cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Censoring and Truncation

Time-to-event data present themselves in different ways which create special problems in analyzing such data. One peculiar feature, often present in time-to-event data, is known as censoring, which, broadly speaking, occurs when some lifetimes are known to have occurred only within certain intervals. The remainder of the lifetimes are known exactly. There are various categories of censoring, such as right censoring, left censoring, and interval censoring. Right censoring will be discussed in section 3.2. Left or interval censoring will be discussed in section 3.3. To deal adequately with censoring in the analysis, we must consider the design which was employed to obtain the survival data. There are several types of censoring schemes within both left and right censoring. Each type will lead to a different likelihood function which will be the basis for the inference. As we shall see in section 3.5, though the likelihood function is unique for each type of censoring, there is a common approach to be used in con tructing it.
Approaching the Perfect Anesthetic Experience

Providing a pleasant, safe, and comfortable anesthetic experience is the goal of both the plastic surgeon and the anesthesia professional. As plastic surgeons, we are in the unique position of caring for patients who are for the most part healthy and desirous of elective procedures. Those patients expect good results both aesthetically and anesthetically. Patients will often volunteer information about the pleasant and the not-so-pleasant aspects of their anesthetic experience. Because I have administered intravenous sedation or observed the administration of general anesthesia on more than 20 thousand patients, I have received a lot of feedback. Using that feedback, we have prepared a checklist that helps us provide a high degree of patient satisfaction.
Towards Evaluating the Effects of Stereoscopic Viewing and Haptic Interaction on Perception-Action Coordination

This paper details the results of an initial empirical evaluation conducted to examine how stereoscopic viewing and haptic feedback affects fine motor actions in a pick-and-place task, similar to the peg transfer task in an FLS training curriculum for laproscopic sugical training. In a between subjects experiment, we examined the effect of stereoscopic viewing and simulated tactile feedback during the fine motor actions of a participants' actions in the near field on the number of collisions and time to complete the task. We found that stereo and haptic feedback contributed to the effectiveness of task performance in different ways. Specifically, we found that the mean time to complete the trials was significantly higher in the abcense of tactile feedback as compared to when it was present, and the mean number of collisions was significantly higher in the presence of stereo as compared to when it was absent.
Single Grain (U-Th)/He Ages from EET14074, an Acapulcoite Meteorite

EET14074 is a member of the acapulcoite-lodranite family of meteorites and was discovered in Antarctica in 2014 by the Korean Polar Research Institute (KOPRI). Herein, we obtained (U-Th)/He ages from 20 phosphate aggregates in EET14074 to constrain the sample’s thermal history. The ages range between 116.8 Ma ± 145.7 Ma (1σ) and 4211.5 Ma ± 1089.1 Ma, with an average of 2530 ± 260 Ma (n=20). Excluding outlier ages with large uncertainties, the 13 most concentrated ages yielded a theoretical minimum age of 3000 ± 150 Ma. This age corresponds to a fraction helium loss ( f ) of ~31% assuming crystallization age of ~4.55 Ga. The uranium abundances in single aliquots are in the range of 1.52 - 289.93 fmol, with an average of 58.00 fmol (n = 20), whereas the thorium abundance ranges between 2.51 and 2337.06 fmol with an average of 1149.29 fmol (n = 20). To explain the observed He loss, thermal diffusion modeling was performed with an assumption that the He loss occurred during a recent passage of the meteorite in Earth’s atmosphere. For the most likely t-T condition of compressional heating in Earth’s atmosphere of this meteorite (T = ~430 ˚C, t = ~10 sec), a fractional loss of 29.3% was calculated when the diffusion domain radius ( r ) of 92.8 µm was assumed. This estimation is nearly indistinguishable from the observed fractional loss of 31.3%. Additionally, diffusion modeling for another set of data with a different size ( r = 40.4 µm) yielded a very similar fractional loss. Therefore, the observed (U-Th)/He age distribution is likely derived from compressional heating during the passage of EET14074 in Earth’s atmosphere.
An Improved Switch-Level Simulator for MOS Circuits

The notion of a well-designed circuit is introduced, and improvements are presented to the earlier switch-level simulators of Bryant [B80] and Lipton, Sedgewick, and Valdes [LSV81], so that race conditions can be detected, and undefined values can be handled in a clean and simple way in these circuits.
Hingepoints and neural folds reveal conserved features of primary neurulation in the zebrafish forebrain

ABSTRACT Primary neurulation is the process by which the neural tube, the central nervous system precursor, is formed from the neural plate. Incomplete neural tube closure occurs frequently, yet underlying causes remain poorly understood. Developmental studies in amniotes and amphibians have identified hingepoint and neural fold formation as key morphogenetic events and hallmarks of primary neurulation, the disruption of which causes neural tube defects. In contrast, the mode of neurulation in teleosts such as zebrafish has remained highly debated. Teleosts are thought to have evolved a unique pattern of neurulation, whereby the neural plate infolds in absence of hingepoints and neural folds (NFs), at least in the hindbrain/trunk where it has been studied. We report here on zebrafish forebrain morphogenesis where we identify these morphological landmarks. Our findings reveal a deeper level of conservation of neurulation than previously recognized and establish the zebrafish as a model to understand human neural tube development.
Data Fusion for a Vision-aided Radiological Detection System: Correlation Methods for Multi-source Scenarios

Detecting trafficked nuclear material is a challenge faced in nuclear safeguards. The ability to detect this material is essential to the goals of non-proliferation. The system described in the paper aims to improve current technology by combining 3D vision with a distributed network of sensors. The inverse square law is used to convert radiological counts over time to distance over time which allows the radiological data to be correlated with the distance over time data of tracked objects seen by the 3D vision sensor. Ten measurements were taken with four individuals where two of the individuals each carried a Cf-252 source. In all ten measurements, the algorithm assigned the two source-carrying trajectories with the highest correlation values. Vision data was altered using a radiological detector pseudo-location and room dependent deviation model which are thought to more realistically represent radiation transport as compared to solely apply the ideal inverse square law. Again, the Algorithm assigned the two source-carrying trajectories with the highest correlation values. However, the no-source trajectories were the most impacted by the alteration and made the correlation values for these trajectories greater bringing them closer to the correlation values of the source-carrying trajectories. The results show the correlation algorithms efficiency for data fusion between the vision sensor and radiological detector.
On an infinite order cork automorphisms

Here we give a concrete description of the cork automorphism $f:\partial W\to \partial W$ of the infinite order loose-cork $(W,f)$, defined in \cite{a2}. It is obtained by concatenating the defining ribbon disk of $W$ in $B^4$ by an infinite order isotopy of the boundary knot.
Daily plan-do-check-act (PDCA) cycles with level of development (LOD) 400 objects for foremen

Abstract Level of development (LOD) 400 objects have the required information for definitively defining a list of materials and their quantities for a certain scope of construction work. Generating this information each day and operating LOD400 objects through the plan-do-check-act (PDCA) cycle on a daily basis could provide the quantitative basis for proactive and precise day-to-day field control. However, the high frequency of the cycle and the granularity of LOD400 make the process time-consuming and onerous for a foreman. The contribution of this research is an ontology that enables a foreman to go through the PDCA cycle on a daily basis with LOD400 objects and generate six information items (actual date of work completed, products built, location of products built, quantities of materials installed, number of workers that were on site, and performance metric) after the check step C of the PDCA cycle. The ontology was developed into a software prototype for field experiments and the results show that foremen can go through the daily PDCA cycle with LOD400 objects in 2 min and 47 s on average. The average usability score of the prototype was 95, which falls between “excellent” and “best imaginable” on the System Usability Scale (SUS).
Left ventricular paced activation in cardiac resynchronization therapy patients with left bundle branch block and relationship to its electrical substrate.

Background Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) uses left ventricular (LV) pacing to restore rapid synchronized LV activation when it is delayed in patients with myocardial disease. Objective Although intrinsic LV activation delays are understood, little is known about reactions to LV stimulation and whether they are affected by QRS duration (QRSd), morphology, LV substrate, or choice of electrode pair. The purpose of this study was to test these interactions. Methods In 120 heart failure patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB) and QRS >120 ms receiving CRT with quadripolar LV leads, device-based measurements of intrinsic activation delay (qLV) and paced inter- (and intra-) LV conduction times were evaluated at the proximal and distal LV bipoles. Results During intrinsic conduction, qLV varied little between the proximal and distal pairs in patients with LBBB (n = 120; age 68 ± 11 years; 63% male; ejection fraction 25% ± 7%; 33% ischemic cardiomyopathy; QRSd 162 ± 19 ms). A minority (30%) had conduction barriers (ie, gradients) (ΔqLV 29 ± 8 ms vs 9 ± 5 ms in patients without gradients; P Conclusion LV-paced effect, which is core to CRT, is unpredictable based on conventionally used measures and should be considered during CRT optimization.
Bioactive recombinant human oncostatin M for NMR-based screening in drug discovery.

Oncostatin M (OSM) is a pleiotropic, interleukin-6 family inflammatory cytokine that plays an important role in inflammatory diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and cancer progression and metastasis. Recently, elevated OSM levels have been found in the serum of COVID-19 patients in intensive care units. Multiple anti-OSM therapeutics have been investigated, but to date no OSM small molecule inhibitors are clinically available. To pursue a high-throughput screening and structure-based drug discovery strategy to design a small molecule inhibitor of OSM, milligram quantities of highly pure, bioactive OSM are required. Here, we developed a reliable protocol to produce highly pure unlabeled and isotope enriched OSM from E. coli for biochemical and NMR studies. High yields (ca. 10 mg/L culture) were obtained in rich and minimal defined media cultures. Purified OSM was characterized by mass spectrometry and circular dichroism. The bioactivity was confirmed by induction of OSM/OSM receptor signaling through STAT3 phosphorylation in human breast cancer cells. Optimized buffer conditions yielded 1H, 15N HSQC NMR spectra with intense, well-dispersed peaks. Titration of 15N OSM with a small molecule inhibitor showed chemical shift perturbations for several key residues with a binding affinity of 12.2 ± 3.9 μM. These results demonstrate the value of bioactive recombinant human OSM for NMR-based small molecule screening.
Intra-Articular Synovial Fluid With Hematoma After Ankle Fracture Promotes Cartilage Damage In Vitro Partially Attenuated by Anti-Inflammatory Agents.

Background:Intra-articular ankle fracture (IAF) causes posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA), but the exact mechanism is unknown. Proinflammatory mediators have been shown to be present in the synovi...
Hannover Classification of Vestibular Schwannomas: A Reliability Study

Abstract Background The Hannover classification of vestibular schwannomas is designed to stratify tumors based on extrameatal extension and compression of the brainstem. We have previously reported the reliability of the Koos system, but to date, no study has assessed the reliability of the similar Hannover classification. Objective We present an assessment of the intra- and inter-rater reliability of the Hannover classification system. Methods After institutional review board approval was obtained, a cross-sectional group of the MRIs of 40 patients with vestibular schwannomas varying in size comprised the study sample. Four raters were selected to assign a Hannover grade to 50 total scans. Inter- and intra-rater reliability was calculated and reported using Fleiss’ kappa, Kendall’s W, and Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results Inter-rater observer reliability was found to be moderate when measured using Fleiss’ kappa (0.49), extremely strong using Kendall’s W (0.93), and excellent as calculated by ICC (.88). The results were all statistically significant (p Conclusion The Hannover classification is a reliable system for grading the size of vestibular schwannomas. This supports its continued use and previously published results of the literature in studies relying on this classification. Further studies are needed to evaluate its validity and determine its role in preoperative counseling and determining microsurgery and radiosurgery outcomes.
The structural basis for the anti-inflammatory activity of sialylated antibodies (THER5P.822)

Antibodies (Ab) mediate pro-inflammatory effector functions through the engagement of Fc receptors (FcγRs) expressed on leukocytes. A complex, N-linked glycan attached to the Fc domain of IgG regulates the interaction to FcγRs by maintaining the Fc in a biologically active conformation. However, attaching sialic acid sugar residues to this Fc-associated glycan reduces affinity for FcγRs and confers binding to an alternate class of receptors, the C-type lectins (DC-SIGN). This switch in receptor specificity coincides with a switch in effector function in vivo as sialylated IgG (sFc) suppresses inflammation in mouse models of autoimmunity. The structural mechanism that regulates the sialic acid-dependent change in Ab effector function remains poorly understood. Biophysical analysis reveals that sialylation destabilizes the Fc fragment by increasing the hydrophobic surface area exposed to solvent. Upon solving a crystal structure of sFc, we observe that this loss of stability correlates with inter-domain flexibility such that the sFc in the crystal is found in both “open” and “closed” states. Mutagenic analysis of sFc further identifies key contact sites between the Fc-glycan and the Fc-backbone necessary to induce this conformational change and attain anti-inflammatory activity in vivo. These studies demonstrate that the conformational diversity of the Fc fragment serves as a general strategy to shift receptor specificity in order to effect different immunological outcomes.
Transport coefficients of partially ionized krypton and xenon.

Partially ionized Kr and Xe transport coefficients for various pressures and at high temperatures computed on basis of charged particle cross sections
Tax Expenditure Budgets: A Critical View

In this article, Professors Kahn and Lehman argue that the concept of tax expenditures is flawed as a tool for measuring the propriety of tax provisions. It assumes the existence of one true and correct standard of federal income taxation that applies to all circumstances. To make this assumption, proponents of the concept implicitly make a particular moral claim about the relative importance of a wide range of values, including efficiency, consumption/savings neutrality, privacy, distributional equity, administrability, charity, and pragmatism. They then measure a tax provision's normalcy exclusively by how it conforms to their Platonic concept of income. Professors Kahn and Lehman maintain that there is no single ideal concept of income. Instead, there are a number of plausible candidates, the choice among which constitutes a contestable, political decision. The tax expenditure budgets create an illusion of value-free scientific precision in a world whether it is neither possible nor desirable to ignore the range of societal values that speak to how an income tax is structured. The authors believe that the tax expenditure concept distorts public debate over tax provisions.
Spin-1÷2 Heisenberg ferromagnet utilizing anticommutator Green’s functions

The Heisenberg ferromagnet is re-examined using the anticommutator Green’s functions and the second random-phase approximation for determining the generated second-order Green’s function. The results are identical to the Morita-Tanaka results in the low-temperature range. The results, however, also can be adjusted to fit experimental results over a significant temperature range from absolute zero.
Evaluation of penicillins, cephalosporins, and macrolides for therapy of streptococcal pharyngitis.

Objective. To review recent clinical experience with treatment of acute streptococcal pharyngitis with penicillins, cephalosporins, and macrolide antibiotics. Methods. Literature review and analysis. Results and Conclusions. Oral penicillin V administered two to three times daily for 10 days is the treatment of choice for acute streptococcal pharyngitis and is the oral standard against which other treatments should be measured. A single intramuscular dose of benzathine penicillin also remains highly effective. Recent studies evaluating alternative oral agents given for less than 10 days or in once-daily regimens have yielded promising results. Studies should make efforts to exclude chronic streptococcal carriers with intercurrent viral pharyngitis because their inclusion in treatment trials substantially confounds the data. As issues of health care costs assume increasing importance, the cost of newer antimicrobial agents will deter their usage for acute streptococcal pharyngitis.
The IS10 transposase mRNA is destabilized during antisense RNA control.

RNA stability is an important component of gene expression, and antisense RNAs have been proposed to alter target RNA stability. We show here that the IS10 transposase mRNA, RNA-IN, is rendered unstable during control by the IS10 antisense RNA, RNA-OUT. Destabilization requires RNA-OUT/RNA-IN pairing and ribonuclease III cleavage. Independent of such cleavage, RNA-OUT is rendered unstable through disruption of its secondary structure. Pairing has no other obvious effects on RNA-IN transcription or stability. Nevertheless, RNA-IN destabilization is not required for antisense control in vivo. In the accompanying paper [Ma,C. and Simons, R.W. (1990) EMBO J., 9, 1267-1274 we show that pairing blocks ribosome binding to RNA-IN. Were it not for control at this level, destabilization would play a more prominent role.
Digital, matrix and intermediate-frequency scanning

This paper describes circuit configurations for phased arrays which to some degree circumvent the difficulty of obtaining simple electronically-controlled phase shifters for UHF and Microwave frequencies. These configurations include phase shifters operating at an intermediate (i-f) frequency, frequency-scanning systems, within-pulse scanning, switched-multiple-beam antennas, switched-delay-line phase shifters, and digital-processing delay techniques.
Ecological and Evolutionary Drivers of Geographic Variation in Species Diversity

Recent studies have generated an explosion of phylogenetic and biogeographic data and have provided new tools to investigate the processes driving large-scale gradients in species diversity. Fossils and phylogenetic studies of plants and animals demonstrate that tropical regions are the source for almost all groups of organisms, and these groups are composed of a mixture of ancient and recently derived lineages. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that the large extent of tropical environments during the past 10–50 million years, together with greater climatic stability, has promoted speciation and reduced extinction rates. Energy availability appears to only indirectly contribute to global patterns of species diversity, especially considering how some marine diversity gradients can be completely decoupled from temperature and productivity gradients. Instead, climate stability and time–integrated area together determine the baselines of both terrestrial and marine global diversity patterns. ...
Severe enterovirus 68 respiratory illness in children requiring intensive care management

Abstract Background Enterovirus 68 (EV-D68) causes acute respiratory tract illness in epidemic cycles, most recently in Fall 2014, but clinical characteristics of severe disease are not well reported. Objectives Children with EV-D68 severe respiratory disease requiring pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) management were compared with children with severe respiratory disease from other enteroviruses/rhinoviruses. Study design A retrospective review was performed of all children admitted to Children’s Mercy Hospital PICU from August 1-September 15, 2014 with positive PCR testing for enterovirus/rhinovirus. Specimens were subsequently tested for the presence of EV-D68. We evaluated baseline characteristics, symptomatology, lab values, therapeutics, and outcomes of children with EV-D68 viral infection compared with enterovirus/rhinovirus-positive, EV-D68-negative children. Results A total of 86 children with positive enterovirus/rhinovirus testing associated with respiratory symptoms were admitted to the PICU. Children with EV-D68 were older than their EV-D68-negative counterparts (7.1 vs. 3.5 years, P = 0.01). They were more likely to have a history of asthma or recurrent wheeze (68% vs. 42%, P = 0.03) and to present with cough (90% vs. 63%, P = 0.009). EV-D68 children were significantly more likely to receive albuterol (95% vs. 79%, P = 0.04), magnesium (75% vs. 42%, P = 0.004), and aminophylline (25% vs. 4%, P = 0.03). Other adjunctive medications used in EV-D68 children included corticosteroids, epinephrine, and heliox; 44% of EV-D68-positive children required non-invasive ventilatory support. Conclusions EV-D68 causes severe disease in the pediatric population, particularly in children with asthma and recurrent wheeze; children may require multiple adjunctive respiratory therapies.
Overlapping connectivity interconnection networks for shared memory multiprocessor systems

Abstract Overlapping connectivity networks based upon multiple buses, multistage networks, and mesh networks are investigated for shared memory multiprocessor systems. In overlapping connectivity networks, each processor in the system has a sphere of influence enclosing memory modules (or other processors) that it can reach directly. The sphere of influence of one processor overlaps the spheres of influence of other processors, and the interconnections are localized, affording significant layout advantages. It has been found that the bandwidth of the overlapping connectivity networks based upon multiple buses and multistage networks exceeds that of the corresponding full connectivity network when the range of requests is limited, and similarly the network delay is equal to or less than the corresponding existing full connectivity network (sometimes very significantly). Though the overlapping connectivity mesh network has slightly lower bandwidth than the corresponding full connectivity mesh, it has lower network delay and requires considerably fewer switches. The network delay has been shown to be approximately linear with range of requests for all overlapping connectivity networks presented, both by simulation and theoretically.
Parent—Child Interaction Therapy with an Immigrant Family Exposed to Domestic Violence

Parent—child interaction therapy (PCIT) is an empirically supported treatment to enhance the parent—child relationship and to help parents learn how to effectively manage disruptive behavior in young children. PCIT has been shown to be effective with various populations. However, few reports have documented its use with children exposed to domestic violence in families who have recently immigrated to the United States. A mother and 3-year-old child who immigrated to the United States from Africa were identified as an appropriate family for PCIT. The child had reportedly been exposed to domestic violence and presented with both internalizing and externalizing behaviors and symptoms. Specific challenges and successes related to this case are presented.
Morphological and functional study of the effect of isoproterenol on salivary gland cells.

The cellular mechanisms responsible for the structural and functional alterations produced in salivary glands by isoproterenol (ISP) were investigated. Postnatal rats were injected with ISP, and alterations in the structure and protein components of the submandibular glands were determined. Normal age-dependent protein patterns detected by electrophoresis are attributed to the biochemical and functional differentiation of proacinar and acinar secretory cells and correlate with structural changes in these cells. Structural changes induced by ISP involve the acinar cells without detectably altering terminal tubule cells. In addition, synthesis of a specific protein by the glands is enhanced by ISP treatment. By comparing protein patterns in the submandibular glands of control and treated rats, it was concluded that ISP increases synthesis of a specific salivary protein normally produced by proacinar cells during a limited period of glandular development. These results suggest that a neurally mediated regulatory mechanism that becomes altered by ISP plays a role in normal salivary gland development.
Relation of stream-flow to ground-water levels

In recent years the Water Resources Branch of the United States Geological Surrey has given considerable attention to the relation of ground-water to stream-flow. One locality in which this relation is being studied is about 13 miles from Washington, near Colesvllle, Maryland, where a Kinnison float-gage is being maintained in a well In connection with the operation of a gaging-station on the Northwest Branch of the Anacostia River. The well is opposite the gaging-station, on a gentle slope about one. fifth of a mile from the stream, where the land-surface ia about 20 feet above the bed of the stream. The well is an abandoned dug well 20 feet deep and is lined with loose stone and presumably admits water freely. The fluctuations of the water-level in the well are believed to afford a fairly close index of fluctuations in the water-table at the well-site and may be typical of the fluctuations that occur in a large part of the area drained by the Northwest Branch above the gaging-station, consisting of about 21 square miles of gently rolling farm-land. During the period of the observations herein considered the water-level in the well ranged from 10 to 16 feet below the ground-surface at the well and from 10 to 4 feet above the bed of the stream.
Trace profiling: Scalable event tracing on high-end parallel systems

Accurate performance analysis of high end systems requires event-based traces to correctly identify the root cause of a number of the complex performance problems that arise on these highly parallel systems. These high-end architectures contain tens to hundreds of thousands of processors, pushing application scalability challenges to new heights. Unfortunately, the collection of event-based data presents scalability challenges itself: the large volume of collected data increases tool overhead, and results in data files that are difficult to store and analyze. Our solution to these problems is a new measurement technique called trace profiling that collects the information needed to diagnose performance problems that traditionally require traces, but at a greatly reduced data volume. The trace profiling technique reduces the amount of data stored by capitalizing on the repeated behavior of programs, and on the similarity of the behavior and performance of parallel processes in an application run. Trace profiling is a hybrid between profiling and tracing, collecting summary information about the event patterns in an application run. Because the data has already been classified into behavior categories, we can present reduced, partially analyzed performance data to the user, highlighting the performance behaviors that comprised most of the execution time.
Polymer-Clay Nanocomposite Materials: Solution and Bulk Properties

The influence of shear on viscoelastic polymer-clay solutions was investigated by means of small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) under shear. SANS measured the shearinduced orientation of polymer and platelets. With increasing shear rate an anisotropic scattering pattern developed. At higher shear rates, the scattering anisotropy increases due to the increased orientation of the clay platelets in the shear field. Cessation of shear leads to fast recovery demonstrating the system to be highly elastic. As a result of drying, these solutions produce translucent nanocomposite films with a microporous membrane character. Depending on the preparation and degree of polymer-clay film dispersion, it is possible to modify the morphology and elastic properties of nanocomposite materials. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) reveals the network character and the development of morphology as a function of polymer concentration. Preliminary SANS experiments on the films will be correlated to morphologies obtained from AFM.
Design, analysis, and implementation of a large-scale real-time location-based information sharing system

Today's Internet is incapable of handling information like a stop sign. Such information stays in a geographic region, consistently beams to the people who move into from certain direction. This paper presents a system aimed at bridging the Internet with the physical world. The hardware platform of the system consists of a central server and a set of position-aware mobile clients that communicate with the server through means of wireless networks. Each client has a capable zone, a circular region centered on its current position with a user-defined radius. Each piece of information managed by the server is a geopage, an HTML page associated with a geographic region. As clients move, they load with the geopages implanted in their surroundings. This paper identifies the technical challenges of managing a large number of geopages that spans over a large terrain with a large number of mobile clients, and proposes a cost-effective solution that minimizes mobile communication and server processing costs. We evaluate the scalability of the proposed technique with a detailed mathematical model. The accuracy of the model is verified using simulation. We have also implemented a prototype and field tested the system in several cities.
ON THE EFFECTS OF SOURCE PROXIMITY ON THE DYNAMIC STRESSES AROUND A CYLINDRICAL CAVITY

Abstract : An analysis is presented and numerical results are given of the interaction of a cylindrical wave impinging on a cylindrical cavity. It is assumed that a line source is located at an arbitrary distance from the cavity and that its strength varies harmonically in time. The resulting dynamic-stress-concentration factors around the cavity were determined by considering the wave-diffraction effects around the cavity. Numerical results indicate that the dynamic-stress-concentration factors around the cavity are dependent upon (1) distance from the source to the cavity, (2) wave numbers, and (3) the Poisson ratio of the medium. It is also shown that at high wave number (high frequency) the cylindrical-incident-wave problem becomes almost identical to the plane-wave problem; however, at low wave number, the solution presented in this Memorandum departs drastically from all previous investigations where the incident wave is assumed to be a plane wave. Stress-concentration factors as much as 66 percent higher than those determined in earlier studies were noted in the present analysis. (Author)
Body composition and hormonal responses to a carbohydrate-restricted diet

The few studies that have examined body composition after a carbohydrate-restricted diet have reported enhanced fat loss and preservation of lean body mass in obese individuals. The role of hormones in mediating this response is unclear. We examined the effects of a 6-week carbohydrate-restricted diet on total and regional body composition and the relationships with fasting hormone concentrations. Twelve healthy normal-weight men switched from their habitual diet (48%carbohydrate) to a carbohydrate-restricted diet (8%carbohydrate) for 6 weeks and 8 men served as controls, consuming their normal diet. Subjects were encouraged to consume adequate dietary energy to maintain body mass during the intervention. Total and regional body composition and fasting blood samples were assessed at weeks 0, 3, and 6 of the experimental period. Fat mass was significantly (P < .05) decreased (-3.4 kg) and lean body mass significantly increased (1.1 kg) at week 6. There was a significant decrease in serum insulin (-34%), and an increase in total thyroxine (T4 )( 11%) and the free T4 index (13%). Approximately 70%of the variability in fat loss on the carbohydrate-restricted diet was accounted for by the decrease in serum insulin concentrations. There were no significant changes in glucagon, total or free testosterone, sex hormone– binding globulin (SHBG), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), cortisol, or triiodothyronine (T3) uptake, nor were there significant changes in body composition or hormones in the control group. Thus, we conclude that a carbohydrate-restricted diet resulted in a significant reduction in fat mass and a concomitant increase in lean body mass in normal-weight men, which may be partially mediated by the reduction in circulating insulin concentrations.
Coupled stratospheric ozone and temperature responses to short-term changes in solar ultraviolet flux: An analysis of Nimbus 7 SBUV and SAMS data

Earlier studies of solar-induced variations in stratospheric parameters have been mainly concerned with observed ozone responses. In the present investigation, attention is given to temperature responses as well as ozone responses at low latitudes, taking into account 22 months of Nimbus 7 solar backscattered ultraviolet (SBUV) ozone and stratospheric and mesospheric sounder temperature data. A data description is provided, and cross-correlation and regression analyses are conducted. An extension is considered of an analytic model, which was derived by Frederick (1981) for the coupled behavior of ozone and temperature perturbations in the upper stratosphere and lower mesosphere. The extended model is applied to the results of the analyses. The obtained data provide statistical evidence for ozone and temperature responses to changes in solar ultraviolet flux on the time scale of the solar rotation period.
Sex- and Tissue-Specific Methylome Changes in Brains of Mice Perinatally Exposed to Lead

A B S T R A C T Changes in DNA methylation and subsequent changes in gene expression regulation are the hallmarks of age- and tissue-dependent epigenetic drift and plasticity resulting from the combinatorial integration of genetic determinants and environmental cues. To determine whether perinatal lead exposure caused persistent DNA methylation changes in target tissues, we exposed mouse dams to 0, 3 or 30 ppm of lead acetate in drinking water for a period extending from 2 months prior to mating, through gestation, until weaning of pups at postnatal day-21, and analyzed whole-genome DNA methylation in brain cortex and hippocampus of 2-month old exposed and unexposed progeny. Lead exposure resulted in hypermethylation of three differentially methylated regions in the hippocampus of females, but not males. These regions mapped to Rn4.5s, Sfi1, and Rn45s loci in mouse chromosomes 2, 11 and 17, respectively. At a conservative fdr < 0.001, 1623 additional CpG sites were differentially methylated in female hippocampus, corresponding to 117 unique genes. Sixty of these genes were tested for mRNA expression and showed a trend toward negative correlation between mRNA expression and methylation in exposed females but not males. No statistically significant methylome changes were detected in male hippocampus or in cortex of either sex. We conclude that exposure to lead during embryonic life, a time when the organism is most sensitive to environmental cues, appears to have a sex- and tissue-specific effect on DNA methylation that may produce pathological or physiological deviations from the epigenetic plasticity operative in unexposed mice.
Hierarchical statistical analysis of performance variation for continuous-time delta-sigma modulators

Statistical analysis has become increasingly important with increasing process parameter variations in manufacturing. Monte Carlo method has been most popular for statistical analysis, but it is not efficient for complex circuits/systems due to overwhelming computational time. In this paper, we present a general hierarchical method for efficient statistical analysis of performance parameter variations for complex circuits/systems and conduct a case study on a 4th order continuous-time Delta Sigma modulator. At circuit-level, we use response surface modeling method to extract quadratic models of circuit- level performance parameters in terms of process parameter variations. Then, at system-level, we use behavioral models to extract statistical distribution of the overall system performance parameter. The method can achieve a good tradeoff between computational efficiency and accuracy.
On nanotribological interactions: Hard and soft interfacial junctions

We address here certain aspects of the dependence of materials properties on their size, particularly at the nanometer length scale where new behavior emerges when the physical dimensions of the system approaches, or is reduced below, a characteristic length relevant for the phenomenon or physical process being probed. We focus on formation mechanisms, structural, mechanical, electronic, transport, dynamic and rheological properties of nanoscale hard (solid nanowires) and soft (confined liquid) interfacial junctions. These issues are central to research in nanotribology, that is exploration of the atomic and molecular scale origins of friction and lubrication and are relevant to modern minituarization technologies.
Communication and Interpretation of Results of Route Risk Analyses of Hazardous Materials Transportation by Railroad

Route risk analysis of hazardous materials transportation by railroad is receiving considerable new attention from industry and government. Such analyses are necessary for effective public policy and development of rational risk management strategies. However, route risk analysis is complex and generates results that can be difficult to properly interpret. Risk analyses are intended to provide risk managers with objective information about how to effectively manage risk and the most effective options to reduce it. This paper uses results from a quantitative risk analysis of hazardous materials shipped by rail to develop and illustrate several new techniques to present, interpret, and communicate risk results more effectively. The analysis accounted for the major factors affecting risk: infrastructure quality, traffic volume, and population exposure along shipment routes, as well as tank car design and product characteristics. Approaches for system-level and route-specific analyses are presented. Both absolute and normalized estimates of risk provide useful information. The question of interest and the user affects which type of information is most useful for effective decision making. Various graphical techniques enable risk metrics to be compared and contrasted, either in a geographic context or independent of it, depending on which is most useful. Identifying the locations that account for the highest concentration of risk and understanding the contributing factors will also clarify the mutual roles of carriers, shippers, and municipalities along a route in regard to risk management, reduction, and mitigation options. In addition, the techniques presented in this paper may also be useful for regulators and researchers who might be interested in a broader view of risk analysis at the network level.
Lymphangioma of Esophagus Presenting with Dysphagia: A Case Report

Lymphangioma of the esophagus is a benign vascular tumor that rarely occurs in the upper gastrointestinal tract. We report a rare case of lymphangioma of the esophagus and our experience with endoscopic resection of this lesion. Lymphangiomas are benign lesions that arise from the cystic dilatation of hamartomas in deep lymphatic tissue and are rarely found in the GI tract (1%). The esophagus is the most unusual location for this lesion. The diagnosis of lymphagioma is usually made on histopathology. The masses are composed of enlarged channels lined by lymphatic endothelial cells surrounded by a loose myxoid stroma. Standard biopsies are often normal as the lesions are submucosal. The treatment of esophageal lymphangioma is conservative in asymptomatic patients. For symptomatic pateints, response to surgical or endoscopic removal of these tumors is excellent. However, a large tumor with symptoms or a lesion suspicious for malignancy requires surgical resection. Conclusion: Lymphangioma of the esophagus is a rare submucosal tumor, generally small and benign in nature. Endoscopic ultrasound is an excellent tool for diagnosis of these lesions. Our experience reaffirms that endoscopic excision of such lesions is safe and appears to be without major complications.
Spectral Domain Phase Microscopy

Broadband interferometry is an attractive technique for the detection of cellular motions because it provides depth-resolved phase information via coherence gating. We present a phase-sensitive technique called spectral-domain phase microscopy (SDPM). SDPM is a functional extension of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography that allows for the detection of nanometer-scale motions in living cells. The sensitivity of the technique is demonstrated, and its calibration is verified. A shot-noise limit to the displacement sensitivity of this technique is derived. Measurement of cellular dynamics was performed on spontaneously beating cardiomyocytes isolated from chick embryos.
Semantic monitoring of words with emotional connotation during fMRI: Contribution of anterior left frontal cortex

Previous studies showed that cortex in the anterior portions of the left frontal and temporal lobes participates in generating words with emotional connotations and processing pictures with emotional content. If these cortices process the semantic attribute of emotional connotation, they should be active whenever processing emotional connotation, without respect to modality of input or mode of output. Thus, we hypothesized that they would activate during monitoring of words with emotional connotations. Sixteen normal subjects performed semantic monitoring of words with emotional connotations, animal names, and implement names during fMRI. Cortex in the anterior left frontal lobe demonstrated significant activity for monitoring words with emotional connotations compared to monitoring tone sequences, animal names, or implement names. Together, the current and previous results implicate cortex in the anterior left frontal lobe in semantic processing of emotional connotation, consistent with connections of this cortex to paralimbic association areas. Current findings also indicate that neural substrates for processing emotional connotation are independent of substrates for processing the categories of living and nonliving things.
The nature of left axis deviation in congenital cardiac defects with right ventricular hypertrophy.

Abstract 1.1. The electrocardiogram of interatrial septal defect and tetralogy of Fallot without complicating hypertensive or syphilitic heart disease may show, on rare occasion, left axis deviation despite right ventricular hypertrophy. 2.2. Positivity (tall R or R′) in the V L lead greater than the positivity in the V F lead determines the left axis deviation. 3.3. Intracardiac potentials in congenital and acquired right ventricular hypertrophy indicate that the predominant positivity in V L may be derived from the right ventricular surface. 4.4. In some instances, the left ventricular surface potential may determine the positivity in V L . 5.5. The variability of the electrocardiographic findings in our cases of interatrial septal defect indicates that rotation and cardiac position are more important than chamber hypertrophy alone in the determination of the extremity potentials and, hence, the axis deviation.
Design tools for 3-D integrated circuits

We present a set of design tools for 3-D integration. Using these tools - a 3-D standard-cell placement tool, global routing tool, and layout editor - we have targeted existing standard-cell circuit netlists for fabrication using wafer bonding. We have analyzed the performance of several circuits using these tools and find that 3-D integration provides significant benefits. For example, relative to single-die placement, we observe on average 28% to 51% reduction in total wire length.
Predicting Potential in Football Players.

In the first part of this study, the football potential of 67 football players was predicted from their scores on a football-potential test. The test battery consisted of motor ability items as well as football skill items. Substantial correlations were obtained between most test items and the test criterion, the sum of T scores. Size, as depicted by McCloy's classification index (C.I.), had a negative, nonsignificant correlation with the criterion. The discriminative power of the battery was evidenced by the highly significant correlation between the test criterion and the coaching staff's ranking of individual players (rho = .840). It was concluded that athletic potential in football can be predicted by testing. In the second part of the study, football teams from three different strata of competition were evaluated on the basis of the test battery. The battery substantiated a step-wise progression between the teams on most items, with significant differences being noted. The test showed validity, in th...
Galectin-3 in apoptosis, a novel therapeutic target

During the past decade, extensive progress has been made toward understanding the molecular basis for the regulation of apoptosis. In mammalian cells undergoing apoptosis, two distinct mechanisms or pathways are operated and are triggered by cell death stimuli from intra- or extra-cellular environments, namely the intrinsic or extrinsic pathways, resulting in mitochondrial membrane depolarization. Several lines of evidence from our laboratories and others have indicated that galectin-3 plays an important role in these pathways by binding to various ligands. Here the authors provide a brief discussion on the role of endogenous or extra-cellular galectin-3 in the regulation of apoptosis and how it could be used as a therapeutic target using natural plant products as its functional inhibitors.