cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Moment method based analysis of dielectric-resonator antennas

This paper analyzes dielectric resonator antennas based on electric and magnetic field integral equations. The integral equations are solved in the spatial domain using the method of moments. Thus the physics of radiation, surface waves and mutual coupling are all rigorously included into the model. The unknown currents on the surface of the resonator, the aperture, and the feed line are all expanded in RWG bases. Therefore the dielectric resonator and the aperture may be of arbitrary shape.
Wavelet techniques in the compression of process data

The objective of this paper is to explore the application of wavelets to the field of data compression in the process industry. The wavelet transform is compared with the discrete Fourier and cosine transforms. To examine a complete approach to data compression, quantization techniques are applied to the transformed coefficients. Different quantiser designs are used for the compression of data from an industrial distillation column. Comparisons are made with the Box-Car and backward-slope methods currently used in the process industries.
Argon diffusion in Apollo 16 impact glass spherules: Implications for 40Ar/39Ar dating of lunar impact events

Abstract The 40 Ar/ 39 Ar technique applied to impact glass has been used to date both terrestrial and lunar impact events. The ability to utilize the 40 Ar/ 39 Ar technique rests on the assumption that impact glasses are closed to the loss of daughter product, 40 Ar ∗ , after formation. Diffusion experiments were performed on three Apollo 16 lunar impact glasses and yielded activation energies for 39 Ar of ∼17 to 20 kcal mol −1 and log 10 ( D 0 /a 2 ) values of −5.2 to −6.0 s −1 . The resulting diffusion coefficients are interpreted as minimum values and the Apollo 16 glass is probably some of the least retentive of lunar glasses, as the degree of non-bridging oxygen is at one end of the range in lunar glasses. At temperatures below the glass transition temperature (i.e., ∼660 °C), the data can be explained by volume diffusion from a single diffusion domain. Modeling shows that Apollo 16 composition glass could lose significant quantities of radiogenic argon ( 40 Ar ∗ ) (∼90–100% over 20–40 Myr assuming a diffusion domain size ( a ) of 75 μm) due to diurnal temperature variations on the lunar surface, although 40 Ar ∗ loss is highly sensitive to exposure duration and effective diffusion domain size. Modeling shows that loss from transient thermal events (e.g., heating to ∼200 °C for 10 2 yr duration) can also cause partial resetting of apparent 40 Ar/ 39 Ar ages. In small ( a = 75 μm) glasses a maximum of 50–60% of 40 Ar ∗ is lost over 4 Ga when buried to depths corresponding to temperatures of −15 °C. Results indicate that caution should be exercised in interpreting lunar impact glass 40 Ar/ 39 Ar ages, as the assumption of closed system behavior may have been violated, particularly in glasses with low fractions of non-bridging oxygen.
Increased Expression of αqFamily G-proteins during Oocyte Maturation and Early Development ofXenopus laevis

Abstract G-proteins of the αqfamily link extracellular stimulation of plasma membrane receptors to phospholipase C and consequently to intracellular Ca2+release. Because they might function in initiating Ca2+release at fertilization, we examined Gαqfamily proteins in oocytes and eggs ofXenopus laevis.Three members of this protein family were identified by immunoblotting and antisense depletion. These proteins are barely detectable in the immature oocyte, but undergo a 6-fold increase in amount during oocyte maturation. This increase in Gαqfamily protein expression correlates with the acquisition, during oocyte maturation, of the ability to release Ca2+at fertilization (Schlichter and Elinson, 1981,Dev. Biol.83, 33–41). In contrast, amounts of Gαsand Gαi3are constant during maturation. We also examined the amounts of Gαq, Gαs, and Gαi3proteins during early development. While amounts of Gαsand Gαi3show little or no change, Gαqfamily protein expression increases 27-fold between the egg and neurula stages, suggesting that these proteins may be important in initiating Ca2+release during early development.
Expression of class II antigens by subsets of activated T cells

Gene products coded for within the HLA complex play an important role in the control of immune responses. Class I antigens, coded for by the HLA-A, B, and C loci, are expressed by virtually all mononuclear blood cells. Class II antigens, coded for by the DR, DQ, and DP loci, have a more limited tissue distribution. They are expressed by B cells, monocytes, and by activated, but not by resting, T cells. The class II molecules of B cells and antigen-presenting cells have long been of interest to immunologists, since they are involved in the presentation of antigen, in communication between T cells and B cells and between T cells and adherent cells, and in susceptibility to certain diseases. The class II antigens expressed by activated T cells, however, remain largely uncharacterized in terms of their specificity, functional significance, and molecular nature. We have studied the expression of DR and DQ antigens by activated T cells and then examined the expression of DR versus DQ antigens by Leu 2a and Leu 3a subsets of mitogen-activated populations. Our results demonstrated that, as for class II-positive macrophages, the intensity of staining with monoclonal antibodies directed against DR antigens was much greater than that obtained with those directed against DQ antigens. Interestingly, the percentages of Leu 2a- and Leu 3a-positive cells which expressed DR antigens were quite similar, as were the percentages of Leu 2a and Leu 3a cells which expressed DQ. Thus, there does not seem to be preferential expression of DR versus DQ antigens by mitogen-activated T-cell subsets. Finally, though both DR-positive-DQ-positive and DR-positive-DQ-negative populations were detected, few or no DR-negative-DQ-positive cells were observed in these populations.
Volume-Based Trends in Parotid Surgery

A total of 3,842 cases met study criteria. The majority of patients were female, white, had commercial or Medicare/Medicaid payer status and received their care at a community hospital. Malignant disease accounted for 19.2% of cases. Partial parotidectomy was the most common surgical procedure and was performed in 66% of all patients. (Figure 1) The distribution of primary parotid surgical procedures differed significantly between 1990-1999 & 2000-2009, with a decrease in other unspecified procedures, an increase in total parotidectomy, and an increase in neck dissection for 2000-2009 compared to 1990-1999 (P<0.001).
Carboxyhemoglobinemia in a pediatric cardiopulmonary bypass patient derived from a contaminated unit of allogenic blood.

A 4.3 kg, three-month-old patient, diagnosed with a perimembranous ventricular septal defect, presented for cardiac surgery. Upon initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), the patient developed c...
Aboriginal Sturgeon Exploitation on the Middle Snake River, Idaho

This article examines the potential of harvesting and processing sturgeon and assesses its potential nutritional or dietary value as a food resource. Using examples from the Middle Snake River and other areas, catch ratios, handling time, and caloric values are calculated. Analysis of existing data suggests that while sturgeon were utilized, they may not have been optimal in the aboriginal diet.
The effect of accessibility on rates of fruit removal from tropical shrubs: An experimental study.

In a series of field experiments using Costa Rican rain forest plants, we examined the effect of accessibility on fruit removal rates. We compared the effects of fruit placement in terminal and axillary infructescences on diurnal and nocturnal removal rates, visitation rates, and incidence of fruit damage. We used three different species of berries (Phytolacca rivinoides, Psychotria brachiata, and Psychotria pitteri) and worked in three different habitats (fallow fields, treefall gaps, and forest understory) and in two different seasons (July–September, a season of fruit abundance and December–January, a season of fruit scarcity.)
Digital tomosynthesis of the chest for lung nodule detection: Interim sensitivity results from an ongoing NIH-sponsored trial

The authors report interim clinical results from an ongoing NIH-sponsored trial to evaluate digital chest tomosynthesis for improving detectability of small lung nodules. Twenty-one patients undergoing computed tomography (CT) to follow up lung nodules were consented and enrolled to receive an additional digital PA chest radiograph and digital tomosynthesis exam. Tomosynthesis was performed with a commercial CsI/a-Si flat-panel detector and a custom-built tube mover. Seventy-one images were acquired in 11 s, reconstructed with the matrix inversion tomosynthesis algorithm at 5-mm plane spacing, and then averaged (seven planes) to reduce noise and low-contrast artifacts. Total exposure for tomosynthesis imaging was equivalent to that of 11 digital PA radiographs (comparable to a typical screen-film lateral radiograph or two digital lateral radiographs). CT scans (1.25-mm section thickness) were reviewed to confirm presence and location of nodules. Three chest radiologists independently reviewed tomosynthesis images and PA chest radiographs to confirm visualization of nodules identified by CT. Nodules were scored as: definitely visible, uncertain, or not visible. 175 nodules (diameter range 3.5-25.5 mm) were seen by CT and grouped according to size: 10 mm. When considering as true positives only nodules that were scored definitely visible, sensitivities for all nodules by tomosynthesis and PA radiography were 70% (+/- 5%) and 22% (+/- 4%), respectively, (p < 0.0001). Digital tomosynthesis showed significantly improved sensitivity of detection of known small lung nodules in all three size groups, when compared to PA chest radiography.
Commentary on Ford's Review of Río Azul: An Ancient Maya City

The following is a short commentary on and correction of misstatements and misunderstandings in Anabel Ford's review of my book, Rio Azul: An Ancient Maya City, in American Anthropologist (103[2]:544). I shall not deal with all of her misperceptions. Ford is entitled to her opinion of my writing style ("almost as if it were a compilation of the National Geographic coverage of the '80s"), although I only published one article on Rio Azul in National Geographic (Adams 1986). However, more serious allegations are embodied in the statement that "the book suffers from unre-
Biotite Flakes: Alteration by Chemical and Biological Treatment

Biotite alteration under acid conditions proceeds differently from the generally accepted pathway of transformation to vermiculite in which hydrated cations cause interlayer expansion, resulting in a dark-colored peripheral band on mica particles. Acid solutions of synthetic or biologic origin remove octahedral ions, leaving a fragile matrix of amorphous material.
Effect of dowel bar looseness on measured load transfer efficiency using FWD load

The effect of dowel bar looseness on the joint load transfer efficiency using Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) is the subject ofthis paper. The mechanism of dynamic load transfer at transverse joints of Jointed Plain Concrete Pavement (JPCP) is examined using nonlinear three-dimensional finite element analysis. Solid brick elements were used to model all pavement layers and dowel bars. Three-dimensional modeling of dowel bars enables simulation of various contact conditions including full bond, sliding along interfaces, and arbitrary dowel vibrations in the presence of gaps between the dowel bar and the surrounding concrete. This approach offers a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of load transfer and deflection patterns along doweled transverse joints. The state of stresses and displacements at the joint edges due to the application of FWD impact loading were identified for several cases of newly constructed and aged joints. The load transfer efficiency is evaluated in each case using the deflections efficiency method suggested in the AASHTO Design Guide (1993). The stresses measured on the surface and at the dowel bar/concrete interface are compared for each case studied. The results showed that the stresses induced at the dowel bar/concrete interface are much higher than those on the pavement surface, which leads to the rapid deterioration of the joints.
Psychohistory revisited: fundamental issues in forecasting climate futures

Uncertainty in the trajectories of the global energy and economic systems vexes the climate science community. While it is tempting to reduce uncertainty by searching for deterministic rules governing the link between energy consumption and economic output, this article discusses some of the problems that follow from such an approach. We argue that the theoretical and empirical evidence supports the view that energy and economic systems are dynamic, and unlikely to be predictable via the application of simple rules. Encouraging more research seeking to reduce uncertainty in forecasting would likely be valuable, but any results should reflect the tentative and exploratory nature of the subject matter.
Significance of xenocrystic Precambrian zircon contained within the southern continuation of the Josephine ophiolite: Devils Elbow ophiolite remnant, Klamath Mountains, northern California

The Josephine ophiolite of the western Jurassic belt, Klamath Mountain province of California and Oregon, is the expression of a well-documented Late Jurassic suprasubduction zone rift basin that formed between an active Late Jurassic arc to the west and a remnant Middle Jurassic arc to the east. The Devils Elbow ophiolite remnant (DEO) exposed along the South Fork of the Trinity River represents the southernmost continuation of the Josephine ophiolite and provides important new constraints on the early history of this rift basin. The DEO consists of pillow lavas and breccias and a well-developed sheeted dike complex that are depositionally overlain by a clast-supported breccia derived almost exclusively from ophiolitic detritus. Dikes and irregular pods of plagiogranite are conspicuous elements of the DEO and exhibit mutually crosscutting relations with mafic dikes; thus, they are interpreted as genetically related elements of the dike complex. Zircon separates from two widely separated plagiogranite dike localities yielded two distinct zircon populations: a clear, euhedral, magmatic population and a reddish, rounded xenocrystic population. The isotopic systematics of four zircon fractions from these two dike localities indicate a crystallization age for the DEO of 164 ±1 Ma and an age of ∼1.7 Ga for the xenocrystic zircon component. The occurrence of a xenocrystic Precambrian zircon component within the plagiogranites of the DEO provides unequivocal evidence that rifting occurred within preexisting zircon-bearing crustal rocks of the Klamath Mountains. As there is no Precambrian crust within the Klamath Mountains, the xenocrystic zircon population must have been derived from supracrustal sedimentary sequences. The most likely source for the older zircon component is a terrigenous metasedimentary sequence contained within the Rattlesnake Creek terrane, which formed part of the structural basement of the rifted Middle Jurassic arc. The incorporation of xenocrystic Precambrian zircon from the rifted basement of the Middle Jurassic arc could only have occurred during the earliest stages of rifting. Thus, the DEO must represent a fragment of an initial rift that ultimately formed the Late Jurassic basin now floored by the Josephine ophiolite. In support of the zircon data, dikes and lavas of the DEO have geochemical characteristics transitional between island arc and mid-ocean ridge magma series, as would be expected within an initial rift setting of a suprasubduction zone ophiolite.
Temporal triangular alopecia with decreased follicular density

Temporal triangular alopecia (TTA) is a type of alopecia that is often congenital, and clinically exhibits hair loss on one or both temples. It is characterized histologically by a normal number of small hair follicles without significant inflammation. We report a patient with TTA whose biopsy exhibited a decreased number of hair follicles. There are limited reports of the histopathology of TTA, and most have utilized standard vertical sections. Of the handful of patients with transversely sectioned biopsies, follicular numbers have been reportedly normal. Our finding of a patient with TTA with a decreased number of hair follicles broadens the histologic spectrum of this disorder, and may have implications for pathogenesis.
Positronium formation cross section for positron–lithium collisions

Abstract The hyperspherical hidden crossing method (HHCM) has been used to calculate the positronium formation cross section for positron–lithium collisions in the energy range 0–1.8 eV. Results for the s-, p- and d-wave positronium formation cross sections were previously reported; here we present new results for the f-wave. In energy range studied, we found that the Stuckelberg phase Δ L varied only slightly with incident positron momentum k i and decreased in a systematic way with increasing partial wave L . The HHCM cross section for positronium formation (summed over the four partial waves) lies between experimental measurements of the lower and upper limits of this cross section; the f-wave contribution to the cross section dominates near the lithium excitation threshold.
Desensitization of cannabinoid-mediated presynaptic inhibition of neurotransmission between rat hippocampal neurons in culture.

Prolonged exposure to cannabinoids results in tolerance in vivo and desensitization of cannabinoid receptors in vitro. We show here that cannabinoid-induced presynaptic inhibition of glutamatergic neurotransmission desensitized after prolonged exposure to the cannabinoid receptor agonist ( R )-(+)-[2,3-dihydro-5-methyl-3-[(4-morpholinyl)methyl]pyrrolo-[1,2,3-de]-1,4-benzoxazin-6-yl](1-napthalenyl)methanone monomethanesulfonate (Win55,212-2). Synaptic activity between hippocampal neurons in culture was determined from network-driven increases in intracellular Ca 2+ concentration ([Ca 2+ ] i spikes) and excitatory postsynaptic currents. Win55,212-2-induced (100 nM) inhibition partially desensitized after 2 h and completely desensitized after 18- to 24-h exposure. The desensitization could be overcome by higher concentrations of agonist as indicated by a parallel rightward shift of the concentration response curve from an EC 50 of 2.7 ± 0.3 nM to 320 ± 147 nM for inhibition of [Ca 2+ ] i spiking and from 43 ± 17 nM to 4505 ± 403 nM for inhibition of synaptic currents, suggesting that this phenomenon may underlie tolerance. Presynaptic expression of dominant negative G-protein-coupled-receptor kinase (GRK2-Lys220Arg) or β-arrestin (319–418) reduced the desensitization produced by 18- to 24-h pretreatment with 100 nM, Win55,212-2 suggesting that desensitization followed the prototypical pathway for G-protein-coupled receptors. Prolonged treatment with Win55,212-2 produced a modest increase in the EC 50 for adenosine inhibition of synaptic transmission and pretreatment with cyclopentyladenosine produced a slight increase in the EC 50 for Win55,212-2, suggesting a reciprocal ability to produce heterologous desensitization. The long-term changes in synaptic function that accompany chronic cannabinoid exposure will be an important factor in evaluating the therapeutic potential of these drugs and will provide insight into the role of the endocannabinoid system.
Clear and Unambiguous Language of the Contract Nixes Delay Claim

To many civil engineers, the legal aspects of contracts are confusing and the outcome of a court proceeding appears to be a chance circumstance. Nothing could be further from the truth. Legal decisions are guided by fundamental principles that are always applied. The recent case of Costello Construction of Maryland v. J. D. Long Masonry (Costello Construction of Maryland v. J. D. Long) affords an opportunity to discuss and reinforce several of these principles.
Calculating error rates for filtering software

Surveys in the U.S. have found that 95% of schools [4], 43% of public libraries [5], and 33% of teenagers' parents [8] employ filtering software to block access to pornography and other inappropriate content. Many products are also now available to filter out spam email.Filtering software, however, cannot perfectly discriminate between allowed and forbidden content, resulting in two types of errors. First, under-blocking occurs when content is not blocked that should be restricted. Second, over-blocking occurs when content is blocked that should not have been restricted. Steps can be taken to reduce the frequency of errors, and to reduce their costs (for example, by providing easy appeals processes, quick overrides, and corrections) but some errors are inevitable.
Antineoplastic activity of aflatoxin B1.

THE aflatoxins, a group of related mycotoxins produced by Aspergillus flavus, have been extensively evaluated for biological activity. They are carcinogenic in animals1–5. The aflatoxin B1 fraction has been teratogenic in hamsters6, probably mutagenic in micro-organisms7 and caused chromosome breakage in mammalian cell cultures7,8. The biological activity of aflatoxin B1 was similar to that of known alkylating agents7. This investigation was undertaken to determine whether it had antineoplastic activity.
Copper(II) and cobalt(II) coordination polymers with bridging 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylate and N-methylimidazole: coordination number-determined sheet topology

Two new coordination polymers were synthesized under ambient conditions in water by combining a cobalt(II) or copper(II) metal salt with 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylate (BTEC) and N-methylimidazole (Meim), forming Co2(BTEC)(Meim)4(H2O)4·H2O (1) and Cu2(BTEC)(Meim)4 (2). Compounds 1 and 2 were characterized by X-ray crystallography, powder X-ray diffraction, TGA, FT-IR and elemental analysis. The crystal structures and 2D polymeric structures of compounds 1 and 2 are reported. Coordination polymer 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c. Coordination polymer 2 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P. Both 1 and 2 are made up of infinite sheets of BTEC ligands and metal ions. The sheets in 1 are puckered, giving an offset zigzag sheet topology, while the sheets in 2 are flat. Significant π–π stacking between Meim rings on adjacent sheets contributes to inter-sheet interactions in both 1 and 2. While hydrogen bonding does not play a role in 2, significant hydrogen bonding between sheets in 1 also stabilizes inter-sheet interactions.
Automatic molecular design using evolutionary techniques

Molecular nanotechnology is the precise, three-dimensional control of materials and devices at the atomic scale. An important part of nanotechnology is the design of molecules for specific purposes. This paper describes early results using genetic software techniques to automatically design molecules under the control of a fitness function. The fitness function must be capable of determining which of two arbitrary molecules is better for a specific task. The software begins by generating a population of random molecules. The individual molecules in a population are then evolved towards greater fitness by randomly combining parts of the better existing molecules to create new molecules. These new molecules then replace some of the less fit molecules in the population. We apply a unique genetic crossover operator to molecules represented by graphs, i.e., sets of atoms and the bonds that connect them. We present evidence suggesting that crossover alone, operating on graphs, can evolve any possible molecule given an appropriate fitness function and a population containing both rings and chains. Most prior work evolved strings or trees that were subsequently processed to generate molecular graphs. In principle, genetic graph software should be able to evolve other graph-representable systems such as circuits, transportation networks, metabolic pathways, and computer networks.
Experimental and Numerical Correlation of Gravity Sag In Solar-Sail- Quality Membranes

family, due to their potential to provide propellantless propulsion. They are comprised of ultrathin membrane panels that, to date, have proven very difficult to experimentally characterize and numerically model, due to their reflectivity and flexibility and the effects of gravity sag and air damping. Numerical models must be correlated with experimental measurements of subscale solar sails as the first step in verifying that the models can be scaled up to represent full-sized solar sails. In this paper, the surface shapes of two horizontally-supported 25-m-thick aluminized Kapton membranes were measured to a 1.0-mm resolution using photogrammetry. Simple numerical models were developed and their output matched the corresponding experimental data in all cases with less than 33% error. This correlation between the numerical predictions and the experimental data is in line with similar resultsobtainedbyotherswhousedmorecomplexnumericalmodelstopredictthegravity-induced sagoflargersail panels. The results indicate that the largest source of discrepancy between predicted and measured data is membraneslack.Itispostulatedthatincorporationofgeometricslackintothenumericalmodelswouldlikelyreduce this discrepancy.
Three-dimensional numerical simulation of electro-convection due to strong unipolar charge injection in a cubic cavity

The three-dimensional isothermal electro-convection induced by the unipolar charge injection in a cubic enclosure was numerically investigated. All the boundaries were assumed to be rigid. The whole set of electrohydrodynamics (EHD) equations were solved with a finite volume approach. A total-variation-diminishing (TVD) scheme was specially applied to the charge transport equation. A strong injection case with a non-dimensional injection parameter C=10 was considered. The critical electrical Rayleigh number for the onset of the electro-convection is evaluated numerically about 250. A bounded region free of charge was observed.
Dynamic light trail routing in WDM optical networks

Fiber optics have replaced copper as the primary transmission medium. Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) networks effectively increase single-link bandwidth from 10 Mbps to over 160 Gbps, and have been considered as a promising candidate for the next-generation backbone network. All optical circuits each on a separate wavelength called lightpaths represent the first major method for optical communication. The granularity provided between a source and destination node is that of a complete wavelength. Once a lightpath is set up, the entire wavelength is used exclusively by the connection's source and destination node-pair. No sub-wavelength sharing between nodes along the lightpath is allowed. However, it is often observed that the bandwidth requirement in today's network is often dynamically varying and does not justify the need for allocating an entire wavelength. Therefore, the wavelength capacity may be underutilized. A new technology termed light trail was proposed to avoid the inability of intermediate nodes to use a connection wavelength, and the constant reconfiguration of switches. In this article, we study dynamic light trail routing in a WDM optical network. We present an efficient algorithm for establishing a light trail routing for a new connection request, while using minimum network resources. We also study survivable network routing using the proposed light trail technology. We present an efficient heuristic for computing a pair of working and protection light trails for a dynamic incoming connection request. Simulation results are presented which demonstrate the advantages of our routing schemes.
A comprehensive perspective on patient adherence to topical glaucoma therapy.

Topic Risk factors for poor adherence or nonadherence to topical glaucoma medication regimens. Clinical Relevance Poor adherence to glaucoma medication regimens may be associated with subsequent visual loss and irreversible optic nerve damage. Methods A literature search was performed using the words “ glaucoma AND adherence AND risk ” and “ glaucoma AND compliance AND risk ,” limited to those studies in English and focused on care in the United States. Publications from well-regarded journals in this field were reviewed, and a focused summary of the literature is presented. Results There are a myriad of adherence barriers inherent to the glaucoma patient population. Although most of these obstacles are common in the elderly (e.g., reduced cognition, musculoskeletal problems, and transportation difficulties), older age has not been shown to be a consistent risk factor for poor adherence to glaucoma medication regimens. Other expected barriers, such as medication cost, limited health insurance, disease severity, and role of complicated dosing regimens, have varied effects based on the patient population studied and the definition of adherence. Poor medication adherence also is associated with decreased adherence to follow-up medical visit schedules. A systematic taxonomy of adherence barriers has been formulated. In addition, subanalyses from the Glaucoma Adherence and Persistency Study identified 8 variables that affect adherence to glaucoma medication regimens as well as several characteristics that support the importance of and associations between doctor-patient communications. Conclusions Recent studies have provided valuable insights into the many factors that increase the risk(s) for poor adherence in patients prescribed glaucoma medications. Four major types of barriers to effective patient adherence (medication regimen, patient factors, provider factors, and situational or environmental factors) have been identified. Addressing these specific barriers will require a tailored, patient-centered approach. Financial Disclosure(s) Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.
Hiring Discrimination on the Basis of Voice

A typical step in the hiring process is a phone call between a human resources representative and a job applicant to set up an interview. This first voice communication may provide an employer important social cues about the applicant’s physical and social characteristics that may impact the candidate’s job prospects. In a laboratory experiment, I test listeners’ ability to accurately identify the race of a speaker and listeners’ evaluation of that speaker on several hiring criteria based on voice alone. The study uses voices of white and black fictitious job applicants. The findings show listeners demonstrate high rates of accuracy in identifying black and white speakers. In their evaluations, only 8.2% of respondents rated the black speaker as someone they would hire, eight times less likely than the white speaker. These results point to additional stages in the hiring process that may lead to discriminatory hiring practices which may be curbed through additional human resource management oversight and ...
Salivary glands act as mucosal inductive sites via the formation of ectopic germinal centers after site-restricted MCMV infection

We investigated the hypothesis that salivary gland inoculation stimulates formation of ectopic germinal centers (GCs), transforming the gland into a mucosal inductive site. Intraglandular infection of mice with murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV; control: UV-inactivated MCMV) induces salivary gland ectopic follicles comprising cognate interactions between CD4+ and B220+ lymphocytes, IgM+ and isotype-switched IgG+ and IgA+ B cells, antigen presenting cells, and follicular dendritic cells. B cells coexpressed the GC markers GCT (57%) and GL7 (52%), and bound the lectin peanut agglutinin. Lymphoid follicles were characterized by a 2- to 3-fold increase in mRNA for CXCL13 (lymphoid neogenesis), syndecan-1 (plasma cells), Blimp-1 (plasma cell development/differentiation), and a 2- to 6-fold increase for activation-induced cytidine deaminase, PAX5, and the nonexcised rearranged DNA of an IgA class-switch event, supporting somatic hypermutation and class-switch recombination within the salivary follicles. Intraglandular inoculation also provided protection against a systemic MCMV challenge, as evidenced by decreased viral titers (105 plaque-forming units to undetectable), and restoration of normal salivary flow rates from a 6-fold decrease. Therefore, these features suggest that the salivary gland participates in oral mucosal immunity via generation of ectopic GCs, which function as ectopic mucosal inductive sites.—Grewal, J. S., Pilgrim, M. J., Grewal, S., Kasman, L., Werner, P., Bruorton, M. E., London, S. D., London, L. Salivary glands act as mucosal inductive sites via the formation of ectopic germinal centers after site-restricted MCMV infection.
An Epsilon-Near-Zero Total-Internal-Reflection Metamaterial Antenna

The total-internal-reflection (TIR) principle and the concept of an epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) material are combined to form an antenna exhibiting sum and difference patterns with good impedance properties. The ENZ material has been realized using a uniaxial wire medium (WM) metamaterial, and the departure from the behavior of an ideal ENZ material is discussed. The radiation pattern of the fabricated antennas has been measured and compared with simulation results.
Age Distribution in Virgin Red Spruce and Northern Hardwoods

Age distributions are given for four species in a virgin spruce—fir stand in New Hampshire together with comparative data from virgin northern hardwoods. Three distinct forms of age distribution were found: (1) essentially linear relationships of numbers of stems (log) vs. age (log) denoting stationary populations with a power function form of survivorship; (2) concave age distributions indicative of increasing populations; and (3) convex to bell—shaped age distributions reflecting declining populations with a low birth date. Picea rubens, Abies balsamea, Betula papyrifera var. cordifolia, and Sorbus americana all exhibited stationary age distributions in the virgin spruce—fir stand. In virgin northern hardwoods, Fagus grandifolia and Acer saccharum appeared to be stationary or increasing, respectively, while P. rubens and Betula alleghaniensis had age distributions typical of declining populations. See full-text article at JSTOR
Subcubic algorithms for recursive state machines

We show that the reachability problem for recursive state machines (or equivalently, pushdown systems), believed for long to have cubic worst-case complexity, can be solved in slightly subcubic time. All that is necessary for the new bound is a simple adaptation of a known technique. We also show that a better algorithm exists if the input machine does not have infinite recursive loops.
Monopsony distortions in an open economy: A theoretical analysis

Abstract This paper examines the positive and welfare implications of monopsony distortions in a small open economy. The equilibrium when one industry exercises its monopsony power is characterized by an endogenous differential between the marginal rates of substitution in production between the two industries. This monopsony distortion leads to various pathological positive results, including non-tangency of the commodity price-ratio with the shrunk-in distorted PPC, output responses unrelated to the convexity or concavity of the distorted PPC, reverse Stolper-Samuelson results, and opposite movements in real wages and real incomes. In addition, the welfare effect of trade liberalization is of ambiguous sign.
Marrow transplantation following busulfan and cyclophosphamide for chronic myelogenous leukaemia in accelerated or blastic phase.

Summary. Between July 1984 and October 1987, 21 patients with chronic myelogenous leukaemia in an accelerated or blastic phase were treated with 16 mg/kg of busulfan and 120 mg/kg of cyclophosphamide followed by infusion of bone marrow from an HLA-identical sibling donor. The regimen was well tolerated. Except for one individual with severe marrow fibrosis all patients achieved a complete remission. Only one patient relapsed. Seven of 13 patients transplanted in an accelerated phase and five of eight transplanted in a blastic phase are alive without Philadelphia chromosomes between 8 and 48 months (median 29 months) following transplantation. The estimated probability of relapse-free 3-year survival is 55%. These results indicate that busulfan and cyclophosphamide combined with allogeneic marrow transplantation exert a potent anti-leukaemic effect in patients in the accelerated or blastic phase of CML.
Pectin Isolated from the Midrib of Leaves of Nicotiana tabacum

A pectin isolated from tobacco midrib contained residues of d-galacturonic acid (83.7%), L-rhamnose (2.2%), l-arabinose (2.4%) and d-galactose (11.2%) and small amounts of d-xylose and d-glucose. Methylation analysis of the pectin gave 2, 3, 5-tri- and 2, 3-di-O-methyl-l-arabinose, 3, 4-di- and 3-O-methyl-l-rhamnose and 2, 3, 6-tri-O-methyl-d-galactose. Reduction with lithium aluminum hydride of the permethylated pectin gave mainly 2, 3-di-O-methyl-d-galactose and the above methylated sugars. Partial acid hydrolysis gave homologous series of β-(1 → 4)-linked oligosaccharides up to pentaose of d-galactopyranosyl residues, and 2-O-(α-d-galactopyranosyluronic acid)-l-rhamnose, and di- and tri-saccharides of α-(1 → 4)-linked d-galactopyranosyluronic acid residues.These results suggest that the tobacco pectin has a backbone consisting of α-(1 → 4)-linked d-galactopyranosyluronic acid residues which is interspersed with 2-linked l-rhamnopyranosyl residues. Some of the l-rhamnopyranosyl residues carry substituen...
Design, Development, and Analysis of a Surrogate for Pulmonary Injury Prediction

Current anthropomorphic test devices (ATDs) measure chest acceleration and deflection to assess risk of injury to the thorax. This study presents a lung surrogate prototype designed to expand the injury assessment capabilities of ATDs to include a risk measure for pulmonary contusion (PC). The surrogate augments these existing measures by providing pressure data specific to the lung and its lobes. The prototype was created from a rendering of a 50th percentile male lung inflated to normal inspiration, obtained from clinical CT data. Surrogate size, lobe volume, and airway cross sections were selected to match the morphology of the lung. Elastomeric urethane was molded via rapid prototyping to create a functional prototype. Pressure sensors in each of the five terminal airways independently monitored pressure traces in the lobes during impacts to the surrogate. Software was created to analyze the surrogate impact pressure data, determine the lobe with the greatest pressure rise for a particular impact, and estimate the initial speed of surface deformation. Calibration testing indicates an approximately linear relationship between peak lobe pressure and surface impact speed. No type I or II errors were demonstrated during lobe detection testing. During repeatability testing, the standard deviation was between 2 and 4% of the mean peak pressure. Ongoing research will focus on correlating surrogate data, pressure pulses, or surface deformation, to risk functions for PC.
The role of tasks and epistemological beliefs in online peer questioning

The current study examines the assertion that students are motivated and learn more by carrying out tasks consistent with their epistemological beliefs in web-based learning environments. In the study, 120 undergraduate students in an educational technology course participated as part of their coursework. Using a wiki, triads reciprocally asked and responded to questions as constructing either a group summary or a group argument. Students with less advanced epistemological beliefs more actively coordinated formats and procedures for group work and achieved higher comprehension of reading materials in the collaborative summary than in the collaborative argumentation. By contrast, these differences were not found for students with more advanced epistemological beliefs. However, the interaction effect between tasks and epistemological beliefs disappeared for the quality of argumentation on case problems. Independently of epistemological beliefs, collaborative argumentation promoted more constructive and interactive peer questioning activities and helped to construct higher quality arguments in case problems than collaborative summary. Therefore, the effects of matching tasks and epistemological beliefs varied depending on types of learning outcomes (comprehension vs. argumentation) in online peer questioning.
Prostaglandin D2 and endothelin-1 induce the production of prostaglandin F2α, 9 α, 11β-prostaglandin F2, prostaglandin E2, and thromboxane in capillary endothelium of human brain

Endothelial cells derived from human brain capillaries (HBCEC) synthesize prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) which can be stimulated, among other prostanoids, by endothelin 1 (ET-1). Both the PGD2 induced by ET-1 and the exogenously added PGD2 to HBCEC are converted to 9 alpha, 11 beta-prostaglandin F2 (9 alpha, 11 beta-PGF2), a known potent vasoconstrictor. Exogenous PGD2 also dose-dependently enhanced the production of vasoconstrictive PGF2 alpha, thromboxane B2 (TXB2), and the vasodilatory PGE2 as well as cAMP by HBCEC. The PGD2-induced formation of PGF2 alpha, PGE2, and TXB2 was reduced by the cyclooxygenase inhibitors acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) or indomethacin (Indo), indicating for the first time that PGD2 may contribute to the formation of prostanoids in HBCEC. These results strongly suggest that PGD2 may play an important role in the regulation of cerebral capillary function under physiologic and pathologic conditions.
Effectiveness of a Coupled Oscillator Network for Surface Discernment by a Quadruped Robot based on Kinesthetic Experience

Inspired by examples of oscillatory circuits in biological brains, we explore a hypothesis that one role of dynamical neural networks observed in biological sensory systems is to amplify subtle differences in sensory data, which in turn simplifies the task of classifying external stimuli. The authors recently developed a method for classifying the surface walked upon by a quadruped robotic dog [Holmstrom, L., et al., 2007]. The method developed utilizes time series data from the dog's joint sensors (kinesthetic vector). Employing the same data, an experiment was set up to explore the above hypothesis, comparing the relative accuracy of classifying (discerning) the surface type experienced by the robot, both with and without the inclusion of a system of coupled nonlinear oscillators in the data processing stream. These experiments demonstrated a significant increase in classification rate (on average) when the sensory data was passed through a coupled oscillator system to precondition the signals prior to inputting to a PNN type neural network classifier, in comparison with the result obtained by feeding the data to the PNN without preconditioning. From an implementation point of view, it is significant that these results were obtained via a coupled oscillator whose inter-oscillator weights were randomly instantiated. Some of the results are provided in terms of the Lyapunov exponent and the spectral radius of the inter-oscillator weight matrix.
Endogenous β3- but not β1-adrenergic receptors are resistant to agonist-mediated regulation in human SK-N-MC neurotumor cells

Although there is considerable interest in the regulation of the different beta-adrenergic receptor (AR) subtypes, most previous studies have utilized stably transfected cells expressing recombinant receptors under the control of viral promoters. Human SK-N-MC neurotumor cells appear to be novel, since they express both endogenous beta 1AR and beta 3AR based on radioligand binding and on functional response. Saturation binding of either the hydrophilic ligand (-)-[3H]CGP-12177 or the more hydrophobic (-)-[125I]iodocyanopindolol indicated the presence of two populations of binding sites with high and low affinities. With either ligand, the beta 1AR antagonist CGP-20712A preferentially inhibited binding to the high-affinity sites. This is consistent with the latter representing beta 1AR whereas the low-affinity sites represent beta 3AR. Both subtypes appeared to be functional on the basis of isoproterenol stimulation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in intact cells and adenylyl cyclase activity in cell membranes in the absence and presence of CGP-20712A. SK-N-MC-IXC cells, derived by twice subcloning the parental cells, also expressed both beta AR subtypes, indicating that they co-exist in the same cell. SK-N-MC cells exposed to isoproterenol exhibited a rapid sequestration and a slower downregulation of beta 1AR. The latter subtype also underwent desensitization, as indicated by a rightward shift to less sensitivity in the EC50 for isoproterenol stimulation of adenylyl cyclase activity. In contrast, the beta 3AR subtype was resistant to agonist-mediated sequestration, downregulation, and desensitization. Thus, when endogenously expressed in the same cell line, human beta 1AR and beta 3AR display differences in their ability to be regulated by agonist.
Antagonistic anti-urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) antibodies significantly inhibit uPAR-mediated cellular signaling and migration.

Interactions between urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) and its various ligands regulate tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. Antibodies that bind specific uPAR epitopes may disrupt these interactions, thereby inhibiting these processes. Using a highly diverse and naive human fragment of the antigen binding (Fab) phage display library, we identified 12 unique human Fabs that bind uPAR. Two of these antibodies compete against urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) for uPAR binding, whereas a third competes with β1 integrins for uPAR binding. These competitive antibodies inhibit uPAR-dependent cell signaling and invasion in the non-small cell lung cancer cell line, H1299. Additionally, the integrin-blocking antibody abrogates uPAR/β1 integrin-mediated H1299 cell adhesion to fibronectin and vitronectin. This antibody and one of the uPAR/uPA antagonist antibodies shows a significant combined effect in inhibiting cell invasion through Matrigel/Collagen I or Collagen I matrices. Our results indicate that these antagonistic antibodies have potential for the detection and treatment of uPAR-expressing tumors.
Response: More Money and Less Time!

Many scientists and NIH administrators are convinced that the NIH grant review process, which was not designed for the current large number of applications and the concomitant low success rates, needs some urgent adjustments to save money and time for both applicants and reviewers. My recent Correspondence in Cell (Pagano, 2006) was not intended to provide a magic solution for fixing the NIH grant review process. Rather, its purpose was to stimulate a constructive discussion. Therefore, it is not my intention to defend my proposal as if it were the only solution.
Assessment of Aging of Nuclear Power Plant Civil Structures

Research is being conducted by ORNL for the USNRC to address aging of civil structures in light-water reactor plants. The importance and operating experience of nuclear power plant (NPP) civil structures is reviewed. Factors that can lead to age-related degradation of reinforced concrete structures and containment metallic pressure boundaries (i.e., steel containments and liners of reinforced concrete containments) are identified and their manifestations described. Background information and data for improving and developing methods to assess the effects of age-related degradation on structural performance are provided. Techniques for detection of degradation are reviewed and research related to development of methods for inspection of inaccessible regions of the containment pressure boundary presented. Application of structural reliability analysis methods to develop condition assessment tools and guidelines is described.© 2002 ASME