cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interconnection Transmission Line Parameter Characterization

This paper introduces a new method for the characterization of transmission lines fabricated on lossy or dispersive dielectrics. The method, which is more accurate than conventional techniques, is used to examine the resistance, inductance, capacitance, and conductance per unit length of coplanar waveguide transmission lines fabricated on lossy silicon substrates.
A Quality-Based Requirement Prioritization Framework Using Binary Inputs

Despite the clear need to prioritize requirements in software projects, finding a practical method for requirements prioritization has proven difficult. Existing requirements prioritization methods that provide the most consistent results are also the most complex, and therefore the most difficult to implement. More informal methods save time and are easier to apply, but may not be suitable for practical scenarios because they lack the structure and consistency required to properly analyze requirements. This paper proposes a novel and practical approach for prioritizing requirements in software projects. The proposed approach attempts to quantify the quality of requirements to provide a measurement that is representative of all quality criteria identified for a specific software project. The derived quality measurement can be easily computed to serve as the main metric for requirements prioritization.
Successful pregnancy after uterus-sparing chemoradiation therapy for vaginal cancer.

Vaginal cancer is a rare malignancy. An estimated 3170 women will be diagnosed and 880 will die of the disease in 2014.1 Given these small numbers, treatment approaches have been extrapolated from data in other cancer sites. Brachytherapy with or without external beam radiation therapy (RT) and surgery have been the traditional treatment, but high rates of pelvic failure in more advanced disease have led to increasing use of chemoradiation therapy (CRT).2 Approximately one fourth of patients are premenopausal at diagnosis.3 Although not a traditional goal of therapy, fertility is an increasing consideration. It has been shown that women who become infertile as a result of treatment for cancer have high levels of stress, depression, and lower quality of life.4 Patients who wish to maintain fertility require preservation of oncologic outcomes while being provided with the best chance for future successful pregnancy. Maintenance of ovarian function has been demonstrated by multiple series using different surgical techniques, but reports of successful pregnancy after treatment with pelvic RT are rare.5-7 We present a case of a young woman with vaginal cancer treated with definitive CRT followed by brachy-
Artifacts, variants, and factors degrading image quality in pediatric magnetic resonance imaging

The experience from 123 pediatric MRI examinations disclosed several different types of artifacts and age-related variants that could have caused pitfalls in MRI interpretation. Artifacts were caused by metallic objects, patient touching the RF coil, and patient motion. The potential pitfalls are caused by the MRI variant appearances of anatomical structures specific to the growing body. Recomendations concerning preparation and immobilization of children prior to and during MRI examinations to minimize artifacts are given.
Optimization model of internet protocols

Layered architecture is one of the most fundamental and influential structures of network design. Can we integrate the various protocol layers into a single coherent theory by regarding them as carrying out an asynchronous distributed primal-dual computation over the network to implicitly solve a global optimization problem? Different layers iterate on different subsets of the decision variables using local information to achieve individual optimalities, but taken together, these local algorithms attempt to achieve a global objective. Such a theory will expose the interconnection between protocol layers and can be used to study rigorously the performance tradeoff in protocol layering as different ways to distribute a centralized computation. In this talk, we describe some preliminary work towards this goal and discuss some of the difficulties of this approach.
Salt or ion bridges in biological systems: a study employing quantum and molecular mechanics

Equilibrium geometries and binding energies of model "salt" or "ion" bridge systems have been computed by ab initio quantum chemistry techniques (GAUSSIAN82) and by empirical force field techniques (AMBER2.0). Formate and dimethyl phosphate served as anions in the model compounds while interacting with several organic cations, including methyl ammonium, methyl guanidinium, and divalent metal ion (either Mg2+ or Ca2+) without and with an additional chloride; and a divalent metal ion (either Mg2+ or Ca2+), chloride, and four water molecules of hydration about the metal ion. The majority of the quantum chemical computations were performed using a split-valence basis set. For the model compounds studied we find that the ab initio optimized geometries are in remarkably good agreement with the molecular mechanics geometries. Several calculations were also performed using diffuse fractions. The formate anion binds these model cations more strongly than does dimethyl phosphate, while the organic cation methyl ammonium binds model anions more strongly than does methyl guanidinium. Finally, in model compounds including organic anions, Mg2+ or Ca2+ and four molecules of water, and a chloride anion, we find that the equilibrium structure of the magnesium complex involves a solvent separated ion pair (the magnesium ion is six coordinate), whereas the calcium ion complex remains seven coordinate. Molecular mechanics overestimates binding energies, but the estimates may be close enough to actual binding energies to give useful insight into the details of salt bridges in biological systems.
Backbone Dynamics of an Oncogenic Mutant of Cdc42Hs Shows Increased Flexibility at the Nucleotide-Binding Site†

Cdc42Hs, a member of the Ras superfamily of GTP-binding signal transduction proteins, binds guanine nucleotides, and acts as a molecular-timing switch in multiple signal transduction pathways. The structure of the wild-type protein has been solved (Feltham et al. (1997) Biochemistry 36, 8755-8766), and the backbone dynamics have been characterized by NMR spectroscopy (Loh et al. (1999) Biochemistry 38, 12547-12557). The F28L mutation of Cdc42Hs is characterized by an increased rate of cycling between the GTP and GDP-bound forms leading to cell transformation (Lin et al. (1997) Curr. Biol. 7, 794-797). Here, we describe the backbone dynamics of Cdc42Hs(F28L)-GDP using 1H-15N NMR measurements of T1, T1rho, and steady-state NOE at two magnetic field strengths. Residue-specific values of the generalized order parameters (Ss2 and Sf2), local correlation time (tau(e)), and exchange rate (R(ex)) were obtained using the Lipari-Szabo formalism. Chemical-shift perturbation analysis suggested that very little structural change was evident outside of the nucleotide-binding site. However, residues comprising the nucleotide-binding site, as well as the nucleotide itself, exhibit increased dynamics over a wide range of time scales in Cdc42Hs(F28L) relative to the wild type. In addition to changes in dynamics measured by relaxation methods, hydrogen-deuterium exchange indicated a substantial disruption of the hydrogen-bonding network within the nucleotide-binding site. Thus, local dynamic changes introduced by a single-point mutation can affect important aspects of signaling processes without disrupting the conformation of the whole protein.
Columnar Dendritic Solidification In A Metal-Matrix Composite

Results are presented of a study on columnar dendritic solidification of the matrix of a fibrous metal-matrix composite, the fibers of which are aligned SiC fibers 140 m in diameter and the matrix of which is Al-4.5 wt pct Cu. Samples were produced by pressure infiltration of the metal-matrix into a preform of the fibers. The matrix was subsequently remelted and resolidified under controlled thermal gradient and growth rate. Dendrite growth begins in the center of the interstices left between the fibers. The dendrite tip temperature is not significantly influenced by the fibers, but the usual linear dependency of dendrite arm spacing ont 1/3 (wheret is time during solidification) is altered significantly in the narrower interstices at long solidification times. The underlying mechanism is dendrite arm coalescence which takes place at a sufficiently rapid rate in the composite that the microstructure gradually becomes nondendritic. The solid/liquid interface then is parallel to the matrix/fiber interface. A model is presented for the kinetics of dendrite arm coalescence and compared with experimental results. The amount of microsegregation that was found in the matrix within interstices is significantly less than that found in the usual cast alloy, especially at long solidification times (low cooling rates). The mechanism responsible for the observed reduction in microsegregation is solid-state diffusion which is enhanced in the composite by the fact that the fibers place an upper limit on the dendrite arm spacing, and hence on the required diffusion distance.
Neutron-Capture Cross Sections of the Stable Lead Isotopes

Neutron-capture yields for several samples of separated lead isotopes were obtained at the Oak Ridge electron linear accelerator, in the neutron energy range above 2.5 keV. These were analyzed for resonance-capture areas and parameters. The data are included in a new evaluation of lead cross-section data.
Bone Strength and Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition as Endpoints in Chlorpyrifos Toxicity toFundulus heteroclitus

Brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition was measured during 4-week and 4-day episodic exposures to chlorpyrifos. Organisms were exposed to a seawater (−) control, an acetone (+) control (0.1%), and 0.625, 1.25, 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 μg of chlorpyrifos L−1in each test. These episodic exposures significantly depressed AChE activity at 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 μg L−1(weekly test) and at 1.25, 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 μg L−1(daily test). Six-hour pulsed exposure to chlorpyrifos inhibited brain AChE activity at concentrations as low as 1. 25 μg L−1. Stress at failure of caudal vertebrae following episodic exposure was also tested. Analysis of samples from daily 6-h treatments found no differences after 2 days; however, vertebrae were significantly weaker (than controls) after 4 days. Analysis of weekly 6-h exposures found weaker caudal vertebrae after 2 weeks but not after 4 weeks.
Drug interactions in hypertensive patients Pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and genetic considerations

Antihypertensive treatment has proven benefits, and the number of patients being treated with these drugs is significant. Hypertensive patients may have other medical illnesses for which they receive medications, and interactions between antihypertensive agents and other drugs is likely. Some of these interactions may lead to undesirable effects or even loss of blood pressure control. However, drug interactions can also be beneficial when 2 antihypertensive drugs with different pharmacological actions are prescribed in combination and with a clear therapeutic objective in mind. Clinicians should be aware of the mechanisms and the consequences of the different types of interaction in hypertensive patients, so that a desired pharmacological response can be achieved with the fewest side effects in the patients.
Right-continuous solutions of systems of stochastic integral equations

Abstract Unique solutions are shown to exist for systems of stochastic integral equations which allow right-continuous semimartingales (also known as quasimartingales) as differentials.
Some technical considerations in tomographic coronary arteriography.

Coronary artery anatomy can be visualized using high-speed, volume scanning x-ray CT. A single scan during a bolus injection of contrast medium provides image data for display of all angles of view of the opacified coronary arterial tree. Due to the tomographic nature of volume image data, the superposition of the vessels on themselves and on other contrast filled coronary arteries, such as would occur in an aortic root injection of contrast agent, can be eliminated.
Second language vowel training using vowel subsets: Order of training and choice of contrasts

Our previous vowel training study for Japanese learners of American English [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 117, 2401 (2005)] compared training for two vowel subsets: nine vowels covering the entire vowel space (9V condition); and the three more difficult vowels (3V condition). Trainees in 9V condition improved on all vowels, but their identification of the three more difficult vowels was lower than that of 3V trainees. Trainees in 3V condition improved identification of the trained three vowels but not the other vowels. In order to further explore more effective training protocols, the present study compared two groups of native Korean trainees using two different training orders for the two vowel subsets: 3V then 9V (3V‐9V); and 9V then 3V (9V‐3V). The groups were compared in terms of their performance on all nine vowels for pre‐, mid‐, and post‐test scores. Average test scores across the two groups were not different from each other. A closer examination indicated that group 3V‐9V did not improve on one of the th...
Hybrid experimental-numerical stress analysis

The hybrid experimental-numerical stress-analysis technique, which saw limited applications during the 1950's, has been resurrected with the vastly improved numerical techniques of the 1970's. By inputing the experimental results as initial and boundary conditions, modern computer codes are executed in its generation and application modes to yield results which are unobtainable when only one of the two techniques is used. The hybrid technique thus exemplifies the complementary role of the experimental and numerical techniques.
Hysterectomy and concurrent oophorectomy for endometrial cancer: which women benefit?

Recent evidence has challenged the traditional paradigm in gynecology that women over the age of 45 years who are undergoing hysterectomy should also undergo prophylactic oophorectomy. Oophorectomy in young women is associated with an increased risk in cardiac disease, osteoporosis and all-cause mortality. With the increasing incidence of endometrial cancer in young women, the decision of whether to perform an oophorectomy in premenopausal women undergoing endometrial cancer staging is becoming increasingly common. We present the risks and benefits of oophorectomy, as well as discuss the literature concerning oophorectomy in young women with endometrial cancer.
Adhesion of MC3T3-E1 cells to RGD peptides of different flanking residues: detachment strength and correlation with long-term cellular function.

We synthesized a series of RGD peptides and immobilized them to an amine-functional self-assembled monolayer using a modified maleimide-based conjugate technique that minimizes nonspecific interactions. Using a spinning disc apparatus, a trend in the detachment strength (τ50) of RGD peptides of different flanking residues was found: RGDSPK > RGDSVVYGLR ≈ RGDS > RGES. Using blocking monoclonal antibodies, cellular adhesion to the peptides was shown to be primarily αv-integrin-mediated. In contrast, the τ50 value of the cells on fibronectin (Fn)-coated substrates of similar surface density was 6–7 times higher and involved both α5β1 and αvβ3 integrins. Cellular spreading was enhanced on RGD peptides after 1 h when compared to RGE and unmodified substrates. However, no significant differences were observed between the different RGD peptides. Long-term function of MC3T3-E1 cells was also evaluated by measuring alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and mineral deposition. Among the four peptides, RGDSPK exhibited the highest level of ALP activity after 11 days and mineralization after 15 days and reached comparable levels as Fn substrates after 15 and 24 days, respectively. These findings collectively illustrate both the advantages and limitations of enhancing cellular adhesion and function by the design of RGD peptides. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2007
Justifying lipid-lowering therapy in persons >/=65 years of age.

O a vigorously debated subject, the importance of cholesterol lowering in the prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD) is now well established. Cholesterol lowering has been demonstrated to be a powerful factor in reducing morbidity and mortality resulting from coronary atherosclerosis. As such, it is reasonable to ask what role it has to play in the treatment of older patients. The older population is increasing rapidly in the United States, both in absolute number and as a percentage of the population. The incidence of new CHD events and prevalence of coronary deaths are highest in those aged 65 years,1 and 85% of all deaths attributable to CHD occur in this group.2 At one time, the idea that preventive medicine had value in persons who were closer to the end rather than the beginning of their lives would have been dismissed. However, preventive measures, cannot only extend life but can also decrease morbidity and therefore prevent disability and improve quality of life.
Many hard examples for resolution

For every choice of positive integers c and k such that k ≥ 3 and c2-k ≥ 0.7, there is a positive number e such that, with probability tending to 1 as n tends to ∞, a randomly chosen family of cn clauses of size k over n variables is unsatisfiable, but every resolution proof of its unsatisfiability must generate at least (1 + e)n clauses.
The status of the Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca in Turkey

Summary Both breeding and midwinter populations of the Ferruginous Duc nyrocak Aythya are indecline throughout Europe. As part of an action plan for the species currently beingprepared, a comprehensive Turkish site inventory was made. The Turkish breeding andmidwinter populations (500-600 pairs and 0-1,500 birds respectively) are amongst themost important in Europe but have been subject to significant and probably long-termdeclines. Of 25 breeding sites identified in this study, only 10 are considered to hold morethan 10 pairs, seven are probably no longer suitable and the rest probably all supportfewer than five pairs. Thirty-one localities have held birds in winter but of these 18 havebeen unoccupied in the 1990s. Significant numbers appear to remain in Turkey onlyduring particularly mild winters. Measures for its effective conservation in Turkey areoutlined. A comprehensive site inventory, based on field work directed to potentialbreeding localities, and monitoring of important sites identified by this study and earliersurveys are urgently required.Introduction
The Anthropogenic Greenhouse Era Began Thousands of Years Ago

The anthropogenic era is generally thought to have begun 150 to 200 years ago, when the industrial revolution began producing CO2 and CH4 at rates sufficient to alter their compositions in the atmosphere. A different hypothesis is posed here: anthropogenic emissions of these gases first altered atmospheric concentrations thousands of years ago. This hypothesis is based on three arguments. (1) Cyclic variations in CO2 and CH4 driven by Earth-orbital changes during the last 350,000 years predict decreases throughout the Holocene, but the CO2 trend began an anomalous increase 8000 years ago, and the CH4 trend did so 5000 years ago. (2) Published explanations for these mid- to late-Holocene gas increases based on natural forcing can be rejected based on paleocli- matic evidence. (3) A wide array of archeological, cultural, historical and geologic evidence points to viable explanations tied to anthropogenic changes resulting from early agriculture in Eurasia, including the start of forest clearance by 8000 years ago and of rice irrigation by 5000 years ago. In recent millennia, the estimated warming caused by these early gas emissions reached a global-mean value of ∼0.8 ◦ C and roughly 2 ◦ C at high latitudes, large enough to have stopped a glaciation of northeastern Canada predicted by two kinds of climatic models. CO2 oscillations of ∼10 ppm in the last 1000 years are too large to be explained by external (solar-volcanic) forcing, but they can be explained by outbreaks of bubonic plague that caused historically documented farm abandonment in western Eurasia. Forest regrowth on abandoned farms sequestered enough carbon to account for the observed CO2 decreases. Plague-driven CO2 changes were also a significant causal factor in temperature changes during the Little Ice Age (1300-1900 AD).
SNR analysis approach for hardware/software partitioning using dynamically adaptable fixed point representation

During the early design phases of software development, many developers use floating point data types and libraries but often convert these applications into fixed point representations in later design phases - a time consuming process often requiring significant designer effort. While various approaches have been proposed to automate the floating to fixed point conversion process, these approaches are mainly targeted at creating optimized software implementations and do not directly support partitioning floating point implementation to hardware. We present an approach to optimize the number of bits required for a dynamically adaptable fixed-point representation using SNR analysis methods targeting computationally intensive floating-point kernels. We present a hardware/software partitioning methodology that leverages this SNR analysis to partition application kernels to custom hardware coprocessors implemented within a field-programmable gate array. Using several case study applications, we highlight the performance benefits and area requirements of the resulting hardware implementations.
N,N′‐Bis(salicylidene)ethylenediaminenickel(II)

[14167-20-5] C16H14N2NiO2 (MW 324.99) InChI = 1S/C16H16N2O2.Ni/c19-15-7-3-1-5-13(15)11-17-9-10-18-12-14-6-2-4-8-16(14)20;/h1-8,11-12,19-20H,9-10H2;/q;+2/p-2/b17-11+,18-12+; InChIKey = DKBSGGSJQXGHBV-OYJDLGDISA-L (catalyst for alkane chlorination,2 alkene epoxidation,4 DNA oxidation,5 Michael addition,7 and radical cyclization8) Alternate Name: Ni(salen). Physical Data: mp 337 °C, d 1.325 g cm−3. Solubility: insol H2O; slightly sol benzene and ether; sol acetone, acetic acid, pyridine, CHCl3, and CH2Cl2. Form Supplied in: commercially available as an orange powder. Preparative Method: easily and cheaply prepared from ethylenediamine, salicylaldehyde, and Ni(OAc)2.1 Handling, Storage, and Precautions: low sensitivity to air and water; cancer suspect agent; handle with care.
An Outsider's View of Beginning Literacy in Finland: Assumptions, Lessons Learned, and Sisu

Even though Finnish students continually score at the highest levels on international reading tests, little attention is given to Finland's reading education programs. Dismissing Finnish attainments often is based on the attitude that the Finnish language is simpler, due to a close one-to-one sound/symbol match and that Finland is an isolated country that does not experience the same social complications as other countries. This study is based on direct observations of first-grade classrooms in Finland, as well as interviews of Finnish children, parents, teachers, and university professors. Results suggest that teacher autonomy and family attitude, along with their uses of reading, and the Finnish personality characteristic of “sisu” provide insight into their academic success.
Special Considerations When Working With the Pediatric Vocal Performer

Providing care to a performer with vocal injury requires an understanding of the physiology of the singing voice and appreciation for the complexities of the life of a performer. However, when the performer who presents to the clinic is a child or teenager, there are additional challenges, and providing appropriate care requires a special understanding of the changes that take place during vocal development across childhood and adolescence. This includes the physical changes that occur in the respiratory, phonatory, and resonatory systems; the effects of these changes on the singing voice especially in regards to puberty; and additional challenges ones faces when working with a performer who may have minimal training and whose instrument is continuing to develop. A thorough evaluation is necessary before recommending voice therapy. Voice therapy with pediatric vocal performers is similar to voice therapy with adults, but may have a larger focus on education regarding normal anatomy and physiology of the v...
Should we use one-, or multi-compartment models to describe 13C incorporation into animal tissues?

Understanding rates of isotopic incorporation and discrimination factors between tissues and diet is an important focus of ecologists seeking to use stable isotopes to track temporal changes in diet. We used a diet-shift experiment to measure differences among tissues in 13C incorporation rates in house sparrows (Passer domesticus). We predicted faster incorporation rates in splanchnic than in structural tissues. We also assessed whether isotopic incorporation data were better supported by the one-compartment models most commonly used by ecologists or by multi-compartment models. We found large differences in the residence time of 13C among tissues and, as predicted, splanchnic tissues had faster rates of isotopic incorporation and thus shorter retention times than structural tissues. We found that one-compartment models supported isotopic incorporation data better in breath, excreta, red blood cells, bone collagen, and claw tissues. However, data in plasma, intestine, liver, pectoralis muscle, gizzard, and intestine tissues supported two-compartment models. More importantly, the inferences that we derived from the two types of models differed. Two-compartment models estimated longer 13C residence times, and smaller tissue to diet differences in isotopic composition, than one-compartment models. Our study highlights the importance of considering both one- and multi-compartment models when interpreting laboratory and field isotopic incorporation studies. It also emphasizes the opportunities that measuring several tissues with contrasting isotopic residence times offer to elucidate animal diets at different time scales. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Genetic Changes To Optimize Carbon Partitioning between Ethanol and Biosynthesis in Ethanologenic Escherichia coli

The production of ethanol from xylose by ethanologenic Escherichia coli strain KO11 was improved by adding various medium supplements (acetate, pyruvate, and acetaldehyde) that prolonged the growth phase by increasing cell yield and volumetric productivity (approximately twofold). Although added pyruvate and acetaldehyde were rapidly metabolized, the benefit of these additives continued throughout fermentation. Both additives increased the levels of extracellular acetate through different mechanisms. Since acetate can be reversibly converted to acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) by acetate kinase and phosphotransacetylase, the increase in cell yield caused by each of the three supplements is proposed to result from an increase in the pool of acetyl-CoA. A similar benefit was obtained by inactivation of acetate kinase (ackA), reducing the production of acetate (and ATP) and sparing acetyl-CoA for biosynthetic needs. Inactivation of native E. coli alcohol-aldehyde dehydrogenase (adhE), which uses acetyl-CoA as an electron acceptor, had no beneficial effect on growth, which was consistent with a minor role for this enzyme during ethanol production. Growth of KO11 on xylose appears to be limited by the partitioning of carbon skeletons into biosynthesis rather than the level of ATP. Changes in acetyl-CoA production and consumption provide a useful approach to modulate carbon partitioning. Together, these results demonstrate that xylose fermentation to ethanol can be improved in KO11 by redirecting small amounts of pyruvate away from fermentation products and into biosynthesis. Though negligible with respect to ethanol yield, these small changes in carbon partitioning reduced the time required to complete the fermentation of 9.1% xylose in 1% corn steep liquor medium from over 96 h to less than 72 h.
A new algorithm for finding minimal cycle-breaking sets of turns in a graph.

We consider the problem of constructing a minimal cycle-breaking set of turns for a given undirected graph. This problem is important for deadlock-free wormhole routing in computer and communication networks, such as Networks of Workstations. The proposed Cycle Breaking algorithm, or CB algorithm, guarantees that the constructed set of prohibited turns is minimal and that the fraction of the prohibited turns does not exceed 1=3 for any graph. The computational complexity of the proposed algorithm is O(N 2 ¢), where N is the number of vertices, and ¢ is the maximum node degree. The memory complexity of the algorithm is O(N¢). We provide lower bounds on the minimum size of cycle-breaking sets for connected graphs. Further, we construct minimal cycle-breaking sets and establish bounds on the minimum fraction of prohibited turns for two important classes of graphs, namely, t-partite graphs and graphs with small degrees. The upper bounds are tight and demonstrate the optimality of the CB algorithm for certain classes of graphs. Results of computer simulations illustrate the superiority of the proposed CB algorithm as compared to the well-known and the widely used Up/Down technique.
Contrasts, counterfactuals,and causes

There is growing debate concerning the nature of causation in political science. In comparative politics and International Relations, scholars are divided by probabilistic, mechanistic, and conditi...
Dystonia: Information from the Internet

Dystonia is a neurologic movement disorder that causes sustained voluntary muscle contractions, forcing the body into painful postures. The disease can cause varying degrees of pain and disability, leaving some unable to perform everyday tasks. This column provides a general overview of dystonia, including symptoms, classification, diagnosis, causes, and treatments. The column concludes with a list of authoritative Web sites that provide additional information about the disease.
Differentiated intestinal epithelial cells exhibit increased migration through polyamines and myosin II

Early mucosal restitution is a rapid process by which differentiated intestinal epithelial cells migrate to reseal superficial wounds. However, most of the in vitro studies for restitution employ u...
Time-constrained dynamic semantic compression for video indexing and interactive searching

We define and present a new model for semantic video compression and searching, and apply this model to several video genres, with special emphasis on instructional videos. In this model, a semantic distance based on the video genre is computed between adjacent frames in a dynamic video buffer of predetermined size, and redundant "unkey" frames leak from the buffer interior into a data structure "leakage history directed acyclic graph" (LHDAG) which records the relative importance of these frames. What exits the buffer forms a highly compressed video stream consisting of only the most semantically significant video frames, whereas the LHDAG permits efficient semantic exploration of the video interior. This novel hierarchical but context-sensitive data structure LHDAG permits the searching of the video at display rates that are proportional to visual significance, at levels of semantic density selectable by the user. The data structure is simple to create and query, and appears to be more psychologically plausible than more straightforward fixed sampling indexing schemes. We empirically display and mathematically analyze the relationships of the video buffer's leaking rate, buffer size, and exit delay, and demonstrate its performance on several extended videos. The flexibility of the method is indicated by its demonstration on two very different definitions of semantic significance: color similarity, and content ("ink pixel") similarity.
Colonic Lymphoma Producing Alpha-Chain Disease Protein

Alpha-chain disease with involvement of small intestine resulting in characteristic villus atrophy and malabsorption has not been reported in this country. We studied a 57-yr-old male who presented with a polypoid tumor of the hepatic flexure of the colon. There was no evidence of malabsorption as manifested by a normal fat balance, serum carotene, and D-xylose absorption studies and the small bowel biopsy did not show villus atrophy. The tumor in the colon was surgically removed and diagnosed as a malignant lymphoma of lymphocytic type. Tumor tissue infiltrated in the mesentery could not be excised. Alpha-chain disease protein was demonstrated in serum and urine, and also in tumor tissue by immunoperoxidase techniques. The α-chain disease protein was further purified and classified as subclass 1. The patient had a good clinical response to cyclophosphamide and prednisone, but still has intraabdominal lymphoma with gastric involvement, and his serum α-chain protein persists. This case report may represent a distinct variant of α-chain disease.
The Closed-End Funds: A Misunderstood Asset

This paper offers a new explanation to the closed-end funds' puzzles. It is driven by two observations: the fact the closed-end fund is a public company with a guaranteed, long-term annual compensation for Fund's entrenched management; and the assumption (acceptable within classical rational-and-efficient-markets paradigm) that management adds value to assets-under-their-management. As a result, the value of the closed end fund's shares is an algebraic sum of assets-under-management plus the [capitalized] value-added by the management minus the [capitalized] value of the costs-of-management. This approach is rich enough to explain several of perceived "puzzles", such as the persistence of discounts, relationship between a Fund's discount and its dividend policy, the zero correlation between discounts and interest rates, and the excess volatility of Fund's share price. It suggests a positive theory of the closed-end fund as an efficiency-driven organizational form of fund management. The paper's arguments are supported by our preliminary empirical study. The approach provides a number of empirically testable hypotheses.
Bioartificial pancreas: materials, devices, function, and limitations.

The term "bioartificial endocrine pancreas" (BEP) was introduced by Anthony Sun in 1980. It was in 1968, however, that Thomas Chang proposed the use of microencapsulated islets as artificial β-cells. By applying a semipermeable membrane on the top of microcapsules, a system can be produced that is impermeable to viable islet cells and large effector molecules of the immune system, thus providing a protection for transplanted islets against rejection. Since then, the term BEP has not often appeared in papers. Instead, the term "bioartificial pancreas" (BAP) has gained widespread use. In a broader sense, BAP would include an application of suitable endocrine cells and protective polymeric vehicles, but not necessarily providing a filtration barrier of precisely defined properties (e.g., cells injected into a gel of hyaluronate).
Imaging fibroblast activation protein alpha expression using 89Zr-DFO-F19 mAb

1038 Objectives Fibroblast activation protein alpha (FAP) is a serine protease that is overexpressed on neuroepithelial and sarcoma tumors (1-2). The goal of this work was to characterize 89Zr-DFO-F19 mAb, a PET radiopharmaceutical that specifically targets FAP, and evaluate its potential as a PET and Cerenkov Luminescence Imaging (CLI) agent for FAP positive tumors in vivo. Methods 89Zr-DFO-F19 was prepared according to standard protocols (3). The immunoreactivity and Ka of 89Zr-DFO-F19 was determined using the Lindmo Method and the U87mg cell line, which demonstrates the highest endogenous FAP expression among available cancer cell lines. Biodistribution, CLI, small animal PET/CT and autoradiography studies were conducted in mice bearing FAP+ U87mg tumors using known procedures. Results 89Zr-DFO-F19 was radiolabeled in high radiochemical purity and with a specific activity of 158.3 ± 1.6 MBq/mg (4.28 ± 0.04 mCi / mg, n = 6). CLI imaging of female nude mice implanted with U87mg tumors in the flank revealed substantially greater uptake in tumors than in other tissues such as liver, kidney, muscle or bone. Small animal PET/CT image analysis revealed excellent tumor accumulation of the radiopharmaceutical at 48 h p.i., which was reduced upon the administration of blockade [tumor: (non-block vs. block: SUV; p value): 2.39±0.45 vs. 1.73 ±0.11; 0.03]. Autoradiography and histological analysis of tissue slices demonstrated the colocalization of radioactivity with areas of increased FAP expression and validated both the CLI and small animal PET/CT results. Conclusions 89Zr-DFO-F19 represents a novel PET radiopharmaceutical for FAP positive tumors. CLI imaging confirmed localization within tumor xenografts but not in FAP negative tissues. This was corroborated by biodistribution, small animal PET/CT and autoradiography studies. Research Support DoD W81XWH-13-1-0125
Evidence for the Presence of a Low Molecular Weight Follitropin Binding Inhibitor in Bovine Follicular Fluid

The interaction of FSH with granulosa cell receptors has previously been studied by Nimrod et al. (1), Louvet and Vaitukaitis (2) and Lee and Takahashi (3) in the rat and by Zeleznik et al. (4) in the porcine. In this report, we describe the binding of FSH to bovine granulosa cells and summarize studies suggesting the presence in bovine follicular fluid of a low molecular weight inhibitor of FSH binding (FSH-BI) to bovine granulosa cell receptors.
Ongoing Alpha Activity in V1 Regulates Visually Driven Spiking Responses

The interlaminar connections in the primate primary visual cortex (V1) are well described, as is the presence of ongoing alpha-range (7-14 Hz) fluctuations in this area. Less well understood is how these interlaminar connections and ongoing fluctuations contribute to the regulation of visual spiking responses. Here, we investigate the relationship between alpha fluctuations and spiking responses to visual stimuli across cortical layers. Using laminar probes in macaque V1, we show that neural firing couples with the phase of alpha fluctuations, and that magnitude of this coupling is particularly pronounced during visual stimulation. The strongest modulation of spiking activity was observed in layers 2/3. Alpha-spike coupling and current source density analysis pointed to an infragranular origin of the alpha fluctuations. Taken together, these results indicate that ongoing infragranular alpha-range fluctuations in V1 play a role in regulating columnar visual activity.
Increasing the Efficiency of Data Collection With a Research Participation Night

Data collection can be a frustrating experience for student researchers due to difficulty in scheduling appointments with participants. To increase the efficiency of research project data collectio...
Sequential Contracts for Uncertain Electricity Resources

The U.S. department of energy recently listed “development of rules for market evolution that enable system flexibility” among the key strategic areas of intervention for a successful integration of renewable energy into the grid [2]. Renewable energy generation from wind and solar is intermittent and its prediction accuracy is precise only within a short time horizon (e.g. 5-15 minutes [1]). Therefore, new market mechanism solutions such as intra-day markets are proposed that allow for flexible generation of renewable energy to exploit the improved forecast accuracy of renewable resources over time [14]. In this paper we study sequential contract design problems that incorporate the arrival of new information about renewable generation and allow for flexible production. Today, the renewable energy generation receives extramarket treatment such as feed-in tariffs, guaranteed grid access, and lenient penalty rate [3, 7]. For example, the Participating Intermittent Resource Program (PIRP) mandates the California independent system operator to accept all the wind generation in real-time and treat them as negative loads. The subsequent increased cost of the required reserve generation capacity is then socialized among the load serving entities (LSE). However, such approaches cannot be sustained for high levels of renewable generation as the imposed reserve generation cost on LSEs becomes excessively high and results in social welfare loss. In the long-run, renewable energy generation needs to participate in electricity markets and be exposed to market mechanisms. An alternative approach, implemented in the U.K., requires the wind generators to bid in conventional electricity markets and pay penalty for ex-post deviation from their ex-ante contracted schedule. Such a firm contracting approach is the subject of many studies in the literature. The works of [4, 15] study the problem of optimal bidding in a two-settlement market structure with an exogenous price and penalty rate. The problem of mechanism design for wind aggregation among many wind producers that jointly participate in a two-settlement market structure with exogenous price and penalty rate is investigated in [8, 10]. The authors in [12] study the problem of auction design for such a two-settlement market structure. In this paper, we propose a simple two-step model to capture the dynamic variable nature of renewable generation and provide a general formulation for flexible forward con-
Platonic tectonics

Before scientific inquiry revealed how earthquakes happen, there were many traditional explanations. In ancient Japan, it was believed that earthquakes were caused by a giant mischievous catfish flipping around in the center of the earth. In Mongolia, it was a frog, which carried the earth around and twitched now and then. The Gabrielino Indians of southern California believed that three turtles carried the earth, and when they argued and went their separate ways, the land shivered.
Renal reabsorption of methionine in normal dogs.

SummaryThe relation between the rate of renal filtration and reabsorption of dl-methionine α-amino nitrogen has been studied in normal dogs. As the amount filtered was increased to 34.8 mg α-amino nitrogen/min/square meter, the highest level attained in these experiments, the rate of reabsorption increased to 24.8 mg/min/square meter and there was no evidence that a Tm value was obtained. The data demonstrate the high efficiency of the renal mechanism for the reabsorption of methionine.
Development and Initial Reliability Testing of an Instrument to Measure Attitudes toward in-Service Programming among Psychiatric Hospital Staff

An instrument to determine clinical staff's perceptions and valuations of in-service programming, the Staff Development Evaluation Questionnaire, is presented. Initial testing on sample of 55 psychiatric nursing staff in a quasi-experimental one-group pretest-posttest design yielded alpha coefficients of .83 for both the pretest and the posttest and a test-retest coefficient of temporal stability of .81. The need for further assessment of reliability is emphasized, a process currently being undertaken.
Mobilize! Some Tips to Improve Documents for Mobile Devices

This essay discusses the increasing prevalence of tablets, mobile phones, and other electronic reading devices in legal work. It gives helpful tips for designing emails and legal briefs to improve readability for an audience reading on electronic devices.
Brief Thought about LIBOR of One-Year USD

LIBOR is short for London Inter-Bank offered rate.USD LIBOR is the p rice of USD offered between banks in London financial market.They made public at 11:00AM(London Time)of each business day by thirty authorized banks.LIBOR value s are typically for 1,3,6and 12 months.It has become the significant interest ra te in the London money market since 1960's.The LIBOR rate is frequently used as the base for resetting rates on floating-rate securities.This article forcuses on the one-year USD LIBOR to analysis the main reasons of its fluctuation since 2000.
Acoustic and Kinematic Characteristics of Vowel Production Through a Virtual Vocal Tract in Dysarthria

Broadening our understanding of the components and processes of speech sensorimotor learning is crucial to furthering methods of speech neurorehabilitation. Recent research in limb sensorimotor control has used virtual environments to study learning in novel sensorimotor working spaces. Comparable experimental paradigms have yet to be undertaken to study speech learning. We present acoustic and kinematic data obtained from participants producing vowels in unfamiliar articulatory-acoustic working spaces using a virtual vocal tract. Talkers with dysarthria and healthy controls were asked to produce vowels using an electromagnetic articulograph-driven speech synthesizer for participantcontrolled auditory feedback. The aim of the work was to characterize performance within and between groups to generate hypotheses regarding experimental manipulations that may bolster our understanding of speech sensorimotor learning. Results indicate that dysarthric talkers displayed relatively reduced acoustic working spaces and somewhat more variable acoustic targets compared to controls. Kinematic measures of articulatory dynamics, particularly peak speed and movement jerk-cost, were idiosyncratic and did not dissociate talker groups. These findings suggest that individuals with dysarthria and healthy talkers may use idiosyncratic movement strategies in learning to control a virtual vocal tract, but that dysarthric talkers may nonetheless exhibit acoustic limitations that parallel deficits in speech intelligibility.
WhiteMesh: Leveraging white spaces in wireless mesh networks

While there were high hopes for multihop wireless networks (mesh) to provide ubiquitous WiFi in many cities, in-field trials revealed the node spacing required for WiFi propagation induced a prohibitive cost model for network carriers to deploy. However, the digitization of TV channels and new FCC regulations have reapportioned spectrum for data networks with far greater range than WiFi due to lower carrier frequencies. In this paper, we analyze our in-field measurements in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex of channel occupancy in both WiFi and white space frequencies to deploy a wireless multihop backhaul tier. We design a measurement-driven heuristic algorithm, Band-based Path Selection (BPS), to approach optimal channel assignment of both white space and WiFi spectrum with reduced computational complexity. Numerical results show that BPS nearly doubles the served traffic of existing multi-channel, multi-radio algorithms, which are agnostic to diverse propagation characteristics across bands. Most importantly, this paper lays a foundation for the optimal use of white space and WiFi bands in the backhaul tiers of mesh networks across diverse population densities.
First report of fossil turtle eggshell west of the Colorado Plateau

AbstractThe first fossil turtle eggshell from North America west of the Colorado Plateau (UCMP 218504) is described, adding to the growing global record of chelonian eggshell. Ten blocks of mudstone were collected from the Upper Miocene (Clarendonian) Orinda Formation, Contra Costa County, California, during the excavation of the Caldecott Tunnel Fourth Bore. They contain rigid eggshell averaging 500 μm in thickness. Closely packed shell units with a height/width ratio of 2:1 are composed of radiating, acicular crystals originating from a basal core, a set of characters that support the identification of the eggshell as chelonian, and further as testudinoid. Egg diameter is estimated at between 34.2 and 42.4 mm based on shell curvature. Adult carapace length is estimated to be 70.7 cm, a size similar to fossils of Hesperotestudo known from California and present in the Orinda Formation. UCMP 218504 greatly extends the geographic record of turtle fossil eggshell and adds to the limited number of mid-Neogen...
Trade Costs, CO 2 , and the Environment

Abstract This paper quantifies how international trade affects CO2 emissions and analyzes the welfare consequences of regulating the CO2 emissions from shipping. To this end, the paper describes a ...