cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Confidence Intervals for Comparing Two Life Distributions

The performance of several s-confidence interval procedures for comparing two life distributions is studied by Monte Carlo methods. Three life models are considered: exponentials, nonparametric proportional hazard functions (Lehmann alternatives), and nonparametric scale alternatives. The s-confidence procedures are based on a) for exponential distributions: The F-statistic, a likelihood ratio statistic (LR), and maximum likelihood estimator (MLE), b) for nonparametric proportional hazard functions, a LR and MLE based on Cox's conditional likelihood function, c) for nonparametric scale alternatives, the generalized Wilcoxon and the Cox-Mantel statistics. The procedures are compared with respect to coverage probabilities, robustness, and power. The simulations include several cases of censored and uncensored samples from the Weibull distribution. When samples are from exponential distributions, with or without censoring, all the procedures are valid. The three parametric procedures have higher power than the nonparametric procedures when there is no censoring and have similar power when there is censoring. When samples are from the Weibull distributions, the three parametric procedures are not robust. If the two shape parameters are equal, the procedures for scale alternative models and for proportional hazard models are valid. If the shape parameters are not equal, none of the procedures are appropriate and some more complicated method should be used.
Conductive heat loss in recent eruptions at mid‐ocean ridges

A new technique for measuring conductive heat flow from unsedimented volcanic rocks on the sea floor has been tested on two new eruption sites in the NE Pacific. This technique consists of isolating the surficial rocks from sea water using water-saturated urethane foam as an insulating thermal blanket. The thermal gradient transferred from the outcrop to the thermal blanket is a quantitative measurement of the conductive heat flow that takes place in unsedimented volcanic areas. We deployed two thermal blankets at 13 sites on the 1993 and 1996 Juan de Fuca/Gorda Ridge flows and found (1) a factor of 10 decrease in heat flow over a period of 12 months on the 1993 CoAxial flow, (2) a value of 6950 mW/m 2 on the 8 month old Gorda flow, and (3) measurements of heat flow versus age-since-eruption indicate that newly extruded volcanic units are quite permeable to fluid circulation and cool rapidly by convection in only a few years. These new heat flux data confirm that the extrusive volcanic layer is not the primary heat source for long-lived, high temperature hydrothermal systems, which must instead rely on a more isolated thermal reservoir within the lower crustal rocks.
Deliberating on Statewide Energy Targets

This article reflects on a process of analytic deliberation about the future energy economy of New Jersey. Scenario analysis looking forward thirty years identifies tradeoffs and synergies among en...
Clinician compliance with laboratory regulations requiring submission of relevant clinical data: A one year retrospective analysis.

Summary Background The College of American Pathologists (CAP) recognizes the need for clinical data in the interpretation of specimens submitted for histopathologic evaluation. Anecdotal evidence indicates that clinician compliance with requests for clinical history is variable. Design Quality assurance data from August 1, 2010 to September 31, 2011 were searched for all cases listing no clinical history. Four consecutive weeks of surgical pathology request forms were also reviewed for the presence or absence of clinical history and its accuracy. Results 21,700 cases were accessioned in the study period and 1293 (5.9%) requisitions contained no clinical history. The four-week review documented that 143 of 1698 (8.4%) requisitions had no clinical history and 12 cases contained incorrect history (0.7%). Conclusions Between 5.9% and 8.4% of requisitions contain no clinical history. In 0.2% of cases, clinical history was incorrect. Compliance with the CAP policy for clinical history appears poor.
Factors influencing participation in worksite wellness programs among minority and underserved populations

In the United States, employers and employees are increasingly paying a larger portion of the nation's healthcare bill. Preventive measures are being employed by businesses in an effort to contain the escalating costs of employee healthcare. The work site is an ideal setting for health promotion because 130 million Americans are employed and spend one third of their time at work. However, unhealthy workers tend to be the least likely to participate in health promotion activities. Worksite Wellness Programs must be designed to engage segments of the work force with the greatest health needs. Culturally sensitive and appropriate programs must be developed to engage economically challenged minority and other underserved populations.
Idiopathic hyperchloremic renal acidosis.

Summary Two cases of idiopathic hyperchloremic renal acidosis are presented. One was diagnosed when the patient was 8 weeks of age by chemical investigation of persistent acidosis. Appropriate treatment, consisting of the addition of sodium citrate to his dietary intake for 20 months, resulted in apparently complete recovery. The other case was diagnosed when the child was 51/2 years of age, when renal calcifications were radiographically visualized. Continued alkali therapy corrected the acidosis and had a favorable effect on the physical development of this patient. The natural course of this disease is presented. The disturbance of the electrolyte metabolism is described, with emphasis on its importance in early detection of this disease and on the elimination of other illnesses which clinically may simulate this condition.
Biphasic Effect of Estradiol Benzoate on the Pituitary Responsiveness to LH-RH

Pituitary responses to LH-releasing hormone (LH-RH) was studied in normal diestrous rats 2, 4, 6, 9, 14, 24, and 48 hr after injection of estradiol benzoate (EB). A dose of 0.4 µg LH-RH always raised serum LH in the oil-treated rats. The magnitude of the increase varied according to the stage of the estrous cycle, being greatest in proestrus, and smallest between the evening of the day of diestrus I and the morning of the day of diestrus II. Two to 6 hr after pretreatment with EB, injection of this dose of LH-RH failed to induce a significant rise of serum LH. At 9 hr, the same dose of LH-RH did increase serum LH, the magnitude of the response being the same as that found in the oil-treated control rats. By 14–24 hr, EB had augmented the pituitary response to LH-RH. At 48 hr, the magnitude of the rise of serum LH after LH-RH in EB-treated rats was like that found at 24 hr, but this high responsiveness to LH-RH apparently can not be attributed to the EB since a similar responsiveness was seen in the respec...
Bile salts modify plasma membrane lipid rafts to activate MAPK signaling in non-dysplastic Barrett’s cell line

Abstract Background. Bile reflux is thought to stimulate mitogenic pathways in the progression of Barrett’s esophagus (BE) to adenocarcinoma, in part through the activation of the MAP kinases. However, the mechanisms of bile salt induced MAPK activation are unknown. Lipid rafts, sphingolipid, and cholesterol-rich areas of the cell membrane are thought to cluster multiple critical enzymes to facilitate activation of signaling pathways. We hypothesize that bile salts, which bind cholesterol in normal digestive physiology, modify the cholesterol in membrane lipid rafts of Barrett’s epithelium to activate the MAP kinase pathway. Methods. A telomerase-immortalized, nondysplastic Barrett’s cell line (BAR hTERT) was exposed to the conjugated bile salt, glycochenodeoxycholic acid (GCDA), at a neutral pH. A discontinuous sucrose gradient of 5–30% was used to separate more buoyant, insoluble lipid rafts from other cell membrane and cytosolic components of cells. Additionally, we disrupted lipid rafts with filipin (1 κg/ml), which sequesters membrane cholesterol, or methyl-β-cyclodextrin (1 mg/ml MβCD), which leaches cholesterol from the plasma membrane. Cell lysates were analyzed by Western blotting for phosphorylated and total ERK and p38. Results. 200 κM GCDA exposure increased ERK and p38 activation by 2- to 3-fold within 5 min. Following bile exposure, active ERK and p38 translocated to lipid raft fractions. Upon sequestering cholesterol with a filipin pretreatment, ERK activation was inhibited, while depleting cholesterol with MβCD blocked p38 activation. Conclusions. Bile salt exposure causes both ERK and p38 to associate with membrane lipid rafts in a BE cell line. Lipid raft disruption inhibits bile salt induced MAPK activation. We speculate that bile salt exposure alters plasma membrane lipid raft structure and that this physical change may induce recruitment and activation of the ERK and p38 MAP kinases. Our results suggest that bile salts may activate proliferative pathways within specific membrane microdomains in the progression of Barrett’s esophagus to esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Television viewing as a dominant activity of childhood: A developmental theory of television effects

This essay provides a theoretical framework for thinking about the role of television for American children from a developmental perspective. It is proposed that television viewing be seen as any other activity of childhood: a constant series of interactions with social, cultural, and personal information that lead to the child becoming a functioning member of society. The “interactions” with television are examined as a dominant activity of American childhood and adolescence. A dominant activity, long a theme in Soviet cognitive psychology, is composed of a set of tasks common to most children in a particular culture. By viewing the television setting in this way, we can better understand its effects and suggest a more theoretically‐coherent research agenda.
Cell Shape in Proliferating Epithelia: A Multifaceted Problem

A specific and unexpected distribution pattern of polygonal cell shapes in proliferating epithelia is revealed in a recent study that combines mathematical modeling with experimental data (Gibson et al., 2006). This pattern is conserved in epithelia from diverse species, suggesting that this distribution is a fundamental property of proliferating epithelial sheets.
Dehydroepiandrosterone feeding and protein phosphorylation, phosphatases, and lipogenic enzymes in mouse liver.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) treatment is effective in preventing or delay- ing the onset of various genetic and induced disorders of mice and rats. Associated with the beneficial therapeutic effects exerted by action of this steroid is the develop- ment of hepatomegaly. To determine whether the changes associated with hepatomeg- aly also involve alterations in activities of tissue enzymes, we evaluated the effects of DHEA (0.45% in food, w/w) on hepatic protein kinases, phosphatases, and lipogenic enzymes in mice of various strains. The rates of fatty acid and cholesterol syntheses also were evaluated. DHEA administration resulted in profound changes in the sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis patterns of endogenous radiophos- phorylated proteins obtained by incubation of liver homogenates with (y-32P)ATP. These changes were dependent upon the medium used for homogenization. Thus, when homogenates of liver tissue of DHEA-treated mice were prepared in Tris buffer contain- ing sucrose (0.25 M) there was a marked decrease in phosphorylation of the proteins of relative molecular weight -1 16,000 (M, -1 16,000), -82,000, -80,000, -58,000, -56,000, -48,000, -34,000, -32,000, and -31,000 compared with controls. With liver homogenates of DHEA-treated mice prepared in Tris buffer alone, there was a marked increase in phosphorylation of the proteins of M, -70,000, -49,000, -34,000, -31,000, and 28,000 compared with controls. Moreover, the specific activity of kinases for endogenous protein acceptors in liver of control mice was higher than that in liver of DHEA-treated animals. The specific activities of casein kinase, CAMP-dependent protein kinase, and cGMP-dependent protein kinase remained unchanged with DHEA treatment, but the specific activity of histone kinase was increased approximately 30%. Long-term administration of DHEA also was associated with increases in the specific activities of liver AMPase and GTPase (approximately two times), but not of other nucleotidases, alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, glucose-6-phosphatase, or phosphotyrosine phosphatase. The activity of hepatic NADP-linked malic enzyme was increased signifi- cantly (two to three times) by DHEA treatment of female mice of three different strains, but was unchanged in male C57BL/6 mice. The specific activities of hepatic glucose-6- phosphate dehydrogenase, NADP-linked isocitrate dehydrogenase, and ATP-citrate lyase were not affected significantly by DHEA treatment of mice. The rate of hepatic lipogenesis, determined by incorporation of tritium from 3H20 into fatty acids, was decreased approximately 70% in DHEA-treated mice, while the rate of cholesterol synthesis was increased approximately 44% compared with controls. (P.S.E.B.M. 1990, Vol 1931
Biomarkers in frontotemporal lobar degeneration.

Purpose of review Recent findings assessing the utility of neuroimaging and biofluid biomarkers are reviewed that help identify patients with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) spectrum abnormality. Recent findings Neuroimaging studies using T1 structural MRI and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) distinguish between patients with FTLD and Alzheimer's disease, although the reliability of these group-level findings in individual patients has been assessed only rarely. However, innovative analyses such as support vector machine approaches are able to integrate T1 and DTI imaging results and to identify specific MRI profiles that distinguish between individual patients with FTLD and Alzheimer's disease. Novel radioligand positron emission tomography assessments also can recognize Alzheimer's disease patients with a clinical phenotype resembling that seen in FTLD. Biofluid studies identify about 15% of patients with FTLD due to a genetic mutation that is associated with the specific histopathologic features of TDP-43 or a tauopathy. Other genetically-based risk factors and targeted proteomic searches of plasma and cerebrospinal fluid have suggested additional markers in sporadic cases of FTLD that will lead to the identification of patients with TDP-43 or tau histopathology. Summary Great progress has been made in developing biomarkers for FTLD, but additional work is needed to extend these advances so that the histopathologic abnormality causing FTLD can be specified in an individual patient.
A chick embryo-derived complement-fixing antigen for western equine encephalomyelitis.

SummaryA complement-fixing antigen of the WEE virus is described. The antigen is prepared from the fluids and membranes of the infected chick embryo and has a high degree of sensitivity. Since complement-fixing antibody in human WEE virus infections is slower in appearing than the neutralizing antibody, diagnosis can usually be made by the complement fixation method whereas diagnos-tically significant rises in antibody frequently are not demonstrable by the neutralization test.
Reproductive capability is associated with lifespan and cause of death in companion dogs

Reproduction is a risky affair; a lifespan cost of maintaining reproductive capability, and of reproduction itself, has been demonstrated in a wide range of animal species. However, little is understood about the mechanisms underlying this relationship. Most cost-of-reproduction studies simply ask how reproduction influences age at death, but are blind to the subjects' actual causes of death. Lifespan is a composite variable of myriad causes of death and it has not been clear whether the consequences of reproduction or of reproductive capability influence all causes of death equally. To address this gap in understanding, we compared causes of death among over 40,000 sterilized and reproductively intact domestic dogs, Canis lupus familiaris. We found that sterilization was strongly associated with an increase in lifespan, and while it decreased risk of death from some causes, such as infectious disease, it actually increased risk of death from others, such as cancer. These findings suggest that to understand how reproduction affects lifespan, a shift in research focus is needed. Beyond the impact of reproduction on when individuals die, we must investigate its impact on why individuals die, and subsequently must identify the mechanisms by which these causes of death are influenced by the physiology associated with reproductive capability. Such an approach may also clarify the effects of reproduction on lifespan in people.
Reperfusion injury of postischemic skeletal muscle is attenuated by the 21-aminosteroids U-74389F and U-74500A independent of iron binding

Background. Lazaroids (21-aminosteroids) are a novel class of compounds that have been shown to limit experimental ischemic injury of varied causes. The mechanism of action is uncertain but may include scavenging of lipid peroxy radicals, iron binding, or direct membrane interaction. The purpose of these experiments was to evaluate the capacity of the lazaroids U-74500A and U-74389F to modify ischemia/reperfusion injury of skeletal muscle in a well-characterized model of high-grade partial ischemia. Methods. Nonfasted male Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized, a tracheostomy tube was placed, and the carotid artery and jugular vein were cannulated. Animals received heparin (1 unit/gm) and crystalloid (1 ml/hr) intravenously. The baseline group (n=6) was allowed a 30-minute equilibration period, after which resting transmembrane potential (Em) was measured in a hindlimb muscle. Muscle biopsy specimen was obtained; conjugated diene and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were measured as indexes of lipid peroxidation. Spectrophotometric determination of plasma iron and unsaturated iron-binding capacity were performed (total iron-binding capacity and percent saturation were calculated). Animals received U-74389F (2 mg/kg, n=7), U-74500A (2 mg/kg, n=6), or vehicle only (0.02 mol/L citrate acid/citrate; n=7)) intraarterially before infrarenal aortic clamping was performed for 120 minutes. An additional group of animals received U-74389F (2 mg/kg, n=7), U-74500A (2 mg/kg, n=7), or vehicle (n=11) intraarterially before infrarenal aortic clamping was performed for 120 minutes, followed by reperfusion for 30 minutes. Results. Depolarization of resting Em was noted during ischemia, with partial repolarization on reperfusion, which was enhanced by either lazaroid. As expected, iron delocalization occurred during ischemia and persisted on reperfusion, with U-74500A effectively binding iron, whereas U-74389 did not. Vehicle but not the 21-aminosteroids inhibited lipid peroxidation. Conclusions. High-grade partial ischemia of skeletal muscle is associated with iron delocalization, which persists on reperfusion. Each lazaroid achieved a similar “membranoprotective” effect during reperfusion only despite lack of iron binding by U-74389F, suggesting a direct interaction with the cell membrane. These data support the concept that ischemic injury and reperfusion injury occur through fundamentally different mechanisms.
The Verbose Mal-Communicative Mentally Retarded Resident

AbstractProblems of the over-talkative but mal-communicative mentally retarded resident of an institution were analyzed to provide techniques for handling this type of behavior. The basic goal was stated as making their communication relevant. A secondary goal was to make them socially acceptable in their environment so that they were not isolated, beaten up, punished or ignored by staff and peers. Twelve suggestions were given to aid in meeting these goals. Case history data were employed based upon 19 years of observation at the Columbus State Institute for the mentally retarded located in Columbus, Ohio.
Chimeric gene expression using maize intron in cultured cells of breadwheat.

High voltage electrical pulses were used to introduce the CAT reporter gene into cultured protoplasts of breadwheat,Triticum aestivum. Four DNA constructs harboring the CAT gene and the 35S or mannipine synthase promoter were tested for levels of CAT activity 40–45 hr after electroporation of protoplasts. One construct, containing a maize intron sequence between 35S and CAT sequences, conferred 30 to 185 fold greater CAT activity over the other three constructs. Data from these experiments suggest that a maize intron or sequences with similar effects may be required in DNA constructs for efficient heterologous gene expression in cultured cells of breadwheat.
Radiation therapy of glottic carcinoma

Abstract A total of 89 patients with glottic carcinoma were treated at Hahnemann Medical College and Hospital, and affiliate institutions from 1959 to 1971 inclusive. Patients were grouped into tumor, node, metastasis (TNM) categories and placed into appropriate stages; there were 38 (43%) Stage I, 21 (24%) Stage II, 19 (21%) Stage III, and 11 (12%) Stage IV. All patients were treated primarily by radiation therapy with surgery utilized only for recurrences. The 5 year tumor free survivals were: 89% for Stage I, 76% for Stage II, 53% for Stage III, and 9% for Stage IV. There were no significant complications from the radiation therapy course.
A New Type of bis-(Acetylacetonato)metal(II) Polymer: the Trimer of bis-(Acetylacetonato) Zinc

THE versatility of acetylacetone (acac) as a ligand is well documented1. It forms metal complexes of the following structural types: (1) normal chelate compounds2,3, (2) polynuclear bridged species4–6, (3) γ-carbon bonded complexes7,8, and (4) condensation products formed from complexes of the third category9. We report here the structure of [Zn(acac)2]3 which is an example of the second type with a new kind of stereochemistry in which zinc exhibits both five and six co-ordination.
The Argonne Structural Genomics Workshop: Lamaze class for the birth of a new science

There were several other excellent talks, but for the sake of conciseness we have referred only to a specific selection.
A checklist system for critical review of medical literature

In order to teach critical review of medical literature, an approach was devised in a family practice residency setting for teaching students and doctors to review medical literature quickly while remaining critical of what is read. This is done through the use of a simple checklist which guides the user in reading an article. Such a checklist is readily modified to suit individual needs, is self-explanatory, and lends itself to use in journal club settings as well as in private reading.
Clonidine-induced increase in serum growth hormone: Possible role of epinephrine-mediated synapses

Abstract (1) The central “alpha adrenergic” agonist and antagonist clonidine (10 μg/kg) and piperoxane (1.0 and 2.5 mg/kg) were administered to nonhuman primates ( M. arctoides ) in doses believed to increase or decrease activity at epinephrine-mediated synapses. (2) Clonidine, but not piperoxane or saline, produced a significant ( p
U.S.-Japan Strategic Reciprocity: A Neo-Internationalist View

This volume evaluates the past, present, and future course of U. S.-Japan security relations.
Modifications of Δ5-3-ketosteroid isomerase induced by ultraviolet irradiation in the presence of the solid-phase photoaffinity reagent Δ6-testosterone agarose

The nature of the products formed during the photoinactivation of Δ5-3-ketosteroid isomerase in the presence of the solid-phase photoaffinity reagent Δ6-testosterone succinyl agarose has been investigated after ultraviolet irradiation. The polypeptide products eluted from the agarose phase by sodium cholate, sodium dodecyl sulfate, and pH 10.5 triethylamine buffer have been characterized by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, pH 4–6 gel isoelectric focusing, and amino acid analysis. The amino acid compositions of the cholate eluted and SDS eluted products are found to be similar to that of native isomerase, whereas the covalently bound polypeptide eluted by pH 10.5 triethylamine possesses a distinetly different composition. Digestion of the covalently bonded isomerase polypeptide with trypsin yields an agarose-bound peptide fraction that has been characterized by its amino acid composition. This composition is different from that of the undigested covalently bound polypeptide and suggests that the site of covalent attachment lies somewhere between residues 28 and 45 of the isomerase polypeptide.
Catalytic Cyclopropane Hydrogenation on Platinum(111) Using In Situ Soft X-ray Methods†

As part of a continuing program focused on the role of hydrogen in catalytic reactions, cyclopropane hydrogenation on the Pt(111) surface has been characterized using in situ soft X-ray studies abo...
Gravity gradient modeling using gravity and DEM

A model of the gravity gradient tensor at aircraft altitude is developed from the combination of ground gravity anomaly data and a digital elevation model. The gravity data are processed according to various operational solutions to the boundary-value problem (numerical integration of Stokes’ integral, radial-basis splines, and least-squares collocation). The terrain elevation data are used to reduce free-air anomalies to the geoid and to compute a corresponding indirect effect on the gradients at altitude. We compare the various modeled gradients to airborne gradiometric data and find differences of the order of 10–20 E (SD) for all gradient tensor elements. Our analysis of these differences leads to a conclusion that their source may be primarily measurement error in these particular gradient data. We have thus demonstrated the procedures and the utility of combining ground gravity and elevation data to validate airborne gradiometer systems.
Facile quantification of lesions derived from 2'-deoxyguanosine in DNA.

OxodG and Fapy•dG are two frequently formed DNA lesions that affect replication in vitro and in cells. They are also potentially important biomarkers for determining the effects of oxidative stress and aging in cells. We report the first method that enables one to selectively detect and individually quantify Fapy•dG and OxodG in DNA. The method relies upon selective chemical trapping of oxidized forms of the lesions with a biotinylated derivative of spermine. Selectivity for OxodG over Fapy•dG is achieved by varying the oxidant. The covalently tagged lesions are quantified using a fluorescence assay that is carried out in microtiter plates. The fluorescence assay is generally applicable to quantifying DNA lesions that can be tagged with biotin.
Structure and Reactivity Studies of CoHNO+in the Gas Phase

The structure and energetics of three CoHNO{sup +} isomers [HCo(NO){sup +} (1), Co(HNO){sup +} (2), Co(NOH){sup +} (3)] were probed by using density functional theory (DFT). Theory predicts that 2 is the most stable structure with 1 and 3 14.1 and 15.4 kcal/mol less stable. The transition states for 2 {yields} 1 and 2 {yields} 3 conversions were not located. DFT calculations predict D{degree}(CoH{sup +}-NO) = 34.6 kcal/mol and D{degree}(Co{sup +}-HNO) = 45.5 kcal/mol. The gas-phase ion chemistry of CoHNO{sup +} was also studied by using Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) mass spectrometry. CID and SORI-CID of CoHNO{sup +} yield competitive formation of Co{sup +}, CoH{sup +}, and CoNO{sup +}. These results suggest that the barrier for 2 {yields} 1 conversion is less than 45.5 kcal/mol. Reactions with simple molecules were dominated by NO and HNO displacements. Potential energy surface diagrams are presented to explain these displacement reactions. Surprisingly, CoHNO{sup +} reacts with methane by dehydrogenation to yield CoCH{sub 3}NO{sup +}. Studies suggest CH{sub 3}CoNO{sup +} rather than Co(CH{sub 3}NO){sup +}as the structure for this ion.
The Brain in the 18q‐ Syndrome

The authors describe the cerebral neuropathological findings of a 25 1/2-year-old male with 18q-syndrome. An abnormal gyral pattern, atrophy of the olfactory and optic nerves and small neocerebellar hemispheres with hemispheral lobular sclerosis were noted. Microscopically there were pial glioneuronal heterotopias; misplacement of neurons in the molecular layer of the cortex, as well as in deep white matter; not readily identifiable Betz cells; gliosis of olfactory and optic tracts and elsewhere; and loss of Purkinje cells. Further detailed studies of other cases are needed to determine whether these abnormalities are characteristic of the 18q-syndrome.
Observation of gain in a free-electron laser master oscillator-power amplifier

We report the first operation of a master oscillator-power amplifier in which both devices are free-electron lasers. Gain optimization in the power amplifier was studied. A 35-A electron beam produced up to 60% gain at 3 {mu}m. The gain spectrum was obtained by gap tuning the power amplifier wiggler and evidence was found for violation of the Madey theorem due to high gain effects.
Study of the structure and properties of the Ti/GaAs interface

Reactions between Ti thin films and (100) n‐type GaAs substrates in the temperature range 250–600 °C were studied by Auger sputter profiling and correlated with electrical measurements. Annealing above 400 °C, caused significant intermixing of the Ti and GaAs, resulting in a layered structure of the type Ti/Ti:Ga/Ti:As/GaAs similar to the results of Wada et al. [Appl. Phys. Lett. 29 (1976)]. Both Ti–As and Ti–Ga compounds were identified by electron diffraction (Kim and Sinclair, unpublished). The effects of annealing on the Schottky barrier behavior were studied by a combination of I–V, C–V, and photoresponse measurements. Upon reaction of the Ti with the substrate, the barrier height saturated at a value of roughly 0.80 eV, a 100‐meV increase over the as‐deposited value. The effect interfacial impurities left by chemical cleaning procedures on the properties of the Ti/GaAs system was also investigated. Surface preparations, characterized by x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Auger electron spectroscop...
Dysphagia Symptoms and Treatment in Huntington's Disease: Review

The most common causes of death in individuals with Huntington's disease (HD) are aspiration pneumonia and choking on food. The goal of this systematic review is to describe the scope of dysphagia ...
Electromigration interconnect lifetime under AC and pulse DC stress

A vacancy relaxation model which predicts the DC lifetime, pulse DC lifetime, and AC lifetime for all waveforms and all frequencies above 10 kHz is proposed. The AC lifetimes of aluminum interconnect are experimentally found to be more than 10/sup 3/ times larger than DC lifetime at the same current density. AC stress lifetimes have the same dependences on current magnitude and temperature, for T >
Monetary policy and asset prices

Abstract The first part of this paper surveys the literature on asset prices and monetary policy. We then consider the appropriate policy response to two types of shocks that are associated with how asset prices affect the economy. The first set of shocks are the ones whose primary impact lies in the future. These shocks affect the economy and asset prices through expectations of future growth. The second set are shocks to net worth which directly impact the ability of firms to borrow and for consumers to lend.
Effects of Tumbling at Various Speeds on Some Characteristics of Restructured Cured Beef

The effects of different tumbling speeds (5, 10, 15, and 20 rpm) during 12 hr intermittent tumbling (10 min/hr) on the characteristics of a restructured cured beef product were studied. There were no differences (P>0.05) among the various treatment means for yield, Hunter color scores, voids between chunks of meat, handling-ability or Allo-Kramer shear values. Meat tumbled at 15 and 20 rpm had higher (P<0.05) Instron values than the meat tumbled at 5 or 10 ‘rpm. However, 20 rpm produced more (P<0.05) extracted protein on the meat surface than 5 rpm. In summary, 5, 10, and 15 rpm produced satisfactory products, although 15 rpm had greater binding ability.
Orbital plain films as a prerequisite for MR imaging: is a known history of injury a sufficient screening criterion?

Before undergoing MR imaging at our institution, all patients with potential occupational, recreational, or educational exposure or known accidental exposure to kinetic metal fragments have orbital radiographs to evaluate for the continued presence of intraorbital metallic foreign bodies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential safety of a protocol that would call for obtaining plain films of the orbit before MR imaging only for patients with a definite history of a known metallic foreign body in the eye or orbit.A total of 2626 patients underwent plain radiography of the orbit to exclude metallic foreign bodies before MR imaging between March 1991 and January 1995. These patients were identified by a billing code number. Reports from these studies, all interpreted by board-certified radiologists, were reviewed. When a metallic foreign body was detected, we reviewed the patient's response during the initial interview when asked about a history of orbital injury or surgery.Of 2626 patients ...
A Stochastic Digital Implementation of a Neural Network Controller for Small Wind Turbine Systems

This letter presents a reconfigurable hardware implementation of feed-forward neural networks using stochastic techniques. The design is based on the stochastic computation theory to approximate the nonlinear sigmoid activation functions with reduced digital logic resources. The large parallel neural network structure is then implemented on a reconfigurable field-programmable gate array (FPGA) device with high fault tolerance capability. The method is applied to a neural-network based wind-speed sensorless control of a small wind turbine system. The experimental results confirmed the validity of the developed stochastic FPGA implementation. The general design method can be extended to include other power electronics applications with different feed-forward neural network structures
Qualitative and quantitative analyses of petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations in a trout stream contaminated by an aviation kerosene spill

Kerosene-range hydrocarbons were monitored in a small central Pennsylvania stream watershed, over two years (1982 to 1984), after a pipeline leak of about 1,310 barrels of aviation kerosene. This study, part of a two-phased program, was designed to detect and quantify hydrocarbon concentrations in freshwater environmental compartments impacted by the spill. Various methods of analysis were employed. Field conditions required careful documentation of methodologies and quality assurance practices for sample collection and analysis to ensure the validity of results. The concentration of kerosene-range hydrocarbons and total organic carbon in the contaminated stream water typically decreased during the initial months after the spill and generally remained at or below background levels after 3 months. Elevated concentrations of hydrocarbons, however, were detected in sediment samples and tissues of fish collected from two impacted bridge locations up to 14 months after the spill occurred. These two bridges were primary boom recovery sites during spill cleanup activities. Bottom sediments from pools near these sites contained approximately two to three times the corresponding hydrocarbon concentrations detected in fish tissues from the same area. This information appears to suggest that these surface sediments may have served as secondary storage sinks for residual, sinking product not recovered during the initial skimming operations. These residues were apparently available for uptake by resident fish. No kerosene-range hydrocarbons were detected in these surface sediments after 21 months, and other stream water quality parameters remained within normal limits. Our results indicated that fused-silica capillary GC offered high resolution and precision and provided reasonable detection limits for analyzing kerosene-range hydrocarbons in the contaminated environmental compartments investigated in this study.
Designing Business Training for Fun and Results

Susan Otto's book, Designing Business Training for Fun and Results, highlights the design and development portions of the ADDIE instructional design model. Through situations, scenarios, and learner activities, Otto is able to give readers the opportunity to gain knowledge and experience about best practices. The book is written to engage readers while providing new activities and course techniques that can be implemented immediately. Designing Business Training for Fun and Results (2012; ISBN: 978-468149968; $18.00) is published by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.
Titanium complexes of bis(1°-amido)cyclodiphosph(III)azanes and bis(1°-amido)cyclodiphosph(V)azanes: facial versus lateral coordination

Bis(1°-amino)cyclodiphosph(III)azanes and bis(1°-amino)cyclodiphosph(V)azanes show different coordination preferences with titanium(IV). The bis(tert-butylamino)cyclodiphosph(III)azane cis-[But(H)N(ButNP)2N(H)But] (1) reacts with TiCl4 to afford {[(ButNP)2(NBut)2]TiCl2} (2), in which the ligand chelates the metal as a diamide, above the heterocycle. Oxidations of 1 with phenyl- or p-tolyl azide yield the cyclodiphosph(V)azanes cis-[But(H)N(ArNPNBut)2N(H)But] (Ar = phenyl (3), p-tolyl (4)). Single-crystal X-ray studies of 3 and 4 reveal structures similar to those of their parent cyclodiphosph(III)azanes, but with pendent arylimino groups attached to the phosphorus(V) atoms. When 3 and 4 are allowed to react with TiCl4 the complexes {[But(H)N(ArNPNBut)2NBut]TiCl3} (Ar = phenyl (5), p-tolyl (6)) are isolated. In these compounds the cyclodiphosph(V)azanes coordinate the metal laterally as monoanionic N–P–N ligands, similar to phosphoranates. An analogous side-on coordination is also found for the dichalcogeno complexes {[But(H)N(EPNBut)2NBut]TiCl3} (E = S (9), Se (10)).
Socioeconomic factors associated with outcome after cardiac arrest in patients under the age of 65

Aim In a prior study of seven North American cities Pittsburgh had the highest crude rate of cardiac arrest deaths in patients 18 to 64 years of age, particularly in neighborhoods with lower socioeconomic status (SES). We hypothesized that lower SES, associated poor health behaviors (e.g., illicit drug use) and pre-existing comorbid conditions (grouped as socioeconomic factors [SE factors]) could affect the type and severity of cardiac arrest, thus outcomes.
Theoretical Analysis of Thermal Conductivity in Amorphous Inter-layer Dielectrics

Understanding thermal conduction in interlayer dielectrics (ILDs) is important for the optimal design of interconnect layers in backend semiconductor processing for future high-performance nano-scale devices. Reduced thermal conductivity of porous ILDs for example can adversely affect the temperature rise in the embedded metal lines leading to un-desirable reliability issues and design constraints. In this paper, we report results of our theoretical and experimental investigation of thermal transport in amorphous and porous dielectrics. A phonon-hopping model has been adapted to calculate the thermal conductivity in disordered materials. The value of hopping integral has been calculated by comparing the modeling results with experimental data for various amorphous and porous materials. The model shows reasonable agreement with experimental data for various amorphous materials including SiO2 and other glasses over a wide temperature range from 50K – 300K. The model suggests that the hopping of localized high frequency phonons is a dominant thermal transport mechanism in such material systems.
Application of a polymerase chain reaction assay for detection of proliferative enteritis-affected swine herds

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was used to confirm the presence of ileal symbiont (IS) intracellularis in 3 swine herds with a history of proliferative enteritis (PE). Two pooled fecal specimens, each comprising 5 individual stool samples, were collected from pen floors to screen for the presence of IS intracel- lularis and determine the age range of pigs shedding the organism. IS intracellularis was detected in the feces of clinically normal 10-25week-old grower/finisher pigs, indicating that this age range of pigs was the main source of infection for younger nursery pigs. Shedding continued without clinical disease when 10-100 g/ton of tylosin or 10 g/ton of chlortetracycline was added to the feed. PCR testing of pooled fecal samples can be used to identify groups of pigs affected with PE. The results of this study indicate that this PCR assay has the potential to accurately assess the IS intracellularis infection status of swine herds and the association of IS intracellular-is with PE and growth performance. Proliferative enteritis (PE) is an enteric disease of pigs characterized by proliferation of intestinal epithe- lial cells and the presence of curved intracellular rod-
Information fusion for object & situation assessment in sensor networks

A semantic framework for information fusion in sensor networks for object and situation assessment is proposed. The overall vision is to construct machine representations that would enable human-like perceptual understanding of observed scenes via fusion of heterogeneous sensor data. In this regard, a hierarchical framework is proposed that is based on the Data Fusion Information Group (DFIG) model. Unlike a simple set-theoretic information fusion methodology that leads to loss of information, relational dependencies are modeled as cross-machines called relational Probabilistic Finite State Automata using the xD-Markov machine construction. This leads to a tractable approach for modeling composite patterns as structured sets for both object and scene representation. An illustrative example demonstrates the superior capability of the proposed methodology for pattern classification in urban scenarios.
Dilemmas of Desire Representations of Adolescent Sexuality in Two Teen Magazines

This article interrogates gendered ideologies of sexuality in two teen magazines, Seventeen and YM. The method of analysis involves a close reading of written texts and images relating to sex or sexuality. The patterns that emerge from this analysis reveal tensions that center around sexual decision making versus sexual signification via costuming, cosmetics, and body image. The analysis uncovers a representation of sexuality that parallels sociocultural norms of contradiction and antilogy in the characterization of girls' desire.
Teleoperator hand design issues

In this paper we will discuss some of the mechanical attributes of teleoperator systems and the ways in which their dexterity may be increased by the addition of articulated end effectors. We present a number of the design issues from a mechanism and control point of view, including kinematic properties, friction and transfer functions.
Atomic force microscopy study of immunosensor surface to scale down the size of ELISA-type sensors

Here we describe the use of atomic force microscopy (AFM) to study the nanoscale mechanics of the molecular layers of a popular immunosensor, ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) type. We characterize the sensor surface in terms of brush length and grafting density of the molecular layers. The obtained data demonstrated that a reliable reading of the immunosignal (a suggested dimensionless combination of brush length and grafting density) can be attained from an area as small as approximately 3 microm(2). This is approximately 4 million times smaller compared to typical ELISA sensors. The immunosensor described is composed of a molecular mix of two different antigens. Intriguingly, we find that AFM can reliably distinguish between having the immunosignal from either antibody and from both antibodies together. This was impossible to get by using standard optical detection methods.
How Long Must Humans Live

Species are defined by biological criteria. This characterization, however, misses the most unique aspect of our species; namely, an ability to invent technologies that reduce mortality risks. Old animals are rare in nature, but survival to old age has become commonplace in humans. Science now asks how long can humans live, but we suggest a more appropriate question is: How long must humans live? Three lines of evidence are used to identify the biological equivalent of a warranty period for humans and why it exists. The effective end of reproduction, the age when the sex ratio is unity, and the acceleration of mortality reveal that approximately 50-55 years is sufficient time for our species to achieve its biological mandate-Darwinian fitness. Identifying this boundary is biomedically important because it represents a transition from expected health and vigor to a period when health and vigor become progressively harder to maintain.
Extended Necessary Condition for Local Operations and Classical Communication: Tight Bound for All Measurements

We give a necessary condition that a separable measurement can be implemented by local quantum operations and classical communication (LOCC) in any finite number of rounds of communication, generalizing and strengthening a result obtained previously. That earlier result involved a bound that is tight when the number of measurement operators defining the measurement is relatively small. The present results generalize that bound to one that is tight for any finite number of measurement operators, and we also provide an extension which holds when that number is infinite. We apply these results to the famous example on a $3\times3$ system known as "domino states", which were the first demonstration of nonlocality without entanglement. Our new necessary condition provides an additional way of showing that these states cannot be perfectly distinguished by (finite-round) LOCC. It directly shows that this conclusion also holds for their cousins, the rotated domino states. This illustrates the usefulness of the present results, since our earlier necessary condition, which these results generalize, is not strong enough to reach a conclusion about the domino states.
Posterior reconstruction before anastomosis improves the anastomosis time during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Our goal was to evaluate posterior reconstruction of the rhabdosphincter during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy and determine whether this technique decreased anastomotic time of a surgeon in training to perform vesicourethral reconstruction. METHODS We reviewed the first 25 robot-assisted prostatectomies performed by 2 urology surgeons in training (surgeon 1 and surgeon 2). The patient populations were matched for age, Gleason score, clinical stage, and PSA. Whereas surgeon 1 performed the vesicourethral anastomosis without posterior reconstruction, surgeon 2 reapproximated Denonvilliers' fascia of the posterior bladder to the rhabdosphincter. Time for each surgeon to complete the anastomosis and clinical factors was compared. RESULTS Surgeon 1 had a median anastomosis time of 25 minutes (range, 17 to 48), whereas surgeon 2 had a median anastomosis time of 15 minutes (range, 10 to 30) (P 0.05). Pathological Gleason score (P=0.045) and total console time (surgeon 1-216 minutes, surgeon 2-176 minutes; P=0.002) were significantly different between surgeons. CONCLUSION Posterior reconstruction prior to anastomosis decreases anastomosis time for robotic surgeons in training.