cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Noninvasive quantitation of myocardial blood flow in human subjects with oxygen-15-labeled water and positron emission tomography.

Abstract Noninvasive measurement of myocardial blood flow in absolute terms (i.e., milliliters per gram per min) has been difficult to accomplish despite the intrinsically quantitative power of positron emission tomography because of the nonphysiologic nature of tracers that have been employed conventionally as well as the limited spatial resolution of currently available instruments. It was previously demonstrated that myocardial blood flow in animals can be quantitated accurately with the diffusible tracer oxygen-15-labeled water (112[50) when the arterial input function and myocardial radiotracer concentration were measured directly. To extend the approach for completely noninvasive measurement of blood flow, a parameter estimation procedure was developed whereby effects of limited tomographic spatial resolution and cardiac motion were compensated for within the operational flow model. In validation studies in 18 dogs, myocardial blood flow measured with positron emission tomography after intravenously administered 1129S0 correlated closely with flow measured with concomitantly administered radiolabeled microspheres over the range of 0.29 to 5.04 ml/g per min (r = 0.95). Although regional ischemia was clearly identifiable tomographically, absolute flow could not be determined accurately in ischemic regions in four dogs because of poor count statistics related to wall thinning. Subsequently, myocardial blood flow was measured in 11 normal human subjects. Flow was homogeneous throughout the myocardium, averaged 0.90 t 0.22 ml/g per min at rest and increased to 3.551.15 ml/g per min after intravenous administration of dipyridamole. Therefore, positron emission tomography with H215O and the approach developed permits noninvasive measurement of myocardial blood flow in absolute terms in humans and should facilitate objective assessment of interventions designed to enhance nutritive perfusion.
The forward and backward flow of technology: the relationship between foreign suppliers and domestic technological advance

Abstract This paper discusses the process of technological flows between countries. In particular, we discuss how technology can flow from the originating country to a foreign country, and how in turn direct foreign investment by the recipient foreign country can return technological advances to the originating country. We apply our discussion to the automobile industry in the US, and present evidence that direct investment by Japanese auto firms, and in particular the pioneering involvement in the US of Honda, has improved the rate of technological advance by US manufacturers.
Discrete orthogonal polynomial deconvolution for time-varying systems

Discrete orthogonal polynomial deconvolution (DOPD) has been demonstrated to be a robust method for obtaining the inverse solution for time-invariant systems. In this communication, extension of the method to time-varying linear systems is explored. The operator-based nature of DOPD lends itself to application to linear time-varying systems expressible as an operator matrix. The stability and noise tolerance characteristics of time-invariant DOPD are demonstrated to apply to tine-varying systems. A priori estimation of the quality of the inverse solution is possible if the characteristics of noise in the forward solution can be estimated. For time-varying linear systems having a region of basis function support approximately congruent to the support region of the transfer function, and for which there is sufficient a priori knowledge of the system, DOPD provides an efficient and noise tolerant method of inverse solution. >
High-Power/High-Temperature CW Narrow-Ridge Mid-Infrared Interband Cascade Lasers

Mid-infrared interband cascade lasers with a 12-mum-wide ridge and Au electroplating for improved epitaxial-side-up heat sinking operated cw up to 257 K and produced 100 mW/facet at 80 K. A distributed-feedback laser emitted 40 mW of cw power into a single mode.
Nucleation and Growth of Hydrates on Ice Surfaces: New Insights from 129Xe NMR Experiments with Hyperpolarized Xenon

The nucleation and growth of hydrate on the surface of ice was followed by NMR spectroscopy using hyperpolarized Xe. From the ice surface area and Xe pressure drop, the thickness of the hydrate film formed was ∼ 500−1000 A before the reaction became extremely slow. The cage occupancy ratio θL/θS was measured as a function of time from the Xe spectrum and was used to monitor the nature of the material formed. The ratio changed from values close to 1 during the early part of the reaction (induction time) to its equilibrium value of ∼3−4 after nucleation processes were finished and rapid growth commenced. The low value can be seen as evidence of a precursor phase that is quite different from the equilibrium hydrate. The induction time was found to be a reproducible function of temperature and pressure for the conditions studied. The kinetics of gas uptake was analyzed according to the Avrami−Erofeyev equation used to describe solid−gas reactions. A surface memory effect was noted on successive cycles of xeno...
Brain injury in a dish : A model for reactive gliosis

Reactive gliosis is a powerful response to brain injury and subsequent neuronal damage in vivo. Neuronal cell cultures are now well established as assays to study this process in vitro. However, equivalent studies of purified glial cell populations have only recently been achieved, following the realization that glial cells produce many of the neuropeptides, transmitters and growth factors that are produced also by neurons. There is now scope for studies in vitro that use mixed, identified populations of glial and neuronal cells to dissect the interactions between the two. Such cultures also lend themselves to assays for potential therapeutic strategies for brain injury that take account of all the different cell types found in the brain.
Raman measurements of NaBa2Nb5O15 and related ferroelectrics

Abstract We report results of Raman measurements of several tungsten-bronze type ferroelectrics. The results for vibrations that have a polarization along the ferroelectric axis are largely determined by the NbO6 octahedra and are similar to the perovskites.
A Biological Perspective of CSF Lipids as Surrogate Markers for Cognitive Status in HIV

The development and application of biomarkers to neurodegenerative diseases has become increasingly important in clinical practice and therapeutic trials. While substantial progress has been made at the basic science level in understanding the pathophysiology of HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders (HAND), there are significant limitations in our current ability to predict the onset or trajectory of disease, and to accurately determine the effects of therapeutic interventions. Thus, the development of objective biomarkers is critical to further our understanding and treatment of HAND. In recent years, biomarker discovery efforts have largely been driven forward through the implementation of multiple “omics” approaches that include (but are not restricted to): Lipidomics, proteomics, metabolomics, genomics, transcriptomics, and advances in brain imaging approaches such as functional connectomics. In this paper we summarize our progress to date on lipidomic approaches to biomarker discovery, discuss how these data have influenced basic research on the neuropathology of HAND, and implications for the development of therapeutics that target metabolic pathways involved in lipid handling.
Review: long acting beta2 agonists and inhaled corticosteroids reduce exacerbations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Sin DD, McAlister FA, Man SF, et al . Contemporary management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: scientific review. JAMA 2003;290:2301–12. [OpenUrl][1][CrossRef][2][PubMed][3][Web of Science][4] Q What are the effects of common treatments for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on patient outcomes? ### ![Graphic][5] Data sources: Medline (1980 to 1 May 2002), Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, bibliographies of published articles, and experts. ### ![Graphic][6] Study selection and assessment: English language randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with ⩾3 months of follow up in adults with COPD that assessed long acting (LA) β2 agonists (β2As); LA inhaled anticholinergics (tiotropium); combined short acting (SA) β2As and SA anticholinergics; inhaled corticosteroids; combined inhaled corticosteroids and LAβ2As; pulmonary rehabilitation (with ⩾6 wks follow up); long term nocturnal non-invasive mechanical ventilation; domiciliary O … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DJAMA%26rft.stitle%253DJAMA%26rft.issn%253D0002-9955%26rft.aulast%253DSin%26rft.auinit1%253DD.%2BD.%26rft.volume%253D290%26rft.issue%253D17%26rft.spage%253D2301%26rft.epage%253D2312%26rft.atitle%253DContemporary%2BManagement%2Bof%2BChronic%2BObstructive%2BPulmonary%2BDisease%253A%2BScientific%2BReview%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1001%252Fjama.290.17.2301%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F14600189%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1001/jama.290.17.2301&link_type=DOI [3]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=14600189&link_type=MED&atom=%2Febnurs%2F7%2F3%2F87.atom [4]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=000186356800025&link_type=ISI [5]: /embed/inline-graphic-1.gif [6]: /embed/inline-graphic-2.gif
“Me” and “We”: How Expectant Cohabitors Talk about Economic Difficulty

“Me” and “we” talk, as indicators of outcome considerations, is examined for expectant, unmarried cohabitors (N = 36). Grounded in social exchange and interdependence theories, “me” talk reflects individualism while “we” talk reflects collectivism (e.g., outcome consideration beyond self). Having interviewed cohabitors about effects of the difficult economy, we coded discussions for “me” and “we” talk revealing four groups: (1) Exclusively “We” (61.1%); (2) Primarily “We” (25%); (3) Equal “Me” and “We” (11.1%); and (4) Exclusively “Me” (<3%). Implications for therapeutic interventions that teach the importance and value of “we” talk in interdependent relationships are discussed.
Physical matches of bone, shell and tooth fragments: a validation study

The following study examines the reliability of physically matching fragments of bone and other mineral-based biological materials such as shells and teeth. Participants with varying education, training, and experience were asked to complete a matching exercise consisting of intentionally fragmented specimens. Success rates were very high; the positive association (correct match) rate was 0.925, while the nonassociation (overlooked match) rate was 0.075, and negative associations (incorrect matches) occurred at a rate of just 0.001. Results also indicate that those with more education and related experience tended to have higher positive association rates, although not significant statistically. Experienced osteologists, however, completed the matching exercise in significantly less time. Low error rates among both experienced and inexperienced individuals support the reliability and validity of performing physical matches of these materials, and suggest that performance may also be related to an individual's aptitude for spatial tasks or other factors.
Application of the Microwave Emission Spectrometric System as a Silicon-Selective Detector

The microwave emission spectrometric (MES)-gas chromatographic (GC) detector has been applied to the quantitative determination of silicon-containing compounds. Three different types of discharges were tested: a helium or an argon discharge, both operated under reduced pressure, and an argon discharge operated at atmospheric pressure. The sensitivity and selectivity of the detector for silicon were determined for each discharge at eight silicon spectral lines. Various experimental parameters, including microwave power output, time interval between discharge ignition and analyte elution, region of the discharge monitored by the spectrometer, and the detector temperature, were carefully tested for their effect on the sensitivity and the selectivity of the MES detector. Optimal performance of the detector is achieved with the reduced-pressure (3 to 5 Torr) argon discharge, using the 251.6 nm Sl spectral line. Under these conditions, the MES response was linear within the 0.5 to 150 ng range studied and the reproducibility (relative standard deviation) was 2 to 3%. To demonstrate the potential applicability of the Si-selective MES detector for chemical ''profile'' studies of complex samples, a mixture of various n-paraffins and trimethylsilyl derivatives of a few carboxylic acids was separated on a GC column. The eluted components were detected by both a flamemore » ionization detector (FID) and the MES detector.« less
Interferon inhibits melanogenesis in B-16 mouse melanoma cells.

Summary Mouse L-cell interferon (IF) (0.03–30 units/ml) produces a concentration-dependent inhibition of both spontaneous and melanocyte hormone stimulated (MSH) melanogenesis in cultures of murine B-16 melanoma cells. This inhibition is synergistic with that produced by the tumor promoter 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13 acetate (TPA). Both TPA and IF also inhibit the expression of tyrosinase activity. These and previous results suggest that the antitumor effects of IF may be due to modulation of cellular differentiation.
Removal of Cholesterol from Milk Fat Using Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

Abstract The ability of supercritical fluids to dissolve materials of low volatility was reported 109 yr ago. This technology has received increased attention lately because of increased energy costs, questioned use of organic solvents, and separation problems that defy solution. Supercritical fluids have enhanced solvent power as a liquid but also behave as gases with no surface tension. Selectivity of supercritical CO 2 for cholesterol is a temperature-dependent and pressure-dependent phenomenon. In studies using ascending pressure profile extraction, milk fat contained in the extraction chamber was stripped of 90% of its cholesterol. Efficiency of separation was measured on each fraction collected at each pressure interval. Cholesterol was assayed using an AOAC procedure and gas chromatography. Distribution coefficients and selectivities calculated for two processes that were ideal in separation efficiency indicated that cholesterol can be effectively separated. Fatty acid composition plays a key role in supercritical extraction; short-chained acids complicate extraction.
Synthesis of isotactic polypropylene containing a terminal Cl, OH, or NH2 group via metallocene-mediated polymerization/chain transfer reaction

This paper discusses a direct (one-pot) polymerization process to prepare isotactic polypropylene (i-PP) having a terminal functional group including Cl, OH, and NH2. The chemistry involves metallocene-mediated propylene polymerization using rac-Me2Si[2-Me-4-Ph(Ind)]2ZrCl2/MAO complex in the presence of styrene derivatives (St−f), carrying a Cl (St−Cl) or a silane-protected OH (St−OSi) or a silane-protected NH2 (St−NSi2), followed by hydrogenation. Apparently, the propylene propagating chain end engages in a facile consecutive chain transfer reaction, reacting with St−f and then hydrogen, with high catalyst reactivity under the proper St−f and hydrogen concentrations. The polymer molecular weight was inversely proportional to the molar ratio of [St−f]/[propylene] with a chain transfer constant (ktr/kp) of 1/21 for St−Cl, 1/34 for St−NSi2, and 1/48 for St−OSi, respectively. Both silane protecting groups were hydrolyzed in acidic aqueous solution during the sample workup step to obtain the desirable i-PP po...
An analysis of morphogenesis of the reproductive whorl of Acetabularia acetabulum

Acetabularia acetabulum (Linn.) P.C. Silva, is a useful system for studying changes in shape because it is large, morphologically complex unicell. The middle, or gametophore lobe of the cap grows radially from the stalk axis as a disc and the fully grown cap can be one of several shapes: flat, concave, convex, and saddle. The shape of the cap normally changes during the first three and a half weeks of reproductive development: individual caps within a population change shape in a stereotypical progression, with the majority proceeding from concave to flat to saddle. Marking the existing surface of caps with carbon grains revealed that the majority of growth occurs near the center, not at the perimeter, of caps. The shape of the mature cap appeared to be independent of algal height, number of gametophores per cap, and final cap diameter. Removing the rhizoid, which contains the nucleus, suggested that the contribution of the nucleus may be important for changes in shape during early cap growth. Based on these data, we present a simple model of cap shape development that suggests both differential growth and biophysical factors may contribute to the final shape of caps of A. acetabulum.
The reduction of nitrate and nitrite ions in basic solution with sodium borohydride in the presence of copper(II) ions

The reaction of NaNO3 and NaBH4 with added Cu(OH)2 in 1 M NaOH at 65°C under Ar rapidly produced NH3, Cu metal, and H2 with NO2 formed as an intermediate. The overall equation describing the reaction is: Cu(OH)23NO3 7BH4 20H2OiCu3NH37B(OH)4 15H2 3OH A direct reaction of NaNO2 with NaBH4 under the same conditions as those used with NaNO3 follows the equation: Cu(OH)2NO2 2BH4 5H2OiCu4H2NH3 2B(OH)4 OH The reductions of nitrate and nitrite with NaBH4 did not take place in basic solution unless Cu(OH)2 was present. © 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Manifold dimension of a causal set: Tests in conformally flat spacetimes

This paper describes an approach that uses flat-spacetime estimators to estimate the manifold dimension of causal sets that can be faithfully embedded into curved spacetimes. The approach is invariant under coarse-graining and can be implemented independently of any specific curved spacetime. Results are given based on causal sets generated by random sprinklings into conformally flat spacetimes in 2, 3, and 4 dimensions, as well as one generated by a percolation dynamics.
A Novel Surface Reconstruction and Display Method for Cardiac PET Imaging

Positron emission tomography (PET) allows the in vivo assessment of biochemical activity in humans. The newer PET cameras can create several imaging planes, or slices, through an organ inside the body. The interpretation of two-dimensional (2-D) slices of an organ is often difficult for the clinician since he or she has to form a three-dimensional (3-D) mental composite of the structure of interest. We have developed a set of algorithms to reconstruct a functional three-dimensional surface model of the cardiac left ventricle from a set of two-dimensional cross-sectional image slices generated by PET. The theoretical techniques for this reconstruction method are applicable to most organs provided that the appropriate models for the organs are considered. An automatic boundary detection algorithm outlines the surface of the left ventricle from the 2-D images and assigns intensity values to the surface points whose level is proportional to the local activity. A 3-D surface of the intensity levels, with pseudocolor enhancement, is then displayed with the long axis of the heart in a vertical position. Such a display allows the 3-D myocardial tracer uptake to be clearly visualized by the clinician for better diagnosis.
New energy flux method for inspection of contact layer reticles

With growing implementation of low k1 lithography on DUV scanners for wafer production, detecting and analyzing photomask critical dimension (CD) errors and semitransparent defects is vital for qualifying photomasks to enable high IC wafer yields for 130nm and 100nm nodes. Using the TeraStarTM pattern inspection system's image computer platform, a new algorithm, TeraFluxTM, has been implemented and tested for the inspection of small 'closed' features. The current algorithm is run in die-to-die mode and compares the energy flux differences on features between die for small closed features, such as, contacts, trenches, and cells on chrome and half-tone reticles. Tests show the new algorithm provides CD error detection to 5 percent energy flux variation with low false defect counts. The dispositioning of very small CD errors typically requires the precision and resolution of a CD-SEM. A new capability has been developed for review of very small CD errors for this application, which displays the energy flux difference between any corresponding closed features on different die. We have characterized the sensitivity and false defect performance of the new energy flux algorithm with production masks and programmed defect test masks. The program defect test mask contains two sets of contacts at 600nm and 800nm design sizes. At each design size there are six defect types in both dense and sparse geometry. The programmed defects are designed to have 1 percent energy increments for defect sizes from 1 percent to 10 percent, and 2 percent energy increments from 10 percent to 30 percent. A sampling of inspection results will be presented. SEM measurements were taken at programmed defect locations to develop a correlation between the energy flux difference and the measured CD.
Barriers to Increasing the Role of Demand Resources in Electricity Markets

The objective of this paper is to show that customers can benefit from a smart grid if they become more active participants in electricity markets by 1) relying more on deferrable demand (e.g. electric vehicles and augmenting space conditioning with thermal storage) to shift demand away from peak periods and buy more electricity when prices are low at night, and 2) selling ancillary services such as ramping capacity to mitigate the inherent uncertainty of wind generation. These two factors, coupled with the lower operating cost of wind generation compared to conventional generation from fossil fuels, have the potential for reducing the cost of electricity to customers. However, these benefits will not be realized unless the rates charged to customers reflect the true costs of supply. This paper compares how the bills charged to different types of customer are affected by different rate structures with and without the correct economic incentives. The main savings in operating cost come from the displacement of conventional generation by wind generation, and the main savings in capital cost come from reducing the amount of installed conventional generating capacity needed to maintain System Adequacy by 1) reducing the peak system load, and 2) by using deferrable demand to provide ramping services and reduce the amount of conventional generating capacity needed for operating reserves. A new stochastic form of multi-period Security Constrained Optimal Power Flow is applied in a simulation using a reduction of the North Eastern Power Coordinating Council (NPCC) network for a representative summer day. This model treats potential wind generation as a stochastic input and determines the amount of conventional generating capacity needed to maintain reliability endogenously. The analysis assumes implicitly that all deferrable demand at a node is managed by an aggregator. If the rates are structured with the correct economic incentives (i.e. real-time nodal prices for energy, a demand charge determined by the demand during system peak periods, and compensation for providing ramping services), the results show that 1) the economic benefits for customers with thermal storage are substantial, and 2) the main benefits for customers with electric vehicles (without V2G capabilities in this application) come from buying less gasoline. In contrast, if customers pay conventional rates with a fixed price for energy and no demand charge, the economic incentives are perverse and customers with deferrable demand pay more and customers with no deferrable demand pay less.
Parathyroidectomy monitored by intra-operative PTH: the relevance of the 20 min end-point.

Abstract Objectives: RI-PTH measurements are a prerequisite for minimally invasive parathyroidectomy, providing guidance regarding the removal of hyper-functioning tissue. Different criteria of PTH decrease, concentration and clearance were analyzed in order to predict surgical treatment. Design and methods: Blood samples at pre-incision, manipulation, 5, 10 and 20 min after resection, were collected from 145 patients presenting unambiguous, pre-surgical “single adenoma” diagnosis. Results: The meeting of Irvin criterion would have permitted the identification of 28% uncured cases leading to 4% unnecessary neck exploration. On the contrary, we would have identified all of the uncured patients, to the detriment of 7% unnecessarily prolonged procedure by taking into account PTH drop, concentration and clearance shape at 20 min. Conclusions: The 20′ end-point plays a key role in the correct determination of surgical outcome, strongly improving the possibility of adequate patient treatment. However, since the high success rate of traditional parathyroidectomy, yet not provided by RI-PTH, the utmost improvement to hyper-parathyroidism surgical treatment by RI-PTH could be achieved in pre-operative equivocal glands localization or multiglandular disease selected population to quickly guide and confirm the complete removal of all hyper-secreting tissue.
Statistical phonon transport model for multiscale simulation of thermal transport in silicon: Part I – Presentation of the model

Abstract The Boltzmann transport equation can be used to model phonon transport in crystalline materials across multiple length scales. The statistical phonon transport model solves the Boltzmann transport equation in a statistical framework that incorporates a state-based phonon transport methodology. The statistical phonon transport model captures the anisotropy of the first Brillouin zone in addition to nonlinear dispersion. Three-phonon scattering is implemented conserving both energy and pseudo-momentum with probability limits based exclusively on the relative phonon populations available.
Programmed compliance for error corrective assembly

The following problem is addressed. Suppose that before an assembly task commences, one can specify at will the manipulator's response to assembly forces by providing a single compliance (or damping) matrix to be used for the duration of the operation. Can one choose the matrix elements so that the force that characterizes every possible error condition maps into a motion that reduces it? If so, it is assured that the operation will evolve toward decreased errors and eventual success. A framework and a method of synthesis for an error-corrective matrix are described. >
A Study of Speed Aware Routing for Mobile Ad Hoc Networks

The flexibility of movement for the wireless ad hoc devices, referred to as node mobility, introduces challenges such as dynamic topological changes, increased frequency of route disconnections and high packet loss rate in Mobile Ad hoc Wireless Network MANET routing. This research proposes a novel on-demand routing protocol, Speed-Aware Routing Protocol SARP to mitigate the effects of high node mobility by reducing the frequency of route disconnections in a MANET. SARP identifies a highly mobile node which forms an unstable link by predicting the link expiration time LET for a transmitter and receiver pair. NS2 was used to implement the SARP with ad hoc on-demand vector AODV as the underlying routing algorithm. Extensive simulations were then conducted using Random Waypoint Mobility model to analyze the performance of SARP. The results from these simulations demonstrated that SARP reduced the overall control traffic of the underlying protocol AODV significantly in situations of high mobility and dense networks; in addition, it showed only a marginal difference as compared to AODV, in all aspects of quality-of-service QOS in situations of low mobility and sparse networks.
The righteousness of self-centred royals: The world according to Disney animation

The startling success of Disney animation prompts the perspective for this essay, which explores both a political-economic and cultural studies approach. Understanding Disney animation helps clarif...
A radioimmunoassay procedure for type III procollagen: its use in the detection of hepatic fibrosis.

Recent studies suggest that the serum level of Type III procollagen (PC-III) could be a valuable, noninvasive monitor of hepatic fibrogenesis. We have developed a sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay for PC-III procollagen isolated and purified from fetal goat skin which shows high cross-reaction for human PC-III. In a double-blind study, serum samples taken from 8 normal volunteers and 50 patients at the time of liver biopsy were assayed for PC-III. Each biopsy was reviewed without knowledge of the radioimmunoassay results, and old or active fibrosis was graded on a 0 to 3 (none, minimal, moderate, severe) scale. There was a significant difference between serum concentrations of PC-III in normals (mean ± S.D. = 72 ng per ml ± 8) as compared to patients with biopsy evidence of active fibrosis (mean ± S.D. = 153 ng per ml ± 12; p < 0.001). The serum concentration of PC-III showed a good correlation (r = 0.58; p < 0.001) with the histological grade of active lobular fibrosis. Measurement of PC-III is a noninvasive test for detection of active fibrosis in the liver.
Strong electron-phonon coupling in δ -phase stabilized Pu

Heat capacity measurements of the $\ensuremath{\delta}$-phase stabilized alloy ${\mathrm{Pu}}_{0.95}{\mathrm{Al}}_{0.05}$ suggest that strong electron-phonon coupling is required to explain the moderate renormalization of the electronic density of states near the Fermi energy. We calculate the heat capacity contributions from the lattice and electronic degrees of freedom as well as from the electron-lattice coupling term and find good overall agreement between experiment and theory assuming a dimensionless electron-phonon coupling parameter of order unity, $\ensuremath{\lambda}\ensuremath{\sim}0.8$. This large electron-phonon coupling parameter is comparable to reported values in superconducting metals with face-centered cubic crystal structure, for example, Pd $(\ensuremath{\lambda}\ensuremath{\approx}0.7)$ and Pb $(\ensuremath{\lambda}\ensuremath{\approx}1.5)$. Further, our analysis shows evidence of a sizable residual low-temperature entropy contribution, ${S}_{\mathit{res}}\ensuremath{\approx}0.4{k}_{B}$ (per atom). We can fit the residual specific heat to a two-level system. Therefore, we speculate that the observed residual entropy originates from crystal-electric-field effects of the Pu atoms or from self-irradiation-induced defects frozen in at low temperatures.
A two-year longitudinal study of social support following amputation.

Purpose: (1) To describe one aspect of social support, social integration, longitudinally for 2 years following lower limb amputation and (2) to explore the impact of social support on depression, pain interference, life satisfaction, mobility, and occupational functioning.Method: Eighty-nine adults recruited from consecutive admissions to an orthopaedic surgery service completed telephone interviews 1, 6, 12 and 24 months following amputation surgery. Dependent variables included the Social Integration (SI) sub-scale of the Craig Handicap Assessment and Reporting Technique (CHART) and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS).Results: There was a high level of SI among most persons following lower limb amputations that was relatively unchanged in the 2 years following surgery. However, mean levels of SI were lower in this group compared to a sample without disabilities. MSPSS scores were highly variable, ranging from almost no support to the maximum amount of support. MSPSS was an im...
Positive and Negative Biasing Sets: The Effects of Prior Experience on Research Performance

The effect of prior experience on success in solving discrete problems was studied by comparing the behavior of eight laboratories in two R and D proposal competitions. The findings show that prior experience does not, by itself, influence the likelihood of achieving a correct solution. If the prior experience is limited to a technique which is appropriate to the present problem, successful solution is almost certain. But prior experience with a technique which is not appropriate usually results in an unsuccessful solution. In the latter case, if more than one alternative approach is considered the probability of achieving a successful solution is increased from 0 to 0.5.
Abstract 1768: The oncogene Mdmx promotes genomic instability independent of p53.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC Mdmx is upregulated in many human cancers. As a member of the Mdm2 protein family, Mdmx functions similar to Mdm2 as a negative regulator of the tumor suppressor p53. With the ability to form heterodimers with Mdm2, p53 regulation by Mdmx predictably relies on Mdm2. However, while the p53- and Mdm2-dependent functions of Mdmx understandably contribute to cancer, Mdmx has also displayed p53- and Mdm2-independent functions in tumor development that are less well characterized. Therefore, we investigated novel avenues in which Mdmx contributes to tumorigenesis. We demonstrate increased expression of Mdmx results in an inhibition in double-strand DNA break repair and a delay in DNA damage signaling that was independent of p53 and surprisingly, independent of Mdm2. We identified a novel association between Mdmx and a key mediator of DNA repair, the Mre11-Rad50-Nbs1 complex. We also detected increased genomic instability and promotion of in vitro transformation as a result of Mdmx overexpression that was also independent of p53 and Mdm2. Our data show that Mdmx interacts with the Mre11-Rad50-Nbs1 complex and delays DNA break repair, which leads to genome instability and cellular transformation. This novel function of Mdmx provides insight into an alternative mechanism by which Mdmx contributes to tumor formation and possibly tumor progression independent of its interaction with Mdm2 or its negative regulation of p53. These data also highlight the potential for novel therapeutic intervention strategies that capitalize on this newly identified function of Mdmx. Citation Format: Alexia N. Melo, Alyssa Bouska, Maria P. Arrate, Christine M. Eischen. The oncogene Mdmx promotes genomic instability independent of p53. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1768. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-1768
Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate, a plasticizer contaminant of platelet concentrates.

Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), a plasticizer used in polyvinyl chloride plastic blood bags, is extracted by human blood during storage at 4 C. The rate of extraction (0.25 mg/100 ml/day) suggested that after only two days of storage, a concentration of 0.5 mg/100 ml might be found in human blood. In contrast to this, five platelet concentrates that were stored at 22 C for two days had a calculated DEHP concentration of approximately 19 mg/100 ml. The concentration of DEHP in platelet-poor plasma was 16.7 mg/100 ml while the platelets were found to contain 37.7 mg/100 ml packed platelet volume. This result might suggest that platelets can preferentially accumulate DEHP. It is not known if such concentrations of DEHP are injurious to humans who receive platelet transfusions.
Automatic tracking of region of interest in neurosurgical video

In this paper, we present a new method to automatically detect a region of interest (ROI) within video frames for remote monitoring of neurosurgery. This method is based on an object tracking technique combined with an automatic shape analysis. By defining the ROI, this method produces a smooth and convex emphasis region within which surgical procedures are performed. A large bandwidth budget is assigned within the ROI to archive high-fidelity Internet transmission. Outside the ROI, a small bandwidth budget is allocated to efficiently utilize the bandwidth resource in Internet connection.
Efficient decoding of correlated sources with application to DPCM image coding

Three methods are proposed in this paper, in which the encoded signal is modelled as a Markov sequence. First, an optimum method for decoding correlated sequences is derived and it is shown to require Viterbi decoding. Then, a modified MAP method (MMAP) for Markov sequences is described. A maximal signal-to-noise (MSNR) receiver for DPCM systems is also developed that minimizes the distortion power due to channel errors; the appropriate cost matrix for this receiver is computed. These methods are applied to DPCM picture transmission over noisy channels and are compared to a recent method. The SNR graphs and the subjective examination of the enhanced pictures demonstrate that the proposed procedures are quite effective and are superior to a recent method. The MSNR receiver was found to be somewhat more effective than the MMAP receiver for a given order of the Markov source. The Markov modelling of the encoded signal is found to improve the SNR of the received pictures. Furthermore, it is observed that the gain increases with the increase in the order of the Markov model. >
Abstract spatial concept priming dynamically influences real-world actions.

Experienced regularities in our perceptions and actions play important roles in grounding abstract concepts such as social status, time, and emotion. Might we similarly ground abstract spatial concepts in more experienced-based domains? The present experiment explores this possibility by implicitly priming abstract spatial terms (north, south, east, west) and then measuring participants’ hand movement trajectories while they respond to a body-referenced spatial target (up, down, left, right) in a verbal (Exp. 1) or spatial (Exp. 2) format. Results from two experiments demonstrate temporally-dynamic and prime-biased movement trajectories when the primes are incongruent with the targets (e.g., north – left, west – up). That is, priming abstract coordinate directions influences subsequent actions in response to concrete target directions. These findings provide the first evidence that abstract concepts of world-centered coordinate axes are implicitly understood in the context of concrete body-referenced axes; critically, this abstract-concrete relationship manifests in motor movements, and may have implications for spatial memory organization.
Behavioral Effects of Dopamine Agonists Across the Estrous Cycle in Rats

The effects of apomorphine upon stereotypy and bromocriptine upon wheel running and intracranial reward were examined across the estrous cycle of female rats. Apomorphine elicited sterotypy in a dose-related fashion, but sterotypy was not reliably or systematically altered by estrous conditions. On the other hand, wheel running was augmented by bromocriptine in an estrous-specific fashion. Self-stimulation was increased by bromocriptine but this was not related to estrous cyclicity. These findings provide evidence for possible behavioral and motivational specificity of dopamine (DA) receptor-related estrous changes.
Characterization of the acute toxicity of photoactivated fluoranthene to glochidia of the freshwater mussel, Utterbackia imbecillis

The acute photoactivated toxicity of fluoranthene to the glochidial larvae of the paper pondshell, Utterbackia imbecillis, was characterized in the laboratory using three sets of experiments. Toxicokinetic studies revealed that glochidia rapidly bioaccumulated fluoranthene, reaching an apparent steady state in 4 h. Based on a two-compartment model, uptake (Ku) and depuration (Kd) rate constants were 1394 ml/g/h and 0.769/h, respectively. However, experimental data suggested the presence of a fast and slow depuration compartment with a Kd of 0.290 and 0.031/h, respectively. Replicate 24-h acute toxicity tests designed to determine the overall sensitivity of glochidia to photoactivated fluoranthene were conducted under simulated sunlight (ultraviolet [UV]-A = 69.0 +/- 1.0 microW/cm2) (mean +/- standard deviation [SD]). Mean median lethal concentrations (LC50) of fluoranthene at 8, 16, and 24 h were 5.59 +/- 0.59, 4.09 +/- 0.57, and 2.45 +/- 0.45 micrograms/L, respectively. Mean median lethal doses (LD50) at the same time periods were 14.76 +/- 2.17, 11.66 +/- 2.82, and 6.98 +/- 1.31 micrograms/g dry weight, respectively. Acute toxicity tests designed to elucidate the relationship between the rate of mortality and UV intensity were conducted under one of four different UV intensities (UV-A = 15, 31, 50, and 68 microW/cm2). Regression analysis revealed that the time-dependent mortality of glochidia was inversely related to the product of initial tissue residue of fluoranthene and UV intensity. These findings suggest that glochidia of freshwater mussels are among the most sensitive organisms tested to date to photoactivated fluoranthene and the time-dependent mortality of glochidia can accurately be predicted through evaluation of the product of fluoranthene tissue residue and the light intensity to which the glochidia is exposed.
Testing for non-response and sample selection bias in contingent valuation: Analysis of a combination phone/mail survey

We use a combination phone/mail survey to test for possible sample biases in contingent valuation. We find no sample selection bias but do find non-response bias. We show how failure to correct for non-response bias distorts aggregate benefit estimates.
Human‐Capital Strategy: It's Time for Risk Optimization

© 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/ert.21441 Many argued that the “safe” thing during the recession was to hoard cash and cut all but necessary expenditures, and many research and development (R&D) budgets were severely reduced. Yet, great returns accrued to firms that increased their spending on R&D during the 2000–2001 recession. Consider a study of 177 equally weighted companies with market values exceeding $100 million on December 31, 2002, that increased R&D spending by more than 10 percent in both 2001 and 2002. One year later, the cumulative increase in share prices was 26 percent for the S&P 500 Index and 51 percent for the big R&D spenders. Five years later, by December 31, 2007, the cumulative increase in share prices was 67 percent for the S&P 500 Index and 136 percent for the big R&D spenders.1 Prudent risk taking is often as important as risk avoidance, yet HR and human-capital strategy often overemphasize risk mitigation and overlook prudent risk taking to seek opportunities.2 In this article, we provide illustrative frameworks and examples to show the value of a more balanced risk-optimization approach to strategic human resources.
Dependency-dependent interference: NPI interference, agreement attraction, and global pragmatic inferences

Previous psycholinguistics studies have shown that when forming a long distance dependency in online processing, the parser sometimes accepts a sentence even though the required grammatical constraints are only partially met. A mechanistic account of how such errors arise sheds light on both the underlying linguistic representations involved and the processing mechanisms that put such representations together. In the current study, we contrast the NPI (negative polarity items) interference effect, as shown by the acceptance of an ungrammatical sentence like “The bills that democratic senators have voted for will ever become law”, with the well-known phenomenon of agreement attraction (“The key to the cabinets are…”). On the surface, these two types of errors look alike and thereby can be explained as being driven by the same source: similarity based memory interference. However, we argue that the linguistic representations involved in NPI licensing are substantially different from those of subject-verb agreement, and therefore the interference effects in each domain potentially arise from distinct sources. In particular, we show that NPI interference at least partially arises from pragmatic inferences. In a self-paced reading study with an acceptability judgment task, we showed NPI interference was modulated by participants’ general pragmatic communicative skills, as quantified by the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (Baron-Cohen 2001), especially in offline tasks. Participants with more autistic traits were actually less prone to the NPI interference effect than those with fewer autistic traits. This result contrasted with agreement attraction conditions, which were not influenced by individual pragmatic skill differences. We also show that different NPI licensors have distinct interference profiles. We discuss two kinds of interference effects for NPI licensing: memory-retrieval based and pragmatically triggered.
What the Emerging Workforce Wants in Its Leaders

Purpose: To describe desired traits as perceived by emerging and entrenched workforce members. Design and Methods: A national sample of nursing students (n=108) and a sample of Midwestern American hospital managers (n=126) were categorized by age and asked to rank the traits desired in their leaders. Participants ranked the most desired and least desired traits of leaders. Rankings were compared between groups as well as with desired traits from leadership studies in the 1990s. Findings: A high degree of congruency was found between emerging and entrenched health care workforce respondents. However, these findings showed little congruence with previous studies. Conclusions: Congruence of expectations facilitates mentoring relationships, so finding no difference between the older and younger groups bodes well for the mentoring of young nurse leaders. The key implication is the challenge to recruit and retain such leaders in the nursing profession in a systematic, logical, and generation-friendly way.
Mixture of experts models to exploit global sequence similarity on biomolecular sequence labeling

Background Identification of functionally important sites in biomolecular sequences has broad applications ranging from rational drug design to the analysis of metabolic and signal transduction networks. Experimental determination of such sites lags far behind the number of known biomolecular sequences. Hence, there is a need to develop reliable computational methods for identifying functionally important sites from biomolecular sequences.
Maintaining COTS-based systems: start with the design

The use of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software in building software systems presents new challenges to maintenance personnel who are required to evolve and enhance these systems. Unlike custom-built systems where maintenance is performed at the source code level, maintainers of COTS-based systems deal with the system as a set of large-scale black boxes that are owned by third-parties. This paper outlines a strategy for building maintainable COTS-based systems. The strategy was developed by interviewing a number of organizations involved in the acquisition, development, and maintenance of such systems. Based on these interviews, the high-cost maintenance activities were identified, and design strategies developed for minimizing these costs. The approach is illustrated with an example from a Web-based application.
Statistical modeling tools, methods and applications for integrated circuit manufacturability

A description of various statistical modeling methods is provided. The analysis methods are discussed to remove the confusion in the existing literature. Statistical models are generated using factor analytic technique for SPICE level 3 on a 0.8 micron LDD CMOS. It is shown that our measurement based approach accurately predicts the device performance. We show that the existence of a "physical MOS model" is not a necessary pre-requisite to perform statistical modeling. Our approach provides models that are suitable for both analog and digital designs and promises to make statistical modeling feasible for general use.