cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Investigation of physical vapor deposition techniques of conformal shell coating for core/shell structures by Monte Carlo simulations

Abstract Vertically aligned core/shell nanowire (nanorod) arrays are favorable candidates in many nano-scale devices such as solar cells, detectors, and integrated circuits. The quality of the shell coating around nanowire arrays is as crucial as the quality of the nanowires in device applications. For this reason, we worked on different physical vapor deposition (PVD) techniques and conducted Monte Carlo simulations to estimate the best deposition technique for a conformal shell coating. Our results show that a small angle (≤ 45°) between incoming flux of particles and the substrate surface normal is necessary for PVD techniques with a directional incoming flux (e.g. thermal or e-beam evaporation) for a reasonable conformal coating. On the other hand, PVD techniques with an angular flux distribution (e.g. sputtering) can provide a fairly conformal shell coating around nanowire arrays without a need of small angle deposition. We also studied the shape effect of the arrays on the conformality of the coating and discovered that arrays of the tapered-top nanorods and the pyramids can be coated with a more conformal and thicker coating compared to the coating on the arrays of flat-top nanowires due to their larger openings in between structures. Our results indicate that conventional PVD techniques, which offer low cost and large scale thin film fabrication, can be utilized for highly conformal and uniform shell coating formation in core/shell nanowire device applications.
Abstract 4647: Clinical Implications of Rabphillin-3A-Like (RPH3AL/NOC2) Gene Alterations in Breast Cancer

Background: The Rabphillin-3A-like (RPH3AL) gene, located at the 17p13.3 locus, has been reported to be involved in progression and metastasis of colorectal cancer. Since there have been no studies of this gene in breast cancer (BC), mutations and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of RPH3AL in BCs were evaluated. Methods: BCs (n=104) and matching benign tissues were evaluated for LOH by use of two locus-specific polymorphic markers (D17S1866 and D17S643) and ABI-3100 sequencing technology. Of 104 cases, 16 had corresponding snap-frozen BCs and benign epithelial tissues. The cDNA samples of these frozen cases were analyzed for RPH3AL mutations by RT-PCR and direct sequencing. Since most of the missense mutations were located in the exon-6 region, the genomic DNA samples of 68 (of 104) BCs and their corresponding benign tissues were assessed only for exon 6 by the use of exon-6 specific primers. Additionally, 96 (of 104) BCs and the corresponding control tissues were analyzed for germ line mutations at 43 base pairs downstream from exon-6. Mutations and LOH status were correlated with clinicopathologic features of BCs and patient overall survival by chi-square and Kaplan-Meier analyses, respectively. Results: LOH analysis demonstrated that 69 of 99 (70%) informative cases exhibited LOH in at least one marker. In total, 19% (13 of 68) of BCs exhibited missense point mutations in the coding region (exon-6) of RPH3AL. Six BCs exhibited mutations at codon 175, two BCs at codon 200, one BC had double mutations at codon 178 and 189, and four BCs had single mutations at codons 165, 174, 181 and 196. There was a germ-line mutation (G>T) at 43 base pairs downstream from exon-6. Genotyping of this alteration showed that 31% (30 of 96) of BCs were homozygous for the G/G allele, 56% (54 of 96) were heterozygous for G/T, and 13% (12 of 96) were homozygous for T/T. In our correlative analysis, most BCs with mutations were associated with lymph-node metastases (9 of 13, 69%) and with an allelic loss (8 of 13, 62%). The G/G alleles were more commonly found in African-Americans than Caucasians (χ 2 , p=0.003), in ER/PR positive BCs than in ER/PR negative BCs (χ 2 , p=0.03), and in BCs with advanced stage (χ 2 , p=0.02). The incidence of LOH increased with nodal metastasis (χ 2 , p=0.04) and tumor size (χ 2 , p=0.05) of the BCs. Furthermore, LOH was significantly associated with poor patient survival (log rank, p=0.002). Conclusions: The results suggest that genetic alterations in the RPH3AL gene are associated with aggressive behavior of breast cancer. (Grant Support: UAB-Breast SPORE-Pilot and Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, POP138306). Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4647.
Ecstasy and Vision: Two Concepts Connected with Bernini's Teresa

(1984). Ecstasy and Vision: Two Concepts Connected with Bernini's Teresa. The Art Bulletin: Vol. 66, No. 3, pp. 508-511.
Autoclave and β-Amylolysis Lead to Reduced in Vitro Digestibility of Starch

In this study, a combination of autoclave and beta-amylolysis was used to modulate the digestibility of normal corn starch (NCS) and wheat starch (WS). The modification procedure comprised three cycles of autoclave at 35% moisture content and 121 degrees C, beta-amylolysis, and one additional cycle of autoclave. Starch materials were sampled at each stage and characterized. The fine structure of starch was determined using high-performance size-exclusion chromatography, the micromorphology of starch dispersion was imaged using cryo-SEM, the crystalline pattern was evaluated using wide-angle X-ray powder diffraction, and the digestibility was measured using Englyst assay. After beta-amylolysis, amylose was enriched (from 25.4 to 33.2% for NCS and from 27.5 to 32.8% for WS) and the branch density was increased (from 5.2 to 7.7% for NCS and from 5.3 to 7.9% for WS). Cryo-SEM images showed that the autoclave treatment led to the formation of a low-swelling, high-density gel network, whereas beta-amylolysis nearly demolished the network structure. The loss of A-type crystalline structure and the formation of B- and V-type structures resulted from autoclave, which suggests the formation of amylose-based ordered structure. Englyst assay indicated that, due to beta-amylolysis, the resistant starch (RS) content was increased to 30 from 11% of native NCS and to 23 from 9% of native WS. In contrast, autoclave showed only minor impact on RS levels. The increase of RS observed in this study is associated with enhanced branch density, which is different from the four types of RS commonly defined.
Transforming growth factor-β receptors: Role in physiology and disease

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) plays a pivotal role in numerous vital cellular activities, most significantly the regulation of cellular proliferation and differentiation and synthesis of extracellular matrix components. Its ubiquitous presence in different tissues and strict conservation of nucleotide sequence down through the most primitive vertebrate organisms underscore the essential nature of this family of molecules. The effects of TGF-β are mediated by a family of dedicated receptors, the TGF-β types I, II, and III receptors. It is now known that a wide variety of human pathology can be caused by aberrant expression and function of these receptors or their cognate ligands. The coding sequence of the human type II receptor appears to render it uniquely susceptible to DNA replication errors in the course of normal cell division. There are now substantial data suggesting that TGF-β type II receptor should be considered a tumor suppressor gene. High levels of mutation in the TGF-β type II receptor gene have been observed in a wide variety of primarily epithelial malignancies, including colon, gastric, and hepatic cancer. It appears likely that mutation of the TGF-β type II receptor gene represents a very critical step in the pathway of carcinogenesis.
THE TERM PREMIA RELATIONSHIP IMPLICIT IN THE TERM STRUCTURE OF TREASURY BILLS

This paper considers a single coefficient representation of the term premia relationship that appears in treasury bill yield curves. Term premia are defined as positive or negative maturity-dependent differentials versus the instantaneous nominal spot rate. The term premia function is developed in the context of the Cox, Ingersoll, and Ross [3] Risk-Averse Preferred Habitat Model and proxies for the degree of risk aversion exhibited by the universe of treasury bill investors at a point in time. Empirical results indicate that term premia are influenced by a set of macroeconomic variables in the expected manner.
ADDITIONAL CORRELATES OF GREENBERG AND JENKINS' LINGUISTIC S SCALE

Greenberg and Jenkins (1964) reported a linear relationship between two independently derived scales. One was a linguistic substitution, S, scale of distance of CCVCs from English. The second was the means of judgments of distance from English of CCVCs constructed according to their S scale. Two hypotheses were tested. One was that a psychological correlate of their S scale was the effort of pronouncing. The second is that increasing values of the S scale result in increasing strangeness of sounds corresponding to their CCVCs. Both hypotheses remain tenable.
Plasmids and Serotypes of Hemolytic Fecal Escherichia coli

Twelve of 21 human, hemolytic, fecal isolates ofEscherichia coli produced type 1 hemolysin (HLY1), an extracellular, heat-labile molecule (alpha-hemolysin). Although no common plasmid species was apparent, 11 of 12 HLY1 strains possessed a plasmid≥60 megadaltons (Mdal); 5 of 9 strains with other hemolysins possessed a plasmid of comparable molecular mass (Fisher's exact probability=0.0805). One derivative of an HLY1+strain, which contained a 125 Mdal plasmid, no longer expressed HLY1 and contained a single 102 Mdal plasmid. The presence of large plasmids of varying size and an apparent deletion mutation in HLY1 strains suggest that HLY1 determinants are located on a small, unstable genetic element. In an initial survey of 224 human fecal isolates ofE. coli, the predominant hemolytic serotype was 06:H-, and conversely most (85%) 06:H-isolates were HLY1+. Serotype appears to play an important role in HLY1 expression.
EVALUATION OF YIELD STRESS MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUES ON A PARALLEL PLATE MAGNETIC RHEOMETER

The on-state yield stress is the primary design parameter for an MR actuator. We have evaluated several methods for measuring yield stress on a number of MR fluids of varying composition using a commercial parallel plate magnetic rheometer. The data obtained by these methods is evaluated for reproducibility and sensitivity to sample size variation and is compared against data obtained with a concentric cylinder magnetic rheometer and literature results. Based on these evaluations and comparisons, we selected two tests for further evaluation.
A connection model for the seismic analysis of welded steel moment frames

An analytical approach is described for performing seismic evaluation of welded steel moment frame buildings constructed prior to the 1994 Northridge earthquake. The approach is based on an analytical model that captures the possibility of connection fracture and the subsequent loss of strength and stiffness. This connection model was developed and calibrated on the basis of laboratory experiments. It was employed in the seismic analysis of a 13-story building which experienced fractured connections in the Northridge earthquake and for which there are seismograph records and a damage survey. Results from several analyses indicate that the inelastic and fracture models are capable of predicting the behavior of steel moment frame buildings and of estimating the level of damage.
Behavioral and electrophysiological recovery following cryogenic nerve injury.

Abstract Postthoracotomy pain can be reduced by cryoanalgesia of intercostal nerves. The technique involves focal freezing of peripheral nerves to interrupt pain pathways, producing immediate functional changes that recover as the nerves regenerate. To assess the time-course of functional changes that follow nerve injury, unilateral freeze lesions of sciatic nerve were induced in rats with a cryosurgical unit. The contralateral nerves were used as sham-operated controls. Following nerve injury, behavioral and electrophysiologic tests were repeated to 90 days. The acute effect of nerve injury was a decrease in behavioral measures of hind limb function (P
Specific inhibition of a calcium dependent activation of brain cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activity by vinblastine

Vinblastine selectively inhibits the activation of brain cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activity by Ca++-protein activator (50% inhibition by 2×10−5 M). This inhibitory effect was reversed by excessive amounts of the activator, whereas large quantities of Ca++ caused only a slight suppression of the vinblastine effect. This result of vinblastine suggests a new site of its action and also suggests the possible role of protein activator, phosphodiesterase proteins or cyclic nucleotides in the previously known effects of vinblastine in vivo and in vitro.
Inhalation exposure to a hepatocarcinogenic concentration of methylene chloride does not induce sustained replicative DNA synthesis in hepatocytes of female B6C3F1 mice.

We have used methylene chloride as a model to study cellular and molecular processes responsible for liver tumor induction by chlorinated hydrocarbons. Because of current interest in the role of enhanced cell proliferation in tumor induction, measurement of S-phase hepatocytes was incorporated into recently conducted toxicity and carcinogenicity studies. In prechronic studies, female B6C3F1 mice were exposed to 0, 1000, 2000 or 8000 p.p.m. methylene chloride by inhalation, 5 days per week, for up to 4 weeks followed by a 1 and 2 week recovery period. Mice exposed to concentrations of 2000, 4000 or 8000 p.p.m. methylene chloride had sustained increased liver weight commencing after 1 week of exposure and returning to normal after the 1 or 2 week recovery period. The increased liver weight was attributed to hepatocellular hypertrophy secondary to intracellular glycogen accumulation. Tritiated thymidine was administered by osmotic minipumps to label S-phase hepatocytes over a 6 day period. At most intervals examined there was decreased hepatocyte labeling in mice exposed to methylene chloride. However, there was a transitory increased number of S-phase hepatocytes observed at the 2 week interval in the 1000, 4000 and 8000 p.p.m. methylene chloride groups. In a chronic study, female mice were exposed to 2000 p.p.m. methylene chloride for up to two years. Following labeling with BRDU using 6 day minipumps, a statistically significant decrease in S-phase hepatocytes was observed after 13 weeks of methylene chloride exposure. A minor increased labeling index (LI) observed at 52 weeks was not considered to be a methylene chloride treatment-related effect. Retrospective immunohistochemical staining for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in liver sections containing foci of cellular alteration allowed demonstration of S-phase hepatocytes in these clonally expanded preneoplastic lesions. While foci frequently had higher LI's than surrounding normal hepatocytes, there was no difference in the mean LI of foci from methylene chloride-treated mice versus foci occurring spontaneously in control mice. The absence of a sustained increase in S-phase hepatocytes in female B6C3F1 mice suggests that enhanced cell proliferation is not a major mechanistic factor associated with the observed hepatocarcinogenicity of methylene chloride.
Photochemical ignition of premixed hydrogenoxidizer mixtures with excimer lasers

Abstract Photochemically augmented combustion has been identified as a potential technique for extending combustion associated limits. The objective of this research has been to investigate initiation of combustion by irradiation of unsensitized fueloxidizer mixtures with ultraviolet light. This light, absorbed initially by oxygen molecules, results in their photodissociation to oxygen atoms, which produce other reactive radicals via chain-branching. The presence of these radicals and subsequent thermalization results in ignition. In this study, a Lumonics excimer laser (TE 861) is used to investigate the effect of wavelength on the photochemical ignition of hydrogenair and hydrogenoxygen mixtures at several equivalence ratios and pressures. Two wavelengths are used; 157 nm emitted by fluorine and 193 nm emitted by argon fluoride. Photoignitions were achieved with the fluorine laser and not with the argon fluoride laser, even though the latter has 10-fold greater fluence. This result demonstrates the important role of the selectivity of the absorption coefficient of molecular oxygen, which sharply decreases (four orders of magnitude) as the wavelength increases from 157 nm to 193 nm. Experiments in which minimum pressures for ignition of H 2 O 2 and H 2 air mixtures were determined at various equivalence ratios suggest fundamental differences between the performance of photochemical and conventional spark ignited systems. Overall minima for photochemical initiation occurred at equivalence ratios to the fuel-lean side of stoichiometric. This fuel-lean shift appears typical of photochemical initiation, with the explanation that increased molecular oxygen yields higher atomic oxygen concentration upon irradiation. A complementary analytical effort was undertaken to eludicate the fundamental interaction of photon absorption, subsequent dissociation, chemical kinetics, and heat loss to surroundings. These processes are described by energy and species conservation equations, including some 90 chemical reactions and 6 photodissociation reactions, the latter allowing for the temporal and spectral dependence of the incident light and absorber cross sections. Good quantitative agreement with the experimental data of the laser ignition experiments attests to the adequacy of the model for investigation of photochemical initiation and supports the postulated mechanism.
Developing System-on-Chips with Moore, Amdahl, Pareto, and Ohm

Understanding the rules for a development effort is essential for success. In this paper, we provide an overview of four important rules for a system-on-chip (SoC) development. We portray these rules as members of our development team: Moore, Amdahl, Pareto, and Ohm. Their guidance provides a foundation for our system and architecture optimization. We review a methodology to migrate large software systems to billion transistors SoCpsilas. We offer a background on the rules, detail the design methodology, and explore the derived benefits.
THE NO-SLIP CONDITION OF FLUID DYNAMICS

In many applications of physics, boundary conditions have an essential role. The purpose of this paper is to examine from both a historical and philosophical perspective one such boundary condition, namely, the no-slip condition of fluid dynamics. The historical perspective is based on the works of George Stokes and serves as the foundation for the philosophical perspective. It is seen that historically the acceptance of the no-slip condition was problematic. Philosophically, the no-slip condition is interesting since the use of the no-slip condition illustrates nicely the use of scientific models. But more importantly, both the use and justification of the no-slip condition illustrate clearly how theories can holistically approach the world through model construction. Further, since much of the debate over scientific realism occurs in the realm of models, a case is made that an understanding of the role of the no-slip condition has something to offer to this debate.
Dalbavancin: A new lipoglycopeptide antibiotic

Purpose. The activity, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, efficacy, safety, and formulary considerations of dalbavancin are reviewed. Summary. Dalbavancin is a novel second-generation lipoglycopeptide antimicrobial with unique pharmacokinetics and excellent activity against resistant gram-positive pathogens, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Available only in i.v. form, it exhibits excellent tissue penetration, particularly in the skin, and a long half-life that allows once-weekly administration. Clinically relevant drug interactions involving dalbavancin have not been identified. While sharing a similar mechanism of action and spectrum of activity with other glycopeptides, dalbavancin has demonstrated in vitro and in vivo bactericidal potency superior to that of vancomycin, teicoplanin, and other commonly used antimicrobials. Clinical trials indicate that dalbavancin is efficacious for skin and soft-tissue infections and catheter-related bloodstream infections. Dalbavancin appears to be noninferior to linezolid and superior to vancomycin. Adverse events are mild to moderate and include pyrexia, headache, and nausea. Conclusion. Dalbavancin has enhanced activity against gram-positive bacteria and unique pharmacokinetics compared with existing drugs in its class. It appears to be safe and efficacious for use against common infections, including complicated skin infections and catheter-related bloodstream infections.
A Gaussian-geometric finite sum formula

Abstract A finite sum is presented which combines features of the Gaussian sums (occurring in number theory) and geometric sums.
Analysis of oil content of sunflower seed by wide-line NMR

The wide-line nuclear magentic resonance (NMR) analyzer is routinely used to determine the oil content of sunflower seed by plant breeders. This technique is now under consideration as the official method for the domestic trading of sunflower seed. A study of the effect of depth (volume) of sunflower seed in the NMR 130 ml sample tube showed that between a depth of 30–75 mm (23.5–62.5 g seed) the NMR response was uniform, but beyond 75 mm, the response rapidly decreased. Oil analysis of 10 sunflower seed samples showed that coefficient of variation (C.V.) was lower with a 130 ml sample tube (C.V. 0.4%) than with a 34 ml tube (C.V. 0.8%). As the temperature of the sample was increased 1C, the instrument response decreased by 0.4%. Analysis of sunflower seed with 31–71% linoleic acid contents analyzed 0.1% higher for each 1% decrease in linoleic acid. Data show that linoleic acid content of NMR sunflower seed standard is important in NMR total oil analysis. Results of this study showed that the sample of sunflower seed for total oil analysis by NMR should be contained at least within the bottom 70 mm of the 130 ml sample tube, and NMR response of the standard calibration seed and sample being analyzed should be read at the same temperature, and their fatty acid compositions should be similar.
Structural studies of postcreep, PAN-based carbon filaments

Abstract A large amount of plastic deformation of polyacrylonitrile-based (PAN) filaments occurs after creep at high stress (770 MPa) and at high temperature (2310°C) on specially prepared uniaxial specimens. Filaments were strained up to 140% elongation without necking. The structure of these postcreep carbon filaments was studied with electron diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electronmicroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Creep reduced the interlayer spacing from the original value of 3.427 A to 3.406 A, which indicates increased graphitization of the turbostratic carbon. Creep reduced the orientation of the graphene planes with the fiber axis from up to 40° to up to 30°. The fibers had a fine granular structure; the stacking height of the graphene planes increased with creep to 57 A from 45 A.
Oxazine dyes. I. Celestine blue B with iron as a nuclear stain.

It is suggested that celestine blue B can stain as a colloidal dispersion, the nuclear specificity of which is controlled by the pH. The staining solution is prepared by adding 0.5 ml of concentrated H2SO4 to 1 gm of celestine blue B and dissolving the resultant granular mass in 100 ml of 2.5% ferric alum containing 14 ml of glycerol. Sections of amphibian, avian, and mammalian tissue placed for 1 min in this solution and then rinsed in water show as sharp nuclear staining as that usually produced by hematoxylin. A wide variety of fixatives is permissible. Overstaining is not possible within reasonable limits of exposure and no differentiation nor bluing is required. Both the staining solution and stained slides are stable.
Visual Persuasion: Inferring Communicative Intents of Images

In this paper we introduce the novel problem of understanding visual persuasion. Modern mass media make extensive use of images to persuade people to make commercial and political decisions. These effects and techniques are widely studied in the social sciences, but behavioral studies do not scale to massive datasets. Computer vision has made great strides in building syntactical representations of images, such as detection and identification of objects. However, the pervasive use of images for communicative purposes has been largely ignored. We extend the significant advances in syntactic analysis in computer vision to the higher-level challenge of understanding the underlying communicative intent implied in images. We begin by identifying nine dimensions of persuasive intent latent in images of politicians, such as "socially dominant, " "energetic, " and "trustworthy, " and propose a hierarchical model that builds on the layer of syntactical attributes, such as "smile" and "waving hand, " to predict the intents presented in the images. To facilitate progress, we introduce a new dataset of 1, 124 images of politicians labeled with ground-truth intents in the form of rankings. This study demonstrates that a systematic focus on visual persuasion opens up the field of computer vision to a new class of investigations around mediated images, intersecting with media analysis, psychology, and political communication.
Numerical conformal mapping method based Voronoi cell finite element model for analyzing microstructures with irregular heterogeneities

Numerical conformal mapping (NCM) is an effective method for transforming arbitrary polygonal domains into a regular domain such as a unit circle. This paper incorporates NCM-based stress functions in the Voronoi cell finite element model (VCFEM) for modeling microstructures with irregular shaped heterogeneities. Additional stress function components using the multi-resolution wavelet bases are also introduced to enrich stress functions in regions of sharp corners. The resulting enhanced model, termed as NCM-VCFEM, is able to effectively analyze real micrographs of heterogeneous materials with irregular shapes that have considerable effects on the evolution of stresses, strains and local damage. To optimize the use of the expensive NCM-VCFEM elements for the entire microstructure, a method of identification of heterogeneities that cannot be approximated as ellipses is first developed. Subsequently, a tessellation process is devised to accommodate arbitrary shapes in the VCFEM mesh. Validation studies comparing the results of NCM-VCFEM simulations with other numerical and analytical results demonstrate the effectiveness of NCM-VCFEM.
Mouse and Human Neuronal Pentraxin 1 (NPTX1): Conservation, Genomic Structure, and Chromosomal Localization

We have previously identified novel members of the pentraxin family (neuronal pentraxin 1 and 2) that are expressed in the nervous system. Neuronal pentraxin 1 (NP1) was identified as a rat protein that may mediate the uptake of synaptic material and the presynaptic snake venom toxin, taipoxin. NP2 was identified as a separate gene discovered by screening for a human homolog for NP1. Here, we report human cDNA and mouse genomic DNA sequences for NP1 (gene symbol NPTX1). Human NP1 and mouse NP1 show 95 and 99% amino acid identity, respectively, with rat NP1 and conserve all potential glycosylation sites. Like rat NP1, human NP1 message is large (6.5 kb) and is exclusively localized to the nervous system. The mouse NP1 gene is 13 kb in length and contains four introns that break the coding sequence of NP1 in the same positions as the introns of the human NP2 gene. The human and mouse NP1 genes are localized to chromosome 17q25.1-q25.2 and chromosome 11e2-e1.3, respectively. These data demonstrate the existence of a separate family of pentraxin proteins that are expressed in the human brain and other tissues and that may play important roles in the uptake of extracellular material.
A survey of control strategies for simultaneous vibration suppression and energy harvesting via piezoceramics

This article presents a summary of passive, semipassive, semiactive, and active control methods for schemes using harvested energy as the main source of energy to suppress vibrations via piezoelectric materials. This concept grew out of the fact that energy dissipation effects resulting from energy harvesting can cause structural damping. First, the existing equivalent electromechanical modeling methods are reviewed for vibration-based energy harvesters using piezoelectric transducers. Modeling of base excitation cantilever beam ranges from lumped to distributed parameter formulations. The commonly used electrical power conditioning circuits and their optimization are also summarized and discussed. The energy dissipation from harvesting induces structural damping, and this leads to the concept of purely passive shunt damping. This article reviews the literature on vibration control laws along the lines of purely passive, semipassive, semiactive, and active control. The classification of pervious results i...
Valence fluctuations in narrow band oxides

Abstract Recent applications of the Anderson Hamiltonian in describing the electronic structure of narrow band oxides are described, using NiO, CeO2 and Ce2O3 as detailed examples. It is suggested that some transition metal compounds like NiS may be mixed valent in the true sense of having low-energy charge fluctuations.
Superconducting properties of clustered PbBi films

Abstract Superconducting films with high resistance/square (R ▱ ) have been widely studied as a model of the Kosterlitz-Thouless transition. We show that the behavior of high R ▱ clean films near the thickness at which electrical conduction begins is dominated by a few paths across the film and thus should not be interpreted as a Kosterlitz-Thouless transition. Instead, this behavior is consistent with a simple percolation model for the connectivity fluctuations across the film.
Stability of sp carbon (carbyne) chains

Abstract An sp carbon chain, which contains only one carbon atom in its cross section, is generally considered unstable. In this Letter, however, the DFT calculations showed that an isolated sp carbon chain is more stable than the smallest armchair ( 3 , 0 ) and zigzag ( 2 , 2 ) single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT). This is consistent with the fact that an isolated sp carbon chain was observed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, but isolated ( 3 , 0 ) and ( 2 , 2 ) SWCNTs were never produced. Nevertheless, the sp chain is less stable than lager SWCNTs.
An ex post analysis as a followup to stated preferences for management strategies in Nevada's Black Rock Desert

Abstract Nevada's Black Rock Desert in High Rock Canyon (BRD/HRC) provides a variety of recreation services to a multitude of user groups, which makes the development of a management plan for the area a challenge. Stated preference analysis is a widely accepted method for analysing resource management plans; however, resource users with heterogeneous preferences make it difficult to estimate an empirical choice model across all user types. This study introduces an ex post analysis of attribute preferences by introducing a conjoint experiment with a set of follow‐up questions in order to better understand how visitors to the BRD/HRC feel about various management plans. The cost of data collection for the follow‐up questions is low, while their ability to provide explanatory power of choice behavior is significant.
Modes of operation in continuous flow sedimentation of erythrocytes.

The Kynch theory of hindered sedimentation is used to investigate all possible modes of operation of a continuous flow gravitational settling chamber. The investigation is then extended to centrifugal sedimentation. An application to blood cell separation is suggested.
Adolescent Physical Activity and Perceived Competence: Does Change in Activity Level Impact Self-Perception?

Abstract Purpose To determine whether change in physical activity level impacts adolescents' self-perceptions. Methods Using questionnaire responses from the Growing Up Today Study (GUTS) in 1997 and 1999, we evaluated data from 5260 girls and 3410 boys. Physical activity changes were compared to changes in perceived competence in three domains (social, athletic, and scholastic) as well as in global self-worth. Analyses controlled for sibling clustering as well as for potential confounders, including body mass index, cigarette smoking, baseline activity levels, and baseline self-perception scores. Results For girls and boys, increase in physical activity was positively associated with change in social and athletic ( p Conclusions This research indicates that increased physical activity has a positive impact on athletic and social self-perception in girls and boys.
COMBINED CSF/IVIG THERAPY IN NEONATAL SEPSIS 14

Haematopoiesis in term and preterm neonates is developmentally immature compared with adults. Thus, in neonates the number of myeloid cells are reduced, the function of phagocytes and lymphocytes are deficient and the levels of most immunoglobulin classes, complement components and fibronectin are very low. Bacterial infections further depress host defence mechanisms of the newborn and that explains the high morbidity and mortality caused by them.
Fluvoxamine for somatoform disorders: an open trial

Although the pharmacologic treatment of somatoform disorders has scarcely been investigated, there is reason to believe that antidepressants might be useful. We examined the response of 29 patients with somatoform disorders from a general medicine clinic to a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, fluvoxamine. The drug was administered in doses of up to 300 mg daily for 8 weeks. Sixty-one percent of the patients who took medication for at least 2 weeks were at least moderately improved. In addition to antidepressant effects, fluvoxamine had other beneficial effects and was well-tolerated. The benefits of drug therapy were modest but appear to warrant a placebo-controlled trial.
Parallel algorithms for mining frequent structural motifs in scientific data

Discovery of important substructures from molecules is an important data mining problem. The basic motivation is that the structure of a molecule has a role to play in its biochemical function. There is interest in finding important, often recurrent, substructures both within a single molecule and across a class of molecules.Recently, we have developed a general purpose suite of algorithms -- the MotifMiner Toolkit -- that can mine for structural motifs in a wide area of biomolecular datasets. While the algorithms have proven to be extremely useful in their ability to identify novel substructures, the algorithms themselves are quite time consuming. There are two reasons for this: i) inherently the algorithm suffers from the curse of subgraph isomorphism; and ii) handling noise effects (e.g. protein structure data) results in a significant slowdown.To address this problem in this paper we propose parallelization strategies in a cluster environment for the above algorithms. We identify key optimizations that handle load imbalance, scheduling, and communication overheads. Results show that the optimizations are quite effective and that we are able to obtain good speedup on moderate sized clusters.
STATISTICS AND CAUSAL INFERENCE

Problems involving causal inference have dogged at the heels of Statistics since its earliest days. Correlation does not imply causation and yet causal conclusions drawn from a carefully designed experiment are often valid. What can a statistical model say about causation? This question is addressed by using a particular model for causal inference (Rubin, 1974; Holland and Rubin, 1983) to critique the discussions of other writers on causation and causal inference. These include selected philosophers, medical researchers, statisticians, econometricians, and proponents of causal modelling.
An assessment of linear versus non-linear multigrid methods for unstructured mesh solvers

The relative performance of a nonlinear full approximation storage multigrid algorithm and an equivalent linear multigrid algorithm for solving two different nonlinear problems is investigated. The first case consists of a transient radiation diffusion problem for which an exact linearization is available, while the second problem involves the solution of the steady-state Navier-Stokes equations, where a first-order discrete Jacobian is employed as an approximation to the Jacobian of a second-order-accurate discretization. When an exact linearization is employed, the linear and nonlinear multigrid methods asymptotically converge at identical rates and the linear method is found to be more efficient due to its lower cost per cycle. When an approximate linearization is employed, as in the Navier-Stokes cases, the relative efficiency of the linear approach versus the nonlinear approach depends both on the degree to which the linear system approximates the full Jacobian as well as on the relative cost of linear versus nonlinear multigrid cycles. For cases where convergence is limited by a poor Jacobian approximation, substantial speedup can be obtained using either multigrid method as a preconditioner to a Newton-Krylov method.
A comparative study of an ABC and an artificial absorber for truncating 3-D finite element meshes

The type of mesh termination used in the context of finite element formulations plays a major role on the efficiency and accuracy of the field solution. In this work, we evaluate the performance of an absorbing boundary condition (ABC) and an artificial absorber (a new concept) for terminating the finite element mesh. The artificial absorber consists of a metal-backed lossy dielectric layer which was designed to minimize the TE and TM reflection coefficients at all (real) incidence angles. Based on this design, the thickness of the metal-backed artificial absorber was selected to be 0.15/spl lambda/ and its relative permittivity and permeability were selected to be /spl epsiv//sub r/=/spl mu//sub r/=1.-j2.7. In this paper, the two approximate mesh truncation schemes (one using ABCs and the other artificial absorber) are compared with the exact finite element-boundary integral (FEM-BI) method in terms of accuracy and efficiency. This analysis is done in connection with the problem of scattering by a three dimensional finite slot array in a thick ground plane. The array slots are of thickness d and, for this study, they are assumed to have a square aperture of width W. In all cases, it is assumed that the excitation is a plane impinging from above at some angle with respect to the array normal. >
The solutions to a smooth PDE can be dense in C[I]☆

Abstract : The solutions to a partial differential equation that arises in the physical sciences are expected to be restricted in nature, since they are intended to represent some physically significant behavior. In particular, they can approximate the general continuous function on a compact set K only if K is 'thin', e.g., nowhere dense in Rsuperscript n. The purpose of this note is to show that this does not hold for all smooth partial differential equations. Specifically, for any n or = 2 there exist partial differential equations of polynomial type on Rsuperscript n whose Cat infinity solutions are uniformly dense in the space C(I) of all continuous functions on the n-cube I. (Author)
Activation of signal transduction pathways during hepatic oncogenesis.

Abstract Background and aims Understanding the molecular pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is essential to identify therapeutic targets. A hepatitis B virus (HBV) related double transgenic murine model was developed. Methods Liver specific expression of HBV X protein (HBx) and insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) was achieved and transgenic mice were followed from birth to age 21 months. Liver and tumor tissue were assessed for histologic changes as well as activation of signal transduction pathways by qRT-PCR and multiplex ELISA protein assays. Results Overexpression of HBx and IRS1 stimulates liver cell proliferation in the double transgenic mice. Only the male mice developed HCC starting at age 15–18 months. The IN/IGF1/IRS1/MAPK/ERK and IN/IGF1/IRS1/PI3K/AKT/GSK3β cascades were activated early (6–9 months) in the liver followed by WNT/β-catenin and Notch signaling. Aspartate β-hydroxylase (ASPH) was found to link these upstream growth factor signaling pathways to downstream Notch activation in tumor tissues. Conclusions Sustained overexpression of HBx and IRS1 led to constitutive activation of a tripartite growth factor signal transduction cascade in the liver and was necessary and sufficient to promote HCC development and progression.
Differences in the clinical course of heparin induced thrombocytopenia before and after the availability of HIT IgG class testing

Abstract Introduction To determine whether the HIT IgG class platelet factor 4 (PF4) enzyme immunoabsorbant assay (EIA) influenced the duration of parenteral direct thrombin inhibitor (pDTI) therapy or bleeding risk in patients started on pDTI for a presumed diagnosis of HIT. Materials/Methods 187 patients started on pDTI for presumed HIT were assessed in two time periods before (period 1, n = 88 patients) and after the introduction of an IgG-specific assay (period 2, n = 99 patients). Results Patients in period 2 were treated with pDTI therapy for a median of 5 days less (p Conclusions Implementation of the IgG class HIT EIA resulted in a decrease in the number of days on a pDTI and a decrease in the average pDTI acquisition cost per patient without an observed change in serious bleeding events.
Normative misperceptions and marijuana use among male and female college athletes.

This research assessed the frequency of marijuana use and perceptions of gender-specific marijuana use among intercollegiate athletes from two National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1 universities. Normative data were gathered in a live setting. Male athletes reported significantly greater marijuana use than female athletes and the overall sample reported higher prevalence of use than national averages for college athletes and non-athletes. Gender-specific perceptions among male and female athletes exceeded actual self-reported use, and perceived marijuana use among male athletes was strongly associated with personal use. The findings demonstrate the salience of group-specific marijuana norms and present implications for normative feedback interventions among college athletes.
Reenergizing power engineering education

Several steps have been taken at Howard University to upgrade the educational program in power systems engineering and to increase the level of research activity. The primary effort centered on the construction of a computer simulation laboratory, consisting of sets of work stations connected to one of several host computers on which powerful software packages specific to power systems engineering are resident. Associated with the evolution of the laboratory has been an increase in research activity and student interest toward careers in power engineering. The authors describe the various efforts involved and discuss the impact on students. >
Microarray validation: factors influencing correlation between oligonucleotide microarrays and real-time PCR

Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) is a commonly used validation tool for confirming gene expression results obtained from microarray analysis; however, microarray and qPCR data often result in disagreement. The current study assesses factors contributing to the correlation between these methods in five separate experiments employing two-color 60-mer oligonucleotide microarrays and qPCR using SYBR green. Overall, significant correlation was observed between microarray and qPCR results (rho=0.708, p 0.80 consistently observed when quality scores are applied.
The effect of kneeling during spine surgery on leg intramuscular pressure.

Background: Acute compartment syndrome has been an underreported complication during spine surgery with the patient positioned on the so-called 90/90 kneeling frame (with 90° of both hip and knee flexion), presumably because of elevated intramuscular pressures in the dependent leg compartments. The purpose of the present study was to characterize and quantify certain parameters that affect the risk for acute compartment syndrome experimentally and to make objective comparisons with other spine surgery positions. Methods: Eight healthy volunteers were positioned in three spine surgery positions: the 90/90 kneeling position, the so-called 45/45 suspended position (with the hips and knees both flexed to 45° with the legs suspended on a sling), and the prone position. Intramuscular pressures were measured in all four left leg compartments with slit catheters. Local blood pressure and applied load beneath the leg were also measured. Results: The 90/90 kneeling position was associated with significantly increased intramuscular pressure in the anterior compartment (30.8 ± 5.7 mm Hg) in comparison with the prone position (13.5 ± 1.7 mm Hg) and the 45/45 suspended position (13.8 ± 1.7 mm Hg). In the 90/90 kneeling position, these values correlated with subject weight (r = 0.72, p = 0.045) and the applied body weight load measured beneath the leg (r = 0.74, p = 0.037). The mean differences between intramuscular pressure and ankle blood pressure were more pronounced as the position of the ankle dropped below the level of the heart in the 45/45 suspended and the 90/90 kneeling positions. Conclusions: The 90/90 kneeling position results in elevated intramuscular pressure in the anterior compartment of the leg. This elevated pressure correlates also with subject weight. The 90/90 kneeling position may predispose patients to the development of an acute compartment syndrome during prolonged spine surgery, with heavier patients being at increased risk. In certain instances, the surgeon may consider using the 45/45 suspended position to minimize this risk.
Graft-Extrinsic Cells Predominate in Vein Graft Arterialization

Objective—Vein graft disease involves neointimal smooth muscle cells, the origins of which are unclear. This study sought to characterize and quantitate vein graft infiltration by cells extrinsic to the graft in a mouse model of vein graft disease. Methods and Results—Inferior vena cava-to-carotid artery interposition grafting between C57Bl/6 and congenic -galactosidase– expressing ROSA26 mice was performed. Vein grafts were harvested 6 weeks postoperatively and stained with X-gal. More than 60% of neointimal cells derived from the recipient, and 50% of these cells expressed smooth muscle -actin. The distribution of donor and recipient-derived cells within this vein graft wall layer was distinctly focal, consistent with focal infiltration and expansion of progenitor cells. When bone marrow transplantation with congenic green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing cells was used in vein graft recipients 1 month before surgery, abundant GFP-expressing cells appeared in the media, but not the neointima, of mature grafts. Endothelial cells in mature grafts derived from graft-intrinsic and graft-extrinsic sources and were, in part, of bone marrow origin. Conclusions—Cells extrinsic to the graft, including bone marrow-derived cells, predominate during vein graft remodeling. (Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2004;24:470-476.)