cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vertical Profiles of Dioxin-like and Estrogenic Activities Associated with a Sediment Core from Tokyo Bay, Japan

In vitro bioassays were used to measure dioxin-like and estrogenic activities associated with florisil fractions of extracts from a sediment core collected from Tokyo Bay, Japan. Florisil fractions 2 (F2) and 3 (F3) elicited significant dioxin-like responses in vitro. Dioxin-like activities of F2 samples were correlated with the vertical profile of PAH concentrations (R 2 = 0.85). Contribution of PAHs to Ah receptor-mediated activities in sediments was greater than those by PCDDs/DFs, PCBs, and PCNs. The dioxin-like activity of F3 samples suggests the presence of relatively polar, Ah receptor-active compounds in the Tokyo Bay sediment core. Significant estrogenic activities, which may be related to the presence of certain estrogenic PAHs, were observed for F2 samples. Estrogen equivalents (E2-EQs) calculated from the concentrations and relative potencies of known estrogenic compounds in F2 were greater than bioassay-derived E2-EQs. This suggests that complex interactions between estrogenic and antiestroge...
Two-electron reductive reactivity of trivalent uranium tetraphenylborate complexes of (C5Me5)1− and (C5Me4H)1−

Abstract The reductive reactivity of the (BPh4)1− ligand in pentamethylcyclopentadienyl [(C5Me5)2U][(μ-η2:η1-Ph)2BPh2] (1) was compared with that of the tetramethyl analog, [(C5Me4H)2U][(μ-η6:η1-Ph)(μ-η1:η1-Ph)BPh2] (2) using PhSSPh as a probe to determine if the mode of (BPh4)1− bonding affected the reduction. Both complexes act as two-electron reductants to form (C5Me4R)2U(SPh)2 [R = Me, 3; H, 4], but only in the R = H case could the product be crystallographically characterized. An improved synthesis of 1 from [(C5Me5)2UH]2 (5) and [Et3NH][BPh4] is also reported as well as its reaction with MeCN that provides another route to the unusual, parallel-ring, uranium metallocene [(C5Me5)2U(NCMe)5][BPh4]2 (6).
Carbon arc in a controlled atmosphere as a radiation standard.

The carbon arc in argon, even at atmospheric pressure, possesses excellent qualities as a radiation standard, in comparison with which the so-called standard arc in air is much inferior. A further improvement is to be expected if the rapid intensity fluctuations common to all forms of the arc can be overcome. In its most easily attainable form, the arc is free from band structure and capable of a crater temperature of about 4300°K, under elevated pressure.
Screening nonrandomized studies for medical systematic reviews: A comparative study of classifiers

Objectives: To investigate whether (1) machine learning classifiers can help identify nonrandomized studies eligible for full-text screening by systematic reviewers; (2) classifier performance varies with optimization; and (3) the number of citations to screen can be reduced. Methods: We used an open-source, data-mining suite to process and classify biomedical citations that point to mostly nonrandomized studies from 2 systematic reviews. We built training and test sets for citation portions and compared classifier performance by considering the value of indexing, various feature sets, and optimization. We conducted our experiments in 2 phases. The design of phase I with no optimization was: 4 classifiersx3 feature setsx3 citation portions. Classifiers included k-nearest neighbor, naive Bayes, complement naive Bayes, and evolutionary support vector machine. Feature sets included bag of words, and 2- and 3-term n-grams. Citation portions included titles, titles and abstracts, and full citations with metadata. Phase II with optimization involved a subset of the classifiers, as well as features extracted from full citations, and full citations with overweighted titles. We optimized features and classifier parameters by manually setting information gain thresholds outside of a process for iterative grid optimization with 10-fold cross-validations. We independently tested models on data reserved for that purpose and statistically compared classifier performance on 2 types of feature sets. We estimated the number of citations needed to screen by reviewers during a second pass through a reduced set of citations. Results: In phase I, the evolutionary support vector machine returned the best recall for bag of words extracted from full citations; the best classifier with respect to overall performance was k-nearest neighbor. No classifier attained good enough recall for this task without optimization. In phase II, we boosted performance with optimization for evolutionary support vector machine and complement naive Bayes classifiers. Generalization performance was better for the latter in the independent tests. For evolutionary support vector machine and complement naive Bayes classifiers, the initial retrieval set was reduced by 46% and 35%, respectively. Conclusions: Machine learning classifiers can help identify nonrandomized studies eligible for full-text screening by systematic reviewers. Optimization can markedly improve performance of classifiers. However, generalizability varies with the classifier. The number of citations to screen during a second independent pass through the citations can be substantially reduced.
Performance of reinforced concrete buildings during the August 17, 1999 Kocaeli, Turkey earthquake, and seismic design and construction practise in Turkey

Abstract A large number of reinforced concrete buildings collapsed or were heavily damaged during the 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck northwestern Turkey on August 17, 1999. Recorded peak ground accelerations were relatively low (0.3 g–0.4 g) compared to the magnitude of the structural damage, and the elastic acceleration response spectra from the recorded motions were comparable with the elastic design spectra specified in the current Turkish seismic code. Seismic code requirements are discussed and compared with observed details. Many structural deficiencies were highlighted by the earthquake damage, including: reinforced concrete columns with insufficient confinement and transverse reinforcement, 90-degree hooks at the end of column ties, poor detailing in beam-column joint regions, strong-beam and weak-columns, soft and weak stories, and poor quality construction. Buildings with shear wall structural elements generally performed well.
Convective contamination in self-diffusivity experiments with an applied magnetic field

Abstract During self-diffusion experiments of liquid metals, a small non-uniformity in temperature in the liquid may drive a buoyant convection even in microgravity condition that can result in erroneous values of the measured diffusivity. Since most liquid metals and semiconductors have high electrical conductivities, magnetic fields may be used to suppress the convection during the self-diffusivity experiments. In this paper, a numerical model that represents a self-diffusivity experiment with steady, uniform and non-uniform incoming heat fluxes through the side wall of the container and in the presence of an applied axial magnetic field is presented. Liquid germanium is used as a model fluid and two different magnetic field strengths and four possible heat transfer conditions are considered in the model. The simulated results show the importance of knowing the scale/form of the temperature non-uniformities for magnetic damping to be effective.
EFFECT OF INTRAVENOUS MAGNESIUM ON THE EFFICACY OF IBUTILIDE IN THE CONVERSION OF ATRIAL FIBRILLATION AND FLUTTER: A META ANALYSIS

Intravenous magnesium is often used along with ibutilide during the treatment of atrial fibrillation and flutter to prevent torsades de pointes. Its effect on the efficacy of ibutilide in this setting is not well established. We searched PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases to identify studies
1649 PERMEABILITY OF SYSTEMIC CAPILLARIES TO ALBUMIN IN PUROMYCIN AMINONUCLEOSIDE (PA) NEPHROTIC SYNDROME

1649 PERMEABILITY OF SYSTEMIC CAPILLARIES TO ALBUMIN IN PUROMYCIN AMINONUCLEOSIDE (PA) NEPHROTIC SYNDROME
Effects of Meclofenamate on Pulmonary Vascular Resistance Correlate with Postnatal Age in Young Piglets

Summary: We administered sodium meclofenamate, a prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor, to 15 piglets (ages 5-70 d) to test the hypothesis that endogenous prostaglandin pulmonary vasodilators influence total pulmonary resistance under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions. No significant differences in hemodynamic measurements were found between the control group and drug-treated animals more than 12-d-old. When six experimental animals less than 12 d of age were compared with six age-matched controls, meclofenamate produced a small but significant increase in mean pulmonary artery pressure (110 ± 9 versus 97 ± 10%, P < 0.05) and total pulmonary resistance (135 ± 23 versus 102 ± 12%, P < 0.03). The magnitude of the change in total pulmonary resistance produced by 2 mg/kg of meclofenamate during normoxia correlated inversely with postnatal age (r = 0.83, P < 0.01). Individual changes in pulmonary hemodynamics produced by acute hypoxia after meclofenamate treatment were the same as pretreatment values and were similar in both young and older animals.
The ecological interview: A first step in out-patient child behavior therapy.

Abstract The importance of interview information in child behavior is therapy discussed with particular reference to ecological information. An illustration of three pre-interview checklist is provided. The ecological interview is described is detail and its function in the construction of behaviourtherapy programs is discussed. A case study is presented to illustrate features of the interview.
Cultural Competence for Libraries and Librarians in Health Care Institutions

Abstract Libraries in health care institutions play a leading role in knowledge-based information management. In response to the multicultural trends in society and to the challenge presented to libraries in the changing health care environment, librarians need to develop cultural competent skills to work in a multicultural environment. This article explores the concept and importance of cultural competence in libraries and librarians in relation to health care systems. The author argues that it is important for libraries and librarians to become culturally competent in order to provide services responsive and relevant to the changing information needs of health care professionals and health care institutions. The article is focused on how cultural awareness or sensitivity can be applied to many services or functions in libraries. It also includes methods to implement cultural competent services, strategies for individual librarians to apply to develop cultural awareness and sensitivity, and research area...
Correlation of optic nerve sheath diameter with direct measurement of intracranial pressure.

Background: Measurements of the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) using bedside ultrasound (US) have been shown to correlate with clinical and radiologic signs and symptoms of increased intracranial pressure (ICP). Objectives: Previous literature has identified 5 mm as the ONSD measurement above which patients exhibit either clinical or radiologic signs of elevated ICP. The goals of this study were to evaluate the association between ONSD and ICP and to validate the commonly used ONSD threshold of 5 mm using direct measurements of ICP as measured by ventriculostomy. Methods: A prospective blinded observational study was performed using a convenience sample of adult patients in both the emergency department (ED) and the neurologic intensive care unit (ICU) who had invasive intracranial monitors placed as part of their clinical care. Ocular USs were performed with a 10–5 MHz linear probe. Emergency physicians (EPs) with previous ocular US experience performed ONSD measurements while blinded to the contemporaneous ICP reading obtained directly from invasive monitoring. The association between ONSD and ICP was assessed with the Spearman rank correlation coefficient, and a receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was created to determine the optimal ONSD cutoff to detect ICP > 20 cm H2O. Results: Thirty-eight ocular USs were performed on 15 individual patients. Spearman rank correlation coefficient of ONSD and ICP was 0.59 (p 5 mm performed well to detect ICP > 20 cm H2O with a sensitivity of 88% (95% CI = 47% to 99%) and specificity of 93% (95% CI = 78% to 99%). Conclusions: Using an ROC curve the authors systematically confirmed the commonly used threshold of ONSD > 5 mm to detect ICP > 20 cm H2O. This study directly correlates ventriculostomy measurements of ICP with US ONSD measurements and provides further support for the use of ONSD measurements as a noninvasive test for elevated ICP.
Helleborus net necrosis virus: A New Carlavirus Associated with 'Black Death' of Helleborus spp.

Eastwell, K. C., du Toit, L. J., and Druffel, K. L. 2009. Helleborus net necrosis virus: A new Carlavirus associated with ‘black death’ of Helleborus spp. Plant Dis. 93:332-338. Symptoms of ‘black death’ were observed on Helleborus spp. in each of three independent nurseries from across the United States. A new virus of the genus Carlavirus was identified in association with this disease. Symptomatic plants contained curved, rod-shaped particles averaging 800 by 17 nm, and yielded predominant bands of double-stranded (ds)RNA corresponding to approximately 9.0, 2.6, and 1.7 kbp. Amplification with degenerate primers for carlaviruses yielded a product of approximately 3,000 bp from diseased plants. Complete genomic sequences of two virus isolates were determined. Particle size, dsRNA patterns, genome organization, and sequence were consistent with members of the family Flexiviridae, genus Carlavirus. The name Helleborus net necrosis virus (HeNNV) is proposed for the virus associated with black death of Helleborus spp. in the United States. The sequence of the 3′ terminus of Helleborus mosaic virus (HeMV) (genus Carlavirus) was also determined. Nucleotide sequences of HeNNV and HeMV were only 49% identical, revealing the distinct nature of these viruses. Assays for other viruses failed to reveal a consistent association of any other virus with black death symptoms. Cucumber mosaic virus was detected in hellebore specimens both with and without distinct black death symptoms.
Optimal placement of piezoelectric material on a cantilever beam for maximum piezoelectric damping and power harvesting efficiency

The loss factor of an electromechanical system characterizes the induced piezoelectric damping of the system for shunt damping applications, and it can also be used to represent the power harvesting efficiency of the system. This paper investigates the effect of piezoelectric patch placement on the loss factor, with the aim of finding an optimal location for the same amount of piezoelectric material. An analytical relationship between the loss factor and placement is presented and discussed for beam configurations. In addition, a structural model is developed based on wave propagation which accounts for the effects of the PZT patch on the system and is used to obtain the natural frequencies and mode shapes of the composite system. After that, numerical studies demonstrate the effects of placement on damping of various vibration modes, and the effects of patch size on optimal placement. For small piezoelectric patches, the optimal location is very close to the location of the overall maximum bending moment, where the mechanical strain energy density is maximized. Larger patches could be used to improve the damping or power harvesting efficiency of the system; however, the associated optimal placement might not be at the point of overall maximum bending moment. Moreover, as the patch size extends beyond a critical point, increasing the size can actually deteriorate the system?s performance.
The linkage of United States presidential elections, unemployment changes, and reductions in suicide, accident, and homicide rates.

(1984). The Linkage of United States Presidential Elections, Unemployment Changes, and Reductions in Suicide, Accident, and Homicide Rates. The Journal of Social Psychology: Vol. 124, No. 1, pp. 115-117.
Dynamic dorsoventral stiffness assessment of the ovine lumbar spine

Abstract Posteroanterior spinal stiffness assessments are common in the evaluating patients with low back pain. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of mechanical excitation frequency on dynamic lumbar spine stiffness. A computer-controlled voice coil actuator equipped with a load cell and LVDT was used to deliver an oscillatory dorsoventral (DV) mechanical force to the L3 spinous process of 15 adolescent Merino sheep. DV forces (48 N peak, ∼10% body weight) were randomly applied at periodic excitation frequencies of 2.0, 6.0, 11.7 and a 0.5–19.7 Hz sweep. Force and displacement were recorded over a 13–22 s time interval. The in vivo DV stiffness of the ovine spine was frequency dependent and varied 3.7-fold over the 0.5–19.7 Hz mechanical excitation frequency range. Minimum and maximum DV stiffness (force/displacement) were 3.86±0.38 and 14.1±9.95 N/mm at 4.0 and 19.7 Hz, respectively. Stiffness values based on the swept-sine measurements were not significantly different from corresponding periodic oscillations (2.0 and 6.0 Hz). The mean coefficient of variation in the swept-sine DV dynamic stiffness assessment method was 15%, which was similar to the periodic oscillation method (10–16%). The results indicate that changes in mechanical excitation frequency and animal body mass modulate DV spinal stiffness.
Implementation of a neural network controller and estimator using a digital signal processing chip

In this paper, artificial neural networks with error backpropagation are considered for the control of linear and nonlinear dynamics. A neural network estimator and controller is constructed and trained off-line to learn the dynamic behavior and satisfactory control. The neural network estimator generates estimates of the plant output and also provides the plant Jacobian for the neural network controller. For real-time control purpose, the neural network estimator and controller is implemented in assembly language using a Motorola DSP56001 digital signal processing chip. The time to convergence can be shortened by utilizing the computational speed of the chip. The nonlinear activation function of the neural network is approximated and stored as a look-up table. Simulation results between the DSP and C language versions agree well without any noticeable degradations.
A suggested experiment to measure part of the transverse electromagnetic mass of the electron

The changes in self energy of a non-relativistic charged particle are calculated where such changes are due to confinement of the charge within conducting plates. This confinement will alter the mode structure of the virtual photons involved in the transverse self-energy calculation: it will lead to a reduction in the number of modes at the long wavelength limit and, where the modes have a wavelength comparable to the distance, L, between the plates, the normal integrals over virtual momenta are replaced by sums over the integers describing the modes. It is found that mass changes of 1 part in 10$^{10}$ can be induced by plate separations of the order of 1 mm. It is suggested that such relative mass shifts could be measured by the use of high precision atomic beam techniques, such as those used in 'atomic clocks'. The atomic beam would be directed between two closely spaced parallel conducting plates (or through long cylindrical tubes) located between the oscillating fields used to excite a transition between the hyperfine structure levels. The mass change will be reflected in frequency shifts of the h.f.s. separation of the same order as the mass change. With a high precision cesium beam apparatus, such as those at the National Bureau of Standards, it should be possible to demonstrate not only that changes do indeed occur but also obtain a quantitative estimate of such effects as a function of the plate separation, L. It is predicted that the frequency shifts will be inversely proportional to L.
mPID SOLUTION OF CONSTRAINED TRAVELING SALESMAN PROBLEMS AS APPLIED TO AIAA DESIGN CHALLENGE

This p aper addresses the AIAA Guidance, N avigation and Control Artificial Intelligence Design Challenge. The approach taken to solve this problem began with a Monte Carlo code that quickly generated tours satisfying all the constraints, in order to find excellent tours to measure the performance of algorithms. The solution begins by setting up an initial tour that starts and ends with the home city, and satisfies the local constraint of visiting Boston after Los Angeles. Variants of this small initial tour are created by inserting remaining cities into the tour at the most expensive link. Each variant tour is expanded by successively adding the city that maximizes the tour value, w hile minimizing the cost and remaining within budget. The optimal tour is the best tour over all variants of the initial tour. This method attains a value of 88 for the sample problem, with a 0.005 probability of exceeding the budget, in one minute on an AT&T 6300 with 8087 coprocessor.
Postharvest Quality and Acceptance of LB8-9 Mandarin as a New Fresh Fruit Cultivar

A new mandarin cultivar currently designated as selection LB8-9 [‘Clementine’ mandarin (Citrus reticulata) · ‘Minneola’ tangelo, Duncan grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) · Dancy tangerine (C. reticulata)], soon to be released by the University of Florida, Citrus Research and Education Center, Lake Alfred, has been evaluated for postharvest fruit quality and consumer acceptance. Comparisons were made with ‘Sunburst’ and ‘Minneola’ mandarins, which overlap the early and late LB8-9 maturity season, respectively. LB8-9 and ‘Sunburst’ fruit stored 2 weeks at 70 F developed similar decay percentages (35% to 37%), while ‘Minneola’ showed only 16% decay. Postharvest pitting incidence was zero in LB8-9 and ‘Minneola’ and 3% in ‘Sunburst’ stored at 70 F and 92% to 96% relative humidity (RH). At the same storage conditions, LB8-9 and ‘Sunburst’ developed better fruit peel color (hue = 60) in comparison with the ‘Minneola’ (hue = 65) mandarin. No differences were found in fruit external peel color (hue angle), chilling injury, or decay among three cultivars stored at 40 F after 6 weeks. However, juice color was the best in ‘Sunburst’ as indicated by the highest color numbers (44), followed by LB8-9 (40) and ‘Minneola’ (38). Wax-formulation studies indicated that carnauba wax was the best formulation for coating LB8-9 because of low decay incidence, weight loss, and good color. No difference was found in fruit taste panels at day 6 after packing, while a better score of acceptance in the fruit taste panel was recorded for LB8-9 than ‘Minneola’ after 50 d of storage at 40 F and 92% to 96% RH. LB8-9 fruit had a higher soluble solids concentration [SSC (14.0)] and acid (1.12) than ‘Minneola’ or ‘Sunburst’ mandarins, both having a SSC and acid lower than 11.5 and 0.86, respectively. Sucrose concentration was noticeably higher in the new cultivar (7.14 g/100 mL) than in ‘Minneola’ (5.27 g/100 mL) or ‘Sunburst’ (6.10 g/100 mL). Vitamin C concentration was 42.43 mg/100 mL for the new cultivar, which was considerably higher than ‘Minneola’ (23.27 mg/100 mL) or ‘Sunburst’ (26.25 mg/100 mL). Overall, LB8-9 has good potential as a new fresh fruit for the consumer, and no serious problems were noted with typical postharvest handling.
Factors affecting student attitudes toward active learning activities in a graduate engineering statistics course

The successful use of active learning practices in a medium-to-large sized (25 – 50 students) graduate engineering statistics course has its challenges as well as opportunities. Students expect that lecture would be the dominant pedagogy, so introducing team-based activities violates their assumptions about the structure of the course. Experience in teaching graduate-level courses in statistics, validated by survey responses and observation, leads us to conclude that the majority of students, regardless of their undergraduate group learning experiences, tend to prefer to work alone or in small groups with acquaintances; the main exception is a preference for working in groups on large-scale projects. Student attitudes seem to be primarily context-dependent, and we find the main factors affecting how a particular activity is received are the scope and grade-importance of the assignment; team size relative to the amount of effort required; and team composition.
Neuroimaging of tumefactive multiple sclerosis with atypical features

Tumefactive demyelinating lesions or tumefactive multiple sclerosis (TMS) constitute a unique presentation of demyelinating disease that frequently mimics intracranial neoplasm, infection or other, nondemyelinating intracranial pathology. Consequently, these lesions, which are larger than typical multiple sclerosis plaques and are generally characterized by certain MRI features including edema and incomplete ring enhancement, pose a serious diagnostic challenge that frequently prompts biopsy in initial evaluation. Biopsy can be averted when imaging features for TMS are seen on MRI. We present a biopsy-proven case of TMS with atypical imaging features, evaluated using MRI and diffusion-tensor imaging.
Low Temperature SEM of Precipitated and Metamorphosed Snow Crystals Collected and Transported from Remote Sites

Procedures were developed to sample, store, ship and process precipitated and metamorphosed snow crystals, collectively known as "snowflakes", from remote sites to a laboratory where they could be observed and photographed using low temperature scanning electron microscopy (LTSEM). Snow samples were collected during 1994-96 from West Virginia, Colorado and Alaska and shipped to Beltsville, Maryland for observation. The samples consisted of freshly precipitated snowflakes as well as snow that was collected from pits that were excavated in winter snowfields measuring up to 1.5m in depth. The snow crystals were mounted onto copper plates, plunged into LN 2 and then transferred to a storage dewar that was shipped to the laboratory. Observations, which could be easily recorded in stereo (three-dimension), revealed detailed surface features on the precipitated crystals consisting of rime, graupel and skeletal features. Samples from snowpacks preserved the metamorphosed crystals, which had unique structural features and bonding patterns resulting from temperature and vapor pressure gradients. In late spring, the surface of a snowpack in an alpine region exhibited a reddish hue. Undisturbed surfaces from these snowpacks could be sampled to observe the snow crystals as well as the organisms that were responsible for the coloration. Etching the surface of samples from these sites, exposed the presence of numerous cells believed to be algae. The results of this study indicate that LTSEM can be used to provide detailed information about the surface features of precipitated and metamorphosed snow crystals that can be sampled at remote locations. The technique can also be used to increase our understanding about the ecology of snow. The results have application to research activities that attempt to forecast the quantity of water in the winter snowpack and the amount that will ultimately reach reservoirs and be available for agriculture and hydroelectric power.
Interactive Virtual Expert System for Advising (InVEStA)

We propose and develop InVEStA - interactive virtual expert system for advising - to assist undergraduate students and their advisors in providing timely, accurate and conflict-free schedules. The proposed system is based on Java and object-relational database technologies and consists of the database layer, transaction layer, scheduler and the Web-based front-end. The transaction layer transmits requests and data back and forth to the other system components and provides multi-user capabilities. The scheduler provides non-conflicting class schedules based on pre-specified requirements. The front-end provides the client's interface. In this paper we discuss the structure and functionality of the system with particular emphasis on database design and specifics of the scheduling algorithm. Also, we discuss issues related to advising double and multiple majors and to auditing students that change or add majors during the course of their studies. Finally, we discuss some practical issues related to the implementation of the system and its launching in a middle-sized university
Protein kinases A and C in post-mortem prefrontal cortex from persons with major depression and normal controls

Major depression (MDD) is a common and potentially life-threatening condition. Widespread neurobiological abnormalities suggest abnormalities in fundamental cellular mechanisms as possible physiological mediators. Cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase [also known as protein kinase A (PKA)] and protein kinase C (PKC) are important components of intracellular signal transduction cascades that are linked to G-coupled receptors. Previous research using both human peripheral and post-mortem brain tissue specimens suggests that a subset of depressed patients exhibit reduced PKA and PKC activity, which has been associated with reduced levels of specific protein isoforms. Prior research also suggests that specific clinical phenotypes, particularly melancholia and suicide, may be particularly associated with low activity. This study examined PKA and PKC protein levels in human post-mortem brain tissue samples from persons with MDD (n=20) and age- and sex-matched controls (n=20). Specific PKA subunits and PKC isoforms were assessed using Western blot analysis in post-mortem samples from Brodmann area 10, which has been implicated in reinforcement and reward mechanisms. The MDD sample exhibited significantly lower protein expression of PKA regulatory Ia (RIa), PKA catalytic a (Ca) and Cb, PKCb1, and PKCe relative to controls. The melancholic subgroup showed low PKA RIa and PKA Cb, while the portion of the MDD sample who died by suicide had low PKA RIa and PKA Ca. These data continue to support the significance of abnormalities of these two key kinases, and suggest linkages between molecular endophenotypes and specific clinical phenotypes.
Electrochemical and in situ ATR-SEIRAS investigations of methanol and CO electro-oxidation on PVP-free cubic and octahedral/tetrahedral Pt nanoparticles

Most wet-chemical methods that synthesize metal nanoparticles (NPs) of a particular size and desired shape include the use of a stabilizing surfactant, such as poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP). The latter has the ability to prohibit and/or promote surface sites from participating in electrocatalytic reactions, i.e. the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR). In light of our recent findings that adsorbed PVP can enhance the MOR on Pt NPs, a strong effort was made herein to separate the NP surface orientation effect from that of surface-bound PVP. We report the in situ ATR-SEIRAS (attenuated total reflection-surface enhanced infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy) and electrochemical (EC) studies of MOR and CO oxidation reaction (COR) performed on PVP-free cubic and octahedral/tetrahedral (O/T) Pt NPs that were obtained using an adapted liquid phase UV photo-oxidation (UVPO) technique. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) images showed no observable changes of shape and size after the elimination of the PVP, while the integrity of the atomic surface structure was further confirmed by the orientation-dependent EC stripping analysis of irreversibly adsorbed adatoms, i.e. Bi and Ge. The MOR activity was enhanced by the preferential surface orientation of the O/T Pt NPs compared to commercial Pt black and the cubic Pt NPs. The in situ ATR-SEIRAS measurements showed that the PVP-free Pt NPs adsorbed more bridge-bound gaseous CO than those with residual PVP and the weakly hydrogen-bound interfacial water played an important role for the orientation dependent enhancement in MOR activity. Additionally, the findings of this work are coupled with previously published investigations regarding the influence that PVP exerts on the ultimate activity of the Pt NPs, i.e., the adsorbed PVP enhances further the MOR activity on the O/T but suppresses it on the cubic Pt NPs.
Biomaterials that talk

Summary form only given. We are working to develop a variety of biomaterials that are designed to communicate with biomolecules, cells, and tissues. Here we report the joint use of protein engineering and microfabrication approaches to generate surfaces that control cell phenotype in confined dimensions on device surfaces, and the solid-state NMR characterization of peptide and protein conformation on hydroxyapatite and hydrophobic biomaterial surfaces that interact with cell surface receptors.
Requirements of bipolar switching ReRAM for 1T1R type high density memory array

ReRAM has been researched as a promising candidate for diverse NVM application [1]. Still switching mechanism and classification are not clear, there are simply two kinds of switching polarity: unipolar and bipolar. Considering distribution, operation margin and so on, bipolar switching looks much attractive than unipolar. Along with a selective device, polarity of switching could make the architecture of cell array different. The Crossbar array structure has been considered an attractive solution for unipolar switching with diode. To make the crossbar array with bipolar switching devices, research on a new selective device such as MIEC [2] is much necessary to meet the requirements of current drivability and on/off properties. In addition, self-rectifying device [3–4] could be an alternative for a high density crossbar array. Recently, several research groups have shown very fast and high reliable device. It could be a good signal that ReRAM could have speed and endurance for DRAM or embedded applications. In case of those applications, 1T1R structure could be an effective and it could be used to check the feasibility by changing ReRAM cell with capacitor or MTJ. From now on, transistor has been mainly considered as a controller for the compliance current in set process. But the bipolar 1T1R structure for a high density array, there are several things to be considered, because a transistor would be acting as a changeable resistance at a set and reset process and its resistance goes up as the technology shrinks. So in this paper, we tried to figure out the requirements of bipolar ReRAM switching for the high density 1T1R memory array by changing reset current and symmetry of ReRAM devices.
Structure and thermodynamics of phosphorus oxide caged clusters

The structure and thermodynamics of the following phosphorus oxide caged clusters were calculated in the gas phase at STP via both the local density approximation (LDA) and a generalized gradient approximation (BLYP) of density functional theory: the experimentally characterized trioxide (P4O6) and pentoxide (P4O10), and in order of thermodynamic preference, the hypothetical P24O60, P8O20, P24O48, and P20O20. All of the hypothetical oxides would dissociate to the pentoxide at equilibrium. Secondarily, the LDA calculation of the enthalpy of formation was unexpectedly superior to the BLYP calculation.
Approximate Decentralized Sensor Fusion for Bayesian Search of a Moving Target

A main impediment for developing a fully decentralized search algorithm based on Bayesian estimation is the requirement that all measurements be shared for the update step. However, as agents move in the search domain, communication links may break due to distance. We propose an approximate probability fusion algorithm to fuse different probability maps and compare the results with the typical centralized Bayesian update scheme. Individual agents maintain and update a map of their recently visited positions and use this map as a measure of certainty when sharing target probability maps with other agents. We employ a consensus algorithm from the literature to achieve agreement among communicating agents to the fused target probability map. The resulting algorithm is scalable since agents only need to communicate their probability and certainty maps, which are fixed in size. Agents then seek to locally maximize the amount of visited probability mass for motion planning. We provide simulations of this fusion algorithm coupled with the search algorithm and show its efficacy.
Trading bitwidth for array size: a unified reconfigurable arithmetic processor design

This paper presents a novel unified run-time reconfigurable arithmetic processor design scheme. It provides novel computational trade-offs between array/matrix size and input data item bitwidth, and efficiently performs multiple types of arithmetic operations in pipeline within a single hardware-reusable processor. The proposed computations include inner product evaluation, matrix multiplication, and evaluation of polynomial. More specifically, we show that the minimum hardware platform can be easily reconfigured to complete: [1] the inner products of two input arrays with several combinations of array dimension and precision, including input arrays of 256 4-bit items, 64 8-bit items, 16 16-bit items, 4 32-bit items and I 64-bit item; (2) the product of matrices X/sub nk/ and Y/sub km/ for any integers n, k, m and any item precision b ranging from 4 to 64 bits, including input arrays of X/sub 16/spl times/16/ Y/sub 16/spl times/16/ of 4-bit items, X/sub 8/spl times/8/ and Y/sub 8/spl times/8/ of 8-bit items, X/sub 4/spl times/4/, Y/sub 4/spl times/4/ of 16-bit items, X/sub 2/spl times/2/ and Y/sub 2/spl times/2/ of 32-bit items and the product of two 64-bit numbers; (3) the polynomial evaluations at any given point x, with several combinations of the polynomial degree N and evaluation point number precision p, including polynomial degree and item precision options of N=64, p=13, N=16, p=16, and N=4, p=32.
Taxonomic assessment of Alligator Snapping Turtles (Chelydridae: Macrochelys), with the description of two new species from the southeastern United States.

The Alligator Snapping Turtle, Macrochelys temminckii, is a large, aquatic turtle limited to river systems that drain into the Gulf of Mexico. Previous molecular analyses using both mitochondrial and nuclear DNA suggested that Macrochelys exhibits significant genetic variation across its range that includes three distinct genetic assemblages (western, central, and eastern = Suwannee). However, no taxonomic revision or morphological analyses have been conducted previously. In this study, we test previous hypotheses of distinct geographic assemblages by examining morphology, reanalyzing phylogeographic genetic structure, and estimating divergence dating among lineages in a coalescent framework using Bayesian inference. We reviewed the fossil record and discuss phylogeographic and taxonomic implications of the existence of three distinct evolutionary lineages. We measured cranial (n=145) and post-cranial (n=104) material on field-captured individuals and museum specimens. We analyzed 420 base pairs (bp) of mitochondrial DNA sequence data for 158 Macrochelys. We examined fossil Macrochelys from ca. 15–16 million years ago (Ma) to the present to better assess historical distributions and evaluate named fossil taxa. The morphological and molecular data both indicate significant geographical variation and suggest three species-level breaks among genetic lineages that correspond to previously hypothesized genetic assemblages. The holotype of Macrochelys temminckii is from the western lineage. Therefore, we describe two new species as Macrochelys apalachicolae sp. nov. from the central lineage and Macrochelys suwanniensis sp. nov. from the eastern lineage (Suwannee River drainage). Our estimates of divergence times suggest that the most recent common ancestor (MRCA) of M. temminckii (western) and M. apalachicolae (central) existed 3.2–8.9 Ma during the late Miocene to late Pliocene, whereas M. temminckii-M. apalachicolae and M. suwanniensis last shared a MRCA 5.5–13.4 Ma during the mid-Miocene to early Pliocene. Examination of fossil material revealed that the fossil taxon M. floridana is actually a large Chelydra. Our taxonomic revision of Macrochelys has conservation and management implications in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama.
The role of adjuvant radiation in uterine sarcomas.

Purpose To determine clinical and pathological factors significant for overall survival (OS) and local-regional failure-free survival (LRFFS) in uterine sarcoma as they relate to adjuvant radiotherapy (AR). Methods and Materials A retrospective analysis of 3,650 patients with uterine sarcoma was conducted using the National Oncology Database, a proprietary database of aggregated tumor registries owned by Impac Medical Systems (Sunnyvale, CA). Adjuvant radiotherapy was defined as postoperative external beam radiation to the pelvis, with or without brachytherapy. Prognostic factors were identified by multivariate analysis (MVA) using the Cox proportional hazards model. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate survival, with significant differences ( p Results The median follow-up time was 59 months, with a 5-year OS of 37%. Significant prognostic factors for OS were stage, race/ethnicity, grade, age, histology, lymph node status, and surgical treatment ( p n = 2,206), the 5-year LRFFS was 87%. In this group, stage, grade, histology, and AR were prognostic for LRFFS ( p p p Conclusion In the largest retrospective analysis of uterine sarcoma published thus far, AR conferred a 53% reduction in the risk of LRF at 5 years. Use of AR may have broader indications than what are currently accepted in clinical practice.
Immigration and HIV/AIDS in the New York Metropolitan Area

Because the HIV pandemic undergoes continual change in its locations and affected populations, it is crucial to study HIV risk behaviors among mobile and immigrant groups within and across borders. The impact of cross-cultural migrations and the importance of studying that impact in terms of demographic characteristics as well as cultural and environmental factors has not received adequate attention in public health research. This collaborative analysis utilizes data from three studies of immigrant groups in New York to describe and compare these factors that provide the context for risk and prevention of HIVAIDS and other health challenges. Data discussed were obtained utilizing multi-method approaches to identify and describe HIV risks among both new and more established immigrant populations within the urban settings of North America, with NYC as a central focus. Demographic and epidemiological data situate the analysis within the larger contexts of US migration and the HIV/AIDS epidemic in NYC. The authors identify risk and protective factors embedded to varying degrees in immigrants’ multiple cultures and sub-cultures. The three populations studied include: 1) new Hispanic immigrants from the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Central America; 2) West Indian (Caribbean) immigrants from Jamaica, Trinidad/Tobago and other anglophone Caribbean nations; and 3) South Asian immigrants from India (Indian Americans). The paper seeks differences and commonalities, focusing on the social, attitudinal and behavioral factors that contribute to increased HIV/AIDS vulnerability among these populations. The data presented also identify some of the attitudes and behaviors of individuals and groups, as well as other facilitators and obstacles to transmission for immigrants as they adapt to new environments. Topics addressed include factors affecting HIV/AIDS vulnerability of immigrant groups, goals and expectations, health and mental heath issues, gender role change, sexual risk, alcohol and other drug use, perception of HIV/AIDS risk and implications for prevention.
Facework Solidarity, Approbation, and Tact

This study extended Brown and Levinson's model of politeness in order to explain more complicated forms of interaction and proposed three different types of facework: solidarity, approbation, and tact. The effects of three social factors—relational intimacy, power difference, and the right to perform a given act in a given situation—on the three types of facework were examined. Relational intimacy was the strongest positive predictor of facework. Its effect was consistent across different types of facework and across different levels of power and right. The right to perform a certain act and speaker's power decreased facework, but these effects were mediated by relational intimacy, achieving significance mainly in distant relationships. The study also examined the relationships among different types of facework. Respondents used multiple types of facework when multiple face wants were threatened, and the use of one type of facework did not decrease the use of other types.
A simple example of SysML-driven simulation

The successful practice of simulation requires a number of capabilities; two key capabilities are creating a conceptual model of the system to be simulated, and translating the conceptual model to a computational process or simulation program. We describe how OMG's new graphical systems modeling language, OMG SysML™ (OMG 2009), can be used to create a conceptual model, and how this conceptual model can be translated automatically to a simulation program. In demonstrating the process, we use Arena™ as the target simulation language, but the concepts presented are quite general.
Processor-efficient sparse matrix-vector multiplication

Abstract The matrix-vector multiplication operation is the kernel of most numerical algorithms.Typically, matrix-vector multiplication algorithms exploit the sparsity of a matrix, either to reduce the time taken or the memory used. In the case of parallel implementations of numerical algorithms, the sparsity of a matrix can also be used to reduce the number of processing elements (PEs) required. For example, in Leiserson's systolic array algorithm for matrix-vector multiplication the nonzeros in the matrix are partitioned into bands and each band is fed into a different PE. Similarly, in Melhem's algorithm, the nonzeros are partitioned into stripes and each stripe is fed into a distinct PE. However, in many practical applications, such as the numerical solution of partial differential equations, a matrix is much sparser than is indicated by its bandwidth or by its stripe width. A new measure of sparsity of a matrix called staircase width is introduced. A staircase in a matrix M = (mi,j)n×n is a set of matrix positions S = {(i, j) | mi,j ≠ 0, such that no position in S is strictly to the northeast of another position in S. The staircase cover of a matrix is a partition of the positions of nonzero entries in the matrix into staircases and the staircase width of a matrix is the size of a smallest staircase cover of the matrix. The staircase width of a matrix is never larger than the bandwidth or the stripe width of a matrix. Moreover, it is significantly smaller than either for some commonly occurring types of matrices such as arrowhead matrices. Experiments with sparse matrices derived from a variety of engineering problems suggest that, in practice, the staircase width of a matrix is about half the stripe width of the matrix. An efficient algorithm to compute a minimum width staircase cover of a matrix is presented. Staircase covers are used as the basis of a new parallel algorithm to compute a matrix-vector product on a linear systolic array of PEs. This algorithm uses as many PEs as the staircase width of the matrix, and therefore, saves on the number of PEs relative to algorithms of Leiserson and Melhem. It is shown that despite using fewer PEs, the algorithm uses no more time steps than Leiserson's or Melhem's algorithm.
Single-frame measurement of complex laser pulses tens of picoseconds long using pulse-front tilt in cross-correlation frequency-resolved optical gating

We demonstrate the use of pulse-front tilt (PFT) in cross-correlation frequency-resolved optical gating (XFROG) implemented in polarization-gate geometry to measure arbitrary complex ultrashort pulses tens of picoseconds long on a single-camera frame with the potential for a single-shot measurement. The PFT is generated by a diffraction grating. We measured chirped double pulses separated by 4.7 and 24 ps with fine details and accurately retrieved them using the standard XFROG retrieval algorithm. The temporal range of our device is 28 ps, an order of magnitude longer than available from standard single-shot FROG devices without PFT.