cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Correlation of electromigration lifetime distribution to failure mode in dual damascene Cu/SiLK interconnects

The electromigration cumulative percent lifetime probability of dual Damascene Cu/SiLK interconnects was fitted using three, individual lognormal functions where the functional populations were grouped by void growth location determined from focused ion beam failure analysis of all 54 of the stressed structures. The early, first mode failures were characterized by small voids in the bottom of the vias. The intermediate mode failures had voids in the line and via bottom while the late mode failures had voids that formed in the line only. The three, individual lognormal functions provided good fits of the data. Failure mode population separation using comprehensive failure analysis suggested that only the first mode failures should be used in the prediction of the chip design current.
IMPACT OF SPONTANEOUS SPATIAL SYMMETRY BREAKING ON THE CRITICAL ATOM NUMBER FOR TWO-COMPONENT BOSE-EINSTEIN CONDENSATES

The consequences of spatial symmetry breaking in two-component Bose-Einstein condensates are explored for the ${}^{85}{\mathrm{R}\mathrm{b}+}^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$ system. It is shown that the mean-field critical number of ${}^{85}\mathrm{Rb}$ atoms depends strongly on whether the single-particle wave function is symmetry preserving or symmetry breaking. This system thus provides a uniquely straightforward experimental means of observing spatial symmetry breaking.
Structural order and dynamics of amorphous Si and Ge

Abstract The role of variable short range order on the physical properties of a-Si, a-Ge and their H alloys are discussed. Emphasis is placed on the influence of bond angle distribution modifications with the conditions of film formation that result in changes in the vibrational and electronic states. Raman and inelastic neutron scattering, optical absorption, and differential scanning calorimetry in variable ordered systems are discussed.
Hindered submicron mobility and long-term storage of presynaptic dense-core granules revealed by single-particle tracking.

Dense-core granules (DCGs) are organelles found in neuroendocrine cells and neurons that house, transport, and release a number of important peptides and proteins. In neurons, DCG cargo can include the secreted neuromodulatory proteins tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and/or brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which play a key role in modulating synaptic efficacy in the hippocampus. This function has spurred interest in DCGs that localize to synaptic contacts between hippocampal neurons, and several studies recently have established that DCGs localize to, and undergo regulated exocytosis from, postsynaptic sites. To complement this work, we have studied presynaptically localized DCGs in hippocampal neurons, which are much more poorly understood than their postsynaptic analogs. Moreover, to enhance relevance, we visualized DCGs via fluorescence labeling of exogenous and endogenous tPA and BDNF. Using single-particle tracking, we determined trajectories of more than 150 presynaptically localized DCGs. These trajectories reveal that mobility of DCGs in presynaptic boutons is highly hindered and that storage is long-lived. We also computed mean-squared displacement curves, which can be used to elucidate mechanisms of transport. Over shorter time windows, most curves are linear, demonstrating that DCG transport in boutons is driven predominantly by diffusion. The remaining curves plateau with time, consistent with motion constrained by a submicron-sized corral. These results have relevance to recent models of presynaptic organization and to recent hypotheses about DCG cargo function. The results also provide estimates for transit times to the presynaptic plasma membrane that are consistent with measured times for onset of neurotrophin release from synaptically localized DCGs. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2012
Evaluation Of Infrared Television (IRTV) For Remote Monitoring Of Stack Effluent Velocity And SO 2 Concentrations

Field measurements were carried out to determine the feasibility of using infrared television systems to measure plume characteristics of power plant stack emissions. Emphasis was placed on determining the suitability of these imaging systems for monitoring sulfur dioxide concentrations and effluent velocities in stack emissions. Specific objectives were: (1) to obtain experimental infrared data on stack plume characteristics, (2) to establish optimum infrared television system parameters for detection and measurement of these stack plume emissions, and (3) to determine the feasibility of using the General Electric infrared vidicon to monitor stack plume parameters of interest. This paper describes in detail the test equipment, measurement techniques, and resulting data associated with experiments conducted at the Duke Power Company Riverbend Station. Data on observed infrared emissions from refinery burn-off stacks are also presented for comparison.© (1976) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Morita equivalence of Poisson manifolds

Poisson manifolds are the classical analogue of associative algebras. For Poisson manifolds, symplectic realizations play a similar role as representations do for associative algebras. In this paper, the notion of Morita equivalence of Poisson manifolds, a classical analogue of Morita equivalence of algebras, is introduced and studied. It is proved that Morita equivalent Poisson manifolds have equivalent “categories” of complete symplectic realizations. For certain types of Poisson manifolds, the geometric invariants of Morita equivalence are also investigated.
Experience with vacuum-pack temporary abdominal wound closure in 258 trauma and general and vascular surgical patients.

Background Temporary closure of an open abdominal wound by vacuum-pack is the method of choice for patients requiring open abdomen management in our institution. We have previously reported our experience with a vacuum-pack in trauma patients and have expanded its use to general and vascular surgery patients. Study Design This is a descriptive study performed through review of medical records of all patients undergoing vacuum-pack closure after celiotomy from January 1999 to May 2006. Clinical and demographic data were collected. Results Seven hundred seventeen vacuum-pack closures were performed in 258 surgical patients (116 trauma versus 142 general and vascular surgery). The most common indication for open abdomen management was damage control in trauma patients and planned reexploration in general and vascular surgery patients. Total abdominal complication rate was 15.5% (14.7% trauma versus 16.2% general and vascular surgery). Fistulas occurred in 13 (5%), intraabdominal abscesses in 9 (3.5%), bowel obstruction in 3 (1.2%), abdominal compartment syndrome in 3 (1.2%), and evisceration in 1 (0.4%). Two hundred twenty-six patients survived to permanent abdominal wound closure. Of these, 154 (68.1%) patients underwent primary fascial closure of their abdominal wounds. Seventy-two patients (31.9%) required delayed closure. In-hospital mortality rate was 26.0% (25.9% trauma versus 26.1% general and vascular surgery). The cost of vacuum-pack materials is less than $50. Conclusions Indication for open abdomen management varied between general and vascular surgery and trauma patients. Complication rates were similar. Primary closure of open abdominal wounds was achieved in 68.4% of patients. Vacuum-pack temporary abdominal wound closure, initially used in trauma patients, continues to demonstrate ease of mastery, effectiveness in patient care and comfort, consistently low associated complication rate, and low cost in both general and vascular surgery and trauma patients.
Building Institutional Repositories in the Academic Libraries

Institutional repositories are increasingly becoming an essential component of academic institutions. An institutional repository showcases scholarly and research output to the wider community, and significantly helps in institutional advancement and outreach. It has the benefit of sharing and marketing research with others. It also provides an opportunity to raise profile and brand awareness of an institution, faculty and students to the global community. Building an effective and successful institutional repository for an academic institution requires careful planning and enthusiasm from the institution's community. This article describes detailed steps based on the review of the literature and the author's experience in creating institutional repositories. The libraries need to make critical decisions and choices before designing or redesigning institutional repositories. Among them are the funding, staffing, technology, metadata, content and operations to build, manage and run the institutional reposi...
Oral contraceptives and periodontal diseases: rethinking the association based upon analysis of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data.

Background: Historic evidence suggests that use of high-dose combined oral contraceptives (OCs) (containing >50 µg of estrogen and ≥1 mg progestin) places women at increased risk for periodontal diseases. Since the mid-1970s, OC formulations have dramatically changed. This study investigated the association between OC use and periodontal diseases among 4,930 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) I and 5,001 NHANES III premenopausal U.S. women, aged 17 to 50 years, before and after the reduction of hormone levels in OCs. Methods: Data for this cross-sectional study came from the first (NHANES I, 1971 to 1974) and third (NHANES III, 1988 to 1994) NHANES studies. Results: The prevalence of OC use in the U.S. premenopausal female population in NHANES I was 22% and in NHANES III, 20%. Using multivariable logistic regression, a protective association between current OC use and gingivitis was suggestive but not significant in both NHANES I (odds ratio [OR] = 0.65; 95% con- fidence interval [C...
A diffuse reflectance spectral imaging system for tumor margin assessment using custom annular photodiode arrays.

Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) is a well-established method to quantitatively distinguish between benign and cancerous tissue for tumor margin assessment. Current multipixel DRS margin assessment tools are bulky fiber-based probes that have limited scalability. Reported herein is a new approach to multipixel DRS probe design, which utilizes direct detection of the DRS signal by using optimized custom photodetectors in direct contact with the tissue. This first fiberless DRS imaging system for tumor margin assessment consists of a 4 × 4 array of annular silicon photodetectors and a constrained free-space light delivery tube optimized to deliver light across a 256 mm2 imaging area. This system has 4.5 mm spatial resolution. The signal-to-noise ratio measured for normal and malignant breast tissue-mimicking phantoms was 35 dB to 45 dB for λ = 470 nm to 600 nm.
Evaluation of algorithms to display vector plots on raster devices

Abstract Rasterization is the process of converting lines intended to be drawn on a vector plotter to a set of pixels that can be displayed on raster device. It is common operation that has been adequately solved by ad hoc routines. However, plotters now have accuracies of 2000 by 2000 or better and maps such as the World Data Bank II have over 6,000,000 points. Hence, more sophisticated algorithms are now needed. This paper analyzes the theoretical foundations of the problem, considering contraints such as: (1) the amount of main memory available, (2) the cost of secondary I/O, (3) the number of line vectors to be converted in the plot, (4) their total length, and (5) whether or not they are in main memory, virtual memory, or secondary memory. The 11 algorithms considered include: (1) sorting the lines completely, (2) bucket sorting them to within strips of the raster screen, (3) splitting long lines to make all the lines about the same length, (4) making several passes through the whole set (or specified subsets) of the lines to pick out the ones needed for any raster, (5) linking the lines in a list so they can be efficiently sorted and deleted, and (6) immediately splitting the lines into pixels and then sorting the pixels. Then some useful generalizations of the rasterizations of black and white straight line drawing are considered. They include rasterizing: (1) curved lines defined by equations such as circles, (2) straight lines derived from cross-hatching areas, (3) halftone shaded areas, and (4) with color displays. For usual constraints, the optimal method is: Divide the screen into strips, with each strip using all available memory, split any lines that cross a boundary, bucket sort the lines by strip, and read them and set the pixels, one strip at a time.
Comparative analysis of clock distribution networks for TSV-based 3D IC designs

3D integration enables the stacking of multiple devices directly on the top of a microprocessor, thereby significantly improving both power efficiency and latency between the devices. For 3D synchronous digital systems, the clock distribution/generation network (CDN) circuit and architecture is one of the key design considerations. However, previous studies have examined the performance benefits by considering only 2D CDN techniques and organizations such as the size reduction of the clock trees and better algorithms for the CDN flip-flop. In this work, we explore more aggressive 3D CDN circuits and structure that improve both energy efficiency and latency by 3D stacking, as well as the additional reduction of CDN power supply. Our results show that with the combination of a novel 3D clock receiver and 3D CDN stacking organization, we can achieve a 2.29 times energy-efficiency improvement over conventional H-tree structures in 45nm CMOS. Our 3D TSV and on-chip CDN channels are based on the highly accurate 3D electromagnetic (EM) solver (HFSS) and 2D EM Momentum models, respectively.
Effect of pargyline on the metabolism of β-aminopropionitrile (BAPN) by rabbits

Abstract The metabolism of β-aminopropionitrile (BAPN) in the rabbit was studied to develop a dose regimen producing osteolathyrism. Rabbit serum did not oxidize BAPN to the inactive metabolite, cyanoacetic acid (CAA). Instead serum enzymic oxidation of benzylamine was inhibited by BAPN ( K i = 2.8 × 10 −3 m ). Isolated rabbit liver perfused with BAPN readily forms CAA. Injection of the monoamine oxidase inhibitor, pargyline (20 mg/kg ip), and subsequent perfusion of the liver with BAPN resulted in approximately 72% inhibition of CAA formation. Pretreatment with pargyline prior to injecting BAPN resulted in increased BAPN and less CAA in urine along with lower concentrations of CAA in plasma. The levels of [ 14 C]BAPN in liver and lung tissue of rabbits pretreated with pargyline before injecting [ 14 C]BAPN were markedly higher than controls receiving [ 14 C]BAPN without pargyline. The findings suggest that inhibition of BAPN degradation by pargyline may contribute to lengthening the biological activity of BAPN.
Centralized collaborative reputation model for B2C E-Commerce

B2C (Business to Consumer) E-Commerce is one of the most widely used models of E-Commerce. Like any other form of E-Commerce, trust plays vital role in success of any B2C E-Commerce website. E-Retailers use various trust building mechanisms and reputation systems to enhance users' trust. However these mechanisms either lack in scope or are not designed to cope with specific needs of B2C E-Commerce. This paper proposes a centralized, integrated and collaborative model for B2C E-Commerce. The proposed model maintains reputation independently. Primary focus of this model is on product reputation, global reputation and trustworthiness of reputation data.
Masculinities in Teen Magazines: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly:

This essay extends the research on portrayals of intimate relationships and men's studies. The essay argues that the ability of popular teen magazines to continuously present monolithic images of traditional young women in the face of social change is enabled by representations of young men who are fusions of the sensitive, emotionally expressive and respectful “new man” with the naturally/inherently socially, emotionally and physically dominant man. The hegemonic images of these men who are presented as both amorphous and omnipresent is contrasted with the images of the more pure version of the new men presented in these same magazines. The strategies used within these magazines contribute to a culture where teen girls are both in awe and in fear of their teen boy counterparts and focused on the personal rather than the social and political.
Positron emission tomography: Use of short-lived radionuclides for neurological research

Abstract Positron emission tomography (PET) measures the temporal and spatial distributions of short-lived positron emitting nuclides within the human body. Positron annihilation radiation is detected by rings of discrete scintillators surrounding the body. Images (128 × 128 pixels) of the radioactivity distributions are reconstructed from the discrete ray projections of the detected coincident photons. Each pixel is fit to a mathematical model that represents a physiological process such as blood flow or metabolism to create a new three parameter functional or parametric image.
Table-driven adaptive importance sampling

Monte Carlo rendering algorithms generally rely on some form of importance sampling to evaluate the measurement equation. Most of these importance sampling methods only take local information into account, however, so the actual importance function used may not closely resemble the light distribution in the scene. In this paper, we present Table-driven Adaptive Importance Sampling (TAIS), a sampling technique that augments existing importance functions with tabular importance maps that direct sampling towards undersampled regions of path space. The importance maps are constructed lazily, relying on information gathered during the course of sampling. During sampling the importance maps act either in parallel with or as a preprocess to existing importance sampling methods. We show that our adaptive importance maps can be effective at reducing variance in a number of rendering situations.
Backward-wave oscillator efficiency

The theoretical and experimental results of a study of the factors which determine the efficiency of backward-wave oscillators are described. The dependence of power output upon space charge, circuit loss, beam thickness, velocity spread, and circuit mismatches is determined by a combination of theoretical and empirical means. In addition, the effect of circuit mismatches upon the starting current and frequency is discussed. The study shows that efficiency can be increased by increasing either the gain parameter C or the space-charge parameter ?q/?. Circuit loss, beam thickness, and velocity spread are found to decrease the efficiency. The use of the results reported here permits the designer to control the factors affecting the power output and predict the efficiency of a tube with reasonable accuracy before it is built.
Multi-Physicochemical Modeling of Direct Methane Fueled Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Abstract Both H2–H2O and CO–CO2 electro-oxidation processes are considered in direct methane fueled SOFC model and incorporated into the comprehensive couplings between multi bulk transport processes, diffusion processes, surface chemical processes and the cell polarization performance. The model is validated using the experimental data of polarization performance at 600 °C, 650 °C and 700 °C respectively. Upon the model validation, extensive simulations are carried out to elucidate the complicated interaction mechanisms with emphasis on surface reaction processes and surface adsorbates under SOFC operating conditions. Results show that the surface reactions of methane are strongly dependent on the cell operating conditions and increase with increasing the operating temperature and cell current. The bulk gas species and surface adsorbates show different degree of sensitivities to cell operating conditions. Surface carbon deposition can be mitigated through increasing the operating temperature, the cell operating current, and the exchange current of electrodes as well as suitable increasing H2O content in the fuel. Surface carbon deposition may also be mitigated through suitable reducing the content of CH4, CO, and/or CO2 in the fuel.
THE NATURE OF THE SURFACE LOSSES OF SUPERCONDUCTORS AT LOW FREQUENCIES

BS>A very sensitive measuring technique for determining the flux penetration due to surface losses of superconductors is described. Results obtained in the frequency region 25--1000 c support the concept that the losses are hysteresis losses caused by flux trapping. Surface stresses and changes in the chemical and physical history of a given material influence the losses. (C.E.S.)
Evaluation of biological control of the tarnished plant bug (Hemiptera: Miridae) in alfalfa by the introduced parasite (Peristenus digoneutis (Hymenoptera: Braconidae))

Lygus lineolaris (Palisot), the tarnished plant bug, a native species, has a broad host range. It damages many fruit and vegetable crops over most of North America, and injures cotton and seed crops in some areas. In 1990, we reported the establishment of the European parasite Peristenus digoneutis (Loan) in New Jersey, its initial impact, and its spread into adjacent New York. This article contains observations made in alfalfa during 13 consecutive yr, before and after the parasite established and became abundant. Mean peak parasitism of Lygus nymphs averaged 15% by 2 native species [ P. pallipes (Curtis) and Leiophon uniformis (Gahan)] before the establishment of P. digoneutis . Within a few years, total parasitism of Lygus nymphs increased to 40–50%, and Lygus numbers in alfalfa decreased by 75%. Parasitism by the 2 native braconids, which prefer other mirid species, remained about the same. L. lineolaris was the preferred host of P. digoneutis (80% were reared from this mirid), but some alfalfa plant bugs, Adelphocoris lineolatus (Goeze), were also attacked. A number of other factors were found to also influence Lygus numbers, especially plant density, which coincidentally increased, obscuring the beneficial effects of the new parasite for several years. The successful biocontrol of a native Lygus in alfalfa by P. digoneutis , a foreign parasite, indicates that this natural enemy has the potential to reduce damage by native Lygus spp. to other, high value crops, and additional research is warranted.
Dou Donggo Justice : Conflict and Morality in an Indonesian Society

This study of justice and morality among the Dou Donggo, a highland people in Indonesia, offers an innovative approach to understanding the workings of law and dispute settlement in small communities. Peter Just argues that the operation of any legal system is best understood in the context of its moral ontology: the fundamental culture assumptions that the people have about the nature of the world, the beings that inhabit it, and their relationships to one another, as well as ideas about causation, liability, etc. The author takes Dou Donggo beliefs in evil spirits and tutelary gods, theories of conception and bodily humors, and the magical powers of judges who are also healers and links them to the guiding principles and day-to-day operation of a consensual system of justice. The first part of the book provides contextualizing material on current debates about ethnography and the anthropology of law, a lively account of the author's field experiences, and a history of the Dou Donggo. Two subsequent chapters use anecdotes and examples to explicate the constitution of the village as a moral community and the moral ontology on which that community is based. Concluding chapters provide a "thick description" of three real disputes witnessed by the author.
Changes in the Character of the U.S. Business Cycle

The internal dynamics of the United States business cycle have changed from the period of the mild fluctuations of the 1950s and 1960s to thedepressed and crisis-ridden 1970s and 1980s. The article notes changes in the behavior of consumer demand, investment, the rate of exploitation, profit rates, consumer debt, interest rates, and business debt. One finding is that problems of demand and realization were less important in the earlier period than in the later period. Also, the earlier period shows many more series leading the cycle and turning rather slowly, whereas these key series often turned sharply at the peaks and troughs in the severe downturns of the 1970s and 1980s.
Technological progress and wages in international trade

How does technological progress change wages? International trade and development models give very different answers. The bias of the progress, the factor intensities, and the relative sizes of the sectors each matter in different models. One needs a general model to fully understand how these interact. The purpose of this paper is to provide that general model and to see the relative importance of these three determinates. The three models used here are the Heckscher-Ohlin model, the specific factors model, and the surplus labor model. Consider a two-good, manufacturing and agriculture, model. Assume technological progress in the manufacturing sector. In the small country Heckscher-Ohlin model, wages rise if and only if the manufacturing sector is relatively labor intensive. The sector sizes and the bias of the progress are irrelevant [Findlay and Grubert, 1959]. The specific factors model also uses two sectors, but with three factors, as in Jones [1971]. Manufacturing uses capital and labor; agriculture uses land and labor. In this model, the bias of the progress and other terms determines if wages rise or fall. Wages rise if the demand for labor in the manufacturing sector rises. The relative sizes and the factor intensities are not important [Neary, 1981; McCulloch, 1976]. The Lewis [1954, 1958] surplus labor model assumes a large subsistence or agricultural sector and a small capitalist or manufacturing sector. Labor is the only factor used in both sectors. As manufacturing is small, any change in the demand for labor because of progress in manufacturing is too small to change the wage level in the economy. The relative sizes of the sectors is all-important; the bias ~or factor intensities do not matter. Each model emphasizes a different determinate of the wage change. In determining the effect of technological progress on wages, there are evidently at least three considerations: the factor intensities, the relative sizes, and the bias of the progress. By considering the general case, one can see how these three interact. The results of this paper show that each determinate dominates at different relative sector sizes. Say manufacturing is very small. Then, the Lewis model holds and there is little or no effect on wages. With a slightly larger manufacturing sector, the HeckscherOhlin result appears. If manufacturing is capital intensive, wages fall with progress. As manufacturing grows further, the bias of the progress matters more, and the specific factors result appears. Then, wages are more likely to rise.
A Practical Ion Trap Mass Spectrometer for the Analysis of Peptides by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization

The present paper describes the performance of a newly configured matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer (MALDI-ITMS), designed for biological applications that require the determination of the primary structures of proteins, e.g., the rapid identification of proteins and the elucidation of posttranslational modifications. The strategy used for solving problems of this type involves enzymatic digestion of the protein, followed by MALDI ion trap mass spectrometric analysis of the components of the resulting complex mixture of peptide ions. The new instrument is demonstrated to be a highly practical tool for analyzing proteins. In particular, mixtures containing as many as 30 peptide components can be rapidly and sensitively analyzed without prior chromatographic separation of the components. Informative tandem mass spectra can be obtained from the peptide components with m/z values up to 3500. A single subpicomole sample loading of a complex peptide mixture is more than sufficient for a complete set of experiments that includes both low- and high-resolution molecular mass determinations as well as a complete MS/MS study of the various components present in the sample. Extensive use is made of improved methods for trapping, isolating, fragmenting, and detecting ions in the ITMS (details are to be provided in two future papers).
Emergency ultrasound diagnosis of internal jugular vein thrombosis

A 37-year-old male with lymphoma presented with acute neck pain and swelling. While the examination, lab work, and radiography were non-diagnostic, a bedside ultrasound revealed large internal jugular vein thrombosis as the cause of the patient’s symptoms. This is a case report and brief review of the literature. Prompt diagnosis of internal jugular vein thrombosis is critical. This case illustrates the value of bedside ultrasound in the early diagnosis of internal jugular vein thrombosis in a patient with an initially non-diagnostic workup.
Expression of melanocyte-related genes in human breast cancer and its implications ☆

We report the expression of melanocyte-related genes (MRG) in freshly resected, histopathologically confirmed, human breast cancer specimens and describe experiments illuminating similar observations on a variety of breast cancer cell lines including MDA-MB-435. This finding has implications for research on breast cancer, for clinical investigation of cancer patients presenting with metastases from occult primary tumors and for understanding aberrant differentiation in cancer cells. For example, higher expression of six MRG correlated inversely with propensity for metastatic spread in clones isolated from the human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-435. Comparisons of MRG expression in cells growing in vitro with those seen in tumors generated by the same lines in vivo showed that the levels of activity of these genes are influenced by the surrounding environment. Also, silencing of expression of the melanocyte-related transcription factor MITF, by transduction of the non-metastatic clone NM2C5 with a construct expressing a specific anti-MITF shRNA, resulted in decreased production of 5 of the melanocyte-related proteins including TYRP1, Pmel 17, MART 1(Melan-A) and TYRP2, but no increase in metastatic capability. Hence MRG expression reproducibly ear-marked, but did not cause, metastatic incompetence. We also report cytogenetic and other data that conflict with the recent suggestion that MDA-MB-435 is of melanocytic origin and are more consistent with its original designation as being of mammary lineage. We conclude that detection of MRG expression profiles in freshly excised breast cancers and in cultured breast cancer cells reflects the operationally important clinical phenomenon of inappropriate gene expression in malignant neoplasms. Concomitantly, we suggest that the evidence we have obtained (i) collectively supports the continued widespread use of the MDA-MB-435 cell line in breast cancer and metastasis research and (ii) advances knowledge of the diversity of aberrant differentiation programs in malignant cells, which is valuable for making accurate diagnoses and treatment decisions in clinical oncology.
Oncologic validity of recipient vessel preservation in microvascular free-flap reconstruction.

Objectives: The use of free-flap reconstruction requires a more limited neck dissection to allow for microvascular anastomosis. This study seeks to determine the oncologic validity of cervical vessel preservation. Materials and Methods: The current study is a prospective review of cervical vessel biopsies from patients undergoing resection of squamous cell carcinoma (SCCA) tumors of the head and neck with free tissue reconstruction. Results: From June 2010 to March 2012, 227 recipient vessel biopsies were performed on 100 patients. Three of these patients had grossly abnormal vessels, with malignancy confirmed by frozen section analysis. One patient had a vessel positive for malignancy that was grossly normal but found to have SCCA on the final pathology. Conclusions: When the recipient vessel appears grossly suspicious, a frozen section biopsy and re-resection should be considered. Recipient vessel trimmings should routinely be sent for permanent pathology since in rare cases, they can be involved by tumor, affecting the margin status, prognosis, and indications for adjuvant therapy.
Sexual prejudice and anger network activation : Mediating role of negative affect

The present study sought to establish whether increases in negative affect following exposure to homosexuality mediate the relation between sexual prejudice and anger network activation. Participants were 159 heterosexual men who completed measures of sexual prejudice and state negative affect. Participants were randomly assigned to view a short video depicting either a male–male or male–female sexual interaction and, following the video, again reported state negative affect. Anger network activation was then assessed via response latencies from a lexical decision task that required participants to identify emotion or emotionally neutral words from non-words. Results indicated that the pattern of covariation between sexual prejudice and anger facilitation was significantly more positive when participants viewed male–male erotica relative to male–female erotica. Increases in negative affect, particularly anxiety/fear, were found to mediate this association. These findings suggest that increases in negative affect following exposure to homosexuality may be the emotional trigger for biases in the processing of anger-related information and represent the cognitive underpinnings of sexually prejudiced aggression toward gay men. Aggr. Behav. 00:1–10, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Treatment of ankle sprains in young athletes

To study the incidence of fibulocollateral ligament ankle sprains in the young male athlete, a survey of 84 varsity basketball players was done. Seventy percent of the players had a history of an ankle sprain. Eighty percent of those with a positive history had multiple sprains. Most of the injuries were mild, but in 32% of the injuries, the athlete missed more than 2 weeks of play. No medical attention was sought in 55% of the cases. About 50% of the athletes with a sprain had residual symptoms from their injuries; 15% of the injured athletes felt that their residual symptoms compromised their playing performance. This article emphasizes the potential seriousness of the ankle sprain in the young athlete and presents a recommended method of management, including assessment of severity, treatment, and rehabilitation.
Oxygen radical production during ischemia-reperfusion in the isolated perfused rat liver as monitored by Luminol enhanced chemiluminescence

We have applied the Luminol enhanced chemiluminescence technique to the isolated perfused rat liver during ischemia and reperfusion to monitor the production of oxygen radicals in tissue. Livers under perfusion with Luminol-containing buffer were subjected to 30 minutes of global ischemia followed by 60 minutes of reperfusion. Their chemiluminescence was continuously monitored to obtain the time course of oxygen radical production. Transient bursts of oxygen radical production were observed in the livers as indicated by chemiluminescence changes on reperfusion. Superoxide dismutase treatment abolished while catalase treatment enhanced the reperfusion-induced chemiluminescence transient.
The culture of high-risk alcohol use among club and intramural athletes.

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the drinking patterns of club and intramural college athletes and compare their alcohol consumption, perceived norms around the excessive use of alcohol, experience of negative consequences, and employment of protective strategies with those of campus varsity athletes. Participants: A total of 442 undergraduate students attending a private, suburban institution in the Northeast participated in the American College Health Association National College Health Assessment-II Web survey in spring 2011. Thirty-five students identified themselves as varsity athletes, 76 identified as club sport athletes, and 196 students identified themselves as intramural athletes. Methods: Survey responses were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. The Pearson's correlation coefficient and test for independence were applied to identify significant relationships between athlete status and identified variables related to alcohol use. Results: Resul...
Electronic Governance: Locals and Cosmopolitans “In and As” a Virtual Academic Community

Abstract This investigation revisits Robert Merton’s concepts of “locals” and “cosmopolitans” with respect to academic organizations. It explores the normative structure of electronic governance by analyzing the discourse of a virtual bulletin board. Data from a sample of faculty at a large state university are analyzed to conduct a semi-ethnographic exploratory analysis of the professional role structure and organizational consequences of a virtual academic community. A traditional organizational model used for understanding the public administration of higher education is one of bifurcated governance. In the context of this model, faculty and administration may have separate and conflicting interests. To negotiate and articulate competing interests, members of each constituency organize a formal forum of civil dialogue to initiate and resolve disputes (e.g., faculty meetings; unionized groups such as the American Association of University Professors). Two diverse professional role orientations emerge fo...
Accurate Measurement Of Second Order Variations Of A Smooth Object Surface Using Reflectance Maps

Measurement of the Gaussian and principal curvatures at points on smooth object surfaces is important to robotic vision applications for determining surface regions which are convex, concave or planar. Accurate measurement of the directions of principal curvature can determine the orientation of objects such as cylinders and cones. Unfortunately the accurate measurement of Gaussian and principal curvature and directions of principal curvature is very difficult in the presence of noise, using conventional methods which determine depth and local surface orientation at points. Determination of the Gaussian and principal curvatures of a smooth surface, parametrized by image coordinates and height above the image plane, requires the measurement of the second order variations of height with respect to image coordinates. Noise inherent to depth measurements obtained from a laser range finder will be extremely compounded when computing second order derivatives. Surface normals (i.e. first order variations) obtained from photometric stereo techniques are not determined accurately enough for a low error measurement of their rate of change. This paper expounds upon an idea first presented in [Woodham 1978] of using a reflectance map to determine the viewer-centered curvature matrix. Accurate measurement of this matrix, which consists of the second order variations of object height with respect to image coordinates, enables accurate measurement of Gaussian curvature and the principal directions of curvature. The method presented by Woodham to obtain the viewer-centered curvature matrix yields an underconstrained solution and requires auxiliary assumptions about the curvature of the object surface for a unique determination. Presented here is a technique using multiple light sources which not only uniquely determines the viewer-centered curvature matrix in the absence of auxiliary constraints, but overconstrains the solution for accurate measurement in the presence of noise. Other insights are given into obtaining more accuracy using directional derivatives of an image function, and positioning the light sources so as to generate a more static reflectance gradient vector field.
Variations of solar irradiance

The active cavity radiometer experiment on the Solar Maximum Mission is providing sensitive measurements of time variations of the total solar irradiance with greater accuracy and precision than previously achieved. The mean 1 AU irradiance for the first 45 days' operation is 1368.64 W/sq m with an absolute uncertainty of less than + or 0.5%. Variations about this mean have been observed on time scales of hours to days with amplitudes up to + or - 0.04%, resolved with a statistical uncertainty as low as 0.001%. Variations within a single orbit with amplitudes as large as + or - 0.5% have been resolved with 0.005% or smaller statistical uncertainty. Although these variations do not display a systematic relationship to conventional solar activity indices over the period, correlative behavior cannot be ruled out on the basis of the present limited data set.
SU-FF-I-46: Measuring Kerma-Area Products (KAP) in CT

Purpose. To determine Kerma‐Area Product (KAP) for head and body CT examinations, and compare these with KAP of common radiographic and fluoroscopy examinations. Method. A single projection in CT is analagous to a conventional radiograph; for both exposures, the average incident air kerma may be multiplied by the corresponding cross‐sectional area that intercepts the patient to obtain the projection KAP. Summing all projections in a CT examination enables CT examination KAP to be determined. Measurements of the absolute intensity of the CT beam was obtained at the scanner isocenter (CTDIair), together with relative intensities on a line perpendicular to the long patient axis (z‐direction). The beam cross‐sectional area was determined using the known geometry of the CTscanner combined with eliptical shaped head and body dimensions of adult patients. Results:CT KAP values for head and body examinations were ∼10 Gy‐cm2 and ∼25 Gy‐cm2, respectively. For comparison, average values in the 2000 UNSCEAR report were: (a) ∼1 Gy‐cm2 for head/chest radiographic examinations; (b) ∼5 Gy‐cm2 for abdominal radiographic examinations; (c) ∼20 Gy‐cm2 for barium studies; (d) ∼100 Gy‐cm2 for interventional procedures. Conclusion:Measurement of the CT output, and the corresponding x‐ray beam profile transmitted through the beam shaping filter, permits the determination of KAP values for CT examinations. Specifying KAP as a measure of the radiation incident on patients undergoing CT examanitions would unify CTdosimetry with current practice in radiography and fluoroscopy.
Transformants of Neurospora crassa with the nit-4 nitrogen regulatory gene: copy number, growth rate and enzyme activity.

nit-4 is a pathway-specific regulatory gene which controls nitrate assimilation in Neurospora crassa, and appears to mediate nitrate induction of nitrate and nitrite reductase. The NIT4 protein consists of 1090 amino-acid residues and possesses a single GAL4-like putative DNA-binding domain plus acidic, glutamine-rich, and polyglutamine regions. Several mutants with amino-acid substitutions in the putative DNA-binding domain and a nit-4 deletion mutant, which encodes a truncated NIT4 protein lacking the polyglutamine region, are functional, i.e., they are capable of transforming a nit-4 mutant strain. However, transformants obtained with most of these nit-4 mutant genes possess a markedly reduced level of nitrate reductase and grow only slowly on nitrate, emphasizing the need to examine quantitatively the affects of in vitro-manipulated genes. The possibility that some mutant genes could yield transformants only if multiple copies were integrated was examined. The presence of multiple copies of wild-type or mutant nit-4 genes did not generally lead to increased enzyme activity or growth rate, but instead frequently appeared to be detrimental to nit-4 function. A hybrid nit-4-nirA gene transforms nit-4 mutants but only allows slow growth on nitrate and has a very low level of nitrate reductase.
Circadian Control of Membrane Excitability in Drosophila melanogaster Lateral Ventral Clock Neurons

Drosophila circadian rhythms are controlled by a neural circuit containing ∼150 clock neurons. Although much is known about mechanisms of autonomous cellular oscillation, the connection between cellular oscillation and functional outputs that control physiological and behavioral rhythms is poorly understood. To address this issue, we performed whole-cell patch-clamp recordings on lateral ventral clock neurons (LNvs), including large (lLNvs) and small LNvs (sLNvs), in situ in adult fly whole-brain explants. We found two distinct sizes of action potentials (APs) in >50% of lLNvs that fire APs spontaneously, and determined that large APs originate in the ipsilateral optic lobe and small APs in the contralateral. lLNv resting membrane potential (RMP), spontaneous AP firing rate, and membrane resistance are cyclically regulated as a function of time of day in 12 h light/dark conditions (LD). lLNv RMP becomes more hyperpolarized as time progresses from dawn to dusk with a concomitant decrease in spontaneous AP firing rate and membrane resistance. From dusk to dawn, lLNv RMP becomes more depolarized, with spontaneous AP firing rate and membrane resistance remaining stable. In contrast, circadian defective per0 null mutant lLNv membrane excitability is nearly constant in LD. Over 24 h in constant darkness (DD), wild-type lLNv membrane excitability is not cyclically regulated, although RMP gradually becomes slightly more depolarized. sLNv RMP is most depolarized around lights-on, with substantial variability centered around lights-off in LD. Our results indicate that LNv membrane excitability encodes time of day via a circadian clock-dependent mechanism, and likely plays a critical role in regulating Drosophila circadian behavior.
Performance modelling and analysis of transshipment terminals in the parcel delivery industry

A transshipment terminal typically used in the parcel delivery industry is modelled using fluid approximation. The objective was to gain detail insight into the behaviour of parcel flows within such terminals during transfer operations. A transshipment terminal is composed of many design-dependent and operational-dependent parameters. The analysis shows that the buffer capacity between stations impacts parcel flow congestion and has a significant impact on the operating efficiencies of transfer operations. The analysis shows that the trailer replacement times at the receiving docks and shipping docks impact flow congestion and thus also has a significant impact on the operating efficiency. With the information gained from this study, transshipment terminals can be properly designed to ensure high operating performance.
Stochastic approximation with simulated annealing as an approach to global discrete-event simulation optimization

This paper explores an approach to global, stochastic, simulation optimization which combines stochastic approximation (SA) with simulated annealing (SAN). SA directs a search of the response surface efficiently, using a conservative number of simulation replications to approximate the local gradient of a probabilistic loss function. SAN adds a random component to the SA search, needed to escape local optima and forestall premature termination. Using a limited set of simple test problems, we compare the performance of SA/SAN with the commercial package OptQuest. Results demonstrate that SA/SAN can outperform OptQuest when properly tuned. The practical difficulty lies in specifying an appropriate set of SA/SAN gain coefficients for a given application. Further results demonstrate that a multi-start approach greatly improves the coverage and robustness of SA/SAN, while also providing insights useful in directing iterative improvement of the gain coefficients before each new start. This preliminary study is sufficiently encouraging to invite further research on SA/SAN.