cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Incremental Dynamic Analysis of a Structure with a Gap

Performance-based seismic evaluation of existing structures involves an estimation of demand on structural elements imposed by earthquake ground motions. Such demand evaluation involves linear or non-linear structural modeling and static or dynamic analysis. Structural irregularities, such as gaps, present a modeling and analysis problem: which type of analysis should be used to accurately evaluate the effect of such structural irregularities on they dynamic response and seismic demand on the structure? In this paper, the authors use two demand analysis procedures, the non-linear static pushover (SPO) and the non-linear incremental dynamic analysis (IDA), to compute the seismic demand on a structure comprising a stiff interior and a flexible exterior sub-structure separated by a gap. The authors use ratios of the engineering demand parameters computed using structural models with and without the gap to compare the demand estimates. They found that incremental dynamic analysis should be used to accurately capture the dynamic response amplification caused by the gap irregularity.
Monitoring the greater San Pedro Bay region using autonomous underwater gliders during fall of 2006

[1] Glider surveys of the greater San Pedro Bay region in the Southern California Bight during the fall of 2006 demonstrated the utility of autonomous underwater gliders in a coastal region with complex flow and significant anthropogenic inputs. Three Spray gliders repeatedly surveyed between Santa Catalina Island and the coast of Southern California collecting profiles of temperature, salinity, and chlorophyll fluorescence and estimates of vertically averaged currents. These observations provided context for shelf transport studies during the Huntington Beach 2006 experiment and showed the transition from summer to winter conditions. Vertically averaged currents were predominantly poleward following topography with horizontal scales of approximately 20 km. The gliders surveyed a small cyclonic eddy near Santa Catalina Island and provided a unique view of the structure of the eddy. Nitrate concentration within the euphotic zone was estimated to be 19% greater within the eddy and led to significantly elevated chlorophyll concentrations at the subsurface maximum. Glider observations of salinity reliably detected the distinctly fresh signature of the effluent plume from an ocean outfall near Huntington Beach, California. The salinity anomaly caused by the plume was used to track the spread of the plume as it was advected poleward and away from the coast while remaining subsurface.
ZnS-based photonic crystal phosphors fabricated using atomic layer deposition

The infiltration by atomic layer deposition of three-dimensional opal structures has been investigated as a means of fabricating photonic crystal phosphors. ZnS:Mn infiltrated and inverse opals have been demonstrated with filling fractions >95%. Characterization of these structures by scanning electron microscopy, specular reflectance, and photoluminescence is reported. Specular reflectance measurements confirm successful infiltration, and demonstrate modification of the electromagnetic density of states consistent with calculated photonic (111) pseudo band gaps. Photoluminescence measurements reveal modification of emission by the photonic crystal consistent with angular dependent specular reflectance measurements. These results reveal a flexible and convenient route for fabricating high performance photonic crystal structures and optical microcavities.
Quasi‐two‐day wave coupling of the mesosphere and lower thermosphere‐ionosphere in the TIME‐GCM: Two‐day oscillations in the ionosphere

[1] The Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Electrodynamics General Circulation Model (TIME-GCM) is used to simulate the quasi-two-day wave (QTDW) modulation of the ionospheric dynamo and electron density. The QTDW can directly penetrate into the lower thermosphere and modulate the neutral winds at a period of two days. The QTDW modulation of the tidal amplitudes is not evident. The QTDW in zonal and meridional winds results in a quasi-two-day oscillation (QTDO) of the dynamo electric fields at southern midlatitudes, which is mapped into the conjugate northern magnetic midlatitudes. The QTDO of the electric fields in the E region is transmitted along the magnetic field lines to the F region and leads to the QTDOs of the vertical ion drift and total electron content (TEC) at low and mid latitudes. The QTDO of the vertical ion drift near the magnetic equator leads to the 2-day oscillation of the fountain effect. The QTDO of the TEC has two peaks at ±25 magnetic latitude (Mlat) and one near the dip equator. The equatorial peak is nearly out of phase with the ones at ±25 Mlat. The vertical ion drift at midlatitudes extends the QTDW response of the TEC to midlatitudes from the Equatorial Ionospheric Anomaly (EIA). Most differently from previous reports, we discover that the QTDW winds couple into the F region ionosphere through both the fountain effect and the middle latitude dynamos.
Double pylorus sign

The double pylorus (DP) sign is a rare endoscopic finding, with an estimated prevalence of ~0.04 %, usually in patients with a history of peptic ulcer disease (PUD) [1]. This condition is treated with proton pump inhibitors (PPI), and closure of the acquired pylorus has been described [2]. Although this finding can be congenital, a history of increased non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use is often elicited, making an acquired etiology the likely diagnosis. The DP finding does not have pathognomonic signs or symptoms, and is often an incidental finding of endoscopy. In some cases, the defect is detectable on radiographic contrast studies as two distinct conduits [1]. Most reported cases of DP arise from gastric ulcers in the antrum of the stomach; rarer yet are reports of this complication from duodenal or gastric cancers [2]. The accompanying image is from a 78-year-old man with a history of PUD, metastatic prostate cancer, and complaints of back pain, fatigue, and melena. Laboratory evaluation revealed anemia with hemoglobin of 6.4 g/dL. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed an ulcer in the duodenal bulb and the DP sign within the gastric antrum (Fig. 1). Patient was counseled to avoid all NSAIDs and to use daily PPI indefinitely.
Disproportionation and coupling reactions of alkyl iodides on a Au(111) surface

Abstract The chemistry of linear (C2-C4) alkyl iodides on a Au(111) surface has been studied by temperature programmed reaction (TPR) spectroscopy, surface work function change (ΔΦ) measurements, Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and by low energy electron diffraction (LEED). Alkyl iodides adsorbed at 110 K remain molecularly intact on the surface. Thermal dissociation of the C-I bond occurs above 200 K to give surface bound alkyl groups which then undergo coupling and disproportionation reactions. Isotope labelling experiments suggest that the disproportionation reaction is initiated by rate-limiting β-hydride elimination to give the corresponding alkenes. The surface hydrogen atoms produced by these reactions undergo rapid reductive elimination with unreacted alkyl groups to evolve alkanes. The net result is a strict disproportionation reaction with no detectable molecular H2 desorption from the surface. Photodissociation studies of alkyl bromides show that the reaction pathways and kinetics are unaffected by whether the coadsorbed species is Br or I. An interesting observation is that, unlike alkyl reactions on other metals where either the coupling reaction (Ag) or the decomposition reaction (Pt, Cu) is predominant, on gold, both of these reactions occur and give appreciable yields at all exposures. It appears to be coincidental that both alkyl coupling and disproportionation occur at ~265 K on Au(111). Factors influencing the relative rates of these processes are also discussed.
Quantum logic for trapped atoms via molecular hyperfine interactions

We study the deterministic entanglement of a pair of neutral atoms trapped in an optical lattice by coupling to excited-state molecular hyperfine potentials. Information can be encoded in the ground-state hyperfine levelsand processed by bringing atoms together pairwise to perform quantum logical operations through induced electric dipole-dipole interactions. The possibility of executing both diagonal- and exchange-type entangling gates is demonstrated for two three-level atoms and a figure of merit is derived for the fidelity of entanglement. The fidelity for executing a CPHASE gate is calculated for two 8 7 Rb atoms, including hyperfine structure and finite atomic localization, The main source of decoherence is spontaneous emission, which can be minimized for interaction times fast compared to the scattering rate and for sufficiently separated atomic wave packets. Additionally, coherent couplings to states outside the logical basis can be constrained by the state-dependent trapping potential.
The dual role of biotin in glucose metabolism of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Abstract The dual effect of biotin on the rate of glucose oxidation by Saccharomyces cerevisiae may be separated by pretreatment of the yeast cells with ultraviolet radiation.
Total parotidectomy defect reconstruction using the buried free flap

OBJECTIVE1) Present an alternative method of total parotidectomy with or without neck dissection defect reconstruction that results in improved cosmesis. 2) Describe applications of free tissue transfer in parotidectomy defect reconstruction.STUDY DESIGNCase series with chart review.SETTINGTwo tertiary-care medical centers.SUBJECTS AND METHODSA two-institution retrospective review from 2002 to 2009 was conducted for buried free flaps utilized in reconstruction of defects from total parotidectomy with or without neck dissection. Patients with temporal bone or skin resections were excluded. Demographic information, tumor characteristics, surgical interventions, flap details, and adjunctive facial reconstructive techniques were recorded. Postoperative cosmetic results were evaluated by patient and physician satisfaction.RESULTSEighteen patients with a mean age of 57.4 years underwent flap reconstruction. Total parotidectomy was performed in all cases, 11 cases required facial nerve sacrifice, and 14 cases in...
Alterations in the binding of [3H]leucine-enkephalin to striatal membranes by endogenous factors.

—Saturation binding studies with [3H]leu-enk ([tyrosyl-3, 5-3H(N)]5leu-enkephalin) revealed the presence of high and low affinity binding sites in a paniculate fraction derived from rat striatum. The binding of [3H]leu-enk to the high affinity component (KD= 2.0 ± 0.3 nM) was sensitive to morphine and levorphanol, while the binding to the low affinity component (KD= 21 ± 2 nM) was not. Incubation of the membranes, prior to assay for 30 min at 37°C, followed by centrifugation at 27, 000 g for 20 min in order to pellet the membranes allowed the detection of a factor, present in the high speed supernatant, which caused a dose-dependent inhibition of the binding of [3H]leu-enk to the morphine-sensitive and insensitive binding components. Investigations into the nature of the morphine-insensitive binding component demonstrated that it was an artifact since it was not detectable when bound and free ligand were separated by centrifugation. Furthermore, [3H]leu-enk bound to Whatman glass fiber filters, used to collect bound ligand, in a morphine-insensitive manner, and under conditions where the binding of [3H]leu-enk to the morphine sensitive component diluted proportionally with serial dilutions of the membranes, the binding to the morphine-insensitive component did not. The factor present in the high speed supernatant did not dialyze and its effects were mimicked by either trypsin or soybean trypsin inhibitor, but not by bovine serum albumin. The apparent inhibition of the binding of [3H]leu-enk to these binding components is probably not of biological significance, but the fact that the artifactual morphine insensitive binding component of striatal membranes has been shown to decrease by 20–30% following lesions of the substantia nigra suggests that the influence of this endogenous factor must be controlled for.
Quality and Relevance in the First Statistics Course

Professor Cox is certainly right in stressing the importance of the first course in statistics. Many future national leaders and citizens form their attitudes toward the subject here, attitudes that will later encourage or impede widespread use of statistics as a national resource. The first course is also a key recruiting ground for future statisticians among students who typically have little awareness of the discipline prior to being asked to take an introductory course. If statistics has a role in national prosperity, that role begins in the first course for general students. The quality and relevance of an introductory course depend on effective integration of technologyand pedagogywith content. Moore (1997) gives general background, with comments by a distinguished group of discussants. 2 Technology and Pedagogy It is almost essential that a relevant introduction to statistics incorporate use of statistical software, both to allow work with substantial real data and to form good habits of practice. Modern content greatly increases the need for adequate computing. This is true even if we avoid contemporary topics such as resampling methods and Bayesian inference. Effective exploratory analysis of data is in practice only feasible when graphics and calculations are automated. Even inference is in practice characterized by back-and-forth movement between data and models, with models providing a basis for inference and the data allowed to criticize and even falsify models via diagnostics. The modes of thinking needed for working statistics are quite different from the “derivations down from models” mode of mathematical statistics. These modes of thinking, and the tools that implement them, are best learned in the context of actually working with data. In the absence of adequate computing, a first course in statistics is in the nature of “dry swimming”. Comprehensive use of technology in courses for large groups of students is expensive. This explains why in the United States only 61% of elementary statistics courses taught by Ph.D.granting departments of statistics use computing (Lutzer et al., 2002). The corresponding percent for mathematics departments is only 48%. It appears that even many statistics departments disagree with the priority assigned by Professor Cox. In developing nations, availability of resources rather than the will to use them is a barrier. Park Chan-mo, president of Pohang University of Science and Technology, comments that most science programs in South Korea “tend to focus on book learning
A Fresh Insight Into the Microcantilever-Sample Interaction Problem in Non-Contact Atomic Force Microscopy

The atomic force microscope (AFM) system has evolved into a useful tool for direct measurements of intermolecular forces with atomic-resolution characterization that can be employed in a broad spectrum of applications. The non-contact AFM offers unique advantages over other contemporary scanning probe techniques such as contact AFM and scanning tunneling microscopy, especially when utilized for reliable measurements of soft samples (e.g., biological species). Current AFM imaging techniques are often based on a lumped-parameters model and ordinary differential equation (ODE) representation of the micro-cantilevers coupled with an adhoc method for atomic interaction force estimation (especially in non-contact mode). Since the magnitude of the interaction force lies within the range of nano-Newtons to pica-Newtons, precise estimation of the atomic force is crucial for accurate topographical imaging. In contrast to the previously utilized lumped modeling methods, this paper aims at improving current AFM measurement technique through developing a general distributed-parameters base modeling approach that reveals greater insight into the fundamental characteristics of the microcantilever-sample interaction. For this, the governing equations of motion are derived in the global coordinates via the Hamilton's Extended Principle. An interaction force identification scheme is then designed based on the original infinite dimensional distributed-parameters system which, in turn, reveals the unmeasurable distance between AFM tip and sample surface. Numerical simulations are provided to support these claims.
Modifying dietitians' use of patient time.

Recent research indicates that as sessment time does not positively cor relate with patient understanding. By having patients complete a 24-hour recall form in the waiting room, we at tempted to reduce assessment time during the dietary interview, thereby providing more opportunity for in struction. Fifty-seven diabetic patients were randomly assigned to the 24- hour recall group, a dietary interest in ventory group, or a control group. The 24-hour group spent less assess ment time with the dietitian, but in structional time did not increase. This research suggests that clinicians may need to be taught to take advantage of time savings brought about by the introduction of support systems.
Editing and Noting: Vision and Revisions of Leigh Hunt's Literary Lives

This essay examines Leigh Hunt’s three major autobiographical texts: Lord Byron and Some of His Contemporaries (1828), The Autobiography of Leigh Hunt (1850), and the second edition of the Autobiography (1860). From the earliest to the latest of these texts, Hunt transforms himself from the controversial author of The Story of Rimini and famous theatre critic to an editor of essay collections with a fading literary reputation. In both versions of the Autobiography, Hunt reuses and revises previously published passages, and these alterations highlight his changing self-image, especially his movement away from the literary spotlight.
Work in Progress: Undergraduate Engineering Students' Perceptions of Engineering Education as an Academic Discipline

Engineering education has been a focus of interest in the national and international engineering community as seen by the increasing number of universities (i.e. Brown University, Carnegie Mellon University, Purdue University, Tufts University, Utah State University, and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University) that house programs that confer engineering education degrees. Despite the interest in this new field of study, little information about the field has been disseminated to the undergraduate engineering community. For this reason, the authors have developed a survey to capture current perceptions that engineering students have about engineering education as an academic discipline. This work in progress presents information about the 13 items on the "Student Perceptions' of Engineering Education' survey along with pilot data collected from undergraduate engineering students at one of the institutions that houses a Department of Engineering Education. Results from this study may be used to better inform engineering students of the engineering education discipline.
Impacts of Diversity on Communication Effectiveness A Proposed Typology

What impact will a greater increase in the diversity level of an organization's work force have on its productivity? Practicing managers' desire to have this question answered has been the stimulus for much of the diversity-related research currently in print. However, the narrow focus on providing an answer to this particular question appears to have diverted researchers' attention away from a number of perhaps more fundamental issues. A major issue that has been neglected in previous research studies is the impact that greater increases in work-force diversity might have on communication processes within organizations—specifically, communication processes that are associated with organizational productivity. As a contribution toward helping to fill in this research gap, this article proposes a typology of impacts that greater increases in work-force diversity might have on communication effectiveness in organizations.
Probing the transition-state structure of dual-specificity protein phosphatases using a physiological substrate mimic.

Dual-specificity phosphatases (DSPs) belong to the large family of protein tyrosine phosphatases that contain the active-site motif (H/V)CxxGxxR(S/T), but unlike the tyrosine-specific enzymes, DSPs are able to catalyze the efficient hydrolysis of both phosphotyrosine and phosphoserine/threonine found on signaling proteins, as well as a variety of small-molecule aryl and alkyl phosphates. It is unclear how DSPs accomplish similar reaction rates for phosphoesters, whose reactivity (i.e., pKa of the leaving group) can vary by more than 108. Here, we utilize the alkyl phosphate m-nitrobenzyl phosphate (mNBP), leaving-group pKa = 14.9, as a physiological substrate mimic to probe the mechanism and transition state of the DSP, Vaccinia H1-related (VHR). Detailed pH and kinetic isotope effects of the V/K value for mNBP indicates that VHR reacts with the phosphate dianion of mNBP and that the nonbridge phosphate oxygen atoms are unprotonated in the transition state. 18O and solvent isotope effects indicate differe...
Reduced Bit-rate Representation Of Speech Using Mixed Fourier-walsh Transforms

A mixed Fourier-Walsh signal representation is proposed for transform coding. Basis functions from two transforms are used, namely, the Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) and the Walsh-Hadamard Transform (WHT). An iterative algorithm is employed to implement the mixed representation. A finite number of DFT components is used to represent the selective (narrowband) dominant spectrum of speech on a frame-by-frame basis. The whitened (broadband) residual signal is represented using a small number of Walsh components. The parameters of the mixed representation are coded directly by coding the DFT and WHT components. Results are given for frame-by-frame and packet coding at rates ranging from 16KBPS to 9.6KBPS.
Bryophyte diversity and evolution: Windows into the early evolution of land plants

The "bryophytes" comprise three phyla of plants united by a similar haploid-dominant life cycle and unbranched sporophytes bearing one sporangium: the liverworts (Marchantiophyta), mosses (Bryophyta), and hornworts (Anthocerophyta). Combined, these groups include some 20000 species. As descendents of embryophytes that diverged before tracheophytes appeared, bryophytes offer unique windows into the early evolution of land plants. We review insights into the evolution of plant life cycles, in particular the elaboration of the sporophyte generation, the major lineages within bryophyte phyla, and reproductive processes that shape patterns of bryophyte evolution. Recent transcriptomic work suggests extensive overlap in gene expression in bryophyte sporophytes vs. gametophytes, but also novel patterns in the sporophyte, supporting Bower's antithetic hypothesis for origin of alternation of generations. Major lineages of liverworts, mosses, and hornworts have been resolved and general patterns of morphological evolution can now be inferred. The life cycles of bryophytes, arguably more similar to those of early embryophytes than are those in any other living plant group, provide unique insights into gametophyte mating patterns, sexual conflicts, and the efficacy and effects of spore dispersal during early land plant evolution.
Bandwidth-constrained distributed estimation for wireless sensor networks-part II: unknown probability density function

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) deployed to perform surveillance and monitoring tasks have to operate under stringent energy and bandwidth limitations. These motivate well distributed estimation scenarios where sensors quantize and transmit only one, or a few bits per observation, for use in forming parameter estimators of interest. In a companion paper, we developed algorithms and studied interesting tradeoffs that emerge even in the simplest distributed setup of estimating a scalar location parameter in the presence of zero-mean additive white Gaussian noise of known variance. Herein, we derive distributed estimators based on binary observations along with their fundamental error-variance limits for more pragmatic signal models: i) known univariate but generally non-Gaussian noise probability density functions (pdfs); ii) known noise pdfs with a finite number of unknown parameters; iii) completely unknown noise pdfs; and iv) practical generalizations to multivariate and possibly correlated pdfs. Estimators utilizing either independent or colored binary observations are developed and analyzed. Corroborating simulations present comparisons with the clairvoyant sample-mean estimator based on unquantized sensor observations, and include a motivating application entailing distributed parameter estimation where a WSN is used for habitat monitoring
G Protein Signaling Events Are Activated at the Leading Edge of Chemotactic Cells

Abstract Directional sensing by eukaryotic cells does not require polarization of chemoattractant receptors. The translocation of the PH domain–containing protein CRAC in D. discoideum to binding sites on the inner face of the plasma membrane reflects activation of the G protein–linked signaling system. Increments in chemoattractant elicit a uniform response around the cell periphery. Yet when cells are exposed to a gradient, the activation occurs selectively at the stimulated edge, even in immobilized cells. We propose that such localized activation, transmitted by the recruitment of cytosolic proteins, may be a general mechanism for gradient sensing by G protein–linked chemotactic systems including those involving chemotactic cytokines in leukocytes.
The Contribution of the Autonomic Nervous System to Changes of Glucagon and Insulin Secretion during Hypoglycemic Stress

During hypoglycemic stress, glucagon secretion increases and insulin secretion decreases. The traditional view is that these changes are due to the effect of low circulating glucose levels acting directly on the pancreatic islet. In contrast, a number of studies suggest that these responses are due to activation of autonomic nervous system that accompanies hypoglycemia in vivo, a view that we favor. Although central nervous system and autonomic neural control of the endocrine pancreashas been reviewed before (1–4), this review will focus specifically on the autonomic activation produced by glucopenic stress and its potential contribution to the accompanying changes of glucagon and insulin secretion. The goal of this review is not to negate the traditional view that hypoglycemia has direct actions on the islet, but rather to suggest that the autonomic contribution may have been underestimated in a whole class of experiments because of unrecognized redundancy in the autonomic input to the islet. The first section will review the supporting evidence that each of three autonomic inputs to the pancreas is activated during this stress. The three inputs are: 1) pancreatic parasympathetic nerves, 2) adrenal medullary epinephrine, and 3) pancreatic sympathetic nerves. The various techniques for measuring these autonomic inputs to the pancreas will be discussed, and the factors which influence the magnitude of the autonomic activation will be outlined. © 1989 by The Endocrine Society.
A Method for Mounting Small Insects on Microscope Slides in Canada Balsam

Traditional methods for mounting insects in Canada balsam have often proven unsatisfactory because of shrinkage of delicate structures such as the antennae and palpi in the highly viscous mounting medium. Clearing in potassium hydroxide and subsequent gradual dehydration in a series of alcohols are very time consuming and often require isolation of individual specimens, and separate treatment of the wings when adults are being mounted. While satisfactory mounts may easily be made of relatively large and heavily sclerotized insects, mounts of fragile insects are often inadequate for detailed taxonomic study. This problem has led many workers to try other mounting media, but none has proven entirely satisfactory.
Visualizing Requirements in UML Models

As the Unified Modeling Language (UML) and modeldriven development (MDD) become increasingly common in industry, many developers are faced with the difficult task of understanding how an existing UML model realizes system requirements. Essentially, developers are required to understand the structure and behavior of UML models that they may have not created. Understanding these relationships is non-trivial, because the interactions in the model are not readily apparent. Commonly, the only means to elicit these relationships is visual inspection and guided simulation. This paper describes an alternative approach termed REVU (Requirements Visualization of UML), a process for visualizing functional requirements in terms of behavioral interactions in a UML model. We illustrate the use of this process with the visualization of scenarios for an adaptive light control system.
Incremental maintenance of XML structural indexes

Increasing popularity of XML in recent years has generated much interest in query processing over graph-structured data. To support efficient evaluation of path expressions, many structural indexes have been proposed. The most popular ones are the 1-index, based on the notion of graph bisimilarity, and the recently proposed A(k)-index, based on the notion of local similarity to provide a trade-off between index size and query answering power. For these indexes to be practical, we need effective and efficient incremental maintenance algorithms to keep them consistent with the underlying data. However, existing update algorithms for structural indexes essentially provide no guarantees on the quality of the index; the updated index is usually larger size than necessary, degrading the performance for subsequent queries.In this paper, we propose update algorithms for the 1-index and the A(k)-index with provable guarantees on the resulting index quality. Our algorithms always maintain a minimal index, i.e., merging any two index nodes would result in an incorrect index. For the 1-index, if the data graph is acyclic, our algorithm further ensures that the index is minimum, i.e., it has the least number of index nodes possible. For the A(k)-index, we show that the minimal index our algorithm maintains is also the unique minimum A(k)-index, for both acyclic and cyclic data graphs. Finally, through experimental evaluation, we demonstrate that our algorithms bring significant improvement over previous methods, in terms of both index size and update time.
Power efficient comparators for long arguments in superscalar processors

Traditional pulldown comparators that are used to implement associative addressing logic in superscalar microprocessors dissipate energy on a mismatch in any bit position in the comparands. As mismatches occur much more frequently than matches in many situations, such circuits are extremely energy-inefficient. In recognition of this inefficiency, a series of dissipate-on-match comparator designs have been proposed to address the power considerations. These designs, however, are limited to at most 8 bit long arguments. In this paper, we examine the designs of energy-efficient comparators capable of comparing arguments as long as 32 bits in size. Such long comparands are routinely used in the load-store queues, caches, BTBs and TLBs. We use the actual layout data and the realistic bit patterns of the comparands (obtained from the simulated execution of SPEC 2000 benchmarks) to show the energy impact from the use of the new comparators. In general, a non-trivial combination of traditional and dissipate-on-match 8 bit comparator blocks represents the most energy-efficient and fastest solution. As an example of this general approach, we show how fast and energy-efficient comparators can be designed for comparing addresses within the load-store queue of a superscalar processor.
Frequency and Perceived Effectiveness of Strategies to Survive Abuse Employed by Battered Mexican-Origin Women

This study documented the frequency and perceived effectiveness of battered Mexican-origin women's usage of formal and informal help and personal strategies to survive abuse. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 75 battered Mexican-origin women. Consistent with survivor theory, results indicated that participants sought help multiple times from several formal and informal help sources; some (i.e., shelter, family) were perceived more effective than others (i.e., lawyer, in-laws). Participants engaged in various personal strategies to survive abuse; some (i.e., using faith/religion) were rated more effective than others (i.e., placating the batterer). Responses to open-ended questions suggest why specific help sources and strategies were/were not effective and provide socioculturally specific suggestions for improving services. This study illuminates battered Mexican-origin women's strengths and barriers that impede their survival efforts. Contributions include focusing on a subset of battered Lat...
Trichomycetes from Newfoundland, including Gros Morne National Park

D.B. Strongman Abstract: Twenty-one taxa of trichomycetes are recorded from aquatic insects collected from sites on the east and west coasts of Newfoundland. Three new species, Smittium colboi Strongman sp. nov., Smittium georgense Strongman sp.nov., and Stachylina forantipes Strongman sp.nov., are described. Spartiella barbata Tuzet & Manier ex Manier is reported for the first time in North America, and six species are new geographic records for Newfoundland. Of these six, three are new records for Atlantic Canada. Pennella hovassi Manier ex Manier was recovered from sites in eastern Newfoundland, and taxonomically important features of this and other species in the genus are discussed.
Heavy Ion Testing and Single Event Upset Rate Prediction Considerations for a DICE Flip-Flop

Monte-Carlo simulation using the MRED software suite, coupled with SPICE analysis, is used to identify internal mechanisms of SEU in DICE flip-flops. Low frequency cross-section measurements and simulations identify multiple-node charge collection SEU mechanisms as the dominant contributor. An increasingly isotropic response is predicted with increasing frequency due to latching of internal single-node transients near clock boundaries. Implications for heavy ion testing and SEU rate prediction are presented.
Imaging informatics for consumer health: towards a radiology patient portal

Objective With the increased routine use of advanced imaging in clinical diagnosis and treatment, it has become imperative to provide patients with a means to view and understand their imaging studies. We illustrate the feasibility of a patient portal that automatically structures and integrates radiology reports with corresponding imaging studies according to several information orientations tailored for the layperson. Methods The imaging patient portal is composed of an image processing module for the creation of a timeline that illustrates the progression of disease, a natural language processing module to extract salient concepts from radiology reports (73% accuracy, F1 score of 0.67), and an interactive user interface navigable by an imaging findings list. The portal was developed as a Java-based web application and is demonstrated for patients with brain cancer. Results and discussion The system was exhibited at an international radiology conference to solicit feedback from a diverse group of healthcare professionals. There was wide support for educating patients about their imaging studies, and an appreciation for the informatics tools used to simplify images and reports for consumer interpretation. Primary concerns included the possibility of patients misunderstanding their results, as well as worries regarding accidental improper disclosure of medical information. Conclusions Radiologic imaging composes a significant amount of the evidence used to make diagnostic and treatment decisions, yet there are few tools for explaining this information to patients. The proposed radiology patient portal provides a framework for organizing radiologic results into several information orientations to support patient education.
Sterol carrier protein-2 (SCP-2) involvement in cholesterol hydroperoxide cytotoxicity as revealed by SCP-2 inhibitor effects

Sterol carrier protein-2 (SCP-2) plays an important role in cholesterol trafficking and metabolism in mammalian cells. The purpose of this study was to determine whether SCP-2, under oxidative stress conditions, might also traffic hydroperoxides of cholesterol, thereby disseminating their cytotoxic effects. Two inhibitors, SCPI-1 and SCPI-3, known to block cholesterol binding by an insect SCP-2, were used to investigate this. A mouse fibroblast transfectant clone (SC2F) overexpressing SCP-2 was found to be substantially more sensitive to apoptotic killing induced by liposomal 7α-hydroperoxycholesterol (7α-OOH) than a wild-type control. 7α-OOH uptake by SC2F cells and resulting apoptosis were both inhibited by SCPI-1 or SCPI-3 at a subtoxic concentration. Preceding cell death, reactive oxidant accumulation and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential were also strongly inhibited. Similar SCPI protection against 7α-OOH was observed with two other types of SCP-2-expressing mammalian cells. In striking contrast, neither inhibitor had any effect on H2O2-induced cell killing. To learn whether 7α-OOH cytotoxicity is due to uptake/transport by SCP-2, we used a fluorescence-based competitive binding assay involving recombinant SCP-2, NBD-cholesterol, and SCPI-1/SCPI-3 or 7α-OOH. The results clearly showed that 7α-OOH binds to SCP-2 in SCPI-inhibitable fashion. Our findings suggest that cellular SCP-2 not only binds and translocates cholesterol but also cholesterol hydroperoxides, thus expanding their redox toxicity and signaling ranges under oxidative stress conditions.
Physics-based processing for terahertz reflection spectroscopy and imaging

The spectra obtained from Terahertz (THz) reflection imaging can be distorted by scattering from rough interfaces, layers, and granular inclusions. Since the facets of the object being imaged are not generally aligned normal to the THz beam, the received signal is produced from diffuse scattering, which can be appreciably lower in signal strength than specular returns. These challenges can be addressed with advanced signal processing approaches based upon the coherent and incoherent combination of returns from multiple sensors and frequencies. This paper presents two examples of physics-based processing strategies applied to THz imaging spectroscopy. The first method is based on synthetic aperture processing of a 2D sensor array to provide variable depth focused images of buried inclusions (a ball bearing embedded in polyethylene sample). The second method uses correlation processing to coherently combine multiple sensors and multiple frequencies to extract material signatures from measurements of THz scattering from rough interfaces. Results for both methods show an increase in performance relative to conventional imaging or spectroscopy approaches.
Factors Associated With Met Expectations in Patients With Hand and Upper Extremity Disorders: A Pilot Study

Purpose The degree to which patients' expectations are met during an office visit consistently correlates with patients' satisfaction, whereas the relationship between previsit expectations and satisfaction varies. Objective The aim of this pilot study was to preliminarily assess the relationship of psychosocial factors, pain intensity, and magnitude of disability to previsit expectations, met expectations, and satisfaction with medical care in patients with hand and upper extremity conditions in a surgical outpatient clinic. Methods A cohort of 85 outpatients with upper extremity illnesses indicated their previsit expectations (Patients Intention Questionnaire), degree to which these expectations were met (Expectations Met Questionnaire), level of depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-2), confidence about the ability to achieve one's goals in spite of pain (Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire), pain intensity (Numerical Rating Scale for pain), disability (Disabilities of the Arm Shoulder and Hand, short version; QuickDASH), and satisfaction with the medical visit (Medical Interview Satisfaction Scale). Results Higher previsit expectations were associated with more depressive symptoms, lower pain self-efficacy, higher pain intensity, and fewer years of education. Patients in the low and moderate met expectations categories had significantly more symptoms of depression, fewer years of education, and more pain compared to those in the high-met expectations category. Fewer years of education and higher pain intensity predicted higher previsit expectations and explained 19% of variance. Conclusion Psychosocial factors affect both previsit expectations and met expectations during an outpatient visit to a hand surgeon. Met expectations, but not previsit expectations, affect satisfaction. Level of Evidence Prognostic, level II.
The effects of health and wealth shocks on retirement decisions

Both health status and net worth can affect retirement decisions. In some cases, early retirement may be precipitated by a shock to an individual’s health and/or economic status. The authors examine how health and wealth shocks affect retirement decisions. They use data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics to estimate a first-differences model of health and wealth shocks on retirement over the course of the 2000s in the United States. Their results suggest that acute health shocks are associated with labor market exits for older American men but not women. These results appear particularly strong for blacks, whose labor force participation seems particularly sensitive to health status, which may be due to different occupations for blacks and whites.
Seepage from Parallel Trapezoidal Channels

An exact solution is presented for the seepage flow from a system of parallel trapezoidal channels through a layer of homogeneous, isotropic soil. Under this layer there is a drain that might be represented physically by a bed of gravel or coarse sand. The flow is assumed to obey Darcy’s law and hence there is velocity potential which satisfies the Laplace equation. By constructing the complex potential and the complex velocity planes, the solution is obtained through conformal mapping. General expressions are given for the discharge and shape of the free streamline. A numerical example is presented for which the free surface and the velocity distribution on the channel’s profile were drawn. The quantity of seepage from the bottom and sides were also computed.
The effect of feeding excess glycine, L-arginine, and DL-methionine to rats on a casein diet.

SummaryIn these experiments on rats, the addition of 4.8% glycine, 4.8% DL-methionine or 4.8% glycine plus 4.8% DL-methionine to a 12% casein diet did not alter the nitrogen balance as compared to controls receiving 12% casein alone but did reduce the nitrogen balance index, the excess amino nitrogen not contributing to the retention of nitrogen in the animal. The data indicates, on the other hand, that excess arginine (1.7%) contributes in part, to the retention of nitrogen. The addition of 4.8% glycine or 4.8% glycine plus 1.7% L-arginine to a casein diet containing excess methionine counteracted the weight loss and in part the kidney hypertrophy caused by the excess methionine. The slight increases in thyroid weights, associated with excess methionine, were also antagonized by glycine and arginine. Under the conditions of these experiments urinary creatinine and creatine excretion was not increased in rats by feeding excess glycine. The significance of these results is discussed.
Serologic evaluation of renal status.

Mechanisms of immunologic injury causing glomerulonephritis are based on immune complex or autoantibody deposition with activation of complement. Circulating immune complex disease can be diagnosed and monitored with improved assays for immune complexes, DNA antibodies, complement levels, and complement activation products. Etiologic autoantibodies for the Goodpasture antigen, neutrophil enzymes, and ones directly promoting complement activation are now quantitated for more accurate serologic diagnosis. The spectrum of postinfectious glomerulonephritis also presents several new measurements for assessing clinical status. Diagnosis and monitoring of glomerulonephritis now entails panel testing for these humoral abnormalities that are useful to establish the etiology and treatment regimens.
Chemotactic Collapse in Two Dimensions

An asymptotic expansion describing imminent collapse in two dimensions of a symmetric aggregate of chemotactic cells is given. The result is obtained in a Keller-Segel model with constant coefficients. The analysis is consistent with the existence of a threshold cell population for chemotactic collapse.
Comments on paper regarding martensitic behavior of αU

Th idea that impurities are in some way responsible for a martensitic transition is completely without foundation. The literature shows that the anomalies in physical properties that are associated with the low temperature transitions become less pronounced when the impurity content is greater than found in the single crystal samples.
Die dynamische Gracilisplastik als letzte therapeutische Möglichkeit bei anorektaler Inkontinenz

6 Patienten (5 weibl., 1 mannl.; mittl. Alter 63 J.) wurden einer dynamischen Gracilisplastik unterzogen. 3 Patienten wurden mehrzeitig operiert, die letzten 3 Patienten einzeitig ohne nachteilige Folgen. Komplikationen: Bei 2 Patienten traten operationsbedurftige Komplikationen auf. Bei einem Patienten ist ein gutes Endresultat dadurch in Frage gestellt. Ergebnisse: 5 Patienten sind subjektiv kontinent und zufrieden. 4 konnen ein Klysma problemlos halten. 3 Patienten haben durch die Stimulation gute anale Druckwerte entwickelt, bei 2 sind diese zufriedenstellend. Entleerungsstorungen entwickelten 3 Patienten. Mit leichten Laxantien waren diese Probleme bislang zur Zufriedenheit losbar. Schlusfolgerung: Fur sorgfaltig ausgewahlte Patienten mit drittgradiger anorektaler Inkontinenz, bei denen andere Methoden gescheitert sind, bietet die dynamische Gracilisplastik Hoffnung.
Demographic shifts and plant succession along a late Holocene soil chronosequence in the Sonoran desert of Baja California

Three distinct alluvial terraces possess different vegetational assemblages. The oldest terrace is dominated by Larrea tridentata; higher densities of Idria columnaris and Pachycereus pringlei and greater species diversities characterise the two younger terraces. Demographic data indicate the vegetational differences are due to successional changes over time. On the oldest terrace, populations of Idria and Pachycereus exhibit higher per capita mortality and lower recruitment, indicating declines from what were originally denser populations. The rarity of Larrea on the younger terraces is attributed to exceedingly slow recruitment combined with the relatively short period of time that the youngest terraces have existed.
Settler Colonialism as Structure: A Framework for Comparative Studies of U.S. Race and Gender Formation

Understanding settler colonialism as an ongoing structure rather than a past historical event serves as the basis for an historically grounded and inclusive analysis of U.S. race and gender formati...