cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Parallelization of Monte Carlo Algorithms in Semiconductor Device Physics on Hypercube Multiprocessors

We have developed efficient parallel solutions of Monte Carlo algorithms for analyzing numerical models for charge transport used in semiconductor device physics. The algorithms were implemented on a 64 node hypercube multiprocessor and time measurements were made as both the problem size and number of processors are varied. A 64 node processor ensemble is measured to be 35 to 52 times as fast as a single processor when the problem size for the ensemble is fixed, and 61 to 63 times as fast as a single processor when problem size per processor is fixed. The latter measure, denoted scaled speedup, is shown to be better suited for denoting the parallel performance of Monte Carlo algorithms than the traditional measure of parallel speedup. Finally, an analysis of the test results are presented.
Analysis of CMOS RF LNAs with ESD protection

This paper presents an analysis that accounts for the effect of standard ESD structures on critical LNA specifications of noise figure, input matching and gain. A common-source-cascode CMOS RF LNA is used for this analysis. It is shown that the ESD structures degrade LNA performance particularly for higher frequency applications. The analysis has been validated with SpectreRF simulations for a 0.25-/spl mu/m CMOS process. Design techniques are also proposed for designing LNAs with ESD protection.
Commercial Surety Bail and the Problem of Missed Court Appearances and Pretrial Detention

In the most populous counties of the United States, approximately 60% of defendants arrested on a felony charge are released prior to the disposition of their case. Pretrial release in U.S. courts is influenced by the presence of commercial bond agents who provide a service of releasing defendants in exchange for a fee and assurances that defendants will make all court appearances. An arrested defendant can also be released through non-financial means including a release on own recognizance or release through a pretrial monitoring program. Recent studies have shown that commercial bond agents have become the most prevalent form of pretrial release offered to felony defendants in courts located in highly populous jurisdictions. The growth of the commercial bond industry raises questions about the effectiveness of this type of pretrial release in preventing missed court appearances. How do commercial bond agents compare with other forms of pretrial release in ensuring that released defendants make all court appearances and do not become fugitives? Prior research shows commercial bond agents doing better at preventing missed court appearances compared to non-surety release alternatives. Most of this research, however, does not address why surety agents excel at preventing missed court appearances. Defendants released through surety bond might skip court less frequently because they are being monitored more effectively compared to other forms of pretrial release or because surety agents have the capacity to select defendants who are most likely to make their court appearances. This paper engages in a preliminary exploration of whether monitoring practices or selection effects accounts for the efficacy of surety bond by examining defendants released in counties where surety agents are involved in nearly all facets of the pretrial release decision against a set of counties where surety agents play little to no role in pretrial release. Results provide mixed evidence suggesting that both monitoring capacity and selection effects account for the performance of surety agents at getting their clients back to court.
Bankruptcy's Origins in Debtor Perpetrated Crime

Modern bankruptcy law is viewed as intended for debtor relief, the polar opposite of early jurisprudence in the interest of creditors from which contemporary statutes evolved. Bankruptcy was once defined as an act of debtor fraud, usually absconding with property without paying ones debts and avoiding judicial process. Until the mid-nineteenth century, debtors were defendants accused by plaintiff creditors of committing bankruptcy. At the time of the U.S. Constitution's ratification, bankruptcy was punishable by death in the English Courts. The framers of the U.S. Constitution added bankruptcy to the list of federal powers to prevent fraud since a bankrupt's property could lay within various states outside the reach of the jurisdiction of other state courts. The discharge was introduced to entice debtors to submit to proceedings, expose hidden property, and was only available if certain majorities of creditors voted to grant such, somewhat as an extension of their right to elect assignees and trusties. Successive enactments during severe economic downturns decriminalized bankruptcy and progressively added debtor benefits; voluntary petitioning, widened eligibility and access to the discharge, creditor voting over the discharge was weakened and then abandoned. Eventually, bankruptcy was transformed from a branch of law for the relief of creditors against debtor fraud intended to foster the payment of debts into a pseudo-social welfare program for debtor relief. Modern bankruptcy law legalized what antecedent jurisprudence first sought to prevent, the nonpayment of debt.
Massively parallel finite element computation of 3d flows - mesh update strategies in computation of moving boundaries and interfaces°

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the parallel implicit finite element computations of compressible and incompressible flows with the Connection Machine (CM)—CM-200 and CM-5. The parallel implementations are based on the assumption that the mesh is unstructured. The computations of flow problems involving moving boundaries and interfaces are achieved by using the deformable-spatial-domain or stabilized space-time method. In this method, with special mesh update strategies, the frequency of remeshing is minimized. This avoids the projection errors generated by remeshing and also avoids the cost associated with repeated mesh generation and parallelization setup. This method and its implementation on the massively parallel supercomputers provide a new capability to solve a large class of practical problems involving free surfaces, two-liquid interfaces, and fluid-structure interactions. Now 3D incompressible flow computations can be carried out at sustained speeds of up to 7.0 GigaFLOPS on the CM-5. The 3D compressible flow computations are carried out at sustained speeds of up to 12.2 GigaFLOPS on the CM-5. This parallel performance is significant in the sense that now there is a new level of computational capability in finite element solution of 3D flow problems. Several 3D flow problems are solved using these parallel and update mesh strategies. The chapter discusses the computation of incompressible flow occurring between two concentric cylinders, sloshing in a liquid-filled container subjected to vertical vibrations, and supersonic flow past a delta-wing.
Red blood cell size and glycolytic enzyme activity: relationship to number of intramedullary cell divisions

In order to assess how the number of cell divisions influences the red blood cell (RBC) content of proteins other than hemoglobin, we measured the activity of two age-independent glycolytic enzymes in macrocytic, normal, and microcytic RBCs. The enzymes measured were phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH). In macrocytes, both PGK and LDH activity/10(10) RBCs were increased 1.6-fold over normal RBCs. In microcytes, however, the activity of these enzymes was identical to that seen in normal RBCs.
Noise and distortion in photographic data storage

Noise and distortion limit the usefulness of the photographic transparency as a data-storage medium. The noise, which tends to be multiplicative, derives from the random distribution of silver grains in the photographic imags, as well as from thickness variations in the developed emulsion. Distortion, on the other hand, results from 1) the nonlinear relation between transmittance and exposure, 2) the finite width of the emulsion's point-spread function and 3) the existence of an adjacency-enhancement function. Although grain noise remains intrinsic and untreatable, nonlinear distortion--both global and local--may be treated by lowering the contrast of the exposure pattern or, preferably, by recording the data in the form of a phase-modulated carrier wave, as in holography. A solution to the remaining difficulty, namely, linear-global distortion, is obtained through the use of high-resolution, Lippmann-type emulsions.
A method of finding linear discriminant functions for a class of performance criteria

In many systems for pattern recognition or automatic decision making, decisions are based on the value of a discriminant function, a real-valued function of several observed or measured quantities. The design of such a system requires the selection of a good discriminant function, according to some particular performance criterion. In this paper, the problem of finding the best linear discriminant function for several different performance criteria is presented, and a powerful method of finding such linear discriminant functions is described. The problems to which this method may be applicable are summarized in a theorem; the problems include several involving the performance criteria of Bayes, Fisher, Kullback, and others, and many involving multidimensional probability density functions other than the usual normal functions.
Using custom features to check OPC model performance

Model Based Optical Proximity Correction (MB- OPC) is essential for the production of advanced Integrated Circuits (ICs). As the speed and functionality requirements of ICs production always require reducing the Critical Dimension (CD), the demand is continuously increasing for more accurate and representative OPC models. The current known best practice is to calibrate OPC models with measured test patterns. Test patterns are selected to represent the final designs to be printed in any specific technology that will use the OPC solution. The accuracy of the OPC models is critical to obtain the right product pattern dimension and consequently to the success of the IC production process. After building the OPC model, a model verification step is completed by the OPC modeling engineer to check the OPC model performance before using it in the IC production process. This model verification step is critical for selecting the best possible model that represents the lithography process. In this paper, we are proposing an additional technique for judging the accuracy and performance of the OPC model. The additional verification technique is to add on the test mask additional custom features specially designed in dimension and spacing in a way that they marginally print on the wafer. The accuracy of the OPC model is then tested by checking how the model predicts the printability of these additional structures.
Influence of the Dielectric Constant of the Media on Oxide Stability in Surfactant Solutions

The influence of the dielectric constant of the suspension on the colloidal stability of alumina in the presence of surfactant was investigated. Colloid stability measurements were supplemented with electrokinetic, conductivity, and surfactant adsorption studies. Studies with physadsorbed sodium dodecyl sulfate were performed in the presence of different volume percents of short chain alcohols or dioxane in order to vary the dielectric constant of the suspension. It was observed that the surfactant adsorption decreased with the dielectric constant of the media. At 50 vol % of different alcohols, the addition of surfactant could not reverse the alumina charge and restabilize coagulated particles. To understand the influence of lower dielectric constant on surfactant adsorption at the surface or in the second layer, (hydrophilic head pointing toward the solution), alumina and silica particles were chemically precoated with dodecyl chains. The addition of anionic surfactant suspended such hydrophobic particl...
New understandings of failure modes in SSL luminaires

As SSL products are being rapidly introduced into the market, there is a need to develop standard screening and testing protocols that can be performed quickly and provide data surrounding product lifetime and performance. These protocols, derived from standard industry tests, are known as ALTs (accelerated life tests) and can be performed in a timeframe of weeks to months instead of years. Accelerated testing utilizes a combination of elevated temperature and humidity conditions as well as electrical power cycling to control aging of the luminaires. In this study, we report on the findings of failure modes for two different luminaire products exposed to temperature-humidity ALTs. LEDs are typically considered the determining component for the rate of lumen depreciation. However, this study has shown that each luminaire component can independently or jointly influence system performance and reliability. Material choices, luminaire designs, and driver designs all have significant impacts on the system reliability of a product. From recent data, it is evident that the most common failure modes are not within the LED, but instead occur within resistors, capacitors, and other electrical components of the driver. Insights into failure modes and rates as a result of ALTs are reported with emphasis on component influence on overall system reliability.
1H NMR Spectroscopy: An Approach to Evaluation of Diseased Skin In Vivo

1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was tested for its applicability in evaluating diseased skin. In order to explore potential spectral markers characteristic of diseased tissue, perchloric acid (PCA) extracts of psoriasis and malignant melanoma tissues were compared with normal skin, anal changes in melanoma after heat treatment were monitored. In psoriatic plaque extract, the spectral peak intensity ratios of Glu: Ser, creatine: Gly, and taurine: Ala were approximately three-fold compared with symptom-free or normal skin, whereas Val: Leu/Ile was one-half the normal skin ratio. In melanoma extracts, the phosphorylcholine (PC)/glycerophosphorylcholine (GPC): Ala, Glu: Ser, and lactate: Ala ratios were five-, three-, and two-fold higher, respectively, than normal skin and the Val: Leu/Ile ratio was two-thirds of normal skin. With heat treatment, PC/GPC: Ala and Glu: Ser ratios decreased, whereas lactate: Ala and Val: Leu/Ile ratios increased three-fold and one-third, respectively. Results indicate that 1H NMR spectroscopy is a sufficiently sensitive technique to distinguish normal from diseased skin. The main attraction of this technique lies in the possibility of non-invasive study of various skin diseases, malignant transformation of benign tumors, and responses to treatment. Several methodologic problems remain to be resolved before a meaningful interpretation of in vivo observations becomes feasible. Correlation of in vivo and in vitro findings is an essential step toward this goal.
Anionic triphenylmethane dye solutions for low-dose food irradiation dosimetry

Abstract The radiolytic bleaching of aryl sulfonic-substituted para-diethyl-amino triphenylmethane dye solutions can be used for dosimetry in the absorbed dose range 10 to 400 Gy. The sulfonic anions provide solubility of these acid dyes in water. Two of these dyes are supplied as stable greenish-blue biological stains when dissolved in weakly-acidic aqueous solution, Light Green SF Yellowish and Fast Green FCF. They have, respectively, linear molar absorption coefficients of 7.14 × 103(at pH5.4) and 10.0 × 103 (at pH4.2) m2mol−1, when measured at the peaks of the primary absorption bands, 630 nm and 622 nm, respectively. The bleaching due to irradiation with gamma rays shows a linear function with a positive slope between the negative logarithm of the absorbance and the absorbed dose. The effect of pH on the response is studied, as well as the effects of light and temperature on pre- and post-irradiation stability. A mechanism, based mainly on radiolytic oxidation of the protonated phenolic or sulfonated phenyl group by .OH, with the abstraction of H-atom to water, is postulated for neutral to slightly acidic aerated aqueous solutions. The influence of alcohol on diminishing the negative yield is demonstrated. Alkaline aqueous solutions of these dyes (pH 10.2) have a shorter-wavelength absorption maximum than acidic aqueous solutions. The effect of irradiation is to cause acidification (to pH 7) due to displacement of OH groups and degradation of the dye molecule to lower molecular weight organic acids.
Efficiency and cost-effectiveness of field follow-up for patients with Chlamydia trachomatis infection in a sexually transmitted diseases clinic

Unlike contact-tracing procedures for syphilis and gonorrhea, field follow-up to locate and treat patients with Chlamydia trachomatis infections has not been extensively applied in the United States. We implemented two studies to assess the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of using field follow-up for contact of two groups: patients with chlamydial infection detected as part of a screening program and women who were sexual partners of men with nongonococcal urethritis (NGU). Of the 142 patients with chlamydial infection who had not been treated empirically, 112 (79%) returned for treatment when a reminder system was used, as compared with a return rate of 97% (259/266) achieved by field follow-up (P less than 0.0001). Among the 678 men with NGU enrolled in a randomized trial of field follow-up vs. two self-referral methods, field follow-up yielded over three times as many partners returning to the clinic for treatment as did either of the other two methods (P less than 0.001). Analyses using the estimated costs of the intervention strategies and the medical costs associated with an untreated chlamydial infection showed that field follow-up by trained investigators proved to be not only the most efficient method for locating patients with chlamydial infection and/or patients who were at risk for it, but also the most cost-effective in terms of total health-care dollars spent.
Estimates of reproductive success for group-living prairie voles, Microtus ochrogaster, in high-density populations

Examination of the reproductive success of cooperative breeders can provide insights into costs and benefits of group living. We tested two hypotheses proposed to account for group living in prairie voles. One hypothesis suggests that ecological constraints such as the lack of available territories may cause delayed dispersal leading to formation of groups. The other hypothesis suggests that benefits of group living outweigh the benefits of dispersal. If the benefits of group living outweigh the costs, then per capita reproductive success should increase with increasing group size. If ecological constraints prevent dispersal, then lifetime reproductive success may not differ in groups of different sizes, or there may be an inverse relationship between per capita lifetime reproductive success and group size. We also investigated whether food supplementation (higher-quality habitat) and the number of breeding females per group influenced lifetime reproductive success. During two summers, we monitored reproductive success of food-supplemented and unsupplemented populations of prairie voles in 0.1 ha enclosures. Live trapping allowed us to identify residents of breeding units. We found that per capita reproductive success increased with group size in food-supplemented populations. This result was not due to the presence of additional breeding females since per capita production of offspring decreased in groups with larger numbers of breeding females. Thus, larger groups may benefit the breeding female, but the presence of additional breeding females per group appears costly.
Calculation of magnetizabilities using GIAO current density distributions

Abstract Calculations of SCF molecular magnetizabilities in terms of GIAO magnetic current density distributions are presented. for incomplete basis sets, this “GIAOCD” method is not, in general, equivalent to the conventional GIAO magnetic Hessian approach to calculating molecular magnetizabilities. However, even for basis sets of practical size the two methods consistently yield very similar results. The value of the GIAOCD method relative to the GIAO magnetic Hessian method is that it is easier to implement, requires less computation and relates the molecular magnetizabilities directly to the physical magnetic current density distributions. The GIAOCD method is compared to the CSGT and IGAIM methods previously developed by the author and is found to be superior for smaller basis sets.
Work In Progress: Expanding the Ph.D. STEM Student Pool along the US-Mexican Border

Nationwide, minority students remain largely underrepresented in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics doctoral programs. The University of Texas System Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation has spearheaded a project to increase the number of underrepresented minorities who pursue graduate degrees in these disciplines. Through the "Bridge to the Doctorate" project, we have recruited 34 students and offered them financial support to succeed in their efforts. We have monitored their progress as they transition into the research phase of their doctoral programs, informed them about the dissertation process, offered workshops about effective teaching strategies, prepared them for faculty interviews, and advised them on the process of negotiating start-up research packages for new faculty. With this level of financial support and mentorship, we anticipate that 100% of the students will earn a Master's degree and that more than 90% will earn a Doctorate within five years.
Conducting metallopolymers based on azaferrocene.

A series of 2,5-thiophene-substituted 1‘,2‘,3‘,4‘,5‘-pentamethylazaferrocene complexes were synthesized and electropolymerized to produce polymers with fully π-conjugated backbones. The length and hence oxidation potential of the conjugated linker (the thiophene fragments) between the metal centers were varied to understand the influence of the metal−metal interactions on the overall electroactivity of the resulting polymer. These complexes were electrochemically polymerized, and the resulting polymers were characterized by cyclic voltammetry, in situ conductivity, and spectroelectrochemistry measurements. The iron-centered oxidations significantly increased the conductivity of the polymer. The results reveal that shorter conjugated linkers cause the onset of conductivity to occur at lower potentials. This effect implies that a superexchange mechanism is likely operative in the charge migration of these polymers.
The Spacing between Cysteines Two and Three of the LDL-A Module of Tva Is Important for Subgroup A Avian Sarcoma and Leukosis Virus Entry

Rong et al. have demonstrated previously that with a few substitutions, the fourth repeat of human low-density lipoprotein (hLDL-A4) receptor can functionally replace the LDL-A module of Tva, the cellular receptor for subgroup A avian sarcoma and leukosis virus (ASLV-A), in viral entry (L. Rong, K. Gendron, and P. Bates, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 95:8467-8472, 1998). Here we have shown that swapping the amino terminus of hLDL repeat 5 (hLDL-A5) with that of Tva, in addition to the corresponding substitutions made in human LDL-A4, was required to convert hLDL-A5 into an efficient ASLV-A receptor. These results substantiated our previous findings regarding the role of the specific residues in the viral interaction domain of Tva and demonstrated the critical role of the amino terminus of the Tva LDL-A module in ASLV-A infection. Furthermore, we have shown that the residues between cysteines 2 and 3 of the Tva LDL-A module in a Tva/LDL-A5 chimeric protein can be functionally replaced by the corresponding region of another LDL-A module, human LDL receptor-related protein repeat 22 (LDL-A22), to mediate efficient ASLV-A entry. Since the only conserved feature between the C2-C3 region of LDL-A22 and the Tva LDL-A module is that both contain nine amino acids of which none are conserved, we conclude that the spacing between C2 and C3 of the LDL-A module of Tva is an important determinant for ASLV-A entry. Thus, the present study provides strong evidence to support our hypothesis that one role of the N terminus of the LDL-A module of Tva is to allow proper folding and conformation of the protein for optimal interaction with the viral glycoprotein EnvA in ASLV-A entry.
Poster: Energy Optimization Framework in Wireless Sensor Network

We present a holistic architecture for energy management in sensor networks. Our architecture is based on a model-driven approach which attempts to (a) establish functional relationships across different components of the software stack and the interrelated parameters based on empirical data, (b) use the maximum sensor value and time-synchronization errors acceptable by the users of the sensor network application as input to establish minimum quality of service requirements, and (c) optimize the parameter values of all the software modules within the node's application stack to minimize total energy consumption for each sensor node. We explore the trade-offs of the design space by using a non-trivial application that includes sensing, time synchronization and routing modules and show that when using our architecture, we can provide energy savings in the average of 37% to 76% while still maintaining quality of service both in terms of the expected sensing and time-synchronization errors. We further show that even when using modules that perform significantly better than others with default values (e.g. ORW >> CTP), we can still reduce overall energy consumption by properly adjusting the parameters of lowest performance modules and provide energy savings in the average of 30% to 43%.
5-HETE congeners as modulators of cell proliferation.

Abstract The synthesis and assessment of the mitogenic properties of 5-HETE congeners are reported. These studies represent an effort to develop a structure–activity profile for ligands of the 5-HETE/5-oxoETE G-protein coupled receptor(s). Many of these agents possess mitogenic activity that equals or exceeds that of racemic 5-HETE family constituents in prostate cancer cell lines.
Axisymmetric, Finite-Element Analysis of Stress Relaxation in Wound Magnetic Tapes

A model for the analysis of creep and stress relaxation in wound magnetic tape is presented. It is wed to predict anelastic deformation in the tape caused by initial winding stresses and geometric deformations imposed on it. The formulation assumes quasistatic, linearly viscoelastic properties and is implemented through a finite-element discretization of the governing equilibrium equation. Constitutive stress-strain relationships for an axisymmetric geometry are obtained and used in simulations that include stresses generated by the winding dynamics and geometric distortions. Results of analyses performed for various typical situations are presented, and tile results of the stress analyses are related to the anelastic deformations induced in the tape by stress relaxation. Presented as an American Society of Lubrication Engineers paper at the ASME/ASLE Lubrication Conference in San Diego, California, October 22–24, 1984.
Intense Heavy-Ion Beam Transport with Electric and Magnetic Quadrupoles

As part of the small induction recirculator development at LLNL, the authors are testing an injector and transport line that delivers 4 {micro}s beams of potassium with repetition rates up to 10 Hz at a nominal current of 2 mA. The normalized K-V equivalent emittance of the beams is near 0.02 {pi} mm-mrad and is mostly determined by the temperature of the source (0.1 eV). K{sup +} ions generated at 80 keV in a Pierce diode are matched to an alternating gradient transport line by seven electric quadrupoles. Two additional quads have been modified to serve as two-axis steerers. The matching section is followed by a transport section comprised of seven permanent magnet quadrupoles. Matching to this section is achieved by adjusting the voltages on the electric quadrupoles to voltages calculated by an envelope matching code. Measurements of beam envelope parameters are made at the matching section entrance and exit as well as at the end of the permanent magnet transport section. Beam current waveforms along the experiment are compared with results from a one-dimension longitudinal dynamics code. Initial experiments show particle loss occurring at the beam head as a result of overtaking. The apparatus is also being used for the development of non or minimally intercepting diagnostics for future recirculator experiments. These include capacitive monitors for determining beam line-charge density and position in the recirculator; flying wire scanners for beam position; and gated TV scanners for measuring beam profiles and emittance.
Effective targeted gene ‘knockdown’ in zebrafish

The sequencing of the zebrafish genome should be completed by the end of 2002. Direct assignment of function on the basis of this information would be facilitated by the development of a rapid, targeted 'knockdown' technology in this model vertebrate. We show here that antisense, morpholino-modified oligonucleotides (morpholinos) are effective and specific translational inhibitors in zebrafish. We generated phenocopies of mutations of the genes no tail (ref. 2), chordin (ref. 3), one-eyed-pinhead (ref. 4), nacre (ref. 5) and sparse (ref. 6), removing gene function from maternal through post-segmentation and organogenesis developmental stages. We blocked expression from a ubiquitous green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgene, showing that, unlike tissue-restricted limitations found with RNA-based interference in the nematode, all zebrafish cells readily respond to this technique. We also developed also morpholino-based zebrafish models of human disease. Morpholinos targeted to the uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase gene result in embryos with hepatoerythropoietic porphyria. We also used morpholinos for the determination of new gene functions. We showed that embryos with reduced sonic hedgehog (ref. 9) signalling and reduced tiggy-winkle hedgehog (ref. 10) function exhibit partial cyclopia and other specific midline abnormalities, providing a zebrafish genetic model for the common human disorder holoprosencephaly. Conserved vertebrate processes and diseases are now amenable to a systematic, in vivo, reverse-genetic paradigm using zebrafish embryos.
A distributed predictive arterial model for human vascular diagnostic applications

A novel frequency domain distributed segmental arterial model was designed to predict pulsatile blood pressure waveforms in large arteries. The model was based on pulse wave reflection theories and nodal network analysis. This model was evaluated in terms of branch reflection coefficients, terminal vascular bed behavior, and arterial wall viscoelasticity. It was found that the model-based predicted pressure waveforms were very sensitive to the branch reflections and that compared favorably with measured blood pressure waveforms. The model has the potential for diagnosis of local vascular abnormalities such as arterial stenosis and altered vasoactive conditions.
Amine derivatives of cyanuric chloride IV. Catalytic hydrogenolysis of aromatically‐bound chlorine

A method has been found whereby aromatically-bound chlorine may be reduced from cyanuric chloride derivatives. This involves catalytic hydrogenolysis with 10 per cent palladium-on-charcoal at atmospheric pressure. A series of mono- and diamino- s -triazines was prepared by this procedure without rupture of the s -triazine or other aromatic rings. Two of the diamino- s -triazines caused decreases of blood glucose in rats but showed no diuretic activity in dogs.
Carcinoid tumor of the breast: treatment with breast conservation in three patients.

Background: Carcinoid tumors of the breast have been described in the literature. The diagnosis is made by identification of typical histologic features and confirmed by a positive argyrophilic reaction or the presence of neurosecretory granules. There are several theories of the pathogenesis of carcinoid tumors in the breast and controversy as to whether these tumors actually originate in the breast ducts or are tumors that arise from neuroectodermal cells that have migrated to the breast ducts. Historically, treatment of carcinoid of the breast has been by mastectomy.
Photoconductivity, trapping, and recombination in discharge-produced, hydrogenated amorphous silicon

Photoconductivity, trapping, and recombination have been studied in undoped, hydrogenated amorphous silicon ($a\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{Si}{\mathrm{H}}_{x}$) films prepared by the discharge decomposition of silane. In this study the effects of the photoinduced, reversible conductivity changes have been taken into account in the characterization of the different types of electron trapping and recombination kinetics. These kinetics, which over the temperature range of \ensuremath{\sim}350 to 120 K are found to be consistent with free-carrier transport, are correlated with the densities, energies, and free-carrier capture cross sections of the states in the gap. The electron lifetimes, between \ensuremath{\sim}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}6}$ and ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ s, are shown to be dependent on two types of recombination centers located at or below midgap with one of these centers having an electron capture cross section, ${S}_{n}$, of \ensuremath{\sim}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}19}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$. The electron lifetimes are found to be sensitive to these centers even though their densities are \ensuremath{\lesssim}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$ that of the hydrogen present in the films. The electron trapping is determined by the states above midgap, which have densities of \ensuremath{\sim}${10}^{17}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ ${\mathrm{eV}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ over the energy range of \ensuremath{\sim}0.6 to 0.35 eV from the free electron band and for energies within \ensuremath{\sim}0.2 eV, densities of \ensuremath{\sim}${10}^{19}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$. No evidence is found for a large peak in the densities of states at \ensuremath{\sim}0.4 eV from ${E}_{c}$, a peak which has been extensively reported for $a\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{Si}{\mathrm{H}}_{x}$ films.
Differences in maintenance energy expenditure by two estuarine shrimp (Palaemonetes pugio and P. vulgaris) that may permit partitioning of habitats by salinity

Abstract The estuarine shrimp Palaemonetes pugio and P. vulgaris co-occur across a broad range in salinity. Field surveys and laboratory lethality tests suggest that low salinity conditions favor P. pugio over P. vulgaris . This study compared energetic expenditures across a range in salinity (0.5–35 ppt) to test the hypothesis that P. pugio experiences lower maintenance-energy requirements than P. vulgaris in low-salinity habitats. Standard metabolic rate (SMR) was measured as the minimum oxygen consumption rate at 25 °C to estimate daily maintenance-energy expenditure. SMR was greatest at 0.5 and least at 10 ppt (irrespective of species), and greater for P. vulgaris than for P. pugio . At low salinity (1.5–3 ppt), SMR was lower for P. pugio than for P. vulgaris . Energy expenditure did not coincide with the pattern predicted based upon osmoregulatory costs alone; no reduction was observed near the reported hemolymph concentration for P. vulgaris , although a minimum was observed near the hemolymph isoionic concentration for P. pugio . A local minimum in SMR by P. pugio between 1.5 and 3 ppt contrasted with relatively high SMR of P. vulgaris across this range. It appears that low-salinity habitats are energetically more favorable for P. pugio than for P. vulgaris . The results suggest an adaptive mechanism allowing P. pugio to occupy environments that present its competitor, P. vulgaris , with greater energetic challenges. While long-term exposure to very low salinity may be detrimental to both species, energetic traits of P. pugio may confer it with greater success than P. vulgaris in habitats in which salinity periodically fluctuates to low values.
Celiac Disease: Similar Presentations in the Elderly and Young Adults

Studies have shown that celiac disease can affect individuals in all age groups. However, few studies have described the disease in the elderly. The goal of this study is to characterize celiac disease in the elderly by comparing to a population of young adults with celiac disease. Review of a tertiary center database of patients with celiac disease was performed to identify two groups of patients, an elderly cohort ≥65 years and a young adult cohort aged 18–30 years, with biopsy-confirmed celiac disease. Information obtained included symptom duration, clinical presentation, small intestinal pathology, associated conditions, and the presence of bone disease. Included in the study were 149 young adult and 125 elderly patients; the latter represented 12.4% of the patients in our database. The duration of symptoms prior to diagnosis was similar, 5.8 ± 12 years and 6.14 ± 12.6 years in the young adult and elderly cohorts, respectively (p = 0.119). There was no significant difference in the mode of presentation of illness. Diarrhea was the main presenting symptom (49% in young adults vs. 50% in the elderly, p = 0.921). There was a similar prevalence of autoimmune disease (19% in young adults vs. 26% in the elderly, p = 0.133). Thyroid disease and neuropathy were more prevalent in the elderly (p = 0.037 and p = 0.023, respectively). The degree of villous atrophy and prevalence of bone disease were similar in each group. Surprisingly, the presentation of celiac disease both clinically and histologically is similar in elderly and young adult patients. The factors triggering disease at any given age remain unclear and warrant further study.
Effects of pH and Temperature on the Aqueous Solubility and Dissolution Rate of 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT), Hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX), and Octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX)

Aqueous solubilities and dissolution rates are reported and examined for 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX), and octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) over the pH range of (4.2−6.2) and the temperature range of (3.1−33.3) °C. Measurements were performed using high-pressure liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. Solubilities and dissolution rates were not statistically affected by pH within the experimental design limits. Correlations are proposed to estimate the aqueous solubility of these high explosives as a function of temperature.
Overview of the Vibro-Acoustic Launch Protection Experiment at the Air Force Research Laboratory

Experiments demonstrating several vibro-acoustic mitigation technologies will be tested on the Vibro-Acoustic Launch Protection Experiment 2 (VALPE-2) aboard a Terrier-Improved Orion sounding rocket slated for launch from Wallops Island Flight Facility in May 2003. Flight data collected in November 2002 from a nearly identical launch (VALPE-1) is being used to characterize the fairing environment and design the prototype hardware for the second flight. This paper discusses the various experiments that will be tested on the VALPE-2 flight, and presents some of the measured results and lessons learned from the first flight.
Blood glucose as a marker of venous thromboembolism in critically ill children

Summary Background The ability to predict the development of venous thromboembolism is highly desirable. Objective We aim to determine the association between hyperglycemia and venous thromboembolism in non-diabetic critically ill children. Patients/Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study that included children in the pediatric intensive care unit on a vasopressor or mechanical ventilator and without history of diabetes mellitus or prior diagnosis of thrombosis. Based on maximum blood glucose > 150 mg dL−1 while admitted to the unit, children were categorized as hyperglycemic or non-hyperglycemic. The primary outcome was development of venous thromboembolism while admitted to the unit. We determined the association between hyperglycemia and venous thromboembolism using logistic regression models adjusting for selected subject characteristics. Results Of the 789 subjects analyzed, 34 subjects developed venous thromboembolism (incidence, 4.3%; 95% confidence interval, 3–6%). Venous thromboembolism was more likely to develop in hyperglycemic subjects compared with non-hyperglycemic subjects. A total of 31 subjects (6.2%; 95% confidence interval, 4.2–8.7%) developed venous thromboembolism after becoming hyperglycemic compared with three non-hyperglycemic subjects with venous thromboembolism (1%; 95% confidence interval, 0.2–3%). When adjusted for age, diagnosis, presence of central venous catheter, prophylactic antithrombotic use and severity of illness, the odds ratio of venous thromboembolism with hyperglycemia was 4.1 (95% confidence interval, 1.2–14.1). For every 10 mg dL−1 increase in maximum blood glucose, the adjusted odds ratio of venous thromboembolism was 1.04 (95% confidence interval, 1.01–1.06). Conclusion Hyperglycemia is associated with venous thromboembolism in critically ill non-diabetic children. Maximum blood glucose is a potential predictor of venous thromboembolism in this population.
Example: Bayesian calculations for the determination of the etiology of pleuritic chest pain in young adults in a teaching hospital: part B.

Abstract We have studied use of the preceding program for the differential diagnosis of young patients presenting with pleuritic chest pain. We have evaluated the effects of roundoff approximations on computational accuracy and have compared the diagnoses made with Bayesian calculations with actual clinical diagnoses. Although the effects of roundoff were small, the computed diagnoses agreed with the discharge diagnoses only 73% of the time. Moreover, the correct diagnosis of pulmonary embolism was made in only 45% of the cases. By introducing a “no decision” region for patients whose maximum Bayesian calculation was less than 0.55 or 0.65, the total number of correct diagnoses fell but a larger number of patients with pulmonary embolism was potentially identified.
The Calabi flow on Kähler Surfaces with bounded Sobolev constant (I)

We consider the formation of singularities along the Calabi flow by assuming the uniformly bounded Sobolev constants. On Kahler surfaces we prove that if curvature tensor is not uniformly bounded, then one can form a singular model called deepest bubble; such deepest bubble has to be a scalar flat ALE Kahler metric. In certain Kahler classes on toric Fano surfaces, the Sobolev constants are a priori bounded along the Calabi flow with small Calabi energy. We can also show in certain cases no deepest bubble can form along the flow. It follows that the curvature tensor is uniformly bounded and the flow exists for all time and converges to an extremal metric subsequently. To illustrate our results more clearly, we focus on an example on $${\mathbb{CP}^2}$$ blown up three points at generic position. Our result also implies existence of constant scalar curvature metrics on $${\mathbb{CP}^2}$$ blown up three points at generic position in the Kahler classes where the exceptional divisors have the same area.
What Matters for Journalism in the Digital Age

With this set of reviews comes the end of my eight-year term as book review editor for the Journal of Mass Media Ethics. During that time, I have edited nearly 100 reviews and review essays. Needle...
A remark on symmetric circulant matrices

Abstract By using the elementary properties of symmetric circulant matrices, we present another method for obtaining the solution for the linear system of equations Ax = b where A is an n × n nonsingular symmetric real circulant matrix, i.e., we have a formula for obtaining A -1 . Let n = p k 1 1 p k 2 2 · p k s s be the prime-power d mposition of n , and A = G 1 ⊗ G 2 ⊗·⊗ G s , where G i is an p k i i × p k i symmetric real circulant matrix for i =1,2,·, s . Then we show the existence of a permutation matrix T such that TAT -1 is a symmetric real circulant matrix. We also consider the case of A being an mn × mn symmetric block of symmetric real circulant matrices.
A three-hybrid system for detecting small ligand–protein receptor interactions

Small ligand-receptor interactions underlie many fundamental processes in biology and form the basis for pharmacological intervention of human diseases in medicine. We report herein a genetic system, named the yeast three-hybrid system, for detecting ligand-receptor interactions in vivo. This system is adapted from the yeast two-hybrid system with which a third synthetic hybrid ligand is combined. The feasibility of this system was demonstrated using as the hybrid ligand a heterodimer of covalently linked dexamethasone and FK506. Yeast expressing fusion proteins of the hormone binding domain of the rat glucocorticoid receptor fused to the LexA DNA-binding domain and FKBP12 fused to a transcriptional activation domain activated reporter genes when plated on medium containing the dexamethasone-FK506 heterodimer. The reporter gene activation is completely abrogated in a competitive manner by the presence of excess FK506. Using this system, we screened a Jurkat cDNA library fused to the transcriptional activation domain in yeast expressing the hormone binding domain of rat glucocorticoid receptor-LexA DNA binding domain fusion protein in the presence of dexamethasone-FK506 heterodimer. We isolated overlapping clones of human FKBP12. These results demonstrate that the three-hybrid system can be used to discover receptors for small ligands and to screen for new ligands to known receptors.
Meningitis in premature infants with respiratory distress: role of admission lumbar puncture.

tress may be the only sign of sepsis, we would prefer to see more data on the yield of CSF examination in infants with respiratory distress before CSF examination is completely discarded, although a selective or delayed approach may be appropriate. Infants with bacteremia who are symptom free may have a sufficient concentration of organisms in the blood to seed the meninges.! ~ Lumbar puncture for sepsis workup of newborn infants currently has a yield of less than 3%. 1, z Therefore it seems appropriate to exclude a group of infants in whom the probability of meningitis is extremely small. In this review we found no cases of meningitis in 284 infants who were symptom free at the time lumbar puncture was performed. Although 284 is not a large number for statistical purposes, it represents only those infants who were examined. The denominator is larger if one includes all symptom-free infants with risk factors who did not undergo lumbar punctures and presumably did not have meningitis. The probability of meningitis in this group is less than 4:1000 and likely to be zero. We conclude that CSF examination is not indicated in the diagnostic evaluation of symptom-free infants born to mothers with chorioamnionitis or other risk factors for neonatal infection.
Physiological and Optical Responses of the Harmful Dinoflagellate Heterocapsa circularisquama to a Range of Salinity

The responses of division rate, cell volume, cellular carbon (C) and nitrogen (N), cellular pigments and optical characteristics to changes in salinity were examined in the dinoflagellate Heterocapsa circularisquama. The physiological and optical characteristics of H. circularisquama were significantly affected by changes in salinity. When cells were exposed to different salinities, they exhibited physiological acclimation by adjusting their cellular properties associated with growth. This could be a beneficial tactic for ensuring proliferation and limiting damages induced by adverse environmental factors. The results of this study could be essential for assisting in the development of growth models for H. circularisquama.