cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Banking: Why Should the Taxpayer Bear the Risk?

A recent Government White Paper proposed increased state supervision to regulate the affairs of commercial banks. Forrest Capie, Professor of Economic History at the City University Business School in London, argues that price signals supplied by the market and the role of the central bank as the lender of last resort are sufficient guarantee of banking probity. Increased state supervision is unnecessary and damaging.
Analysis of error in measuring laryngeal size parameters from compressed imagery

The accurate, consistent measurement of laryngeal size parameters is key to the quantification of phonatory disorders from laryngeal endoscopic imagery. Unfortunately, laryngoscopic images contain a wide variety of distortions introduced by endoscope optics (e.g., barrel distortion), systematic effects such as mucus strands adhering to the endoscope lens, electronic noise in the camera or digitization hardware, and color distortions resulting from optical, camera, or digitization errors. These difficulties are compounded by representational errors introduced during image archival or telemedicine-based manipulation of endoscopic imagery, e.g., when images are compressed, stored, then decompressed using lossy transformations. A variety of researchers, in particular Omeori et al., have studied the measurement of laryngeal parameters forma variety of image sources. Unfortunately, such analyses do not account for the effects of image compression/decompression. In this paper, previous research is extended to include estimation of errors in the measurement of parameters such as glottal gap area and maximum vocal fold length from compressed laryngoscopic imagery. Compression transforms studied include JPEG and EBLAST, a relatively recent development in high-compression image transformation for communication along low-bandwidth channels. Error analysis emphasizes preservation of spatial and greylevel information in the decompressed imagery, as well as error in parameter measurement at various compression ratios. Manual as well as automatic methods of laryngeal parameter extraction are analyzed, including techniques based on spectral restriction applied to moderate-resolution RGB imagery (320x200 pixels). The analysis presented herein represents work-in-progress, and is not intended to represent a final implementation suitable for medical diagnostic or life-critical applications, but is advanced as a phenomenological overview of measurement error in the presence of image compression in a medical imaging application.
Effect of Fungicide Seed Treatments, Cultivars, and Soils on Soybean Stand Establishment

Abstract Seedling diseases are one of the major production problems for soybean. The primary control of soybean seedling diseases is by fungicide seed treatments but comparisons of seed treatments are difficult because stand responses are often erratic in the field. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of soybean fungicide seed treatments in naturally infested soils under controlled environments at three temperatures. Seed of three soybean cultivars were treated with six fungicide treatments or not treated and planted in two soil types collected from two fields in April, May, and June 2008 and 2009. Tests were conducted in growth chambers at 21°C (April planting), 25°C (May planting), or 28°C (June planting). Stands were determined when at least 25% of the seedlings reached the V4 growth stage. Seed treatments improved stands at all three temperatures, in both soils, and in both years. In general, the broad-spectrum fungicides trifloxystrobin + metalaxyl and mefenoxam + fludioxonil + ...
Spin-resolved cyclotron resonance in a 2D electron gas

Abstract We report the observation of spin-resolved cyclotron resonance of a 2DEG in an InAs quantum well. The data show that the g -factor of a 2DEG has a smaller energy dependence than that of bulk electrons. The reduction of the spin-splitting in a 2DEG can be accounted for by a calculation which includes the nonparabolicity of the band structure.
Synthesis and Structure of Borabenzene−4-Phenylpyridine, a Heterocyclic Analogue of p-Terphenyl

The synthesis and X-ray crystal structure of borabenzene−4-phenylpyridine is reported. This compound, which incorporates a pyridine, a benzene, and a borabenzene ring, is the first hetero-p-terphenyl analogue to be structurally characterized.
Coumarins of Artemisia tridentat ssp. vaseyana

Abstract The alcoholic leaf extract of Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana was found to contain isoscopoletin, esculetin, esculin and methylesculin. These compounds were isolated and identified by spectroscopic methods.
Loss of Singleminded-2s in the Mouse Mammary Gland Induces an Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Associated with Up-Regulation of Slug and Matrix Metalloprotease 2

The short splice variant of the basic helix-loop-helix Per-Arnt-Sim transcription factor Singleminded-2, SIM2s, has been implicated in development and is frequently lost or reduced in primary breast tumors. Here, we show that loss of Sim2s causes aberrant mouse mammary gland ductal development with features suggestive of malignant transformation, including increased proliferation, loss of polarity, down-regulation of E-cadherin, and invasion of the surrounding stroma. Additionally, knockdown of SIM2s in MCF-7 breast cancer cells contributed to an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and increased tumorigenesis. In both Sim2−/− mammary glands and SIM2s-depleted MCF7 cells, these changes were associated with increased SLUG and MMP2 levels. SIM2s protein was detectable on the SLUG promoter, and overexpression of SIM2s repressed expression from a SLUG-controlled reporter in a dose-dependent manner. To our knowledge, SIM2s is the first protein shown to bind and repress the SLUG promoter, providing a plausible explanation for the development role and breast tumor-suppressive activity of SIM2s. Together, our results suggest that SIM2s is a key regulator of mammary-ductal development and that loss of SIM2s expression is associated with an invasive, EMT-like phenotype.
Transgenic mice expressing a human mutant beta1 thyroid receptor are hyperactive, impulsive, and inattentive.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly diagnosed childhood psychiatric disorder. We have found that a transgenic mouse bearing a human mutant thyroid receptor (TRβ1) expresses all of the defining symptoms of ADHD—inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity—as well as a ‘paradoxical’ response to methylphenidate (MPH). As with ADHD, the behavioral phenotypes expressed by the TRβ transgenic mice are dynamic and sensitive to changes in environmental conditions, stress, and reinforcement. TRβ transgenic mice are euthyroid except for a brief period during postnatal development, but the behavioral phenotypes, elevated dopamine turnover, and paradoxical response to MPH persist into adulthood. Thus, like the vast majority of children with ADHD, the TRβ transgenic mice exhibit the symptoms of ADHD in the complete absence of thyroid abnormalities. This suggests that even transient perturbations in developmental thyroid homeostasis can have long-lasting behavioral and cognitive consequences, including producing the full spectrum of symptoms of ADHD.
Requirements for model development environments

Abstract This paper deals with the initial phase of our ongoing research project on the Definition of a Discrete Event Simulation MDE which started on 1 June 1983. The first phase of the rapid prototyping approach we are using in designing the MDE involves the requirements specification. A literature review revealed eleven current problems in modeling. To address these problems, a MDE was identified as composed of four layers: (1) hardware and operating system, (2) kernel MDE, (3) minimal MDE and (4) MDEs. Requirements were then perceived for each layer and are reported in this paper. The feasibility of the requirements have been assessed throughout our prototyping efforts. This paper has provided significant guidance to our research group in designing the MDE and its associated tools. We believe that the designers and implementers of other types of MDEs can benefit from the research described herein.
Axial length measurement acquisition rates of two optical biometers in cataractous eyes

PURPOSE To compare the ability of two optical biometers to acquire the axial length (AL) measurement in cataractous eyes. METHODS This prospective, comparative, single-center study comprised 105 eyes (63 patients). AL was acquired by the composite mean value of 20 measurements (composite-20 IM) and five measurements (composite-5 IM) (IOLMaster(®) 500 version 7.1 software), and the standard mean value of the first five measurements (standard-5 LS, Lenstar LS 900(®)). Anterior chamber depth (ACD) and average keratometry (K) readings were acquired. RESULTS AL was acquired in 83.8%, 92.4%, and 84.8% of eyes for the composite-5 IM, composite-20 IM, and standard-5 LS, respectively. Standard-5 LS AL measurements were significantly shorter (P<0.001). IOLMaster(®) 500-acquired ACD (corneal epithelium to lens) measurements were significantly shorter (P<0.001). IOLMaster(®) 500 average K measurements were significantly steeper (P<0.001). CONCLUSION The composite-20 IM had the highest AL acquisition success rate of the three versions evaluated. AL, ACD, and average Ks were statistically different between the two biometers, although the differences were clinically insignificant.
Gel synthesis by transesterification of glycol‐modified poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) with O,O‐diethyl dithiophosphate

Synthesis of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) gels containing pendant mercapto groups via transesterification of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate moieties with O,O-diethyl dithiophosphate is described and the gel structure elucidated by 1H and 31P NMR and elemental analysis. The gels respond to changes in their liquid environment.
Thermal neutron activation analysis for potassium, holmium and lanthanum in tungsten bronzes

Methods for the analysis of potassium, holmium and lanthanum in their tungsten bronzes, M x WO3, are described. Simultaneous thermal neutron activation of samples and comparison standards was followed by counting with Ge(Li) diodes. Analysis was performed by comparing appropriate full energy peaks in the spectra of the three elements with peaks in the187W spectrum for sample and standard. Results with accuracy of 1 to 3% were obtained.
The Enhancement of Natural Resilience in Trauma Interventions.

Resilience following trauma is the rule, not the exception. The minority of individuals who go on to suffer chronic pathology such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) will likely benefit from a number of evidence-based treatments. The study of resilience provides a new framework to examine and build upon these existing therapies. This article outlines an evidence-based theoretical model for understanding psychotherapy for PTSD through the lens of resilience. Specifically, we explore three broad factors thought to underlie resilience: social support, returning to daily routine, and meaning making. We review the literature regarding the impact of these factors on natural recovery after a trauma as well as treatment response. We connect these processes to interventions and techniques used in several empirically supported therapies, highlighting compatibility and synergy with therapeutic goals. With this review, we aim to map our existing knowledge about resilience onto theoretical models of treatment efficacy to broaden our conceptualization of treatment mechanisms and spur new ideas to improve clinical outcomes for those suffering due to trauma.
Negative emotionality: monoamine oxidase B gene variants modulate personality traits in healthy humans

Monoamine oxidase A and B (MAOA and MAOB) appear to be involved in the pathogenesis of Major Depression, and vulnerability of Major Depression is associated with personality traits relating to positive and negative affect. This study aimed to investigate associations between MAOA and MAOB polymorphisms and personality traits of positive and negative emotionality in healthy volunteers, to elucidate mechanisms underlying personality and the risk for depression. Healthy Caucasian volunteers (N = 150) completed the Multiphasic Personality Questionnaire (MPQ), which includes independent superfactors of Positive Emotionality and Negative Emotionality. Participants were genotyped for 8 MAOA and 12 MAOB single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Association analyses for both SNPs and haplotypes were performed using the permutation approach implemented in PLINK. Negative Emotionality was significantly associated with the two highly linked MAOB polymorphisms rs10521432 and rs6651806 (p < 0.002). Findings were extended in haplotype analyses. For MAOB the 4-SNP haplotype GACG formed from rs1799836, rs10521432, rs6651806 and rs590551 was significantly related to lower Negative Emotionality scores (p < 0.002). MAOA was not related to personality in this study. Our finding provides the first evidence that MAOB polymorphisms influence levels of negative emotionality in healthy human volunteers. If confirmed, these results could lead to a better understanding of personality traits and inter-individual susceptibility developing psychiatric disorders such as major depression.
Type A personality as a mediator of stress and strain in employed women.

Abstract A survey of 136 employed women was conducted. Type A personality, demographic variables, job characteristics and attitudes, health habits, and physical and psychological symptoms of strain were assessed. Average Type A score was higher than the normative mean (57th percentile). Compared with Type Bs, the Type A women had been in their current jobs for a shorter time, worked longer hours, and were less satisfied with their jobs. None of the health habit behaviors was related to Type A score. Small but substantial proportions of the sample complained that they often or always experienced a variety of physical and psychological symptoms. The former were not related to Type A score, but Type A women did tend to report more nervousness in all situations and more dysphoria of all kinds at work. Correlations between job dissatisfaction and rated job stress with symptoms were calculated separately for Type As and Type Bs. Substantial correlations were found for the Type As but not the Type Bs. Dissatisfa...
An adaptive cryptographic engine for internet protocol security architectures

Architectures that implement the Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) standard have to meet the enormous computing demands of cryptographic algorithms. In addition, IPSec architectures have to be flexible enough to adapt to diverse security parameters. This article proposes an FPGA-based Adaptive Cryptographic Engine (ACE) for IPSec architectures. By taking advantage of FPGA technology, ACE can adapt to diverse security parameters on the fly while providing superior performance compared with software-based solutions. In this paper, we focus on performance issues. A diverse set of private-key cryptographic algorithms is utilized to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed cryptographic engine. The time performance metrics are throughput and key-setup latency. The latency metric is the most important measure for IPSec where a small amount of data is processed per key and key context switching occurs repeatedly. We are not aware of any published results that include extensive key-setup latency results.
Upper bounds on the helmholtz free energy

Abstract Expressions are derived that bound from above the Helmholtz free energy of a classical system.
Large-scale molecular dynamics simulations of fracture and deformation

We have discussed the prospects of applying massively parallel molecular dynamics simulation to investigate brittle versus ductile fracture behaviors and dislocation intersection. This idea is illustrated by simulating dislocation emission from a three-dimensional crack. Unprecedentedly, the dislocation loops emitted from the crack fronts have been observed. It is found that dislocation-emission modes, jogging or blunting, are very sensitive to boundary conditions and interatomic potentials. These 3D phenomena can be effectively visualized and analyzed by a new technique, namely, plotting only those atoms within the certain ranges of local potential energies.
A Comparison of Radiation Profiles of Acheta domesticus and Tenebrio molitor

Radiation-induced mortality was investigated for developmental stages of house crickets, Acheta domesticus (L.), and yellow mealworms, Tenebrio molitor L. Insects were exposed to gamma rays from a 60Co source at rates of 3 or 30 kiloroentgens (kr) per minute and given total exposures of 1–512 kr in 100% increments. Postirradiation temperature was 28°C. Effects were expressed as differences in mean and median life expectancy. In general there was a decline in radiosensitivity with age, although there were exceptions. Acheta was unusually radiosensitive, with life expectancy of all stages severely shortened by exposure to 4 kr. Tenebrio pupae and adults exhibited a survival plateau, with similar life expectancies following exposures from 8 to 32 or 64 kr. Some increase in life expectancy appeared following low exposure doses of radiation.
Plaque Brachytherapy for Uveal Melanoma: A Vision Prognostication Model

Purpose: To generate a vision prognostication model after plaque brachytherapy for uveal melanoma. Methods and Materials: All patients with primary single ciliary body or choroidal melanoma treated with iodine-125 or ruthenium-106 plaque brachytherapy between January 1, 2005, and June 30, 2010, were included. The primary endpoint was loss of visual acuity. Only patients with initial visual acuity better than or equal to 20/50 were used to evaluate visual acuity worse than 20/50 at the end of the study, and only patients with initial visual acuity better than or equal to 20/200 were used to evaluate visual acuity worse than 20/200 at the end of the study. Factors analyzed were sex, age, cataracts, diabetes, tumor size (basal dimension and apical height), tumor location, and radiation dose to the tumor apex, fovea, and optic disc. Univariate and multivariable Cox proportional hazards were used to determine the influence of baseline patient factors on vision loss. Kaplan-Meier curves (log rank analysis) were used to estimate freedom from vision loss. Results: Of 189 patients, 92% (174) were alive as of February 1, 2011. At presentation, visual acuity was better than or equal to 20/50 and better than or equal to 20/200 in 108 and 173more » patients, respectively. Of these patients, 44.4% (48) had post-treatment visual acuity of worse than 20/50 and 25.4% (44) had post-treatment visual acuity worse than 20/200. By multivariable analysis, increased age (hazard ratio [HR] of 1.01 [1.00-1.03], P=.05), increase in tumor height (HR of 1.35 [1.22-1.48], P<.001), and a greater total dose to the fovea (HR of 1.01 [1.00-1.01], P<.001) were predictive of vision loss. This information was used to develop a nomogram predictive of vision loss. Conclusions: By providing a means to predict vision loss at 3 years after treatment, our vision prognostication model can be an important tool for patient selection and treatment counseling.« less
A simple method of lung perfusion fixation

A simple perfusion apparatus modified from procedures used and published in renal studies is presented and discussed. The buffer and fixative solutions to be perfused are placed in closed reservoirs under 20 mm of Hg pressure which is provided by a constant inflow of air from an air inflow valve present in any routine laboratory. The pressure is monitored by a sphygmomanometer gauge and adjusted with an air control valve. The perfusate solutions are kept at 37 degrees C. The oncotic-osmotic characteristics of routine buffer and fixative perfusates are presented and discussed. The perfusion technique utilized in a cat model is detailed. The technique does not require sophisticated equipment and yet perfusion conditions can be carefully monitored and controlled.
HST Peer Review, Where We've Been, Where We Are Now and Possibly Where the Future Lies

In some eyes, the Phase I proposal selection process is the most important activity handled by the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI). Proposing for HST and other missions consists of requesting observing time and/or archival research funding. This step is called Phase I, where the scientific merit of a proposal is considered by a community based peer-review process. Accepted proposals then proceed thru Phase II, where the observations are specified in sufficient detail to enable scheduling on the telescope. Each cycle the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Telescope Allocation Committee (TAC) reviews proposals and awards observing time that is valued at $0.5B, when the total expenditures for HST over its lifetime are figured on an annual basis. This is in fact a very important endeavor that we continue to fine-tune and tweak. This process is open to the science community and we constantly receive comments and praise for this process. Several cycles ago we instituted several significant changes to the process to address concerns such as: Fewer, broader panels, with redundancy to avoid conflicts of interest; Redefinition of the TAC role, to focus on Larger programs; and incentives for the panels to award time to medium sized proposals. In the last cycle, we offered new initiatives to try to enhance the scientific output of the telescope. Some of these initiatives were: Hubble Treasury Program; AR Legacy Program; and the AR Theory Program. This paper will outline the current HST Peer review process. We will discuss why we made changes and how we made changes from our original system. We will also discuss some ideas as to where we may go in the future to generate a stronger science program for HST and to reduce the burden on the science community. This paper is an update of the status of the HST Peer Review Process that was described in the published paper "Evolution of the HST Proposal Selection Process".
Factors associated with influenza vaccine receipt in community dwelling adults and their children.

Background Factors associated with influenza vaccine receipt are well studied in healthcare personnel, pregnant women, and the elderly. There has been substantially less research in community dwelling adults and children, and none among entire households. Many studies determine vaccination status by self-report or behavioral intention, outcomes susceptible to misclassification. Given that vaccine is recommended for everyone over six months, re-evaluating these factors is warranted.
Notes on Goodman's nominalism

the latter as it might apply to this particular puzzle. But in the course of doing so I have in fact more than once employed reformulations. Where does this leave the question about making the difference clear? The answer I would suggest is that the reformulations are just part of the project of talking about the propositions. In making one point it may be useful to say 'You will perhaps see what I mean if you rewrite the proposition this way,' while in making another point it may help to suggest a different formulation. But none of these rewritings represents a step toward an unambiguous formulation. They do not at all meet the Mooreian standard of non-ambiguity, but are just different things that it may or may not be useful to say to help a person to see the difference between this proposition and that.
The microfauna of algal mats and artificial substrates in Southern Victoria Land lakes of Antarctica

The first microfaunal colonization study of continental lakes in Antarctica is reported. In addition to the general taxonomic composition of six Antarctic lakes, detailed community composition analyses of two adjacent lakes, Lake Fryxell and Lake Hoare, using polyurethane foam artificial substrates suspended in the open water and placed directly over benthic algal mats are also presented. Protozoans, rotifers, tardigrades and nematodes constituted the microfaunal community in all lakes. Higher metazoans do not occur in lakes that we studied. Protozoans were the most diverse of the four groups, and the first dinoflagellates reported from southern Victoria Land, Gymnodinium and Glenodinium, were collected from Lake Fryxell. The greatest number of protozoan taxa (55) were associated with the algal mats in the more productive Lake Fryxell. Both the physical and chemical properties and taxonomic diversity showed marked variability between all lakes that were studied, especially the adjacent lakes, Fryxell and Hoare. Ecological variables which regulate taxonomic diversity in other lakes of the world also appear to exert similar influences in remote Antarctic lakes.
Magnetic resonance spectroscopic investigations of the electronic ground and excited states in strongly nonplanar iron(III) dodecasubstituted porphyrins.

, octaethyltetraphenylporphyrin, (OETPP)FeIII , its perfluorinated phenyl analogue, (F20OETPP)Fe III , and tetra-(‚,‚′-tetramethylene)tetraphenylporphyrin, (TC 6TPP)Fe III , have been prepared and characterized by 1 H NMR spectroscopy: chloride, perchlorate, bis-4-(dimethylamino)pyridine, bis-1-methylimidazole, and bis-cyanide. Complete spectral assignments have been made using 1D and 2D techniques. The temperature dependences of the proton resonances of the complexes show significant deviations from simple Curie behavior and evidence of ligand exchange, ligand rotation, and porphyrin ring inversion at ambient temperatures. At temperatures below the point where dynamics effects contribute, the temperature dependences of the proton chemical shifts of the complexes could be fit to an expanded version of the Curie law using a temperature-dependent fitting program developed in our laboratory that includes consideration of a thermally accessible excited state. The results show that, although the ground state differs for various axial ligand complexes and is usually fully consistent with that observed by EPR spectroscopy at 4.2 K, the excited state often has
Tendon repair using flexor tendon splints: An experimental study

Mechanical strength of tendon repair using Dacron tendon splints across the laceration site were evaluated in human cadaver profundus tendons; the splints were placed both on the dorsal surface and internally within the tendon substance. Comparison was made to modified Kessler, Becker, and Savage repair techniques. Ultimate tensile strength was 2.55 kgf for the Kessler, 3.00 kgf for the Becker, 8.29 kgf for the Savage, 8.46 kgf for the internal tendon splint, and 8.10 kgf for the dorsal tendon splint; the Savage and both Tendon Splints techniques had significant higher tensile strength than the Kessler and Becker. Gap strength was 1.44 kgf for the Kessler, 2.22 kgf for the Becker, 2.45 kgf for the Savage, 2.05 kgf for internal tendon splint, and 3.15 kgf for the dorsal tendon splint. The dorsal tendon splint technique showed significant greater gap strength than the other four techniques. There was no significant difference in the magnitude of the gap during cyclic testing of these techniques; however, three of seven Kessler repairs failed and one of six Becker repairs failed. The results of these cadaver studies suggest that both tendon splint repair techniques are comparable to the Savage and may have sufficient strength to allow postoperative active motion against minimal resistance. Further in vivo testing is in order.
Nonohmic behavior of semiconductors in a quantizing magnetic field

Abstract We have investigated the nonohmic resistivity of a nondegenerate semiconductor in quantizing magnetic fields for the case where acoustic phonons are the dominant scattering mechanism. The type of I-V characteristics found depends upon which of three mechanism are dominant. The three mechanisms are due to collisional broadening, inelasticities due to the finite phonon energy and phonon drag. When collistion broadening is important, the nonlinearities in the current voltage characteristic arise only from electron heating, while when the inelasticities are dominant, there is also an intrinsic nonlinearity in the characteristic. Finally, when phonon drag is dominant, high frequency acoustoelectric amplification will occur when the Hall velocity exceeds the sound velocity, i.e. VH > S. For the case where inelasticities dominate, a region of negative differential resistance is obtained that should persist even when there is considerable optical phonon scattering.
Complete Fault Analysis for Long Transmission Line Using Synchronized Sampling

Abstract A complete fault analysis scheme for long transmission line represented with distributed parameters is proposed in this paper. The synchronized samples from both ends of the transmission line are the data sources for this scheme. The paper derives a specific feature which equals to zero for normal situation and external faults, and is close to fault current during the internal faults. This feature is used for fault detection and classification. Fault location is then implemented by selecting different methods according to the classified fault type. The results from a comprehensive evaluation study demonstrate an excellent performance of entire fault analysis.
Systematic error in the precision measurement of the mean wavelength of a nearly monochromatic neutron beam due to geometric errors

Many experiments at neutron scattering facilities require nearly monochromatic neutron beams. In such experiments, one must accurately measure the mean wavelength of the beam. We seek to reduce the systematic uncertainty of this measurement to approximately 0.1%. This work is motivated mainly by an effort to improve the measurement of the neutron lifetime determined from data collected in a 2003 in-beam experiment performed at NIST. More specifically, we seek to reduce systematic uncertainty by calibrating the neutron detector used in this lifetime experiment. This calibration requires simultaneous measurement of the responses of both the neutron detector used in the lifetime experiment and an absolute black neutron detector to a highly collimated nearly monochromatic beam of cold neutrons, as well as a separate measurement of the mean wavelength of the neutron beam. The calibration uncertainty will depend on the uncertainty of the measured efficiency of the black neutron detector and the uncertainty of the measured mean wavelength. The mean wavelength of the beam is measured by Bragg diffracting the beam from a nearly perfect silicon analyzer crystal. Given the rocking curve data and knowledge of the directions of the rocking axis and the normal to the scattering planes in the silicon crystal, one determines the mean wavelength of the beam. In practice, the direction of the rocking axis and the normal to the silicon scattering planes are not known exactly. Based on Monte Carlo simulation studies, we quantify systematic uncertainties in the mean wavelength measurement due to these geometric errors. Both theoretical and empirical results are presented and compared.
High-speed architectures for Reed-Solomon decoders

New high-speed VLSI architectures for decoding Reed-Solomon codes with the Berlekamp-Massey algorithm are presented in this paper. The speed bottleneck in the Berlekamp-Massey algorithm is in the iterative computation of discrepancies followed by the updating of the error-locator polynomial. This bottleneck is eliminated via a series of algorithmic transformations that result in a fully systolic architecture in which a single array of processors computes both the error-locator and the error-evaluator polynomials. In contrast to conventional Berlekamp-Massey architectures in which the critical path passes through two multipliers and 1+[log/sub 2/,(t+1)] adders, the critical path in the proposed architecture passes through only one multiplier and one adder, which is comparable to the critical path in architectures based on the extended Euclidean algorithm. More interestingly, the proposed architecture requires approximately 25% fewer multipliers and a simpler control structure than the architectures based on the popular extended Euclidean algorithm. For block-interleaved Reed-Solomon codes, embedding the interleaver memory into the decoder results in a further reduction of the critical path delay to just one XOR gate and one multiplexer, leading to speed-ups of as much as an order of magnitude over conventional architectures.
Effect of substance P/bombesin antagonists on the release of growth hormone by GHRP and GHRH.

The substance P(SP)/bombesin (Bn) antagonists [DArg1DTrp7,9Leu11]SP(P-7482), [DArg1-DPro2DTrp7,9Leu11]SP (P-7483), [DArg1DPhe5DTrp7,9Leu11]SP(P-7492), and the growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) antagonist [DArg2Ala8,9,15]GHRH(1–29)(DC21-366) were tested for their in vitro effects on the release of growth hormone (GH) in the presence of GHRH and growth hormone releasing peptide, HisDTrpAlaTrpDPheLysNH2(GHRP). P-7492, P-7483, and P-7482 decreased, dose-dependently, the release of GH by GHRP (IC50=0.2μM, 0.85μM, and 6 μM, respectively). These antagonists had only a 10–15% inhibitory effect on the stimulated GH release of GHRH even at high dosage. DC21-366 decreased the stimulated release of GH by GHRH (IC50=0.16 μM) but not by GHRP. Neither SP nor Bn had GH releasing or inhibitory effects in this system.
Reliable Decentralized Servomechanism Problem for Large-Scale Systems

In this paper, the reliable control problem for decentralized systems is considered. It concerns the ability of closed-loop system to maintain stability and disturbance rejection properties during arbitrary sensor, controller, and actuator failure without being retuned. The notion of block decentralized robust servomechanism problem with complete reliability is first introduced to address systems with a block diagonal feedback structure. This is followed by establishing two conditions for reliability: (i) systems satisfying certain steady-state interaction characteristics or (ii) systems possessing minimum phase "block" transmission zeros. Accordingly, two types of decentralized controllers are applied to achieve reliable control for these two categories of systems. Simulation examples are also included to illustrate the properties of the reliable control system.
Autism as a disorder of prediction

A rich collection of empirical findings accumulated over the past three decades attests to the diversity of traits that constitute the autism phenotypes. It is unclear whether subsets of these traits share any underlying causality. This lack of a cohesive conceptualization of the disorder has complicated the search for broadly effective therapies, diagnostic markers, and neural/genetic correlates. In this paper, we describe how theoretical considerations and a review of empirical data lead to the hypothesis that some salient aspects of the autism phenotype may be manifestations of an underlying impairment in predictive abilities. With compromised prediction skills, an individual with autism inhabits a seemingly “magical” world wherein events occur unexpectedly and without cause. Immersion in such a capricious environment can prove overwhelming and compromise one’s ability to effectively interact with it. If validated, this hypothesis has the potential of providing unifying insights into multiple aspects of autism, with attendant benefits for improving diagnosis and therapy.
Student coping mechanisms in sexist and nonsexist professors’ classes

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effects of liking/disliking for a class, professor gender, and students’ perceptions of professor sexism on students’ self‐reported coping mechanisms. Coping behavior was found to distinguish liked from disliked classes for male but not female professors: students in a disliked male professor's class reported daydreaming, not doing what the teacher asks, and hiding their feelings, as their primary coping mechanisms. Also, coping behavior varied with perceived professor sexism for male but not female professors: liked classes with perceived sexist male professors evoked passive coping strategies, and disliked classes with perceived sexist male professors evoked an active coping strategy.
Cerenkov Lasers In The Compton Regime

Expressions for operating wavelength, gain, and schematic designs for Compton regime Cerenkov lasers are presented. Conditions required for operation at infrared and visible wavelengths are established and proof of principle experiments are discussed.© (1984) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Determination of γ from charmless B → M 1 M 2 decays using U-spin

In our previous paper we applied U-spin symmetry to charmless hadronic ${B}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{M}^{0}{M}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}$ decays for the purpose of precise extraction of the unitarity angle $\ensuremath{\gamma}$. In this paper we extend our approach to neutral ${B}^{0}$ and ${B}_{s}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{M}_{1}{M}_{2}$ decays. A very important feature of this method is that no assumptions regarding relative sizes of topological decay amplitudes need to be made. As a result, this method avoids an uncontrollable theoretical uncertainty that is often related to the neglect of some topological diagrams (e.g., exchange and annihilation graphs) in quark-diagrammatic approaches. In charged ${B}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}$ decays, each of the four data sets, ${P}^{0}{P}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}$, ${P}^{0}{V}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}$, ${V}^{0}{P}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}$ and ${V}^{0}{V}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}$, with $P\ensuremath{\equiv}\mathrm{\text{pseudoscalar}}$ and $V\ensuremath{\equiv}\mathrm{\text{vector}}$, can be used to obtain a value of $\ensuremath{\gamma}$. Among neutral decays, only experimental data in the ${B}^{0}$, ${B}_{s}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{P}^{\ensuremath{-}}{P}^{+}$ subsector is sufficient for a U-spin fit. Application of the U-spin approach to the current charged and neutral $B$ decay data yields: $\ensuremath{\gamma}=({80}_{\ensuremath{-}8}^{+6})\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}$. In this method, which is completely data driven, in a few years we should be able to obtain a model-independent determination of $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ with an accuracy of O(few degrees).
An improved method for the calibration of continuously recorded dye dilution curves.

A simplified method is described for the calibration of continuously recorded dye dilution curves. The accuracy of this method is demonstrated in vitro and in vivo.
Increased number of circulating exosomes and their microRNA cargos are potential novel biomarkers in alcoholic hepatitis

It has been well documented that alcohol and its metabolites induce injury and inflammation in the liver. However, there is no potential biomarker to monitor the extent of liver injury in alcoholic hepatitis patients. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of non-coding RNAs that are involved in various physiologic and pathologic processes. In the circulation, a great proportion of miRNAs is associated with extracellular vesicles (EVs)/exosomes. Here, we hypothesized that the exosome-associated miRNAs can be used as potential biomarkers in alcoholic hepatitis (AH). Exosomes were isolated from sera of alcohol-fed mice or pair-fed mice, and plasma of alcoholic hepatitis patients or healthy controls by ExoQuick. The exosomes were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and Western blot and enumerated with a Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis system. Firefly™ microRNA Assay was performed on miRNA extracted from mice sera. TaqMan microRNA assay was used to identify differentially expressed miRNAs in plasma of cohort of patients with AH versus controls followed by construction of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the candidates. The total number of circulating EVs was significantly increased in mice after alcohol feeding. Those EVs mainly consisted of exosomes, the smaller size vesicle subpopulation of EVs. By performing microarray screening on exosomes, we found nine inflammatory miRNAs which were deregulated in sera of chronic alcohol-fed mice compared to controls including upregulated miRNAs: miRNA-192, miRNA-122, miRNA-30a, miRNA-744, miRNA-1246, miRNA 30b and miRNA-130a. The ROC analyses indicated excellent diagnostic value of miRNA-192, miRNA-122, and miRNA-30a to identify alcohol-induced liver injury. We further validated findings from our animal model in human samples. Consistent with the animal model, total number of EVs, mostly exosomes, was significantly increased in human subjects with AH. Both miRNA-192 and miRNA-30a were significantly increased in the circulation of subjects with AH. miRNA-192 showed promising value for the diagnosis of AH. Elevated level of EVs/exosomes and exosome-associated miRNA signature could serve as potential diagnostic markers for AH. In addition to the biomarker diagnostic capabilities, these findings may facilitate development of novel strategies for diagnostics, monitoring, and therapeutics of AH.
Grammatical Morpheme Development in Three Language Disordered Children

The order and rate of acquisition of Brown's (1973) 14 prammatical morphemes were investigated in three children with language disorders periodie spontaneous language samples were analyzed for correct and incorrect use of the morphemes in obligatory contexts Results indicated that the groups order of acquisition was similar to that reported by Brown (1973) and de Villiers and de Villiers (1973) for normal children but that there were individual variations in the children's acquisition orders. Also, the language disordered children demonstrated a much slower rate of acquisition than that reported for normally developing children.
Upper extremity access for fenestrated endovascular aortic aneurysm repair is not associated with increased morbidity

Objective Fenestrated endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (FEVAR) is an alternative to open repair in patients with complex abdominal aortic aneurysms who are neither fit nor suitable for standard open or endovascular repair. Chimney and snorkel grafts are other endovascular alternatives but frequently require bilateral upper extremity access that has been associated with a 3% to 10% risk of stroke. However, upper extremity access is also frequently required for FEVAR because of the caudal orientation of the visceral vessels. The purpose of this study was to assess the use of upper extremity access for FEVAR and the associated morbidity. Methods During a 5-year period, 148 patients underwent FEVAR, and upper extremity access for FEVAR was used in 98 (66%). Outcomes were compared between those who underwent upper extremity access and those who underwent femoral access alone. The primary end point was a cerebrovascular accident or transient ischemic attack, and the secondary end point was local access site complications. The mean number of fenestrated vessels was 3.07 ± 0.81 (median, 3) for a total of 457 vessels stented. Percutaneous upper extremity access was used in 12 patients (12%) and open access in 86 (88%). All patients who required a sheath size >7F underwent high brachial open access, with the exception of one patient who underwent percutaneous axillary access with a 12F sheath. The mean sheath size was 10.59F ± 2.51F (median, 12F), which was advanced into the descending thoracic aorta, allowing multiple wire and catheter exchanges. Results One hemorrhagic stroke (one of 98 [1%]) occurred in the upper extremity access group, and one ischemic stroke (one of 54 [2%]) occurred in the femoral-only access group ( P = .67). The stroke in the upper extremity access group occurred 5 days after FEVAR and was related to uncontrolled hypertension, whereas the stroke in the femoral group occurred on postoperative day 3. Neither patient had signs or symptoms of a stroke immediately after FEVAR. The right upper extremity was accessed six times without a stroke (0%) compared with the left being accessed 92 times with one stroke (1%; P = .8). Four patients (4%) had local complications related to upper extremity access. One (1%) required exploration for an expanding hematoma after manual compression for a 7F sheath, one (1%) required exploration for hematoma and neurologic symptoms after open access for a 12F sheath, and two patients (2%) with small hematomas did not require intervention. Two (two of 12 [17%]) of these complications were in the percutaneous access group, which were significantly more frequent than in the open group (two of 86 [2%]; P = .02). Conclusions Upper extremity access appears to be a safe and feasible approach for patients undergoing FEVAR. Open exposure in the upper extremity may be safer than percutaneous access during FEVAR. Unlike chimney and snorkel grafts, upper extremity access during FEVAR is not associated with an increased risk of stroke, despite the need for multiple visceral vessel stenting.
Abortion in the United States: incidence and access to services, 2005.

Accurate information about abortion incidence and services is necessary to monitor levels of unwanted pregnancy and womens ability to access abortion services. All known abortion providers in the United States were contacted for information about abortion services in 2004 and 2005. This information along with data from the U.S. Census Bureau was used to examine national and state trends in numbers of abortions and abortion rates proportions of counties and metropolitan areas without an abortion provider and accessibility of abortion services. An estimated 1.2 million abortions were performed in the United States in 2005 8% fewer than in 2000. The abortion rate in 2005 was 19.4 per 1000 women aged 15-44; this rate represents a 9% decline from 2000. There were 1787 abortion providers in 2005 only 2% fewer than in 2000. Some 87% of U.S. counties containing 35% of women aged 15-44 did not have an abortion provider in 2005. Early medication abortion offered by an estimated 57% of known providers accounted for 13% of abortions (and for 22% of abortions before nine weeks gestation). The average amount paid for an abortion at 10 weeks was $413-after adjustment for inflation $11 less than in 2001. The numbers of abortions and the abortion rate continued their long-term decline through 2005. Reasons for this trend are unknown but may include improved access to and use of contraceptives or decreased access to abortion services. (authors)
WormBase: a comprehensive resource for nematode research

WormBase (http://www.wormbase.org) is a central data repository for nematode biology. Initially created as a service to the Caenorhabditis elegans research field, WormBase has evolved into a powerful research tool in its own right. In the past 2 years, we expanded WormBase to include the complete genomic sequence, gene predictions and orthology assignments from a range of related nematodes. This comparative data enrich the C. elegans data with improved gene predictions and a better understanding of gene function. In turn, they bring the wealth of experimental knowledge of C. elegans to other systems of medical and agricultural importance. Here, we describe new species and data types now available at WormBase. In addition, we detail enhancements to our curatorial pipeline and website infrastructure to accommodate new genomes and an extensive user base.