cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dose reduction using digital fluoroscopy versus digital subtraction angiography in endovascular aneurysm repair: A prospective randomized trial

Abstract Objective Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) can result in high radiation dose to patients and operators. This prospective randomized study aimed to assess whether patient radiation dose sustained during EVAR could be decreased by predominantly using digital fluoroscopy (DF) vs the standard technique using digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Methods Between February 2011 and June 2017, patients with EVAR of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms were prospectively enrolled and randomly assigned to a standard treatment DSA cohort or a DF cohort in which two or fewer DSA acquisitions were allowed for confirmatory imaging. Primary end points included dose-area product (DAP) and cumulative air kerma. Secondary end points included technical success and conversion to DSA standard treatment (if DF was inadequate for visualization). Results For all 43 patients enrolled (26 in the DF cohort, 17 in the DSA cohort), technical success was 100%. Of the 26 DF patients, 5 (19%) required conversion to the DSA cohort. In an intention-to-treat analysis, mean DAP was significantly lower in the DF cohort than in the DSA cohort (132 vs 174 Gy·cm2; P = .04). When patients were separated by number of DSA acquisitions (two or fewer vs three or more), mean DAP decreased 41% (109 vs 185 Gy·cm2; P = .005) and cumulative air kerma decreased 40% (578 vs 964 mGy; P = .004). Conclusions In most patients (81%), DF or limited DSA was adequate for visualization during EVAR. In both intention-to-treat DF and limited-DSA cohorts, mean DAP was significantly decreased. If image quality allows, a DF-only or limited-DSA approach to EVAR decreases radiation dose.
11 – Nonconservative systems

Publisher Summary Static analysis of elastic systems subjected to follower forces may erroneously show that the system is free of instability. To ascertain whether such a system is stable requires a kinetic analysis. For problems that lose their stability by buckling, the kinetic method predicts that one of the system–natural frequencies tends to zero as the critical load is approached. For nonconservative systems, flutter instabilities may occur in addition to possible buckling instabilities. This means that small perturbations about the static equilibrium state oscillate with increasing amplitude. This chapter presents several examples and presents an alternative solution method based on the fully intrinsic equations of beam vibration. The first of these examples is a mechanical analog to the Beck column, which consists of a cantilevered beam undergoing a compressive concentrated follower force at its free end. Both exact and approximate analyses of the Beck column itself are presented. Then, a column undergoing a compressive and uniformly distributed follower force is treated. The next example is a shaft subject to a tangential follower torque. The final example presented in the chapter is a deep cantilevered beam with a lateral follower force applied at the tip and in the plane of greatest flexural rigidity.
Pregnancy's Risks and the Health Exception in Abortion Jurisprudence

Current abortion jurisprudence provides logically sufficient grounds for universal access. Under the health exception, abortion-regulating legislation must explicitly permit abortion access when a pregnancy threatens a pregnant person’s health. This article argues that, given the universal risks of pregnancy and birth, the reasoning of the health exception supports abortion access for all pregnancies, pre-and post-viability. Though the Court has presumed risks in pregnancy to be rarities, contemporary medical research into pregnancy and birth make clear how sweepingly common, unpredictable, severe, and multiple health risks remain. Since 1999, maternal mortality and morbidity rates – both persistently worse for people of color – have been increasing. Combing the legal standard and medical research, this article demonstrates that according to the logic of the health exception, abortion should be permitted in all circumstances, as each pregnancy and birth poses a threat to the pregnant person’s health. This logical consequence has implications for abortion access. If the health exception were given the effect this article argues both jurisprudence and medical research mandate, abortion should be available whenever sought, viability-defining legislation notwithstanding.
Uncovering Sociological Effect Heterogeneity Using Tree-Based Machine Learning:

Individuals do not respond uniformly to treatments, such as events or interventions. Sociologists routinely partition samples into subgroups to explore how the effects of treatments vary by selecte...
An Economic comparison of two estrus synchronization programs for dairy heifers

Two groups of 22 heifers were examined rectally for corpus luteum (CL) development. 14 cows from each group with CLs at the 5-16 day stage were injected with prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha ; 25 mg i/m), the remaining 8 in each group were given the same treatment 11 days later. All the heifers were inseminated 80 h after injection. All 22 heifers in group I were examined rectally 35 days after insemination. Open heifers were given a second PGF2 alpha injection if a CL was present and inseminated 80 h later. Open heifers without CLs were injected and inseminated 11 days later. This was repeated every 38-39 days until the end of the experiment (July to December). Heifers in group II were observed for signs of oestrus for 15 minutes twice daily (am and pm) and mated 12 h after the first observed signs. There were no significant differences between the groups for mean days from first service to conception (42.27 and 54.22), mean services/conception (1.68 and 2.22), or pregnancy rate (86.2% and 81.8%). These results suggest that the time required for oestrus detection can be replaced effectively by a scheme for oestrus synchronization and pregnancy diagnosis releasing the dairyman for normal herd management.
Communicating Certainty in Pathology Reports: Interpretation Differences Among Staff Pathologists, Clinicians, and Residents in a Multicenter Study.

CONTEXT.— Pathology reports are the main modality in which results are communicated to other physicians. For various reasons, the diagnosis may be qualified on a spectrum of uncertainty. OBJECTIVE.— To examine how communication of uncertainty is an unexamined source of possible medical error. No study to our knowledge has examined pathology reports across multiple institutions. This study seeks to identify commonly used phrases of diagnostic uncertainty and their interpreted meanings by surgical pathologists and clinicians. DESIGN.— Anonymous surveys were completed at 3 major US academic institutions by 18 practicing staff pathologists, 12 pathology residents, 53 staff clinicians, and 50 resident/allied health professional clinicians at 5 standard tumor boards. All participants rated percentage certainty associated with 7 diagnostic terms. Pathologists answered 2 questions related to the ability to clarify a diagnosis using a comment and comfort wording pathology reports. Clinicians answered questions on how often they read a pathology report comment, if they found the comment helpful, and how comfortable they were in reading pathology reports. RESULTS.— A wide range in percentage certainty was found for each of the 7 diagnostic phrases. Both staff and resident clinicians and residents showed wide variability in interpreting the phrases. Twenty-five of 50 staff clinicians (52%) were very comfortable reading a pathology report, whereas only 4 of 53 resident clinicians (8%) were very comfortable reading a pathology report. Twenty-four of 53 staff clinicians (63%) reported always reading the comment, yet only 20 of 53 (27%) always found the comment helpful. The phrases "diagnostic of" and "consistent with" had the strongest agreement in meaning. The weakest agreement was between "suspicious for" and "compatible with." CONCLUSIONS.— Efforts to standardize diagnostic terms may improve communication.
Analysis of Scanning Acoustic Microscopy Images of IC Chips

The detection, isolation, and characterization of flaws in components represent a critical need in manufacturing and quality control. Nondestructive testing (NDT) provides an effective way of inspecting materials for ensuring the quality and integrity of products and systems. Consequently, nondestructive inspection finds extensive application in several industries such as steel, nuclear and electronic industries for the evaluation of complex test objects with minimal interruption of routine operations[1].
The effect of fluorination on the physical properties and the free energies of hydration of 1-alcohols

Abstract Because of the widespread use of fluorinated compounds and their subsequent release into the environment, these chemicals have been subjected to a great deal of scrutiny in the past years to determine the extent of their toxicity. In order to better understand the interactions of perfluorinated alcohols and fluorotelomer alcohols in aqueous environments, molecular dynamics simulations are utilized to determine environmental predictors, such as the free energy of hydration. In this work, the predictions of two different force fields, the united-atom Transferable Potentials for Phase Equilibria (TraPPE) and the all-atom Optimized Potentials for Liquid Simulations (OPLS) are compared against available experimental data. Both force fields yield reliable predictions for liquid densities, heats of vaporization and hydration free energies. Investigation of the local solvation environment around the hydroxyl group reveals that fluorination of carbons closest to the hydroxyl group has the greatest effect on the overall hydration free energy.
HISTOCHEMICAL AND LIPID STUDIES ON HUMAN AND RAT PLACENTAS.

Abstract 1. 1. Some histochemical features of human and rat placental tissues are described with special emphasis placed on the distribution of the plasmalogens. 2. 2. The lipid chromatographic pattern of human and rat placenta were shown to be markedly similar, especially with respect to their plasmalogen and inositide content; both were shown to contain an unidentified amino component not found in the cord or maternal blood. 3. 3. The human amnion was shown to be intensely plasmalogen positive, which by chromatography was shown to be the ethanolamine analogue. Alkaline hydrolysis of amnion extract produced free glyceryl ether similar to that observed in amniotic fluid.
Ferromagnetic and ferroelectric materials as seed sources for magnetic flux compressors

An alternative to the use of capacitors as the seed source for flux compression generators (FCG) are permanent magnet based systems. Permanent magnets provide a larger energy-to-volume ratio given that the use of capacitors requires a power source as well as charging and firing circuitry. A recent design developed at Texas Tech University's Center for Pulsed Power and Power Electronics [S.I. Shkuratov, et al., 2002], focused on the demagnetization of a Neodymium-Iron-Boron magnet (Nd/sub 2/Fe/sub 14/B, B/sub r/= 1.23 T) by a shockwave generated from high explosives. The maximum specific energy achieved with this design was only 2.3 J/kg, which may not be sufficient for effectively seeding an FCG (fast capacitors have at least 20 J/kg). The same magnets were used with an alternative design, referred to as a strip FCG, which utilizes opposing magnets to generate initial magnetic field intensity within an air gap. The air gap exists between a central tube, filled with high explosives, and metal strips placed between the magnets a few millimeters off-axis. The detonation of the explosive causes the expansion of the central tube, subsequently compressing the flux into the strips and then into the load. The original strip FCG design [B.A. Bojko, et al., 1994] used oxide-barium magnets (B/sub r/= 0.2T), which produced an estimated specific energy of 5.27 J/kg into a low inductance load. These magnets were replaced with the Nd/sub 2/Fe/sub 14/B (B/sub r/= 1.23 T) magnets in order to achieve better performance, which will be analyzed with respect to the specific energy. In addition, a design utilizing a shocked ferroelectric material, PZT, as a seed current source is discussed. An explosively generated shock wave is passed through a ferroelectric material, generating a current that establishes the initial seed flux for an FCG. Preliminary tests of the ferroelectric sources indicate a possible theoretical specific energy of more than 11 J/kg or 25 J/dm/sup 3/. A comparison of the designs will be discussed with regard to the specific energy produced and the effectiveness of each to seed FCG's.
Avian scale development. XVI. Epidermal commitment to terminal differentiation is prior to definitive scale ridge formation.

Abstract Germinative cells of the scutate scale epidermis from 15-day embryos are committed to appendage-specific, beta stratum formation in association with a foreign dermis. Commitment precedes the time (17 days of development) at which beta strata are actually present in their site-specific locations along the outer surface of each scutate scale. This observation suggested the possibility that commitment to beta stratum formation might be occurring as the outer epidermal surface of each scutate scale first becomes established between 12 and 13 days of development. It is at this time that the scale epidermis loses its ability to participate in feather morphogenesis and cell proliferation becomes restricted to a true stratum basale. To examined the ability of the presumptive scutate scale epidermis to generate beta strata in the absence of the inductive scutate scale dermis, scutate scale epidermis from 11-, 12-, and 13-day embryos was recombined with 15-day reticulate scale dermis and grown for 7 or 9 days. The dermis of reticulate scales does not induce beta stratum formation, but it does support differentiation of a beta stratum by the determined 15-day scutate scale epidermis. Using immunohistological and biochemical analyses of β-keratins, we find that each of these presumptive scutate scale epidermises is competent to generate appendage-specific beta strata in the absence of the scutate scale dermis. This determination is occurring prior to scale ridge morphogenesis and differentiation of the epidermis into the distinct outer and inner epidermal surfaces of the scale ridge. The restricted distribution of beta strata to the apical domes of individual reticulate-like scales demonstrates that the germinative cells of the committed epidermises are responding to patterned cues. This study also suggests that all basal cells of the presumptive scutate scale epidermis are initially endowed with the ability to generate cells that form a beta stratum.
Bis(triisopropylsilyl)-o-phenylenediamido complexes of tantalum. X-ray structure of (η5-C5Me5)[o-C6H4(NSiPri3)2]TaCl2

Abstract The new mixed-ligand complexes CP ∗ [o- C 6 H 4 ( NSiPr i 3 ) 2 ] TaCl 2 (1 and Cp ∗ [o- C 6 H 4 ( NSiPr i 3 ) 2 ] TaMe 2 (2) have been prepared and characterized. In complex 1 the diamide ligand is coordinated in an η4-fashion via donation of electron density from the phenylene ring to the metal. Preliminary reactivity studies for these complexes are described.
Schema-Directed Processes in Language Comprehension

This paper will attempt to develop the thesis that the knowledge a person already possesses has a potent influence on what he or she will learn and remember from exposure to discourse. It begins by outlining some assumptions about the characteristics of the structures in which existing knowledge is packaged. Next, based on these assumptions, it presents a speculative theoretical treatment of the processes involved in assimilating the information and ideas in discourse. This is the topic that will be given most attention in this paper. Data consistent with the theory will be summarized. It should be emphasized in advance, however, that the experiments to date show at most that the theoretical notions are interesting and plausible. The research has not advanced to the point where there is a firm basis for choosing between competing accounts. Finally, some observations will be made about the implications of this research for education.
STUDIES OF THE GAS-EMBEDDED Z-PINCH

Numerical modeling and experimental investigations of the gas-embedded Z-pinch are reported. One dimensional MHD calculations, including ionization, are extended to include α-particle heating effects for very dense pinches. Heating from 10 to 50 keV is dominantly due to α-heating and in consequence the pinch expands radially. Experimental studies of the gas-embedded Z-pinch were conducted using a relativistic electron beam to provide an initial ionized channel. Both pinch and expanding discharge channel modes are observed depending on pressure. The observed growth of a helical deformation driven by the kink instability is compared with a nonlinear theory. The theory is found to over-estimate the observed helix radius by roughly a factor of 10.
Gender and Context Differences in Alcohol Expectancies

Abstract In 2 studies, the authors investigated gender and context effects of alcohol expectancies among U.S. college students. In Study 1, they examined the responses of 771 women and 493 men to the Sexual Enhancement (SE) subscale and the Relaxation and Tension Reduction (TR) subscale of the Alcohol Expectancy Questionnaire (S. A. Brown, B. A. Christiansen, & M. S. Goldman, 1987). They found no gender differences when they controlled for drinking quantity. When they controlled for drinking frequency, the men scored significantly higher on the TR subscale than the women did. In Study 2, also among U.S. college students, 41 women and 21 men first imagined that they were on blind dates or in long-term relationships and then completed the SE and TR subscales. On the SE subscale, the women scored higher in the relationship context than in the blind-date context, whereas the men did not vary between contexts. All the participants also reported more tension-reduction expectancies in the relationship context th...
Pressure- and Light-Induced Luminescence of Several Aldehydes Dissolved in Polymer Matrices

The pressure- and light-induced emissions of four aldehydesbenzaldehyde (BA), 4-(dimethylamino)-benzaldehyde (DMABA), 4-(dibutylamino)-benzaldehyde (DBABA), and 4-(dimethylamino)-1-naphthaldehyde (...
Natural killer cytotoxicity and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity of human immunodeficiency virus-infected cells by leukocytes from human neonates and adults.

Natural Killer Cytotoxicity and Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity of Human Immunodeficiency Virus–Infected Cells by Leukocytes from Human Neonates and Adults
Indirect inguinal hernia in twins.

Abstract The incidence of herniorrhaphy in twins is high in early infancy and persists throughout the childhood years (boys 10.6%, girls 4.1%). Male twin children are operated upon about two and one-half times as often as girls, a much lower male-female sex ratio than that for singletons (9 to 1). None of the dizygotic twin girls were operated upon for hernia. A comparison of the frequency of concordance in monozygotic and dizygotic twins fails to support the view that there is a genetic basis for hernia in children but does not rule it out. The incidence of herniorrhaphy in the siblings of operated twins was high—6%. No relation was found between the birth weights of operated twins and their co-twins.
Classifying data dependences in the presence of pointers for program comprehension, testing, and debugging

Understanding data dependences in programs is important for many software-engineering activities, such as program understanding, impact analysis, reverse engineering, and debugging. The presence of pointers can cause subtle and complex data dependences that can be difficult to understand. For example, in languages such as C, an assignment made through a pointer dereference can assign a value to one of several variables, none of which may appear syntactically in that statement. In the first part of this article, we describe two techniques for classifying data dependences in the presence of pointer dereferences. The first technique classifies data dependences based on definition type, use type, and path type. The second technique classifies data dependences based on span. We present empirical results to illustrate the distribution of data-dependence types and spans for a set of real C programs. In the second part of the article, we discuss two applications of the classification techniques. First, we investigate different ways in which the classification can be used to facilitate data-flow testing. We outline an approach that uses types and spans of data dependences to determine the appropriate verification technique for different data dependences; we present empirical results to illustrate the approach. Second, we present a new slicing approach that computes slices based on types of data dependences. Based on the new approach, we define an incremental slicing technique that computes a slice in multiple steps. We present empirical results to illustrate the sizes of incremental slices and the potential usefulness of incremental slicing for debugging.
Attention to Maternal Multimodal Naming by 6- to 8-Month-Old Infants and Learning of Word-Object Relations.

We examined whether mothers' use of temporal synchrony between spoken words and moving objects, and infants' attention to object naming, predict infants' learning of word–object relations. Following 5 min of free play, 24 mothers taught their 6- to 8-month-olds the names of 2 toy objects, Gow and Chi, during a 3-min play episode. Infants were then tested for their word mapping. The videotaped episodes were coded for mothers' object naming and infants' attention to different naming types. Results indicated that mothers' use of temporal synchrony and infants' attention during play covaried with infants' word-mapping ability. Specifically, infants who switched eye gaze from mother to object most frequently during naming learned the word–object relations. The findings suggest that maternal naming and infants' word-mapping abilities are bidirectionally related. Variability in infants' attention to maternal multimodal naming explains the variability in early lexical-mapping development.
University hospital based care decreases recurrent preterm deliveries and costs in comparison to no prenatal care

Abstract Objective: To compare perinatal outcomes and total health care costs for patients with a previous history of preterm delivery cared for by an inner city university hospital house staff clinic versus patients who have not received any prenatal care. Study Design: We conducted a retrospective review of women with a history of preterm delivery between 1994 and 1996. The inclusion criteria was a history of at least one preterm delivery. Data were obtained on maternal demographics, complete past obstetrical history, and number of prenatal visits. Results: The study groups consisted of 96 house staff patients and 53 patients without prenatal care. The number of prior preterm births, incidence of recurrent preterm delivery, length of neonatal intensive care unit stay, and mother-infant costs were greater in the group without prenatal care. The mean gestational age at time of delivery, and mean birth weight were greater in the house staff group. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that university hospital-based prenatal care decreases recurrent preterm delivery rates and health care costs when compared to lack of prenatal care. Prenatal care provided at academic centers, with a coordinated multidisciplinary approach, appears to have a positive impact on the problem of preterm deliveries.
On generalized perfect graphs: bounded degree and bounded edge perfection

Given a hereditary family of graphs P one defines the P-chromatic number of a graph G, denoted χP(G), to be the minimum size of a partition V(G)=V1∪⋯∪Vk such that each Vi induces in G a member of P. Define ωP(G) to equal χP(K) where K is a largest clique in G. We say that G is χP-perfect provided χP(H)=ωP(H) for all induced subgraphs H of G. We consider the properties Et, “has at most t edges” and Dt, “has maximum degree at most t”. For these properties (and some variants) we prove analogues of the Strong Perfect Graph Conjecture and the Perfect Graph Theorem, and we also exhibit polynomial time algorithms for recognizing these generalized perfect graphs provided t>0.
An Inverse Heat Transfer Method for Determining Workpiece Temperature in Minimum Quantity Lubrication Deep Hole Drilling

This study investigates the workpiece temperature in minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) deep hole drilling. An inverse heat transfer method is developed to estimate the spatial and temporal change of heat flux on the drilled hole wall surfaces based on the workpiece temperature measured using embedded thermocouples and analyzed using the finite element method. The inverse method is validated experimentally in both dry and MQL deep-hole drilling conditions and the results show good agreement with the experimental temperature measurements. This study demonstrates that the heat generated on the hole wall surface is significant in deep hole drilling. In the example of deep hole drilling of ductile iron, the level of thermal power applied on the hole wall surface is about the same as that on the hole bottom surface when a 10 mm drill reached a depth of 120 mm.
HP caliper: an architecture for performance analysis tools

HP Caliper is an architecture for software developer tools that deal with executable (binary) programs. It provides a common framework that allows building of a wide variety of tools for doing performance analysis, profiling, coverage analysis, correctness checking, and testing. HP Caliper uses a technology known as dynamic instrumentation, which allows program instructions to be changed on-the-fly with instrumentation probes. Dynamic instrumentation makes HP Caliper easy to use: It requires no special preparation of an application, supports shared libraries, collects data for multiple threads, and has low intrusion and overhead. This paper describes HP Caliper for HP-UX, running on the IA-64 (Itanium) processor. It describes Caliper's architecture, dynamic instrumentation algorithm, and the experiences gathered during its implementation.
Spontaneous and Stimulated Recombination Radiation in Semiconductors

Spectral line shapes of the radiation produced by band-to-band recombination of excess carriers in semi-conductors are calculated under the assumption that the momentum matrix element is the same for all initial and final states, i.e., that there is no momentum selection rule. The peak of the stimulated radiation falls at a lower photon energy than does the peak of the spontaneous radiation, except when $T=0$\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. Some numerical results are given for simple parabolic bands, specifically for the case of electron injection into $p$-type GaAs, and are used to deduce the temperature dependence of the forward current which is necessary to maintain a fixed gain in the active region of a diode. The result is closely related to the temperature dependence of the threshold current in an injection laser, and gives reasonable agreement with experiment. The effect of a conduction band tail is briefly considered.
Differential rostral projections of caudal brainstem neurons receiving trigeminal input after masseter inflammation

To understand the functional significance of orofacial injury-induced neuronal activation, this study examined the rostral projection of caudal brainstem neurons that were activated by masseteric inflammation. Rats were injected with a retrograde tracer, Fluorogold, into the nucleus submedius of the thalamus (Sm), parabrachial nucleus (PB), lateral hypothalamus (LH), or medial ventroposterior thalamic nucleus (VPM) 7 days before injection of an inflammatory agent, complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA), into the masseter muscle. Rats were perfused at 2 hours after inflammation, and brainstem tissues were processed for Fos-Fluorogold double immunocytochemistry. Although there was no difference in Fos expression among the four groups (n = 4 per site), the rostral projection of Fos-positive neurons showed dramatic differences. In the ventral portion of the trigeminal subnuclei interpolaris/caudalis (Vi/Vc) transition zone, the percentage of Fos-positive neurons projecting to the Sm (39.7%) was significantly higher than that projecting to the LH (5.4%) or VPM (5.6%; P < .001). The anesthesia alone also induced Fos expression in ventral Vi/Vc neurons, but these neurons did not project to Sm. In the caudal laminated Vc and dorsal Vi/Vc, the PB was the major site of rostral projection of Fos-positive neurons. In the caudal ventrolateral medulla and nucleus tractus solitarius, Fos-positive neurons projected to the Sm, PB, and LH. Most VPM-projecting neurons examined did not show Fos-like immunoreactivity after masseter inflammation. These findings emphasize the importance of the trigeminal Vi/Vc transition zone in response to orofacial deep tissue injury. Furthermore, the results differentiate the ventral and dorsal portions of the Vi/Vc transition zone, in that the Sm received projection mainly from activated neurons in the ventral Vi/Vc. The activation of Vi/Vc neurons and associated ascending pathways may facilitate somatoautonomic and somatovisceral integration and descending pain modulation after orofacial deep tissue injury. J. Comp. Neurol. 465:220–233, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Sound source localization using distributed elevated acoustic sensors

Detecting and localizing impulsive acoustic sources in the daytime using distributed elevated acoustic sensors with large baseline separations has distinct advantages over small ground-based arrays. There are generally two reasons for this: first, during the daytime, because of more direct and less encumbered propagation paths, signal levels are generally larger at altitude than near the ground. Second, larger baselines provide improved localization accuracy. Results are reported from a distributed array of acoustic sensors deployed during an experiment near Bourges, France during June of 2008. The distributed array consisted of microphones and GPS receivers attached to the tether lines of three widely separated aerostats. The sound sources were various impulsive devices. Results from the measurements are presented and discussed. Localization errors (GPS accuracy, propagation calculation, and aerostat motion, etc) are discussed. Possible ways to improve the localization accuracy are suggested.
Using expert knowledge in initialization for genome-wide analysis of epistasis using genetic programming

In human genetics it is now possible to measure large numbers of DNA sequence variations across the human genome. Given current knowledge about biological networks and disease processes it seems likely that disease risk can best be modeled by interactions between biological components, which may be examined as interacting DNA sequence variations. The machine learning challenge is to e.ectively explore interactions in these datasets to identify combinations of variations which are predictive of common human diseases. Genetic programming is a promising approach to this problem. The goal of this study is to examine the role that an expert knowledge aware initializer can play in the framework of genetic programming. We show that this expert knowledge aware initializer outperforms both a random initializer and an enumerative initializer.
Themes in the experience of language

Two studies were conducted to determine what adult speakers report being aware of when asked to describe their experience of language. The first study engaged a small number of participants in extensive dialogic interviews about the topic; the second study requested a much larger group of respondents to list three situations in which they were aware of language and then to describe one of these in detail. Thematic analysis of responses produced in both studies revealed four different, but interrelated, meanings to an individual's experience of language: as a well structured system, as an aesthetic object, as a useful event, and as a aspect of the self or of the interpersonal world. Each theme appeared in all interviews and in most written descriptions, although individual participants emphasized one or another of the themes more strongly. In addition, the pattern of interrelationship among themes was similar in both studies despite significant differences in the specific situations described. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for theoretical and empirical approaches to language as well as in terms of the meaning of language to and for human speakers.
Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis for screening nonaggregating human antibody heavy chain variable domains.

Antibody heavy chain variable domains (VHs) form a significant class of biologics. With VH display libraries—the primary source of VH binders—unwanted aggregating VHs are coselected, sometimes overwhelmingly, alongside nonaggregating VHs. Thus, methods enabling efficient screening for nonaggregating VHs are highly valuable. Here, we found that on nonreducing sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE) gels, nonaggregating VHs migrate faster than expected, giving underestimated molecular weights (MWs), whereas aggregating ones migrate slower, giving overestimated MWs. Our finding can be applied to large-scale screening for nonaggregating VHs and possibly other proteins, in particular in display library settings, by SDS–PAGE.
Reciprocating friction and wear behavior of a ceramic-matrix graphite composite for possible use in diesel engine valve guides

Reciprocating ball-on-flat tests were conducted on prepared sections cut from cast iron, silicon nitride, and silicon nitride/12.5 vol% graphite composite valve guides over a range of temperatures, normal loads, speeds, and lubrication conditions. The purpose of this work was to ascertain whether the latter ceramic composite would produce a beneficial lubricating film on the opposing surface and serve as a self-lubricating material. Type 440C stainless steel was used as the counterface material. Machining practices were selected to provide the surface roughness and lay (direction of grinding marks) similar to that of actual valve guide bores. For comparison with the ceramic composite material, both cast iron and silicon nitride matrix materials were also tested. Tests were also performed using graphite powder on the silicon nitride matrix material to ascertain what frictional behavior might be observed in the most favorable case. Friction and wear data, combined with surface chemical analysis confirmed that the current composite, while wear resistant, did not provide any lubrication advantages over silicon nitride itself. No evidence for the sliding-induced formation of a beneficial graphite film was obtained by optical examination, scanning electron microscopy, or surface chemical analysis. While the type of graphite used in the present composite fractured into fine particles and did not form a lubricating film in our experiments, the results do not preclude the possibility of developing other ceramic composites with self-lubricating properties.
A critical evaluation of the cross-flow ultrafiltration technique for sampling colloidal organic carbon in seawater

The retention characteristics, integrity and performance of cross-flow ultrafilters [Amicon S10N1 with 1-kilodalton (kDa) cutoff] were examined in the laboratory. In addition, the effects of concentration factors and sample storage on dissolved organic carbon (DOC) mass balance and size fractionation were investigated using natural seawater and macromolecular solutions containing compounds of different molecular weights (MWs). The concentration of DOC in the permeate and the percentage of colloidal organic carbon (COC) retained by the ultrafilter change with the concentration factor during the ultrafiltration process. Thus, the DOC concentration in the entire permeate is necessary to reliably evaluate the DOC mass balance during ultrafiltration and for the calculation of the COC fraction. Replicate ultrafiltration experiments show that reproducible results can be achieved (±2%), and that losses or contamination problems during ultrafiltration were negligible. However, reproducible and accurate results for size fractionation of DOC require rigorous cleaning and strict sampling protocols. Short-term storage of coastal seawater samples (salinity ~ 28; DOC ~ 170 μM) did not significantly affect the overall results of DOC size fractionation but could have severe effects on minor constituents. A certain percentage of lower-MW ( 1 kDa) can pass through the ultrafilter, depending on the concentration factor and bulk DOC concentrations. Inter-molecular interactions and/or steric effects of low-MW compounds and the slow breakthrough of high-MW macromolecules are likely the major processes responsible for these observations. Ultrafiltration of DOC in seawater can be characterized by a permeation model with a constant permeation coefficient of < 1. A high concentration factor is suggested for size fractionation of DOC in order to minimize the retention of low-MW DOC. In addition, results from isotopic (13C and 14C) and elemental (C and N) characterization of colloidal samples are presented.
Structure and Dynamics of Acetonitrile at the Air/Liquid Interface of Binary Solutions Studied by Infrared−Visible Sum Frequency Generation

Infrared−visible sum frequency generation (SFG) vibrational spectroscopy was employed to investigate the molecular level details of acetonitrile (CH3CN) structure at the air/liquid interface of binary solutions with per-deuterated acetonitrile (CD3CN), water, and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). In the case of the CH3CN−CD3CN system, the SFG signal intensity for the symmetric CH stretch (CH(s)) mode increases proportionally with the bulk mole fraction of CH3CN (xCH3CN). However, the SFG signal intensity of the CH(s) mode from the CH3CN−water system is rapidly enhanced, reaches a maximum, and gradually attenuates as xCH3CN is varied from 0 to 1. Mixtures of CH3CN and CCl4 generally exhibit less SFG intensity for the CH(s) mode compared to the CH3CN−CD3CN and CH3CN−water systems for a corresponding xCH3CN. For quantitative analysis, the contributions to the SFG signal intensity were separated into the orientation factor and surface number density. As a consequence, it was found that CH3CN molecules in the CH3CN...
Passive vibration suppression of rotating blades using piezoelectric devices

An analytical procedure is presented for modeling the behavior of rotating blades with integrated piezoelectric devices. The equation of motion and associated boundary conditions are derived for the vibrations of piezoelectrically actuated rotating beams/blades. The effects, so-called 'centrifugal-softening and centrifugal-stiffing,' of the displacement-dependent centrifugal forces are investigated in the present study.
High-resolution TOF-SIMS imaging of eukaryotic cells preserved in a trehalose matrix.

A novel, trehalose-glycerol matrix was utilized to generate high-resolution, TOF-SIMS images of macrophages and glial cells. Viable cells incubated in 50 mM trehalose, then lyophilized in a 50 mM trehalose, 10−15% (w/w) glycerol rinse, are preserved and chemically profiled. These experiments demonstrate the utility of the disaccharide matrix as an efficient, cost-effective alternative to cryogenics for SIMS and other ultrahigh-vacuum (UHV) analyses of biological species. Cellular processes on oligodendrocytes and astrocytes, 1−3 μm in width, were well resolved for cells in the trehalose−glycerol matrix. The viscous cell matrixes were fractured and analyzed at room temperature and maintained their three-dimensional integrity under UHV. Images have been generated with a Au primary ion source near the static limit of 1012 ions/cm2. Though these nucleated cells do not remain viable after desiccation, TOF-SIMS imaging and subsequent rehydration reveals structural and morphological preservation. Eliminating the...
THEORETICAL AND EMPIRICAL STANDARD ERRORS FOR TWO POPULATION INVARIANCE MEASURES IN THE LINEAR EQUATING CASE

The standard errors of the 2 most widely used population-invariance measures of equating functions, root mean square difference (RMSD) and root expected mean square difference (REMSD), are not derived for common equating methods such as linear equating. Consequently, it is unknown how much noise is contained in these estimates. This paper describes 2 methods for obtaining the standard errors for RMSD and REMSD. The delta method relies on an analytical approximation and provides asymptotic standard errors. The grouped jackknife method is a sampling-based method. Both methods were applied to a real data application. The results showed that there was very little difference between the standard errors found by the 2 methods.
Effects of dose on the induction of dominant-lethal mutations with triethylenemelamine in male mice.

ABSTRACT Dose effects of triethylenemelamine (TEM) in the induction of dominant-lethal mutations were studied at the early spermatozoon, midspermatid and spermatocyte stages. The pattern of effects on spermatocytes, unlike midspermatids and early spermatozoa, indicated possible cytotoxic damage, so for the determination of TEM dose-response curves in the induction of genetic damage only the data for midspermatids and early spermatozoa were used. The TEM dose-effect curves for those two stages differ markedly from ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) dose-effect curves. Beginning with the lowest doses at which significant effects are observed, there is a considerably more rapid increase in dominant-lethal effects with dose of EMS than TEM. Another marked difference between the two compounds is in the ratio of the genetically effective dose (as measured by dominant-lethal mutations) to the lethal dose. The ratio is 1:100 for TEM and only 1:3.5 for EMS; thus, TEM is mutagenic far below its toxic level. Obviously, these results have important implications not only for our understanding of the nature of chemical induction and recovery of chromosomal aberrations but also for the practical problems of evaluating the mutagenic effects of chemicals.
Dual-channel EST/BRT: a new high-voltage MOS-gated thyristor structure

A new MOS-gated thyristor structure, in which a BRT section is incorporated into the dual-channel EST (DC-EST) to enhance maximum controllable current densities, is presented. This structure has been demonstrated experimentally to have a maximum controllable current density about 2.5 times greater than that of the DC-EST, with only a small increase in the on-state voltage drop.
The geometry of generalized quantum logics

Let II be a quantum logic; by this we mean an orthocomplemented, orthomodular, partially ordered set. We assume that II carries a sufficiently large collection Δ of states (probability measures). Then, Δ is embedded as a base for the cone of a partially ordered normed spaceL and II is also embedded in the dual order-unit Banach spaceL*. We consider conditions on the pairs (Δ, II) and (L,L*) that guarantee that II is a dense subset of the extreme points of the positive part of the unit ball ofL*. We demonstrate a connection of these conditions in noncommutative measure theory. The assumptions made here are far weaker than the assumptions of the traditional quantum mechanical formalisms and also apply to situations quite different from quantum mechanics. Finally, we show the connections of this theory to the well-known models of quantum mechanics and classical measure theory.
Alterations in left ventricular volumes and ejection fraction during atrial pacing in patients with coronary artery disease: Assessment with radionuclide ventriculography

Abstract The present study was performed to determine the utility of radionuclide ventriculography (RNV) in conjunction with atrial pacing in the identification of individuals with coronary artery disease. Accordingly, left ventricular end-diastolic volume index, end-systolic volume index, ejection fraction, and regional wall motion were measured with radionuclide ventriculography before and during atrial pacing in 37 patients: 27 with and 10 without (control subjects) coronary artery disease. In the control subjects, pacing caused a decrease in end-diastolic volume index (77 ± 19 [mean ± SD] ml/M 2 at rest, 50 ± 18 ml/M 2 at peak pacing; p 2 at rest, 19 ± 9 ml/M 2 at peak pacing; p p = 0.006); and no deterioration in wall motion. In 16 patients with coronary artery disease who developed ECG and/or metabolic evidence of ischemia during pacing, end-diastolic volume index decreased (87 ± 26 ml/M 2 at rest, 69 ± 24 ml/M 2 at peak pacing; p 2 at rest, 44 ± 21 ml/M 2 at peak pacing; p = NS, ejection fraction decreased (0.55 ± 0.12 at rest, 0.40 ± 0.14 at peak pacing; p 2 to 61 ± 31 ml/M 2 ; p 2 to 28 ± 20 ml/M 2 ; p = 0.002), no change in ejection fraction (0.60 ± 0.11 to 0.60 ± 0.13; p = NS), and new wall motion abnormalities in four. Although the specificity of these scintigraphic measurements for the identification of patients with coronary artery disease was excellent (1.0), the combined sensitivity of all scintigraphic measurements was high only if ECG or metabolic evidence of ischemia was present: 0.94 in patients with evidence of ischemia but only 0.36 in those without ischemia. Thus radionuclide ventriculography during incremental atrial pacing is useful in the identification of patients with coronary artery disease only if ischemia is induced.
Vaccinia virus G4L gene encodes a second glutaredoxin.

Vaccinia virus (VV) was previously shown to encode a functional glutaredoxin, the product of theo2lgene, which is synthesized late in infection, after the onset of DNA replication. Here we report that an open reading frame in the VV genome designated asg4lencodes a protein that has sequence similarity to glutaredoxins and possesses thioltransferase and dehydroascorbate reductase activities. G4L protein in infected cells can be detected as early as 4 hr after infection and is constitutively expressed up to 24 hr postinfection. A protein homologous to G4L and retaining the predicted glutaredoxin active center is encoded by the recently sequenced Molluscum Contagiosum virus (MCV), whereas O2L protein is not conserved, suggesting that the glutaredoxin activity of G4L may be involved in replication of all poxviruses.
Dip-Pen Nanolithography of Electrical Contacts to Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

This paper discusses a method for the direct patterning of Au electrodes at nanoscale resolution using dip-pen nanolithography, with proof-of-concept demonstrated by creating single-walled carbon nanotube devices. This technique enables insight into three key concepts at the nanoscale: using dip-pen nanolithography as an alternative to electron-beam lithography for writing contacts to carbon nanotubes, understanding the integrity of contacts and devices patterned with this technique, and on a more fundamental level, providing a facile method to compare and understand electrical and Raman spectroscopy data from the same isolated carbon nanotube. Electrical contacts to individual and small bundle single-walled carbon nanotubes were masked by an alkylthiol that was deposited via dip-pen nanolithography on a thin film of Au evaporated onto spin-cast, nonpercolating, and highly isolated single-walled carbon nanotubes. A wet Au etching step was used to form the individual devices. The electrical characteristics for three different single-walled carbon nanotube devices are reported: semimetallic, semiconducting, and metallic. Raman analysis on representative devices corroborates the results from AFM imaging and electrical testing. This work demonstrates a technique for making electrical contact to nanostructures of interest and provides a platform for directly corroborating electrical and optical measurements. The merits of using dip-pen nanolithography include flexible device configuration (such as varying the channel length and the number, size, and orientation of contacts), targeted patterning of individual devices with imaging and writing conducted in the same instrument under ambient conditions, and negligible damage to single-walled carbon nanotubes during the fabrication process.