plot. The Spectral Phasor has been successfully applied to hyperspectral data on protein samples, demonstrating changes in fluorescence signatures. This study proposes an application of Spectral Phasor to the zebrafish muscle development. The skeletal muscle system provides an attractive model for the proof-of-principle experiments in the implementation of Spectral Phasor. Skeletal muscle is a highly organized tissue with myofibrils as the functional unit that contributes to the repetitive segment of the myotome. The modularity of these units provides unique landmarks for anchoring the SP data. Our analysis of muscle suggest that SP can be used for staging the skeletal muscle development.
An 8-psec 13dBm peak EIRP digital-to-impulse radiator with an on-chip slot bow-tie antenna in silicon

In this paper, a direct digital-to-impulse transmitter is implemented that radiates impulses with EIRP of 13dBm and a record pulse-width of shorter than 8psec. It is shown that the starting time of the radiated impulses can be locked to the edge of the input trigger with a high timing accuracy. It is demonstrated that two widely spaced chips can generate coherent impulses in space with timing jitter of better than 270fsec. It is also shown that the frequency stability of the radiated impulses is better than 10Hz at 220GHz. The chip is fabricated in a 130nm SiGe BiCMOS process.
Increasing Patient Compliance and Satisfaction With Physical Therapy Web-Based Applications

Performing independent exercises after clinical visits are crucial for patients recovering from injury. However, patients often fail to comply with physical therapist prescriptions due to lack of time and lack of appropriate feedback. The present study investigated the current medium used for prescribed exercises and compared it to mediums used in web-based applications. In Phase I, we surveyed thirteen practicing physical therapists and twenty-two patients of physical therapy. Responses suggested that video instruction of exercises and video-conference meetings between clinic visits would be beneficial to patient rehabilitation. In Phase II, with fifty-eight undergraduate participants, we examined the influence of self-efficacy and format of instructional materials on willingness to comply, satisfaction with information, and anxiety related to completing rehabilitation. We found that video with text instructions were most satisfying to students. Results are discussed with limitations of the present study...
Dopaminergic toxicity of the herbicide atrazine in rat striatal slices.

Abstract A possible link between Parkinson's disease and pesticide exposure has been suggested, and recently it was shown that the herbicide atrazine (ATR) modulates catecholamine metabolism in PC12 cells and affects basal ganglia function in vivo. Hence, the objectives of this study were to: (i) determine if ATR is capable of modulating dopamine (DA) metabolism in striatal tissue slices in vitro and (ii) explore possible mechanisms of its effects. Striatal tissues from adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were incubated with up to 500 μM ATR in a metabolic shaker bath at 37 °C and an atmosphere of 95% O2 and 5% CO2 for 4 h. At the end of incubation, samples were collected for both tissue and media levels of DA and its metabolites (3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, DOPAC and homovanillic acid, HVA), which were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-ECD). To gain some mechanistic insight in to the way ATR affects DA metabolism, several pharmacological manipulations were performed. Striata exposed to ATR at concentrations of 100 μM and greater had a dose-dependent decrease of tissue levels of DA. At doses of ATR 50 μM and greater, the DOPAC + HVA/DA ratio was dose-dependently increased. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH, the rate-limiting enzyme in DA synthesis) protein levels and activity were not affected by ATR treatment. However, high potassium-induced DA release into the medium was decreased, whereas the increase in media DA observed in the presence of the DA uptake inhibitor nomifensine was increased even further by ATR in a dose-dependent manner. All of these effects of ATR were observed at levels that were not toxic to the tissue, as LDH release into the medium (lactate dehydrogenase, an index of non-specific cytotoxicity) was not affected by ATR. Taken together, results from this study suggest that ATR decreases tissue DA levels not by affecting TH activity, but possibly by interfering with the vesicular storage and/or cellular uptake of DA.
A linearization tool for use with matrix formalisms of rotational dynamics.

Rotational dynamics equations in linearized matrix form applied to satellite librations in circular orbit and gyroscope motion
PACS meets digital library: issues and applications

The purpose of this presentation is to point out the issues of incorporating digital libraries (DL) technologies into picture archiving and communication systems (PACS). The DL technologies can be used to increase the knowledge content and utilities of PACS and associated medical information systems in providing a broader range of medical services. We further illustrate certain potential application areas with examples from a research prototype developed on top of the hospital-integrated PACS of UCSF.
Adjuvant gamma knife stereotactic radiosurgery at the time of tumor progression potentially improves survival for patients with glioblastoma multiforme.

Objective Gamma knife stereotactic radiosurgery (GK-SRS) is a safe and noninvasive treatment used as adjuvant therapy for patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Several studies have yielded conflicting results in the effectiveness of radiosurgery in GBM. This study is a retrospective review of our institutional experience with GK-SRS adjuvant therapy in the treatment of GBM. Methods From October 1998 to January 2003, 51 consecutive patients were treated with GK-SRS as an "upfront" adjuvant therapy after surgery or at the time of tumor progression at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier actuarial method. Univariate and multivariate analyses of patient characteristics and treatment variables were performed. Results Treatment with adjuvant GK-SRS yielded a median overall survival of 14.3 months for our cohort. Survival rate of the cohort was 68% at 12 months, 30% at 24 months, and 24% at 36 months. Karnofsky performance score greater than 90 and adjuvant chemotherapy were associated with increased survival on multivariate analysis. Adjuvant GK-SRS performed at tumor progression seems to increase median survival to 16.7 months compared with 10 months when performed after the time of initial tumor resection. Median survival rates by recursive partitioning analysis class breakdown in our cohort are greater than those predicted by other studies. Conclusion GK-SRS is a relatively safe and noninvasive procedure that conferred an improvement in overall survival of GBM patients in our retrospective study. Particularly, GK-SRS may improve overall survival when performed at the time of tumor progression.
Multiple sclerosis in Hispanics: a study of clinical disease expression:

Background: Hispanics living with multiple sclerosis (MS) in the United States are not well defined.Objective: To describe the clinical characteristics of MS among Hispanic Whites (HW) in Southern California with those of non-Hispanic Whites (NHW).Methods: We performed a medical chart review to identify all cases of HW with MS (n = 125) who were treated at our institution during a 1-year period. We also identified cases of NHW with MS (100 NHW) treated at those clinics. All HW patients were interviewed to ascertain ancestry including detailed migration history. Disease progression was assessed by ambulatory disability and defined as Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score ≥6.Results: Compared with NHW, HW were more likely to have a relapsing–remitting form of MS and a younger age of onset (28.4 ± 0.97 years) with presenting symptoms of optic neuritis and transverse myelitis. However, overall ambulatory disability did not differ between HW and NHW. Migration to the US at age >15 years was associated ...
Tracking the prevention of folic acid-preventable spina bifida and anencephaly.

BACKGROUND: The fortification of wheat flour with folic acid prevents most cases of spina bifida and anencephaly by raising serum folate levels among women capable of bearing children, as does encouraging women to consume folic acid supplements prior to pregnancy. Unfortunately, surveillance is conducted in few countries where the need is greatest. METHODS: A method for assessing the prevention of these birth defects is presented that combines fortification program information with country case prevalence estimates. RESULTS: This approach suggests that about 70% of all cases could be prevented within a year of implementation of fortification programs, were it not for the inertia of regulatory agencies. CONCLUSIONS: Professional researchers and clinicians can help combat this situation by becoming advocates for child health in their respective countries. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 76:654–657, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The Popular Upsurge in South Africa, 1984-1986

This paper examines the popular revolt in South Africa between 1984 and 1986. We survey the course of this revolt in different regions of South Africa. Special attention is given to the emergence during this period of a more powerful independent black trade union movement. We also consider the nature of the white minority regime and its response to the popular upsurge. Finally, we note the emergence of new forms of popular resistance that point toward a new stage in the struggle against apartheid.
A Comparison of Web-based and Paper-and-Pencil Library Satisfaction Survey Results

Although authors have done validation or comparison studies of Web-based and paper-and-pencil surveys for different samples, few have published such studies for library patrons. After publishing its previous Web-based library satisfaction survey, Western Kentucky University Libraries developed a similar survey with identical content for library Web and exit patrons to compare these groups’ responses. This article focuses on the collection of Web and exit survey responses in a two-week period, the transformation of response data for analysis, a comparison of the two samples, and discussion of the potential use of the results. Future research on the Web-based and paper-and-pencil methods themselves is indicated.
Quantitative metallography as a tool for predicting the impact strength of CF 8M stainless steel

Charpy impact tests and quantitative metallography were performed on CF 8M stainless steel specimens which had been aged at 750 °C for times ranging from 1.2 minutes to 12 hours. Relationships between impact energy and microstructural parameters were explored and it was found that the loss in impact strength during aging was related to the fraction of ferrite-austenite interfacial area covered with intermetallic precipitates. The loss in impact strength was also related to the proportion of ferrite volume transformed.
Replacement of a Single Aromatic Residue in HIV-1 Nucleocapsid Protein Strongly Alters its Nucleic Acid Chaperone Activity

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) nucleocapsid (NC) protein plays an essential role in several stages of HIV-1 replication. One important function of HIV-1 NC is to act as a nucleic acid chaperone, in which the protein facilitates nucleic acid rearrangements important for reverse transcription and recombination. NC contains only 55 amino acids, with 15 basic residues and two zinc fingers, each having a single aromatic residue (F16 and W37). Despite its simple structure, HIV-1 NC appears to have optimal chaperone activity, including the ability to strongly aggregate nucleic acids, destabilize nucleic acid secondary structure, and facilitate rapid protein-nucleic acid interaction kinetics. Here we use single molecule DNA stretching experiments to measure the characteristics of wild type and mutant HIV-1 NC that are important for nucleic acid chaperone activity. This work allows us to directly relate HIV-1 NC structure with its function as a nucleic acid chaperone. By stretching single DNA molecules in the presence of these proteins, we measure the ability of the proteins to destabilize dsDNA, and when the protein is relaxed we determine the capability of the protein to facilitate nucleic acid annealing. We show that the single amino acid substitution W37A significantly slows down NC's DNA interaction kinetics, while retaining NC's helix-destabilization capabilities. In contrast, the substitution F16W results in a protein that strongly resembles wild type NC. Thus, elimination of a single aromatic residue strongly reduces NC's chaperone activity. The results of these studies are consistent with in vivo HIV-1 replication measurements, which show that the aromatic W37 residue is required for efficient retroviral replication.
Tolerant exclusion: expanding constricted narratives of wartime ethnic and civic nationalism1

. During war, the demarcation ‘enemy alien’– whether on ethnic or civic grounds – can lead to loss of political, social or economic rights. Yet not all minorities are excluded even though they pose problems for civic and ethnic national categories of belonging. This article explores the experiences of an ethno-religious minority who posed an intriguing dilemma for ethnic and civic categorisation in North America during World War II. The Mennonite experience enables a close examination of the relationship between a minority ethnic (and religious) group and majority concepts of wartime civic and ethnic nationalism. The article supports arguments that both ethnic and civic nationalism produce markers for the exclusion of minority groups during wartime. It reveals that minority groups can unintentionally become part of majority ‘nationalisms’ as the content of what defines the national ideal shifts over time. The experiences also suggest that a minority group can help mobilise symbolic resources that participate in transforming what defines the national ideal.
Identification of homologues to β-catenin/plakoglobin/armadillo in two invertebrates, Urechis caupo and Tripneustes gratilla

beta-Catenin and plakoglobin are intracellular proteins that participate in cell-cell adhesion, probably through interaction with the cadherin family of transmembrane adhesion proteins. They are also homologous to the segment polarity gene, armadillo, from Drosophila. I have cloned and sequenced armadillo/beta-catenin/plakoglobin homologues from two other invertebrates, Urechis caupo and Tripneustes gratilla, and shown that the mRNA is present in oocytes, eggs and early embryos. In Urechis, the mRNA is particularly abundant in oocytes, but is not translated until after fertilization. These results provide further indications that cell adhesion proteins play a key role during embryogenesis.
SIC-AL-SI COMPOSITES BY RAPID PRESSURELESS INFILTRATION IN AIR

A rapid, pressureless infiltration technique for fabricating SiC-reinforced Al-Si composites is described. The infiltration can be performed by simply dipping a ceramic preform into a molten alloy in an open air environment. This method makes it possible to produce composites that contain a high volume fraction (80%) of a variety of ceramic reinforcements, including particulates and fibers. This technique has potential for low-cost and versatile production of SiC-Al-Si composites for many industrial applications, such as automobile components and electronic packaging.
Connecting medical devices through ASTM-2761-09: schedule conflict detection prototype

The Integrated Clinical Environment (ICE) ASTM-2761 Standard specifies an architecture for real-time medical device interoperability, and a set of Clinical Concepts of Operations (CConOps). Based on an analysis of the CConOps, all showing improved patient safety, we developed an ICE prototype reflecting the ICE Synchronization with Safety Interlock Scenario, but with no risk to human participants, using wireless Medical Devices of different vendors.
Wireless interface to new and retrofitting of existing industrial systems for monitoring, controlling and data acquisition in a noisy industrial environment

Wireless telephones systems are available for quite sometimes. However, wireless devices that can send and receive analog and digital data from industrial control process in a noisy industrial environment have just been introduced. Recently, Omnex Control Systems Inc. has introduced industrial friendly analog and digital wireless transceiver to reliably communicate under noisy industrial condition among sensors, transducers, final control elements, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and similar devices and systems. This wireless digital and analog conduit is a commercialized version of the spread spectrum license free 902-928 MHz frequency hopping communication techniques used by the defense industry. Since the system is license free and maintenance free wireless conduit, it eliminates costly and time consuming cable laying for new and retrofitting of existing project. This wireless conduit is an interference free link between remote devices and control room, it is ideal for a noisy industrial environment. The subject of this paper deals with monitoring, controlling, and acquiring data continuously from an industrial process using this wireless conduit. The authors plan to demonstrate the interfacing of an industrial process, transducers, and final control elements to a remotely located computer controlled data acquisition system. The monitoring and controlling of remote process via a reliable link without sacrificing the data integrity and loss of ability to analyze the acquired data will be discussed. We are proposing to show how this wireless conduit is a two-way monitoring and controlling solutions for a variety of industrial application in heavy interference environment where other radios fail to perform.
Terahertz computed tomography using a large-format, real-time focal plane array sensor

Sub-millimeter scale image resolution afforded by the THz frequency band, coupled with the ability of THz waves to penetrate through packaging materials have sparked significant interest in THz frequencies for security screening. Conventionally, large-format THz images have been solely acquired using a raster scan of a single pixel, taking several minutes to create a single 2D image of a stationary scene. For stand-off screening applications, coherent THz radars with bulky reflector antennas and fast 2D scanning optics (via rotating mirrors) have cut the imaging time down to several frames per second (K. B. Cooper, IEEE Trans. on Terahertz Science and Technology, vol. 1, no 1, Sept. 2011). Nonetheless, the image resolution and the noise of the acquired images have yet to produce acceptable performance.