cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Serial array shuffle-exchange architecture for universal permutation of time-slots

Because of the well-known advantages of fiber transmission, a technologically important and increasing amount of data is transmitted optically, often in time-slot format. In-line optical time-slot interchangers would obviously be of great use in such systems. In a time-multiplexed opticai computer environment, a time-slot interchanger corresponds to a multiprocessor interconnection network in a spatially parallel multiprocessor system. For fundamental physics reasons, 2x2 optical exchange elements are among the easiest optical logic elements to construct. Until now, for a frame of N time-slots, designs have used a planar array of switches like their space analogs and required a few times N of these switches to implement. By taking a new approach, a powerful structure called a serial array architecture has been developed which has demonstrated very high potential for substantial hardware reduction. A time-domain version of the spatial shuffle-exchange network has been implemented in this architecture which has resulted in the time analog of the NxN space switch to be collapsed to O(log2N) switches. The perfect shuffle permutation is the more interesting part of the stage and consumes most of the switches for the interchanger. By recursively shrinking the size of the shuffle train, like in a Benes network, further reduction in switch count has been achieved. The resulting architecture yields such savings in optical switch and related hardware that in-line time-slot interchangers, even in LiNbO, may now be practical.© (1990) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Prognosticators in recurrent breast cancer. A 15-year experience with irradiation.

After initial surgery, 133 breast cancer patients, who did not receive postoperative radiation or chemotherapy, were subsequently irradiated for recurrences in the Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Maryland Hospital. All patients have been followed for a minimum of 5 years after the treatment of recurrences. An extensive analysis was done in search of prognosticators for outcome in recurrent breast cancer. Traditional prognostic factors, such as the initial axillary status, primary surgical procedure, initial menopausal status, time and site of recurrences, distant metastases and radiation dose and field issues, were investigated. No correlation was found between the initial axillary status and the overall prognosis after recurrence. The main prognosticators were: the size of the initial breast tumor, the radiation treatment for recurrences, and the presence of, or time to, distant metastases. Initial T1-T2 breast tumors were associated with a delayed onset of recurrences and a lower incidence of chest wall relapses; in turn, both the latter situations yielded the best outcome. Radiation doses of more than 4000 rad in 4 weeks delivered with locoregional fields achieved a local control rate of 72%, and the best 5-year post-recurrence survival (57%). In 52% of the recurrent breast cancer patients, distant metastases were discovered; 70% of them occurred within 2 years from recurrence. The overall post-recurrence 5-year survival for the entire series was 40%. Both the results achieved with radiation therapy and the need for a logical strategy to approach the problem of breast cancer recurrences are discussed. The situation for a large proportion of these patients is not hopeless, and many are salvagable . Combined modality approaches could offer the best possibilities of survival. However, the importance of radiation therapy in the management of these patients cannot be denied or ignored.
A micropreparation of fluorescein conjugates of immunoglobulin G and fab from serum

Protein A-Sepharose CL-4B (PAS) was used to isolate rabbit immunoglobulin G from crude anti-herpes simplex virus-1 serum. Papain treatment of the PAS-bound immunoglobulin G released Fab fragments from the solid support, while Fc-containing fragments remained bound to PAS. PAS-immobilized immunoglobulin G was fluoresceinated by reaction with fluorescein isothiocyanate followed by papain cleavage to yield fluorescein-conjugated Fab fragments in solution. These fragments retained activity toward herpes simplex virus-1 infected Vero cells as evaluated by immunofluorescence. This novel procedure represents the fastest and simplest method for preparing Fab or fluoresceinated Fab fragments directly from any volume of immune serum.
Synthesis and intercellular transport of ribosomal RNA in the ovary of the milkweed bug Oncopeltus fasciatus

Abstract Analysis of cellular and subcellular fractions obtained by dissection and subsequent purification of the main components of the Oncopeltus fasciatus ovary reveals that the uptake and incorporation of tritiated uridine into high molecular weight RNA differs markedly between the trophic syncytium and the oocytes. The pattern of labelling indicates that the trophic syncytium is actively engaged in the synthesis of ribosomal RNA, but that the oocytes do not synthesize detectable amounts of ribosomes. The ribosomal RNA which eventually appears in the cytoplasm of the oocytes is postulated to come from the trophic syncytium via the nutritive cords. There is no other fraction of non-4 S RNA detectable in the oocytes by these methods.
Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment (BTSA) Progression: A Retrospective Account of BTSA's Response to English Learners

A retrospective account of the evolution of the Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment (BTSA) program shows how English learners and students of diverse cultural backgrounds were marginally considered throughout the development of the California Standards for the Teaching Profession and BTSA induction development, implementation, and evaluation. In 1999, BTSA induction began to address the needs of students of linguistically and culturally diverse backgrounds in a specialized program. The Riverside, Inyo, Mono and San Bernardino BTSA Project received state funding to establish the BTSA English Language Learner Pilot Project. But despite demonstrated success, this pilot project was not adopted by the state.
Influence of shade on mineral nutrient status of field‐grown cotton

Abstract Photosynthetic irradiance has variable effects on cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) growth, development, lint yield and fiber quality. However, little is known about the effect of shade on the mineral nutrient status of cotton plants. A two‐year study was conducted to determine the effects of shade (63% light reduction) at different growth stages on mineral nutrient concentrations in plant components of field‐grown cotton. Averaged over the three growth stages of first flower, peak flower, and boll development, an 8‐day period of shade increased petiole NO3‐N, phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and sulfur (S) concentrations by 145, 17, 20, and 18%, respectively. Total nitrogen (N), P, K, S, calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) concentrations in the leaf blades of the sampled petioles increased 19, 29, 22, 22, 13, and 16%, respectively, compared with those of unshaded control plants. However, bracts and floral buds of 20‐day‐old squares of shaded cotton plants showed a slight decrease (6%) in total N concent...
Social Work Takes Active Role in Health Care Reform

The crisis in American health care is growing. As costs continue to escalate, as the quality of and access to services deteriorate, and as public opinion polls show increasing numbets of people dissatisfied with the present system, the public debate on health care reform has intensffied. There is no group in this country today-including physicians and the private insurance industry-who has not recognized the need to jump on the “change” bandwagon. Headlines on the problems and proposed solutions appear in the press daily. Overhauling U.S. health care was the number-one issue at the national meeting of governors in Seattle in August (1). Dozens of bills have been introduced in Congress, and 30 state legislatures are contemplating universal-access-to-healthcare legislation (2). The question now is not how to generate support among state and federal officials, but how to obtain the best, most comprehensive plan for health and mental health care for all Americans. A recent Public Broadcasting Service documentary comparing the U.S. and Canadian health care systems-Borderline Medicine, which aired in New York City in late August-reported the economic, social, and moral consequences of the American government’s unwilling-
Sensitivity of monsoon rainfall predictions to initialization procedures

Abstract Prediction of orographic-convective rainfall during an active monsoon period is studied with an adiabatic and a diabatic vertical mode initialization schemes. A nested grid mesoscale model is used to perform two numerical simulations. In the diabatic initialization scheme, vertical distribution of latent heat released in convective clouds is obtained using the Kuo scheme from analyzed rainfall rates. Results indicate that the model predicted significantly higher rainfall rates when the initial conditions are obtained using a diabatic initialization scheme. Also, predicted rainfall rates are persistently higher almost throughout the period of simulation with a considerable increase during the first nine hours of integration when initial conditions are obtained from a diabatic initialization scheme. Use of diabatic initialization scheme lead to the prediction of stronger winds, stronger circulation patterns associated with the cumulus convection and higher latent heat fluxes from surrounding oceans, leading to higher rainfall rates.
Bibliographic Sources of Nineteenth Century Hypnosis Literature

Abstract Although prolific in output and useful even today, the hypnosis literature of the 1800s has not been readily accessible. At that time, books did not typically have reference sections as now. This paper describes a variety of bibliographic sources which contain monographs, pamphlets, popular magazines, and scientific journal articles in many languages.
Testicular effects of dinoseb in rats

Diets containing the herbicide dinoseb (2-sec- butyl 4,6-dinitrophenol) were fed to adult male Sherman rats for 11 weeks. One-half the survivors were killed for terminal studies during the eleventh week and the remainder bred to untreated females during posttreatment, and then killed for terminal studies. Interim sacrifices were made in groups fed 0 and 300 ppm. In rats fed 300 ppm, differential classification of spermatozoa from the cauda epididymidis indicated 90% of the cells were atypical by 20 days of treatment. By 30 days, bizarre and amorphous forms were observed and epididymal sperm counts were decreased. Histologic changes in the testes included abnormal spermatozoa and spermatids and multinucleated spermatogenic cells at 20 and 30 days and severe damage to spermatogenic cells by 50 days. Dietary levels of 225 and 300 ppm produced marked oligospermia and extensive loss of spermatogenic cells in rats fed dinoseb for 11 weeks. Evidence of necrotic spermatogenic cells was seen in some tubules, and in many tubules, only Sertoli cells remained. Reproductive failure occurred at 225 and 300 ppm, although mating behavior and libido were unaffected. There was little or no remission of these effects during the 16-week post-treatment period. Decreased epididymal sperm counts, atypical epididymal spermatozoa, and minimal testicular changes were seen in rats fed 150 ppm, but reproduction was unaffected and the anomalies were reversible. No effects were detected in animals fed 75 ppm.
A general method for studying homogeneous and/or heterogeneous associations by sedimentation equilibrium.

Detailed is a general method for resolving sedimentation equilibrium concentration distributions into the concentrations of each macromolecular component present. This method does not involve preprocessing the data into intermediate forms such as molecular weight averages or reduced concentration functions. Employed to describe the data are theoretical expressions that contain terms which can be systematically varied so as to minimize the deviation between the actual data and the theoretical fit. In the case of homogeneous associations, this method can be applied to both simple interactions such as monomer-dimer self-associations and complex interactions such as indefinite (isodesmic) self-associations to yield the association constants for the models. This method can also deal with simple heterogeneous associations such as two macromolecules forming a complex with 1:1 stoichiometry and with complicated heterogeneous associations as in the case of the formation of multiple subunit enzyme complexes. The applications of the fitting method upon simulated data and expressions for estimating the accuracy of the derived association constants are described.
Heat conduction with radiating boundary conditions

Existence of positive solutions is established for a class of nonlinear boundary value problems that include steady-state heat conduction problems with radiation at the boundary according to the fourth power radiation law. Existence is established using topological methods and a priori bounds.
A STOCHASTIC DECISION MODEL FOR CONTRACTOR PREQUALIFICATION

In the construction industry, contractor prequalification is the process used to determine each contractor's competence to participate in a project bid. Contractors unqualified or overextended should be eliminated prior to the bidding process. Thus, prequalification can conserve resources of both the owner and the participating contractors. This article describes a computer program, QUALIFIER-1.5, which is based in part on a previously developed prequalification program, QUALIFIER-1. A brief description of QUALIFIER-1 is provided for background information. Next, the stochastic decision model incorporated in QUALIFIER-1.5 and a Monte Carlo simulation procedure are highlighted. An investigation into whether the aggregate rating is normally distributed has been performed and is described. The software is described along with an example application. A comparison of the two programs is also provided. The benefit of this program over prior work is that uncertainty in the prequalification process can be incorporated into the decision-making process.
Trends in local therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma and survival outcomes in the US population.

Abstract Background Hepatocellular cancer (HCC) frequently presents with limitations to resection. We investigated survival outcomes after various local HCC therapies in US patients. Data sources Relationships between local HCC therapy modality and overall survival (OS) were analyzed from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) 1973–2003 database. Of 46,065 patients with primary hepatobiliary malignancy, 5,317 individuals with HCC had sufficient surgical data. The median age was 65 (range 0–105), and 73% of patients were male. The median tumor size was 6 cm (.2–30). There were single lesions (52%), multiple lesions (28%), and extrahepatic disease (20%). Mortality at 30 days was 8.4% (resection), 3.3% (transplantation), 3.2% (ablation), or 31% (no local therapy, P P P P = .01), vascular invasion ( P = .02), and age ( P = .045). Compared to resection, risk ratios were .56 (transplantation) and 1.53 (ablation). Conclusions Long-term HCC survival can be observed after all 3 treatment approaches but is best after transplantation and resection, although likely biased through confounding patient selection variables. Preferred HCC treatment should be individualized based on morbidity and long-term OS prospects.
Correlation between bilayer destabilization and activity enhancement by diacylglycerols in reconstituted Ca-ATPase vesicles.

Abstract Using the reconstituted Ca-ATPase vesicles as a model system, we demonstrated that the presence of 1,2-dioleoyl- sn -glycerol (diolein) in the membrane introduces a pronounced enhancement in the Ca-transport function of Ca-ATPase, while the 1,2-dipalmitoyl- sn -glycerol (dipalmitin) does not. We also found by both 31 P NMR and freezefraction electron microscopy that diolein destabilized lipid bilayers to a greater extent than did dipalmitin. We conclude that the tendency of diacylglycerols to destabilize the phospholipid bilayer is related to their capacity to enhance the activity of the membrane calcium pump.
An Id-related helix-loop-helix protein encoded by a growth factor-inducible gene.

Abstract An mRNA encoding a helix-loop-helix protein that we have named HLH462 is induced in mouse 3T3 cells as part of the immediate early transcriptional response to growth factors and other signaling agents. The RNA is present in a number of mouse tissues and in the developing mouse fetus. The HLH462 gene has been mapped by interspecific backcross analysis to the distal region of mouse chromosome 4. In its helix-loop-helix region HLH462 is closely related to the Id protein and the Drosophila emc protein. Like Id, HLH462 lacks a basic region required for DNA binding, and it inhibits the DNA-binding activities of other helix-loop-helix proteins. On the basis of its structural and functional similarity to Id, we suggest that HLH462 may inhibit the activities of helix-loop-helix transcription factors during the cellular growth response and during development.
Thermal coefficients of the expansion and refractive index in YAG

The thermal expansion coefficient and dn/dT are measured by interferometry techniques in undoped YAG below 300 K. The thermal expansion coefficient at 125 K is measured to be 2.70 x 10(-6) K(-1) and dn/dT at 633 nm is 2.5 x 10(-6) K(-1), compared with 7 x 10(-6) K(-1) and 9 x 10(-6) K(-1) for these quantities at 300 K.
New Test Level 2 Rough Stone Masonry Guardwall

A minimum mounting-height rough stone masonry guardwall was designed and successfully crash tested to meet Test Level 2 (TL-2) safety performance criteria found in NCHRP Report 350. Several design concepts were considered for providing shear transfer between the top capstones and the inner core wall. The new design uses steel angle segments anchored to the core wall with the upper leg recessed into saw-cuts placed in the capstones. LS-DYNA simulations were performed with varying barrier heights to evaluate the propensity for vehicular instabilities and barrier override. Two crash tests were performed. The first test was performed on a 22-in.-tall guardwall with a 2000P pickup truck impacting at a speed of 44.4 mph and at an angle of 24.2°. The second test was performed on a 20-in.-tall guardwall with another 2000P vehicle impacting at a speed of 43.6 mph and at an angle of 24.4°. Both crash tests provided acceptable safety performance. Although the 20-in.-tall parapet adequately contained and redirected t...
A Prestressed Cable Network Model of the Adherent Cell Cytoskeleton

A prestressed cable network is used to model the deformability of the adherent cell actin cytoskeleton. The overall and microstructural model geometries and cable mechanical properties were assigned values based on observations from living cells and mechanical measurements on isolated actin filaments, respectively. The models were deformed to mimic cell poking (CP), magnetic twisting cytometry (MTC) and magnetic bead microrheometry (MBM) measurements on living adherent cells. The models qualitatively and quantitatively captured the fibroblast cell response to the deformation imposed by CP while exhibiting only some qualitative features of the cell response to MTC and MBM. The model for CP revealed that the tensed peripheral actin filaments provide the key resistance to indentation. The actin filament tension that provides mechanical integrity to the network was estimated at ∼158 pN, and the nonlinear mechanical response during CP originates from filament kinematics. The MTC and MBM simulations revealed that the model is incomplete, however, these simulations show cable tension as a key determinant of the model response.
Effects of calcium source and temperature regime on calcium deficiency during hydroponic forcing of tulip

Abstract Tulips (Tulipa gesneriana L.) forced hydroponically in distilled water developed Ca deficiency symptoms, including topple and flower bud abortion. Prevention of Ca deficiency and uptake of Ca was greater when Ca was supplied in the NO3− form rather than as Cl− or SO42−. Calcium EDTA was injurious to plants at a concentration of 2.5 mM, a level too low to correct Ca deficiency. Addition of BO33−, K+, H2PO4−, or Hoagland's all nitrate solution with modified micronutrient levels to the Ca substrate failed to improve growth. The complete nutrient formulation reduced Ca uptake. Ca deficiency could not be prevented at the high temperature regime (22°C day–18°C night), due in part to suppress uptake of Ca. In the low temperature regime (18°C day–14°C night), a 5-mM solution of Ca(NO3)2 prevented Ca deficiency during all forcing periods. Similar results were obtained with a 7.5 mM solution of CaCl2.
Modeling Hot-Electron Injection in pFET's

We present a first-principles, analytical model of hot-electron injection in pFET's, solving the Boltzmann transport equation in the drain-to-channel depletion region using impact-ionization and phonon scattering operators. We present experimental data of hot-electron injection and impact ionization from silicon IC's and compare to the BTE solution.
Novel Ultrasound and DCE-MRI Analyses after Antiangiogenic Treatment with a Selective VEGF Receptor Inhibitor

We report a comparison between tumor perfusion estimates acquired using contrast-enhanced MRI and motion-corrected contrast-enhanced ultrasound before and after treatment with AG-028262, a potent vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Antiangiogenic activity was determined by assessing weekly ultrasound and MRI images of rats with bilateral hind flank mammary adenocarcinomas before and after treatment with AG-028262. Images were acquired with a spoiled gradient, 1.5 T magnetic resonance sequence and a destruction-replenishment ultrasound protocol. For ultrasound, a time to 80% contrast replenishment was calculated for each tumor voxel; for MR imaging, a measure of local flow rate was estimated from a linear fit of minimum to maximum intensities. AG-028262 significantly decreased tumor growth and increased the time required to replenish tumor voxels with an ultrasound contrast agent from 2.66 to 4.54 s and to fill with an MR contrast agent from 29.5 to 50.8 s. Measures of flow rate derived from MRI and ultrasound demonstrated a positive linear correlation of r2 = 0.86.
Metallurgical failure analysis of a propane tank boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion (BLEVE).

A severe fire and explosion occurred at a propane storage yard in Truth or Consequences, N.M., when a truck ran into the pumping and plumbing system beneath a large propane tank. The storage tank emptied when the liquid-phase excess flow valve tore out of the tank. The ensuing fire engulfed several propane delivery trucks, causing one of them to explode. A series of elevated-temperature stress-rupture tears developed along the top of a 9800 L (2600 gal) truck-mounted tank as it was heated by the fire. Unstable fracture then occurred suddenly along the length of the tank and around both end caps, along the girth welds connecting the end caps to the center portion of the tank. The remaining contents of the tank were suddenly released, aerosolized, and combusted, creating a powerful boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion (BLEVE). Based on metallography of the tank pieces, the approximate tank temperature at the onset of the BLEVE was determined. Metallurgical analysis of the ruptured tank also permitted several hypotheses regarding BLEVE mechanisms to be evaluated. Suggestions are made for additional work that could provide improved predictive capabilities regarding BLEVEs and for methods to decrease the susceptibility of propane tanks to BLEVEs.
Trauma-Induced Coagulopathy: An Update to Current Management

Advances in military and civilian prehospital care and evacuation, while centered around reduction in morbidity and mortality, have left trauma specialists facing new challenges in the areas of post injury resuscitation and in the treatment of trauma induced coagulopathies. Increased survival of patients from the point of injury to trauma centers for definitive medical treatment has forced a change in the way we medically manage modern day casualties. Evolving recommendations on the best practice of trauma resuscitation continues to change landscape of medical centers all around the globe. With the advent of new noninvasive medical devices along with
Efficient discovery of overlapping communities in massive networks

Detecting overlapping communities is essential to analyzing and exploring natural networks such as social networks, biological networks, and citation networks. However, most existing approaches do not scale to the size of networks that we regularly observe in the real world. In this paper, we develop a scalable approach to community detection that discovers overlapping communities in massive real-world networks. Our approach is based on a Bayesian model of networks that allows nodes to participate in multiple communities, and a corresponding algorithm that naturally interleaves subsampling from the network and updating an estimate of its communities. We demonstrate how we can discover the hidden community structure of several real-world networks, including 3.7 million US patents, 575,000 physics articles from the arXiv preprint server, and 875,000 connected Web pages from the Internet. Furthermore, we demonstrate on large simulated networks that our algorithm accurately discovers the true community structure. This paper opens the door to using sophisticated statistical models to analyze massive networks.
Influence of Bacteriologic Peptones on Hydrogen Sulfide, Indol and Acetyl Methyl Carbinol Production by Enterobacteriaceaæ.

SummaryHydrogen sulfide production by bacteria varied greatly with the indicator ion employed; bismuth was superior, as a detector, to iron and lead. Iron was the least toxic. Occasionally the tryptophane content but rarely the guanidine configuration serve as limiting factors in peptones used for differential bacterial tests.
Materials science: Mind the helical crack

Catastrophic breakage of brittle materials such as ceramics is usually triggered by the rapid spreading of cracks. Computer simulations have now cracked the three-dimensional details of this process.
Beyond measurement uncertainty: improving the productivity of metrology tools through recipe error analysis

A key responsibility of a metrology engineer is to reduce measurement uncertainty. While important, decreasing measurement uncertainty is only one of many tasks the metrology engineer needs to address. A broader view includes continually improving the productivity of the metrology toolset. This requires the appropriate skills, methods and analysis tools to identify and address the key issues efficiently. Often, limitations in recipe build experience, inadequate calibrations and monitoring of the fleet and toolset limitations, cause many productivity issues that directly affect the cycle-time, toolset throughput, and the efficient use of engineering resources. This paper explores the analysis tools needed to improve productivity by analyzing metrology toolset recipe errors. Examples of methods and an application developed and used by IBM will be shown along with how they have lead to improved productivity of the fleet. Further, a discussion is included catered towards standardizing the critical information needed from suppliers for building universal analysis tools to allow improvements in productivity.
TRACK-EFFECT ACCOUNT OF SCINTILLATION EFFICIENCY FOR RANDOM AND CHANNELED HEAVY IONS OF INTERMEDIATE VELOCITIES.

The high-velocity formulation of the track-effect theory of scintillation efficiency is generalized for applicability at intermediate velocities (velocities spanning the peak in $\frac{\mathrm{dE}}{\mathrm{dx}}$) and applied to room-temperature data for ${\mathrm{O}}^{16}$ in NaI(Tl) both for random and channel trajectories. A core-correction term is incorporated into the representation of $\frac{\mathrm{dE}}{\mathrm{dx}}$. Electron velocities are taken into account in the calculation of track width ${R}_{max}(v)$. The contribution to $\frac{\mathrm{dL}}{\mathrm{dE}}$ from the region of high energy-deposit density is included. Quantitative agreement within experimental error is achieved for the ${\mathrm{O}}^{16}$ random-response data over the range $0.9\ensuremath{\le}v\ensuremath{\le}3.6$, where $v$ is in units of ${10}^{9}$ cm/sec, including the region of intermediate velocities characterized by a reversal of curvature and leveling off of $\frac{\mathrm{dL}}{\mathrm{dE}}$. The channel response is treated only so far as to indicate applicability of the theory. Values for the ratio $\frac{[\frac{\mathrm{dL}}{\mathrm{dE}}(\mathrm{channel})]}{[\frac{\mathrm{dL}}{\mathrm{dE}}(\mathrm{random})+]}$ are accounted for both in approximate magnitude and qualitative dependence on particle velocity.
An optimal cutting-plane algorithm for solving the non-unique probe selection problem

The non-unique probe selection problem consists of selecting oligonucleotide probes for use in hybridization experiments in which target viruses or bacteria are to be identified in biological samples. The presence or absence of these targets is determined by observing whether selected probes bind to their corresponding sequences. The goal is to select a probe set that is able to uniquely identify targets while containing a minimal number of probes. This paper contributes the first exact method for finding optimal solutions to the non-unique probe selection problem within practical computational limits, without the a priori elimination of candidate probes. Previously published methods have employed heuristics to find approximate solutions that are not provably optimal, and as a result, no knowledge has been obtained regarding the quality of those solutions relative to optimality. We demonstrate that our approach consistently finds an optimal solution to the non-unique probe selection problem within 10 min, and is capable of reducing the number of probes required over state-of-the-art heuristic techniques by as much as 20%.
Proportion of Neural Tube Defects Attributable to Known Risk Factors

BACKGROUND Recognized risk factors for neural tube defects (NTDs) poorly predict population-level NTD risk. However, the proportion of NTDs that can be attributed to these risk factors is uncertain.
Comparison of hydrogen desorption kinetics from Si(111)7 × 7 and Si(100)2 × 1

Abstract The desorption kinetics of hydrogen from the β1 H2-TPD state on Si(111)7 × 7 and Si(100)2 × 1 were studied using laser-induced thermal desorption (LITD) and temperature programmed desorption (TPD) techniques. Isothermal LITD studies of H2 desorption from Si(111)7 × 7 revealed second-order kinetics with a desorption activation barrier of E d = 62±4 kcal mol pro-exponential factor of vd=91±10 cm2/s. In contrast, the desorption of hydrogen from Si(100)2 × 1 revealed first-orde kinetics with an activation barrier of E d = 58±2 kcal mol and a pre-exponential factor of vd=(5.5±0.5)×1015s−1. The desorption kinetics yielded similar upper limits for the Si-H bond energies, but different desorption mechanisms on Si(111)7 × 7 and Si(100)2 × 1. The TPD results were also in agreement with second-order H2 desorption kinetics on Si(111)7 × 7 and first-order kinetics on Si(100)2 × 1. The second-order kinetics on Si(111)7 × 7 were consistent with a recombinatory desorption mechanism involving randomly positioned hydrogen atoms. The first-order H2 desorption kinetics were attributed to the concerted desorption of H2 from two hydrogen atoms paired on the same silicon dimer on Si(100)2 × 1.
Pairwise Clustering by Minimizing the Error of Unsupervised Nearest Neighbor Classification

Pair wise clustering methods, including the popular graph cut based approaches such as normalized cut, partition the data space into clusters by the pair wise affinity between data points. The success of pair wise clustering largely depends on the pair wise affinity function defined over data points coming from different clusters. Interpreting the pair wise affinity in a probabilistic framework, we build the relationship between pair wise clustering and unsupervised classification by learning the soft Nearest Neighbor (NN) classifier from unlabeled data, and search for the optimal partition of the data points by minimizing the generalization error of the learned classifier associated with the data partitions. Modeling the underlying distribution of the data by non-parametric kernel density estimation, the asymptotic generalization error of the unsupervised soft NN classification involves only the pair wise affinity between data points. Moreover, such error rate reduces to the well-known kernel form of graph cut in case of uniform data distribution, which provides another understanding of the kernel similarity used in Laplacian Eigenmaps [1] which also assumes uniform distribution. By minimizing the generalization error bound, we propose a new clustering algorithm. Our algorithm efficiently partition the data by inference in a pair wise MRF model. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of our method.
Quantitative image analysis and modeling indicate the Agrobacterium tumefaciens type IV secretion system is organized in a periodic pattern of foci

The Gram negative plant pathogen Agrobacterium tumefaciens is uniquely capable of genetically transforming eukaryotic host cells during the infection process. DNA and protein substrates are transferred into plant cells via a type IV secretion system (T4SS), which forms large cell-envelope spanning complexes at multiple sites around the bacterial circumference. To gain a detailed understanding of T4SS positioning, the spatial distribution of fluorescently labeled T4SS components was quantitatively assessed to distinguish between random and structured localization processes. Through deconvolution microscopy followed by Fourier analysis and modeling, T4SS foci were found to localize in a non-random periodic pattern. These results indicate that T4SS complexes are dependent on an underlying scaffold or assembly process to obtain an organized distribution suitable for effective delivery of substrates into host cells.
Reflected-light image analysis of conifer tree rings for reconstructing climate

We use reflected-light image analysis to measure brightness of conifer rings, and we use brightness as an alternative to density for reconstructing climate. Using densitometry and image analysis, we measured cores from red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) growing at Elephant Mountain, Maine, and then compared statistical characteristics of density and brightness and climate-tree growth models using density or brightness. Auto- correlational and cross-correlational statistics of density and brightness do not differ substantially, and late wood density and brightness both correlate with April-May average temperature, which both tree-ring variables reconstruct equally well. April-May temperature was highly variable during most of the nineteenth century and was below average during the AD 1830s, 1870s and late 1880s. When done carefully, reflected-light image analysis can substitute for X-ray densitometry for measuring tree rings to reconstruct climate of the latest Holo cene.
Residual Effects from Fish Wheel Capture and Handling of Yukon River Fall Chum Salmon

Abstract Since 1996, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologists have annually used fish wheels to capture migrating adult fall chum salmon Oncorhynchus keta in the main-stem Yukon River, Alaska, and estimated their abundance via mark–recapture methods. In each year of the study, the mark rate of captured fish at a site near Rampart has been substantially greater than rates observed at numerous locations upriver of that site. The factors most likely to cause the observed reduction in the mark rate are violations of mark–recapture model assumptions or the mortality of marked fish between the Rampart site and upriver locations. Results of studies conducted through 2000 were most consistent with the hypothesis of mortality. We investigate potential explanatory factors for the apparent reduction in mark rates at upriver locations using data collected during additional studies from 2001 to 2003. Results document that holding fish in submerged pens at the marking site negatively affects their ability to migrate f...
Infections Caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pseudomonas aeruginosa has emerged as an important pathogen during the past two decades. It causes between 10% and 20% of infections in most hospitals. Pseudomonas infection is especially prevalent among patients with burn wounds, cystic fibrosis, acute leukemia, organ transplants, and intravenous-drug addiction. P. aeruginosa is a common nosocomial contaminant, and epidemics have been traced to many items in the hospital environment. Patients who are hospitalized for extended periods are frequently colonized by this organism and are at increased risk of developing infection. The most serious infections include malignant external otitis, endophthalmitis, endocarditis, meningitis, pneumonia, and septicemia. The likelihood of recovery from pseudomonas infection is related to the severity of the patient's underlying disease process. The introduction of the antipseudomonal aminoglycosides and penicillins has improved substantially the prognosis of these infections. Ticarcillin and carbenicillin have been especially beneficial in neutropenic patients; however, prompt institution of therapy is mandatory for optimal benefit. Many new drugs with antipseudomonal activity, including penicillins, cephalosporins, and other beta-lactams, have been introduced in recent years and offer the potential for new approaches to therapy for these infections.
Health Care Reform and Asthma Care Disparities in Minority Populations

Asthma affects almost 23 million people in the United States and ranks as a leading cause of health disparities among minority and low socioeconomic groups, with the largest impact on minority children. This article will examine how fragmented health care in the United States contributes to asthma care disparities in minority populations and will discuss how health care reform may help overcome these disparities. Causes of asthma care disparities are marked by the socioeconomic relationship of the disease including, but not limited to, underprescribing and underuse of preventative medication, low primary care follow-up after acute exacerbations, and the limited availability of pharmacy resources in urban communities. Furthermore, the importance of health care coverage cannot be overemphasized. With the recent passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, health care reform offers significant opportunities to reduce or eliminate disparities in minorities. For health care reform to succeed, it ...
Conscription of cadaveric organs for transplantation: a stimulating idea whose time has not yet come.

Transplantation is now the best therapy for eligible patients with end-stage organ disease. For patients with failed kidneys, successful renal transplantation improves the quality and increases the quantity of their lives. For people with other types of organ failure, transplantation offers the only hope for long-term survival.This study was supported by a grant from the Upstate New York chapter of the National Kidney Foundation.
The role of ANG II and endothelin-1 in exercise-induced diastolic dysfunction in heart failure.

The diastolic dysfunction present at rest in congestive heart failure (CHF) is exacerbated during exercise (Ex). Increases in circulating ANG II and endothelin-1 (ET-1) during Ex may contribute to ...
Evaluation of a holistic cardiac rehabilitation in the reduction of biopsychosocial risk factors among patients with coronary heart disease

The purpose of this pilot study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the Lifestyle Change Program (LSCP). LSCP was a holistic cardiac rehabilitation (CR) intervention focusing on several psychosocial and biological predictors of coronary heart disease including depression, hostility, low social support, high perceived stress, low spirituality, low life satisfaction, overall health status and cholesterol levels. Utilising a quasi-experimental design, overall health scores of LSCP patients were compared with those of a control group. To assess differences within-and between- groups, two (programme type) × 2 (age) × 2 (gender) × 2 (time) mixed design ANOVAs were used. Within-group relationships for psychosocial assessments and cholesterol levels were analysed using paired-samples t-tests. Results suggest that there were no significant differences between the LSCP group and the control group with regard to overall health status. However, the LSCP participants reported significantly lower levels of depression and perceived stress, as well as significantly higher levels of life satisfaction and spirituality upon programme completion. In addition, lipid panels changed significantly: A significant decrease in total cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins and triglycerides, as well as a significant increase in high-density lipoproteins. These trends suggest that holistic CR may be effective at reducing biopsychosocial risk factors for future cardiac events. Future studies, utilising an experimental design, are necessary to determine whether holistic programmes are more effective than traditional programmes in the reduction of cardiac risk factors.
Worries over bioterrorism push.

A perceived shift in US microbiology funding towards support for work on organisms that might be used in biological weapons may actually increase the terrorism threat, writes Bernard Dixon .
Controlled Damage in Thick Specimens by Multiphoton Excitation

Controlled damage by light energy has been a valuable tool in studies of cell function. Here, we show that the Ti:Sapphire laser in a multiphoton microscope can be used to cause localized damage within unlabeled cells or tissues at greater depths than previously possible. We show that the damage is due to a multiphoton process and made wounds as small as 1 microm in diameter 20 microm from the surface. A characteristic fluorescent scar allows monitoring of the damage and identifies the wound site in later observations. We were able to lesion a single axon within a bundle of nerves, locally interrupt organelle transport within one axon, cut dendrites in a zebrafish embryo, ablate a mitotic pole in a sea urchin egg, and wound the plasma membrane and nuclear envelope in starfish oocytes. The starfish nucleus collapsed approximately 1 h after wounding, indicating that loss of compartmentation barrier makes the structure unstable; surprisingly, the oocyte still completed meiotic divisions when exposed to maturation hormone, indicating that the compartmentalization and translocation of cdk1 and its regulators is not required for this process. Multiphoton excitation provides a new means for producing controlled damage deep within tissues or living organisms.
Construction frequency and reductive change: Diachronic and register variation in Spanish clitic climbing

A comparison of Old Spanish and present-day Spanish data provides evidence that reductive change in grammaticizing forms may be manifested not only as a diachronic process but also as a synchronic difference between formal and informal registers. Clitic climbing frequencies in Spanish auxiliary + gerund sequences have increased diachronically as part of a series of reductive changes and in tandem with construction frequency increases. In calculating construction frequency, both the token frequency of auxiliary + gerund sequences and their frequency relative to lone-standing gerunds turn out to be important. Differences between present-day conversational and written data show that clitic position is stylistically stratified. Register differences in clitic climbing are found to be linked to construction frequency as well, suggesting that frequency effects operate on a more general synchronic level as well as on the level of particular texts. These text-level frequency effects may be related to parallel structure â€œbirds of a featherâ€ effects.
Optomechanically tunable photonic crystals for cavity QED

A new cavity-optomechanical system has been developed comprised of two doubly-clamped silicon nitride cantilevers with a 1D photonic crystal etched into them. We will discuss the optical properties of the system and potential applications to solid-state cavity QED with diamond color centers.
Bibliometric Models for Management of an Information Store. I. Differential Utility Among Items.

Differential demand for use among the items in an information store is a necessary condition for management of the store. Using bibliometric techniques for determination of the distribution of demand, the hypothesis of hyperbolic distribution, and an index of differential demand are developed.
A matching based decomposer for double patterning lithography

Double Patterning Lithography (DPL) is one of the few hopeful candidate solutions for the lithography for CMOS process beyond 45nm. DPL assigns the patterns less than a certain distance from each other on each layer onto two masks instead of one mask in traditional lithography. In this paper, we prove that the conflict graph used to model DPL conflicts in layout is a planar graph. Based on the planarity of the conflict graph, we propose a new face merging based framework which formulates DPL decomposition as a problem of pairing odd faces to simultaneously inimize the number of stitches generated and conflicts to eliminate. We employ partitioning and simplification techniques to reduce the problem size and use an O(n3) time maximum weighted matching algorithm to generate an optimal DPL decomposition.
Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Ion Transport in Beta”-Alumina

Na (I)-β”-alumina, (Nax.67Mg0 67A110 33O17), is a layered oxide well known for its ability to undergo ion exchange in which the sodium ion content is replaced by a variety of mono, di, and trivalent cations[1]. It consists of alternating layers of Al, O, and Mg, commonly referred to as ‘spinel’ blocks, and conduction layers. The spinel blocks comprise four close-packed oxygen layers with aluminum ions at interstitial sites. The conduction layers contain both the so-called ‘column’ oxygens, which are approximately 5.6 A apart and which link the spinel blocks together through A1-O-A1 bonds, as well as the entire sodium ion content. The sodium ions diffuse rapidly along hexagonal pathways around the column oxygens via what is widely accepted to be a vacancy mechanism.
Embryogenesis in vitro: an experimental model for the understanding of reproductive physiology and development in mammals.

During the last decade, problems of early embryonic development have undergone active investigation. The success of studies in this field are largely due to the availability of proper tissue culture techniques and media which allow for the growth and manipulation of mammalian embryos in vitro. Although a great amount of useful and important information has been amassed, a paucity of knowledge still exists, particularly with respect to pre-fertilization phenomena, eg. oocyte maturation and sperm capacitati on. The intricacies of the mechanism of fertilization itself are poorly understood as are the earliest events of development and differentiation of the mammalian embryo during the initial cleavage stages. Since the pattern of development of embryos derived from laboratory animals is similar to that of domestic animals, most probably, information obtained by studying the mouse, rat and rabbit may possibly be extrapolated to primates and even humans (7). Therefore, experimentation with such species will continue to supply us with the lion’s share of data ccncerning mammalian reproductive physiology and development.